Havil leaves the palace, his face deep in thought. When he went to the king's court this morning he had hoped to resolve tensions by offering scholars who he knew the king trusted to take over the academy. Instead that all backfired, whenever the king hears about the academy his eyes fill with annoyance and rage.
Havil thought himself to be a patient man. He was not quick to anger, and knew the art of lying in wait to obtain prey.
Herom had his own team of troops that followed him. They all worked under Duke Majidi and were given their positions. Duke Majidi had offered Herom the position of captain numerous times and Herom denied it. Not because he thought he was not worthy of the job, but he did not wish to add more stress to his father's position in court. Instead he took the job of an instructor and trained the guards in the military, the top guards were the ones who received the positions in the palace.
The king hated that.
Troops were being assembled to protect the borders from rioters. It was not a big problem as of yet, there was a fire and many crops were destroyed. The villages and smaller cities on the outskirts of the kingdom were going hungry, which was leading to riots. The emergency funds are not making it to the people because of the greedy hands it must pass to get there. Aminah personally sent her own grains and purchased grains from other merchants, she used her own troops to send the resources to the people easing the tensions.
The troops that were being assembled only had to go and help pass out the reserves, not go and kill. The people in the villages were happy. The people in the smaller cities were happy. The king was unhappy.
Havil sat in the carriage that would take him to the academy. His son will forever be unable to accept a higher position. His wife's military achievements were only casting a dark shadow over the family. Not to mention his own actions.
The very academy he goes to is becoming his own downfall. Havil was too blind to see it Blue moons ago. Accepting the academy was a trap. If he failed he would have lost his position, but if he succeeded like he has now, the king still had plans on using it against him.
After the banquet a week ago Hammaan sent a secret letter that he is not to speak to him in public. Until tensions ease with his father it is best they stay professional in the eyes of others. That was the only reason he was not punished for his daughter's words.
The carriage arrived at the academy and Havil stepped out. Staring up at the entrance gates he sighed. Students greeted him and walked in and out of the entrance. For his students, for the future scholars of the nation Havil has to find a way back into the king's graces.
Kemal rose from his seat, "Lord Aljehni." he greeted biting his tongue to hold his excitement.
"Kemal, there are no classes." Havil says, making his way to his table. Because graduation was soon, the seniors did not have classes for the week leading up to the exam. The exam would determine what positions they could take. Of course the highest scores allowed for opportunities to enter the king's court.
Kemal stood in position, his hands poised nervously at his sides. "This student came to greet Lord Aljehni."
Pouring a cup of tea, "I have been greeted." Havil motioned for his disciple to sit, "Have a seat and tell me what it is you want? Surely you do not wish to ask about the upcoming exam questions."
Kemal chuckled nervously, "No, the student has learned his lesson. I will study without any tricks."
"Good. Then what is it you need."
Kemal sat and refilled Havil's empty tea cup. "Does Scholar Aljehni think me to be a good man?"
Hearing the sudden questions Havil set his tea cup down. "A good man?" he repeated. "You have taken the position of my disciple, you tell me. Is my disciple a good man?"
Kemal cleared his throat and doused the tea cup in one gulp. "As Scholar Aljehni knows, I, Kemal Adel is 2 Red moons."
Havil exhaled air through his nose, now he knows where this conversation is going. Why the sudden switch from Lord Aljehni to scholar Aljehni has happened.
Kemal continued, "My family is one of scholars. We do not hold the same power your family does, we come from the city of Tamon. It is far away from the capital city, and if this one does not obtain a position in the capital it is where I will return." Kemal rose on his knees, "However, my family has the funds to help others. We own plenty of land, we have a clean reputation. I have studied further than my father and uncles, and my family believes my future position will be high and one to be proud of."
Havil nodded, agreeing with Kema;s assessment of himself.
"At my age there are many things a man must do." Kemal's hands tightened into fists, "A man must fulfill his education, he must prove he can provide for a future family, then he must," Kamel took a deep breath, "then he must find the one he wishes to marry."
"And you believe you have found her?" Havil asked, "Does your family know about this?" he asked. Although it did not matter, no one would frown at the union.
Kemal broke into a smile, "My father encouraged me to to speak to her elder, and ask for an opportunity to court her." he told Havil happily.
"How many times have you met my daughter?" Havil asked, cutting to the heart of the conversation.
"I have spoken to her once, but I have known of her since I came to the capital." Kemal rushed to explain. "The day I arrived in the capital I was lost and could not find my way to the academy, thus I stopped at a tea shop to think. It was there that Lady Amenah, she," Kemal paused, not sure if he should say what she was doing. Did her father know of her actions those Blue moons ago? When Kemal saw her she was fighting thieves and aided guards in arresting them. She fought them without using her sword, twirling on her feet avoiding their swings. She was agile, swift, and terrifying. "She took my breath away."
"I see." Havil sighed and drank some tea, "You wish to marry her? Is she fond of you?" Havil asked. His family moved and thought in a different way from others. He had no intentions of forcing marriage upon his children, if his eldest daughter did not wish to marry Kamel then he would deny the offer.
Kemal waved his hands, "No of course not."
"Sit comfortably." Havil ordered.
Kemal sat on the cushion, "This student only asks to court her, that is all." He dropped his hand on the table, "I am not sure if she is fond of me." he admitted.
Havil recalled Hammaan's words, marry his children off and send them away to protect them. Tamon was not too far away that he would never see his daughter again, but it was far enough away that the king may forget her. "Come to dinner tonight." Havil ordered as he stood, "My wife and I will decide then."
Kemal's smile was bright enough to light up the room.
Aaleyah snuggled in the chair, using a pillow to hold the book up. "Seven generations have passed and the Dlumaeni's and Aljehni's lived in peace. The war 15 Red moons ago established a friendship that has not been broken since. If not for the war the two families would have bloody hands." Aaleyah sighed loudly and threw her head back on the chair. I want to practice my skills from concealed weaponry! She screamed in her mind.
