The next day at noon, in the king's garden.
King Nimrod relaxed half-naked on a fancy bed-like chair while he was getting his feet rubbed by a maiden using warm medicinal oil.
In the middle of his leisure, the prince of Persia was dropped off before him, and behind him stood two towering blue Jinns.
Nimrod placed his storybook beside him, looked at the prince and chirped, "Ah, I'm glad you've arrived safely, young prince."
The prince stood on his knees as he was cuffed and said, "Holding me hostage won't make my father surrender."
Nimrod smirked and said, "Who said I want him to surrender? His people will kill him for me."
The prince glared at him and said, "Persia is no land for traitors!"
Nimrod giggled, then pointed at him and said, "That!! I agree. You Persians are cunning, smart and resilient but rational. Since this war started, Persia kept losing lands, generals, armies, forts and cities. One doesn't have to be too smart to determine this war's conclusion."
"It means Persia will have to fight harder for its freedom!" The prince said.
"I'll tell you what it truly means. The only way for Persia to survive and conserve its people and heritage is by bowing down to Mesopotamia," Nimrod said.
"That will never happen!!" The prince snarled.
"It will happen. As of now, the Persian nobility is planning to assassinate the current king. After all, I promised them all protection, gold and lands if they succeed," Nimrod said.
"The people of Persia will not allow that to happen," The prince said.
Nimrod smiled at him and said, "That's where your role comes in, young prince. Tell me, have you ever been violated by Jinn before public eyes?"
The prince glanced at the Jinn behind him fearfully and muttered, "No, No!!" Then he vanished as one of them took him away.
One stayed and looked at the king awkwardly.
Nimrod frowned at him and asked, "Why are you still here? You have a prince to rape."
"An arrow requested to meet you," The Jinn said.
"Who?" Nimrod asked.
"Tanaz, the wolf," The Jinn said.
Nimrod sighed and said, "Fine, bring her."
Moments later, Taz appeared before him.
She crossed her arms and stared at him in displeasure.
Nimrod glanced around, then said, "A'saal isn't here, why are you frowning?"
"I'm done with being an arrow," Taz said.
"So, you've heard?" Nimrod asked.
Taz went to a chair beside Nimrod, sat on it and said in displeasure, "I fucking hate everything right now."
Nimrod gestured to the maiden to leave. He adjusted himself, sat up, looked at Taz and said, "You know, once you're an employee of the crown, you can never leave."
Taz looked at him and said, "Then execute me because I'll never become an arrow again!"
"An employee of the crown can range from a supreme general down to a cleaner. If you want to, you can transfer to being an inspector of the royal forces," Nimrod suggested.
"I want to stay here, near my home and whatever is left of my family," Taz said.
Nimrod grabbed her shoulder and said, "A library keeper is also an employee of the crown."
Taz glared at him and said, "You want to see me suffer."
Nimrod giggled, then rested on his chair and said, "I'm simply offering a position suitable for your expertise."
"You know I have a farm and other responsibilities," Taz said.
"Your working days and hours are none of my concern; that's between you and your supervisor," Nimrod said.
Taz stood, then walked away.
Nimrod called her. Taz stopped and turned to him.
"Take time to grieve," Nimrod said.
Taz smirked at him and said, "Thank you." Then she left.
A week later, in the library of Babilim.
Taz entered the library. She wore the uniform but changed the colors to spite A'saal. Her dress was no longer white but green.
She went to A'saal's desk and saw her writing documents.
A'saal sniffed, looked at her, stood and said, "You'd look much better with a white dress."
Taz crossed her arms and said, "Forget it."
A'saal approached her, held her shoulders and asked softly, "How are you feeling these days?"
Taz pouted and said, "I'm fine. I need normalcy again in my life."
A'saal relaxed her arms and said, "Might as well wish for the moon to fall. The wet nurse who took care of your child died."
Taz looked at her and shouted, "What!?"
