In the palace High Prince Hammaan knelt before his father. “Your majesty, please release our people from the prison. They have been unfairly placed there.”

  King Saamun relaxed in his throne, his legs spread as he twirled his blade. “You learned of this faster than I thought you would. Good job.”

  “Your majesty, the unrest is only growing in Cabimal, punishing the innocent will only add straw to the flames.”

  “Yes, I agree,” his father answered lazily. “Once the Stilits are apprehended everything will go back to the way it should.”

  “It is not just the Stilits that pose a problem. The people are losing faith in the government. It starts here, if we can stop it before it spreads throughout the kingdom that would be for the best. A kingdom runs on the faith of the people.”

  King Saamun scoffed. “That is where you are wrong son. The kingdom runs on the strength of the king. If the king is strong the people will not waiver. Think of a pack of wolves: one pack has a weak leader that follows the orders of the wolves. The other is an alpha that leads by example. In the wild which pack will survive? Is it not the strong alpha that guides, and is not guided? How long must I tell this Hammaan? The kingdom does not rule you, you rule the kingdom. Life does not move you, you move life.” King Saamun made his way to him. “You are to be king. A king is a ruler, stop longing for a commoner's role.”

  Eunuch Yosen rushed inside. “Your majesty!” He huffed tired from running up the steps. “Your majesty. Scholar Aljehi is outside the Department of justice with a crowd of people demanding to be heard!”

  As Hammaan glanced towards his father he caught a glimmer of joy that his lips barely contained. Then his father’s face became one of mock shock. “And what of the academy?”

  Hammaan anxiously awaited Eunuch Yosen’s response.

  “High Prince, would you like to deal with this?”

  Hammaan’ suddenly felt apprehensive. His father’s willingness meant it was a trap. But for Havil, was it a trap he would walk towards?

  “You can tell the people that by order of the king, and in honor of the Aljehni family, the people will be released tomorrow at noon.”

  Hammaan bowed his head accepting the order silently.

  “What is it? I was sure you would be happy to see your friend.”

  Hammaan refused to reply, and ordered his feet to take him out of the hall.

  Once Hammaan had left the hall the king’s smile grew wider. “Prepare the weapons.”

  “Right away, your majesty.” Eunuch Yosen bowed and rushed to have the guards transport the weapons.

  At the edge of the estate Zale moved the bush and yelled for Aaleyah to hurry up. Once she and her horse walked through he moved the bush back and brushed the dirt from his hands. “There, step one, complete,” he announced happily.

  “You can gloat later, we need to return the horses.” Asbed said walking past Zale, his hands tightly holding onto the reins.

  As they made their way back to the stables Aaleyah recited the passages from her studies. This time she would prove herself to father.

  “See Ley Ley, now you will be able to study at a greater speed than before. I told you you needed a break,” Zale cockily said.

  “As long as no one finds out, you will not hear a complaint from me.” She smiled before bumping into Asbed who froze outside the stable doors. “Why did you stop?”

  “It was not my idea!” Asbed sputtered out, shaking his hands.

  Aaleyah and Zale froze, their hands dropped the horse reins as they stared at Herom.

  The early autumn weather froze over as they met his cold gaze. There was no smile, no notion that everything was okay, no peaceful fun loving brother in sight. “Do you have any idea how worried we were?”

  Aaleyah stepped behind Zale. Herom did not raise his voice, did not yell at all. Instead his voice was so calm she could feel her blood freezing over.

  “Put the horses away.” Herom ordered.

  Her stomach ached. “Herom it was-”

  “Put. The. Horses. Away.”

  Asbed rushed into action taking his horses and undoing the saddle, he hesitated on brushing the horse down, his hand hovering over it, too afraid to ask.

  “The stablemen will do it.” Herom said whilst locking his gaze with Zale’s.

  Asbed put the horse in its stall and closed the gate.

  While doing all of this Aaleyah could not get her body to move, her hand clutched Zale’s robe, preventing him from moving.