She had been reading the same page for 10 minutes and each time got distracted, and forgot what she was reading. Aaleyah smacked the book on her forehead. From what she gathered the Aljehni family and the Dlumaeni family were enemies, then there was a war and they became friends and now they live happily ever after. Groaning, but why were there still so many more pagers left! Aaleyah huffed and forced herself to focus on the words in the book once more. She promised her father she would finish by the time he came home.
Two hands slowly reached from outside the window towards Aaleyah. Then faster than a rabbit, the two hands grabbed the book out of her hands.
Rising from the seat Aaleyah grabbed his arms and dragged him inside through the window. "Zale! Idiot, give it back." she ordered.
Zale held the book high above his head out of her reach, "Answer me a question first." he said laughing at his twin jumping in an attempt to grab the book. "We are twins, we are supposed to be, and seem, and look the same. If I am the moon you are the ocean waves. If I am the lyre, then you are the musician." He sighed as if he was being inconvenienced and switched the book to his left hand, "So how is it you are so short? I mean, it is as if your body gave up growing this Blue moon." he teased. "Ow!!" Zale went to kick Aaleyah away but he had his shoes on and could not, instead he tried to elbow her in the side.
"Give it back Zale!" Aaleyah ordered again, "If father finds out I did not read the book I am going to get into trouble."
Pushing her away from him, "That is not my fault, that is your future punishment that awaits you. How about you stop by the temple of Osiris and see if he can take a break growing crops and help you grow instead."
Screaming internally Aaleyah pushed her brother, "You are a head taller than me, big deal. Height is not everything, you are still stupid!" She pushed him again but Zale was unaffected.
"Small and weak, no wonder you have to be the Aljehni Head instead." No sooner had the words left his mouth did he instantly regret them. His twin's eyes filled with unshed tears. Her face tightened into anger.
Spinning on her leg Aaleyah rammed her foot into her brother's stomach throwing him back, if not for the edge of the chair catching his side Zale would have been thrown into the wooden table.
Zale fell to the floor dropping the book. The regret he felt for his words instantly dissipated, "Oww! Ley Ley you always have to take it too far." he attempted to yell, but the wind had been knocked out of his lungs and instead he rasped catching his breath.
Aaleyah marched to her brother and ripped the book off the floor. Her anger at her brother's words had not faded, but the wounded expression on his face lessened her glare. "I did not mean to kick you that hard." she apologized.
"But you meant to kick me!"
"I meant to kick you!"
"You meant to hurt me?"
"You hurt me first!"
"I never touched you!"
"Your words were enough!"
Aaleyah smoothed the pages of the book, "You claim to be my twin, is that why you know the words that hurt me the most? Do you have fun knowing you can do everything I want to!" she screamed in anger.
"You blame me? It is not my fault. Why must I take the anger for what I could never control?" Zale yelled back. His face mere breaths away from Aaleyah's.
The tears in Aaleyah's eyes made her golden orbs glisten, "No. I do not blame you for the position of Aljehni Head. I blame you for dancing in the waves of my pain! What brother do you claim to be? You purposefully took up music instead of taking the last classes with me. You purposefully abandoned me. You will continue to abandon me as time goes on. You are going to continue the path of a scholar and what," she refused to allow her tears to fall, "leave me to walk by myself? I am not the one who always takes things too far, you are! You are the one who never thinks about other feelings than your own!"
Zale pushed Aaleyah away, "How dare you!" he screamed back. "I never care? How could you ask that?" he asked, astonished at his twin's words. "Do you know how long I have wanted to play the lyre? Do you know how long I have secretly wished to hear music? To go to the shows and hear them play, to write my own music, to feel my fingers strum the strings. Do you know how long I have craved it!" He pushed her again and again until her back hit the wall. "All you see is your own trouble, you never see mine!" he shouted back.
Aaleyah laughed in anger, "What are you talking about? Zale is still able to do everything he wants." she mocked.
Zale ripped the book out of Aaleyah's hands and threw it as hard as he could to the opposite wall, "The twin of the Aljehni Head must be her protector!" he raged, his face hot with anger, "You think you are losing your dream? I will never be able to travel and play music because I have to spend my life dedicated to you!"
Aaleyah could feel her anger chipping back at Zale's words.
Amenah lifted both twins by the ear, "That is enough yelling." she gritted pulling them towards her.
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow!" Both twins yelled, "Let go of my ear!" they shouted in sync.
Pulling harder, "You still dare to yell?" she moved her face close to theirs, "Are you at the stadium? Have you been raised by farmers? How dare you scream at the top of your lungs in the manor?"
"Ow, ow, Amenah mother said you are not allowed to do this anymore." Zale cried out.
Amenah laughed, her eyes shadowed with a threatening glint, "You dare threaten me?" she asked calmly, her smile sending shivers down both twin's spines
"You punish us for yelling, but where is your punishment for violence?" Aaleyah challenged.
"It is with the book Zale threw across the room." Amenah answered.
Zale's face blanched, "How did you know it was me?"
"You just told me?" Amenah lowered her hands but still did not release their ears, "This disagreement you both have with each other was one that was waiting to happen, but you do not need to scream it. Do you think I have nothing else to do but listen to you bicker?"
"We were not arguing." Zale lied.
"Yes, we were just talking loudly." Aaleyah agreed.
Amenah chuckled and glanced at Aaleyah, "You may be destined to become the Aljehni Head," she moved her gaze to Zale, "and you the Head's Protector," she shifted her gaze between the both of them, "but do you know what I am?"
The twins remained silent for a moment. As far as they knew their eldest sister did not have any destined positions.
"The oldest sister." Amenah answered, pulling their ears again, "So as long as you live I will be there to ensure you walk a fine, silent line."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch." Aaleyah whined.
