Lion in an Iron Cage

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

Lion In An Iron Cage

Look at the lion in the iron cage,
look deep into his eyes:
like two naked steel daggers
they sparkle with anger.
But he never loses his dignity
although his anger
comes and goes
goes and comes.

You couldn't find a place for a collar
round his thick, furry mane.
Although the scars of a whip
still burn on his yellow back
his long legs
stretch and end
in the shape of two copper claws.
The hairs on his mane rise one by one
around his proud head.
His hatred
comes and goes
goes and comes ...

The shadow of my brother on the wall of the dungeon
moves
up and down
up and down.

~Nazim Hikmet

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"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." ~Henry David Thoreau

She rode fast and hard over unleveled terrain, pressing her mount harder in order to gain more speed. The solitary figure that took over the countryside flew at speeds that were dangerously fast and reckless, and the look of satisfaction that smeared her expression was clear as day. Upon coming to the start of the city, she slowed, tugging hard on the reins; the horse whinnied and threw his head back, snorting defiantly and struggling to gain freedom. The prance of hooves littered the ground with imprints, leaving behind a clear trail in her wake, its purpose painfully clear. Come find me, she taunted without whispering a single word. Finally, hands were placed on her thighs as she rode closer, her body swaying slightly forward and back as the animal trod. Eyes, keen and alert, scanned the surrounding area for the advance of guards or soldiers, and when none came, she realized that her presence was anticipated. Expected.

Knees pressed in against the animal's shoulders and she straightened, holding her head up higher. She neither expressed fear or anxiousness, rather, her approach was confidence laden and casual. Behind dark eyes was a wealth of experience and memory; both seeped from every pore and bled into everything around her. She shared it willingly, openly, like some unspoken challenge left to linger and coil tight in her absence.

She dropped her head back and extended both arms while the horse brought them closer, her body rocking slightly with the flow as she rode. Eyes closed as lightning flashed and thunder cracked, and she welcomed the rain. The sudden onslaught was a baptism, a cleansing, and she felt the weight of the past get washed away, sliding along crevices in the ground until it pooled and went still, eventually growing stagnant where it belonged.

But it was hers, and she would find it again and carry it upon her shoulder as she was meant to.

Never full surrender, only compromise.

Rain drops pelted her skin, stinging as they inched over her. She lifted her head and opened her eyes, hands moving to grab onto the mane of the warhorse.

Giving a yell and digging her heels into rough, rounded sides, she moved in toward the city to make her approach known.

Eternity was alive and still breathing, and it was coming their way.

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“The idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else; it is a mainspring of human activity - designed largely to avoid the fatality of death, to overcome it by denying in some way that it is the final destiny of man.” ~ Ernest Becker[/right]


Falling harshly was the night, a storm upon it's horizon. The city fell together like playing cards over a table it was delt a heavy deck. Rain..rain..we must get out of the rain lips cried from passing families as they rushed to seek shelter. Life for him had started in the rain, the sky had opened up to fill the Nile on the day of his birth, and always his mother had spoke such reasons for what he stood-today. Maahes had become a highly decorated man of military mind. Everything about him no longer shied away from what he could not prevent. This was his destiny..it was his calling. With Golden armor of Griffin design, the deep rich fabric of his cape seemed like fire upon his back, as even in the night the bright red could not be misplaced. There had been a parade, one to celebrate the victory across the land, and to welcome home the return of the militia.


“Come quickly, M'lord let us get you out of the rain.” A knight called out to the Beast reaching to touch his shoulder, but found the man unmovable. What lives had been lost in the madness of his mind, and what days past did he think. Maahes stood with the heavy boil of the sky overhead unscathed, and uncaring. Dark amber eyes were fixed upon the drawing shadow of a vacant road. He felt her long before she could be seen, and could only wonder. What was down such daunting paths that lead into the country? What spawn would rise from hell once again; shifting the balance he had created. Was this to be their new enemy? His heart pulled him, and the idea came alive in the flames of hope that home had returned.


Egypt had returned, and with it brought it disaster. What would Avaria bring?


