- Laith Taher 161
He paused then added angrily, “I have to defeat the
Prouds by any means and at any cost. They could not
continue to be an obstacle in my way that holds me back.”
Silence prevailed in the hall, and everyone was
filled with anger and hate.
Leader Shawn ended the silence. “We have to
retaliate, My Lord, and show them that the king is
invincible.”
He paused for a moment then added, “I have had
this idea for quite some time, but I have never dared to
carry it out. If it is carried out, it will humiliate and tame
the Prouds.”
“And why haven’t you done it yourself?” wondered
Prince Harlem.
The leader replied, “As a matter of fact, I was afraid
of the Prouds’ retaliation because my tribe is not as strong
as they are. Whereas if the king carries it out, they will not
be able to do anything to him because the Prouds are only
strong in battle where there is not any high wall as that of
Cintana. But, if they encounter a high wall and a huge army
like those of Cintana, they will not win with their few
numbers against great King Matthew, provided that they
attack Cintana, of course.”
“And what is this idea, Shawn?” asked the king.
The leader replied, “Every year, Leader Addison of
the Prouds sends a big commercial caravan, in terms of the
number of people and quantity of goods it contains, to his
allies of tribes in the northern part of Widea. This has been
his norm for almost twelve years, and the Prouds call this
caravan the ‘Biggest One.’