"I don't want to study. I want to see father. When is he coming?" Adeer asked his sister, Aziza.
"Adeer, father and Abiri will be back soon. Didn't you promise Abiri that you would finish the book before she comes back? Now, don't try to get your way around. They'll be here soon," Aziza replied.
Adeer sullenly went back to studying. It was a particularly calm afternoon. Aziza looked at the clear sky and wondered if they were alright. Her father and Abiri had gone to yet another battle.
"Lady Aziza, they are back. The chief and lady Abiri are back but…" the maid's voice broke Aziza's thoughts.
Aziza immediately rushed to the entrance with Adeer and other maids following her. She saw Lev carrying Abiri on his back. Her arm was bleeding. They immediately rushed to Abiri's room.
"I'm alright Aziza. The wound got slightly infected, that's all", Abiri said weakly.
"Just stop talking. I am the physician here. Let me see. Lev, take Adeer and wait outside," Aziza commanded.
Lev complied. Aziza was the only one who could talk to Abiri like that. Conall and Hernan were waiting outside the room along with Lev and Adeer. They were soon joined by Waylen Orson, Conall's second-in-command, and Rya Sienna, Abiri's second-in-command. Aziza finally came out of the room.
"She is alright now. I think her wounds opened up and inflamed while returning. She has slight fever but nothing dangerous. She will be alright after a couple of days so don't worry, father," she said.
Everyone took a sigh of relief. Waylen and Rya went to inform others that Abiri was fine. Lev and Adeer insisted on waiting till Abiri woke up. Conall and Hernan went to Conall's study along with Aziza.
"What actually happened father? How come Lev brought Abiri here?" she asked as they sat down.
"Abiri got hurt on the battlefield and was treated on time. There were still some wounded that needed tending, so we left the military physician behind. While returning we ran into some fugitives at the North-East gate. I think Abiri's wounds opened up while fighting them. You know how Abiri is; she never tells us if she's hurt. Hernan and Lev were waiting for us at the city gates. Luckily Lev noticed her bleeding arm and immediately rushed home," explained Conall.
"Abiri always worries me. You shouldn't have let her join the troops back then," Aziza said frustrated.
"She is a talented soldier. As a father I obviously don't want her to be in any kind of danger but as a Chief Commander I need more people like her to protect this city. Besides, it's not like I can actually stop her," he said.
"Don't worry. Abiri is brave and talented, I'm sure she will be alright," Hernan consoled them.
Abiri soon woke up. She immediately wanted to resume her duties but Aziza made sure to stop her from over-exerting herself. Under Aziza's care, Abiri slowly recovered.
"Did you investigate the thugs we ran into outside the city?" Abiri asked her father.
"You just won't give it a rest, will you?" asked Conall, "Aziza told you to not work too much, right?"
"Come on father! Aziza already doesn't let me train. I just want to know who the thugs were. I am not even doing any physical work. Just tell me, I know you already looked into it. They were too close to the city gates. I'm just worried," Abiri pleaded.
Conall sighed.
"Alright," he said resignedly, "You were right, they were indeed too close to the city. So I had someone look into it. Traces of the fugitives were found in the nearby mountains behind the Nokor market at the North-East gate. I have my men keep a lookout for now."
"Don't worry. I have also reported it the governor and banned people from going into the mountains for now. We also increased the security at the gate. No one from Nokor is allowed to leave through the North-east gate," he added, "All you have to do is rest well now."
"So, we can assume that the thugs are in the north-east border just outside the city. They must be the runaways from Bavel. But the fugitives never reached this close to the city gates. Do you think they are planning something?" Abiri continued ignoring her father's concern.
"Even if they are planning something, Hernan and I will take care of it, so stop whatever you are thinking of doing," Conall said sternly.
"But father-"
"No, you will not go into the mountains. We don't know how many there are and where they are. I know you well. You either listen to me or I'll have Aziza take care of you all day and night," Conall said.
"Please don't! She just doesn't let me do anything. I had to sneak in here just to talk to you!" Abiri pleaded, "I won't go, alright?"
Conall smiled. He knew this would work. The only person the fearless Abiri was afraid of was her sister.
