At the Aljehni Estate Roset clung to his grandmother’s leg, “Take Roset with you.” Grandmother Medes blocked her daughter from taking her youngest grandson.
“When I return you will be too tall to do this.” Grandmother Medes glanced at her eldest son talking to his nephews. “My little star, will you train well while grandmother is gone?” She lifted him into her arms and decorated his face with kisses. “Seven Blue Moons you are, when I return you will be close to Asbed’s age. I will miss you so much.”
Roset giggled and accepted all of his grandmother’s kisses before giving her some of his own. “I will miss you more.”
Grandmother Medes patted Roset’s back and made her way inside for tea. Her husband stayed outside talking to Herom and Dharam.
“Grandfather, you will really leave the armoury to us? I can really go in there?” Dharam asked, bouncing on his feet. He would have to sneak inside and risk being punished by his uncles no more. The taste of freedom was so close his fingers were warm from being near it. He received a bop on the forehead.
“Do not get too excited, every weapon you touch you best have mastered by the time I return.”
“Not to worry grandfather when you return I will be sure to beat you.” He would definitely ask Herom for some pointers though.
“It means nothing to win against an old man.” His grandfather pointed at Sun Alakko paces away watching Aaleyah do the Zuhos Staff Dance. “Beat your Sun Uncle and you can keep whatever weapon you choose.”
Dharam frowned. What chances did he have of beating his uncle?
Commander Medes snorted. “Scared already?”
Dharam shook his head, and caught Asbed walking like an evil serpent. Where did he come from?
Asbed walked to Uncle Alakko trying to gather as little attention from his parents as possible. “Sun Uncle Alakko when you return from the border will you get married?”
Alakko Medes sputtered, his attention immediately moving from Aaleyah’s moves with the staff. “Excuse? What brought this question on? Did your mother put you up to this?”
Sun Uncle Hakim slung his arm around Sun Uncle Alakko’s neck. “Great question Asbed. When will my older brother get married? According to customs you are getting old.”
“Go inside and drink tea.” Sun Uncle Alakko pushed them away.
Asbed hid behind his Sun Uncles to avoid his mother’s gaze. It seemed he caught her attention and would be punished for sneaking out to visit Saan.
Sun Uncle Hakim hooked his finger on the back of Asbed’s robe. “Alright, let us leave before he starts kicking.
Asbed waved goodbye. “I will pour you a cup?”
Sun Uncle Alakko nodded and returned his attention to Aaleyah who was now joined with Zale. He blew air through his lips, his nieces and nephews would be all grown up when he returned.
Hamdi, the youngest Medes, stood next to his brother. “We will return.”
“Yes, we will. Hopefully you will have your own division to command.”
Hamdi smirked. “I will just stay in yours. Commanding is too much work. I do a great job following my brother’s orders. Where is the other set of twins?” He asked, looking around.
“Father must have said something to Dharam, for now he refuses to look at me.” Alakko pointed in the direction of Dharam who held a sword in one hand, and a book in the other. Then he pointed in another direction. “Amenah is coming here now, most likely to tell these two,” he motioned to Aaleyah and Zale, “to go inside for tea.”
Hamdi looked in both directions and then settled his gaze on Aaleyah’s moves. “She fights like Aminah. Aaleyah is a Medes through and through.”
“Yes, it seems Havil Aljehni offered nothing outside of appearance.” Alakko chuckled.
They watched as Amenah yelled at the twins to come inside. The twins dropped their weapons and made to follow but Amenah only groaned. “Do not leave your weapons on the floor. Pick them up, do you need the servants to do all the work for you?”
Zale scrambled to pick up his staff and with some eye contact, and an annoyed look, picked up Aaleyah’s as well.
They chuckled as Amenah dragged them by the ear. “Just like our sister.”
Hamdi rubbed his own ears with a reminiscent expression. “I hope we return.”
Alakko’s voice dropped. “Hamdi.”
“I know. When we go I will not look back.”
“Everything we do is for the safety of the kingdom. Our nieces and nephews are a part of that kingdom.”
They watched the sunrise for a couple more minutes before stepping inside the manor.
