10 Blue Moons ago

  Aaleyah stood in front of the mirror in her room making a face at her mother’s proud expression. Ignoring her brother, she fidgeted with the sleeves of her floor-length dress. “Mother, you promise that this dress is the best one for a banquet?” Surely the golden dress that was hemmed up and allowed for her to easily move would be a great fit?

  Most dresses and robes she wore were hemmed to allow her to run and train. This set was a punishment because of the last banquet. It was certainly a dress Chiara had a hand in choosing. Not to mention the golden yellow she usually wore had been softened to a warm sunlight that almost matched her eyes. This dress did not have an outer robe; she was to drape a scarf around her arms making it even harder to practice moves.

  “Ley Ley you look radiant. You have been to a banquet before, what is troubling you?” Her mother stood to place a hand on her shoulder. “Is there something you wish to say?”

  Fidgeting with the tips of her hair, Aaleyah shook her head with a pout.

  “Ley Ley, how long must we sit here?” Zale asked Aaleyah from his place sprawled out on her chair. One of the dresses Aaleyah denied was bunched up and being used as a pillow for his head. His leg hung over the armchair and he ignored his mother’s pointed look to sit correctly. “Besides, I heard that yellow was someone's favorite color,” he snickered.

  Pulling a dress from the pile of discarded choices Aaleyah threw it at him. “Do you ever stop talking! What is the point of having a brain if you refuse to use it!” She threw a scarf as well, and managed to grab a cuff bracelet before her mother stepped in.

  “Enough,” her mother reprimanded with amusement in her eyes. “Must you two always resort to violence?” She picked up the dresses that Aaleyah had thrown at her twin.

  Zale stuck out his tongue and quickly morphed his face to an innocent expression when their mother turned to face him. “Mother, did I not compliment her?”

  Lunging forward, her mother held Aaleyah back. “I said enough.” Leaning to look Aaleyah in the eyes, she added, “Is there someone who has caught your eye? Is that why you are so nervous for tonight’s banquet?”

  Aaleyah glared at Zale. Him and his big mouth.

  Something flickered in mother’s eyes and as her smile dropped, her hand released Aaleyah who shot forward to shut Zale up.

  Aaleyah yanked the dress away from Zale’s head and his makeshift pillow disappeared in the blink of an eye; his head banging onto the back of the chair.

  “Ouch, so aggressive.” Zale rubbed his head, “Maybe he will not like you at all.”

  Aaleyah hit him with the dress, if not for their mother she would kick him. “I do not care about anyone’s favorite color! I also care less about anyone’s perceptions of me!” She made a punching motion to reinstate her point.

  “Right, where could I have gotten the idea?” He scoffed. “Regardless of your feelings and thoughts, the faster you get ready the sooner we can leave to see him. I heard he purchased a new dagger.”

  Aaleyah hid her face briefly behind her hands before she yelled, “You are so infuriating! Zale stop talking. Why are you even here? I did not ask for you to be here! Must you talk so much?” She turned to her mother with a helpless expression. “Mother!”

  “Relax,” Zale placated her. “I am not teasing you. Is it not amazing that you have found someone? For some Blue Moons no one has ever caught your attention.” Zale caught the dress she threw at his face.

  “Mother, make him stop!” Aaleyah pleaded, or else violence was what he was going to get.

  Their mother rubbed the point between her brows. “Zale, do not tease your sister.”

  Zale winked. “Alright Ley Ley. I am sorry,” he said with a lopsided grin. “Can you forgive me? We were born together, if there is anyone on your side it shall always be me in the end.” He made his way towards her. “Besides, you are as stunning in this dress as you were an hour ago. Anyone who does not notice does not deserve their eyes.” He smoothed her hair. “The world must impress you, you have no obligation to impress the world, I will make sure of it.”

  Her anger melted away, but to give the guise of annoyance she mumbled. “I can protect myself.”

  “Of course you can. You are an Aljehni,” Zale stated. “The point is you do not have to. As long as I am here no one can hurt you. Now agree that this dress is beautiful. It is time to leave!” He dragged her out the room, leaving their mother behind to go help their sisters get ready instead.

  Giggling, Aaleyah followed Zale to his room. It seemed the yellow piece was going to be the one she would wear.

