A clerk enters the tent and interrupts the conversation between the two men who are sitting there.
The clerk eagerly shows Al Hakam Azzam the two messages. "M'Lord Al Hakam Azzam!...I found these two messages on Ibrahim's desk....and it does not look like they have been answered by us yet, and as you see..." The clerk points at a date that Ibrahim has written on the messages, "...it is a long time since we received these messages"
Al Hakam Azzam takes the messages and looks suspiciously on the clerk, and asks him: "Where is Ibrahim?"
The young clerk responds promptly, "Ibrahim is in his home!" A serious expression appears on the clerk's face before he continues; "Ibrahim's bones are old, and his eyesight is not so good anymore, so it is I who have done most of Ibrahim's work lately". The clerk looks expectantly at Al Hakam; "M'Lord Al Hakam Azzam; my name is Merhdad..."

Al Hakam reads quickly through the messages, before he gives them back to the clerk; "hmm...Merhdad...was it?"
Merhdad nods eagerly, "Yes M'Lord Al Hakam Azzam"
An angry expression appears on Al Hakam's face; "Merhdad! NEVER bring such insignificant messages before my eyes again...NEVER! Al Hakam points toward the exit of the tent, "Now, get out of my sight!"

Al Hakam looks back at Thorstein; "As I was saying Thorstein - before that fool interrupted us: I think it is a mistake that we are killing the peasants and militias who have thrown their weapons and surrendered to us".
Thorstein looks wonderingly at Al Hakam, but before he can comment on it, Al Hakam continues: "We should instead allow our young warriors to practice sword blows on the bound prisoners: It is no better way to demonstrate the damage a sword blade can make...and it will help prepare them for real battle".
Al Hakam continues proudly, "My oldest son, Thorralf, is 11 summers by now; I think it is time I gave him a sword now!"