While all those directives, searches and questions were going on with their respective paces, Lord Hospodia for his part had not been idle. He had been apprised that his earlier advice to take on Yasnar as the man in charge of future negotiations for an alliance with the Estreans, was being seen to. He had attended to many other aspects of the city in the meantime, such as coinage, education (of which Urdin was one of its most ardent supporters), the state of defense, and the posting of fire brigades on several strategic points.

Presently he was in his own study, folding up a letter he had just read.

It was from his young son, Idris, apprising the father of the happenings back in House Hospodia's capital city of Arenda with all the dignity an eight-year-old could muster. Some lines of the letter was with little doubt composed with the help of his lady mother.

Near its end, and with considerable alacrity, Idris mentioned how he had begun to dab on the 'art of the wings', and how he has thinning patience for the day of Lord Hospodia's safe return, that the latter can see it for himself.

Urdin too was adorably referred as the "Eagle which soars to the horizon", and that the younger prince was "so very eager to learn from him a whirl or two."

Lord Hospodia exhaled, laid back in his seat, and was soon in a reflective mood.

"To think that ceremony's due in one day's time! One of the climaxes in a city's fath..."

Ingeras, for one, was quite convinced it was going to be an engaging affair; something even his father had not had the chance to experience beyond his own home base. The previous amir had, however, given hints as to how it ought to be handled; and this during a rare father-son moment. Neither Urdin nor even their lady mother Mirena had been part of it.

***

'Empires and rulers in this world rise and fall,' Husnir had said, "and our House had risen in place of the mighty Second Kalifate. In their hands had been an empire few others had matched, in terms of territory and longevity. People of three continents had experienced their rule; fair and just where possible, firm and protective where necessary....'

'But, my amir,' the younger Ingeras had put in, ' if their values are so decent, how could they have lost ground?'

'The values are decent,' came the reply, 'but the rulers to apply and oversee them, let's be honest, are not always so. In time a ruler with a knack for going over the limits rose, and austere implementation of said values thus deteriorated. Depending on whether there shall be a reformer figure at the head, this slide shall persist. That, dear Ingi, is how empires work at their highest level; for the lower ones, you may have to discover them yourself.'

'If such is the case, Father, why are there empires in the first place? What task are rulers supposed to perform?"

Hospodia's first amir, at that question, had risen from his grand seat and approached the prince, who had lowered his gaze for fear of having spoken out of turn.

'Entertain me.'

'Well... in my humble opinion, it is to ensure that the people have their rights; to enjoin good and prevent evil in the widest scope possible, as had been vividly laid down in our belief.'

'There you go.' The amir had walked past him. 'So you have sworn as well, in this very place, with Urdin by your side. Preserve it.'

'Father, if I may... about Urdi's apparent roughness, I--'

'Yes, he is rough in appearance,' Husnir conceded, 'but what else would you expect from someone who is constantly partaking in raids? He's got individuals afield who answer to him now, for good or ill, and many rules must be upheld. How else, short of being strict where required, would you expect him to be able to handle our expeditions, numerous as they are? Hmm?' There had followed a fatherly pat on the shoulder. 'And that is to say nothing of him being your own brother! You too have a thing or two to learn from him, you know.'

'...I understand, Lord Hospodia.'

***

At present, Ingeras again smiled to himself.

"Ah, how accurately our father had gauged your potentials, dear brother! Hopefully Idris too can be like him someday, the delayed inheritance notwithstanding..."

Indeed, the younger prince had so far proved himself to be a voracious gobbler of knowledge: he learned to read and write as eagerly as he would while practicing archery or poetry--the latter being one of the complex but highly-valued arts in the region. At one point, during a familial supper a mere fortnight before the final expedition to Balaras, Idris had even requested to be given a pen name.

Ingi's promise to grant this to the child should the latter succeed in revealing his own wings (this trait being one of the most profound trademarks of the Albinon people), had brought about glimmers to Idris' eyes that the father had rarely perceived until that time.

Another aspect that had aroused Idris' attention aside from poetry was field practice on the training yard every other weekend. The young prince would attempt to try for himself an assortment of weapons from bows to blunted swords, spears, and javelins, as well as riding. His favorite pony was the dirt-brown Kindra which, moreover, he would feed with carrots on his own from time to time.

Were it not for his tender age, the prince might have been allowed the use of maces, axes and war-hammers.

In those two fields, the assessment of Idris's tutors and instructors had been uniformly decent. With regards to the prince's chance of success in this new personal assignment of wing-display, however, few dared state their opinions openly; such was its importance.

This, coupled by the fact that his uncle was a top figure within the Hospodian Army, also helped to explain the child's profound respect for Urdin. His lady mother's apparent meekness to the general (due to her having been helped to a considerable extent to be part of the Hospodian royal family) practically inflamed such adoration still further.

"Now then..."

At length, Lord Hospodia rose from his seat.

"Since the only big thing in the agenda is only the oath-taking ceremony, I guess it's time for a well-deserved rest, at long last..."