Inside Dharam stood before his oldest Sun Uncle and poured his heart. “Please Sun Uncle Hakim.” Dharam placed the refilled tea cup into his uncle’s hands. “Just one tip. Surely you know of at least one weakness.”
Sun Uncle Hakim yawned from his spot in the chair before Chiara who braided his hair. “Not only are you attempting to cheat, but you are insinuating that my brother has more than one weakness." He arched his brow in mock shock.
“Everyone has a weakness, I am not childish enough to think that just because he is my family he is impenetrable.”
“I see, so what is it you wish for me to tell you again?” His Sun Uncle asked with a quizzical smile.
“Sun Uncle Hakim!” Dharam complained. It had been 10 minutes of his uncle playing around and not giving him anything. His uncles all mastered the Zuhos Staff Dance so he knew there was no chance of winning with that. But surely there was a weakness. There had to be. “What weapon does Uncle Alakko lack skills in? I will study that one.”
Chiara tied up Sun Uncle Hakim’s hair with a scoff. “It does not matter what you study, Sun Uncle Alakko has a night’s sky worth of experience.”
“I did not ask you.”
“Yet I answered.” Chiara smiled sweetly.
“How about you ask for one last spar before we leave? Then you can study how you lost and work your way up from there,” Sun Uncle Hakim suggested.
Dharam grumbled, he would have better luck asking Herom.
Sun Uncle Hakim rose from his seat, tapped Chiara’s cheek and left to find his mother.
Asbed sat in the chair next to Chiara as Dharam walked off. “Our uncles were only here for four Blue Moons, it is terrible luck that they have to go again.”
“It is the king’s order, he has it out for our family.”
“You must not speak of the king in that way. It is wrong, and not true.”
“Why would it not be true? Everyone in the capital is saying it. Our father has lost favor with the king. That is why Amenah’s fiance is unable to find a position despite his skills.” Chiara crossed her arms.
Asbed shook his head. “The king would not send off half of our family just because he is upset with father. Also Amenah is not engaged to Kemal, do not say things before they happen it is bad luck,” he chastised.
Chiara gave a questioning look towards Asbed. “I thought you did not believe in superstitions?”
“I do not.” He shifted uncomfortably. “But still, words have power, never speak darkness into existence.”
“My words have never had power, if they did you would be the first to know.”
Asbed glanced at all the members of his family. “I hope nothing happens and they return safely.”
Chiara rolled her eyes. “You just said not to speak things into existence.” But she too, had the same look in her eyes.
After tea and two unsuccessful attacks from Aaleyah and Zale against their uncles, the Medes family mounted their horses and waved goodbye.
Sun Uncle Alakko rode his horse in front of mother. “Stand strong, look proud, and never falter,” he told her with a flick to the forehead.
Dharam stood with the rest of his family lined up before the manor to wave goodbye. No one walked back inside until they could no longer see the dust the horses picked up.
As he saw everyone’s dark expression, Dharam nudged Herom to do something.
“Shall we spar before I leave?” Herom asked.
Everyone agreed, except for his twin who shook her head.
“I should go and talk to Kemal today.”
He and Herom exchanged glances.
“Great,” Dharam awkwardly responded. From the few times he went to the academy he had not seen Kemal. Since the rejections the prized scholar was missing in action.
“Shall I escort you?” Herom asked.
Dharam nodded, curious about Kemal’s reaction and if his sister could truly break things off.
“I shall take two servants with me. I would prefer to see him without the presence of my brothers.”
“That is fair. We will be here then.” Herom agreed.
“We will? Will you really abandon him, Mei Mei? I am not his friend or anything, but I know he cares for you. I know that if you abandon him it will break his heart.”
“A broken heart is mendable, a lost reputation is not.”
Kemal stood by the pond outside the marketplace and watched his reflection in the clear water. His hands clutched two papers. In his right were the words of the king, Denied. The king had refused him publicly. The king who had once told him that his wings were large and would take flight anywhere. That same king had clipped them, and everyday Kemal continued to plummet.
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No one in the capital wanted him. He was a scholar in name only. In his right hand was the letter from home. The position of magistrate was barely offered to him, if he did not return to Tamon to take it he would have nowhere to go.
He stared at the sky, the white clouds helped the sun hide, erasing the warmth that touched his skin when he saw her.