  Reaching his room, Zale stopped at the door. “Stay here, you can not come in,” he teased.

  Aaleyah rolled her eyes. “You have forgotten Zale.”

  Zale smirked confidently. “What?”

  Kicking him in the shin, Aaleyah barged past him. “Mother is no longer here.”

  Clutching his shin, Zale hopped on one foot. “That is not fair. I was not ready.”

  “As if you ever are. Now why did you bring me here?”

  Rubbing the pain away, Zale hobbled to his wardrobe. “Some twin I have. So violent,” he muttered. Pulling out one of his outer robes and threw it at her. “Here, in case it is cold tonight you can wear this.”

  Later the Aljehni family piled into the two carriages. Herom was on sibling watch in the second carriage. Aaleyah frowned at the already arguing Dharam and Chiara as they got in. Amenah shrugged her shoulders at Herom and piled into the carriage with Asbed.

  For the first carriage Aaleyah and Zale sat across from their parents and Roset who was glued to the window.

  Her father studied her and Aaleyah pretended not to notice, less another lecture started.

  “Aaleyah.”

  Aaleyah sat straight hearing her full name as she prepared herself for the rules. “Yes father I understand. Zale and I will stick together and cause no trouble,” she promised.

  Zale nodded and held her hand tightly.

  “No. Under no circumstances should you two be alone together. I told you to-” her father took a breath and turned to her mother. “Aminah please.”

  Her mother took her father’s hand. “Aaleyah tonight you are not to spar. No fights.”

  Aaleyah frowned. “It was not a fight last time. I was simply showing the proper way to use the staff. I did not hit anyone. Zale was the one who got angry and-

  Her mother held up hand. “Enough. If I feel I can not trust you tonight I will sit you next to Chiara or Asbed.”

  “Asbed!” Both twins complained.

  Their mother held up a finger. “Act with elegance, if I hear you so much as touched a blade you will be punished.” Her mother then turned to Zale. “Do not think I am unaware of your plans either. No mischief.

  Aaleyah and Zale locked eyes with a pout. “Yes mother,” they answered together.

  Roset finally moved away from the amazing lights and people outside the carriage window. “Mother, what about me? Who do I stay next to?”

  Everyone smiled at the youngest Aljehni. Aaleyah pinched her little brother’s cheek. “You get to stay next to mother and father tonight.”

  “Do try not to get distracted by rocks again this time,” Zale added in an exasperated tone.

  Rocks seemed to be Roset’s latest obsession, to the point where he was missing for hours burying them. It did not matter that every member of the Aljehni family told him rocks did not grow, he insisted on planting them.

  The carriage arrived and Aaleyah and Zale raced out only to stand and wait for the second carriage to arrive.

  Herom was the first to exit. Ignoring Aaeyah's jumps of excitement he turned to reach out his hand out to help his sisters. Followed by a bickering Chiara and Dharam and finally Asbed who stepped out with a scowl on his face.

  Her father sighed. “The ride was short. How did you manage to find something to argue about?”

  Herom rubbed the space between his brows. “Father, they managed to bicker before the carriage set off.”

  Chiara quickly defended herself. “I said before we boarded that I wanted to sit by the window but Dharam would not budge,” she complained.

  “Correct,” Dharam answered without remorse. Tonight he got to dress the way Aaleyah had wished for. His robes stopped at his boots and followed the military fashion. Where she was forced to wear cuffs, vambraces sat on his wrist; his Aljehni tattoo was not visible. His golden eyes held annoyance as he looked at his younger sister. “For someone only one Blue moon younger than me you certainly act the same as Roset.”

  Chiara only made it one step before Amenah held out her hand to stop her.

  Amenah, as the oldest, wore a calm smile as her golden eyes met mother’s brown ones. “Apologies mother.”

  Roset pouted. “What is wrong with acting like me? Roset is awesome.” He puffed out his small chest.

  Chiara rolled her eyes with a smile and lifted him from the ground. “You are absolutely right Roset. You are certainly amazing, far better than your brother Dharam.” She hugged him tightly.

  Amenah gave Dharam a look and Aaleyah held back her smile.

  Dharam sighed. “I apologize. You can have the window on the way back.”

