Aaleyah finished Roset’s mess in the garden just as Zale and Asbed walked outside. “Why are you two together?”

  Zale walked down each step loudly. “You are supposed to be studying, we searched for you forever!”

  Asbed snorted. “It was less than ten minutes.”

  “A long time when we are short on time.”

  Aaleyah smirked, yep he was complaining. “I asked the servants for foo-”

  “Youngest Lady Aljehni, we have your food ready,” a servant called out.

  “See, I am going to eat and then study,” she danced her way around them towards the back door.

  “Please pack it to go,” Zale asked the servant with a smile.

  “Go? Where? We are not supposed to leave the estate.”

  Asbed smirked and rubbed at the spot between his eyebrows. “I told you.”

  Zale nudged him.

  “Ley Ley, do not channel Asbed, get your cloak so we can go.”

  “Channel Asbed?” Asbed turned to Zale with a threatening look that Zale was happy to return.

  “We all know you do not enjoy having fun as much as the rest.”

  “I have fun!”

  “I never said you did not have fun, just that you do not enjoy it as much as others,” Zale explained sarcastically.

  “That is not-”

  “Alright,” Aaleyah cut off their impending fight. “Wherever you are going I do not wish to join. If mother and father find out I will die.” She pointed to the flowers she fixed in the garden. “You can bury my soul in the ground so I can become a tree of stupidity.”

  Zale turned towards the sky and said a swift prayer for calmness. “Come on Ley Ley, Saan and I are going riding, you truly do not wish to come?” He hit Asbed in the chest. “Even Asbed is coming.”

  “The ointment does not hide all the pain Zale. I am not getting into any more trouble.” Aaleyah shook her head.

  “I am aware of your pain Ley Ley. Do you not feel like you have been studying too long? Does your brain not hurt? Do you truly not wish for fresh air and a relaxing ride?”

  Aaleyah could not voice her response right away. Her annoying twin was alright, and she always failed to see past his way of logic.

  “If it makes you feel better we will quiz you on the way so you are still studying,” Asbed offered.

  Aaleyah opened her mouth to speak but a servant returned with her packed food. Zale took it with a graceful smile and a lie about studying with no distractions.

  “So?” Zale asked.

  Aaleyah ran her nails together. “We will be back before the sun is high in the sky.”

  Zale smirked, “Of course.”

  At the front of the estate, Servant Ahdu dragged Dharam to the room next to the arsenal. Inside was his twin, Chiara and his mother. Dharam let out an internal sigh of relief, if he really did leave while his mother was in the estate we would be dead.

  Ahdu bowed quickly. “Lady Aljehni the market place. In the market the guards. Everyone was there, everyone was, even the children the kids were, the guards said. The guards were- I did not have time- I did not know if I should- So many were arrested.”

  Who knew Ahdu had such good lungs? He watched his mother stand from the bench. “Ahdu lift your head and take a breath.” She made her way around the table towards them. Her eyes glanced in Dharam’s direction. “Were you with him?”

  Dharam tried to wave his hands no, but Ahdu clung to the sleeve of his robe. “Not at all he dragged me from the gate.”

  His mother nodded, her eyes sharp. “And what were you doing by the gate?”

  Dharam choked on his spit and nudged for Ahdu to speak and erase his mother’s cold stare.

  “Tell me what happened from the beginning.”

  Ahdu rose with tears in his eyes. Dharam gave Amenah a look of help but she remained in her seat.

  “The guards in the market attacked the people. The people refused to be searched once more, they all banded together blocking the path. They said-” His eyes glanced in Amenah’s direction, her shocked expression stopped his words.

  “Amenah, Chiara, and Dharam you are dismissed.”

  The girls moved quickly and Dharam rushed to escape but was yanked back by Ahdu’s hold on him.

  “No, the Aljehni children must stay safe. Do not go outside.”

  “Ahdu.” His mother’s voice was melodic, “Dharam is safe. Now you must tell me what happened so I can ensure everyone else’s safety.”

  Ahdu slowly released Dharam and he sprinted off.

  At the back walls of the estate Aaleyah held onto the reins of her horse. “Your plan is to sneak out where!”

  Asbed had his horse directly next to hers and they both exchanged confused looks.

  Zale groaned. “How many times must I repeat myself?”

  “You have us walking in the direction of a wall, Zale. Excuse me for asking how we go through stone.”

  “I already said there was a hole!”

