- The Prouds 244
“I need a great commander for my army. Now that
we are allies, there is no one better than you to lead my
army. You will get all the wealth and women you want.”
He did not offer to let Hammond lead the army
because, deep inside, he knew that Hammond was not fit
for the job in contrast to Jarvis.
“Do you think you can tempt me with fruit?” Jarvis
said harshly.
Then, he added even more harshly, “What you want
is never going to happen. You need to know that I only
came here and participated in the delegation out of mere
pretense and courtesy for my brother.”
Then, he added, pointing at the king with his finger,
“Be aware that I shall never submit to you, nor shake hands
with the man who killed my father and brother.”
He stood up from the chair and walked away with
great speed and anger.
What is this creature made of, so that he behaves
this way? thought the king.
The king thought that anyone could be bought with
wealth, women, and status, especially a savage nomad from
the desert, who lived a difficult harsh life, deprived of
enjoyable things. But it seemed like his extensive
experience, which he gained over the years, had let him
down. He did not realize that men were different, just like
metals, which could be either beautiful precious metals
which never rust, such as gold, or cheap metals which rust
with time, such as iron.