Stallion Brigade

Rahzad picked his staff up from the ground and rushed towards the oasis to round up the camels like he had been told. The temperatures at night in the desert dropped drastically in contrast to the temperatures during the day; therefore it would be hazardous to leave the animals on their own in the cold.

Ahmejaned saw figures approaching the spot where he was standing. The figures were blurry and hazy from afar, however as they got closer, Ahmejaned could clearly discern that they were horsemen from the city and probably the supreme's men.

"These useless fellows have come to escort us to the castle." Ahmejaned chortled inwards, while gazing at the dust cloud created by the approaching horsemen.

"Ahhh these guards are very loyal, this daily exercise sure is testing their diligence and loyalty, and I hope they keep it up." Rahzad who had just finished rounding up the camels sarcastically commented about the appearance of the horsemen with a look of satisfaction on his face.

The figures became clearer as they came closer to the two youths. The man riding in front of the others was second-in-command of the Stallion brigade; they were placed in charge of monitoring the young Belthom prince and heir since he moved into the household of the Azfar supreme.

Ahmejaned was treated like a noble in the supreme's household even though his great-grandfather's empire had declined and only left him with the name, family and legacy. The wealth, influence and power were all lost to the Azfar that usurped power by killing the emperor of the Belthom Empire.

However despite being treated as a noble he was assigned work as a sign of superiority of the Azfar noble children to him within the supreme's household. It was his duty to take the camels grazing at the Dahir oasis every day since he was 12 years old.

Rahzad although he was an Azfar was his childhood friend whom they shared with a lot of memories, moments, secrets, passions and goals. He was the son of a slain commander of the falcon regiment; his father was an advocate for peacemaking between the Azfar and the Belthom, an idea the Azfar supreme didn't like.

Therefore he planned for the assassination of his own high-ranking officer and blamed it on the Belthom thus justifying his reasons of waging war against them. However the truth was as plain as daylight and it was known by many Azfar people and Belthom people. So it went without saying that Rahzad knew who orchestrated the plan to kill his father and why his father died an untimely death.

The Azfar supreme then decided to take in his slain commander's son under his household in order to take care of him in, look after him and groom him into a man his father would have loved to see his son grow into.

However the real reason was because the supreme wanted to easily monitor the child and his progress and prevent any revolts that would have been caused and led by his ex-commander's son.

Ahmejaned was kept as a bargaining chip by the Azfar supreme that aided him in his dealings with the Belthom, to levy heavy taxes on the family, to impose laws and unfair policies on the Belthom and to prevent revolts organized by the Belthom for fear of losing their prince.

The horsemen finally arrived where Rahzad and Ahmejaned were standing with the camels and they then dismounted from their steeds. There were 7 horsemen that usually escorted the two youth to the oasis in the morning to take the animals for a drink and a dip.

They were members of the stallion brigade, the cavalry force of the Azfar. Only elite swordsmen and exceptional horsemen were recruited into this brigade because it usually changed the tides of a battle in case a deadlock had been reached.

The supreme had assigned these seven individuals to specifically train, monitor and observe the offspring and children of his old nemeses under his household. So the two youth were trained in sword practice, horse-riding and combat tactics by these soldiers.

"I was just laughing at the irony in the statement Sir Quentise made, that's all." Rahzad retorted while putting some distance between him and Ahmejaned. He gently soothed and rubbed the rear of his head gently to alleviate the pain of the slap he was awarded by Ahmejaned.

"Ahmejaned and Rahzad, it's time to get back to the castle. Your father is impatient and awaits both of you." The leader of the horsemen proclaimed expressionlessly with an evil grin on his face.

"That scumbag is not worthy of being my father not even a 1//10 of it." Ahmejaned replied blatantly with no emotion on his face. He asserted in a matter-of-fact way.

"hahahaahaha.... hahahaa hahaha.... now this is mirthful." Rahzad laughed his lungs out at the response Ahmejaned gave the leader of the 7-man guard in-charge of their security.

Twaaaa.

Ahmejaned whacked the rear of Rahzad's head and questioned him "What is so funny that it made you laugh your head off?" Rahzad's laughter died down and dried on his lips immediately.

Quentise wore a turban on a his head and a scarf around his neck covering his nose and mouth leaving a slit for the eyes.

He wore chain mail armor over his desert robe and a sword belt across his shoulder with a golden, gem embedded shiny asib sheathing his sword hanging from it. His asib was unlike those of the infantry which were made of wood and coated with iron metal to give it sturdiness.

A short thick curved khanjar sheathed in a dull, old leather scabbard hung from another sword belt at his waist.

Quentise understood Ahmejaned's temperament and therefore didn't wish to push the matter any further. " Let's forget that and head back to the castle." he gestured with his hands pointing towards the city.

"Omar and Mousa help them drive the camels back home, Yunus, Ahbed and Azhar guard the Belthom prince, Aly ride ahead and scout for any mishaps or danger." Quentise issued orders tactically and swiftly to his subordinates and finally mentioned " I'll ride at the rear and cover you guys."