- Laith Taher 5
The guest finished his coffee. “I was sent to you by
King Matthew.”
The leader frowned when the king was mentioned.
“And what can I do for him?”
The man said, “You must have heard that all tribes
from the capital city to the final frontiers of the kingdom
have submitted to King Matthew. Even kings of
neighboring kingdoms and countries have bowed to him,
begging him to sign treaties with them, under which they
pay him to ensure their security and safety. It cannot be
right to have all said kingdoms and countries submit to his
rule while there are people in his kingdom refusing to
submit to him and accept his rule...”
He paused, and then added, “Leader Addison, your
tribe and your allies are the only people who have not
submitted to the rule of King Matthew. This is the way you
have always been ever since your ancient ancestors,
refusing to submit to the kings of Widea. You have fought
fierce wars against us. Yet, the king is offering you the
chance to give in to him in peace without shedding a single
drop of your blood, by paying him taxes, having your
knights join his army, and declaring allegiance to him.”
I knew that this was the message you were carrying
since I first laid eyes on you, thought the leader, who
frowned even more.
Then he shouted, shaking his hand fiercely with his
words striking his addressee like a storm. “Tell your king
that the Prouds will never submit to any king. We are
willing to sacrifice our lives for our freedom.”
Some words take a man off-guard and make his
response a confused one. Yet, there are times when a man