Written In The Scars

Chapter 34

"What brings you back to Balqaas?" Harun enquired, unimpressed by the Visier's hasty return.

"My King wishes for me to convey a message to your King,"

"I'm afraid my father is not in the condition to accept visitors," Abbas boomed. "However, we can relay the message to him,"

The Visier crossed his arms with a sigh, raising his chin. "My King has decided to terminate the marriage proposal and alliance until I bring back the woman,"

Abbas glanced at his brother with a frown.

"The woman is under the protection of Lady Haifa, and abiding to the laws of our religion, my father stands by the guaranteed protection offered by his daughter-in-law," Harun affirmed with an unwavering glare.

"You are only asking for war," The Visier spat.

"Then so be it,"

"You will bring the doom of your nation once you become King,"

A symphony of swords unsheathing echoed throughout the room, the guards stepping forward with their extended weapons.

The Visier and his guards nervously looked around, huddling closer to each other.

"Watch your mouth. Mind I remind you where you stand?" Abbas cursed, he too gripping his sword. Just as he stepped forth, Harun held out his arm, forcing him to stop.

Abbas frustratingly stepped back, returning his sword to its scabbard, the guards following.

"We shall not give you the woman," Harun affirmed.

The visier smirked. "Then so be it, prepare yourselves for an attack tomorrow dawn,"

The Prince clenched his fist. The King of Rughad had already deployed his soldiers because of one woman? He had to be crazy.

There wouldn't be enough time. With such short notice, the Balqaas regiment would only be able to assemble a few hundred men. By then, the Rughad battalion would have already broken through their borders, sacrificing the innocent lives of their people. The King of Rughad had given them no option, unless they decided to hand over the woman.

Abbas shook the thought away. The Prince studied his brother's dead-set expression. Harun was refusing to meet his eyes. Was there really no other solution apart from going to war with Rughad?

Abbas had to help somehow.

Just as the Visier bid his farewell and turned back, he called out to him. "Wait!"

Before his brother could stop him, Abbas strode forward.

"I will return with you,"

"Abbas," His brother's voice was dangerously edging towards anger, but he ignored it.

"I will convince the King of Rughad myself,"

"Abbas!" Harun boomed. "You will do no such thing!"

Abbas turned back to face his furiated brother, gulping back his pride as he admitted the harsh reality. "We cannot afford to go to war,"

"And you think entering the enemy territory is any better?"

"It is the better option," Abbas confirmed.

"I won't allow it, and Baba won't either,"

"What happened to my opinion? Are you forgetting what Baba said? He wanted the both of us to work together, and as the Military Commander, I am informing you that we cannot go to war,"

Harun gritted his teeth. As much as he knew how correct his brother was, he refused to let go of his pride. If the King of Rughad wanted war, then he wouldn't back down.