Chapter 3 - Ujarma

Under a hot sun, on a sand filled land lies the land of Ujarma. For many years this had been the birthplace of the best fighters in the world. No man outside of its borders would have any knowledge of many fighting stiles this land held secret. Though this land was small even so it was not to be trifled with. The citizens of Ujarma were free spirited, prideful and loyal. For the just cause they would lay down there lives. since birth they were riding horses and learning how to wild each and every weapon known to man. Country full of such people was not an enemy anyone could afford. In any war the country they choose to side with would always be victorious. The only thing was that such grand fighters and war strategists weren't good at governing the country, or leading the negotiations. At the end of each war they would receive the short end of the stick. Even the land they ruled over was sandy and barely livable. In times of a crisis everyone was seeking their help, but called them uncultured barbarians behind their backs.

The ruler of Ujarma - King Machubi Iona Dumil was a strong fighter and strategist with an equally kind heart. He was a vary handsome, tall, well build man, with black, short hear and beard complimenting his strong jaw line. his eyes green as the nature itself still shined innocently and a small nose, which would have been to beautiful for a man to have if it was not broken many many times, made his handsome face even more manly. He was not an unapproachable ruler living in a big castle above everyone else. On the contrary he lived in a house a little better then the rest and loved his people and was close to practically everyone of them. The Royal family of Ujarma rarely ever married for political or financial reasons. That's why no country had any close relationships with them. Even though many wished to tie them with marriage to there country, Ujarma never gave away there princesses, or took brides from other royal families. People of this country free by nature could not condone marriage for solely political reasons. Was love not one of the biggest gifts freedom offered? Even the current King did not take someone of nobel birth as his wife, instead he married his childhood sweetheart Lina Oniani. A woman who fought alongside him for every battle he ever participated in and protected his back from countless enemy arrows. the King and the queen had two sons whom they loved dearly. King Machubi himself had trained them and from an early age the princes were showing great potential as fighters and army leaders. The King and queen were happy but still something very important was missing in there lives. You see, King Machubi and queen Lina were desperate to have a daughter. After having two sons they wished for someone to spoil and pamper. Every day they prayed to the god of war and wind which reign over the free people of Ujarma. After many prayers god bestowed a gift to them and the queen gave birth to a little princess. When the midwife took a look at the princess she was shocked and could not utter a single word. The King and the queen took the child in their arms and gazed upon their little gift from a above. They understood the hardships to come in the future for this little child because of her appearance and felt sorrow in their hearts. Suddenly King Machubi slapped his face hard, which shocked his wife and made her laugh.

"what are you doing dummy?" She asked.

"Don't worry my dear. God has given us the biggest gift we could ever ask for, so we will make sure to protect her till the end." He took a little princess in his hands and declared "Henceforth you shall be known as Lola. Lola Malat Dumil. "

The order was given to make sure nobody present would ever speak of the little princesses appearance. From that day onward her face was covered with a veil which could only be removed in the presence of the King, Queen and the little Princes who were now eight and ten years old. In Ujarma fighters of this age understood their responsibilities and would never go against the order of their King. A sword of rare beauty and sharpness, which had been passed down for generations in Dumil royal family was gifted to the princess, so that she would be raised wielding it from the early age. Little princess was raised with a lot of care, to be the free spirit this land had always nurtured. Five years went by like that. Every day she loved sitting with books in her chubby little hands in the library. It was amusing to see for her parents as they new the princess had no knowledge of reading. Through this time not a word had been uttered from her lips. This worried the King and the Queen, but never did they force her to say anything agains her will. she did love her birth sword and would practice with her father in the courtyard every day. King never expected for a small girl to be so talented with a sword and hand in hand combat. She was progressing vary fast. If continued like this she would soon catch-up with her brothers, who were now thirteen and fifteen years old.

One day when the princess was nearing her sixth year, the country of Ujarma faced a big financial crisis. they were never rich and always struggling, but this time seamed to serious. The King was distraught. Yes he was a kind ruler and a grand war strategist, but he still had no idea how to deal with the economic part of the ruling. In the big meeting room, huge, well built man were sitting around the table and one could easily see how much they did not belong there. Everyone was grunting and arguing. At the had of the table on a massive wooden chair set King Machubi. In his lap was lounging comfortably a little girl, whose face and hair was covered with a dark veil. The King was playing with her chubby legs. He called this a happiness recharging.

The man at the table who held official positions but were meant for the open skies and sword, were discussing political and financial problems. "What can we do? The merchants rarely come here to sell or by, because of the dangerous roads as is, but now because of the latest assaults on the road no one dears to travel this way. It's not like we can sell our weapons ourselves. You know how bad everyone of us is at such things."

"Only thing we have to offer is weapons, but its so heavy, merchants only take few back." said another one.

"The harvest has been horrible again. Only thing that survived are those fruits that hang so high up on the trees and are so damn sweet. I would rather starve than it them."

"I can not see how we will survive this year" "Wow, way to stay positive"

"Our King please tell us what do you think?"

King Machubi looked up with strained eyes and continued squishing his daughters chubby lags. He did not now what to say or how to fix this problem which had befallen his beloved country. He could sell all his belongings and everything from the treasury, but this would not fix the problem in the long run.

Suddenly a soft lovable voice sounded out. "What if you establish a safe route for the merchants to travel on, or just sell your services. I mean its not like you have many choices anyway."

Everyone was shocked and staring at a little girl lining back leisurely on the kings lap.