"Please let go, we are sorry." Zale begged.
Dharam marched in, "Amenah how long will you bully them for?" he asked, taking a seat on the chair Aaleyah was in. "I have something to tell you." he told her in a sing-song voice.
Seeing the familiar playful gaze in her twin's eyes, Amenah dropped her sibling's ears. Turning her attention to Dharam, "What is it?" She ignored Zale and Aaleyah who immediately ran off. Making her way towards him, "Are you not supposed to be at academy?"
Dharam waved his hand, "Never mind that. I was leaving class-"
"So early? Does father know? You continue to skip lessons when he finds out you will be punished."
Rubbing his face, "Heavens Mei mei do you want to know what I heard or not?" he asked, feeling brother by his twin's questions.
Sitting on the arm of the chair next to her brother, "Fine, tell me."
Dharam crossed his arms, "Guess the topic first." he teased.
Rolling her eyes, "Class?"
"No."
"Weapons?"
"Nope."
Amenah rubbed her thumb over her nails as she thought, "Is it about our family?"
Dharam grinned, his face buzzing with excitement, "Correct."
Amenah grinned, "Is it about Herom? Is he going to accept the position as captain?" she asked excitedly.
Dharam rolled his eyes, "Of course not. This news is about you."
Her eyes lit up, "About me?" she pushed Dharam's shoulders, "I have no more patience tell me what you know." she told him.
Allowing himself to be shaken back and forth Dharam snickered, "My twin has an admirer." he confessed.
Resting back on the chair, "Your twin has plenty, I am beautiful." she deadpanned.
Dharam scoffed, "This one is different, he went to father first. It seems there is someone who hopes to court you."
Amenah stood from her seat, "Someone wishes to court me?" her mouth dropped open. She opened and closed her mouth, failing the first few attempts to speak. "Who?"
Dharam rose from his seat and stretched, relishing in his twin's curiosity. "Ow!" he exclaimed when Amenah kicked him in the shin. "Must you resort to violence? Were you not reprimanding our sibling about this being the wrong way to behave?"
Amenah scoffed, "There is a man who wishes to court me for marriage and you are refusing to tell me who. Who is it?"
There was a gasp and Aaleyah dropped the book she came to retrieve back on the floor. "I heard nothing!" she yelled frantically grabbing the book and racing off.
Asbed poked his head in the open window, "Amenah is going to get married?" he asked in disbelief.
Amenah rolled her eyes, "Nothing ever stays a secret in this place." Moving her attention to Asbed who ran around the house to the front door, "No I am not getting married." she told him.
"Oh?" Dharam raised a brow, "How can you be so sure? You do not know who this young gentleman is." he teased.
Asbed moved his head back and forth, "Married." he whispered in shock. "WHen you marry does that mean you will leave the manor?" He shook his head, "You cannot leave Menah." Asbed clung to his sister's sleeve.
"Asbed I am not getting married." she promised him.
"She might." Dharam chuckled, "There are only good things to say about this man. His reputation precedes him, most women in the capital would love to marry him." Dharam tapped his chin.
Asbed shook his head, "No! You must not marry. When women marry they leave their homes and join another family. You can not leave me Menah. The twins will bully me without you here." he cried in fear.
Ignoring Asbed's complaints, "If there are many women in the capital who wish to take his hand in marriage then he can just marry one of them."
Dharam snorted, "Already jealous and you do not know who he is"
"Then just tell me!" Amenah ordered her twin, but he only gave her a teasing look.
"But I am having so much fun teasing you." he stated with a nonchalant expression that infuriated Amenah.
"How is this for teasing?" she raised her foot to kick Dharam when Herom walked in.
Grabbing his sister's arm with one hand, Herom pinched Dharam's ear with the other, "What did we say about violence in the house?" Herom glanced at Asbed's hopeless expression, "What is going on? What did you two do to Asbed?"
Asbed covered his face in horror as he sank to the floor. "Amenah is going to get married. She is going to leave us." he whispered aloud.
All siblings stared at Asbed's dramatics.
Herom dragged both twins to the other room before releasing them, "Tell me. Everything. Now. leave nothing out." he ordered.
Amenah crossed her arms, "Yes leave nothing out Dharam." she ordered
Dharam rolled his eyes and went to push Amenah but Herom's death glare stopped him. With a sigh, "Fine, I was only joking anyway." he muttered.
Gasping in disbelief, "You lied?" Amenah exclaimed.
"I did not lie, I just meant that-"
"You just said you were joking!"
"I was joking but not about-"
"So you did lie!" Amenah shouted.
"Enough." Herom clapped his hands once loudly. "Dharam start from the beginning, Amenah no interrupting."
"Yeah Amenah." Dharam repeated in a teasing tone. Herom kicked him, 'Ow. you said no violence in the house!" Dharam complained.
"Do as I say, not as I do." was Herom's cold response.
Scoffing, "Then I am not telling anything. You can all figure it out on your own." Dharam argued.
Amenah gestured to Dharam, "See! He deserves to get hit."
"Maybe you are correct Mei mei, no one will want to marry you." he argued.
"Both of you stop talking." Herom ordered with a look of exasperation.
Both twins pouted and refused to look at each other.
"Now, Dharam tell me what happened." Herom asked calmly.
"You told me to be quiet now, you want me to speak?" he muttered, but with a huff fessed up. "Father has invited a senior from academy home for dinner."
Amenah crossed her arms but refused to speak under Herom's watchful eyes.
"The senior invited asked father's permission to court Menah." Dharam continued.
Herom nodded, so it began. With all the tension within the capital it is no surprise that father will begin sending children away. With this logic, Chiara has one Blue moon left before she too is married and sent away from the capital.
Amenah watches her brother's look of understanding, "No, no Dharam still has not said anything." Motioning to her twin, "Who is the senior?"
No longer having fun, "Kemal Adel." he answered and then walked away.
