Helan places his left hand over his fist and bows deeply. “You have my word.” Helan then bows to Aaleyah and takes his place behind her.

  Saan nods and watches them set off until she turns the hall out of his sight before heading back inside.

  Helan was training to be a bodyguard four Blue moons before the revolt. He was completing his training under the watchful eyes of the Aljehni family who trained the best. To be a graduate of their school spoke for itself of one’s skills. During the revolt Helan became a palace guard, and was later ordered to follow Saan into the military.

  Helan trained Saan in various styles of hand to hand combat. Now almost a Red moon later the prince is now a high prince, and the guard now a captain. The two read each other flawlessly. As long as Helan was with Aaleyah then Saan can feel a sense of ease.

  Aaleyah marches down the hall with false calmness. Saan is no longer near her to read the turmoil in her eyes, and hear her shaky breaths as her lungs grasp for air. As long as she keeps her lips in a fine line then the servants and guards that she passes in the hall will think nothing of her movements.

  She should have learned how to destroy the stone when she had the chance. Or given it to the royals before it was up to her to make a decision. Or lost it, but that was her family’s legacy; how could she discard it?

  She was once tempted to use the stone in the past. To use her own blood and make a wish, to destroy all those that had harmed her family. A wish that would make Ab-bois proud, she would have brought forth destruction and bloodshed that could take generations to wash out. If not for being found all those Blue moons ago, who knows where the kingdom would be today.

  But to dwell on the past is to complain about a tree you never water. Useless and a waste of time. Perhaps she is worrying too soon, the royal physician has gone to see the queen. The king seems to be unworried. It is possible that things are not reaching the burning flames she is imagining to be encircling her.

  Yet, the king, for the first time, has brought up the stone. There must be something he sees that is worrying him enough to think about it. Be it the queen’s condition, the Stilits, the peace treaty over trade. It could be all of them, piling atop each other in preparation for a sand storm that will drown them regardless.

  Either way to stay in the chamber with the queen and see the pains of her condition, a condition that has happened most likely due to a danger created because of her; most things are. Would it be unfilial of her to not do all she can to help?

  Although, filial piety is not a reason to utilize the stone. Her family would turn in their graves if they knew she was thinking of such a thing. Thus, it is best not to see the queen until her heart and mind are on the same wavelength.

  Behind her are the soft steps of Helan. She wishes she did not have to hear his steps at all. Wishes that she could walk alone in the halls with all eyes avoiding her. For if no one was watching her, she would be able to drop her head, and stop fighting to look like she is breathing well.

  ‘Leyah you must study, the Aljehni name rests on your shoulders. Your brothers and sisters can only assist the decisions you make.’ She remembers her mother’s words. Her family had taught a great many things. She was taught how to wield weapons, speak languages, and understand philosophy, ethics, and most importantly her history.

  Her foot catches on a table leg and she can feel herself falling, her family never taught her how to be alone. Holding a hand out to prevent Helan from helping her she catches her balance, her hand leaning on the table as she steadies herself. She had to teach herself how to be alone.

  The time after her family she had to learn how to gain her own footing. She could not rely on Aljehni legacy any longer. Everything she was taught about the good of humanity, the beauty of peace; all of that faded when they died. The world is filled with good and bad, and the angels and devils reside in the same hearts.

  Continuing forward her heart races to her chambers, but her feet move slowly. Her hands interlace to stop herself from shaking them. One must not be filled with regrets, one who regrets only wallows with no plans on being better. Taking a slow steadying breath she focuses on the scenery in front of her. The silence of the night that slowly approaches. In the distance she can see the last colors of the sunset, the oranges, red and yellows, turning into a dark midnight blue. The moon taking its place in the sun’s stead as the sound of insects waking in the night.

  Passing the fountain surrounded by crocus flowers they open in a calm glow, the moonlight caressing its petals. When she first walked past this fountain this morning she never thought she would return with such confusion in her mind. Her legacy, the stone, to use it, not to use it. To save the queen, to let her die. To stop the Stilits, to trust Saan to use his military. To destroy the Stilits with the power of the stone, to wish them away. To make the first wish in her lifetime one for death and bloodshed. To alert the world that the stone still exists, and the Aljehni blood has not disintegrated. Or to stay safe behind closed doors, to place herself in the position her family was always meant to be in.

