"What have you done?" Ali walked in, his voice full of terror as he looked at his Grandson. Harun confused, turned away from his book looking at him like a madman. "Why is his daughter dead?" His voice grew louder full of rage as he shoved the man to the floor.
"What do you think you are doing?" Growling the words out he threw himself up from the floor, squaring up to his Grandfather.
"Word has already spread across the entire realm. 'Harun the Child Killer'. All those allies that we had south, you can say goodbye to them, no one will support a man who kills children in their sleep." Ali blew up, his spit landing in Harun's face. He grabbed his head in frustration whilst Harun looked at him with greater confusion.
"What do you mean, 'Child Killer.' I've been preparing for the war this entire time." Harun pushed his Grandfather away from him trying to wave him off and return to his book.
Grabbing the book and throwing it away, Ali planted his finger deeply into Harun's chest, "Tell me, what have you done? Did you order Adrian secretly?" His voice was serious and Harun could finally see the severity of the situation.
"Grandfather. I have no clue what you're on about. Let's just say I wanted to kill the kid, how would I? Adrian wouldn't move so dangerously and me and you both know we don't have the people trained for that level of espionage." Harun took a seat grabbing his chin, shaking his, "No. This is a plot. Has anybody seen the child's body?"
"Your brother made sure of that. Said a grand funeral was held, as her casket was escorted down the street, buried in its personal grave in the Sultan's tomb." Ali scratched his head looking at the boy. He knew that Harun had no involvement in the plot now but his frustration was still there. But beyond that was confusion.
Harun seeing the confusion on his grandfather's face chuckled, getting an annoyed look. "It's obvious Grandfather. Me and my brother haven't exactly been subtle. Everyone surrounding us knows that war is imminent, and I'm sure they would love to see it sped up. You wonder who it was just look South. That guy isn't shy of getting his hands dirty with the blood of children."
Harun spoke of a matter of fact, referencing the Great Purge all those years ago. It was unknown what happened to the children of those families killed and many just believed that Alfred had all of them killed alongside their parents.
Ali took a seat on the edge of Harun's bed, his hands over his face. An exhausted grown left his mouth as he tried to think. "He's marching north. His army is still incomplete but with every step, it will grow. Whoever killed the girl got what they wanted."
"So we march south. At this point Grandfather, we don't have a choice anymore. I know you want to defend the border but it's impossible. We stay here and it is asking to be surrounded. Call the lords to the Grand Hall." Ali hesitated for a second but ultimately bowed after receiving the order. The plan had gone astray but, he knew that he and Harun were two of the best military minds in the entire Sultanate. Even with a smaller army, they could win.
Nasr's council gathered one last time before his departure. He stood wearing Silver and Gold armour with a beautiful engraving of a crow on its back. "War has begun. The troops move north and the vassals finally gather their men with urgency." Nasr walked towards the map of the Sultanate. He traced his finger along the road that led North.
"Yusuf. As we follow this road I expect a constant stream of supplies sent North, following behind. Mansa despite our march North, we cannot leave the south and west unguarded. I have left the bare minimum there to keep the border secure, but I need you to place a couple of your men here. They are to send reports monthly or if any major incident occurs."
The two bowed after receiving the command. It was a strange sight for them. Nasr was unnaturally calm compared to how he was before. Finally, he turned to Adrian. "The inner workings of the Palace I leave to you until my return. You served my father faithfully when he marched North, I hope you do the same for me."
Adrian bowed, touching his mask, "Of course Your Grace." His voice was flattering getting a smile from Nasr. His eyes then landed on the empty seat in the council room.
"Why is Aswad not back yet?" He looked at the three with emotionless eyes, a stark contrast to how he was moments ago. His eyes finally landed on Adrian. Taking his seat and putting his feet on the table, his eyes never broke contact.
"He has not sent word to me Your Grace. I had believed he was keeping communications with you." Adrian gave a bow, his hands sweating from nervousness.
Reaching into his belt, Nasr pulled and played with his ceremonial dagger. He gently nodded whilst looking into the ceiling, muttering quietly 'of course.' Pausing, he stabbed the knife into the table. "But it was your plan, to send him away."
Adrian froze. His mind raced. "I only suggested sending a Dancer your Grace. I had not known that Aswad would go there himself. I had assumed he had planned it alongside you, your grace bu..."
"shhhhhhh." Nasr cut him off with a friendly smile. "It's okay Adrian. I know you never told the man to go himself. I just wonder, do you think he has turned traitor?" With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he looked at Adrian.
Gulping Adrian froze. He knew that if he answered wrong it would be his end. "I don't think it's safe to assume Your Grace." Blurting the words out he paused to look at the man's reaction. Nasr indicated with his dagger that Adrian should continue. "Never in our history has a Head Dancer become a traitor. They are trained from a young age to be obedient and loyal to the Sultan, they don't understand another way to live."
He took a pause and breathed. "But, I'm oblivious to matters related to them, and I'm sure your Grace would know more. I can only assume that Aswad believed there was no one fit to carry out the mission other than him. To snatch the kid could take a year. If I'm right, then it's not unsafe to assume that he personally took charge."
Adrian argued his case, and looked at Nasr, hoping that he gave the correct answer. Nasr with his friendly smile just nodded, putting away the dagger, getting a sigh of relief from Adrian. "You're right. A dog wouldn't know what to do on its own. Let's just assume he hasn't been sending reports as it's too dangerous." Taking his feet off the table and dusting his amour, he stood up with Mansa quickly following. "You have your orders. I expect nothing but perfection. If I find anything else then I will have your heads." With his final threat, he left, quickly followed by Mansa.