“Tell my wife, I will not be home tonight.” He called back to the knight who watched with worried eyes as Maahes started down the road. Had their Lord finally lost his mind? What was down that road? Did he even know? The war had taken it's toll on everyone, but a lifetime of battle..had it's effects on even the bravest of warriors.

"But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of love; let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls."~Kahlil Gibran

Storytellers spoke of the strength of the bond, weaving great tales that captivated and mystified both young and old. There was nothing as forceful or intense as the spiritual connection, save the added presence of the physical as well. The meshing of souls was extreme and could encompass the mind, influencing it to behave with a heightened sensory of alertness.

But you had to listen to answer the call.

She slid a hand from her thigh and grabbed a shaggy tuft of mane, tugging abruptly and signaling the warhorse to stop. He did, perking his ears forward to listen intently; he stomped a hoof and pranced backward in an anxious fidget. She gripped tighter and used her heels to command him in silence, and he remained obedient, stopping and holding there for her.

After sampling the sounds around her, she determined that whatever was coming their way was moving at a slow, even pace. There was no charge, no thunder of hooves that shook the ground and offered warning. Though the rain still fell, it was polite and calm now, slipping into more of a thick mist. She tapped a finger against the horse's neck and he plodded forward once more, treading cautiously while pushing them over the road a foot at a time.

Coming around the bend in the road, she saw the opposing rider from a distance; the unmistakable size of him would leave no doubts in her mind about who it was.

Head high, shoulders back, she kept her eyes trained on forward while the distance between was slowly swallowed. It wasn't until they were several yards away from one another that she stopped her ride. There was no smile, no warmth in greeting. No hand lifted to gesture a friendly approach, and no words were uttered to welcome his presence there.

The sudden sideway turn of her animal had her head twisting so she could keep her eyes fixated on him; the horse waged the want to charge, struggling against strong hands that fought to guide him forward again. He reared up high and then dropped, hooves pounding the ground with such a force it sent chunks of mud to spiral in every direction. She calmed him without speaking, eased him with the touch of her hand, and while he drew from the tension that flooded, training would prohibit him from disobeying.

He righted himself, enabling his rider to face forward again.

The two sat at opposite sides, stares bold and unwavering. Only her eyes moved, traveling the length of him then lifting to settle again on his face. There was change there, she could not only see it but feel it as well, and she didn't like what she experienced. There was something calmer about him, something quieter, something that stole his roar and challenged his aggression. It attempted to tame and cage what couldn't be barred. It was dignified and proper, poised and controlled. It was learned and practiced, practiced patiently, and it begged for release to simply act without thought or care.

She threw a leg over the horse's flanks and slid off and down, booted feet thumping into the thick mud. She turned and strode forward, about halfway between their horses, and stopped, leaning her head back as the skies opened.

Slowly her chin lowered and she narrowed her eyes, peering through the slanted wall of acidic water, forced to squint because of how hard it came. Her chest heaved, heavy and hard, and lips parted to allow the intake of air that didn't seem to be enough. Leathers turned a deeper shade of brown, stained darker because of the rains, and the blouse clung to her arms, holding on with no chance of relief.

She touched the hilt of her sword, feeling the droplets slide down her fingers and fall free from the tips, and she wondered in silence if perhaps time and circumstance had crushed and destroyed what had taken years to build..
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[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

Tommy would have every right to judge what was before her, as a very different man squared his feet upon the ground. "You have come a long way.." Spoken as if she were a stranger, though eyes gave away every part of his realization.What had come of her? A question that plagued each nights sleep, and every waking hour. Endless days spent wondering, and now here before him was his answer. "To kill me?" He watched her hand fall upon her blade, the sword singing lament to the night; a victory long forgotten of freedom and chance--everything they found in each other. His English was much easily understood for once, but still held in it the deserts roll of an Arabic tongue. "You will not be returned." So his English was clear, but that didn't mean it was perfect! "I have a son..of my blood.." He would mistake her as an assassin, and curl his own hands against the hilt of his own. (d