  In the queen’s chambers, Saan walks to stand at his brother’s side, “Hammun, how was your time after the hunt?” he asks, making light conversation before he bids his goodbye. Hestia bows and he smiles acknowledging it, a soft pat on her shoulder.

  Hammun shakes his head with a smirk, “I joined the meeting with the school of Ahlin,” his gaze falls on his sleeping mother, “which was a good thing this time.”

  Saan nods and walks close to the bed to kiss his mother’s forehead.

  “Mother would be happy to know you cleaned up. It seems Aaleyah is able to teach the old horse how to drink water.” Hammun teases. Their voices soft and quiet, to not awaken the queen.

  Saan rolls his eyes at the comment, but his attention returns to his waking mother. “Mother, are you alright?”

  Smiling, she makes no motion to sit up, keeping her head resting on the pillow, “I received medicine and Hestia-” the queen notices Hestia standing behind Hammun. “You have returned?” she asks in confusion.

  Hestia blushes, “I wished to check on you before making the tea,” she shyly tells her before bowing, “I will leave now. Please wait for me, I will return as fast as I can,” she announces before rushing out the door.

  Saan and his brother wait for the door to close before returning his gaze to the queen.

  Flustered by the looks of her son’s, “I am alright, Hestia will return with her teas, and-”

  No mother,” Saan gently cuts her off, “I do not wish to know the vague facts. I want to know how you are. Are you in pain? Is there anything we can do to ease any tension you could be feeling?” Patting his chest, “What can I do? Just tell me what you need.”

  Hammun nods, “Whatever you need just say the word.”

  Shaking her head, “I require you to stop fretting over me,” she chides gently. “I was just explaining to your brother that we do not know the type of poison I was attacked with, thus it will take some time for me to be treated completely. The medicine I have needs some time, and in that time I would feel much better if my son’s were not crawling after my beck and call,” she sternly tells them. “Most importantly you both must keep your minds clear. Do not make emotion filled decisions, there is a storm coming, and you both must be vigilant, not worried,” she says before inhaling slowly to avoid the pain in her abdomen.

  “The storm being the Stilits?” Hammun asks, glancing at Saan. “Or are we discussing the treaties potentially being steps towards war? The more we seek peace, the more the tension between kingdoms grows. Not to mention the crimes a certain prince has been committing.” Hammun shares his thoughts, and moves to sit on the edge of the bed.

  “It is ill-advised for us to punish the fish, with our connection to Nevalvn our complaints could be seen as attempts for more power. If the Stilits truly are returning to their former glory then we need to make it impossible for them to form an alliance with Trivplah.” Saan’s anger was not new, if not for Hammun and his father saying no he would go with his troops to Nevalvn and fight Prince Kian head on.

  When the Stilits first came into power they were supported by his grandfather. The goal was to chip away at Aljehni power, and then wipe them out.

  The Aljehni fall was gradual, first their say in court began to weaken, then students from the academy began to leave. Then attacks happened, the military lost power and the people lost faith. That was when the Stilits finally struck and attacked.

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  When the Aljehni family fell, the kingdom grew divided, that division spread to other kingdoms as well. The Nevalvn Kingdom grew hateful and eventually their royal family was killed.

  It was his own grandfather who quickly took the Nevalvn kingdom under his wing, pretending to help. In the end the once strong Nevalvn kingdom lost its military to rebels, its land, and access to its water trade. Nevalvn had no one but Aidkjeen martial power to turn to, just what his grandfather desired.

  When his father took the throne it took numerous meetings, peace talks, and extended grace to stabilize the Nevalvn kingdom. Hence why Hestia received the title of princess and signed an engagement with his brother.

  If any of the Stilits from the past are part of this uprising, then they may know the ends and outs of the palace; including the secret rooms and passages. “The Stilits are knowledgeable, maybe a set of fresh eyes will help us see if there are any weaknesses in our security,” Saan thinks aloud, already hearing the flaws in the statement.

  Shaking his head, “I disagree if we reach out to other kingdoms now and they are not needed we will owe them a debt. We just got the upper hand, to lower ourselves again would be dangerous. The Aidkjeen kingdom is at its most stable state since the revolt. It is amazing that Trivplah has not made moves to overpower us.” Scratching the side of his head he shakes his thoughts away and turns to his mother with a smile, “Though the peace, however shaky it is, is all thanks to you.” Hammun says with a diplomatic smile.

