Swords of Justice
Chapter 30: The Beginning of the Battle
The sun had risen, casting its light that was meant to be beautiful—but not today. A guard stood atop the tower, watching the scarecrows in the distance. He muttered to himself:
"I see… they haven't moved yet."
But when he lowered his gaze, he was shocked to find them right beneath the palace gates, surrounded from all sides. Terror struck him—he fell, then quickly got up and began ringing the alarm bell. Panic spread everywhere as people wondered:
"When did they get here? We weren't ready yet!"
Minister Taher woke up to the noise. He looked out the window and saw a massive army gathered at the gate.
He rushed toward the royal hall, where King Hussein and Prince Mustafa—the crown prince of the State of Fawza—were being held. His panic was so obvious that it made King Hussein laugh at him.
"How is this possible?" said Minister Taher. "Weren't they in their camps all night? How did they get here so quickly?!"
General Jaafar entered and said confidently:
"It seems Commander Jalal possesses true tactical brilliance. He placed scarecrows to make us believe they were still there, then moved under the cover of darkness so we wouldn't see them."
"Why are you speaking so calmly?!" Taher snapped. "Aren't you afraid? We are in danger!"
General Jaafar laughed.
"Even so, this doesn't mean they've won. They will never break through… not as long as I am here."
He adjusted his cloak and headed toward the battlefield.
On the other side of the gate, Moataz led the first vanguard alongside his strongest soldiers. He turned to them and said:
"We are strong men—warriors! Do you see this gate? Today, we will break it down. Prepare the ram!"
A group of muscular men lifted a massive battering ram and began striking the gate.
Moataz's mission was to break the front gate and fight the soldiers standing just behind it, clearing the way for the group behind him, led by Hamza and accompanied by Fateh.
But it wasn't that simple.
Above the palace walls stood a group of soldiers, prepared with barrels. General Jaafar shouted:
"Do you really think you can break through the first gate so easily?"
Moataz looked up and saw General Jaafar smiling wickedly.
"Pour it on them…"
The soldiers atop the wall began pouring boiling oil onto Moataz's men as they struck the gate. Their skin burned and melted as they died in horrific agony.
But Jaafar didn't stop there.
He ordered one of his men to hand him a bow and a flaming arrow. He fired it at the oil-soaked ground, igniting a blazing fire that spread rapidly.
"Now try breaking the gate in the middle of these flames," Jaafar said with contempt.
"You bastard!" Moataz shouted angrily.
Meanwhile, Al-A'war was sitting in his place. He stood up, about to leave, when Minister Taher stopped him:
"Where are you going?"
"It looks entertaining outside. I want to join."
"And who will guard me if you leave?" Taher said firmly.
"I don't think anyone can defeat General Jaafar's plans."
Taher replied cleverly:
"I told you—the son of the legendary warrior Ali ibn Ya'ish is here. If his father was strong, then he must be strong as well. He could break through Jaafar's defenses… and if he doesn't find you here, is that what you want?"
Al-A'war said nothing. He returned to his seat.
Taher sighed in relief and muttered to himself:
"I hope the assassin has completed his mission and killed Princess Hasnaa."
The flames were raging high, and General Jaafar's expression suggested victory.
Moataz shouted:
"You must be General Jaafar—the one Jalal told us about."
Jaafar looked at him silently.
"We truly underestimated you," Moataz continued. "But Jalal was even more cunning. Where is he? Do you see him here?"
Jaafar began looking around, searching.
Moataz smirked.
"While we're standing here talking… he has already breached the back gate."
Indeed, Commander Jalal was riding his horse with his men, accompanied by his deputy Salman and Muawiya, nearing the rear gate.
General Jaafar casually picked his ear, as if completely unconcerned.
Moataz frowned.
"Why aren't you shocked?"
Just as Jalal was about to reach the gate, a massive volley of arrows was launched toward them, striking down many of his men. He halted and ordered a stop.
From behind the trees emerged a large force of enemy soldiers, led by a commander with a sinister smile.
"Do you remember me, Jalal?"
On the other side, General Jaafar said with a sly grin:
"I know all your attack plans. I will never let you enter the palace… and I have assigned one of our strongest warriors to deal with Commander Jalal—once and for all."
To be continued...