***

Following his nap and afternoon prayers, a new report came to Lord Hospodia's attention from a certain Mahan Varastra, entrusted with overseeing affairs in Arenda. It disclosed that Hospodia's eastern borders were beginning to be prowled by agents of the Misrian Amirate, yet another rising powerhouse.

Successful as Hospodian countermeasures were proving, according to the report, Lord Hospodia's personal presence might do much to better resolve the issue.

As it was, upon reading it, Ingeras quietly clenched his fist.

"Gracious... just as I'm about to transfer my capital! Oh, but having a more centrally located might be for the best; it will be possible to deal with events on both fronts more effectively, insha Allah!"

Hospodia's present amir had few illusions as to what might entail if his brother-general were to peruse a report of this sort: Urdin might well advocate for the acceleration of the first alliance's conclusion with the Sea Falcons at Sigista to better shore up their defensive measures. Or, he might be reinvigorated instead to commence the first formal set of negotiations with the Principality of Estreon. Either way, more drastic actions would be taken.

After all, in both cases, Urdin had virtually made his decision--further backed by Lord Hospodia himself--as to whom to dispatch as envoys.

"My personal doubts aside," Idris's father mused, "this way of dealing with situations on two fronts is probably unique in this House's history!"

***

Unwilling to allow such doubts to linger, and to help alleviate the impression that he was favoring Urdin over the other commanders on such a groundbreaking issue, Lord Hospodia thus decided to convoke a grand council that very afternoon. In attendance were Captains Jaras and Histira of the navy; Major Senna (but not her mentor and aide), Captain Hasan and Sergeant Darra from the army; and Captain Vasmir as well as his aide Khalid of the mubarizun corps.

Of them all, General Urdin was easily the most senior, and for once he did not bother to give the opening jibes; not until the amir was properly finished with his own opening statement.

"With due respect, Lord Hospodia," the general shot back, "I for one seem to have missed the point of this get-together. A few agents prowling our eastern borders is not a grand enough issue to stir the attention of the mubarizuns, much less that of our regular officers. Not to mention, upon making your triumphant return to the capital in a few days' time--insha Allah--you are about to put more attention to it. Is this not the case?"

"That much is true," came the reply, "but do bear in mind, General, that we are talking about this Misrian Amirate, of which awfully few had been heard before. As it is, we cannot yet ascertain whether those agents meant well or ill; and we shall have to prepare accordingly no matter which way the stalk turns."

"Very interesting--so now you are about to outline the strategic measures that you have spent quite some time mulling over. Let's hear them, then!"

"Before we get on," Ingeras resumed, pointing a warning finger, "be reminded that you all are here at my discretion and as such can and may be dismissed at the slightest hint of improper conduct on your part. You will listen, and I shall suffer no interruptions unless otherwise stated. Clear?"

The assembly's solemn silence gave the amir his go-ahead.

"Now then, with regards to this relatively-young Province of Balaras... it has been recommended to me that its custodian would have to have a few years' experience in handling and mobilizing resources of every kind as and when needed. In my view, such a task can best be undertaken by General Urdin. I'd like to know your opinions on such an appointment."

A brief silence followed as glances were exchanged.

"On strictly professional grounds I find little reason to object," Senna at length spoke up, "but for the fact of your relations with him, Lord Hospodia."

"Indeed, it might give the notion of nepotism no matter how subtle," Jaras added, "and that would reasonably hamper the general's attempt at rejuvenation, I daresay."

"All the same, we do need firm hands at the helm given the relative instability in this region; I can vouch for that," Histira joined. "And in terms of field experience, I feel the general possesses more than this lot combined. No offense, ladies and gentlemen."

"None taken," Captain Vasmir of the mubarizun corps put in. "I feel it more prudent to simply adhere to the amir's ruling here, as with many others. The name that he's come off with must result from profound reflections, and I for one dare not neglect that. On more personal grounds I also do not know the general to have manipulative tendencies; or even if he had, such trait had never been employed against his own people..."

At this, Urdin shifted his gaze at Vasmir.

"I will undertake to remember that, Captain."

"And what of yourself, General? You have not spoken?" Lord Hospodia inquired. Before the former could reply, however, Hasan stood up.

"Begging pardons," he said, "in view of my advancing age, I know I ought not express myself in a way that might clash with your well-meaning interests. However, if the assembly would kindly gaze beyond the familial ties, I feel we are all agreed that General Urdin is the one with the broadest experience and the highest charisma among us; that he will lead us well, insha Allah; and that Hospodia will prosper more as a result."

"Amen," the assembly chorused. Hasan resumed his seat.

"General?" Lord Hospodia repeated amidst the ensuing quiet.

"I am at your service, my amir," came the reply. "That won't change regardless of whether or not I were allowed custodianship of this city, insha Allah."

Ingeras nodded. "So shall it be announced tomorrow, insha Allah. Do be present, all of you. Returning to the point: our primary concern in light of this news is naturally to find out its truth. Meantime the capital transfer shall proceed as planned, and upon its completion we shall again discuss our options. Fresh offers of alliance shall be explored and, if plausible, accordingly taken up. Questions?"

"None, my amir," Senna replied, standing up. "We abide by your counsel. Viva Hospodia."

The others were quick to chorus it.