  His mother, cousin of the Trivplah royal line. As long as she is alive in Aidkjeen kingdom, then the Trivplah Kingdom swore to never attack. It could be possible the Stilits come from Trivplah, their plan to take out the queen so they are no longer held by their vows.

  Saan studies his mother’s heavy eyes, “At this moment our enemies could be the Trivplah Kingdom, if you die within this kingdom by an attack, they could have an excuse to invade for justice.”

  His mother shakes her head, “My family would not attack me,” she says with conviction.

  Saan spares a glance at Hammun. It is not out of family love that she believes this. The original prisoner of Aidkjeen, a promise of peace between the kingdoms came with advantages for the Trivplah kingdom.

  Triplah was a proud family who ruled in power for almost a century. It was nine Red moons ago that the kingdom’s name changed from Kemtol to Trivplah in their honor. Two Red moons ago their kingdom experienced an epidemic. The people were dying left and right with not enough medicine, or enough time. The epidemic started from the fish and spread. The fish was the heart of the kingdom’s economy, without it Trivplah slowly began to fall, and the proud family was forced to call for help.

  Saan’s great grandfather had the money and medicine to help but hesitated. Trivplah’s, regardless of lack of food, and sickness; their navy was a force to be reckoned with. So the promise was that they had to cut their military by ?, and only then would the Dlumaeni family offer assistance. The Trivplah’s reluctantly agreed.

  Once the epidemic had passed Trivplah went back on their word. Only to quickly realize they lacked power and a new treaty was made. The Dlumaeni king would now require Trivplah blood to entire their walls before they agreed to cease fighting.

  Anahita came to the Aidkjeen kingdom as a prisoner. Both kingdoms were shocked when his father fell in love with her. Trivplah, quick to jump on board, urging for a marriage that could take them out from under Aidkjeen’s foot.

  Eventually the prisoner or Aidkjeen kingdom became the queen, and the proud Trivplah family received numerous advantages. Money being one of them, the cost of exports through the channel was cheaper for them, and the alliance with Aidkjeen made them formidable opponents to other kingdoms. Trivplah still cannot strengthen their military, but with the blood as queen in Aidkjeen, they could always request aid.

  So of course his mother believes that her family will not attempt to kill her. To do so would destroy all the peace that her kingdom bent a knee for.

  Saan knows it is not impossible to think the Trivplah’s would do something so cruel and reckless. If the Trivplah’s were secretly building their military under the guise of Stilits, then the queen dying would be the perfect opportunity for them.

  Hammun tilts his head in thought, “Looking at the relationships between kingdoms, we have already pushed our luck to create this treaty to protect Nevalvn.”

  Crossing his hands behind his back, “Assuming the Stilits currently have no connection to Trivplah, if a revolt occurred again between us and the Stilits, what royal families can be considered allies?”

  Humming for a moment Hammun lifts his crown to sweep his hair back. He answers with tired eyes, “The stability in the Nevalvn Kingdom is a strong child, and peace with the Trivplah Kingdom is barely solid. Nevalvn; rich in resources, mines filled with riches. Their loyalty is to Aidjkeen. Unfortunately, not many believe in their stability. It has been Red moons of us repeatedly convincing and reminding the Trivplah Kingdom that the Nevalvn land is not free land. The more we defend and protect Nevalvn, other kingdoms believe we are taking more power than is fair.”

  Saan took a seat beside his mother’s bedside. Even if his military is strong, it would not be a quick battle.

  “People have begun to question, why do we get control of the mines? Why do we get the resources? This question is what makes peace hard to gain. If the Stilits choose to fight for power, many kingdoms will see it as an opportunity to weaken us and then take Nevalvn land.” Hammun gazes at his mother and gently squeezes her hand, “If the Queen of Aidkjeen kingdom, cousin of Trivplah Kingdom dies, and the Stilits attack,” his calm eyes move to his brother, and then back to his mother, “we can count on the Trivplah’s fighting against us.”