Amenah’s hair was braided and clipped up, allowing her necklace to shine in the sunlight. Her red and yellow robes were tied at the waist, and a sword hung at her side. She was a warrior of sunlight, but her hesitant steps must mean she came to give him bad news.
“Kemal?” She called after crossing the bridge.
He extended his arm with a welcoming smile. “Amenah. You look like the spirit of spring. Radiant.”
She took his hand and walked closer to the bank of the pond. “Kemal, I have heard about it all. I am so sorry. I came here to tell you-”
“Wait.” Kemal’s hand tightened around hers. Would this be the last time he would hold it? “Just stand here with me? This bridge is on the outskirts of the market, people rarely come this direction. Please enjoy the scenery.”
Amenah accepted, and the two stood enjoying the breeze.
Kemal pointed to a nearby tree. “This is an acacia. The yellow flowers are not the only things you have in common with it.”
The wind blew and some petals floated off, swirling in a spiraling dance around the two.
“Acacias are strong, they can withstand anything. Beautiful and resilient.” His gaze stayed on the flowers. “Soon it will be winter, and the flowers will fade, but the tree will always stand strong.”
“Kemal.” She turned to face him. “I am so sorry.”
“You are apologizing to me?” He was stupefied. Surely Amneah had come to tell him that he was not good enough. That she did not wish to marry him now that he was no longer a man with a bright future.
“I came here to tell you to cast my family and I aside.” Her breath quivered and she pulled her hand away.
Kemal’s gaze shifted to his now empty hand. “Second Lady Amenah Aljehni, do you think me a man with no integrity?” His eyes trailed over the face of the woman he had longed to marry since he first came to Cabimal. Since he saw her catching thieves outside the tea shop. Saw her skill as she fought them off without drawing her sword, and listened to her scold them for not aiding in the good of society. He had strived to become the best. To show her all of his strengths, but he had failed. She somehow thought he was someone with no morality.
“Kemal it is not because I question your character that I do this. It is because I know your character. The world needs honesty, it needs kindness.” She took a step back. “It needs sharp minds that will not walk the dark paths. We cannot lose your skills because of love.”
“You say this because you underestimate how long I have loved you. You think we met at your father’s academy? Amenah, I met you many Blue Moons ago, the first day I came to the capital. I saw you outside the tea shop.”
Amenah looked away, her hand dropped the the hilt of the sword on her waist. “Even so, the amount of time does not-”
“You rounded up the thieves and fought them. They pulled out their swords but that did not deter you. You fought against them with your fists and wit. You were strong, agile, brave, unlike any other lady I have seen in the capital. You are a mountain, there is nothing you can not accomplish. I know this, I have no intentions of stopping you. I just wish to walk with you,” he earnestly told her.
Amenah’s golden eyes warmed. “I do not wish to harm you.” she confessed, her calm mask collapsing. “If you refuse to let me go you will lose everything. I do not wish to be the cause of your downfall.”
“I will lose everything if I give up on you to save myself.” His hands hovered over her shoulders and when she did not move away he placed them there. “To give up, and only seek out self-preservation would be how I lose who I am. That would be the end of my integrity.”
Amenah filled her cheeks with air and stared up at the sky.
Not able to take the trembling of her chin he spoke once more. “I will not stop you. I could not if I tried. If you do not wish to marry me, there is nothing I can do. But I promise you, I will never cast aside the innocent.”
Amenah took a step back and unsheathed the blade. “I made this for you. I have been working on it for some moons now.” She held the blade in two hands to extend to him. “I wanted, I, please just take it Kemal.”
His heart hammered within his chest. Was this really their goodbye? His gaze fell to the sword. She had put so much time and effort in it, the craftwork spoke for itself. The carving intricately designed from the top to the middle of the blade. As the sun shined through the clouds, the blade gave off a soft blue light, telling the world of the rare metals used to create it. Not many blades within the capital were composed of such metal. A shame that his career was not within the military, for countless swordsmen would fight to the death for this blade.
“I will not accept it if this is goodbye.” As he gazed into her eyes he recited a poem. “The gift of the stars could not force the waves to stop crashing down.”