Motion and sound seemed to stop short and sudden as she stood there in the middle of the road. It was untraveled and empty, as barren and lifeless as the great desert from which he came; however, life existed. It bloomed, even while hidden, staving off the intensity that lingered between the two beings by merely watching. The gray wolf crouched low and held its growl and the falcon's talons gripped tightly at a branch, remaining soundless and still. A frog ceased its croak and even the crickets ended their melodic tune to make room for silence. After dismounting, he broke stillness through speak, careful with his words as always. Eyes remained settled on him, her head slanting to one side, barely, as she curiously watched and listened. There was an ache there, as solid and strong as anything she had ever before experienced, but she could not let it rule her. The lack of warmth did not phase her; it was the way he looked at her now that stung the most. The final cutting barb was the mention of a son -- there was a bond that was more true than anything she could ever offer. Her expression flickered, briefly, but she forced a tight smile and nodded her head. Once. "Congratulations." The water ran down over her face and she made no attempt to keep it from her eyes. She turned her head and stared into the tree line for a moment, then murmured low, "Not to kill you, no. ..I remembered, and so I came." Turning back, she evened her chin and looked at him. "I don't know why. I don't question anymore." Blunt and truthful -- she didn't know how else to be with him
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She was wild..just as the storm winds that traveled the nations beating upon hidden paths but all finding homage inside her eyes. He had heard rumors, often listened to the sailors as they spoke of Avaria how it had become an untamed wild; that it had long been grown over not only with wildlife, but rodents. However, he could believe only words that fell from her lips, and so he would let his hand fall escaping the hilt of his blade. If Tommy wanted someone dead, she would have little reason for words. The rain that settled over him would seem to steam as it crossed over flesh that would forever hold the warmth of a hundred desert suns, and in this moment he lived in the silence that fell between them. "Iyaad.." his voice broke, the Arabic name leaving his lips as natural as the air that passed through his lungs. "Iyaad Nasir Rahjahd." Asad-Aziem..say that three times fast, "We call him Ra." For he was their Sun God, as the world rose and fell with that child's eyes. The General was decorated in his attire, shinning armor that lay against his body, and rich red fabrics that draped over his back. Perhaps she would think him a fool for giving in so easy to titles and trades, that he had left himself there. Yet as he would slowly start to circle her in steps careful and poised that bit of wild was still left. Amber eyes that burned like fire dared not leave her own, as this was the connection they shared. One look from the woman to the treeline had him longing to protect her from what lurked in the shadow. Was there something waiting for her? Or was this his trap? Maahes would forever and always no matter what the cause protect her, and frankly he enjoyed springing traps. "You remembered what? My name? You remember my name and feel then you can come? We have been apart for so long." Nothing about him softened or gave in to the words at hand, or the longing to wrap her up..She needed sleep, and who would this be if he did not see her eat her fill. Ra's little fat form doesn't stand a chance! Offered that one red meat at three weeks old he did. (d

There was a long period of time where he had left her mind. She'd pushed him out and forced him away in order to recover from the loss of losing him completely. Never would she admit it aloud, and never would anyone truly know the torment she felt; but he'd know, so hiding it from him would not only be a waste of time, but an insult as well. She listened intently, owing him at least that, and tried to ease the tightness from around her face and mouth. What she wanted most at that moment, was to be happy for him, and if it forced her to crumble to her knees and turn to dust on the spot, she would gladly accept her demise. Her body's own fluids mixed with the rain forever blended. Their stealthy slide over her cheeks gave them an eternity of undiscovery, even as they traveled over the curl of her smile. Holding her tongue as he circled her, she turned her head again but kept her downcast. There was always something waiting to unleash wrath and harm, but it didn't come in the form of an unknown enemy -- no, it was in the familiar form of a woman who bore a false smile and hid behind regrettable eyes. Setting her jaw, she lifted her head and stared toward the city, eyes moving, darting to and fro. "I remembered the faith I felt. That you would never let go. You still haven't. You have moved on and lived, and you have everything you could ever want and more, and I wanted to see it." Feel it. Have it wrap around her and coil so tight it would steal the air from her lungs. "I wanted to see how it was supposed to happen."

