Saan's tight grip does not loosen as he makes his way down the long corridor. This time to his own chambers, he can hear the clinking of Aaleyah's jewelry as she follows behind him. He makes a swift glance at Aaleyah's expression. Her golden eyes seem dark and her mouth makes no movements to speak. Saan's embittered face hardens and he kicks the door to his chambers open.
"Helan stay out." is his only order.
Helan bows and closes the doors.
Releasing Aaleyah's hand, "Is it your intention to be harassed? Why do you refuse to stand up for yourself?" he asks, his brown eyes filled with anger.
Fixing the bracelets on her wrist, "What would you have me do? Any attempt to speak will only cause more animity in the court." she states logically.
Scoffing, Saan pulls out a chair at his table, "Take a seat." He waits for her to sit before moving to stand in front of her. "Has it occurred to you that the advisors, generals, scholars, men in high positions are on your side; but unable to move because you do not have enough power to allot them the opportunity? That the longer you sit channeling the spirit of the shadows you will eventually fizzle out like a flame in the storm?"
"You are angry at me for not arguing in the king's court? I was, in more or less words, on trial." she explains.
"Which is exactly why you should have spoken up for yourself." Saan tells her. Taking a deep breath he slides his hands down his face and squats down balancing himself on his toes. "Official Darius stood up for you. He defended you, you could have given him face by showing you were on his side. Why did you leave him to speak alone?" he asks, genuinely confused.
Placing both hands in her lap, her thumb traces the nail of her index finger. "We had a plan. At breakfast the plan was for the king to punish me and have the high princess be under watch by the high prince. Then allow the officials to toss their masks on their own, so we can see who is on what side." clearing her throat she adds softly, "Minister Amon did not exactly say anything wrong." she pointed out.
"He wished to punish you as an example. Will you pretend you do not know what that means?" Saan asks in frustration.
Aaleyah sucks in a breath. Of course she knows what it means. There is no one within the walls of the kingdom who is more aware of what it means than her. To claim someone is craving the king's power is a dangerous crime. The punishment is more than just death. Her family was punished as an example. Her parents paraded in front of others before finally being blessed with their demise. Rising from her chair, "High Prince-" Saan's angry eyes has her correct herself, "Saan, I understand that you are upset because they wished to punish me."
Saan's eyes become unreadable.
"However we were standing before the king, it would only cause unrest to argue about small matters before him." Aaleyah does not wish to say it, but the sight of the king makes her nervous. She is not sure how much information the king knows about the stone. Unaware of what her father told the king, but he knows enough to order her. What if he orders her to do something that she does not have the power to do? She is still working on redeeming her family's honor. She must not disobey the king. She must do nothing to ruin her family's reputation.
The sea of emotions in Aaleyah's eyes has Saan swallow his anger and walk towards her. Squatting down, "Then how about this?" He offers her his hand, "Anyone who disrespects you, disrespects me. In your mind, am I a person who deserves disrespect?" he asks in a soothing voice.
"Hi- Saan, currently the Kingdom of Nevalvn is in danger. Its mines are something that numerous people from around the kingdoms seek to hold. The kingdom we need on our side the most is the Trivplah Kingdom, their hatred for the Aljehni family is strong." she admonishes. "If I attempt to take more power or have a voice in rooms where one should not, it could disrupt the carefully crafted treaty that has been drawn."
"If you do not deal with those who show you disrespect, I will." He rises pulling her to stand. Eyes boring into hers, "Which would you prefer?"
Aaleyah turns away but is forced to turn back, guided by his finger under her chin. She studies his eyes searching for a sign, any sign to prove that he is saying this out of anger, and that is it just spur of the moment words. But his anger has faded, and his stubborn earnest eyes seem to believe in every word he has said.
"What if my way of dealing with it is different from your wishes?" she asks. Besides for the upcoming weeks she will be at his side anyway, and no one would dare say anything. Also, if something is true, can it still be disrespectful? Either way the Aljehni should cause no problems, there is nothing wrong with going to the shadows. 'What if Saan is right?' the question echoes in her mind. What if the people who support the Aljehni family line can not stand because she does not give them the power to?
From the moment Aaleyah returned to the palace she worked in the shadows. She worked with Hammun on plans to aid the government, but it was Hammun who publicly said them. She aided the commissioners in cases, but never wrote her name on the files. She supported and spoke to the teachers at the academies, but forced them to vow to tell no one.
Looking at Saan's face, are these actions harmful?
"It depends on my mood." he tells her with a smile. "Some words may hurt me more than others."
Her eyes widen in confusion, since when was her husband so emotional? "This one will stand up for herself more in the future."
"Does this one vow?" Saan asks, forcing Aaleyah to give her word.
Bowing, "Aaleyah Aljehni vows to try her best."
Saan stares down at Aaleyah's bowed head. Her hands clasped, one hand over her fist waiting for him to address her to rise. She used to hold her head high, the short girl would jump on the backs of anyone near her so she could reach your eyes and yell at injustice. The bright eyed Aaleyah from before was a force that Saan was sometimes nervous to be around. "Are you still there." he whispers.
Raising her head slightly, "What?"
Saan waves his hand, "I am going to a meeting with the generals today, you can come with me." He turns swiftly and heads out with Aaleyah following behind him.
Three days later Hestia stands in the medical room talking to the head physician. "How is the queen mother healing?"