Amenah's jaw dropped, the senior from the other day? But they had just met! Is that not moving too fast?
"With a guest coming for dinner make the proper arrangements." Herom told Amenah.
Aaleyah sat on a cushion in father's study attempting to read the book again. She finished the horrendous chapter on the Aljehni mark, which was a bit more interesting than the current chapter on history.
The Aljehni mark was given to the female twin, one in every generation. Born with a tattoo that was inked with magic. The male twin was also connected to the stone. As the protector, he could make one wish without unlocking the stone. As long as the wish came from the heart, and as long as the male twin was touching the female twin, he could wish for anything without anyone knowing but them. There were some confusing paragraphs about blood from the heart needed to make the wish which confused Aaleyah deeply. To get blood from the heart would mean that the male twin had to be at death's door as he made the wish. In that case why make it?
Zale waltzed into the study, "Are you almost finished reading?" he asked with a bored expression on his face.
"I certainly would not be in here if I was." was her witty response.
Sitting on the floor opposite of her, "If possible please hurry up." He sprawled out on the floor, "I am bored. Asbed is going around like his world has ended. Roset is planting rocks and Dharam and Herom are training."
"And Amenah?" Aaleyah asked, remembering what she heard earlier.
Zale shuddered, "Do not even get me started. She has been running around preparing the manor for a guest tonight." He huffed, "I am so bored." he whined.
Aaleyah nodded, "Why not play the lyre?" she offered.
Zale shook his head, "Then Amenah will be made aware that I am not doing anything. She will force me to help get the manor ready." He rolled his body to face Aaleyah, "What are you reading about?"
"This chapter is Dlumaeni and Aljehni history," Aaleyah waved her hand, "But the previous chapter was interesting. It was about Aljehni twins." She leaned across the table, "The female twin is always the only one born with the tattoo."
Zale interrupts her, "We know that already, that is why at 1 Red moon old everyone has to get one." He lifted his left wrist where the tattoo of the stone sat.
"I know but did you know as my twin you are connected to the stone too?" she asked.
Zale sat up, "What do you mean? I thought because you have the tattoo you are the one who can unlock its power."
Aaleyah nodded, "Yes, but from what I read you have more power."
"More?"
Aaleyah nodded, "You can make a wish without unlocking the stone." She excitedly told her twin. "My power has to do with the physical stone. I can always locate it, I always know where it is. And if ever unlocked I will be able to connect to its spirit, knowing the wishing it grants." She smiled, "But you, Zale you do not need any of that." she pointed at his chest, "I am not sure of all the details but you can make a wish without even touching the stone."
His golden eyes widened, "Really? That is so cool."
"I know. You are amazing." she complimented.
"So how does it work?" Zale asked, no longer bored.
Aaleyah sat back and flipped open the book, "That is the part I do not really understand. So I will read it to you and you tell me what you think, alright?"
Zale crossed his legs, "Alright."
If ever a time of desperation
If ever a time of strife
Without the stone being near
Without conditions being right
With the blood of the protector's heart
A wish can be made to alter the fate of another's life
Zale frowned, "Was that entire chapter written in poem form?"
Aaleyah frowned as well, "Just about."
Zale rested his arms on the table, "No wonder it takes so long for you to read it. You hate poetry." he mused.
Setting the book down, "You are good at poetry, what do you think it means?" Learning towards him, "It means you can make wishes too, right?"
Zale tapped his chin, "I think so, but only in extreme conditions." He nibbled on the corner of his lip, "That or anyone can make the wish as long as they have blood from my heart?"
Aaleyah shuddered, "That sounds graphic."
"Somehow the entire verse gives me chills. 'With the blood of the protector's heart.'" he repeated to himself. "Maybe it will make more sense after I take father's lessons." he suggested.
"That makes sense, you have a book you must study as well." Aaleyah stated.
Zale shook his head, "No, mine is not a book. I have to read the scrolls written in that weird language." he grimaced.
Aaleyah smirked, "Maybe you can ask Asbed for help, he is obsessed with the old language."
Zale rolled his eyes, "It is not the old language, no one we know has ever heard of it!" he dropped his face onto the table, "Why do we have to learn it? It is dead, why not translate it into the language everyone already speaks?" he whined.
Amenah walked past father's study, "Zale?" she stopped back and sure enough Zale and Aaleayh were talking. "Do you not understand the words, 'leave your sister alone while she is reading?'" She marched into the room and lifted Zale to his feet, "And you both yelled at each other hours earlier. Now you are playing around." She huffed, "Twins are so taxing."
Zale snickered, "You would know." he ducked her Amenah's finger flick.
Amenah lifted her hair and mimicked her mother's tone and movements, "If you have time to argue, you have time to study."
Zale and Aaleyah laughed. Zale flipped his hair back, "Ley Ley has been reading for so long. I only wished to get her something else to focus on. As her twin I knew that she was feeling so alone and bored." He gave his best hurt expression.
Amenah scoffed, "I have my own twin Zale, this will not work on me. Leave Aaleyah alone until she finishes the assignment father has given her." She ordered. "And if you can help it, do not play innocent twin with me ever again." she said in a disgusted tone.
Hiding behind Amenah, Aaleyah stuck out her tongue at Zale.
Without looking, "Put your tongue back in Ley Ley." she ordered her little sister.
Sputtering in shock, "You did not even look at me. How can you-"
Turning to face her, "I have known you two chaos bringers all your lives. I am always aware of what you are up to."
Zale rolled his eyes.
"If you have enough time to roll your eyes you have time to go help in the kitchen. You obviously are not doing anything in here." Amenah suggested in a tone that made it obvious it was really an order.
Like true twin magic Dharam walked past the study with a frown on his face. He lost to Herom and was ordered to help in the kitchen. He heard the last bit of the conversation and turned with a smirk, "Perfect timing Zale. if you are bored and lonely you can help me with the food."
