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Sand and Silk

The pure white alabaster moon shone down upon the Persian desert sands, seated in the sky like a pearl wrapped in the folds of dark navy silk. The city of Baharnak, was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the small strike team that had penetrated the city walls and was waiting to make its move.

It was a rather ingenious plan. One of the regular trading caravans had been bribed (and paid handsomely for their efforts) to transport a bit of extra cargo. Wrapped up in the elaborately decorated rugs and hiding in the date baskets was six Greek warriors who had been marked for the task of creating an easy entrance to the army which was waiting outside the city gates over the dunes.

It was a rather ingenious plan. Taken from the example of Achilles and his assault on the City of Troy, this much less inconspicuous version of the “Trojan Horse” was the brain child of Busterivas; a young Greek royal who was seeking to make a name for himself. Busterivas was the grandson of one of Alexander the Great’s generals who had taken over power after death of the great conquer. However, despite now being a part of one of many royal Greek dynasties that had sprung up in Persia at the time, Buster had the unfortunate fate of being only the third son. His oldest brother, Alexius was destined for the crown. His second brother, Lycus was Military Adviser. This left Busterivas with a lackluster existence and deep shadows in which he felt the need to push through to find his own glory.

This the reason for this campaign to dominate the city ‘The City Full of Spring’. He would conquer this land and make his own name and his own dynasty. He would finally step out of the shadow of his older brothers and live on his own terms instead of simply being a nameless face in the background of some political engagement.

“Good…almost there…” Buster peered through the spyglass at the city battlements, the guards lazily patrolling across the top, one by one they vanished from view as they were pulled down and immobilized by his strike team that was on the inside. Busterivas wanted to limit the number of casualties as possible. In his opinion what was the point of taking a city if the citizens were torn and bloodied and ready to revolt against a brutal oppressor? Hopefully by disabling the guard and the first alert system, they could take the Baharnak army by surprise and strike swiftly enough that the confrontation would be over by breakfast.

Then the signal was given. It was quiet and silent. There was no other sign for the army to move except with the opening of the city gates. With a wave of his hand the Greek army started to move forward down the dunes like a shadow creeping along the sand. There was no sound of anxious horses or clashing shields, simply a silent force that came washing into the city like storm water after a heavy ran. It wasn’t even a large army, but the element of surprise had given them a strong advantage.

By the time the native forces had time to gather, it was already too late. The palace had been overwhelmed. The elderly Baharnak King had mustered the last of his strength to stand along side of men in the court yard to defend against the invaders and he had fallen as a result. With the cold hard fact that their king was dead, the Persian guards started to loose their courage and and ultimately relented the Greek invaders.

This had all transpired within a mere two hours time.

——————————

The sun had finally risen across the horizon, like a delicate desert rose in hues of gold and red. Its light filtered through the sheer drapery that wisped in front of the windows of the thrown room of his new palace. Buster took a deep breath as he ran his calloused hand through his long blond locks as he looked around at the new area. He had a strange feeling sitting in his chest. It was a mix of excitement over his victory, empathy over those who had to die and be killed for it, and a strange notion of surrealism. It was almost hard for him to believe that this was now his. He had won. He now had his own kingdom and the freedom to do with as he pleased…

…that exactly that was was an entirely different question.

@ancientblxde

ancientblxde​:

With the sun rising along the horizon, the light filtered through the window of the jail cell as it made the second prince of Baharnak squint and open his eyes slightly, blinking a small bit since he was in the jail cells? Course, his body reacted faster then his mind and he was about to call out for the guards, telling that this was a mistake for him to be here when he suddenly remembered that oh yeah, his city was sacked last night and less then a few hours as he let out a shuddery breath. Leaning back onto the stones as his clothes, a mixture of both night and battle, provided little comfort against the coldness of the jail cell. Yet he couldn’t help but wrap his arms around his legs since it had been only a few hours and everything had changed……..

