Eight days later. North of the peninsula.
They reached a mountain higher than the ones surrounding it. It had a swirly pathway leading up to the peak.
Before the path's entrance was a gate with a small stable beside it.
The guards themselves were the men of the tribe, yet they had decent dark armor and weapons.
As they approached the mountain.
Taz turned to A'saal and said, "Is this Al Shamil?"
"Yes, but I don't remember they had this many guards," A'saal replied.
"Are they expecting an attack?" Rahul said.
"We'll ask the prince about it," A'saal replied.
They reached the stables and disembarked their horses.
A'saal took Taz to a small room near the stables to change attire. Although Taz was reluctant to wear a dress, to her defense, the area they were in wasn't safe to let go of weapons and armor.
Then A'saal informed Taz that showing up in armor and weapons would be disrespectful, as it would mean they didn't trust that the prince's forces could protect the guests.
After a few minutes, they stepped out wearing their dresses.
A'saal wore her usual white dress with the library's symbol on her left chest. It had a short collar and loose sleeves.
Taz wore a green dress with a design similar to A'saal's clothing and a golden tree symbol on her left chest. The only difference was that the dress was a loose fit to cover Taz's muscular figure.
Rahul approached them with a smirk and said, "You look like a proper woman, Tanaz."
Taz threw her bag to Rahul and said, "Shut the fuck up and carry my belongings."
Taz and A'saal handed their swords to Rahul and headed for the entrance.
Rahul wobbled as he carried two weapons on his back, two strapped to his hips and the three bags strapped to his shoulder.
A'saal headed to the entrance and said, "Let's go and mind your manners inside."
They reached the gate and were stopped by the guards.
"A'saal, I presume?" The guard said.
"Yes," A'saal replied.
"Who are the people with you?" The guard asked.
"The girl is with me, and this man is her guard," A'saal said.
The guard looked at Taz cautiously and said, "Who is she?"
"I came to visit my elder tribe. Lord Na'zaal Al aegis instructed me to go here," Taz replied.
After hearing the high prince's name, the guards let them enter.
They went up the rocky swirly path until they reached the village's wooden gate. The gate opened and behind stood guards with two noticeable individuals in the middle.
A'saal approached them and greeted them, and they greeted her back.
One of the men that greeted A'saal stepped forward.
He was a slim white man in his forties. He has short grey hair and a shaved face. He wore dark leather armor and had a sword strapped to his waist.
"You didn't introduce them to us," He said.
A'saal looked at him, then said, "The man with the weapons is Rahul. The girl is the one I told you about, Maher."
Maher stepped closer to Taz and said, "You're Tanaz Al Hayja? I thought you would look different."
Taz stared at Maher and said, "How so, Maher?"
"For starters, you don't look like one of us," Maher said.
"That's what Na'zaal said as well, yet he acknowledged me in the end," Taz said.
Maher chuckled and said, "How so?"
Taz glared at Maher and said, "I proved to him that I'm not someone to be fucked with."
Maher's smile faded quickly, and he stared at Taz as the place went quiet. Yet Taz didn't back down and stared back at him.
Maher giggled, then said, "I can see why."
Taz chuckled as well then the others laughed in their lead.
One of the other men who greeted them approached A'saal and said, "A'saal! Looking young as always."
He was a white obese man in his late forties with a long black beard with grey strands.
He wore beige garments, a white turban, and a milky white fur coat.
A'saal laughed and said, "I appreciate your compliment, Zareb. Or is it market manager now?"
Zareb stroked his beard and said, "I'm surprised you still remember my name; most people here already forgot it."
"Of course, I'll remember your name. You're the only client who pays me with jewelry. Although I couldn't help but notice, where's the prince?" A'saal asked.
Zareb frowned and whispered to A'saal, "Let us continue our conversation in my home."
They went to Zareb's house, located in a small alleyway.
They went inside and sat opposite each other with a small round table in the middle.
Zareb's wife approached them and placed two clay cups filled with freshly made tea.
