Chapter 8: The Sea Invasion
Emperor Hakem Rafi—for so he had styled himself—now controlled the largest dominion ever assembled on the face of Parsina. From the northern seacoast of Fricaz almost to its southernmost tip, the fragmented tribes and nations were subservient to his wishes. In terms of land area it was the most far-reaching empire; in terms of subjects governed, it was the most populous; in terms of potential wealth within its borders, it was the richest; and in terms of time, it was the fastest empire ever conquered. Many men would have been content with owning a continent all to themselves.
But still, it was only Fricaz. And Hakem Rafi chafed.
He stalked restlessly through the corridors of the Tropil palace that formerly belonged to the Libayyan king. It was a magnificent s
