Nasr arrived in the capital, his army following behind. He looked at the pristine white walls of his city and realised how much he had missed his home. Despite that, he didn't let himself live in the emotion quickly dismissing the army to rest and setting up camp, charging towards the palace. His face was scrunched in rage thinking about the traitor that had caused his beautiful Sultante to become a war ground.
Nasr, still wearing his bloodied armour, walked into the damp dungeon. Yusuf, closed his eyes blocking the lantern flame with his hand, as he tried to hide away from the light. Compared to his old look he now looked like a feral beast. His body was malnourished, his hair was filthy and long, his nails dirty and his clothes tattered. The door slammed shut, defining the frail man.
Moving his hand away he got a glimpse of Nasr's face, quickly throwing his stomach to the floor, in an attempt to show respect. "Your Grace." He looked up his eyes no longer able to cry, but his voice croaky but desperate, "It wasn't me. Adrian. He.. he.. he used me."
Nasr raised his hand, smiling. Walking over his metal boots splashed in puddles, echoing in the silent room. Kneeling down he looked the man in the eyes. 'Disgusting'. It was the first thing he could think of after getting close to him. "Let me get this right. Adrian somehow used you to kill every messenger sent to me from the capital, despite being watched by sentries. And then instead of executing you on the spot, which he could of in my place, let you live so I could pass judgment. Letting me hear all his crimes."
Nasr stood up. He placed his boot on the man's head, stepping his face into the stone floor. "You know it all adds up when you think about it. Aswad, despite being the best operative in the entire Sultanate and maybe the surrounding Kingdom, bar a few, goes missing. My daughter is slaughtered in her own bed and the culprit escapes within the same day, only possible if they have intimate knowledge of the Palace's modern runnings. And finally, you wish to sell food to my brother throughout the war. Was it gold or something else I wonder?"
With an intrigued voice he asked, Taking his foot off the man's head he let Yusuf raise his head. The Merchant looked up at Nasr's face, scared. "It.. it wasn't me your grace. Please, think about what I did for your father, for the Sultanate." His voice began to break as he looked to the floor.
Nasr looked down at him. Scoofing and shaking his head in disbelief. "Yusuf." With a gentle voice, Yusuf looked up at Nasr. "I don't believe you." The smile on Yusuf's face quickly fell.
"Adrian did everything. Please you got to believe me." With one final desperate cry, Nasr raised his foot. Slamming it down on the man's head repeatedly, blood exploding from below. The agonising cries filled the cell, as Nasr's face blommed into a smile.
Thoughts of his daughter's face, his army and his Sultanate filled his mind as his foot fell repeatedly. Falling backwards he looked at his foot coated in red. The man's skull which had been flattened into a pile of meat squelched as bubbles of blood popped. He panted trying to catch his breath, the adrenaline rushing through his body. He looked at the dead man, unable to believe it was that easy to kill the traitor.
The smell of blood filled the room, as the crimson liquid flowed out, underneath the iron door. Standing up and wiping the blood off his chest plate, Nasr banged on the door for it to be opened again. "Clean this up." Taking one look at the body he walked away.
Adrian sat in his dark office when the bloodied Nasr walked through. "The traitors dead." He said the words, taking a seat. Adrian stood up quickly bowing, being waved off by Nasr. "I must thank you, Adrian, for leaving him for me," Nasr said lighting a candle. He looked at the dark place and wondered how Adrian worked here.
"You are the only one who can pass judgment in the Sultanate. To use this power for myself is a crime in of itself." Adrian said humbly, lowering his head. Despite this a smile formed behind his mask, thinking of the dead man below.
"That being said. The Merchant. He said some funny things about you. Right to his death." Nasr joked pointing at Adrian. Adrian feigned ignorance but quietly gulped under the probing gaze. "Everything was you. It makes me wonder. Why would he say you specifically."
Nasr, slow but sharp words caused Adrian to think. Scoffing lightly he chuckled a little before talking. "He was a man clinging to life who only knows money. He can't bribe you so I assume he tried to act desperate and when that didn't work he threw blame." Adrian said as a matter of fact. He knew how Yusuf acted within the dungeon making sure to go see him. Nasr looked at him with squinted eyes wishing for him to continue.
"Let us look who was available. First is Aswad, but to blame a dead man is stupid. Next is Mansa. But for one he is an honourable fool. Second and I mean to not disrespect you in any way Your Grace, but if he wished to commit treason, he just needs to put a sword in your back, he has the ability. Besides, there is no motive." Adrian took a pause and looked at Nasr's reaction.
"That leaves me. There is a motive. Your father disfigured me for a crime I committed. Whilst I was mad when it happened I came to understand that it was just. Your father saw this too and welcomed me back, we left the pass in the pass and moved on." His voice was full of nostalgia and he gave a small laugh as if remembering the good times. "But Yusuf made a mistake. I had very minimal knowledge of your camp's movements. I couldn't send anyone to kill the messengers on the way as I had no way of knowing where they went. Furthermore, I was under surveillance, I had no time to give the order even if I wanted to."
Adrian's voice became quiet and regretful, "He did come to me with his plan to sell to Harun, getting my involvement in one of his schemes. He made sure to keep me close, and with his information network, he made sure to keep my compliance by blackmailing me. Of course, it was only light things such as tax reliefs here and there and assistance in schemes that seemed harmless, anything serious and I would have come to you, but he did make sure my hands were dirty alongside his." Adrian spoke in a matter-of-fact tone with hints of regret.
Despite his confidence in tricking Nasr, he was lightly sweating under his mask. He looked at Nasr nod his head smiling. "I couldn't explain it better. Whilst I was suspicious of you at first. The Merchant has always moved for himself. Who knows how much my brother offered him? My father was no fool, he would never let someone who he believed was a traitor back to his side."
Nasr walked up and tapped Adrian on the shoulder. "You have done good. When I win this war, I believe that it is time to restore your honour. Whilst I can't fix your face, I can give you a wife. One of my sisters, you pick and she is yours. With this, we will be tied by blood, and work to create a land that the world shall fear." Nasr said with a proud voice.
Adrian shook lightly but bowed his head. Through gritted teeth, he spoke. "You honour me too much Your Grace. But I will prove myself to you, and make up for all my failures." Nasr looked at the shivering Adrian and assumed he was so happy he tried not to cry. Added to his quiet voice it made sense to him.
"I must rest. I move tomorrow. I leave the capital in your capable hands." Nasr spoke leaving the office.