A'saal thanked her, took a sip and said, "What happened to the village, Zareb?"
Zareb rubbed his hands and said, "A lot. The war took a toll on our village."
"Did the prince die in battle?" A'saal said.
"Yes," Zareb sadly replied.
"Are the heirs safe?" A'saal asked.
"After they knew their father's fate. They launched an attack alone, which ended with them being torn to pieces," Zareb said.
"Why didn't the other knights stop them?" A'saal asked.
"No one could've stopped them. They were consumed by rage," Zareb replied.
"If only you accepted the king's invitation to live in our land, everyone would've survived," A'saal said.
"And leave the land of our ancestors? Death may be a risk, but our pride in our history outweighs it," Zareb replied.
"In the end, here you are, a village without a ruler," A'saal said.
"We still have a ruler," Zareb said.
"Who?" A'saal wondered.
"Jacob," Zareb said.
A'saal furrowed her eyebrows and said, "Jacob? The last time I saw him, he was an infant. How old is he now? Ten or eleven years old?"
Zareb chuckled and said, "He may be young, but I can see his potential to become a great leader."
A'saal chuckled and said, "Where is he? I haven't seen him."
"He is still mourning the loss of his family. It's better to leave him alone for now," Zareb said.
Meanwhile, with Taz and Rahul.
They followed Maher, where they would go to the meeting spot of the tribe. They went behind the village and took zig-zagged stairs that led up to the mountain's peak.
When they climbed the mountain, they found a sizable black tent that stood alone on the peak. Its curtains were open, and a lone chubby boy sat in the tent.
He stood up and approached them with a determined look in his peridot-green eyes. His hair was short and fuzzy, and he had a light beige skin tone.
Taz smiled as she saw him, as his puffy pink cheeks were too adorable to ignore.
The boy crossed his arms and said, "Who are these people, Maher?"
"She came with A'saal. This girl is from one of our tribe branches," Maher replied.
Taz grinned, bent forward, pinched Jacob's cheeks, and chirped, "I never knew our prince was this cute and plumb!"
The boy smacked her hands away and growled, "Know your place, woman!"
Taz squatted, locked her eyes with his, smirked and teased, "What are you going to do about it, little prince?"
The boy exhaled loudly and slapped Taz's face with all his might.
"Jacob!" Maher shouted.
Taz glared at Jacob and then swiftly went behind him. She grabbed his collar firmly and flung him in the tent's direction.
Maher widened his eyes and muttered, "Impressive…."
Jacob landed on his side after Taz threw him like a ball. He stood up quickly, drew his knife, and glared at Taz.
Taz smirked arrogantly, lowered her body, spread her arms, and prepared to defend his charge.
Jacob charged at her with his knife in his right hand held high, like an amateur.
Taz waited patiently for her chance until he got close to her.
Jacob drove his knife toward Taz's heart. She quickly evaded it, grabbed his wrist and shoulder, then wrestled him to the ground.
She pinned him down, pushed his face roughly against the ground, and threw his knife away.
She leaned closer to his ear and mocked, "You're weak, little prince."
Jacob's face went red, and his veins started expanding. He growled loudly and shook Taz off his back.
He quickly stood up, glared at Taz and gritted his teeth.
Maher quickly noticed Jacob's face and knew he had activated his reinforcement magic. He tried to intervene, but Rahul stopped him.
"Don't worry, Maher. Tanaz won't kill him," Rahul said.
Maher tried to shake off Rahul's hold and said, "You don't know. He is a magic user!"
Rahul switched to his owl eyes and calmly said, "I know, trust me."
Maher quickly stopped resisting as he realized what company A'saal had brought along.
Taz lowered herself again and took a defensive posture.
Jacob charged at her and swung a hook to Taz's stomach.
Taz grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground. She pinned his right arm with her knee and gripped his neck.
She glared into his eyes and said, "You're not going to hit anything with those chubby little arms."
She noticed the look in Jacob's eyes was not because of anger but grief. The look on Taz's face quickly changed, then she got off him and sighed.