  “Herom, I did not intend to worry anyone,” she whispered her words into Zale’s shoulder.

  “I will not repeat myself.”

  Zale finally moved, but Aaleyah refused to let go, thus he put away his and her horse; allowing her to clutch his sleeve the entire time.

  Once finished they stood before Herom.

  Asbed fidgeted nervously and snuck glances in their direction.

  “Whose idea was this?” Herom glared in Aaleyah’s direction and she dropped her head.

  “I take responsibility, it was my idea,” Aaleyah whispered, her fingers tightened around Zale’s clothes.

  Herom exhaled. “So it was Zale’s idea.” His gaze moved to Asbed. “And you? Why did you indulge?”

  Asbed scratched his neck. “We did not mean any harm.”

  Aaleyah moved from her safe place behind Zale. “It was because of me. It was my fault. They only wanted t-to, it does not really matter what they wanted. All their actions were for me, so I will take the punishment,” she defended her brothers.

  Zale refused to allow her to take the blame. “No.” He took a step forward to stand at her side. “It was my idea. I convinced Asbed and Ley Ley to go along with it. I should be the one to take the punishment.”

  Herom’s eyes flashed with an unnamed emotion as he made his way towards them. “Aaleyah and Zale, you will go to your separate rooms and you will study. If you leave for anything other than the restroom,” he bent so his face was at the same level as theirs, “you will not have to worry about father punishing you. You will answer to me. I suggest you study hard, else you disappoint me again.”

  Aaleyah dug her nails into her palm. In two moons she found herself being the disappointment of her family members. Never had she been so much of a failure.

  Herom turned to Asbed. “You will train the sword dance until I say stop. Every mistake will be an added hour of training.” He looked at all of them. “Do you know of the stress you could have caused mother and father if they heard of this? Have you not noticed the weight our parents have been carrying? Are you only capable of causing trouble?”

  Asbed dropped his head in shame. “I am sorry. I promise to not cause any more trouble.”

  “Get the swords,” Herom ordered, and Asbed ran off.

  Zale squeezed her hand. “Herom, you do not need to speak to Ley Ley like this. It is all my fault, I am the one responsible.”

  “No, you are not the one solely responsible. Aaleyah, you have disappointed me.” He motioned his head to the door. “Go.”

  No sooner had the words left his mouth had Aaleyah ran away as fast as she could. Zale did not stand a chance in catching up to her.

  Outside the entrance of the Department of Justice High Prince Hammaan entered with an entourage of guards behind him.

  The crowd parted as he made his way to stand at Havil’s side. “Scholar Aljehni.”

  “How grateful I am for your presence at this moment.” Havil bowed low.

  High Prince Hammaan nodded once and addressed the crowd. “We have heard your grievances. In respect for our people we will be releasing those arrested today at noon tomorrow.”

  Immediately his words were met with complaints.

  “Why the long wait?”

  “Why can they not be released today?”

  “They were unfairly arrested and even though you know that you will still keep them? This is unfair!”

  Guard Izad had enough. “You will address the high prince of our kingdom with respect.”

  Hearing the warning many of the people in the crowd took a visible step back. The boy from earlier that had tried to push his head through the gates of the academy however, came forward. “Your majesty, my mother was arrested. Please do not make me go home without her.”

  High Prince Hammaan knelt on one knee to speak to the child, at his action everyone kneeled as well. “Child, is there nowhere you can go for the night?”

  “Everyone, it is just one night, it will take time to speak to all of them, and we must follow all procedures. Please understand,” Havil said in support.

  A teenager reached his hand out to the boy. “Zaki.”

  The tearful boy turned at the sound of his name.

  “Come, I will watch over you,” he opened his arms to the child.

  The tea shop owner bowed. “High Prince Hammaan, Scholar Aljehni,” he bowed again. “Do we have your word that our family members will be safe for the night? Also, will this be eliminated from their records?”