  “Big enough for a horse?” Aaleyah asked skeptically.

  “Yes. Big enough for a horse.”

  “Big enough for three?”

  “I hardly see how that makes a difference!” Zale exasperated.

  At the wall of the estate Aaleyah watched Zale hop off his horse and make his way to a bush. “I do not see a hole big enough for a horse.”

  Zale pushed the bush away and Aaleyah’s eyes bulged. “It is not connected to the ground?” Asbed said in shock.

  “How is the bush not dead?” She asked, confused.

  “I change it out for other bushes. Anyway,” he motioned his hands to the hole, “tadaa!”

  Aaleyah tilted her body to see through the other side. “There is something blocking the other side.”

  Zale rolled his eyes. “You have no faith in me.” He marched through the hole and pushed the other bush away. Then he came back through and led his horse slowly bowing his head to fit through the hole. He poked his head through, “Will you wait for us to get caught?”

  She gave Asbed a look as they slid off their horses and slowly followed.

  Once through, Zale put the bushes back in their place covering the hole on both sides and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Shall we go?”

  “Zale, how long has that hole been there?” She asked.

  “And how many times have you used it?” Asbed asked.

  “You are not asking the important question,” Zale stated with a confident smirk.

  “Which is?” Asbed asked.

  “How did it get there?” Then moving the heel of his feet Zale set off, his carefree laughter echoing in the wind.

  In the weapons room, under Aminah’s calm guidance Ahdu caught his breath. The poor older man was the cook, and went to the market to get the ingredients for the upcoming meal. He wore dark blue colors so no one would know he came from the Aljehni estate like he was told, but still faced such a scare.

  “Ahdu? May you please tell me what you saw in the market?”

  Ahdu clutched the string holding the basket on his back. “In the market the people fought back. They refused to let the guards. The people asked the guards why they were coming again? Why were they intent on destroying the stores? They said that even the Aljehni’s knew it was wrong. But the captain smiled at that comment.”

  Aminah sat next to Ahdu so they were on the same level. “Do you know what the person who first brought up the Aljehnis looked like?”

  “It was a scholar, he spoke up for everyone, the guards arrested him first. As they dragged him away he told the people not to give up. To stand up for their livelihood.”

  Aminah’s eyes flashed with controlled anger Ahdu could not see. “And the captain? You said he smiled, did he say anything?”

  “The captain asked if it occurred to them that the reason the Aljehnis were not there was because they no longer stood by the people.” His old hands balled into fists. “Some of the people hesitated to move, but from behind the guards the scholar yelled that it was not true. He yelled that the Aljehnis would always come. Lady Aljehni, everyone fought, the guards began arresting everyone. Chaos! Children tried to run, parents fought guards, a son stood in front of his grandmother refusing to move and was hit in the side of the head. I did nothing. I only ran. As I ran the captain shouted for everyone to be apprehended.”

  Aminah rose from her seat. “Ahdu I realize that this can be terrifying for you, but if it is any consolation you have done nothing wrong. I appreciate the information you have given me.”

  She made her way to the door.

  “Where will you go?” He asked nervously.

  “I am going to have a talk with the Duke.”

  Outside Dharam sat by the small lotus pond basking in the silence. He was right to trust his gut and stay in the estate.

  “Dharam!” Chiara stormed towards him.

  “There goes the peace,” he muttered, scratching the back of his head. “What?”

  “Have you seen Roset and the evil twins!”

  Amenah followed behind Chiara, her smile of amusement a stark comparison to Chiara who was channeling the sun's summer rage. “Chiara, how could he know? We all came from the same place.” She managed to hide the smile just before Chiara turned to respond.

  “Before! He must have seen them before.” Chiara turned back to him. “Roset ruined my flowers!”

  He pursed his lips, to hold back his smile. “Are you sure it was Roset?”

  The look Chiara gave was backed up by the clouds rolling in front of the sun. “Aaleyah helped of course. So where are they?”

  “Aaleyah is studying, she does not have time to save your flowers,” Amenah said with a roll of her eyes.

  “Do not humour my intelligence with fantastical theories. Since when does Aaleyah always do as she is told?”

  Dharam shrugged.

  “She has been quite studious this past moon,” Amenah said.

  “So? Where are they?” Chiara asked again.

  “You are certain Aaleyah is involved?” Amenah twirled the tips of her braid around her finger. “If you interrupt Aaleyah while she is studying and father finds out you will be-”

  “Punished greatly,” Dharam finished.