Zale groaned in disgust, "You are not the sibling I was looking forward to spending time with." he chided.
Dharam laughed derisively, "Mei Mei, open your eyes to how my siblings treat me. How amazing I am to continue to allow them to breathe in this world." he said while pinching Zale's ear.
"Ow! Why do you all keep doing this! I am telling mother when she comes home. You are not supposed to pull my ear like this." Zale whined.
"Goodbye Zale, go help your brother in the kitchen." Amenah said unaffected by Zale's threat.
Dharam paused at the threshold, "Is there a reason why Ley Ley does not come too?" he asked, unaware of her assignment to read.
Aaleyah panicked, the last thing she needed was to be dragged into the kitchen with Dharam.
Walking into study, "Ley Ley has an assignment from father that she must complete." Herom explained. "Everyone disperse."
Zale grumbled behind Dharam in the direction of the kitchen with Amenah following behind. Dharam turned behind Amenah to shout out, "How has hunting been going? Find the leopard yet?"
Aaleyah grabbed her book and followed behind her siblings.
Herom shook his head, "We still have not located it, always a catch behind." He turned back to Aaleyah behind him, "Ley Ley go read." he gently urged her.
"I do not want to read alone." She pouted.
Herom motioned for the others to continue their walk to the kitchen. "I will stay in the study with you, how is that?"
Aaleyah grabbed her brother's hand and rushed back to the study. Releasing his hand she poured him a cup of tea. "You promise to stay with me?" she asked with pleading eyes.
Taking a seat Herom accepted the tea and took a sip, "At least until you finish a chapter." he relented.
Aaleyah climbed onto Herom's lap, getting comfortable. She opened the book to begin reading before pausing and glancing up at her brother, "Did you get hurt while hunting?"
Shaking his head, Herom wrapped an arm around Aaleyah's waist and hugged her. "Your older brother is too great to get hurt. Although Helan and I got into an altercation with a snake." he motioned to his leg, "I pushed him out of the way just in time to get bit."
Aaleyah giggled, "My brother is hunting one of the most feared animals in the land and managed to become but by a snake?" holding the book to her face she shook with laughter.
Feigning shock, "You dare to laugh at me? I came in here to keep you company." he complained. "It could have been a dangerous snake, and you laugh at my pain." he tsked.
Aaleyah turned to face her brother, "It was a garden snake right?"
"I was saving Helan." Herom repeated, however it was obvious his sister still found it amusing. "What is it father has asked you to read?" he asked, changing the topic.
"It is the Aljehni history, have you read it?" Aaleyah asked.
"I have read some of it, once we reach 1 Red moon everyone must read the Aljehni history. However this book," he taps the cover, "is specifically for you. It will have details I may not be knowledgeable of." He taps Aaleyah's waist, "Enough distractions, read." he told her.
Aaleyah obeyed and read aloud. "Helaine Aljehni stood firm in her ideals, she craved justice above all else. Ozan Dlumaeni believed in justice that helped the greater number of people. He wished to continue the monarchy. Helaine believed in equality, claiming that every person was born with the right to live how they wanted. Name, family, and birth did not and should not affect the current career. Nor could the sins of the father fall on the son.
"Ozan Dlumaeni claimed to care about the people. He argued that a kingdom must have a king, for without one no one could use their rights to live and become anything. A king fought for the peace of the lands. A peace that gave its people the opportunity to choose to be poets, merchants, and farmers. He argued that without a ling the only the people could fight for were their lives." Aaleyah scrunched her nose, "Is that true?" she asked her brother, "without a king will the people fall?"
Opening his tired eyes, "It is hard to say. Land without a leader is destined to fall. However the leader does not have to be a king. There can be tribal leaders instead. However you must remember that our family originates elsewhere. Our ancestors' beliefs were different from the beliefs at that time." He motioned to the book, "That is why it took many Blue moons before Helaine and Ozan could work together. Their beliefs clashed with one another. It took a war against the Marin King to unite the families. They both realized that despite their ways of going about it they both wished for the safety of the people.
Aaleyah frowned, "From what I have read, the two families compromised. Ozan Dlumaeni became king, but Helaine was only an advisor. After fighting together the Dlumaeni received more. They both risked their lives, they both wished to help the people, and Helaeine helped the people admire and trust in Ozan Dlumaeni. It is unfair that Helaine did not receive as much."
Herom ruffled Aaleyah's hair, "I recall asking father the exact same question. But you will understand as you grow older." His laughter morphed into a serious expression, "Helaine was able to get exactly what she craved. Being a royal, and being a leader are not always the same thing. Power in name, and power in the hearts of the people are different."
"A king is able to do whatever he likes, a king has the ultimate power." Aaleyah rebutted, not understanding Herom's words.
"Aaleyah there will be times where members of the royal family are unable to move the way they wish. Too many eyes follow them, and it could be a lonely position that leaves their hands tied when it comes to matters of the heart.
"Helaine traveled the kingdoms and moved as she wished before marrying and settling down. If she was to become a royal she would never have been able to move freely. Even now, generations later our family has power that we are not tied to." Albeit too much power, Herom thought to himself. "There are choices our family is given that others are not. We can choose the path of a scholar, walk the path of weapon making, father is a scholar who advises the king." Herom forces Aaleyah to stand and turns her to face him, "Power is not having a crown Ley Ley. Power, true power, is the ability to stand for you you believe in and always uphold justice."
Aaleyah nodded, but in her opinion standing for what you believe in is not hard. In that case anyone could have true power.
"Ley Ley, " Herom placed his hands on her shoulders, "If you are unable to do what it right, if you are unable to stand by your own values, then you are powerless, regardless of what the world thinks." he told her. "Never settle for something that is morally wrong, Leyah. You hold the power of our family name. You have the fate of an Aljehni Head, thus you must never forget to do what is right. Never allow politics and the voices of others to dictate what to do." he rubs the tattoo on her arm.
