With the conclusion of the battle for the Black Gold Fortress, the citadel and the settlement were left in chaos. Lord Darius dead, the upper government echelons fighting for control, driven by their greed and unsatiable lust for power.
Dark times were ahead, but the chaos left an opportunity to move up in the world. An opportunity that the now heroic raiders wouldn't dare to miss...
~ ~ ~ ~
The sun was setting, and Bassam stood proudly on the fortress' great balcony, admiring the vast field of casualties and the death they left in their wake. He didn't have a chance to unleash the full power that his new state of existance provided until now, and the bloodshed oddly brought a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and the knowledge that his goal was complete emboldened him further. It was now time, to deliver his promise to Nomak however. The fortress must be theirs.
He moved through the corridors of the fortress' upper levels, and men turned around to look and greet him, all with a mixed level of pride, fear, respect and some, even envy. He was now one of the heroes, and that put him in a position to act and do what he did best. Plot, intimidate and remove if needed. None can stand in the way.
~ ~ ~ ~
The grand assembly chamber bustled with activity, all the prestigious figures squabbled and yelled in hopes of getting their opinion across, some waiting in corners and quietly conspiring and others gathered around Haider, the only one who gathered a significant following.
As Bassam entered through the chamber doors, men moved out of his way to let him approach the middle of the room, where Haider stood and held a speech.
"Who else? Who is more qualified to lead us than me? I have served on the battlefield for over ten years, I've actively participated in the politics. I know the men!" - He agressively moved around the center, and yelled from the top of his lungs.
"Who else would you have? The newcommers?" - He laughed as he mentioned them - "You may think of them as heroes now, but they know nothing about the fortress! They are vultures that came to feast upon your misery and hard work!"
Bassam slowly moved the two large men standing in the front row and approached.
"I beg to differ, Haider." - He watched him as his eyes widened, seemingly surprised to see Bassam take an assertive and dominant position for the first time.
"You are not what these men need. They need a brave leader, a capable soldier, someone who inspires them." - he grinned for a moment - "Someone who would -die- , for their sake, like good Lord Darius did. I'm not sure you're willing to die. Reconsider, please."
"Are you threatening me Raider? I swear I'll have your head, I'll have all your heads!" - Haider continued in his outburst of anger and placed a finger on Bassam's chest - "I alone am qualified to lead the fortress. You are strangers, I don't know you, nobody knows you!"
Bassam looked down on the finger laying on his chest, grabbed his wrist swiftly, and then looked back straight into Haider's eyes - "Well, if you truly don't know me, then I guess your best course of action would be to...tread lightly."
He then released his hand, and Haider stumbled back slightly, as Bassam turned around, left through the crowd and exited through the chamber door.
~ ~ ~ ~
He took a turn left when he entered the corridor, leaving the loud chamber behind him and moving slowly towards the apartments of Nomak and Thrax...