Page 20 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

king’s Albaka.”

Daka drew his sword as the other royal guards gathered around. Its arched blade glistened

under the firelights of the royal court.

“By cleaving the hilt I improved the balance,” he said wielding the sabre artfully.

“Yes, but you removed the ruby eye of the serpent and decreased its value. What say you

of this?”

“The ruby was too large and heavy. My sword now swings evenly in the wind—faster.”

Daka’s skillful swordplay drew admiring whispers from the crowd but the prince remained stern.

“Better to remove the eye of the serpent than have an adversary remove the eye of thy

prince?” Omar asked.

Daka ended the display with an impressive spin of the hilt that crisply landed the blade in

its sheath.

“The value of my sword is not in its jewels, but in the swiftness of its service to my lord.”

Daka bowed deeply as did the royal guards.

Omar surrendered a smile. “And there is no price that can be placed on thy loyalty, Daka.”

The prince looked around at his fearsome warriors in perfect supplication.

“Carry on, captain.”

“Thank you, my prince.”

Kanja watched his son from the throne. “The soldiers respect him, even love him.”

“As do the women, even the married ones,” GoGo said as her keen eye surveyed the

females of the court admiring Omar hoping for a glance their way.

“When is he going to choose one of them?” Kanja asked.

“I think he chooses more than you know.”

Kanja gives her a knowing glance. “As he should. A small price our young—unmarried

women pay in the presence of greatness.”

“And a kingdom is only as great as its future,” she replied.

The subtle implication in GoGo’s voice did not escape the king. Innocently said or not,