The royal physician looks nervously at the aids behind him and then back to Hestia. "Princess Hestia, all information on the queen's recovery has been reported to the king." Smiling politely, "If you have any questions you may retrieve those reports."
Pursing her lips into a cute pout, "Why must I go ask for reports?" motioning to the royal physician, "Are you not here in front of me?" she asks with a bright smile.
The royal physician bows, "My apologies princes, there are many things this physician must do and there is no time to talk. If the reports are not helpful I will have someone write them up with more detail at a later point."
An aid rushes inside and gives the royal physician an affirmative nod.
Bowing once more, "I must take my leave princess." Then he grabs a small chest and heads out with the aid leading the way.
Wiping the corner of her eyes, Hestia stands dumbfounded. He did not even give her the reports, merely talked about it. "What could he possibly be so busy with?" she asks, and after waiting she gets no response. Sighing, she turns to face Musinm, and waves her hand in front of his face, "Hello?"
Bowing, "Yes Princess Hestia?"
Crossing her arms, "I asked a question." she laughs at Musinm's confusion.
"My apologies princess, I did not know you were asking me. I am only a guard. I do not know much about the inner workings of the physicians."
Tilting her head back and forth listening to the beads of her hair clip shake, "It seems like he was running away from me. Maybe I asked him too many questions yesterday before making the tea and now he is avoiding me." shrugging her shoulders, 'That is fine, I can ask the queen instead." Turning on her heel, "Let us go Musinm." she heads in the direction of the queen.
On the way Hestia passes many aids rushing back and forth from the medicinal gardens. Stopping one of the younger students, "What is going on? Why the rush?" She holds the young boy's arm so he cannot move away.
Musinm stands behind her with a threatening enough gaze that the unlucky aid is forced to stop. This young aid has been training in the palace for half a year, his hair is tied back tightly with a plain white cloth that shows he is barely out of the beginning stage. His job is most likely an errand boy, going to and fro to get plants, or following the orders of the physicians, and learning from experience.
"P p p Princess Hestia," his eyes dart around for help, but none of the seniors are around. "I have to find Physician Mena." he keeps his head down as he speaks.
Leaning forward, "Why? If you cannot find Physician Mena you can try asking me. I may be able to help." Hestia offers, after all she has some medicinal training.
Shaking his head, "You must not!" he yells, panic all over his face; then remembering himself, "You must not trouble yourself princess. Physician Mena requires no help, but this subject must go quickly." bowing, "Please allow me to leave, princess."
Not expecting his nervousness, and skittish behavior Hestia releases him. "Alright, I meant no harm."
With one final bow, the young boy runs off. Hestia watches him move down the hallways, his white hair ribbon flying behind him. "There is something strange going on." This time she turns and pokes Musinm on his arm, "Do you agree now?"
Musinm's eyes scan the corridor for the other guards located at their stations. None of them gave the impression that there was anything awry, "There is nothing to fear Princess Hestia, the security is under control."
Grinning, "Yes, because it is the security that I am worried about." she says with a sigh. "Musinm is security the only thing you know? Do you not have hobbies, or interests?"
"Every morning there is training, can that be an interest?" he with an innocent expression on his face.
"Sure." she tells him. In her mind she wonders if she can find another more interesting guard. Perhaps a guard with interests in medicine and tea. That would be most beneficial to her.
Behind her Musinm wonders if he can be transferred to guard a different royal. High Prince Saan may have a scary exterior, but he has great interest in weaponry and fighting, he would be able to show off his skills if he guarded him. Sadly, to guard the high prince one had to be recommended and then pass Helan's tests. Rumors had it Helan was very strict, and Musinm wonders if he could shine bright enough for Helan to approve.
Hammun and Aaleyah sit at the table in the library. Numerous books lay open on plants and poisons. On the table is a map with x's over areas they have already checked. Circles around places that may have what they are looking for.
Hammun rubs the side of his head as he reads a book. "None of these have symptoms of black veins." he exasperates. It has been hours of searching through pages and reading about so many flowers that his eyes feel strained.
Placing the book of poisonous flowers down, "Maybe a flower is not what we are looking for. Maybe the poison came from a different source." Aaleyah taps her fingers on the table, "What if the source is an animal?" she asks Hammun.
Exciting the aisle he was in, "Maybe black veins are not the key symptom we should be researching." Saan places the book on the table, "Her wound is not healing, the poison is attacking her thrombocytes. we need to search for poisons that counteract the body's natural healing process."
Resting his arms on the table Hammun rubs his face, "I wish there was a way to just pull the poison out of her. It has only been a day and it is already obvious that the royal physicians have no idea what is ailing her."
Saan takes a seat on the bench Aaleyah is sitting at and pulls her hand so he can see the book she was reading.
Moving the book closer so he can see, "do you think the poison could be from an animal and not a plant?" she asks again now that Saan is here.
Scanning the image of the flower Aaleyah was reading, "It is a possibility, but .." Saan shakes his head, "There are not many animal poisons we do not know the names of. Nor are there a shortage of antidotes created for those poisons and venom. It is more likely that there is a plant we are unaware of than an animal." he tells her thoughtfully.
Rubbing the sides of his temples, "We still have time, we do not need to panic." Hammun says, his foot shaking under the table.
Aaleyah reaches past Saan to pick up the book he brought, "This is a medical book on the body's natural healing properties." she opens it and scans the contents page, "You hope to boost her immune system to fight the poison?"