  High Prince Hammaan pinched the bridge of his noise. “I assure you by law, if everyone is proven-”

  “When everyone is proven innocent,” Havil quickly corrected, already sensing the insult in the people’s faces.

  “Yes.” High Prince Hammaan gave him a grateful smile. “When everyone is proven innocent and released, there will be no crimes on their records. If in the future they wish to open businesses, apply to become a scholar, or even a palace guard; this situation will not hold them back.”

  The people seemed to accept the promises dispersed.

  Soon everyone was gone but Havil, the high prince, and his guards. High Prince Hammaan waved a hand to Izad, “Scholar Aljehni and I will speak, no one is to come inside.” He led Havil inside the Department of Justice.

  “Is it safe to speak here?” Havil asked softly in case there were listening ears.

  High Prince Hammun led him to a back room. Once inside he closed the door and poured sand on a wooden stick to start a fountain, the loud noise drowning out his whispers. “Havil, I once told you to leave.”

  “Am I out of time?”

  “I have been speaking to King Ion, I will use the Military Army token to move the Black Leaf Branch to help escort you and your family to the borders of Aidkjeen. There you will be met with special forces from the Heahnian king.”

  Havil shook his head. “This game of Senet,” he exhaled a sad laugh, “it will not be I who is the winner. If you attempt to aid, you will endanger yourself.”

  “You are my friend! I will not abandon you. Especially when the danger comes from my own blood. Leave for Heahnian, the people there adore the Aljehni name and respect you the way you deserve to be respected.”

  “When the king finds out you will be in danger.”

  “You are in danger!”

  “Think of your children, Hammaan. There is no one who is exempt from punishments. I will go to Heahnian, I will take my family, but you must have nothing to do with it.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “My sons will be safe, as the future king of the kingdom it is my duty to save my people. That includes you and your family.”

  Havil shook his head. “We are no longer children, you are the high prince, and I am the head of the family threatening you. You must stand strong with your father. From the scriptures of Mofmo-”

  Hammaan rolled his eyes. “You do not believe in the old gods, and neither do I.”

  “Still. ‘A leader is not questioned, all are aware of who stands tall.’ In this kingdom the king feels that his position is being questioned; a dangerous position. As a leader he is doing what he must to aid his family, and his kingdom.”

  “You defend my father? You defend his actions? After all he has done!” He stared at Havil’s face, disbelief swam in his eyes. “Shall I point out his actions? He has been playing this game of Senet for Blue Moons, and we have only just realized. General Nubian is gone.”

  Havil’s eyes shuddered shut.

  “The Medes family was forced to leave.” Hammaan whispered with a haunted expression. “My father has cut at your family’s military power. Your wife’s troops are slowly being taken out. Not to mention the acts of violence from people in and outside of the capital with the Aljehni insignia painted on their body.”

  Havil paused, his eyes opened. “What do you mean Aminah’s troops are slowly being taken out?”

  “You were unaware?”

  Outside of the academy troops wearing a yellow dot on their left sleeve; troops under General Aminah’s command, made their way to the gates. Horses pulled a carriage that moved slowly under the heavy weight.

  The horses were led inside and behind the main building; the troops worked quickly to unload the items into the library’s back room. Silently some soldiers flinched as they worked, occasionally hitting the side of their head with their fist.

  The agonized soldiers eventually finished unloading, closed the door and left the academy as quietly as they came.

  The next morning Scholar Shah woke early to place a message at the academy door. He thought it wise to close the academy for a couple days until the emotions of the people were more leveled.

  As he reached the academy gate he was met with an entourage of guards. They parted and Captain Enlil stepped forward to greet him.

  “Scholar Shah, how fortunate to see you so early,” he stated respectfully.

  Shah scanned the amount of guards behind the captain.

  “We were hoping you could allow us entrance inside the academy.”

  He stuck his hands in his robe sleeves. “To search the academy,” he took the time to glance at the sun shining its golden light in the sky, “surely Scholar Aljehni should be present.”