  Asbed stood next to their mother. “Can we enter now? The guards are looking at us.”

  With one glance from their mother all the guards averted their gaze. “Pay them no mind Asbed. You look lovely tonight.”

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  Asbed smirked. “Of course I do, I am an Aljehni.” He waltzed into the palace, the yellow ribbon in his hair blowing in the wind, and all followed behind.

  Inside everyone attempted to split up immediately. Herom left her to find Helan and talk about training books. Even though Aaleyah had pleaded for him to teach her the Zuhos Staff Dance, one look from mother and he shook his head; and left her.

  Amenah and Chiara wished to go see what instruments were being played for the night and only because of her pleading look did Zale hesitate to leave her and go there.

  His hesitation did not last, for Asbed caught sight of Hammun and they both left while she was distracted with the blades decorated high on the wall.

  So Aaleyah turned to her only hope, Dharam. Silently praying that he will find his friends and bring her with him. Those prayers were unanswered and much to his disappointment he was excited to find their table and sit down. Most likely to drink wine since he was finally of age.

  With no siblings left she turned to her father ready to plead and promise to be good, as long as he allowed her to leave. If she stayed with her parents they would question her about her studies until dissipated into sand.

  “Aaleyah,” he called in a knowing tone.

  “Father, I vow not to touch, ask, or even explain how to wield a weapon. So please let me go find Asbed and Zale.” She bounced on her feet, her eyes following Zale’s movements as he neared the doors to the gardens. “You like when I stick with Asbed. Please let me go. Please, please, please, please.”

  Her father remained silent, his face in thought, so Aaleyah upped the ante. Grabbing her father’s hand, she twirled the ring on his finger. “Asbed and Zale, I will not go anywhere without them. When the meal starts I vow to be good. I will even recite poetry to your students. Please?”

  Her father and mother exchanged glances, and finally her mother nodded and her father sighed. “You will not spar?”

  Aaleyah nodded.

  “You will not cause mischief?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Very well, but follow all the rules. Remember the young princes are heirs to the throne, represent the Aljehni name well.”

  Aaleyah jumped to kiss his cheek and walked off.

  Outside by the lotus ponds, Saan glanced at his friends before looking back down the length of the hall. Moving his hair out of his face, he turned to face Zale and Asbed. “After my birthday I am going to cut it.”

  His brother Hammun rolled his eyes. “Here we go again. I am going to cut, I am not going to cut it. Stop with the pretending.” He leaned towards Asbed and Zale. “When I turn one Red and seven Blue Moons old I am chopping it.” He motioned to his hair held pinned at the top of his head. “To my shoulders like Dharam. His hair is great.”

  Asbed shrugged. “Dharam does say his head is lighter.” He moved his hand through his high ponytail. “I like my hair though. I do not think I will cut it very short.”

  “No, you think your hair is long now. You still have two Blue Moons left. Imagine how long it will grow by then?” Hammun shuddered.

  Saan looked towards the empty hall with a frown.

  Zale leaned against the pillar. “I thought royal families kept their hair long to show status and prestige. Or something similar.”

  Saan smiled. “Glad you remembered.”

  “Luckily that is only for the eldest sons who will be king. I have no such rules.” Hammun grinned.

  Saan gave up looking down the hall with a sigh and joined the conversation. “I am not going to be king for many Red Moons to come.” His long black hair fell to the middle of his back. “Besides there are many that prefer long hair.”

  Zale scoffed. “Aaleyah you mean.”

  Saan scratched the corner of his eye.

  Zale leaned one leg on the pillar. “You will not try to deny it?”

  Asbed disgustedly asked, “You are fond of Aaleyah?”

  “You act as if I tarnished my legacy,” Saan replied defensively.

  Asbed gave Zale a look. “You may as well have. You always complain that she nitpics your moves when sparring. What is with this sudden admiration?”

  Zale frowned, his leg dropping back to the ground. “So this is only infatuation?”

  “Eh?” Saan’s head moved back and forth between his friends and brother like a flower in the wind. “I never said that.”

  “So you do like her?” Asbed asked.

  Saan swallowed and rubbed his nose.

  Hammun stepped forward. “We are all friends right? Is it really a bad thing if my brother likes Aaleyah?”