Saan flips the pages, "There is an old treatment that talks about meridians, if we can follow the pathways in her body maybe we can lock it and stop the poison from spreading. We can keep it in one place, and bleed it out? Burn it out?" he pounds his head on the table as he thinks aloud.
"We can't burn our mother." Hammun says in an appalling tone. "I refuse to cause her harm."
"She is in harm now, that is the point." Saan sharply states.
"She has medicines that are aiding her with the pain. We are just looking to help her wound heal faster." Aaleyah amicably says. Pointing to the page Saan left open, "Talk about meridians and pressure points," sucking in a breath, "yin and yang energy; this is something Hestia may know." She shifts her gaze to Hammun.
Maintaining a cool expression, "She is not to know." His earnest eyes bore in Aaleyah's soul, "Promise me you will say not a word to her."
Aaleyah has no right to tell others when they should and should not speak to others. Thus despite her being certain that Hestia is the perfect candidate for the job, until she is willing to act upon what she tells others to do, she decides to keep her mouth shut.
Saan rests his back against the wall, "Surely Hestia will notice something amiss with all the physicians running around." He wipes dust only he can see from Aaleyah's sleeve, "That and she is with mother daily. It is not a question of if she will find out. The question is when."
Aaleyah nods her head in agreement, secrets always get out. Maybe in one generation, maybe two. Maybe you can be lucky and last 10 Red moons; but eventually, secrets always come out. Suppressing a shiver she stares intently at the book in her hand, swallowing down her fears.
The next week the three are in the library once again. Earlier this morning Hammun went to speak to Hestia and she exploded with anger. The physicians were not speaking to her and this was driving her crazy. The queen limited their time together claiming to be sleepy and Hestia is beside herself. So Hammun chose to once again hide away in the library dragging Aaleyah with him; and as a result Saan as well.
It is late at night, and the candles have been lit throughout the room. Books and scrolls are littered around the table, each royal going through their own pile. Aaleyah is surrounded by scrolls, most of them are written in the old language, and her fluency is better than Saan and Hammun.
Saan has taken a break from looking for a cure and is reading up the Stilits, and their origins, as well as their fighting skills; in hopes that he can recognize the style and tie it to a location.
Hammun stands up so fast his chair is knocked backwards and the table he bumps shakes dropping papers and scrolls onto the floor. "I got it!"
Two pairs of eyes look expectantly at Hammun.
Saan stands and walks over to see what his brother is looking at. "This is the Story of Lakia." He shakes his head with a sigh, "she has not been seen or heard of since before the previous king's rule."
The Story of Lakia was very popular. According to records there was a doctor who came from heaven herself. She possessed a wide range of skills, and could bring people back from the dead. Due to her skills the king of the Heahnian kingdom coveted her skills and sent guards to capture her. She was forced to reside in the Heahnian kingdom and teach the physicians all that she knew. Hence Heahnian's advances in medicine. Some say that she withheld information and escaped to another kingdom. The last sighting of her was 6 or 7 Red moons ago.
"Even if we do find her there is no telling if we are searching for a dead body." Saan frowns.
Hammun shakes his head, "No, no she has to be alive. She came from the heavens, Saan." He turns to his brother with wild eyes, "That has to mean something. She can heal our mother. We must find her."
Saan does not respond, his expression is loud enough, It is impossible.
Rushing around the table to Aaleyah, Hammun takes the scroll from her hands and tosses it on the floor. Thrusting the scroll he was holding into her arms, "Aaleyah, we are always of the same mind. You agree with me, right? If we find her she will have the skills to save mother." His desperate tone pleads for Aaleyah to side with him, "Even if it is hard, even if it seems impossible, even if no one has seen or heard from her in generations we have to try, right? We owe it to our mother," his hand shakes, "no, to the kingdom. We owe it to the kingdom to try. The queen must not die." Hammun glances back at his brother behind him, "And I do not say this only because she is our mother. She helps maintain the balance between our kingdom and Trivplah's. If she dies, especially now, before the friendships between kingdoms have a stable foundation everything will fall apart."
Saan pinches the bridge of his nose. His brother will not do it if he does not agree. But if Saan does not agree he fears it will be the last straw for Hammun. For days he has been staying up late and waking early. Hammun has been non-stop studying, reading, researching, looking for doctors, antidotes, medicines, poisons; anything that could help.
Maybe giving him this search will ease his mind. "Alright."
There is banging and thuds outside the door. Saan steps forward and pulls Aaleyah to stand behind him.
Hammun stares at the door in confusion, "Helan is outside, surely there is no one he will struggle against." he says in confusion.
The thuds get louder and then the door opens. Rushing in, dress all white, hair tied up in a bun with a red ribbon. Her face is red with fury, brown eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Seeing her, Saan backs away, slowly positioning himself to stand behind Aaleyah. His thumb and index finger pinching her blue sleeve.
It is understood now why Helan could not hold this person back. Helan is unable to harm this person, the thuds were most likely her trying to open the door and push Helan out of the way. Helan, nervous she would harm herself, had no choice but to move.
Her glistening eyes portray betrayal and anger, "Hammun, how could you?" her voice breaks.
Aaleyah closes her eyes and looks away. Hestia found out.
It was after all, inevitable that Hestia would find out that the queen was not getting better. Hestia, despite her youth, and childlike personality, she is not dumb. Her knowledge and intelligence was high enough for her to study pharmaceuticals.
But Hammun, the man filled with knowledge, a top scholar, his education, something all students of the academy aspired to have; had one fault. He was hopeful.