A'saal crossed her arms and said, "While doing chores in Haider's palace. She fell down the stairs and split her skull open."
"Haider told me he had healers in his palace!" Taz snarled.
"His palace is as big as a village. They found her hours after the accident," A'saal informed.
"Who's going to take care of my son? He's far from weaning," Taz said worriedly.
"I know some women who can breastfeed him, but we both know someone suitable in your farm," A'saal said.
"I don't want to make Yara do that. I barely accepted the fact she has a daughter," Taz said.
"You won't know till you ask. Do that when your shift is done," A'saal said.
Evening time, in Taz's home.
Taz entered her farmhouse and smelled the scent of cooked food. She walked into the kitchen and saw Yara wearing her apron and preparing the food she made.
Yara smiled at her and said, "The food will be done soon."
"Since when do you cook?" Taz asked.
"While you were away, I took some cooking lessons from the young girl who works in the fields," Yara said. She arranged plates and cubs and said, "She's one of the few who treats me the same as everyone else."
Taz approached, leaned against the wall and said, "I can't say I know her, but if you vouch for her, then that's fine."
Yara looked at Taz, furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "Did something happen today?"
Taz rubbed her arms and said, "A lot happened, and I need a favor from you."
Yara approached her, held her shoulder and said, "It must be troublesome. You never ask me for favors."
Taz looked into Yara's eyes and asked, "How much time do you have before your breasts become dry?"
Yara became flustered and stepped away from Taz. She crossed her arms and said, "Why are you asking?"
"My son needs a wet nurse. You're the only mother I know and trust," Taz said.
Yara approached her with a shocked expression and shouted, "You have a son!!? I thought you were infertile!"
Taz grabbed her shoulders and said, "I am! I was talking about my adopted son. He's barely eight months old."
Yara looked at her in awe, then asked sadly, "Why haven't you told me about him?"
"I was, but I didn't want to burden you. Especially with what happened," Taz said.
"Where's your son, Tanaz?" Yara asked.
"He's in Baghdad, living in Haider's palace," Taz answered.
Yara walked away while she pondered.
Taz crossed her arms while staring at her and asked, "Will you breastfeed him with your daughter?"
Yara turned to Taz, stroked her dress and said, "I will, only because you asked."
Taz furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "You sound hesitant?"
Yara pouted and wined, "Because I don't think that's your adopted son. You never told me about him, and feel ashamed about asking me to do this."
Taz exhaled loudly, saying, "If you don't want to do it, it's fine. I'll ask someone else." Then she walked away.
Yara ran to her, grabbed her hand and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful." She sighed, then asked, "When can you bring your son?"
"In the morning," Taz replied.
Yara smiled at her and said, "I'll take care of him as my own."
Taz smiled, hugged her and said, "Thank you."
The next day, in the late morning.
Taz stood with Yara at her farm's gate, waiting for her son to arrive.
Yara leaned closer to Taz and asked, "Have you named him?"
Taz looked at her and said, "No."
Yara frowned at her and asked, "Why not? You can't raise him without a name."
"I never named anything before, so I need time to pick something good," Taz lied.
"How about you name him after your uncle?" Yara asked.
"Noor's child took that name," Taz replied.
"Can I pick a name for him?" Yara asked.
"No," Taz flatly replied.
Yara sighed in frustration.
A Jinn appeared before them, holding the child in his arms.
He approached, showed them the baby and said, "Here is your flesh potato."
Taz took the baby into her arms and said, "Thank you. Now, leave; Jinns aren't welcome near my property."
The Jinn frowned at her and muttered, "Ungrateful whore." Then vanished.
Taz looked at the baby and said, "He's growing fast." She stared at his puffy cheeks and brown eyes, smiled, and muttered, "You're so adorable."
Yara looked at the baby, smiled and chirped, "He's so plump! I can see they fed him well."