  Captain Enlil’s right eye twitched in irritation. “Scholar Shah, we have been ordered to search, will you interfere?”

  “Scholar Aljehni is the head of this academy, he will be able to provide much help in whatever it is you are looking for.”

  “Scholar Shah holds a high position at the academy, with you here there shall be no problems.” Captain Enlil pointed at the gate. “Please allow us entrance.”

  Scholar Shah made his way to the gate and pulled the key from his sleeve. He paused and turned to the captain. “Establishments that specialize in education are usually warned before searches to ensure the safety of the students as well as the works. May I see your order?”

  As if he was expecting it, Capital Enlil pulled out a rolled paper with the king’s stamp. “Apologies for the lack of warning, there was a tip.”

  Recognizing the king’s stamp, Scholar Shah had no choice but to open the gate. The moment the click of the gate sounded the guards rushed inside searching everything. Books were upturned, scrolls and paintings shoved to the side.

  Scholar Shah watched the guards with a grimace and posted the paper stating the academy’s closing onto the gate. Once the notice was hung up properly he slowly made his way through the grounds of the academy. Many students were studying for their tests, and their scrolls that they had placed in perfect chaos on their tables were now scattered throughout the floor.

  The guards no longer seemed to care or need his presence. They ran past him to search behind paintings, under bookshelves, under floorboards, the chaos getting louder as the sun continued to rise higher.

  From the chaos a call came from guards in the back of the small library. “I found them! The missing weapons!”

  The noise seemed to stop, and the young guard called out again. “The weapons stolen by the Stilits, they are all here!”

  A shiver ran down Scholar Shah’s spine. “That is impossible,” he said to himself. His feet followed the guards to the library rushing over thrown tables, and pillow cushions. “That is impossible,” he repeated, but the words only gave him comfort for a breath. When desperate, jealous, or raged; the impossible can be made molded.

  Reaching the library he stared in a daze at the chests of blades, knives, spears, and shields. The cause of so many people’s demise; he exhaled cold air. They were really here.

  His eyes could clearly see it, but his feet still stumbled forward. Reaching down he touched the metal, pure from the Nevalvn Mines. His eyes may refuse to believe, but his finger ran over the smooth cold metal and he could not pretend. His finger was sliced by the blade but he did not move away. ‘“As the wolf grows strong, nature creates a fall,’” he sadly quoted.

  Captain Enlil made his way inside the library pavilion. “Scholar Shah, a man as wise as you,” he opened another box to admire the weapons, “will allow us to take you in for questioning?”

  He could feel it; his exterior broke as he glared. He stayed out of trouble, steered away from society. He was reclusive, his mind only cared for the knowledge the world had to offer. His eyes were usually bored, his mouth a painted line of indifference when he was forced to stand in public. Being in the academy was a perfect fit for him. To be surrounded by like minds seeking the answers of the universe. Yet, as the captain questioned him with that bitten smirk, his indifference broke, his thin line was a clenched jaw.

  “This academy has nothing to hide. Justice will prevail for the innocent,” he told the captain as he led the way out of the academy to get questioned. As he stepped over the threshold to leave the academy he covered his hesitation with a cough. Somehow he had the feeling this would be the last time he would set foot on those grounds again.

  By breakfast everyone in the capital heard the news. The academy crimes had spread faster than a fire on a dry windy day. Somehow it was already written and people surrounded the poor messenger boys to buy the latest issue.

  “The Stilit weapons were found!”

  “The academy was hiding it all along!”

  “The academy is closed until further notice.”

  “Scholar Shah was taken in.”

  “Was he arrested?”

  “Did he go willingly?”

  This news was just the beginning. Then the next announcement sparked anger, the shock fading away swiftly.

  The post nailed to the board captured everyone’s attention. “Due to shocking revelations, and finding of the lost weapons; all those arrested will not be released.” The post went on to say that they would be questioned further.

  The children and elderly who were excitedly looking forward to being reunited with their family had their expectations dropped.