Here is when the lion turned upon his back, the soft underside exposed. A gentle purr of a man who could easily give her his entire being within a matter of moments. "You do not need to see it to know it is real. Or I would have never left you." The truth was harsh, but it was simply all he could offer. "I came to get you, to set you free, and you tried to kill me..." [/i]His body stilled as his fingers brushed where she had stabbed him. "You have done many things, as have I..but I cannot take that chance. I will not force you into anything you wish, but I will protect you from anything that comes to harm you. All you have ever needed to do is call for me..I will come running." He felt his face heat a little and would square away his shoulders adjusting his armor. Maahes would watch her then, as her eyes rolled from place to place, constantly checking every shadow and his heart stilled; breaking inside. "You never let me protect you..or your children, and I keep an entire nation safe. My children sleep with their windows open without fear..What was one more? Three more? You break my heart with not wishing to be apart of my life. Do you not me part of yours?" He sucked in air lightly, and the curse left his lips like a sigh, "God Damn it, you are cannot even stand in a road without looking over your shoulder." His hand reached out to touch her gently yet firmly cupping her cheek, "No one will dare come for you here, so stop it.." (d

Had she tried to kill him, he'd be dead, and it was much of the same vice versa; however, she accepted the brash statement, its brittle undertones painfully clear. There was no impudence in his voice, he was recalling the event as he experienced it through his eyes and that made it valid and true. When her steel sank, that day, she lost a part of herself she would never be able to get back. That she was capable of such a horrifying act had opened the doors for even darker actions. There were no limits, no boundaries that she wouldn't cross -- and this was not wanted or sought. Like an addict, she fought to gain control and had lost over and again, and in defeat, she had silently surrendered. Surrender, though, was at a great unrest, and the struggle to push herself up from the shadowy depths, and emerge and breathe free, was the ultimate goal. There was another truth that lay in wait for many, many years. Wanting something so desperately, and never being allowed to truly have it, had taken its toll. And worse yet, realization was sharp and jagged; it stabbed and cut, and took its time with inflicting tremendous injury that would leave behind a scar so dazzling and bright, it would never fade or diminish. Her eyes closed when she felt the warmth of his palm against her cheek, cold and wet with rain. Lifting her head suddenly, she stared at him hard. Brows twiched and furrowed over her eyes to further darken them. "I can't be a part of your life. I am not staying but a few days." Reaching up, she grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away, reacting as though his touch burned. She gripped tightly and with surprising strength for a woman so travel weary and small. "Every night I prayed for you to find this. Every night I begged and bargained that you would have what you needed to be happy. I would give my soul to see it finally happen, and although I hate it with everything I have inside, my selfishness never outweighed my wants for you. Never."

He let his fingers curl as she held his wrist, pulling away from her without the motion of his arm, and the hurt that pulled over his face couldn't be masked, "Only a few days?" He shook his head as eyes closed to protest. "I am happy. I'm am very happy, but I have no peace. You are my life, my family. My brothers came to these lands, demanding of my wife, and I deny them. I have one mother, one father, one sister, and brother. They are all in one person, one short little person who make me crazy!" His accent came to life with the rise in anger. "I worry even when I sleep. I worry of you. I want you to be part of my life, my son if he was to be a female his name would have been yours I get sick with worry! I want to follow.." The weight of his arm would pull her hand down, and let them fall away. "You tear me up. You make me want to leave with you, to forget my family and all I have worked for. I want you to tell me to come with you. Like old times, we tear a city apart..but you will not. You have never been one to be selfish." Maahes took a step closer to tower over her, the very heat of his body a raging fire against inches from her own. "The Truth is Tomasina is that you do not truly know me. You know me for what I am, but not who is here." He let his hand fall over his heart, the thousand African drums beating together as one. "You know me for what I can do, for how I fight..but you know very little." He hissed then narrowing his eyes into her own. "So how would you ever know when I was happy?"