A few days passed without any news of the fugitives. Abiri resumed her training and lessons. Soon, there was news from the border. The south-east border was being attacked by the warrior tribe again. The second-in-command, Waylen, was already resisting but it was time for Conall's troop to leave. Abiri insisted on joining them but Conall and Aziza did not let her.
As Conall had to leave, Abiri asked for permission to investigate the thugs.
"I'll give you permission if you agree to two conditions," Conall said after being pestered by Abiri.
"What are they?" she asked.
"First, you will not go into the mountains. Most of your troop is coming with us so you absolutely can't go in and fight them. So you only observe and report to Hernan. Second, I want Rya to stay back with you. With her protecting you I can go without worries," he said.
Abiri immediately agreed. Rya Sienna was not only her second-in-command; she was also her most trusted friend. Even without the order, Rya would have stayed back if Abiri was not joining the battle.
Soon Conall and his troop left for the border. Abiri sent Rya to the city gate to observe any fugitive movements in the mountain behind the market. As days passed, Abiri became more and more restless.
One afternoon, "Just relax. Father is the Chief Commander. He will be alright," Aziza said.
Aziza, Abiri, Lev were sitting in Arlos' beautiful garden looking over Adeer studying.
"But I promised Mother. I promised her to protect him and all of you," Abiri said slowly, "It's just that, ever since I joined the troop, I never stayed behind, so I'm feeling restless."
"Abiri, you are just too idle now. Come with me, I will help you relax," Lev said.
"That's a good idea. Go with him," said Aziza.
"How long has it been since you were alone with him? Go with him and tell him how you feel about him," Aziza whispered to Abiri as she winked.
"Stop it!" Abiri was blushing.
As the two girls giggled Adeer joined them, "I want to go too! Lev, take me if Abiri won't go!" he said.
"You are not going anywhere. Did you finish the homework Aziza gave you?" asked Abiri.
"Oh my stomach is hurting. I can't go with you. You should go without me," Adeer tried to slip away making everyone laugh.
"Not so fast! Finish your homework, I'm coming to check up on you," Aziza said.
"I have to check on that little monster, you guys go ahead now," Aziza said as she chased Adeer.
Lev and Abiri went to the market. There were many farmers who came to sell their harvests. Most of the farmers and merchants recognized Lev and Abiri. They explored the streets and greeted many people along the way. Lev bought Abiri her favourite sweet.
Although she still worried for her father, Abiri did feel more relaxed. It was getting dark but the market only became livelier. Abiri had a favourite spot. It was a hill just opposite to the market. The whole market, the north-east gate and the mountain beyond it could be seen from the top of the hill. Abiri often went there to relax and Lev was the only person she ever showed that place to.
By the time Abiri and Lev reached the top of the hill, the moon was already up. Both of them sat there enjoying the clear, starry night sky. The market was glowing with the golden night lanterns. They sat there enjoying the breeze and the view.
As they sat in silence, Abiri wondered if he was ever going to ask her out. Whenever she expected him to talk about them, he would suddenly change the topic. She didn't know if he was too shy to ask her out or because he never liked her in the first place and it was all her wishful thinking. Then she contemplated making the first move. Her train of thoughts were broken by Lev.
"Abiri, I have something to tell you," he said.
She waited in anticipation. He was taking something from his pocket when her glance fell on the mountain across them. She saw a flicker of light.
Lev took a bracelet out while saying, "This is for yo-"
Abiri stood up abruptly.
"Lev, there is someone on the mountain," she said.
"What?" Lev asked confused.
"The mountain! Didn't the governor ban anyone from going into the mountains? But I just saw a flicker. I think it was a lantern," Abiri said as she tried to locate the flicker on the mountain.
Lev put the bracelet back as he stood up. Both of them looked at the mountain and they saw a single light moving up the desolate mountain. It was really high up in the mountain and then it quickly vanished.
"It might be the thugs. Let's go check it," Abiri said.
"Wait, the chief told you not to go into the mountain. Let's report it to my father and the guards on duty," Lev said.
"I already sent Rya to keep an eye on the mountain path but she didn't send me any message about this. I am worried for her," Abiri said, "Also, if they spot the guards, Rya might be in danger or they might go back into hiding and we won't be able to know what they were doing so close to the city," Abiri said, "Besides, I'm not going alone, am I?"