———

Masu’ne, the second son and the eldest of the twins between him and Mursu’na, and then their was his elder brother, Sepfir. The crown prince who had gone off to start his own town and also had recently gotten engaged to a princess of a neighboring ally. His twin had gone off to serve since he wanted more action then the simple royal life which to be honest, suited his brother all the better. For Masu’ne, deciding to stay home with his father and help out with the court and other royal duties was more his style and his father didn’t mind. Course that didn’t mean they weren’t aware of what was happening since with the death of Alexander the Great, his father warned him of the power struggle that would be happening in this uncertain time. All the while, the silver himself had hoped that impending war or civil strife never reached there walls…..

                                    Oh how he was so wrong……

It had all worked so well to the greeks advantage as none of them knew of the attacks that were incoming, none of them knew about the spies that had infiltrated them, none of them knew about the traitors that would turn the second that it started. For the silver, it would have been another busy day in court and making sure everything ran smoothly in Baharnak. But again, that would have happened if it weren’t for the sudden surprise attack from inside their walls as no one knew what had been happening until it was. The silver himself knew how to fight since despite being royalty, he needed to learn the art of combat and he was glad he did but it hadn’t been enough. They barely had time to send a falcon out to inform his brother, though whether the bird made it or not, at least the message was at least sent out. However, the second prince had been standing along with his father in the last line of defense but it still wasn’t enough since this was the greeks for damn sakes. But with his father’s age and slowness, he couldn’t compare to the younger, more agile men and with that, he saw his father get cut down.

With his father dead, the guards and whoever else fighting scattered to the wind, Masu’ne had been taken prisoner and placed into the jail cell for the time being.

——————-

And that’s where he still was until he heard movement, before the silver looked up a bit with his violet eyes and watched as the greek soldier’s approach and held up shackles. Honestly, how was he even going to fight back without a sword, so might as well go without a hassle as he sighed deeply. Frowning as he felt the shackles placed around his wrist and connect to the shackle around his neck, granted it had been a little extreme but he was in enemy hands so they didn’t want to take any chances. Following the soldier’s as he stayed quiet, the moment that the silver got to glimpse out at his beloved home, he was heartbroken before turning his sights away as he supposed they were leading him to the throne room to meet up with his would be conqueror. It took a bit of time but when they finally made it, the silver narrowed his eyes slightly at the blond greek who had his back turned to him.

“My lord, we brought the prince up from the dungeons as you requested. What shall you command us to do with him?” Granted he knew enough about the greek language since thanks to his education but turning his head away, he really didn’t want to know as one of the options would be to put him to death as he was after all, competition and technically the rightful heir to this city.

The Greek warrior turned around at the question, to face the captured prince in question. The young man brushed his golden locks out of his face. “I think neck shackles are a little excessive...unless you are afraid that he is going to get away and you won’t be able to handle him.” he chucked lightly at the guards.

Busterivas came over to Masu’ne with a kind smile, though the blood on dirt on his armor gave hint that even behind the smile was someone who was not meant to be trifled with.

“I know no matter what I say, I will still be the enemy to you, an oppressor. But for what it is worth, I am not here out of a thirst for blood or to strip your beautiful land of her resources. I am here because I am the third son in my family. First gets power, second gets the military and the third gets the freedom but then has to carve out his own path and that is what I am doing.  Anyways....”

He turned now, moving to the balcony to overlook the city. “What is done is done, and thankfully with as little blood shed as as possible and I do not plan on spilling more if it can be helped. I will not kill you, Prince, unless you give me reason to. Right now I will have you confined to your quarters...will all sharp objects removed of course...and you will be able to move around the palace as needed with an escort.” he pushed away from the balcony and started back towards the guards and Masu’ne. “The first order of business is to tend to your fallen king and whatever is needed for you and your people to properly morn him. His body has been collected and taken to the royal chambers. I do not know your traditions for tending to he dead...however, we cover the eyes with drachma to pay for the soul’s fair across the river styxs. We have done this for any of your people who have fallen, including your king...”

The blond then signed, running his hand through his blond locks, trying to organize his thoughts further. “I think that is it for anything immediate...I still need to wait for the assessment of the city...wounded...supplies...facilities...some of those will have to wait until the palace is stabilized...” he mumbled, now talking more to himself then to anyone else. “Oh um...” he looked to the guards. “Give the prince whatever he needs to do his job tending to the dead. Bring to me any daggers in his room or...you know stabby things...and he can have free reign in there. Just make sure he has an escort everywhere else.”