  “Aaleyah thinks she is so smart, but those flowers she replanted are the ones I put in a vase yesterday. I recognize them. Now they are back in the dirt.”

  “I hardly see what the problem is. If you are correct Roset ruined the garden and Aaleyah fixed it. Why must you complain?”

  Herom walked from the direction of the stables, a distracted look on his face.

  “Herom? Why are you back so early?”

  Dharam looked towards the sky, the sun was not even at its highest point. “No hunting today?” He asked with a light smile as he made his way to him, happy to leave Chiara and her complaining.

  “Herom!” Chiara whined racing to him, her arms wrapping around him as she threw herself into his arms.

  Herom caught her easily. “Chiara? What is it?”

  “Aaleyah and Roset ruined my flowers.”

  “I was under the impression that Aaleyah would be studying?”

  “That is what we told her, but Chiara only wishes to find problems.” He studied Herom and frowned at his sagged shoulders and heavy golden eyes. A glance towards Amenah told him she too caught it.

  Chiara shook her head in Herom’s chest. “That is not true.”

  When Herom did not respond, Chiara stepped back as Amenah and Dharam stepped forward.

  “Herom?” Is something wrong?” Chiara asked.

  “Did something happen?” Dharam motioned for Chiara to move away.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “There are no problems.” Herom assured them with an awkward chuckle.

  Dharam caught Amenah’s eye and she nodded.

  “Really.” Herom gave Chiara a comforting pat on the back.

  Amenah stepped forward. “Did you and Helan have a fight? What happened?”

  “You fought? Really? I did not know that was possible.” Dharam stood at Amenah’s left, Herom always got along with Helan, sometimes ditching him to do it.

  Herom took a step away. “We did not have a fight.”

  Amenah took a step closer. “What was it about?”

  Chiara’s eyes dimmed. “I will prepare tea,” she said before running away.

  “You two are so close, whatever you argued about can be rectified.” Amenah promised with an affirmative nod.

  Herom took another step back. “I already said we did not argue.”

  “Then why do you keep stepping away?” Amenah reached out for his arm. “You can talk to me.”

  Dharam made his way to the pavilion and sat down. “Let us sit. The faster you fess up, the sooner she will let you go.”

  “It is nothing to sit down and talk about.”

  Dharam chuckled. “So it is something.”

  Herom glared.

  “Herom.” Amenah frowned. “Do not pretend to be annoyed at me.”

  “Who said I was pretending?” Was Herom’s sharp response.

  “Should I guess what happened instead?” Dharam challenged.

  “Must you two act like this? I already said nothing happened.”

  “Then why are you so angry?” Amenah asked.

  “Maybe it is because you will not leave me alone,” Herom snapped.

  “Whenever we are sad and upset you are the first one to comfort us. I just wish to do the same for you,” she softly added.

  Herom dragged his hand over his hair. “Fine. Fine,” he repeated softer. “I disassembled the group and told everyone that we should act in a more professional way. I told everyone that unless it was for work we should stay away from each other. Helan did not agree-”

  Dharam scoffed. “Obviously, he is your best friend.”

  “Why would you do that?” Amenah dragged Herom to the pavilion and took a seat next to Dharam.

  “Helan’s dream is to be a palace guard. He wishes to guard the young princes. With all the discord, if he wishes to achieve that dream he should stay away.”

  “But that is not what you said.” Amenah surmised.

  “Of course not. Helan would not accept it. If our brother truly wanted Helan to stay away he would have done something extreme.”

  “I did nothing extreme.” Herom denied.

  “What was it?” Dharam asked.

  “You do not get to corner me like this, Amenah you did the same thing with Kemal.”

  Amenah pouted.

  “Did you humiliate him, or argue with him? Or maybe you fought him publicly?” Dharam guessed. “Public arguments can show everyone that you are no longer tied together. Helan can apply for the palace guard position and the only reason he can be denied is because of his skills. He will not have the weight of the Aljehni name on his sword.”

  “When did you become so smart?” Herom pushed his shoulder.

  “I did get into the top academy.”

  Herom stood. “There are already problems in the marketplace, I did not want to drag my friends down.”

  In the market place the people that remained were the elderly and the children. Everyone of age had been arrested. A grandfather lifted his walking stick and struggled to stand on his bruised and battered legs. “The guards have gone too far,” he told the people around him. “They must be stopped.”