  The youth had followed the actions of the world around them. They had painted the Aljehni insignia on their body. Their arms, cheeks, necks, legs, wrist, ankles; every youth seen had the image of the two part stone on their body somewhere.

  The elders, in their betrayed state, punished the children.

  “Erase that insignia! Did you not hear the news? The Aljehnis are the reason your mother is not released,” a grandfather told a child who ran the streets dressed in yellow.

  “The weapons being in the academy does not mean that Scholar Aljehni betrayed us,” the teen who had taken in Zaki said. A yellow and blue Aljehni insignia was painted on his neck. “My father said we can always trust the Aljehnis to aid us. They have always defended us, why do we abandon them so quickly?”

  The grandfather could only huff at the disrespect the children had these days.

  Conversations like this were spreading. As farmers and merchants left Cabimal walls to trade and gather, they spread the information with them. For in life gossip spreads as fast as dust in the wind.

  With such a shocking reveal of news many believed this to be the main discussion at the Aljehni Estate. However the entire family received a different letter.

  As the capital erupted and made their divide on if the Aljehnis were truly trustworthy or not, the letter that the Aljehnis received was a blow so big that the only one who could react was Roset. His tears cascaded down his cheeks.

  Dharam stared at the lines of the wooden table, his eyes stung and he held his breath to control his pain.

  Zale squeezed Aaleyah’s hand.

  Herom was the first to speak. “May I read it myself?” His voice was thick as he reached out his hand for the letter.

  His mother tilted the letter in his direction before she stood and her feet stumbled. She stubbornly waved her hand for no one to assist her, before she walked away.

  Herom stared at the letter in his hinds, his nails dug into it as his hand shook.

  Chiara wiped her cheek. “Sun Uncle Hakim,” she hiccuped as tears rolled down her cheeks spilling onto the wooden table. Her teeth chattered.

  Asbed curled in on himself. “Sun Uncle Hamdi said he would come back.” He held back his sob.

  Dharam kicked at the leg of the table. “This could not have been an accident! This was on purpose.” He kicked at the table again and again until his tears rolled and his foot turned red and he yelled.

  Father did not scold him, he only told one of the servants to prepare medicine for his wounds.

  Amenah reached out for Dharam’s arm. It took two attempts before he stopped to face her, his red face soaked in tears.

  “I was going to train. I was going to get stronger. I was going to beat him. I was going to-” Dharam broke.

  Amenah pulled Dharam to rest his face in the crook of her neck. “I know,” she told him, her own tears fell. “I know.”

  Zale turned to Herom. “Are they really all gone?” He asked, somehow needing confirmation. Needing to be wrong.

  Their father spoke instead. His voice was low and thick. “There was a landslide at the Ridge of Antingree. Duke Majidi believed Stilits to be moving on the path and destroyed it not realizing that the Medes were traveling west. They-” he breath caught, “the Medes family was caught unaware. There were no survivors.”

  Dharam kicked again and Amenah stood pulling hom to follow her out of the room..

  Their father cleared his throat and stood. “We will make the preparations tomorrow, for today take the time you need.” He locked eyes with Herom, "I suggest you stay at the estate today,” he advised with a heavy hand on Herom’s shoulder.

  Herom nodded, his hand finally released the paper onto the table.

  Havil lifted a sobbing Roset into his arms.

  Roset wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, his tears soaking the fabric of his clothes and he cried into his shoulder. “Grandmother!”

  The room fell into deafening silence.

  Chiara’s teeth chattered and she tapped onto the table. “‘In the eyes of family we can break, we just have to make sure we stay strong when we leave,’” she quoted.

  Herom’s lips turned up at the words. “Yes. A wolf is only overcome by sheep when it loses its faith in the pack.”

  Chiara wiped her tears away roughly. “And we have faith, even if our pack is injured, and attacked, we have faith.”

  Asbed lifted his gaze. “So we shall make this pack too strong for the sheep to find a stand,” he vowed.