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If there was one thing the two had always understood and accepted, it was sacrificing for the other. There was nothing too great to give up so the other could have peace and experience true happiness. But even now as she came to witness this event, she was mocked with torture and agony from him. She shook her head and whispered his name, wanting to scream at him to stop berrating her with his newfound joys and pleasures. And then her heart stopped. The expression on her face was so full of confusion, it veiled the strain of agony and astonishment. He had been the one thing, the only person she believed in completely. There was never a moment of mistrust or doubt; if he said, then it was. She would defensively battle against Percival or Kuriel, or anyone that had ever questioned Maahes' reasoning or decisions. She had, not one time, allowed her faith in him to dwindle. And it was all for naught. Pity the fool that so openly accepted. Several rapid blinks of her eyes hit; she opened her mouth to breathe in and then she straightened her back and raised her chin. "You are right once again. I don't know you. The person I thought I knew would never take that from me, even if it were the truth." She stepped back and slid on a glove and started with the other, "Congratulations on the return hit. Nicely played, my lord. I wish you, and your wife and child, well wishes." She turned and then stopped, and spun back and swung at him; her fist knocked his jaw though he didn't seem to stumble far. She shook out her hand and then moved for her animal, her growl deep and low, "Use the blade next time, General. It sinks far deeper than your words."

He was caught back from the hit as none ever hit as hard as she, but for once there was not a retaliation of action, but a completely honest voice, "No what hurt was watching you pass yourself between two men. Having his children while I slept at your feet, like some dog. I stood by your side, like your guard dog, and when you were blind I lead you.." Like your dog."You always left me with so many questions, waiting on you. I am thankful for everything you have ever done, for the life we have spent together, but it is time you learn there is far more to me then the man you know." The fabric of her shirt was gathered in his hand, until he would lift her straight up letting her feet dangle, this was his way of reminding her he was not as weak as the other men in her life. "You forget how much I love you, and how much you mean..and if I have to throw you in my prisons so you can get rest..then I will." He pulled her only closer then, the bridge of his nose an inch from her own, "And I want more then a few days." With that he released her, letting her return to the ground and turned to fetch their horses who had wondered to the sides of the roads to graze. (d

There had never been another man who could completely rile the woman and make her go from angry to pure seething in two seconds flat. The only thing faster was the way his mind understood exactly what her reaction would be and how to intercept her before the situation became very out of control. He reached out and grabbed and handful of material, bunching the shirt up against her back as she was literally hoisted from her feet; they were left to dangle and bump against his shins, yet he didn't flinch.

Her hands moved to his shoulders to push and shove at him, force him to release his hold, but he was as constant as the blistering heat in summer and as steadfast as the waves slapping the ocean during a violent storm. There was no end to his strength.

Her struggling only provoked more from him, and he pulled her closer so she could feel the heat of his breath pour over her face. Her own breath was coming out so fast, from anger and even surprise, she hadn't the time to realize the exchange had been equal. Her ears rang and she heard the thump of her heart in the background, only his voice could surpass the frantic beat. And when he had his say, he shoved her back and dropped her finally, letting her fall however she landed without so much as a backward glance as he moved away.

Crouched there, head down, arm resting on her knee, she lifted her eyes and then pushed up to her full height.

"How long are you going to use that against me? How long?!"

Her voice was deep but loud; it packed a punch as she spoke through using her stomach muscle instead of her chest. It was graveled and coarse sounding, like she'd been sick for longs periods of time, though that wasn't the case. The raspy-smooth melodic pitch fit perfectly with her appearance, sounding exactly as it should while passing over chapped, torn lips. It hit her then that it's how he knew she was exhausted.

She was so tired of fighting and never, never being heard, and she thought he was the one person who understood. He made it clear he wasn't.

Clicking her tongue against her teeth, her animal pulled from his hands and trotted over. The horse stopped and pushed his muzzle against her chest, causing her to stumble backward a couple of steps. She shoved at him and mumbled under her breath, then stepped alongside the length of his body and grabbed onto his mane. Jumping up, she threw a leg over and pulled herself onto his back to sit.

It took every ounce of strength that remained inside to not ride away. She sat tall and proud, and looked at the man who'd wounded her the most. The words from Percival and even Kuriel had never stung so bad as this, but she understood and even accepted it from Maahes. She had hurt him, she knew she had, but it tore her apart that he felt it was so one-sided. Never would she speak out against his decisions or make him feel any less for them, but she wanted to be heard.

"You didn't want me, so spare me the lecture about me being the perfect whore. I've had two men compared to your dozens of women. ..Did you ever think, even for a single moment, what it was like to watch that? Years of it, Giant, and I never left you. I never judged you. I loved you back how I thought was right, how I thought you wanted, and you threw it away like it was little more than the women you'd loved and left. Who was the dog then?"