  A child of only twelve Blue moons held his swollen wrist carefully. “They took my father. Please help me get my father.”

  A soft hearted granny held her arms out. “Come here child.” As the child found solitude in her arms his tears fell. Patting his back. “There there, we will get your father back.”

  “How?” The tea owner asked. “How are we to get them back, all those who could fight have been taken. What can we do?”

  “We go to the people who can do something,” the bread merchant said. “We have no power, but we can go to the ones that do.”

  An elderly woman shook her head. “The king has no time to listen to us.”

  “I am not speaking about the king. We go to the man who always stood by the common people. We go to the one who has always aided us.” With each word he said hope slowly grew on the people’s face.

  A young girl crawled from under the flower cart. “The Aljehni Family?” Her face broke into a smile as she thought of it.

  The bread merchant nodded. “Yes, let us go to Scholar Aljehni. The academy will fix this injustice.”

  “Then no time to waste.” The tea owner helped the grandfather walk. “Let us go to Scholar’s Sky.”

  Everyone in the marketplace agreed and made their way to the Academy.

  In the palace throne room King Saamun reread the letter from the Nevalvn King. “He dare threaten me? King Valvn refuses my proposal for more trade from the mines. He dares to remind me of the agreement he made with Havil Aljehni. When that Aljehni name is dealt with there will be no more disobedience.”

  EunuchYosen laughed and nodded happily. “If the Aljehni’s are gone you will no longer need to honor that treaty and can do whatever you like.”

  King Saamun slowly turned to face him. “If?”

  Eunuch Yosen dropped to the ground. “This one misspoke. This one apologizes to your majesty.”

  “Rise. Everything I do is for the kingdom, Yosen. If not for Havil getting in the way, I would not have a limit on how much iron ore I could take from the mines. King Valvn thinks he has more power and continues to try my hand. Once the Aljehnis are tried for treason using the iron ore the Nevalvn king gave, he will have no choice but to come to me for help.” He snapped his fingers. “Despite knowing King Valvn’s downfall is coming I still must punish him for his threats. High Prince Niraj is still visiting friends in the Trivplah Kingdom, correct?”

  “He was last seen fishing with friends in Tamateno city,” Eunuch Yosen reported.

  “I heard the waters can be quite dangerous. It would be terrible if something were to happen to High Prince Niraj. The Nevalvn King only has one son, the kingdom would be in danger without him.” He nodded his head with a smile. “Yosen.”

  “Yes, your majesty?”

  “Let us write a letter to our good friends in Tamateno. I wonder how King Valvn will react when he hears the news.”

  Eunuch Yosen followed behind him to draft the letter.

  At the bottom of the mountain hill Asbed, Zale and Aaleyah sat by the sycamore tree.

  Aaleyah opened her food and ate, occasionally mumbling some of the things she had studied from the book.

  Zale and nudged Asbed in the side. “She does not look any better,” he complained, a frown on his face.

  They watched Aaleyah’s spoon hover in front of her lips as she recited a passage from her studies, her forehead scrunched in concentration.

  “Zale,” Asbed wrapped an arm around his shoulders, “Ley Ley will be alright. It is not horseriding that will help her feel better.”

  “Then what is it? Whatever it is, I can acquire it,” Zale vowed.

  “I do not know about that. Until father has no more stress, Ley Ley will be unable to relax. Sometimes I wonder if father will ever be able to relax again.”

  “Of course he will. Father is upset because of the king right?” He waited for Asbed’s nod before continuing. “Then all he has to do is get the king’s favor and everything will go back to the way it was before. It is simple. Everyone is just overthinking it.”

  “I do not think it is that simple, Zale,” Asbed disagreed.

  A bird landing on a tree branch captured his attention and he moved to retrieve the message. Sending the bird away he unrolled the message he frowned.

  Aaleyah finished her food and stood to read it, “What is it?” She asked, moving his arm so she could read it easily.

  “Saan is not coming. Says that he is not allowed to leave the palace. We are not allowed to leave either, but we still risked it,” Zale complained.

  Aaleyah lifted her horse reins. “We should be heading back anyway.”

  Asbed rose from his spot on the ground. “Yes the longer we stay out here the more of our luck we are pushing.”

  They all mounted their horses. “Shall we risk cutting through the market?” Zale asked.

  “And risk being seen by father? No way. We stay off the main roads, the same way we came.” Aaleyah turned her horse to the path.