She crossed her arms and softly said, "Whom did you lose, Jacob?"
Jacob stood up as tears fell from his eyes. He didn't answer her question as he wiped his tears and walked away.
Taz looked at him as he went and sighed in empathy.
Maher approached her and said, "The boy grieves for losing his family. It only happened recently."
"I feel sorry for the boy. Magic and uncontrolled rage will only lead to ruin," Taz replied.
"Losing family isn't something one will get used to," Maher said.
"If our leader can't handle strong emotions, then this tribe is doomed," Taz said.
"He is only a boy," Maher argued.
"That boy is one of the princes of Aegis and the leader of Al Shamil. He doesn't have the privilege to grow up like other kids," Taz replied.
Maher sighed.
"You shouldn't take pity on him and raise him like a father," Taz said.
"I know…." Maher replied.
Rahul approached Maher and said, "I've heard your village uses this peak for strategic meetings, but I don't see any princes apart from the boy."
Maher looked at him and said, "Because they all died in battle."
Taz looked at Maher and said, "Then this tribe is doomed to fail if it lacks leadership."
"They have Jacob and me," Maher replied flatly.
"Denial won't make things better, Maher. You should merge with another branch," Taz said.
"And let go of our identity in hopes of living longer? I'd rather get killed before that happens," Maher said.
"Enemies won't care about your history or pride. Once every one of your people dies, your history will vanish," Rahul said.
"Don't be stupid, Maher. Don't make the same mistake my grandfather did," Taz said.
"Your grandfather is a prick and a criminal. His crimes extended even to his tribesmen," Maher replied angrily.
"Don't deflect it, Maher!" Taz replied.
A'saal and Zareb arrived at the peak.
A'saal approached them and said, "I can hear you from the bottom, Tanaz!"
Taz sighed in frustration and walked to the tent.
They went inside the tent and sat in the left corner. Maher and Zareb were on the horizontal seat, and A'saal, Taz and Rahul were on the vertical.
A'saal crossed her legs, looked at Maher and said, "I hoped you'd see my point after what happened, but you're still stubborn as usual, Maher."
Maher crossed his arms and said, "We're not going to leave our land."
"And we don't want our allies to die pointlessly," A'saal said.
"If you think death scares us, then you're mistaken," Maher said.
"Death is natural, Maher. The destruction of a prominent tribe over stubbornness is not," A'saal said.
"If you wanted to help, you could've sent one of your legions to us!" Maher replied.
"That is considered a violation of our treaty with Kemet," A'saal replied.
"You can tell the king those are our demands," Maher replied.
"How fucking stubborn you can be, Maher!? The king won't risk starting a major war for your sake," Taz replied.
"What the fuck do you know about politics, little girl?" Maher replied.
"I know the king offered all of the Aegis tribes lands to live in Mesopotamia, yet you all refused to do so because you insisted on living as your ancestors did," Taz replied.
"If you don't see why we chose not to comply with the king's offer, then you're as dull as they come," Maher said.
"What are you implying, Maher?" Taz replied.
Maher stood up and said, "This discussion is over. If you want to rest in our village, you're welcome; talk to Zareb if you need shelter or food."
Then Maher left.
Zareb looked at A'saal and said, "I told you this would happen, A'saal."
A'saal sighed and said, "I know…."
Zareb looked at Taz and said, "Don't be mad at Maher, Tanaz. After all, he carries the burden of keeping our legacy alive."
Taz looked at Zareb and said, "Is the legacy worth dying for?"
"Yes, Tanaz. We wouldn't let go of it even if it meant certain death," Zareb said.
After an unsuccessful negotiation, they all went down the peak; to rest and recover.
Taz walked into the village and pondered Maher's response. She knew he meant something more than implying her dullness in politics, but she could never figure out what it was.
Then again, she thought, "Fuck that cunt."
She was too hungry to think anyway, she thought.
Yet her loss in a battle of intelligence and wit infuriated her.
Accompanying her uncle made her think she was on par with his sharp mind and knowledge, but it was noticeable that she had ways to go until she reached Ahmad's level.