"Hestia." Hammun whispers her name gravely, "I," at a loss of what to say, "how did you know to come here?"
The moment Hestia hears the question her eyes flash. Hammun's question had the result of slapping a hungry tiger with a slab of meat. "You enjoyed your time not telling me?" Marching towards him, everyone takes steps back, but she moves quickly and slaps Hammun across his face. "Everyday I asked how the queen was doing and you told me I did not have to worry." her chest heaves as she speaks. The anger fading from her eyes and morphing into something else, her tight voice holds back cries. "You had the entire branch of physicians lie to me!" latching onto his clothes, "You had the queen lie to me!" her tears fall and she shakes Hammun back and forth. Then as if she is hit with a sudden reminder she turns with a fury to Aaleyah, "Even you lied to me." she brokenly says. And it is as if saying those words completely breaks her. Hiding her face in Hammun's chest she sobs. Her hands still pounding on his body weakly, her body shaking. Her throat opens and releases a guttural sob.
Aaleyah takes a step forward, her mouth opens to give words of comfort but Hestia's next words leave her at a loss.
"I know I am not really a princess. I know you only want my kingdom for its mines. You only work so hard to make treaties to protect the resources my kingdom's land is rich in." She moves away from Hammun's chest. Her eyes red, face covered in tears, "You do not truly think of me as family. I understand." Pounding at her chest, "It is because I am not trustworthy I understand." Taking swift shallow breaths, "but I swear." More tears fall from her eyes and she backs into a bookshelf behind her, "I promise you that I care about the queen. You can trust me. I want to save her. I am not your enemy." Sinking to the floor, "Please just let me help her." Placing her hands on the ground she bows, her forehead touching the back of her palms, "I will do whatever you wish, please allow me to help her." she sobs.
When Hammun stays rooted in his spot, his legs unmoving, his face a picture of agony; it is Aaleyah who moves. Kneeling on the ground next to Hestia she pulls her up into a hug. "I am sorry. Hestia, Hammun wished to avoid your heartache. He wished to avoid your tears. He did not wish to worry you." moving back, she wipes Hestia's tears. "Your words are untrue. It is not for your kingdom's resources, or mines, that we want you. You are Hestia, such a warm light during a cold winter. Hestia, no one thinks you are not family." she soothes.
Saan slaps the back of Hammun's head, "Say something." he whispers.
Hammun finally seems to melt and kneels on the floor next to Aaleyah, "Hestia," his eyes bore into hers, no words being said.
Knowing when she is no longer needed Aaleyah makes to move out the way, and Saan's hand is there to help her to her feet.
"I was wrong." Hammun states loudly. "I was wrong and I hurt you." Hammun bows to Hestia.
Eyes widening in shock, Hestia rushes to hold Hammun's shoulders up. "You must not bow to me. You can't!"
Holding her small hands in his grasps, "You are to be my wife. I was wrong to hide this from you. I promise you that my only desire was to spare you pain." His eyes scan over her broken face, "I see now that I have done the opposite."
Hestia wipes her tears and rises slowly from the floor. Her legs shake and Hammun reaches out to steady her but she avoids him. Swallowing, she raises her head high. Her red eyes no longer have tears, "No. Prince Hammun will never have to apologize to me." She bows at the waist and rises after 5 seconds. "This subject knows her place, I will teach myself to expect nothing." her betrayal filled eyes meet Aaleyah's "There is nothing within the walls of Aidkjeen kingdom that I have a right to. I humbly apologize for forgetting myself." She refuses to look at Saan, her mind still wrapping around the situation.
No one told her? Yes they live in the palace, yes everyone has their places on the hierarchy, but she stupidly thought they were a family. Foolishly thought that would talk things out together. How wrong she was.
Rising on his knees, "Hestia, you misunderstand me." Hammun tells her.
Hestia bites her bottom lip hard, the taste of blood touches her tongue, "This subject dare not misunderstand the prince." Hestia turns and runs out.
Hammun watches her run out, not following her. Standing, his eyes stare up at the window so he can look out at the night sky.
Dropping a hand on Hammun's shoulder, "You should follow her, convince her that you truly meant no harm." Saan looks down the direction that Hestia ran, "There is a great misunderstanding, only you can make it right."
Hammun stands staring at the window for some time before he turns to face Aaleyah and Saan, a cool expression on his face. "It may be better this way."
Aaleyah says nothing, already aware of how Hammun is thinking. With Hestia angry she will stay away. Thus, stay away from the danger. The one who harmed the queen may still be around, the Stilits are involved, betrayal of neighboring kingdoms is not an impossibility. The princes of Navalvn would do best to be uninvolved in all of it. But in keeping her safe, Hammun is chipping away at their relationship.
Saan disagrees but this is not his place to say, "We will continue the talk of the search for Nakia at a later date." He takes Aaleyah's hand and walks out.
Helan bows, "My apologies, Helan has failed you."
Saan chuckles, "You have done no such thing. You may be skilled, but holding back Hestia is not easy. You did well, I should thank you for ensuring she did not harm herself."
Helan nods and positions himself behind them as they walk down the corridor.
Aaleyah tries to pull her arm free but Saan tightens his hold, "The time of your punishment is not up." Smiling, "You still must stay by my side." he cheekily says.
"It is late, High Prince Saan should sleep." Aaleyah recognizes the path they are going is not towards her chambers but to the garden.
