Dispenser of Justice: Khosrow vs. Hamdani
February 1132, Artemis.
Khosrow had left his home in Spahan with his party to join the expedition he was leading to the land of the Saplings a month ago. The Magi noble was eager for this opportunity to once again prove his worth as a leader but also knowing how important this mission was for the future of the Tupai. His family had been one of the principle organizers of it for a reason. They had seen the foolishness of their lowly brethren over and over, and knew that the words of the Magi held little value in their eyes anymore. The witches were the ones who called the shots for the Tupai, but the witches themselves had no real idea what they were ultimately doing. "The wisest of the Tupai, fall short of the Magi". With the rise of the Ayundites posing a real threat to the Rishamate, the Rishama had hoped that the gem magic they so desperately kept secret would triumph in the end over the hordes. What a farce that was, as was proven by the raids near Pasuma. The solution of the Rishama and the witches? Get magic from the saplings, rumored to be unbeatable to them. Utter foolishness! This could go on no longer...
Thus, Khosrow proposed a clever idea to his father, Rustam, that he, a Magi, would lead this expedition and that his family would pay for it. The logic being that the Saplings, known by the Magi for understanding the balance that was crucial for life, would be able to correct the Tupai with the help of the Magi. Khosrow was the perfect man for this, intelligent, charismatic and a natural leader. But much to his shock, when he arrived at Artemis, he found himself not to be the leader of this expedition...
A veteran of the first tri-fleet expedition, the charming Hamdani had managed to convinced the Tupai that the Magi should not be the leaders of the expedition. It should be her, as she had ventured to these lands before. Using her lustful charm, she had managed to convince them all before Khosrow arrived and when he did, she went at step further and tried to convince him with her body and feminine charm. After Khosrow rebuked her for undermining him, she tried to pounce.
"Oh, I thought it was only right if I was the leader, handsome~! Don't worry love, we will work as a team.~!" she said seductively.
Playing along, Khosrow remarks "Well now, I think that is a marvelous idea." but before she can say a word, he turns sharply "Do you really take me for a fool, Tupai?"
Hamdani, feeling the condescension from the Magi's voice snapped back "You might have bought the position, but you did not merit it! I am the leader for a reason, because these men and women know that I am the best person for the job! I earned it through my toil."
Khosrow, chuckles a bit to himself, "Very well, Tupai, very well. But mark my words, you will rue this decision in the future."
"So be it, Most high Magi!" she snaps back
Khosrow was furious about this whole situation but knew this was no time to dispense justice. No, patience is a virtue that the Tupai could learn and he would patiently wait for his moment of revenge. And he knew just where it would be. During the course of the voyage, Khosrow patiently bide his time, talked to the many Tupai that were part of this expedition, told them of his feats and told many delightful tales to them. Steadily, he won many over to him and by the time...
December 1132, Port Here
Hamdani knew that Khosrow was up to something but couldn't figure it out. She still believed a majority of the expedition were behind her and certainly had her loyal followers but nothing could have prepared her for what was to happen.
With all of the expedition rested and ready to march on Khosrow, taking a horse, galloped in front of all of them and raise his sword to deliver a speech.
"Friends, brethren. This is an important moment for our future. For both Magi and Tupai. So I ask for your attention." he dismounts, as the rest of the party gathers around to hear what he says. Hamdani realized what was going on and started to slowly approach him as he continued "When I was assigned to command this expedition, I expected that it would be in the best interests of all parties for me taking that role. After all, I fought with Joyo Cahya at Tigaraska. I fought with him against the monster at the Fields of Blood. I-"
Hamdani interrupts him as she gets close and in front of all says "That is enough, I am the leader and not you! He may be a hero, but I am on too. I lead us to glory in the past and I will again now! I"
she stops in utter fear at the sound she heard... For Khosrow, taking off his helmet slowly walks over to her and drew he sword. Hamdani's followers attempt to intervene but are held back by the bodyguards of Khosrow. Putting his hand towards the crowd to gesture them to calm down he grabs Hamdani and spins her towards him. The fear in her eyes was unmatched for the pure look of disgust on the face of Khosrow was unnerving.
Speaking in a calm but extremely stern and wrathful tone he lays into her "You. You think that your leadership during an expedition in the past here qualifies you to usurp my command, shame me, and as you said months ago "I bought the position but did not earn it." hahahaha you foolish woman." Pointing at her "Where were YOU when the South bleed from the Ghazis? Where were YOU when the giant came to destroy Sabatangan? Where were YOU when the Temple itself was threatened because of the ideas and foolishness that people like you brought to the land you so claim to love. Where are your scars? I have many."
A quiet voice speaks up from the crowd. "ummmmmm excuse me, but if leadership is the problem, why not have the leader selected now that we are close to the saplings?"
It was Sherah the witch. Both of them turn to face her and Khosrow speaks up "I agree with your idea, after all Hamdani, you claimed the people supported you."
"T-They do!"
"Very well chuckles. I will even disallow my kinsmen from having a say in this haha. Friends! If you wish for Hamdani to lead, please stand up now!"
4 Tupai stand up and Hamdani has the look of utter mortification on her face. She feels dead inside at the humiliation but its not over.
"Thank you! Now, those who favor mysel-"
around 100 Tupai stand up and start chanting his name. Khosrow allows this to go on for a minute before signaling them to calm down. "It is decided then, I shall be your leader. Thank you." turning to Hamdani and whispering "As I said months ago, you would rue your decision, Tupai..."
To add insult to injury, Khosrow would hold a trial against Hamdani for insubordination and undermining the expedition. She was convicted and the penalty was death, but Khosrow, knowing the shame would haunt her forever, just had her expelled from the expedition itself. She would take the walk of shame back aboard the Abyss and an even longer journey of shame back home. As those in gambling say, the House always wins, but in this case, the Magi always wins...
Note: Hamdani didn't leave. When the Deadbeats were expelled, she managed to convince them to let her stay in the Republic of Owl for her own reasons... She would serve effectively in this post but conflict would surely come in the future...