She went into the village's marketplace; her constant thinking made her hungrier by the second.
She saw a small shack that sold cooked meat and went to it. She greeted the stall worker and asked for two sticks of meat.
After a few moments, her food was ready.
She reached into her pouch and extended her arm to give the worker money. The worker chuckled at her and said, "I can't charge our guests for food."
Taz looked at him in confusion and said, "We came here uninvited."
"As long as you're here, you're our guest," The worker said.
"But why? You'll lose money because of this," Taz said.
"It doesn't matter. Enjoy the food," The worker said.
Taz stood still as she retracted her arm slowly. She looked at the worker and said, "Thank you for your kindness."
The worker smiled.
She went to the edge of the village as she recalled seeing a nice spot to relax.
She arrived and went behind a small house. She then saw Jacob sitting at the edge of the mountain, alone.
She strolled toward him and said, "It seems this is a famous spot."
Jacob looked at her and said, "What do you want?"
Taz handed him a meat stick and said, "Relax, I won't hit you again."
Jacob took the stick and ate the top piece as he looked onto spacious rocky lands stretching as far as the eye could see.
Taz sat beside him and leaned against the wall.
They spent a few minutes in silence and admired the view together.
Taz looked at Jacob and said, "I envy your village for having this view."
Jacob looked at her and asked, "You don't have it in your village?"
Taz chuckled, then said, "No, I live in Babilim."
Jacob ate the second piece of meat and asked in a muffled voice, "Where is that?"
Taz pointed to the east and said, "East of here, two months on horseback."
Jacob kept chewing and said, "Why did you travel all this distance to come here?"
Taz took a bite and said, "I wanted to know more about myself and my family, but I keep running into more confusing questions."
Jacob took a bite and said, "Are you one of us?"
Taz shrugged and said, "It seems so. Even though everyone hates my existence."
"Why?" Jacob asked in a muffled voice.
"Because I'm from the Hayja tribe," Taz replied.
Jacob swallowed his food and said, "Uncle told me you're nothing but savages."
Taz giggled, then said, "My uncle told me the same thing."
Jacob chuckled as well.
Taz leaned forward and said, "Which of your uncles told you about us?"
Jacob took a bite of the last piece of meat and said, "Uncle Maher."
Taz looked at him in confusion and said, "Is he related to your parents?"
Jacob shook his head.
Taz grew confused and said, "Are you.... married?"
Jacob nodded.
Taz chuckled and said, "Are you serious!?"
Jacob nodded again.
Taz went silent.
She looked at him and said, "How? Even the nobles of Babilim need to be old enough to marry."
Jacob threw the stick and said, "My uncle got me engaged to Taghreed two years ago. We married three months ago."
Taz exhaled loudly through her nose, chuckled and then said, "I assume Taghreed is your wife."
Jacob nodded.
"Where's she?" Taz asked.
"At my house," Jacob replied.
"You have your own house!?" Taz asked in shock.
Jacob nodded yet again.
Taz slapped his head and said, "Stop nodding your damn head; you're not a chicken."
Jacob rubbed his head and said, "What do you want me to say!? Isn't everyone married and owns a house?"
"NO!" Taz argued.
"Why not!?" Jacob argued.
"Because most of them are poor!" Taz argued.
"Then why do you keep living there?" Jacob asked.
"Because it's safer to live there!" Taz replied.
"If you'll die either way, why do you seek safety over comfort?" Jacob said.
"What the fuck do you know about that? You barely experienced life," Taz replied.
"Do you own a house?" Jacob asked.
"No," Taz replied.
"Are you married?" Jacob asked.
".... No," Taz replied.
"Do you even own anything apart from your clothes?" Jacob asked.
Taz went silent.
Even her clothes and weapons were bought with Ahmad's money. The money she brings with her on missions is also from Ahmad's funds. Her position in the military was because of Ahmad's involvement.
She kept thinking about it and realized. She doesn't own anything. Everything she had was given to her by either Ahmad or A'saal.