  As they rode home he caught Asbed sending a prayer to the sky that no one knew they left.

  At the manor Amenah sped down the stairs to meet Dharam and Chiara. “Nothing?”

  Chiara shook her head. “There is only Roset taking a nap in his room.”

  Amenah turned to Dharam who only shook his head.

  Chiara frowned. “Will we be punished for not keeping watch? It would be just my luck to be punished for their actions.”

  Dharam rolled his eyes and pushed Chiara’s shoulder. “That is the least of our problems. Where would they go? We can only hope it was not the market.”

  Amenah began to pick at the skin near her nail. “Do we tell Herom?”

  Dharam did not say anything but Amenah read him easily.

  “You think no?” Amenah asked him

  Chiara huffed. “I think we should tell our older brother who is allowed to leave the estate to search for our siblings, that they are missing?”

  “The same brother who is home early because he abandoned all his friends,” Dharam reminded her. “I wonder why I would think it wise to give him space.”

  “We do not have time to give space, we have no idea where they are!” Chiara argued.

  “Enough. Stop with the arguing. Now is not the time.”

  Herom had too much going on. For once could they not figure things out on their own? Dharam opened his mouth to voice his thoughts but Amenah shook her head.

  “Not a word, from both of you. I am serious, I refuse to deal with you two on top of this mess.”

  Chiara exhaled loudly but followed her order and stayed silent.

  “Did we really check everywhere? Maybe they snuck off to train?”

  Chiara leaned on the wall. “I checked the stables, three horses are missing.”

  Hearing the front door open they rushed to stand at attention. When it was Herom who entered. Dharam was not sure if he felt better or worse.

  “What is going on?” Herom asked.

  “Nothing.” Dharam reached out to pull Chiara to stand next to him, knowing she was always the one to break first.

  Herom slowly closed the door behind him. “What is it?”

  Herom’s eyes moved towards Chiara and Dharam took a step in front of her.

  “Did you eat?” Amenah asked sweetly. “Shall I ask for food to be warmed up for you?”

  “Whatever it is your three are plotting, just remember that nothing stays a secret here. If there is a problem it is wise to fess up early.”

  Dharam nodded. The best way to pretend everything was normal would be to start an argument. “Mei Mei lost your book,” he pretended to admit.

  Amenah glared in his direction. “Excuse me?”

  He caught her glare and his jaw dropped. She really lost the book? She should have told him!

  “Is that what has you three standing awkwardly?” Herom shook his head. “She did not lose it. I saw it in the library and took it back.”

  “Ah well, glad that is settled then. We will be going.” Dharam nudged Chiara along.

  “We? Chiara?” Herom called in a singsong voice.

  Dharam tried to take her hand but she broke away.

  “The twins and Asbed are missing. I checked the stable and the horses are gone.”

  Dharam dropped his head. “You could not just walk away?” He complained under his breath. And she wondered why he and Amenah never took her with them.

  “What do you mean they are missing? How long have they been gone? When did you realize? What places did you check?” Herom raised his voice to call Head Servant Pouyen.

  Dharam huffed now it was going to be a big thing.

  The older head servant appeared moments later. “What is it?

  “When was the last time you saw Asbed, Zale, and Aaleyah?” Herom asked.

  “Aaleyah had asked for food not too long ago, Zale had it packed up so she could study undisturbed.” Pouyen felt the tension.. “I see that she is not studying. I did wonder why it was so quiet.”

  “Have everyone be on the lookout for them please.” Herom turned to Chiara. “Who was the last person to see them? Do you know?”

  “I think it was Roset. Aaleyah fixed the flowers.”

  “Good, wake him up and ask him.”

  Dharam watched Chiara race up the stairs.

  “You two,” Herom pointed at him and Amenah, “do not step one foot out of this manor.”

  “Herom, I can help look,” Dharam said, they were already searching anyway.

  “You wished to keep this a secret.” Herom replied with angry eyes. “I do not need that kind of help.”

  “Dharam did not wish to stress you-” Amenah defended him.

  “Stress? Do you have any idea how dangerous the capital is becoming? Was it not you, Amenah, in the market who saw first hand the troubles that are growing? If we do not find them in twenty minutes, ring the bell.” Herom ordered as he left.

  Amenah scratched her cheek. “Ring the bell!”

  Dharam pulled his curls back. If they end up ringing the bell, that would be twice in one season!

