Swords of Arabia: Betrayal

By Anthony Litton

The year is 1915. Fouad, the warlord who has lead Narash boldly for many years, is dead. Zahirah, his wife, is determined to secure his succession in their son. Through a series of political master-strokes, Talal is elected… But the price is a high one. Since he is a child, the majlis demands that there be a regency: one shared between an ally to the Talal faction, Nasir, and a member of a different faction, Badr. Knowing that this arrangement leaves her son’s position far from secure, Zahirah must use every ounce of her Machiavellian expertise to ensure that her family survive the enemies within. And as Narash finds itself caught in the crossfire of British and Turkish conflict, and forever at the mercy of its historic enemy ibn Saud, will Zahirah be able to rely on those around her? Or is she right to suspect that somebody close to the young emir will betray them all, and alter the fate of Narash forever?