The old king stared through the open window. His gaze was casted on the mountainous hills with his servants busily ploughing them.
He looked troubled. There was a sudden knock on the door. It burst him out of his silent discourse. He charily got up from his seat and put on his tiger skin regalia.
His golden scepter leant against the marbled wall. He picked it up and cleared his throat.
"Come in." he said in a gruffy voice. The door creaked open and a tall lanky man with grey hair walked inside.
"May the great god Astar smile on you, Negus. Your royal servant humbles himself before you." he said bending on one knee.
"My grace is upon you. What is the matter Dougga?" the old king asked waving his scepter. The lanky man reverted back to his positionÂ
"Forgive me Sire, terrible news has struck forth my lord." Dougga began. "The Fatajarans led by King Amlak of house Eritrea has laid waste to the kingdom of Dawaro."
"What!" the king exclaimed striking the ground with his scepter. "Where is Harrar, where is King Harrar?" he asked clenching his fist. Dougga remained silent. His silence gave out the answer.Â
A tear escaped from his eye, but he quickly wiped it. After much deliberation and silence, he stood up from his seat and stared out of the window again trying his best to suppress the pain.
"Ready the royal legions. We leave for Dawaro today." he said in a calm tone. Dougga bowed respectfully and took his leave.
"Dougga Dougga!" a voice called out from behind him as soon as he stepped out. He turned to look and realized it was Syphax the eldest son of the king.
"My prince, may you live forever." Dougga said, bowing, as the young man neared him. "Enough with the formalities Dougga. How are you doing my friend." Syphax said extending his hand to greet him, but the old man bowed again.
The young prince wore a silk cotton shirt over leather trousers. His hair was long and dark. It dangled down his broad shoulders.
"How is my father?" he asked glancing at the little house. "He is fine my prince."Â Dougga said with a faint smile.
"How is he taking the news about Dawaro.?" "As expected." Dougga replied.
"I got this from Zara this morning. Harrar is still alive, so is Lebna. They are all on Ifat, but Zara is on Zharaan." He said handing him a little scroll. "And Yaqob?" Dougga asked glancing through. "He didnt make it. He tried to fight but his army lost the battle."
"The poor boy. May he rest in the arms of the great Astar." "Meymun" Syphax concluded.Â
"Well, I must go. The king ordered me to rally the troops. We are going to Dawaro." Dougga said handing the scroll back to him.Â
"What if it is an ambush?" Syphax asked worriedly. "It's not" said a voice from behind. They turned to look. It was Dengel, the royal sorcerer supreme.
"Amlak is long gone. He got what he came for. The great Astar has revealed everything to me" The sorcerer explained. "What exactly Xudan?" Dougga asked. "The map to the Sabean script. " He replied.
"The Sabean script on the book of souls? But that is a myth." Syphax commented. "Things thought as myths are what we fear to acknowledge as real. Lebna and I are the only people with knowledge of its existence. I am sure Lebna gave it out for fear of losing his Negus." Dengel explained.
"Then we must hurry, we must stop this evil before it gets out of control." Syphax said and immediately ran off. Dougga bowed to the sorceror supreme and ran off in the opposite direction.
Syphax ran into the royal stables and brought out his noble steed Hashifa. He mounted it and rode speedily to the royal training field.Â
It was huge land with a gigantic platform meant for hosting duels. The atmosphere smelt of blood and sweat. He got of the horse and walked towards the field. "Your royal highness. May you live long." They all said and knelt down in reverence
"You may rise. Where are my brothers. Where is Aragorn and Massi" he asked looking around. An arrow flew from the eastern direction towards Syphax, but he caught it and broke it into pieces with his bare hands.
Two young men immediately walked up towards him. "Give me my money. I told you he was going to catch it." the youngest of the two said. The eldest chuckled and ignored him.
"You placed a bet on my life?" Syphax asked the youngest. He was Aragorn. The second son, Massi looked unperturbed. "Never mind, get your horses and your gear ready. Father wants to go to Dawaro."
"Why, what is the matter. It is not time for the annual Festival." Aragorn asked with a confused look. "I will tell you the reason on the way. No more questions." Syphax said and mounted his horse again galloping off speedily.
Massi and Aragorn looked at each other and shrugged. They whistled and two black horses immediately galloped over to them. They mounted it skillfully and rode off after their elder brother.