"I understand." Aaleyah nodded affirmatively, "I will always do right by the people. I will always try my best to help them."
Herom kissed her head, and after some time of her reading he left. Once no one was watching her Aaleyah snuck out to go play with Asbed.
"Ley Ley did you come to train?" Asbed asked, sheathing his sword.
Aaleyah grinned and grabbed her throwing knives, "Care for a little competition?" she asked, motioning to the target."
Asbed started at the target, a contemplative look on his face, "Winner receives what?"
Aaleyah twirled her braid up and pinned it up with a hair pin, "WInner can ask for one thing. Whatever it is."
Asbed nodded, "Alright, if I win you have to make me a new pair of throwing knives."
"Done. If I win you must buy me a new horse saddle."
"Done." The two started the competition.
Aaleyah aimed her throwing knife, pulled her hand back-
"Aaleyah Aljehni!" her father yelled.
Dropping the knife Aleyah turned, "Father." she greeted nervously.
Asbed slowly walked away.
Making his way to his youngest daughter with Kemal Adel close behind. "I take it you are out here playing because you have finished the assignment I have given you." He held his hand up, "Asbed not another step."
Hand on the door handle Asbed turned with a tense expression on his face.
"Father, I was reading I really was, but everyone-" Aaleyah started to explain.
"Enough." Havil cut her off. "Asbed give tea to the guest."
Asbed greeted Kemal and led him into the manor, leaving Aaleyah and Havil in the courtyard.
The two stood in silence, it was only after Aaleyah began to rub her arm nervously that her father began to speak.
"Aaleyah, did I tell you to read this morning?" he asked.
"Yes father." she answered with a lowered head.
"Did you finish it?"
Lifting her head, "I read almost a-"
"Yes or no Aaleyah."
"No father." she reluctantly answered.
Havil stared at his daughter. One order, he gave her one thing to do and she could not do it. How could he trust her to live in the palace? Or to run and stay safe if she is unable to listen? How could he trust her life to be untroubled. "You have disappointed me. Go."
Tears filled her eyes and Aaleyah did not move her feet. "This one will read it. This one swears to read it. Father, please forgive me." she told him with a tight voice.
Aminah entered the courtyard tired from a day of training her troops. Seeing her husband and teary eyed daughter in the courtyard she sighed. "Havil?" she called gently.
Facing his wife with tired eyes, "Take her out of my sight."
Aaleyah's chin trembled, "Father I am sorry. I promise to always listen to you. I will never disobey again, please." Aaleyah said, refusing to cry, her golden eyes shaking with emotion.
"Go!" Havil roared.
"Havil!" Aminah yelled, shocked at her husband's anger.
Zale rushed outside and without saying a word grabbed his twin's hand and pulled her into the manor.
Once both children were inside Aminah pulled her husband's hand so he could face her. "Havil." she called, her brown eyes observing cold golden eyes. "What is it? What troubles you so?"
"Aminah," he whispered her name, "What if the only way to save our children is to send them away?" he whispered brokenly. "But how can we? How can we trust them to be safe if they can not listen?" he motioned to the direction Aaleyah left, "I asked her one thing, and she could not do it. If I asked her to run, if I asked her to leave," he shook his head, "I do not believe she would listen."
"Was the king's court so stressful?" she asked him softly.
"Kemal is here."
Eyes scrunching in confusion, "Kemal Adel? Why?"
"He wishes to ask for Amenah's hand in marriage." Havil reported.
"We were aware that he was fond of her, but has Amenah met him before?"
"To be specific, Kemal asked permission to court her, but we should accept." he told his wife with a tired expression on his face.
Aminah frowned, "Is he not eyeing a position in king's court?"
"He will fail." Havil said with a resolute expression.
"You are certain."
"Yes, the king will never allow my disciple to enter his court. He will find no position within the capital. He will return home." Havil told her.
Understanding her husband's plan, "Home where?"
"Tamon." he informed her.
Releasing a breath, "So far." she said in a pained voice.
"Yes, far from the capital."
Aminah sighed and stared up at the sky, "Well, let us welcome him, and let us make certain that Amenah is fond of him." she told him.
Havil wrapped his arm around his wife's waist and they made their way inside. As long as Amenah reciprocated Kemal's fondness, then they could send her away without her being aware that there is no safer option.
Zale had pulled Aaleyah to their study and shut the door. Facing her he could see her jaw clenched, her hands shook and she held her breath. "Ley Ley."
Aaleyah shook her head no. She did not want to talk about it. Letting out a shaky breath she inhaled slowly, her chin still trembled with the sobs she was holding back.
With a sigh Zale pulled her into a hug. "Father must be upset at something else." he comforted.
Hiding her face in her twin's chest Aaleyah allowed her tears to fall. "He said I disappointed him." she whispered brokenly.
Zale only rugged her tighter.
Weeks later Herom walked through the manor in search of Amenah. Finding her in the weapons hall he took his usual seat across from her.
Amenah sat the blade she was engraving down, and picked up a cloth to clean her hands. Pouring a cup of tea, "You mean the news about Senior Kemal?" she asked.
Herom nodded, "You do not need to call him that, he is your soon to be betrothed."
Amenah poured herself a cup of tea, "It is because of me that we cannot call him scholar." she noted sadly. "Many people are spreading the rumor that the Aljehni's are losing favor with the king."
Herom took a sip of his tea, "I am aware. There has been a lot of unrest within the kingdom. Did you hear about the fights outside the capital gates?" he asked.
"Yes. A group of men were caught funneling weapons into the capital. When caught they were asked why they were sneaking weapons and they said-"
"In the name Aljehni." Dharam finished his twin's words as he walked in to take a seat next to Herom. "They call themselves Stilits. They claimed that the Aljehni family needed weapons and out of faith and loyalty allotted them for us." he scoffed.