"Is that an order?" he jokes. "If I leave you to sleep you will feel guilt alone and blame yourself for Hestia's pain." he explains. He pulls on her so she walks at his side and not behind him. "Am I wrong princess?"
Aaleyah holds back her pout. The matter with Hestia is not her fault. She knows this, but if someone is to blame, should it not be the person who is able to solve this but doesn't?
Reaching the garden, Helan stays at the entrance as Saan and Aaleyah walk in. Saan motions for her to sit by the pond. "In the library when Hammun was asking you about Nakia, what were you thinking?"
Not expecting the question, she runs her thumb over her nails, "I have heard of Nakia." she says after some thought. "There was a book that Aljehni's were to study."
Saan takes a seat next to her and places his hand in hers.
Twirling the ring on his finger, "According to the legends Nakia is said to have come from the heavens. However, based on my knowledge, she comes from the same place my family comes from. Not Heaven, but a world far away. I personally do not have any relations with Nakia, but if the book is correct, then if I publish a letter in my family's language," she twirls his ring back and forth quickly, "If she is alive she will be able to read it."
"The origin of your family? Your family has been around for a long time. No?" he asks in confusion, how can Nakia and her family be from the same place?
"I am not sure, that book was destroyed."
Hearing these words Saan drops his head bitterly. Hammun and him fought to protect the Aljehni estate, but they were too late to protect everything.
"But from what I know is the Aljehni elders spoke a different language, and came from a different land. When the first Aljehni appeared they looked so different from the people of the previous empire." Aaleyah recalls her elder brother talking to her about this. He had much interest in languages and family history, much more than her at least. "My father and Asbed spent most of their time studying languages. They could find no language similar, and no one who spoke it." her finger taps against Saan's hand, "But if I plead for help maybe Nakia will respond. During the times where my family was searching, they did not need help, it was merely curiosity. Perhaps I can try."
Turning his hand, Saan squeezes her fingers, "We can try." he tells her.
Another week passes and Hestia refuses to speak to anyone. Wait, that is not entirely true. Hestia does speak. In Saan's mind her speech is equal to the annoying degrading vocabulary Aaleyah longs to have. It is, 'this subject', 'as you wish my prince', 'my apologies'. Hestia speaks to everyone with the highest respect, by title only. If she is not given an order from them then she is barely seen.
Hammun told the physicians that they are allowed to speak to Hestia and that is where Hestia has been. She wakes up and heads to the medicinal rooms or the garden. Thus Hammun has been more tense than before.
Aaleyah wrote the letter and Saan passed it through the watchtowers throughout the kingdoms and now all they can do is wait for a response. But they cannot tell Hammun about the letter, for then he will wish to know how Aaleyah knows the language, which will lead to needing to explain information about her family. Saan thus chose the route of, 'If he doesn't ask, we do not need to tell him.'
This in Aaleyah's mind was not very different from what Hammun did with Hestia, but she refuses to say anything. With each passing day the queen seems to grow weaker, and with each passing day the King's gaze lingers on her just a bit longer. Now that her punishment is over she chooses to bide her time at the watchtowers reviewing the messages in search of a sign that Nakia is out there.
Hammun with his mother ill, his fiancee not speaking to him, has grabbed his mind to focus on something else. His brother. Or more specifically what his mother said about his brother's wife. 'Aaleyah must trust her instincts. She is wiser than she believes.' Hammun never got the chance to ask his mother what she meant by that, and with his father always at his mother's side after court, he has not gotten a quiet moment.
Which leads to why he has been following his elder brother everywhere. A shadow that Helan is not sure how to deal with.
Saan, having enough with following stops by the balcony overlooking the kingdom, turns to face his brother with a bemused expression. "What is it that you wish to say Hammun? Or is your plan to follow me to the baths as well?" Resting his back on the wall next to the window, "Ask your questions and stop following me everywhere." he orders.
Stepping out of the shadows, Hammun rests on the opposite side of the window. "Is there something I do not know?"
Narrowing his eyes with a grin, "There is plenty you do not know, which would you like to discuss?"
Hammun rolls his eyes, leave it to his brother to be difficult. "About Aaleyah?" he specifies.
Tilting his head, Saan's grin grows wider, "Once again there is plenty of information about my wife that you are unaware of."
Groaning, "That is not the information I am talking about and you know it."
Relaxing, Saan sits on the windowsill, "What is it you wish to ask?"
"The night mother had fallen ill she told me to tell Aaleyah to follow her heart. That Aaleyah had more power than she thought." As he speaks his eyes study his brother's face for any signs of awareness, but his brother maintains his listening face. His sly smile from teasing him is still there.
Saan scratches his head, "I also believe that my wife is more powerful than she believes. I too believe she should follow her heart, instead she follows her brain and tortures herself with thoughts she should not hold." His smile shifts into a firm line.
Hammun hums, "But why would mother specifically speak of Aaleyah during those moments?" Hammun had spent days thinking about this. Their time in the library he watched Aaleyah closely, but he found nothing amiss.
"What answer would you like me to give you Hammun?" Saan moves off the wall, "You have known Aaleyah for a long time, why do you think mother would make a note to mention Aaleyah?" Saan asks with no intention of giving information.
Hammun sighs, he was aware the conversation would go like this. As long as Hammun asks broad questions, his brother will give broad answers. "Aaleyah," he says again, aware of the focus his brother gives at the mention of her name, "One wonders if mother believes that she has a way of saving her. She said that Aaleyah should trust her instincts and follow her heart." Tilting his head in thought, "I am aware that Aaleayh does not always follow her heart, but her instincts have always been deadly sharp." Making direct eye contact he stands opposite of his brother, "So I ask you, does Aaleyah have a way of saving the queen? And if she does, then why is she not doing it?"
