BOOK II OF III: The Reign of the Sultan

by J. Eric Booker

  Meanwhile, Rumsfield looked over at Hawkins and said, “Governor Hawkins, if you will please excuse me, I need to personally oversee the troops…sir?”

  With a nod to his head, Hawkins answered, “Carry on.”

  “Yes, sir,” Rumsfield said, just before he left to do his duties. Five seconds later, he disappeared in the masses of troops now setting up camp, or cooking breakfast.

  Already, a sergeant and his dozen privates had just arrived in order to begin the process of setting up the large command tent directly behind the crossed flags.

  It was then that Hawkins decided to try to converse with the boy, if possible. Thus he asked what hopefully would be an ice-breaking question, “So, Lord Bradmir, how was your trip this evening?”

  Bradmir, who continued to gaze at the construction of the command tent, snottily answered, “Fine.”

  “I see,” Hawkins calmly replied, “Well let me get right down to business, okay? My name is Governor Hawkins, though I was one of the commanding generals of both the current Sultan, as well the last Sultan for the last seven years of my life…

  “For the last thirty years, I have always been an honorable and respectful soldier as I worked unbelievably hard to earn my way from the rank of lieutenant to the rank of governor…

  “I do ask, respectfully, that you use my hard-earned title when answering my questions—okay, Lord Bradmir?”

  Bradmir looked over at Hawkins with an annoyed look on his face, and replied just as snottily, “Whatever—the only people I now serve are Sultan Baltor and Sultaness Brishava. After all, I am their cousin, and that still makes me royalty!”

  Hawkins sighed, “I see…”

  With that, he hopped off his horse, and only two seconds later he grabbed the collar of Bradmir’s shirt with his right hand and yanked.

  Before Bradmir could snap the reins and spur his horse away, he was slammed hard to the ground, which caused his hat to fly off his head and reveal his striking red hair!

  He tried to react by drawing the dagger in his belt, but Bradmir felt the tip of Hawkins’s sword already pinched lightly up against his neck—Hawkins kept a hold of the young lord’s twisted-up collar!

  Hundreds of soldiers saw and heard the spectacle, and though all stopped in their tasks to watch, none interfered, or even so much as said a word. However, if the second came that they sensed their governor was in danger; they would be on Bradmir like flies on dung.

  Nearly thirty seconds later, Hawkins hissed, “Repeat this sentence verbatim, nicely, and I will let you live: ‘After all, I am their cousin, and that makes me royalty, Governor Hawkins!’”

  Bradmir slightly wet his trousers as he tried to gulp down his fears. With fear still in his quivering voice, he repeated, “After all, I am their cousin, and that makes me royalty, Governor Hawkins!”

  Hawkins slowly released his grip on the young lord’s collar, took a step back, and sheathed his sword—Bradmir continued to look up at the governor in both suspicion and fear, as he assumed a sitting position.

  Once again in a respectful tone of voice, Hawkins informed, “Sultan Baltor Elysian is an honorable man with whom I take great pride in serving. Even though I did not have the opportunity to witness his duel with your father, I had my own important missions to oversee: One, protect Pavelus. Two, welcome the ‘victor’ back into the city as the Sultan of the Sharia and the Vaspan Empire, regardless of the winner.”

  Even though Hawkins took a thirty-second pause at this point, Bradmir continued to listen as he assumed a more comfortable sitting position.

  When Hawkins finally did continue, he said, “Still, even though I was not there, I did hear the ‘same story’ from just about everyone who did have that extremely fortunate opportunity, too include General Thorn via his toast at the victory celebration. In fact, the only people I didn’t hear talk about that night, ever, are you and your three surviving brothers.”

  Bradmir opened his mouth to speak upon this pause, but Hawkins interrupted, “Hold there, Lord Bradmir. Please let me finish, and then you may speak.”

  Bradmir remained silent.

  Ten seconds later, Hawkins continued, “The story that I heard, which I know you’re fully aware of, is that your cousin gave his uncle many chances to ‘peacefully rule together as a royal family’ during the course of their duel to the death! Now I’m sure the ‘royal family’ would have included you and your four brothers!

