*burning flames*
*water splashing*
*screams of people running here and there*
*Homa wailing*
Jasmine sighted a huge smoke coming from the inn area, she ran like the speed of lightning, the whole inn was on fire. She turned to her left and sighted her mother weeping and wailing. She ran towards her to hug and console her.
"Jasmine the whole inn is ruined, my hard-work for years is going up in flames" Homa lamented in shaky lips.
"No mama, no-how, how did this happened?" She asked with her mother in her arms on the ground.
"Ormazd-he-he-" Homa replied and bursted with more tears.
"Let it go, we're together are we not? We don't need that vile man anymore. We'll move to Shushan We can survive and we will. Together mama, just me, you and Bita this time ok" Jasmine said with hope and determination in her voice.
The fire was calmed by the villagers but the whole place was destroyed. Ormazd was no where to be seen he had ran away for fear that the villagers might stone him to death or worse report him to the king's governor that was in charge in that area. With nothing to hold on too, Homa had to move along with her two girls to the citadel of Shushan.
The large gates of Shushan stood tall and firm, it radiated with excellency, wealth and power. The large carved marble of lions showed how fearsome the empire of Persia is. Jasmine studied the walls and environment around her. The soldiers at the gate stood with their face as those of a lion and bull, one sight of them and you know they're in for business. The people around seemed to be so carefree and alive, Jasmine wondered if liveliness existed only at the great citadel cause the world she knew out there was extremely different from the one she sees now.
"Welcome!" greeted a female voice that bought the attention of Jasmine. The woman was tall, had a white skin and lovely doe eyes. She was wearing a customary Persian dress pink in color with gold decorations, white trouser (chit) and a light pink veil covering her face and had a golden shawl on her head. Her hand were filled with about 12 bracelet each and one emerald ring on her left.
"Greetings my dear Anahita" Homa greeted placing her right hand over her heart and nodding gently. The same pleasantry was exchanged by the girls to the woman.
"Oh my dear Homa, you have finally decided to move to the great Citadel. I told you that someday you will walk past those gates" the woman said as she pointed towards the gate " are these your girls?" She asked as she walked toward Jasmine and Bita.
"Yes they are." Homa answered enthusiastically.
"What beauty!" Anahita retorted as she examined both girls. She grabbed Jasmine's face and examined it closely "now here is a face his majesty will pay for" she concluded and smirked
"Come with me I have a place prepared and a feast arranged for you all" she said with a warm smile.
They all followed Anahita as she happily gave them a little tour while they walked to her home.
Shushan is beautiful!" Bita said with awe
"Yes, it is the pride of the Chaldeans. The king insisted that plants be grown as well as flowers" Anahita explained "there are more than 100 flower species and over 20 different trees here at the royal citadel" she continued as her voice filled with pride and her face beaming brightly. Finally they arrived at her home. Well, for one thing she is wealthy. The girls opened their mouths wide as they looked and the beautiful house in front of them. Anahita giggles" well my husband is an honored governor, he had saved the king from a number of assassins once"
"That explains quite much p" Jasmine replied
"So she speaks" Anahita said as she smiled towards Homa " come in please" she said as she ushered them in.
Anahita's guest were treated with dignity and showed their rooms. Bita just couldn't leave Anahita, she kept asking questions of which she readily answered.