  At the academy Havil was forced to stop his lecture due to the growing crowd outside the entrance. As he made his way he realized it was the children and elderly from the market, most of them injured. He rushed to the gate to open it but one of his fellow scholars stopped him.

  “They are filled with anger, I do not think it is wise to open the gate and let them all in,” Scholar Shah whispered.

  “Scholar Aljehni!” The people close to the gate pushed their hands through the gaps reaching out to him. “You must help us.”

  Havil took a step closer. “What has happened, why are you injured?” He calmly asked.

  A child tried to push himself through the gaps of the gate. “Scholar Aljehni,” he cried pitifully, “my mother, help my mother.”

  Havil wished to stop the kid from pushing himself through the gaps, it looked painful, and the child already had cuts on his face.

  Scholar Shah stepped in front of him. “Child you will harm yourself, stop it,” he ordered authoritatively, and somehow the child listened. “Everyone,” he called, his hand out to silence them. “May one person step forward and explain what has happened?”

  The bread merchant spoke up first. His voice loud and clear, his words coated with injustice that commanded the crowd. “The guards came to the marketplace and demanded to search our homes and businesses again. Every time they search they break and destroy things. Thus we had enough!”

  The people in the crowd agreed, nodding and shouting yeah at the appropriate times.

  The bread merchant pointed at Havil. “Previously your daughter stood up for us. She told the guards that what they were doing was wrong. She told them there was no logic to their actions. Thus knowing that the Aljehnis supported us, today when the soldiers came we refused.”

  As the people yelled an elderly grandmother took over. “Our children, our strong youth, stood up to the guards. They spoke the same words your daughter spoke, but the guards reacted violently. They arrested everyone, leaving just us left. We have our children who are too young to act, and us whose frail bones can do nothing.”

  “Scholar Aljehni, your family stood up for us once before,” the bread merchant said, taking over the conversation, as he stood at the grandmother’s side. “We ask you to do so again. Demand they release our children from imprisonment!”

  The young boy by the gate cried. “Help me get my mother back!”

  His cries incited the crowd who all began asking for their family that was imprisoned.

  “Help me get my son!”

  “Help me get my husband!”

  “Get my brother back!”

  Scholar Shah looked at him, his position was clear. No. He addressed the crowd. “The academy has no power over unfair imprisonments. It is recommended that you go to the minister of justice, and seek a commissioner.”

  An elderly man hobbled towards the gate, his hair no longer in a proper braid but a loose mess, “The minister! That will take weeks! Who knows what will happen to our children the longer they are left there.”

  The crowd agreed. “Scholar Aljehni, please help us. They will listen to you.”

  A child knelt on the ground. “Please help my brother.”

  Everyone followed, kneeling on the ground. “Scholar Aljehni, please seek justice for us.”

  Scholar Shah shook his head slightly. “It is too dangerous, Havil. If you do this, you will make an enemy, I need not tell you who it will be.”

  “There has to be something I can do, Armon. I am not able to just abandon them like this.”

  Scholar Shah spared a glance at the crowd. “This is a path I will be unable to follow you down. This is a path that will only end painfully, use this moment to show the people where your power ends. Do not feed into their beliefs that you are all powerful.”

  Havil tapped Scholar Shah on the back; a silent goodbye. “I would not ask for you to follow my path.” He left Shah’s side and made his way towards the gate. “Scholar Shah is right. The academy is unable to aid you. Instead I will accompany you. Let us go to the Department of Justice and plead your case.”

  As he opened the gate to step through he took one last look at Scholar Shah. “If the sun sets I leave the academy in your hands.”

  Scholar Shah’s heavy eyes hardened. “The academy will wait for your return. I will not move without you.”

  Ushered away with the crowd he was unable to respond.

  At the training grounds Aminah leaves Duke Majidi’s tent. He left on the king’s order and would not return for three days. She made her way to her own tent and drafted a letter. There was one more person she could ask for help, but would she care?

  Hesitantly Aminah rolled up the small letter and called in her guard Bijan. “Please send this to the palace, if possible insure that it goes to Concubine Megera’s hands personally.

  “Yes, General Aljehni.” He walked towards the exit and paused. “General Aljehni?”

  Glancing up from the papers on her desk, “What is it?”

  “If asked, do I say I came on your orders? Or shall I be discreet?”

  “Be discreet, but if caught, do not risk your life.”

  Bowing, Bijan left the tent.