Strength

The Sultan arranged for the royal families and other related to the Ottoman family as well as court officials and their families to meet up at the royal training grounds. He decided that to have some gathering it's been a long time since everyone get together.. The training ground is a huge space where plenty of sand for them to conduct so sports event. 

The guest are made to know there are three events happening on the grounds. The first is the oil wresting. and the second is archery while the last is Cirit. Banou who describe th games to her sons. Li Nan is excited about oil wrestling. He asked for permission to take part in the game. Banou agree and thinks it is good for him to find other sports that he might like. Li Xing tells Baou he have sign up for Cirit the game sounds like what he used to throw in the battle ground. 

The oil wrestling starts with a few nobles sparing with the soldiers who are bigger built compare to them. Everyone is cheering for the groups that are taking part. Banou watch her younger son in the ground with his body oiled. She is cheering him when the crown prince appear. He is push by his assistance and he leaves once the crown prince is comfortable. 

"Banou, it's a fine day today."

"Yes it is. I see that you are getting better."

"Yes much better now. Yesterday i had drift out a notice to be paste at the public board. It is about the past event of the Marquis, Baruis."

He look at her with his blue eyes. He hold her hand. 

"It is my fault that he and his family and along with you have suffer because of my misjudge. Thus i want to adment the problem. So that your name and their names will not be smear in the mud." 

Banou look at him and smile. She bow to him and together they watch the wresting match. Li Nan even though he is the younger boy, he is taller and heavier in comparing to all the other contestants. He have seen matches in the army camp when Li Cheng bring him along. He roughly knows what to do. The only difference between the Chinese and the Persians is that the Chinese allow the top and pants to be wore on the match. While the Persians, they go shirtless and a cloth to wrap around their private parts. He hates to show his chubby body. He plan to follow Li Cheung to do more exercise when he return back home. It is rather shameful when everyone is slim and have a flat tummy. While his tummy is round and shaky. No matter what the match starts with the refeere shouting and the crowd cheer. Li Nan can understand that he is introducing the players. He hear his name call out. He raise his hand and he can see his mother standing in a distance waving to him. He is now more determine to win in this foreign land. He wants to be the first foreigner to win in a wresting match in Persia. 

Meanwhile Li Xing is checking his weapon that is prepare for the javelin. He is shown and explain thro his translator the rules of the game. Every contestant is aware that this boy is the son of the princess who married far. He is taller than most of them in the stables. While they look at his horse who seems like it have been in battles for the wounds on the flesh some are still healing. Li Xing swing his long legs over the horse and hop on without needing any help. It rather strange for everyone. Either he is very tall or the horse is too short for him. Either way, he looks like he is the commander on his horse. He ride out the field and allow his horse to run around with him on it. A lot of girls are watching him and a lot of whispering is going around. Those who know who he is is telling everyone he is one of the grandson's of the Sultan. It shock many for no one knows that the Sultan have a grandson that is of foreign born. Everyone watch with expectations of their own general who leads many wars. Li Nan throw the javelin on horse back with force that the target board flys backwards each time. On the third try, the servants place heavy rocks on the stand hopping it doesn't move. The target board did not move but it soon crack after two hits. On the last round, the target board fly backwards and lay down on the ground. All his throws landed bulls eye. Hence he is declare the winner. The general get off his horse and walk over. Hes gives a pat on Li Xing's shoulders. They greet each other politely with a smile. This friendship is build over a match. 

The result is unexpected when the events ends. Li Xing walk into the tent when Li Nan is in. The boy sits with his head down and his arms on his tights to support is upper body. Li Xing pat his oil back, he look up with disappointed look in his eyes.

"You lose?"

Li Nan nod his head. Li Xing pat his back a few times.

"In a contest, there is winners and losers... but how bad did you lose?"

Li Nan raise to show three fingers.

"Oh at least you win two men..."

Li Nan look surprise. His mother walk in at that moment.

"No he won the third place. He win over most men. "

"Then why are you upset?"

"I did not get first place.. and mother is there watching i want to win for her.."

"First place is great but you win third on your first try. It's good enough. Beside that you are young. Those men out there are older than you and they might weight heavier than you. So it's fine. Don't worry. Your bother and i are satisfy with what you did." 

"Yes, what you need to do now is. Wash your body and put on some clothes. We need to go get dinner. I am hungry. Aren't you hungry?"

Li Nan hear the word food, he stand up and hurry to get himself clean up. Food comes before anything else. While waiting, Banou tell Li Xing quietly not to tell Li Nan he win the Cirit. Li Xing nod his head. He knows that Li Nan have a competitive nature. So it's better to keep the news away from him. 

That evening under the velvet sky, the family and court officials dine and drink. Some men gather and smoke while talking. The Sultan did not have this kind of joyful event for a long time. Also this event, he see that Banou's eldest son have the strength and power of a leader. There must be a chance for him to convince that boy to be the heir to the throne.