Saan chuckles and pats his brother's shoulder, "It is no secret that the Aljehni family was powerful. You and I are aware that Aaleyah has gone through much tragedy. The Stilits have a painful connection to her." His smile fades, "But I can assure you. Aaleyah loves the queen, she loves the Aidkjeen kingdom. If she is able she will do all she can to keep both safe." Dropping his hand it lands on the hilt of his sword, "Perhaps mother wished to ensure that Aaleyah would not sacrifice herself."
Hammun takes in that statement and recalls the moment that his mother spoke to him. His brother's words are true, when his mother spoke, her eyes pled for Hammun to relay the message. He did not. Instead he pondered over the words looking for a deeper meaning to them. He cannot help it, the words, Aaleyah's movements, it somehow feels like there is something in front of them that he is somehow not seeing.
"Speaking of Aaleyah," he straightens up his posture, "after our harsh punishment of staying by her side it seems awry if I do not see her often in a day. It is time I return to her." with that Saan waves and walks off to the library.
Hammun watches his brother walk off. Maybe it would be best to just ask Aaleayh his questions, but with Saan by her side Hammun is sure he will not get a fair chance.
Walking down the corridor Helan reports that Aaleyah is in the library, so making a left he asks a passing servant to bring tea.
Inside the library he does not see her, but he can vaguely hear the moving of books. Looking down the aisles he finally finds Aaleyah sitting in the third aisle on the floor.
Aaleyah has the top of her hair tied up with a blue hair comb, the back of her hair racing down her back. She sits cross legged, two scrolls lay open at her side, and in her hand is a painting.
"If you allowed me to leave Helan's 2nd in command with you he would be able to carry the books to the table so you would not have to sit on the floor." he muses.
Aaleyah rolls up the picture and places it back on the shelf just above her head. "This one is not sure what she is looking for. It is only after seeing it myself this one can know."
Squatting down Saan moves her hair that has slid to the front and moves it back in place. Looking down so he can see the scroll on the floor next to her, "You are reading up on your own family history?" he asks dumbfounded. "The books from your family's library record more information than anything the royal palace library has."
Aaleyah hums her agreement. She was not originally looking at her family history. She was looking if there were any books on languages. But upon seeing a scroll about Aljehni's bloodline she grew curious. How does the world perceive her family? Thus with her interest piqued she found herself researching her own family.
The scroll was missing huge chunks of information. There is nothing stated on twins. Despite Aaleyah knowing herself that twins are a common trait in her family. In fact, every Aljehni born with the power to control the stone is stated to have a twin. It is a must.
After sitting on the floor studying for so long she began to wonder if the missing information is accidental or purposefully omitted.
Saan sits across from her and motions to the scroll on her left. "Have you finished reading this one?" he asks.
Pulling out a different scroll on the Dlumaeni bloodline she glances at him with a small smile.
Taking the scroll Saan reads out loud. "Havil Aljehni world renowned scholar, founder of the School of Ahlin. Married Aminah Medes at the age of 18." he whistles, "Your father found his love quite early, he spent 1 Red and 8 Blue moons before deciding that your mother was too amazing to leave alone in this world." he tells her with a smile.
Yes, but they only spent 2 Red and Blue moons together before dying. If her father knew his fate would he have still married her mother?
Yes. He would have. Her family believed in fate, as well as love. Her father would have told her that as long as the sun shines, as long as the wind blows in the sky; then regardless of pain he shall walk the path the heavens give him.
Staring at the scroll in her hand her eyes read the names, King Saamun. The name alone fills her heart with cold heat. She can recall the moment she raced to the palace in search of the high prince. Following her father's order. Believing in the royal family. Unaware of the betrayal mankind could give.
A part of her should be grateful for the events that happened the day she ran from her manor to the palace. For if not for that day she would have blindly trusted in the king. Blindly trusted in Saan's grandfather.
"Saan! Saan!" Aaleyah screamed his name as she reached the palace back gate.
The guards recognized the horse, but had to look twice to confirm the rider was in fact the youngest female Aljehni.
They opened the palace gates and Aaleyah raced through. Her beautiful yellow silks had been tainted brown with blood.
Luckily Saan and Hammun were playing by the back gates, practicing their sword skills. As he heard his name Saan turned and the vision of Aaleyah he was met with had him drop his sword as he raced to meet her.
Her black hair was a mes, wet with water. No, it was blood that sat on her braids. Her arms were also covered in blood, the sleeves of her dress were sliced open. Saan had never seen so much blood on a person before. But, still what halted the words in his throat were Aaleyah's eyes. Her golden orbs shone with tears. Her expression, desperate, broken, and hopeless.
Aaleyah jumped off the horse into Saan's arms, "Saan you have… you, find your father. You have to get the guards. You have to help!" she screeched. "You have to," her hand gripped Saan's arm tightly, she turned to stare at Hammun, "Hammun, Saan, please help me!" Her tears fell, "Please help my family." She looked behind the two boys, "Where is your father! We have to go back. We have to help. Zale! Please, Dharam was, Dharam was, my parents," her head shook quickly left and right, "There was so much blood, they came so," she sucked in a breath, "Please get your father." she beseeched them.
