“We spent the night on the shores, telling tales of our cities and ourselves. To my surprise, Asmath smiled more than once at the stories Phridon told. For me, I forgot the woe brooding over my heart and looked at the stars for the first time in a year. Rather than the weight of Heaven bearing down on me, the soft lights kindled a glimmer of hope in my soul.”

“In the morning, we left our camp and made our way to Mulghazanzar. It was small, as the Knight said. But true to his word, it was the fairest place I ever saw. A wall of towering white stone blocks ringed the city, marvelous to behold. Defenses more advanced than anything I knew from my years of war lined the battlements.”

“The most impressive thing remained unseen until we entered. There, to my amazement, everything appeared shaped by the hands of master craftsmen. Not a single building or cobblestone lay in disrepair, and there was no poor quarter. No beggars or pickpockets came seeking coins, and merchants carried the finest wares. It was truly a city of the wise, and my pleasure to set foot within those walls.”

“As we entered, soldiers appeared by the hundreds. Many embraced him, kissing the hilt and broken blade of his sword, while others took dirt from the earth and covered themselves in shame. I was confused by their behavior, until learning his people believed him lost. The search party they sent to the island feared the worst when they found blood on the sands. Soon after, they asked his uncle’s son for news. He told them pirates had set upon Phridon, slaying him and his hunters.”

“When the soldiers and citizens learned the truth, the entire city stood ready to seek justice. They compared Phridon to the sun and praised his worth over the unrefined children of his uncle. One after another, people came to welcome their King home, each of them wearing fine clothes. In all my travels I met no better dressed or educated men and women. Nor did I see any so devoted to their Lord.”

“Yet he was far from healed, and still bore many wounds. Healers and Wisemen came as we helped him from his horse. Though he pushed them away, they would not be denied. Eventually he relented, allowing them to fret over his injuries. They brought salves and medicines I had never seen, and their methods surprised and intrigued my surgeon. So, I gave him leave to go with them, for the exchange of information and ideas always benefits the wise.”

“For our part, we were given apartments in the palace while our new friend was restored to health. My two men busied themselves over the weeks with sharing knowledge and learning from those of the city while Asmath and I rested. She and I shared our griefs and hopes with one another, each urging the other to carry on.”

“Though I did not wish to share my tale with anyone, she insisted I had no choice. She reminded me I would be forever shamed if I refused and broke my word, for I promised to tell my story once we overcame Phridon’s adversaries. I did not want to, but as is so often the case, her wisdom ruled over my judgment.”

“Some weeks later, Phridon came out from the hospitals. I could not believe how fast he recovered. He was transformed into a whole man again, and worthy of praise to God above. He stood like a lion carved of ivory and ebony. His eyes glowed a soft yet piercing blue without depth or measure, reminding me of morning skies when I was a child, while the white of his face shone like a moon. The black of his mustaches appeared woven from wisps of night, and his voice held the timbre of deep harp strings. Though we broke bread before, it seemed I looked on a different man now.”

“In celebration of his recovery, we feasted. The entirety of his Kingdom joined us, each bringing new and wonderful delicacies with them. Everyone took turns singing and playing various instruments, but none celebrated more than he. We gave thanks to Heaven for our newfound friendship and made promises and vows of brotherhood to one another.”

“When the revelry of our evening ended, we stayed late into the night pouring over maps and discussing how best to attack the fortress of his uncle. Over the next few days our plan was decided, and we readied his armies. We would bring ruin on his betrayers.”

“He split his soldiers into groups, with the bulk of his men assigned to assault the island. A smaller body would remain behind to protect the city in the event of a counterattack. I accompanied the main group of his army, and we boarded our warships, one man to an oar. To our good fortune, the winds blew in our favor.”

“Each ship was overflowing with hosts of his best soldiers. Had I filled them with my own Knights, I would have only equaled the might arrayed before me. If our enemy knew what awaited their folly, they would have prayed to God for aid.”

“Phridon was a lion among those gathered, and I did not doubt of the punishment his adversaries would soon face. He walked on the deck of the lead ship, and I rode in another next to his. We smiled and saluted one another, ready for war as we sailed towards the battle. Yet before we made land, we spotted the ships of his treacherous uncle. They were arrayed for war and coming straight for us.”

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