Amenah poured a cup for tea and passed it to Dharam, "What is strange about the situation is that he is right. Mother has been saying for moons that the military weapons are not good enough. That suddenly the weapons they were getting were of bad material, and poorly crafted."
"And the weapons that were caught at the border were top grade weaponry. The kind of weapons that mother has been asking for." Herom finished.
Dharam nodded, "Mother was able to prove that she, and her troops had nothing to do with it, but the king," Dharam took another sip of tea, "the king is smart, but he would have to have complete trust in us to go on as if nothing happened."
"And he does not." Amenah finished.
The three siblings sighed and silently drank their tea.
Filling up her second cup, "People are talking. The problem with Stilits, father losing favor with the king; people say that is why Kemal did not get the position in King's court." Amenah frowned. "They say I stole the job away from him." She exhaled slowly, "They may not be wrong, since Kemal courted me things have been going awry."
Dharam kicked Amenah's stool leg under the table, "Do not talk like that. This is not your fault, you are not the one to blame." He ran his hand through his hair, "Things have been going awry way before Kemal courted you." He tapped his fingers on the table, "Do you not remember the banquet? Aaleyah ended up on the floor. Father has been different since."
Herom nodded, "Since the banquet the young princes have not been here, and has not met with High Prince Hammaan."
Dharam nodded, "Maybe the king wishes to separate Aljehi power and Dlumaeni power."
"Agreed, as a king it is not wrong." Herom pointed out.
"Niether are we." Dharam argued.
"Nor is Kemal." Amenah jumped in. "He spent Blue Moons studying to become the best. He graduated with the highest honors, his scores the best within the capital. No," she shook her head, a strand of hair falling by her face, "within the kingdom. He is not to blame. He went from a gentleman with the highest potential to a gentleman who will most likely find no job within the capital. Who else is to blame but me?"
Dharam pursed his lips, "Well, he has not cancelled plans of courtship, so he does not blame you. Thus, you can stop blaming yourself if you will not trust your siblings." He shuddered, "It is not like you to look down on yourself, you are supposed to be twin. We are never in the wrong, others are."
Herom rolled his eyes, "Are those the words you both have been choosing to live by?"
Amenah rolled his eyes, "It has barely been a day." she answered, pretending Herom did not speak. "But maybe I should be the one to cancel the courtship. It is possible that if he has no ties to our family he can receive the light he deserves."
"Amenah this is not your fault." Herom told her
Amenah smiled sadly, "I know, I am not blaming myself. This is because the king believes we hold too much power, so it is logical to pull away from father. It has been a moon since any of us saw the royal family." Putting her foot on the stool she rested her chin on her knee, "Maybe this is the way things are supposed to be." she softly admitted.
Dharam shook his head, "Father would never do anything that would endanger the kingdom." He kicked her stool again, "Nor would he do anything to endanger his students."
Amenah lifted her other foot off the floor, "My first engagement did not even last a moon." she tapped her fingers on the tea cup, "I am sure Kemal feels terrible, he most likely blames himself for not receiving the job; or for choosing me." She forced herself to laugh, "Either way today is not easy for him." She put the tea cup away. Crossing her legs she picked up her blade to finish the engraving. "I hope the Heavens smile down on Kemal again. A man of his stature must not live in shadows." She stated in a neutral tone.
Herom and Dharam look at each other, "Man of his stature?" Dharam mouthed silently.
Herom frowned.
Dharam stood from his seat, "What do you know of Kemal's stature?"
Picking up her engraving tools she does not spare her twin a glance, "I do go outside. I hear plenty about Kemal. Besides he is the same age as Herom," she motioned to her older brother, "he has been taught by the same teachers. Kemal excelled in every task he was given. He comes from a good family and is of marrying age. How could I not know of his stature?" Amenah challenged. With a forced smile she added, "I will break this courtship and he can find another.
"The sun will still shine on him even if he leaves the capital. And if you break off your marriage that does not mean he will immediately be hit with other offers." Herom told her.
"Exactly, what happens if you break the courtship and rumors spread that there was something wrong with him. Then no one will want to marry him. And if he does not marry within a Red moon his time will be done. He will be alone forever, all because you gave up on him." Dharam pointed out chuckling at his twin's glare.
Herom rolled his eyes, "Do you wish to break the courtship? Even when you know he wishes to marry you?" He asked her seriously. "Have you thought about Kemal's feelings at all?"
Amenah slams the tools down, "Of course I have. Did you both only come in here to brother me?"
"Really?" Herom asked, unaffected by her outburst. "Because the way I see it, a top scholar loses a position that was never promised, but because of that he loses the women he wished to marry. The loss of his future wife would be a final straw." Herom rubbed his chin, "That is rather unfair."
A pained expression appeared on her face, and her lips formed a tight line.
"You think like this because you are unaware of Kemal's heart." Dharam said. "For you he appeared less than a moon ago and asked to court you. However, that is not the case." Dharam explained. "I have shared classes with him, I have heard him speak. There was a lady he kept in his heart the entire time he studied. He said that he wished to be the best scholar so she could have no reason to deny him. He strived to be the best so that she could find no fault in him. When I learned that he wished to court you I realized," Dharam tried to maintain an annoyed expression but his eyes smiled, "the lady he was doing all those things for was my own sister. He spent many Blue moons with you in his heart. Do you truly not care for him at all?"
Amenah refused to lift her eyes from her blade, her lips in a pout.
Herom rested an elbow on the table, "I heard you went to the marketplace to buy dresses and he helped you."
Dharam's eyes widened in shock, "Helped you how? How come I heard nothing of this?"
"It is embarrassing." Amenah muttered.
Ignoring that comment Dharam turned to Herom, "How did you hear about this?"
"My sister was almost swindled in the marketplace, of course I heard of it." Herom said, seeming bothered that he was being asked.