  Saan turns his head to look at the window above his mother’s bed. The intricate pattern covers the glass preventing one from seeing the outside clearly. The small holes of moonlight shining through it, how could night be so peaceful despite all that has happened throughout the day? His gaze turns to the windows above the table he had sat at earlier zeroing on on the chair his wife sat at. He told Aaleyah that she need not worry. Told her to trust him and to trust his military, he has to make sure it is true.

  Even with their power lowered, the Trivplah military is one of strong navy officers, boats made of the finest materials, they are the commanders of the sea. No force is stronger than them on water, “As far as the Trivplah Kingdom is concerned there are no complications within our kingdom. Nothing has happened that we can not easily deal with.” He says rising to his feet.

  “We will spread gossip that the queen is fine, and whatever spies they have within the kingdom will pass that information to them,” Hammun agrees with a cautious smile.

  “If they are behind this we will let them know they failed.”

  “And if they are not behind it, we will show them how formidable we are.” Hammun brings his mother’s hands to his lips to kiss it. “In the meantime we will discreetly search for the origin of the poison. We may be able to ask the Heahnian Kingdom for help,” he says with more happiness in his voice.

  Heahhnian has some of the best doctors in the world, a kingdom that does not lack in intelligence and wisdom. They also have skilled assassins who have steered the path of life and altered history.

  “Yes, few know of the skills and talents of the Heahnian Kingdom.” Saan monitors the curious gleam in his brother’s eye, “Assassins. The Heahnian Royal Family has cultivated some of the best, and it is only known to few of their skills.” Tapping his side where his xaza usually lies, his waist is empty, Aaleyah never gave it back to him. “If we can locate the base of the Stilits it may be possible that we can ask for assassins to help us infiltrate them.”

  Hammun is stunned, “You mean to kill them before they act? As of now we have no proof of their actions. How will we be certain we are killing the guilty?”

  Saan’s eyes go to their mother, the glance his obvious answer.

  Hammun shakes his head. “We do not know for sure.”

  “Then we will interrogate them,” Saan says with a dark voice.

  “Interrogate them, or torture them?”

  The queen holds her hands up, “Now is not a time to argue,” she tells them softly.

  Shaking his hand, “We are not arguing, mother.” Saan smiles then focuses on his brother with grave eyes, “Shall we wait for a family to be wiped out before we act?”

  Hammun’s eyes flash with shock, and then anger. “How dare you. I am trying to avoid repeats of the past.”

  “As am I.” Saan rubs the spot above his eyebrow, “You say we do not know if they are guilty? If they claim to be Stilits then they must pay for the crimes of the revolts before!”

  “To do these actions how would we be any different than grandfather’s rule? Punishing as we wish, attacking who we see fit. Eliminating those who do not follow our rule.”

  Saan catches the way Hammun fidgets with his vambrace, a sign he is nervous.

  “Once you start that path it will only grow worse. We need evidence before we do anything, the court must have proof.” Hammun diplomatically tells him.

  “Fine, I give my word I will not kill them, but I assure you there are questions I want answers to. Blood will not pour like rain until I have those answers,” he promises darkly. “I too, never want to see innocents harmed again.” He recalls the moment Aaleyah attacked him after her family was killed. The vengeance and cruelty her eyes held.

  Taking advantage of this break the queen speaks again, “Both of you should sit and talk of this away from me so that I may sleep.”

  Both men turn in shock to look at their mother.

  “I am sorry,” Saan tells her.

  Please rest,” Hammun says.

  Chuckling she shoos them to go sit at the table.

  Hammun pulls out a chair when they reach the table, “I am not purposefully disagreeing with you. We just have to keep the court officials in mind when we make decisions,” he explains. Seated he pours a cup of tea and slides it to his brother as a peace offering.

  Saan taks the tea and drinks it, he was supposed to be saying goodbye so he can return to Aaleyah’s side. “We need to find a plan that allows you and I to both get what we desire and,”

  “-strategizes around politics.” Hammun finishes while pouring himself a cup. “We need a plan that will alert no one.”

  “A plan that will not reveal our weakness, but will reveal the enemies.”

  Hammun nods, “If possible we can set a foundation of a plan tonight, and finish the rest tomorrow.”

  Agreeing, “Yes, we will not talk long,” Saan says, remembering his promise to return to Aaleyah.