  “After all, I have come to learn and know without question that my Sultan is not only ambitious and peaceful, yet equally, honorable and generous.”

  Bradmir didn’t try to speak when Hawkins paused at this point.

  Perhaps thirty seconds later, Hawkins finally did continue, “Whether you like to hear it or not—the truth is that your cousin won the duel honorably, while your father lost the duel dishonorably.”

  At this point in the conversation, the soldiers that had been watching now believed that their governor was safe from Bradmir because of the fact that the young lord continued to listen in a relaxed sitting position on the ground. They recommenced to working…

  Hawkins continued to say, “Even more honorable is the fact that my Sultan and Sultaness have graciously allowed you and your three brothers to live and to even have ‘lordly titles,’ despite your eldest brother’s failed assassination attempt against the Sultan of both empires! Both he and the Sultaness are very honorable rulers, if you ask me.”

  Hawkins added, “However…if it had been left up to me, I would have had you all executed because of your brother! Should I go on? Why, yes, I should…please, let me finish with what I say before you speak—I swear that I will let you know when it is your turn, Lord Bradmir.”

  Even though Hawkins took a pause that lasted nearly twenty seconds, Bradmir didn’t say a word but continued to listen.

  After clearing his throat, Hawkins added, “What makes my Sultan and Sultaness the most honorable people of all is that they even graciously bestowed upon you, Lord Bradmir, a golden opportunity to prove your loyalty, your honor, and most especially, your love…because you guys literally are a family by blood!

  “Yes, Lord Bradmir, you are the key ingredient to the route with which our mission becomes successful, which it will become successful one way or the other, ultimately. I, Governor Hawkins, can promise you that!”

  A few seconds later, Hawkins extended the index finger of his right hand up into the air, and said, “Now, if you choose to remain truthful and honorable when we arrive at Mauritia, tens of thousands of lives will be saved from both sides of the battlefield! This is the route of truth, honor, and even peace.”

  Hawkins’s middle finger joined his index finger before he continued, “The second route consists of lies, deceit, war, and death, which will result if you are not successful in your mission, or even worse, become a traitor in your own lust for power!”

  Wagging both fingers back and forth, Hawkins continued, “I would prefer the first route myself, as I know that my Sultan and Sultaness do also. Still, they have instructed me in what to do in either route, as has General Thorn, in case you are unconvincing, or decide to be dishonorable!”

  Hawkins concluded, “Last but not least, if you are an honorable man, which both they and I believe you to be—I would like you to tell me all about yourself, Lord Bradmir.”

  Bradmir—who had long ago regained control over his fears—replied in a respectful tone, “Well, Governor Hawkins. My name is Lord Bradmir and I’m seventeen, the youngest of five sons generated from my father—things I’m sure you already well know…”

  After taking a deep breath through just his mouth, he added, “What you don’t know are the reasons why I have decided to serve my cousins. The main reason is because I never much liked or respected my father! He was always very brutish to all my brothers and I—that is, except for Jumblee, my eldest brother…

  “Even worse, father never cared that I have always been his smartest son, especially when it came to economic or strategic
matters within the Vaspan Empire—all my other brothers are dolt-warriors like their father before them! You know how I know that my father never cared about any of us except for Jumblee, and most especially not for me, Governor Hawkins?”

  Hawkins asked, “How, Lord Bradmir?”

  After a ten second pause, Bradmir finally answered, “Because…whenever I told father any of my brilliant ideas, he would always use those very ideas to expand his empire, and then take all the credit, glory, and wealth himself, because they were that successful. He never once told me anything like ‘good job…’”

  “Wow—that’s terrible,” Hawkins said, just before he sighed while shaking his head in disbelief.

  Bradmir’s thick eyebrows rose as he asked, “You want to hear yet another reason, or have you heard enough?”

  Just then, the sergeant-in-charge of setting up the command tent, walked up, and snapped a salute. While still bearing the salute, he reported, “I apologize for the interruption, Governor Hawkins and Lord Bradmir. The command tent is ready for you both…sirs!”