"I am her twin and I heard nothing!" Dharam complained.
"You are not a good twin." Herom surmised obviously.
"I do fancy him." Amenah said, interrupting the brother's small spat. "He is very smart. His way of thinking is something I did not know I could care so much for. I also did not expect him to have combat skills. But he told me that he wished to know enough to stand by my side." Amean smiled brightly, "He truly is amazing." she complimented.
Dharam crossed his arms, "Am I the only one who did not realize that you were this close?" he asked, aggrieved.
Amenah shook her head, "No. You are not the only one. I did not realize it either. After he helped me in the marketplace he promised to come with me every time. He escorted me, he even sent guards to watch over me. It is not as if I am unable to watch over myself. Everyone knows of my skills in weaponry. I have the skills to guard others. I need not be guarded. However," she tilted her head in thought, her eyes warming. "He has a way of making me feel like a lady."
Dharam slapped his forehead, "You are a lady Amenah. You should be escorted to places. You are the one who always puts up a fight and refuses the guards." Dharam pointed out.
Herom shoved Dharam off the stool, "You twin is too dumb to understand, must be because he skips too many classes." he snided.
Amenah snickered, her black curls falling out of its bun. "Either way, I somehow found myself enjoying his company. I had hoped that we could build more together." She pouted to stop her frown, "But instead, with all that has happened, he would be a fool to stay close to me."
Dharam rose from the floor, "I hear many become fools for love."
Herom smirked, agreeing with his brother's words.
"I pray Kemal never becomes a fool. The kingdom must not lose a great mind." Amenah said and focused back on her blade ending the conversation.
Herom rose from his seat and pulled Dharam to stand with him who complained about having just sat down. Walking out he recalled the days where his little sister terrorized him and threw apples at his head. Who knew that she would grow to become a beautiful lady ready to build a family with another. "Lucky Kemal." he whispered to himself.
Havil picked up his wife from the training camps. Entering the carriage Aminah smiled at her husband, "This is a surprise." she said, taking a seat next to him.
Lifting her hand he kissed it, "I come with news."
Aminah's lips curled, "Of course you do. It has been ages since my husband picked me up." she teased. The carriage departed with a slight jolt, "What is it?"
"General Nubian was accused of selling weapons." Havil answered with a grave face. "His family has been thrown in prison and their son-"
Aminah's hand clutched Havil's arm, "Nubian?" Her eyes filled with pain and she took heavy breaths, "That is impossible. Havil it is impossible. He would never do something like this. He was promoted to general only 2 Blue moons ago." She pushed her fingers at the point between her brows, "No this cannot be true." Her hand tightened on Havil's arm, "And Babu? What of him?"
"Babu disappeared. The king says if he does not return then," he placed his hand on top of Aminah's, "then General Nubian and his family will be sentenced to death."
Aminah sunk back into her seat. Pulling her hand away from Havil she tapped her chin. Her eyes stung with tears, and with a shaky breath she forced them to disappear. "We trained together, we fought together. We went to the front lines and protected each other. For the kingdom, for the king." Aminah's fist shook with bitter acceptance, "There is nothing you can do." she said more to herself than Havil.
He reached to comfort his wife but pulled his hand back at the last second, "If I speak up for him it will only make it worse. But-"
Aminah's eyes locked with his, a small strand of hope appearing. "What is it?"
Opening his hands Aminah's warm palm covered his, "I can take you to him. It is where we are going now."
Dharam made his way to the stables, everyone was busy and if he had to sit through one more class on poetry he was sure to die. So he snuck out of the academy and once he made his way to the horse he was off to go have fun in the marketplace. He ducked behind a bush to avoid a senior passing by and walked in a crouch to the stables. Bumping into something he lifted his leg to walk over it, all the while keeping his eyes on the seniors passing. Setting his leg down he heard a groan, confused he dropped his head, "Young Lord Jian!" he yelled in a whisper.
The young lord in question lay on the grass, scratches on his face, his hand clutching his stomach.
"Did you roll down a hill? Why do you look like this?" Dharam asked, inspecting all the cuts on the young man's body. "Why are you here on the ground? I thought your father had forced you to go to military camp in the evenings." Dharam lifted the man's arm, "You are bleeding, did you bump into a stone on the way down the hill?" he teased.
"Scholar Aljehni." the man rasped, his breaths broken off as he winced and clutched his side.
"You must have hit your head pretty hard." Dharam surmised, "I am not Lord Aljehni, I am not even the Young Lord," Dharam dropped the man's arm, "You do not have to worry about me telling others about you skipping military camp. As long as you tell no one I skipped class." he bargained, "Deal?"
The young lord grabbed onto Dharam's jacket, "Where is your father?" he asked in a thick voice.
Dharam rubbed his nose with his finger, "How hard did you hit your head? If you find my father he will know both of us," Dharam motioned between the two of them, "are not where we are supposed to be." He scanned the young lord's wounds, "You are not badly injured, maybe because you studied as a scholar you never experienced this. But I assure you you will heal. You can just get up and walk, find a real bed. When you wake up you will feel better."
"Dharam!" he hissed. "Where is your father?" he asked again.
Dharam glared, "We are calling each other by name now Babu?" He rolled his eyes, "You are confused, our parents are best friends. You and I have nothing to do with each other. You are not bleeding that much. You do not even need a doctor, just get up and go home." Dharam huffed, "Besides, even if you do get caught General Nubian will not punish you," he gestured to the young lord's body, "you seemed to have punished yourself already."
Babu groaned, "My father is in danger." His hand tightened on Dharam's jacket, "Please," he begged, "please find your father. My father will be sentenced, only he can help."
Dharam's face contorted, "General Nubian is in danger? Then my mother," Dharam peeked up from the bush and seeing no one around lifted Babu on his back with ease, "my father should be home. I will take you there first." he promised.