She turned her horse toward the city and nudged his sides with her heels, so angry she wasn't able to prevent her mouth from purging nasty words. For some reason, though, the horse stood his ground, legs straight, head raised.

"You'd be smarter to return to your wife tonight, Lord General, lest you find yourself trapped alone with someone like me."

While she wanted to speak out against his woman, the other had done nothing at all to deserve harsh words, so Tommy refused to sink that low. If anything, she had always kept the fight where it belonged -- between the two of them -- unless in defense from words he'd spoken. And this woman was different if he had chosen to marry her and allow her to bear his child. Children. If he'd found his soul's mate, then everything was perfect in the world again.

She breathed out once, then looked at her fingers, woven through the horse's mane. "I'll give you a week. Please.. don't ask me to watch more. ..Go."

The horse's ears perked forward and he started to walk slowly toward the city.


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[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

(Written By Mars mun of Tommy)

The band of men rode a good distance behind the woman, ensuring that she wasn't aware of their presence lest they jeapordize the plan. There were hundreds, most on horses and others on foot. They used oxen to pull the carts that held more ammunition and food. These same carts would also be used to return the dead to their rightful home, were that the case. The soldiers were not weary as they were used to traveling great distances every day; they were well muscled from walking and physical labor, and their bodies found comfort in stress.

While Avaria was left without its current lead, it wasn't the city they actually wanted yet, it was the treasure that the Talon would lead them toward. Despite the rumors that spread about her temper and the mistreatment of many, she seemed to have connections all over the map. For reasons unknown, she had also nurtured those relationships in such a way that kept the connections strong. Above all else, she had always kept her word and her promise, thus promoting herself as a worthy ally. He had to admire her for that, and he realized that it may prove frustrating for his cause in the near future. Though lately...lately she had broken herself off from society and neglected those closest. This he would use to his advantage, further destroying these relationships until they were no more.

But she knew what was out there, and, without realizing, she would lead them directly to the next target of choice.

Avaria was barren and there was little to pilfer. There were no riches or artifacts that would make a battle remotely worthwhile or justify the loss of good men. However, the land itself was glorious and the location was prime. Those who had gone up against the small kingdom were crushed and destroyed, and the stories told by the few who had survived were ghastly. So terror filled that it made attacking merely a thought instead of a true action. The man in charge wanted to change that fact, and it was said that he even longed for a confrontation with the woman. The thrill of the fight, especially from a hellcat such as this, was too alluring to ignore.

The scout that was sent ahead was racing back toward the large group, pulling his mount to a stop directly in front of the Commander in charge.

"My lord Alexander," the young male nodded.

Alexander the third, cousin of Alfred and eldest son of Agustus of Cambridge slowed his horse and eyed the young scout. "What news have you, Micheal?"

Michael's horse anxiously turned in a full circle and ended up face-to-face with the Commander's own steed.

"The woman we follow has stopped just short of the city. She meets with a male, and by the signs of his uniform, I suspect him to be their charge."

Alexander's eyes lifted and he stared past the young scout. So, they had finally reached their destination, it seemed. "Were you able to make out anything that was said?"

"I was, lord," he nodded, pleased with his report. "The two seem to know one another, yet there is no peace between them. She gave him a week's stay, and he commissioned more time through a rather heated exchange. He claims to protect his city, even from her. She is Tommasina of Avaria, as you said."

There was a gasp from the male who sat atop a very large war horse next to Alexander. He was called Richard the Wise because of how careful and strategic he was. Every move the man made was based on fact and instinct; he cast emotion aside in order to lead his men into battle and enable them to come out alive and victorious. "She is so bold as to travel alone?"

Alexander lifted a hand, and the murmurs ceased from behind him. "Were you able to identify the male?"

"I was, my lord. She called him..Maahes."

"Maahes Azad-Aziem, the slave." Alexander nodded. "I am familiar with the man, and I believe this is worth investigating. If anything, we will take his city and make it ours."

"And then.." Richard started.

Alexander glanced at him and pulled his fingers over the long beard that fell from his chin. "..and then, Avaria."