  Asbed shrugged. “At a Red and three Blue Moons, should you be liking anyone? Did you finish studying?”

  Saan and Zale said nothing, both waiting for the other to speak first.

  Zale huffed. “I do not care who your heart opens up to. Just never hurt Ley Ley,”

  Saan nodded his head, he had long since given up on denying his fondness of her chaos.

  “Zale, how could you leave me alone?” Hearing Aaleyah’s voice Saan immediately turned to see her, a bright grin lighting up his face.

  She marched out of the door towards the garden path.. “You left me with father, what happened to staying together?”

  Zale laughed and pulled her by her arm before resting his own on her shoulders. “You could have followed. Why would I stay? To be quizzed?”

  Aaleyah shrugged off his arm. “Whatever.”

  Hammun stood at Zale’s side. “Chiara is here?”

  Asbed raised his eyebrows. “Obviously, would the Aljehni family leave her at the manor?”

  “The last time I met your older sister she was very… amazing? Surely you know of her talent?”

  Asbed, Aaleyah, and Zale scoffed in unison.

  “Chiara argues every chance she gets, what humor did you hear from her?” Asbed asked.

  Saan tried not to look obvious as he gazed at Aaleyah. “You look radiant.”

  Most times Aaleyah wore ankle-length dresses and robes for sparing, tying them at her waist. Tonight she was a walking star. Her dress sleeves stopped at her elbows and the rest of her arm was adorned with cuffs and bracelets that caught the light of the lanterns. Her ears held golden jewelry that shook with every move of her head. Her golden eyes matched her necklace and hair clips. He smiled at the curls of her hair. Her waves cascaded down her back, and he silently measured if their hair was the same length.

  “Thank you.” Aaleyah flashed him a stunning smile before turning to face her brothers. “Chiara and Amenah left to go look at instruments.”

  Zale shrugged. “Either way, you found me. So I did not leave you.”

  Saan watched Aaleyah roll her eyes. “You speak but there is no logic in your words,” she snided.

  While the twins bickered, Saan found himself lifting slightly on his toes to reach Aaleyah’s height. As his eyes traveled down he caught sight of her painted feet decorated with golden swirls before she dropped her dress from her hand to punch Zale’s arm.

  Saan decided to diffuse the tension and pulled out the new dagger his father gifted him. “Aaleyah would you like to see my new blade?”

  Aaleyah’s eyes lit up and she took a step towards him before she frowned and turned away. “No thank you,” she quipped.

  Saan frowned and returned his dagger to its place. He only brought it because he thought she would like it, but maybe she had seen better.

  Hammun cleared his throat and nudged Saan’s shoulder. “Dinner is going to start soon, so we should all probably return to our tables.” Looking him dead in the eye he darted to Aaleyah’s side. “Aaleyah, care for an escort?”

  Aaleyah’s confusion was obvious. “Hammun, what are you doing?”

  Saan held back his grimace when Hammun linked her arm around his.

  “Ladies in beautiful dresses must not walk alone,” Hammun replied in a teasing tone.

  Aaleyah raised her eyebrows. “Right, and my two brothers are unable to do the job?”

  Saan scowled, and brushed past Zale ignoring his mouthed ‘too slow.’

  Asbed pushed Zale out of the way. “Come Saan, no need to kill your brother so soon. Leave that drama to me when he goes after Chiara.”

  “Ew.” Zale followed Saan and Asbed with disgust. “Is the Dlumaeni family obsessed with Aljehni women or something?”

  Saan rolled his eyes. “It’s not like that, no one is obsessed,” he grumbled.

  In the banquet hall High Prince Hammaan greeted his tutor and friend with a wide smile giving each other a one armed hug. “Scholar Aljehni.”

  “High Prince Hammaan,” Havil responded. “How is everything?” The last they had spoken, tensions were growing high in the palace.

  Hammaan’s expression turned dark. “Havil, my brother.” He led him to a quieter corner of the hall. “You are someone I would do anything for. Which is why I must tell you this. I must warn you.”

  Havil scanned left and right ensuring no one was listening before leaning closer. “What is it?”

  Hammun leaned close to Havil’s ear. “Take your family and leave.”

  His heart dropped to his gut. “What?”