While the two were busy calling the baby pet names and playfully pinching his soft cheeks. Daghir came to the farm with a new woman Taz hadn't met.
She had a youthful complexion and eye-catching beauty. She had a brown skin tone and wide, red eyes; it was apparent she was from Alkebu-lan. She had long, curly black hair and soft features.
Taz noticed them approaching. She quickly handed the baby to Yara and told her to go inside so she could talk with them.
Yara left with a warm smile.
Taz crossed her arms and asked, "I hope you're not here to convince me to return?"
Daghir smiled at her and said, "Actually, the nobility is glad you left, which means less headaches for me. By all means, I'm ready to give you everything you need to stay the way you are."
Taz giggled, then said, "After a second thought. I miss the arrows so much I might return tomorrow."
Daghir laughed, then said, "Fuck you."
Taz stared at the woman and said to him, "Daghir, why have you brought a Qutrub to my home?"
The woman kept her head down.
Daghir grabbed the woman's shoulder and said, "I know you've been looking for security for your farm. So, I brought you a perfect candidate."
"If you were not with her, I would've killed her where she stands," Taz said.
"She's obedient and loyal," Daghir said.
"Till she gets hungry or mad," Taz said.
The woman looked at Taz and said, "My master serves the house of Al Namer. I would never betray him."
Taz raised her eyebrows at Daghir and asked, "Are you hiding something from me?"
Daghir approached Taz and said, "In your last mission with Caleb. A manticore swore fidelity to our house." He looked at the woman and said, "With him came his children and mate, along with two other Qutrubs."
"Does the King know you're raising an army of beasts?" Taz asked.
Daghir pointed at her and said, "That's the best part. When the king knew about our special servants, he loved the idea so much he decided to adopt it himself."
"Of course, he would," Taz said.
Daghir furrowed his eyebrows at her and said, "You talk like you know him well."
"A'saal is his direct aunt, who's also my mentor. That fact alone made him think of me as his family," Taz said.
"No wonder your transfer was so swift and unopposed; the order was issued from him," Daghir said.
Taz looked at the woman and asked, "What's your name, girl?"
The woman looked at her and said, "My name is Zuri."
Taz frowned as that name reminded her of Zaria. She sighed, then said, "Zuri, the man beside you vouches for your loyalty and skills. Should I expect to be disappointed?"
Zuri approached her and said, "I will do everything I can to keep your farm and its workers safe."
Taz pointed at her farm and said, "Those inside are not simply workers. They're my responsibility. From grown men to infants, their safety in this land is on my neck and yours from now on."
"I've lived in harsh lands and fought off beasts to keep my home safe. Trust me, I can protect and fight," Zuri said.
Taz sighed, crossed her arms and said, "Look for a man called Ariel. He'll teach you what you have to know."
Zuri nodded, then entered the farm.
Taz and Daghir stood beside each other while they stared at Zuri.
Daghir looked at Taz and said, "I may have forgotten to mention she's also immortal."
Taz looked at him in confusion and asked, "Are you serious!?"
Daghir looked forward, giggled and said, "That woman you just scolded is over five centuries old."
Taz looked forward, giggled and said, "Looks like A'saal is no longer the oldest woman in Babilim."
Daghir walked away, then stopped. He turned to Taz and said, "I forgot to say one more thing. Your authority as an arrow has been stripped away, so expect the guards' generals to be harassing you more from now on."
"Is this about the execution I avoided when I was nine?" Taz asked.
"Officially, your pledge of allegiance to Nimrod pardoned you from your crime. But knowing how many enemies you made among the upper echelon of society, they'll be waiting eagerly for you to make another mistake," Daghir said.
"Now that uncle is gone, no one is protecting me anymore," Taz said.
Daghir smiled at her and said, "You have Al Namer protecting you, me included."
Taz smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Daghir. I wish you a long and successful leadership of the arrows."
"I hate it when you get emotional," Daghir chirped, then left.
The End