  Hawkins returned the salute, and then replied, “Thank you, sergeant. That will be all.”

  “Yes, sir,” The sergeant then did an about face, went over to the privates under his charge, and ordered, “Squad, right face—forward march!” They marched off.

  Hawkins looked back over at Bradmir and said, “I do want to know everything you’re willing to tell me, but let’s first go inside, eat dinner, and then get comfortable, okay, Lord Bradmir?”

  With a smile, Bradmir answered, “Okay, Governor Hawkins.”

  Hawkins obligingly walked over to Bradmir’s hat, picked it up off the ground, dusted it off, and then extended it out for the young lord.

  After Bradmir had taken the hat, he saw that the governor was now extending his hand out for him to take, and so he grasped it. Hawkins lightly pulled him to his feet before releasing his hand.

  The two walked inside the command tent, got comfortable by taking off their jackets, hanging them up on a coat rack that a soldier had brought in, and sat at the table that other soldiers had just finished setting up.

  During dinner, seasoned fish mixed with rice and a glass of wine, they talked sociably (mainly about Bradmir) for about another half an hour before going to sleep in their bunks for the duration of the day. A day that passed by without a single problem.

  After waking up that night, as the army began the process of unsetting camp, they ate breakfast with Rumsfield in the command tent—a bowl of sweet porridge.

  By the time they had finished dinner about twenty minutes later, and had exited the tent, they saw that the rest of the camp was almost unset—a squad of soldiers immediately began the process of disassembling the command tent.

  Once so, nearly fifteen minutes later, Rumsfield called the men to formation, and then the army began to march or ride…

  Over the course of the next seven weeks, which was the time it took for them reach the borders of the Vaspan Empire due to a lot of bad sandstorms along the way, Hawkins listened to “a ton of important pieces of information” from Bradmir along the way.

  One of the most important pieces of information was that the Vaspan Empire actually consisted of two successful trade cities. Strangely he hadn’t ever heard about this second city before called Driven, not even in the briefing given by Thorn, in which Bradmir had not been allowed to attend.

  Another very important piece of information Bradmir reported was that Driven also contained an army of twenty thousand strong that were fiercely loyal to his father—equally skilled in defending its own city walls/stone labyrinth.

  Of course, the bright seventeen-year old also told Hawkins many other important things about both cities—economically, offensively, and defensively. Why, there was even a top-secret entrance, via an underground tunnel five miles away from the city, to get into Mauritia’s palace!

  Hawkins was able to verify nearly everything, as Thorn had at least been truthful about Mauritia, including about that secret entrance.

  However, what Hawkins could not figure out was why Thorn had omitted all information about Driven, though he had long ago sent a messenger to Pavelus in order to relay the “suspiciousness of General Thorn.”

  Perhaps fifteen miles away from the outer borders of Mauritia’s labyrinth, camp was set up at the time of dusk. It was only after the commanders meeting—with Bradmir included—that they ate dinner. Dried rations and water.

  After this most-exhausting day of traveling, especially since they had been traveling for the last sixteen hours with only a few pit-stops along the way, Hawkins and Bradmir finally got the opportunity to relax in their bunks.

  Hawkins, while picking the remaining food out of his teeth with a toothpick and lying in his bunk, looked over at the young lord who lay on his own bunk, yawned, and said, “Well, Lord Bradmir, tonight you will need your rest.”

  Bradmir look over, and replied, “I know, Governor Hawkins. Do not worry, for tomorrow, I shall be an honorable man, as you have taught me to become over these last seven weeks.”

  Hawkins looked back up to the ceiling of the tent, and said, “I’m not worried, Lord Bradmir. In fact, I’m sure that by the time we have successfully united both empires under one banner, I will promote you to Lieutenant Governor. That is, if you would like to hold such an honorable position!”

  “Really…?” Bradmir asked in awe, while looking over at Hawkins with a look of shock on his freckled face. A few seconds later, he finally asked, “You would like me to be the lieutenant governor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Well, what if we are forced to go to war tomorrow, even though I will try my best to go the route of peace?”