Liquid gold. As her tears filled her eyes, they resembled liquid gold. She forced her expression to calm, and coolly sheathed the blade. He allowed her to place the hilt into his hand.
“You have dreams. I know it, my father knows. Even my brothers know it.” She spoke deeper than normal. “Your dreams are at a standstill because of the ties you hold on to.” She dropped his hand. “My father has taught you all that he could. It is time for you to choose a different mentor now. If you continue to stand on my father’s side you will lose all you have accomplished. Then everything my father has done for you will be wasted. You are one of the smartest minds in the kingdom, do not act as if you are unaware of what is happening around you!” She chastised.
Kemal shook his head. How could she think he would trust her anger? Or that he would be blind to the nails that she pushed into her palm. The quiver of her voice, the small step back, and her foot positioned to run away. He just wished to cherish her. “It is precisely because I am smart that I refuse to abandon your father. I refuse to abandon your family. And regardless of our marriage or not, I will never abandon you. I have seen my classmates renounce their connection to Scholar Aljehni. I refuse to do that. I will stand by what I believe is right. For good always triumphs over evil.” He returned the blade to her.
Yelling was heard from the marketplace but he ignored it, focusing on her.
She turned to face the pond. “You are risking everything. Everything you have accomplished!” Her hand tightened on the blade that he refused to accept. “You are a fool,” she gritted as a tear fell.
“In reverse, would you abandon me?” He stepped towards her. “Would you stand and watch as the world prosecuted me?” He turned her to face him, his fingers rubbed the tears from her cheeks.
“I wish for you to obtain all you dream of. I want the best for you.”
“What if all that I dream of is you?” Opening his arms he silently called her forward.
She did not hesitate to go into his arms, hiding her face against his chest.
His hand gently brushed her hair, his chest dampened with her tears and he kissed her temple. “When I return to Tamon, will you return with me?” His left hand fell by her waist.
“If the path of my family shines with light once more, I would very much love to be yours. But if-”
He placed a finger on her lips. “Thank you. I will work with your father to help as best I can. I vow to do my best to help, then my happiest day will be you becoming my bride.”
The yells from the marketplace were growing louder. The clang of metal meant there was a swordfight and Amenah immediately jumped into action moving across the bridge back to the marketplace. Kemal picked up the sword she had dropped and followed behind her.
As they got closer Amenah could see that there were two groups, one were guards and the other group were merchants and commoners. Fighting to get to the middle she raised both hands to stop both sides.
“What seems to be the meaning of this!” She asked, directing her words towards the guards.
The commoners saw the angry glint in her eyes and lowered the broomsticks, rakes, and baskets they had as weapons.
“Second Lady Aljehni, it is not our fault,” one of the merchants yelled. He pointed his loaf of bread in the guards direction. “They are being unfair. They continuously raid our homes and businesses claiming we are housing Stilits!” He swung his loaf so much that it broke, one piece fell to the ground. “Is this how the capital will handle this! We are in danger too, but the guards treat us as accomplices!" He cleared his throat and aimed in the guards direction as he spat.
Many of the townspeople agreed and protested more.
“We are citizens of this kingdom too,” a teenager voiced.
“Guards are supposed to protect us. You are harming us more than the Stilits,” a mother said, clutching her child from a guard who still had his blade out.
“From where I am standing you are no better.”
“Check your own homes for the Stilits before you raid ours!” A man dressed in scholars' clothes added.
At the scholar’s voice Kemal turned but could not catch his face.
One of the guards had heard enough. “You! I could have you arrested for not adhering to the king’s orders.”
“Arrest us! Arrest all of us then. Fill your prison with the innocent,” the townspeople yelled.
The guards had all intentions of granting that request.
Spinning Amenah grabbed the sheathed sword from Kemal’s hand and held it up as a shield. “You dare to harm the people?”
Kemal moved to calm the townspeople. “The guards are following orders, sometimes they act unfairly. The beautiful thing about Cabimal is that you can voice your heart in a calm manner.” He grabbed a broom from a female merchant's hands. “No need to result to violence and destroy your life’s work.”
The captain of the guard refused to back down, his glare towards Amenah said all they needed to know. Her family had lost favor with the king, there was not much she could do. Her family’s military aid was greatly diminished now that the Medes family left north.
