A ffter leaving the coast the Cilicians came to a land with a barbarian tribe who did not understand what they were facing. Nor what they had.

The Barbarians were counterattacked and decimated by the Cilician Corsairs. Seeing they held a good vantage point and wanting rest Shazir set cis people to raising a defensible camp.

After some interrogation of the conquered Shazir learns of the surrounding tribes of mighty Etruscans Helenes and Dacians, and the smaller but established Macedonians. Even a word of something called Romanus is mentioned but without any clear detail.

He dips his quill to the ink as he watches the Fire and prepares for another look at the girl from the falcons eyes.

QUOTE:
To the Honored Leader of these lands,
Strength and Respect to you!

My people have word of a battle coming in these places. One to be joined and fought again and again by your mightiest Armies of warriors. I welcome this as a chance to prove our own strength. I also look to it as a chance to know each of you in some way.

I welcome your envoys and some knowledge of who you and your people are.

Truth is come from the East and is waiting in your lands to be shared and to grow.

-Shazir Heart of the Flame,
Archon of Cilicia

With this done he paid some of the conquered people but held their families hostage so they would be honorable and return with answers from the Tribes nearby.

When no word returned Shazir sends again the barbarians with message.
The barbarian westerners his warriors have conquered.

The following message is sent toward a nearby camp.

QUOTE:
We come,

Cilicia is here for you!
I have come for Strength and Blood.
My Warriors..my Corsairs!
They come for Honor and Battle.
Today we march and will find that battle.

Today a scout returns to us with a name.
Lugians

With nothing more known to us but where to find these Lugians,
we bring to you the Truth of our Battle Strength.

Stand Proud Lugians, though you shake in the dust at your feet! Do so with the certain knowledge that we are fierce and unyielding and will prove ourselves with blade and bow, spear and axe.
You have Honor as the First Tribe to feel us in these Western Lands!
The First to learn the Truth of Our Nation.

-Shazir Heart of the Flame
Archon of Cilicia

Today this letter is sealed by Shazir and his two sons in the presence of his Wisdom of the Blood Tigrania, and all the Cilicians.
Then the message is sent ahead by fast rider who gallops holding parchment and torch.
Bringigng the Flame of War toward the Lugian camp and its commander.

The Lugians had been strong fighters while supported by some peasants.
The battle was a strong one!

Shazir had been too certain of victory and had not given his warriors a strong position tofallback too when the attack began to fail. The result was that they all scattered when the Lugians and peasants overcame the Cilician corsairs.

Several of the Lugian warriors though had not been able to pursue and almost none of the peasants.
The Cilicians were still a Fierce and Proud warrior Nation.

When the counterattack came at the Cilician defense Camp in Tibiscum the Lugians were driven off with little trouble.

QUOTE:
Honorable Agathyros,

Strength and glory to you!

Your warriors have met mine and we found you a worthy people.
Our blades and spears have tested each other and we felt joy in batteling your warriors.
May your helms and shields stand tall.

If we meet again this will be a joy to our warriors in the memory of this day.

Shazir Heart of the Flame,
King of Cilicia

The Hellene tribe had drawn up nearby as well after this time and Shazir heard they had fought a great battle also.

QUOTE:
To the Hellene King,
Dogun

It has been many passings of the moon since you and I began in Thracia. You did me honor then as an advisor and then passing me the rulership after the bandits stormed the capital.

Today we both lead mighty tribes again. It is my wish to share battle with you and show each other the strength of our warriors. A battle not to death or conquest but to celebrate our strength.

I thank You already for this honor!

Shazir Heart of the Flame
King of Cilicia

After the letter was sent a challenge came from another proud tribe, the Belgae.
Shazir replied.

QUOTE:
Rynold,
Fierce ruler of the Belgae,

Long have my people been away from home but I hear your drink is good and your warriors boast of great strength.
I have a strong nation and a proud people also.
I will test your strength on your land as soon as I have met and enjoyed a good fight with the Hellenes.
Then I invite you to come fight us on our ground we claimed here when we conquered the barbarians of Tibiscum.

Soon we will all share the battle with you in Tibiscum. There we will all celebrate each other with good drink and food.

My people grow unhappy for being away from home for such a long time though.
After the feast with the Belgae and the Hellenes.....we return to the sea and our homes.

Strength and Honor to you!

Shazir Heart of the Flame,
King of Cilicia

All these letters were carried as fast as they could but it might have been that they all would arrive too late. Some battles already fought.
The barbarians of Tibiscum were a lazy people and did not do anything in the proper time when commanded. Not unlesss a spear was kept at their backs.
Shazir hoped the other rulers would understand more when the messengers arrived after the battles.

Shazir heard of Teutons and Dacians and some others but.....his warriors needed to feel their home soil under their feet again. Those tribes would know the strength of Cilicia at a later time.

The seas and the Cilician coast called to his people and to him as well. Home.....so far but so near in heart.
A promise though he made to his people and himself.

This was not the last that the west would feel the warrior strength of Cilicia. The mighty corsairs would return.
The West would hear the Truth of Zoroaster and the Might of the Cilician Corsairs!

The Corsairs were traveling well together , even in the new lands.

One man speaks of a port and ships to the South and East of where the Cilicians camp now.
The lands are protected by the Hellenes. With good spirits and confidence Shazir writes to the Hellene lands sending message to their capital and to the land before him.

QUOTE:
Great Lords of the Aegean,
Especially to Dogun, Highest of the Hellenes.

I have been not long ago with a refreshing fighting contest with the great Dogun, your High Ruler.
I am also reminded of times when we had exchanged diplomatic words with Dionysus and left each other with smiles.

I ask with respect to be allowed for my people and myself to return home through your port at the land named Rodopen.
I am also hearing you have a good wine their. May we have a few barrels to ship home?

I will advance in good faith of the friendly meetings we have already had, I hope to be thought ...and fought...beside you as an ally.
To that point I invite all the warriors who wish to attend to a tournament being held shortly after I return my people home.

Thank You again for considering my people friends and allies. I will always return that respect with honor while the blood runs hot within my veins.

Shazir Heart of the Flame,
King of Cilicia

This messenger was sent to the capital on two horse so they could arrive faster , and another went on to the Lord of the province ahead and his harbormaster.