  “For together we will never get hurt again.” Zale added.

  Aaleyah remained silent, her nails cut into the skin of her palm.

  At the palace Duke Majidi kneeled before the king. “Your majesty I have returned from my mission.”

  King Saamun clapped, slow and loud. “Yes and what a successful mission it was. I am very pleased. The entire Medes family, killed in one sweep, what skill.”

  Duke Majidi lifted his head. “Anything for his majesty,” he replied obediently.

  King Saamun chuckled. “I know what it is you want. You and your sister will depart on a trip in four days time.”

  “Thank you, your majesty. Might I-”

  “No. She is quite busy these days, reading letters and trying to send some out.”

  Duke Majidi's stomach dropped. “Reading letters?”

  “Yes of course. You were not aware because you were out, but General Aljehni herself stood outside your tent to speak to you. As you were away she sent a letter to your sister instead. I have the faintest idea what she would wish to say to a friend she has not spoken to in almost two Red Moons, but nonetheless the letter was received,” the king said with a humorous smile.

  Duke Majidi squeezed his knee. “Might his majesty tell me of Concubine Megera’s emotions after she read the letter?” He asked, bracing himself for the answer.

  “She seemed so disappointed,” the king said with a laugh. “Nonetheless I have a new task for you.”

  Outside the palace the people made their way to the prison to demand for their loved ones back. After all Scholar Shah was released after being questioned for only a morning, why must their family remain inside for a day?

  The guards of the prison did not share the same thoughts and threatened for the people to step back.

  An elderly man lifted his cane at the guard. “Will you arrest us? There is no justice in this capital. You harm our loved ones and provide bias towards the rich. If you do not release my son I will go in there and get him myself.”

  The guards pulled out their swords. “The crime of breaking into a prison is punishable by death. This is your last warning.”

  Concubine Megera stood in her chambers, her wide eyes stared at the letters. One from Aminah pleading for her to talk to her brother, to ask him to stop. The other letter was the one she had written and sent out to her brother two days ago. She was too late.

  Duke Majidi reached the hill top of the prison. It was only his training that stopped him from faltering. Numerous bodies lay on the ground. The ones alive cried as they pressed on their wounds. Guards held back their cries of pain; but they bled out the same. Children were littered outside the prison crying for mercy.

  “Stop!” He ordered as a guard lifted his blade to attack a child. “By order of King Sammun we are to release the people in custody. They are not to be punished for the Aljehni’s mistakes.

  The guard sheathed his sword, and followed the order.

  Soon the adults stumbled out of the prison and the children who were not too injured rushed to their loved ones.

  “Everyone who was just released, the people were attacked because they attempted to break into the prison. They placed their faith in the Aljehnis and this is what has become of them.” He scanned the people who held their children, siblings, or parents. “The king asks for you to give careful thought to who you place your faith in. Otherwise, it would pain him to see more blood spilled.”

  The people nodded and defeatedly made their way down the hill. The adults who were just released held the elderly by by their arms helping them down. Some adults grieved the loss of the bodies who lay on the ground.

  The scholar who was released made eye contact with Duke Majidi and nodded before speaking. “The Aljehnis would not betray us. They would not let this happen,” he shook his head.

  An older man held his grandson’s dead body in his arms. “Do you see any of them here! You were in prison so you do not know. The weapons that were missing for almost two moons were found in the academy! The Aljehnis were behind it the entire time. They had the weapons but let our homes and shops be raided. How dare you continue to stand by their side!”

  The scholar shook his head. “That can not be true, it is not true.”

  Duke Majidi silently signaled for him to stop. “The weapons were found in the academy, the Stilits caused the death of the Medes family. It is not difficult to see that the Aljehnis are only looking out for themselves.

  The faces of the people turned ashen.

  The next day the king sent out a notice pleading for the Aljehnis to stop their plans of violence. Whatever the Aljehnis were planning; for the sake of the kingdom, everyone hoped they would stop.