“We have orders from the king to arrest the Stilits, anyone who prevents us will be punished,” he smirked tauntingly.
“Who here are Stilits? Who are you planning to arrest?” Amenah asked coldly. “Show me the proof and I will not hesitate to step aside.”
“You dare to step in the way?”
“You have searched our stores and homes four times in the past week, this is taking advantage of your power!” The bread merchant yelled. “Do you know how early I wake to make the bread that you so callously destroy in your fake search?”
A boy not yet of age stood before his grandmother. “My grandmother was injured because the captain kicked the door to our home open. He slammed my grandmother to the ground.” He moved next to Amenah, his small hands balled into fist. “The king would never order guards to harm his people!” His innocent features were splattered with anger a child should not possess. The menacing expression did not suit him.
The captain had enough and pulled out his sword. “Second Lady Aljehni, I suggest you move or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice.”
His words were met with the people’s outcry. “You dare to harm an Aljehni!” The mother pushed her son behind her as she stood.
“How dare you! Now you have gone too far.” The butcher slowly raised his knife once more.
A grandmother grabbed dried fish and threw it at the guards. “Some men you are! I refuse to listen to pigs dressed up as lions!”
The peace and calm Kemal had talked the townsfolk into having flew away with the fish. Everyone grabbed whatever they had and hurdled it at the guards.
Aiming his blade, the captain kept eye contact with Amenah as he spoke. A sadistic grin on his face. “Search for Stilits, arrest all who interfere.”
Amenah glanced at Lieutenant whose brother was close friends with Herom, and he stepped forward. “Captain, perhaps we should refrain from attacking. If we truly arrest Second Lady Aljehni it will cause more harm than good. It will cause an uproar.”
The captain twisted his sword and slammed the hilt into Ishmek’s stomach. “You dare give me orders! Your brother rides with the Aljehni’s makeshift battalion, but you still must follow me.”
Amenah’s expression darkened. “Ishmek follow orders. Do not get hurt. I am not preventing your work captain, I only ask that you treat the king’s people with respect. The king gave no orders to harm the innocent.”
“Step out of my way, Aljehni,” the way he called her name was cruel, a sneerful taunt.
“Some guards you are! You cannot tell the difference between loyal citizens and Stillits!” The bread merchant yelled. Many agreed and their anger only grew.
A guard kicked a merchant. “Stay down!” He ordered, but the order was only met with more defiance.
“You even threaten Second Lady Aljehni! How dare you!” The scholar yelled from the back of the crowd.
Amenah glanced at Kemal and then scanned the crowd that stepped forward with defiant faces refusing to allow the guards to search. Their eyes looked towards her for guidance.
Kemal shook his head, he had to get her out. Her presence was only escalating to more violence. Kemal grabbed her arm, “Your presence is fueling the anger, we must go.”
The captain kicked Ishmek out of the way and aimed his sword. “Search for Stilits! No one gets a pass.” He added his restrained anger.
A boy picked up a knife used to cut fish. “If Lady Amenah Aljehni says it is wrong then I will not back down.” His soft words ignited a flame in everyone as they rushed to stand with him.
“No!” Amenah fought against Kemal’s hold. “Do not fight them. Do not turn to violence, I was speaking to them, you can use your tongue as well.”
Kemal’s hand slid down her arm to interlock his fingers with hers. “We have to go, now,” he said, pulling her away.
“No, I have to stop them. This is not right.”
“You dishonoured the Aljehnis, we will not let you go,” the scholar in the back yelled, he still had made no move to stand closer.
Amenah froze at his words, her eyes studying the man. “He is not a scholar,” she whispered. “This is not right. I have to fix this. Kemal!”
You can not extinguish the fire from the inside. We must go.” Kemal pulled her away. The two moved to their horses where her servants were waiting. Kemal helped Amenah mount hers. “Go home and do not stop.”
Amenah clutched the reins. “Kemal there is something going on. The man who shouted about Aljehni honor that was, it is all a lie.”
“I know. I will try to talk them down, but you must leave. Go!” He slapped the back of the horse. Amenah did not have a chance to return the sword to him, her hands tightening on the reins.
With a swift command for the servants to ensure her safety he rushed back to the crowd.
