"How large an army?" Liang Jian Amal asked."Around a few thousand or so, but most are highly trained."
"d.a.m.n there"s only a few hundred men trained to fight within the guards. We also lost a half dozen good men against the traffickers. The majority of the populace isn"t trained for war, they came here for peace. We"ll have to train as many who are able as soon as we can to have a chance."
"How long would you say we have Uncle?"
"I don"t know, a day, a week, a month.. It will more likely be sooner than later with the actions they took last night."
"I see. Thank you for this warning, it just may be the difference between success or our deaths. Jid, leave this to me, I will see this settled personally." Liang Jian Amal turned to leave, focused on the preparations that needed to be made.
Jari Maan al- Ha.s.san struggled to rise. "I will accompany you."
"No you will not. You will rest here and recover." Hakim al-Ha.s.san forbade the man. "Leave this to your nephew, he"s more than capable."
"I"ve noticed. He"s an entirely different man from the surly akward teen that I was teaching to spar."
"It has been over a decade since that time abn. He is a man now, he even has a beautiful wife now." Hakim al- Ha.s.san spoke proudly of the young man.
Jari Maan al-Ha.s.san lowered his head after the last sentence. "We we about to welcome our 3rd child... When they come, I will go with them. For my Fajr."
The news was distributed to the populace, giving those who wished to flee a chance to do so, as well as calling for any able bodied man to help join.
Shortly after the news a majority of the able bodied men within Muzdahir appeared at the palace gates volunteering to fight for their own peace. Even those who were unable.
Liang Jian Amal set up an army camp to the west of Muzdahir, choking off the road way in case. There the guards as well as himself immediately began to train the ones who were able. Together they only totaled around 2,500 strong. He hoped they would be enough.
Three days after Jari Maan al-Ha.s.san arrived a carrier falcon came to the palace bearing a simple note.
"I will be coming for what is mine tomorrow." - MA
The makeshift army all went to their respective homes for the night, instead of staying in their training camp like they had been. They would all be leaving at first light, and wanted to spend their last hours with their loved ones.
As they prepared to go to sleep, Chang tried to persuade Liang Jian Amal not to go into battle the next morning.
"Jian, please don"t go, what if you get hurt or worse? Please, please don"t!" She buried her face in his chest, gripping his shirt tightly.
"Chang, I"ve trained with the guards here since I was young. Most of the people fighting do not have even half of that training, but are willing to fight.
"I have to help, I am tied to this country. I can"t just sit by and do nothing. I promise that I will be fine and I will return to you."
Chang didn"t answer but merely pressed herself up against him, her lips seeking his.
Liang Jian Amal flipped her below him, letting his lips leave hers only to adorn her bare skin. After they released, she quickly fell asleep in his arms. He quickly cleaned himself and gently wiped her before falling to sleep holding her.
Liang Jian Amal woke about an hour before the allotted time, but rose anyways to prepare early and meet at the gate. Before he left he lightly pressed his lips to her. After studying her sleeping face he left quietly, avoiding waking her.