  Hawkins looked back over and answered, “As long as you remain honorable from beginning to end, then my decision will never change…no matter the route that occurs tomorrow!

  “Just so you know, I’m not asking you to accept this position now, Lord Bradmir, but sleep with that option bouncing around in your mind. Perhaps in the morning, your answer will be there…perhaps not?”

  Bradmir replied, “Okay. Goodnight, Governor Hawkins.”

  After a really long yawn, Hawkins replied, “Goodnight, Lord Bradmir.”

  The next morning, an hour before sunrise, both Hawkins and Bradmir awoke to the delicious smells of food permeating the tent and wafting up their nostrils. For the last three weeks, they had eaten only dried rations, dried fruits and water.

  When they sat up in their bunks almost at the same time, they saw that the cooks had set up a table filled with two large bowls of scrambled eggs with pieces of bacon. After having finished eating this delicious and hearty breakfast, ten minutes later, Hawkins dressed into his battle armor, just before strapping on his sheathed sword to his belt.

  Bradmir had been given a sword too, though he did not have any armor, so he dressed in his regular attire.

  Only seconds after these two men were ready to go, Rumsfield entered the command tent, along with his two top colonels.

  After the three officers had shared a sharp salute, Rumsfield reported, “Governor Hawkins and Lord Bradmir, the troops are waiting outside in battle formation for your final inspection and briefing. Throughout these last seven scorching-hot weeks, your army has suffered only two heat-related deaths, which puts our numbers at thirty-five thousand and one.”

  Hawkins replied, “Excellent, Commanding-General Rumsfield. We will be out there momentarily.”

  Rumsfield replied, “Thank you, sir!”

  After Rumsfield and his two colonels had delivered a sharp salute, which salute was returned, they departed the command tent.

  Hawkins looked at Bradmir and said, “Well, Lord Bradmir—the moment of truth in nearly upon us!”

  “Yes it really is. I have decided to become your lieutenant governor, once everything is said and done. The reason I am giving you this answer now is due to the dream I had last night, interestingly enough!”

  Hawkins’s right eyebrow ro
se at that comment, and though his mouth said not a word, his throat released a humming sound.

  Bradmir explained, “In this dream which I swear to be true, not only did I see what I will look like in the future, but I also saw my cousins, most of my brothers, you, and everyone else important in my life! I also saw an army of millions assembled in formation behind us…and the Flag of the Sharia Empire flapping in the wind right in front of us!”

  Hawkins replied a bit skeptically, “Really?”

  Bradmir answered defensively, “Really, but that’s not all! I also saw, in fleeting images, hundreds of battles against millions of enemies that we had to fight against and overcome—I never saw a single image of us losing a single battle.”

  Hawkins replied with a humming tone, “Really…”

  “Yes, really, but that’s not all,” Bradmir replied with ever-growing excitement. “Just before I woke up, I saw two snapshot images, which will forever be locked into my memory banks. The first snapshot image I saw was myself, and my two cousins, but in a third person’s view—we were all looking at a piece of parchment that rested on a table within a tent! In fact, Baltor was pointing at the parchment, and his mouth was slightly open as if he was speaking! Brishava’s gaze, however, was focused upon me, and there was a look of implicit trust and love in her smiling face!”

  “Hmmm…”

  Excitedly, Bradmir continued, “Yes—the second and final image I saw was the very parchment, itself. Amazingly, it was what appeared to be two halves of a world map put together—our world! Drawn next to each city, which included several dozen cities I don’t even know about, there was the Flag of the Sharia Empire!”

  As goose bumps surged up and down Hawkins’s body, he incredulously asked, “You dreamt all this?”

  “Yes, I did, Governor. Why, don’t you believe me?”

  A few moments had passed, as well the goose bumps, before Hawkins replied, “I do believe you, actually. I, too, had a dream that made me choose the path I did—in fact, the very night before Sultan Brishavus Helenus died!”