Hearing Aaleyah's cries, Hammun immediately set off to find his father, with a yell, "Look after Aaleyah!" to his brother. The two guards followed after Hammun quickly.
Hammun moved as fast as he could. Last he heard his father was talking to his grandfather in the King's court. The meeting should be over now, so if he is lucky he can get his dad and his grandfather! Rounding the corner he slipped on water left on the floor. One of the servants was moving a plant, and the trail of water had not yet been cleaned up.
"Prince Hammun, are you alright?" One of the guards moved to help Hammun up.
Shaking the pain away Hammun forced himself to stand ignoring the pain and continued to race down the hall to see his father.
Hammun could hear his father speaking softly to one of the guards before he could see him. "Father! Father!" he yelled, coming around the corner. Hammun raced into his father, head banging against his chest. "Father, you have to call the guards. The Aljehni family is under attack. Aaleyah just came and she is, she is," his body was shaking.
Placing both hands on his son's arms, "Calm yourself Hammun. Speak slowly, what is going on. Tell me everything." High Prince Hammaan, spoke in a soothing voice alieving some of his son's worries.
Hammun took two quick breaths, "Aaleyah came to the palace. She said her family is in danger and asked that I find you and get the guards to go to her manor and help. She was covered in blood, she looked like death. Everyone is in danger. You have to get the guards, we have to help them." Behind his father Hammun could see the duke.
How lucky Hammun was, he bumped into his father and the duke, together they would be able to save Aaleyah's family.
High Prince Hammaan rose to his full height and turned to Duke Majidi, "Assemble the guards, we will move out to the Aljehni manor as soon as possible." he ordered. Holding his son's hand, "We will get to them." he assured his son.
Still by the gate she raced through, Aaleyah fought to get out of Saan's arms. "We have to get the guards. We have to get to Dharam."
"Hammun is getting my father. Leyah, tell me what happened." he pleaded. "Tell me so that I can understand."
Aaleyah shook her head fervently, her eyes a daze on the back gate, "We have to find the guards. We have to go back. I have to go back. They continued to attack." she began to mutter to herself, "They continued to come. They are still there, I left them. I left them all. I left them alone. How could I do that?" She started to laugh, "and I call myself an Aljehni? I left them all." Then hearing her own words she hit the side of her head, "No, they will be fine. Everything will be fine, we will save them, the high prince will save him." Her attention is pulled away at the commotion from the gate. Despite her racing thoughts, her eyes never left the gate. So when the group of men came with swords pulled unsheathed, brown masks covering their faces, she was the first to spot them.
Saan heard the footfalls and turned around. The amount of men had to be close to 8 or 10. Where were the palace guards? How could they just allow them to enter?
Saan held Aaleyah's hand tightly in his own. He positioned himself in front of her. Not that it helped, she was taller than him and was still able to scan each and every person that broke through the palace gate.
The brown gate swung back and forth on its hinges, as it swung, Aaleyah could see the black boots of one of the palace guards in an odd angle on the ground. He was dead.
Aaleyah pulled Saan to step backwards towards the entrance to the palace.
One of the armed men sheathed his sword and took slow careful steps, "Young prince," he spoke with mock respect, "This does not concern you. We only want the girl."
The group of men slowly formed a half circle around Aaleyah and Saan.
As they backed up Saan stepped on something. Looking down it was the sword he was training with earlier. Quickly he bent down to pick it up, "I am Prince Saan from the house of Dlumaeni." He tried to speak in the same way his father spoke when he was commanding officers. "Leaders of the Aidkjeen kingdom, and I demand you drop your swords." His hand was behind his back, clutching Aaleyah's, "Leave before you are tried for treason."
The guards they were training with left after Hammun. Saan was supposed to be safe, surrounded by the guards who were guarding the gate. Unfortunately they were dead. Saan could feel Aaleyah's hand clutching his tightly, her nails embedding themselves into a skin. An imprint that would take days to heal from.
The leader of the group laughed. "Young majesty of the Dlumaeni family, you lack knowledge of worldly affairs." He spread his arms wide to motion to the men he brought with him, "Unfortunately we lack the time to educate you. There is too much at stake." He chuckles at the display of protection the youthful prince portrayed, "Just give us the girl, no one has to get hurt, young highness."
Standing at only one Red and three moons old, those two children would be no match for the group of men. One man thought the use of a sword would be too much of a hassle; sheathed it. To have to pull out a sword against a child was a mockery to his skills. No sooner had the hilt of his sword left his hand a dagger had hit him in the chest.
As he fell to the floor all eyes turned to the girl positioned behind Saan.
Aaleyah had thrown the dagger. Aaleyah had killed someone.
A fight ensued, all the Stilits rushed to grab Aaleyah. This was not what they had expected, no one was supposed to die but her.
Saan motioned for Aaleyah to run and they were almost to the door when one of the men spoke. "Very rarely do I see twins, I wonder if you will bleed the way your brother did." he sneered, a cocky grin appearing on his face when he knew he won, the young Aljehni could no longer leave.
Aaleyah's steps faltered, her golden eyes turned, and for the first time in Saan's life he saw an anger in them he never knew she was able to have.
Closer to the gate, one Stilit pulled out his bow and shot an arrow, it exploded a red insignia in the blue sky.
High Prince Hammaan stood confused when Duke Majidi made no motion to heed his orders. "Must I repeat myself? Send a team to the Aljehni estate at once." he repeated, suddenly aware of the guards' grim expressions.
