The soldiers lined up before the castle, awaiting the order to depart.
Harun mounted his mare and cantered off to the front of the small army, followed by Masrur. He looked at his men one by one, then spoke out in a loud voice so everyone could hear him. " We've survived so far because of the blessing of the Tigris! It's one of our land's greatest treasures! Should this river be meddled with, everyone within Baghdad will bear the grave consequences!"
He held out his sword, as if to show everyone out there how serious he was about the whole thing. " We fight not for a landmark, but for a source of life! We fight for the people of Baghdad! Bear that in mind as you advance!"
The soldiers cried in unison at that.
Sindbad gave a whistle of bemusement at that. " Uncle was always good with words."
