The three fugitives joined Prince Thariem and Darina’s company en route to Gandaria. Their company has encamped first in a mountainous place to wait for the dawn. They were discussing among themselves how to find a place for Queen Dowager and Dilruba to stay.
Dilruba felt uneasy about their discussion. She does not want to be a burden among the soldiers. Seeing that a mighty woman like Darina can easily join the troop, she thought of volunteering herself.
“No, Dilruba. You must stay with Queen Dowager,” Prince Thariem replied to her secret appeal. “She needs someone with her, too.”
Darina heard their conversation and added herself to it.
“We do not think of burdens on accompanying you with us. However, some things must be executed wise,” Darina tried explaining gently.
“In that case, Your Highness can join us with the Queen Dowager at our stay in Gandaria. We can assure each other’s safety while our soldiers retake the capital,” Dilruba sugges
Their mission to find a place for Queen Dowager is done. But oftentimes, Darina would try to look back at the manor as if she is assuring herself that the highness will be safe there. This concerns Marsden so he went near to her. "Anything that bothers you, My Lady?" Marsden asked. Darina shrugged. She rather thinks if Marsden felt uneasy. "Your lady is at the manor. Don't you feel at the loss that she cannot come with us?" "But you are with us now, your highness," Marsden seemed to not understand what Darina meant. "I'm talking about Dilruba," Darina clarified. Marsden rather diverted the topic. "It seems like Dilruba does not know where Queen Mariam was heading." "And no one knows Queen Mariam and King Rashal's whereabouts," Darina said. "And yet, we have to deal with this on our own." "You have me," Marsden assured. "But of course. My sister hired you as her privateer. You should fulfill your duty," Prince Thariem ad
Before there were troubles, there was tranquility. Before there was mourning, there was Darina and Shahin, having fun at Choaspes, fishing to their delights. Among these times, the silent Shahin was unfolding himself to be talkative with Darina. Darina did not care much about what was Shahin is talking about. It is her first time taking a bucket full of fish. “Look, brother Shahin! This is more than enough for the both of us this afternoon,” Darina exclaimed while looking at the bucket. “Will you consider fishing here again if you will someday become a royal adviser?” Shahin asked while taking the bucket from Darina. “I do not think so. There are better scholars than me that father king must employ. Moreover, as far as I know, there will only be a new royal adviser if a new king ascends. Why do you think about these things?” “Just thinking about your plans. It is not like things will remain as they are, right?” Shahin’s question rather
In war, there are pawns. But for the struggling Clapestris, never forlorn and abandoned brothers. The messengers in themselves thought already that something might happen to them than expecting the receivers to respond according to their ideal. However, they choose to not get frightened. They composed themselves in the understanding that their roles are not yet done; even if they have to get fettered down the cells of arid antiquity. The fate that happened on messengers for Gilan also emerged to other pairs who touched the city thresholds assigned to them. Yet, a distinct event came to the pair who arrived in the Amyrgian land. Another person from the house of Amyrgia had received the letter from Darina. Instead of locking them, they are well received. Maidservants and musicians attended them. Steppe delicacies are set upon their tables. Their thirst is ready to be quenched by wine. “Serve them well for they are from the house of Lunekleare,” the chief woman announce
It is still, after all, a battle of time, terrain, and understanding. Going to the land of the Amyrgia Clan as of this time is like plunging through the lair of an old mad lion. It is the place where the Falcon was from. The traveling Clapestrisian military can never assure itself that no hostility will await them there, especially from the ruling entities. They cannot rely solely on Ozroes, though be of great name and authority, due to his illness that kept him weak and guarded away from the rest of the steppe. The terrain is at least favorable to the Clapestrisians. There is a portion of the Gobi Desert that makes it distinct and bold to face the hint of a Parsian topography. It is the Kashun-Gobi. It mediates before the borders of Amyrgians. It offers a route for the Clapestrisian force to reach the eastern territory of the mentioned house. Yurts of familiar designs and varying sizes are placed in the eastern district. Amyrgians move according to their way of life
Many soldiers of varying ranks and skills are admitted to the company of Prince Thariem and Darina. Tools are with them but their delight is on Ozroes that is healed and freed from his isolating yurt. Darina cannot help herself but keeps on staring at Ozroes. They are inside a carriage which Ozroes recommended for them to ride in. The same familiar bright eyes met her in comforting silence. “Ozroes…” she called him. “What is it, your highness?” “I am more than delighted that you are now fine,” Darina stated. “I am also grateful that you sent messengers to aid my situation,” Ozroes revealed. It was Tali, Samira, Nariman, and Kashvad who sought another physician to check his condition. The physician has proven that he was poisoned but he also has not denied that there is still a remaining sickness in him because of the inadequacy of medicine around. The medicine administered to him before the sight of a few people was enough to relieve his sympt
The worse fall of a kingdom is not by siege but by the internal problems prevailing in its sides, ruining foundations and dividing its people. It is a haunting folk saying that joins the caravan of Clapestris when a commotion erupted in the midst of it. Darina and Prince Thariem emerged out of the carriage to resolve the noise. Many soldiers with their ready swords surrounded the sowers of ruckus. They are the same people sent by Tanya. There are about ten of them with clothes no distinct from the soldiers that work with Ozroes. “Brothers, why do you have to cause this?” asked an Amyrgian soldier to the workers of Tanya. “It is best for us to do this, brothers. For we are not heading for the glory of our house. We are heading to our downfall. Look at Clapestris and how it is ruined now. Even the Clapestrisians have to flee to this desert because of the travails there,” accused by Tanya’s worker. “No one in his right mind would think th
The luxury of the kingdom is on owning many regions and the luxury of the military is on having prowess that outnumbers the other. However, the camp of Clapestris cannot count the assurance of numbers. The espionage they launched confirms a thousand and half a hundred are loyal to Shahin. There are thousands more serving Ardeshir. In a hazier perspective of what kind of strength Clapestris must confront, a fragmented alliance is reported between the camp of Shahin and Satrap Basiliskus. If they understand their common goal, they might become the bigger enemy that Clapestris must war against. Marsden could barely understand that Darina decided to divide the caravan in two at the increasing strength of their enemies. Prince Thariem will lead the other division towards Gustus in their search for Ozroes’ medicine and military support from the empire. Meanwhile, Darina will lead her division to make war against the satrap of Gilan. While there is still time and th
In the eyes of almost everyone, Basiliskus was the scheming enemy staying behind the shadows of conspicuous villains. All his actions made them formulate verisimilar conclusions. He was the man always crying to sever Gilan from Clapestris. He looted the armories and equipment stored in the fortified house of Mahagino. He used the information from Shahin for the whereabouts of Darina and Prince Thariem. Eight days past and he returned to the capital of Clapestris with many prisoners of war. Entered with him to the main gates of the city are the wagons of spoils. The one that is highlighted among them was Darina in the cage. There is a blood-stained steel helmet beside her. It is a known helmet always worn by Prince Thariem when mounted for campaigns. The Clapestrisians filled the sides of the streets with their sighs and unexplained hopes. The Agabean Royal Knight has returned but is no better than them. “She has become a prisoner of war,” was among the genera