One fist over his heart, Duke Majidi bowed, "My apologies, High Prince Hammaan, you no longer have the power to move palace troops." He motioned for the guards to return to their stations, "Thus we are unable to follow your orders." he explained with a grave expression.
High Prince Hammaan's eyes widened in pained understanding, his father did not ask for the Leaf Token by chance.
The Leaf Token allowed the holder to move troops in and out of the palace as if it was the king's orders. When High Prince Hammaan was bestowed the honor, he always made sure to have it on him when entering the king's court. Earlier his father asked for it, and Hammaan, thinking nothing of it, gave it to him. Now that he is without the token the troops will not listen to him. Conveniently the Aljehni's experienced danger at a time where he was powerless.
Hammun had not pieced things together at the speed his father had, "My father is the high prince, of course you have to listen to him." he stubbornly turned to his father's trusted guard Izad, "My father has always been in command of guards, surely you can trust him today." he pleaded.
Izad could only look away from Prince Hammun's hopeful face.
High Prince Hammaan squeezed his son's hand, "Enough, we must get to your brother." It took some urging but Hammun finally gave up on the guards and led his father back to where Saan and Aaleyah were.
Hammaan glanced throughout the palace, there were multiple stations without a guard. He could confirm thoughts had been having for moons. The Stilits had been in the capital the entire time. They were born in the palace.
Aaleyah's dagger flew, slicing the arm of the men near her. She was fast and agile, flipping through the group of Stilits retrieving her daggers from the body of the first man she killed and the one from the floor to use again.
Saan swung his sword, desperately recalling the tips he was taught. He calmed his breaths, and moved with his sword. He could see Aaleyah from the corner of his eye, she moved so quickly that he almost missed her. "Run!" he urged her.
"I will not leave you." she grunted, as she kicked a man on his ear.
One of the Stilits chuckled, "Little Aljehni you will not be leaving at all. Your family must pay for its crimes."
When Aaleyah moved to help Saan who was fighting off 2 men by himself, she was pulled back by her hair.
The man who grabbed her was heavily built, and when he swung his arm Aaleyah flew to the ground. As he aimed his sword in the air Saan yelled with a vengeance.
Taking one of the blades in his hand, he gripped it tight and yanked it away from him. His sword swung at the other man and he rushed to block the swing aimed at Aaleyah.
Hammun and his father raced out the palace door just in time to see the blade slice the back of Saan's neck and shoulder.
Aaleyah's arms wrapped tightly around Saan and she forced them to roll away before the blade could cut deeper. "Saan!" She pushed down on the wound to stop the bleeding. But her hand was too small to cover the entire cut.
Lifting himself on his knees, his hand pushed down on top of hers. His vision dizzy from the hit "It alright. I am fine."
Aaleyah threw her dagger with perfect aim killing the man who harmed Saan.
Hammaan pulled out his blade, "Attacking Dlumaeni blood is punishable by death. Allow me to be your executioner." he menaced.
The leader smirked, "You may enact your punishment, but it is the king's orders we followed. Even if we die, that fact remains."
With perfect timing 20 more men raced through the gate.
Hammaan held back his aggravation and threw his sheathe to the ground, "Then I will deal with it after you die." He moved quickly, his feet racing across the ground, bare feet running on jagged rocks did not slow him down. With one swing on his blade the leader was dead.
Behind Hammaan he could hear the footfalls of guards and all he could do was look towards the heavens. 'Havil, I am sorry. I do not think I will be able to protect your daughter.'
Saan breathed a sigh of relief, along with Hammun. Now that the guards were here it was all over. He watched as they pulled their blades and his heart turned cold when they aimed it at his father. "High Prince Hammaan, drop your weapon. Aaleyah Aljehni is under arrest for treason. To side with her is to commit treason as well."
Izad walked towards the front of the guards, "High Prince Hammaan," he called out in aggrievement, "This is not a battle anyone will win."
Duke Majidi aimed his sword, "It is the king's orders."
Aaleyah watched in shock as the palace guards fought against the high prince. Her father told him he would protect her. Her father told her he would get the guards. Her father told her that the high prince could help her family.
Tears fell from her eyes as the fight drained from her body. She could feel a guard wrap a hand around her arm, ripping her out of Saan's hold. She could only scream in desperation as her worldview shattered.
Aaleyah traces her finger across King Saamun's name on the scroll. Then her eyes move up to sneak a peek at Saan. His grandfather knew nothing about the stone, and he still attacked her family. His jealousy of the Aljehni power led to the death of her entire family. Every move she makes is watched. Saan is right when he says she keeps to the shadows. Too terrified to accidentally gain too much power. For there is nothing more terrifying than the jealousy of men in power.
When she returned to the palace Aaleyah had decided to ensure Saan be the one in the spotlight. Ensure Hammun is the one the political world looks to. But the events of the past moon are forcing Aaleyah to wonder if the shadows are where she should stay. She has an obligation to her people, to her family.
Shaking her head she rolls up the scrolls around her.
Saan rises from his spot on the floor and helps her clean up silently.
Aaleyah thanks him and hesitates when Saan reaches out his hand to her.
Aaleyah stares at his strong hand, outstretched waiting for her to take it. How can she ensure he is the only one seen with power if he is so determined to make her his equal? Taking his hand she pats it twice before dropping it and walking away.
Saan sighs, looking after her retreating figure, "I will make the world a place you need not fear Leyah. I promise." he vows to himself.