@ancientblxde​

"Like I said..." the blond started, trying to give a silver haired prince a reassuring smile though he knew it would probably do little good. "I'm not here to cause pain and strife. Take all the time you need to for the proper burials. Speak to the company's physician Euclid for anything you might need. And when you get a chance, I would like you to go over with him any medical needs the people might need as a whole." Buster pursed his lips, going over in his head a million other things that he needed to do. There would trade agreements to look over and stock needed to be taken of the treasury...but maybe he was getting ahead of himself. One thing at a time. First he had to stabilize the city before looking towards the future.

"Please keep me informed of your progress and things you need." He said to Masa directly.

@ancientblxde

The pure white alabaster moon shone down upon the Persian desert sands, seated in the sky like a pearl wrapped in the folds of dark navy silk. The city of Baharnak, was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the small strike team that had penetrated the city walls and was waiting to make its move.

It was a rather ingenious plan. One of the regular trading caravans had been bribed (and paid handsomely for their efforts) to transport a bit of extra cargo. Wrapped up in the elaborately decorated rugs and hiding in the date baskets was six Greek warriors who had been marked for the task of creating an easy entrance to the army which was waiting outside the city gates over the dunes.

It was a rather ingenious plan. Taken from the example of Achilles and his assault on the City of Troy, this much less inconspicuous version of the “Trojan Horse” was the brain child of Busterivas; a young Greek royal who was seeking to make a name for himself. Busterivas was the grandson of one of Alexander the Great’s generals who had taken over power after death of the great conquer. However, despite now being a part of one of many royal Greek dynasties that had sprung up in Persia at the time, Buster had the unfortunate fate of being only the third son. His oldest brother, Alexius was destined for the crown. His second brother, Lycus was Military Adviser. This left Busterivas with a lackluster existence and deep shadows in which he felt the need to push through to find his own glory.

This the reason for this campaign to dominate the city ‘The City Full of Spring’. He would conquer this land and make his own name and his own dynasty. He would finally step out of the shadow of his older brothers and live on his own terms instead of simply being a nameless face in the background of some political engagement.

“Good…almost there…” Buster peered through the spyglass at the city battlements, the guards lazily patrolling across the top, one by one they vanished from view as they were pulled down and immobilized by his strike team that was on the inside. Busterivas wanted to limit the number of casualties as possible. In his opinion what was the point of taking a city if the citizens were torn and bloodied and ready to revolt against a brutal oppressor? Hopefully by disabling the guard and the first alert system, they could take the Baharnak army by surprise and strike swiftly enough that the confrontation would be over by breakfast.

Then the signal was given. It was quiet and silent. There was no other sign for the army to move except with the opening of the city gates. With a wave of his hand the Greek army started to move forward down the dunes like a shadow creeping along the sand. There was no sound of anxious horses or clashing shields, simply a silent force that came washing into the city like storm water after a heavy ran. It wasn’t even a large army, but the element of surprise had given them a strong advantage.

By the time the native forces had time to gather, it was already too late. The palace had been overwhelmed. The elderly Baharnak King had mustered the last of his strength to stand along side of men in the court yard to defend against the invaders and he had fallen as a result. With the cold hard fact that their king was dead, the Persian guards started to loose their courage and and ultimately relented the Greek invaders.

This had all transpired within a mere two hours time.

——————————

The sun had finally risen across the horizon, like a delicate desert rose in hues of gold and red. Its light filtered through the sheer drapery that wisped in front of the windows of the thrown room of his new palace. Buster took a deep breath as he ran his calloused hand through his long blond locks as he looked around at the new area. He had a strange feeling sitting in his chest. It was a mix of excitement over his victory, empathy over those who had to die and be killed for it, and a strange notion of surrealism. It was almost hard for him to believe that this was now his. He had won. He now had his own kingdom and the freedom to do with as he pleased…

…that exactly that was was an entirely different question.

@ancientblxde