Taz balled herself, wrapped her arms around her knees, and buried her face between her kneecaps.
"You don't own anything, do you?" Jacob said.
"Shut up, you little shit!" Taz said.
Jacob stood up with a smug look and said, "I'll take my leave then to my wife and sleep in my OWN house."
Jacob then left as he laughed.
Taz sighed and said, "I regret sharing my food with him."
The days went by.
Taz kept exploring the village and socializing with the villagers. She learned a great deal about why they refused to leave the mountain.
Though it was dangerous and sometimes depressing to live in, she saw the beauty of Al Shamil when she ignored the hazards that lurked nearby.
The residents were a tight-knit group. There was never a poor person among them, but neither a rich one. If a resident faced a problem, they would solve it collectively.
They had a strange yet captivating environment. Taz sometimes noticed the men would fight amongst themselves, yet they returned to being friendly in the next hour as if nothing ever happened.
Taz grew more self-aware after her conversation with Jacob, though he may be a rude brat. She saw the logic of his mockery, and the worst part was that it was all correct.
She would get into more arguments with the stall workers over payment. They had a strict rule to never charge a guest for anything, be it funds or energy. Yet Taz would argue or sometimes fight over this rule.
She insisted on paying for her food as she never wanted to be a burden to the hosts, yet the hosts were even more stubborn than Maher regarding payments.
Taz grew tired of arguing with them and accepted the free food as a sign of defeat. No matter how much she tried, they never changed their minds.
In the early morning of the fifth day, the day of departure.
The group packed their belongings and headed for the gate's exit.
Maher and Zareb stood by the gate to bid them farewell. Before they left, Taz approached Maher and said, "I understood why your people wouldn't move into Mesopotamia."
Maher chuckled and said, "You mean our people? Tell me, what did you figure out."
Taz looked back at the village and said, "Even though it's dangerous, the people are livelier than those in Babilim. It's a weird thing…it's like when people forget they might die at any moment, they lose the passion for living."
Zareb and Maher laughed.
Maher looked at her and said, "I might have underestimated your learning capacity."
Taz chuckled and said, "But before we leave, I wanted to ask you something, although I am unsure if this question can be answered."
Maher smiled and said, "Go ahead."
Taz crossed her arms and said, "I noticed in our travels that everyone treats A'saal with respect, yet I seem to get the opposite."
"Are you referring to our conversation at the peak?" Maher said.
"I am over it since you were correct about what you said. But what I mean is, how do I reach the same level of recognition that A'saal and my uncle has?" Taz said.
A'saal approached Taz and said, "I hope you're not planning to work for the king."
Taz turned her head to A'saal and said, "No, I never want to involve myself with the royal ranks."
Maher crossed his arms and said, "Your uncle gained recognition because he delved into politics. A'saal gained hers for many reasons, be it her past as a huntress or a former ambassador."
Taz looked at A'saal and said, "You were an ambassador!?"
A'saal sighed and said, "It's a long story..."
Maher looked at Taz and said, "So, Tanaz. What is your goal?"
"My goal is to reach the pinnacle of our species," Taz said.
"You may be a member of Ishtar's arrows, but there are fearsome warriors in your group," Maher said.
"What?" Taz said in confusion.
A'saal leaned closer to Taz and said, "They're also known as the generals' fighters."
Taz widened her eyes, looked at A'saal and said, "I thought that group was an excuse to hire mercenaries."
Maher chuckled and said, "No chance you'll receive that many dinars as a mercenary."
Taz looked at Maher with a stunned expression and said, "Dinars!? I haven't even gotten my medallion."
"Haven't your uncle told you about it?" A'saal asked.
"No! He just threw me to them and left!" Taz said.
"Typical of your uncle," A'saal said.
Zareb and Maher laughed their guts out at Taz's reaction.
After an Awkward ending to their long conversation, they exchanged farewells again, and the group departed to Babilim.
Although that conversation stuck in Taz's mind, she had many questions that needed to be answered. And answers she'll get by any means possible.
The End