  Hammaan shook his head, his eyes heavy. “There is nothing I can do. I feel powerless within these walls Havil. This is all I know to tell you. It is not safe here in the capital. Leave and tell no one where you will go. Not even me.”

  “Hammaan, there are many things you may not be able to solve, but together we have failed at nothing. Tell me what is happening. What has led you to give this kind of warning?” Surely the king did not wish to chase him out?

  Even if he did follow Hammaan’s advice to leave it would take time. He could not just uproot everyone in a night. Doing so would raise more suspicions, placing them in more danger than they were in now.

  “I am unable to give you all the details tonight. But my father is wary. He grows more and more wary with each passing night. If you refuse to leave, the only other option I know is to-” he shook his head.

  “To what?” Havil asked, but by the high prince’s expression he feared he knew the answer.

  “To send one of your children to live in the palace.”

  Havil closed his eyes and took a breath. “A prisoner.”

  “They will be free within the palace walls but unable to leave. My father fears your family’s reputation. The prestige of the academy-”

  “He told me to open an academy, it was not my decision.” He had no intention of starting a learning institute, fearing it was far out of his skillset.

  “Havil. The academy was supposed to fail.” The latter sentence was whispered reluctantly.

  “Supposed to fail.” Havil repeated in a whisper. If it had failed, surely his reputation would have fallen. When he had first been tasked with opening the academy it really had seemed like a losing battle. But with a few good scholars, the help of his wife and her family, and friendships he had made throughout the kingdom; the academy had become a success, one he was proud of, and a legacy he was excited to pass on to his son.

  “My father wonders,” Hammaan continued calmly, “if the people follow your commands more than his own.”

  Havil staggered back. “Of course not. That is impossible. I am loyal to the kingdom. I would never ask for the people’s loyalty.”

  “You do not have to,” Hammaan argued back. “It is naturally granted to you. My father fears that with one opportunity you could-”

  “I would never.”

  “But you could.”

  “But I would never,” Havil repeated.

  “Havil. I do not know what to do,” Hammaan admitted.

  “I am not entirely shocked.” Before his sister Nazita had passed, she had warned him that, ‘Even high generals had their loyalty questioned. The more success one found, the more distrust that would follow’ “I must speak to Aminah about this.”

  High Prince Hammaan nodded. “Yes, and if you have a plan,” Hammaan smiled sadly, “there is nothing I would not do for you.”

  “Do you believe that if tensions are as high as you say, that sending my own blood here would be wise?” Or would it be throwing his child into the desert without water?

  Hammaan and Havil slowly made their way back to the tables. “From a diplomatic standpoint it would ease the tension, if you did so. You could also send Herom to marry outside of the capital.”

  “Send my eldest away?” Herom had done too much to lose it all through a marriage. As the oldest male, the Aljehni estate was his. To send him away through marriage would lower power, and after he had forced Herom to deny being captain; Herom would never agree to it.

  “And swear that he will never return. Herom’s power continues to grow, if he follows the Medes custom and fights at the border he will be unable to deny the position as a commander. Marrying him off would ease tension. Then you could also send a child here and vow undying loyalty.”

  “I would lose two children.” Havil looked at the Aljehni table. His wife was reprimanding Dharam not to drink. He turned to gaze to his daughters Chiara and Amenah, who stood in awe of the musicians, clapping to the beat of the song.

  “There is a reason the Medes family was not invited tonight. Father wishes to break your family ties, soon he will send the Medes away.”

  Havil frowned. His wife loved her family dearly. His children visited their grandparents and uncles every half moon. To have them sent away would break his family’s hearts.

  “Speaking as a father, it is impossible. Your eldest has built a reputation of his own. He helps train the military, if not for his refusal he would be a legitimate captain already. And if you sent a child here, they would forever walk with a blade at their neck.” Hammaan glanced around the hall. “Which is why I say to leave.”

  “Aljehnis are used to blades being at our necks,” Havil stated bitterly.

  Hammaan frowned. “Surely that would not be true in Nevalvn? Or even the Heahnian Kingdom?”

  Havil shook his head. "We will speak at a later date.”

  “Yes, please speak to General Aminah about this as soon as possible.”

  Havil bowed and the two men parted ways.