At the Aljehni estate Amenah dismounted her horse and ran into Dharam after taking off her shoes to sprint to father’s study. “Dharam? Have you given up on academy?”

  “Father gave me permission. I am now allowed to take a leave from my studies and focus on training.” He patted his chest proudly. “There is nothing I am unable to obtain.”

  She brushed past him. “Where is father? Is he in his study?”

  Dharam followed behind her. “Yes, but he is in the middle of a lesson with Aaleyah, so I would not interrupt him.”

  “It is important.” Amenah continued making her way to the study.

  Dharam jumped in front of her. “Did you bump your head?” He checked her forehead. “You are not hot.”

  “I am completely fine, I just really need to talk to father.”

  Dharam circled her. “You are willing to interrupt father? You know he has been really angry this past moon. I do not recommend bothering him. How about speaking to mother?”

  “Mother is home? I thought she was at the camps?”

  Dharam nodded and stood in front of her. “I thought so too. But after Grandmother left she stayed here. She is out back training Asbed.”

  Amenah snickered. “Asbed?”

  Dharam shared in her laughter. “I know, Asbed hates training.” His smile faded and leaned towards her. “Is this about Kemal? Are you alright?”

  Amenah did not have time to think about that, and turned the hall to the back door. “Asbed hates training so much, but he is a natural swordsman.”

  Dharam frowned but did not push her. “Tell me about it. He picks up on moves so easily it is truly unfair.” He followed her.

  Reaching the back door Amenah put on her shoes and stepped back outside. Sure enough Asbed was following the sword dance under his mother’s scrutinizing gaze.

  Their mother nodded affirmatively. “Very good. Be careful with your footwork, but other than that I am proud of you.”

  Sweating in the autumn air, Asbed grinned. “May I go read now?” he pled with hopeful eyes.

  Their mother frowned but allowed him to run off and turned her attention to Amenah and Dharam. “Are you here to train?”

  Dharam laughed. “Or course not. I am escorting my twin.”

  “Ah.” She focused on Amenah, “And how is your swordwork? Surely you have not been sitting at a bench for too long. Let us test your skills.”

  Amenah took a step back towards Dharam. “Actually mother, I am here to talk to you about something important. There was trouble in the marketplace.”

  “What sort of trouble?”

  Amenah dragged an unwilling Dharam to sit with her. “I was at the old bridge and I hear-”

  “The old bridge!” Amenah was immediately pulled close and inspected. “What were you doing there? How many times must I tell you to stay away from there? Must my children refuse to listen! Have you been injured?”

  Amenah squeezed her mother’s hand. “I am alright. Nothing happened to me.”

  Dharam gave Amenah a questioning glance. “If this is about Scholar Kemal, then I really feel I should be leaving.” He inched away slowly preparing to rise.

  Amenah stepped on his robe to keep him in place. “Mother, there was a big commotion in the square.”

  Dharam huffed, but otherwise remained in place, pushing her foot off his robe as he listened.

  “The king has ordered for houses and shops to be checked, or inspected for Stilits.”

  Dharam lifted his eyebrows. “All that will do is cause an uproar, these Stilits; as far as we know have no tell signs. The guards inspecting have nothing they are looking for.”

  “What happened?” Their mother asked, urging her to continue speaking.

  “The people refused to have their homes and shops inspected once again, this is the third or fourth time they have checked, from what I heard. The guards we moving to hit the people who were arguing so-”

  “Do tell me you did not interfere."

  “I moved to defend them.”

  Amenah spoke at the same time as her mother and with an awkward laugh scooted closer to Dharam.

  “I thought you left to talk to Scholar Kemal. Where was he? What was he doing?” Dharam asked.

  “He was there. We both tried to diffuse the situation, he spoke to the people and I spoke to the guards.”

  “Amenah, during these times it is best if our family takes a step back from military affairs,” their mother advised.

  “I know.” It was not like she planned to intervene, it just happened.

  You agree?” Dharam snapped his fingers. “Just like that you will agree not to involve yourself? How suspicious.”

  “There was a soldier there.” Amenah took turns glancing at her brother and mother. “He was dressed as a scholar. He tried to ignite the people’s anger. I am unable to recall his name, but he usually is with Duke Majidi. Brown long hair braided up, always has a black sword, I do not know… but I am certain we know him. Herom will definitely know who he is.”

  Their mother gripped her staff. “What do you mean, he tried to incite the crowd?”

  “The guards were being rude, and he started yelling, ‘Do not insult the Aljehni,’ and things of the sort. More people began to side with him, and even a child picked up a weapon-”

  “He purposefully brought up our name to rally the people?” Dharam interrupted.

  “Yes. By then Scholar Kemal told me it was best I leave. That my presence was doing more harm than good.” She ran her nails together helplessly.

  “Scholar Kemal is wise indeed. Stay away from the marketplace,” their mother concluded. “Actually, for the time being everyone should stay at the estate. We can send the servants out if need be. Spread the word, other than Herom, your father and I, no Aljehni is to leave the grounds. Finish training, I need to speak to your father,” she said as she walked away.

  Dharam crossed his ankle over his knee. “Amenah,” he whined. “You got us all on house arrest.”

  “Dharam,” she called in a tone that erased the annoyed expression from his face.

  “Was it that bad?”

  “We grew up learning that our family is powerful, that our name carries weight, but,” she shuddered as she recalled the words she heard early that day. “‘If Second Lady Aljehni says it is wrong I will not back down.’ Dharam because of what I said, because of how I spoke to the guards a child was willing to pick up a weapon and fight.”

  Dharam nudged her foot. “Do not dwell on it. When your mind dwells you do not think clearly. If what you saw was really a guard in disguise inciting violence under our name, then we need to have our minds clear and sharp.”

  Amenah nodded and forced a tight smile. “Instead of dwelling on it I need to be thinking of a way to fix it.”

  “And we will have plenty of time to do that now that we are on house arrest.”

  Amenah rolled her eyes and stood from the bench. “Then how about a quick spar? It has been a while.”

  “No way! I channeled moons worth of luck in hopes that mother would not ask me to do so. You will not use it up.”

  She pulled on him to stand but he refused to budge. “Come on. Just this morning you told Grandfather that you would train. Then you berated Sun Uncle Hakim and Hamdi for weaknesses and ways to come out victorious in a fight against Sun Uncle Alakko. I guess it was all just empty words as always.” She smirked at the glint in his eyes.

  “Fine.” Dharam relented and allowed himself to be pulled from the bench. “Swords?”

  Amenah nodded and grabbed four, throwing two to Dharam. “Let us test if you still remember how to move your feet.”

  “I may have focussed on archery, but that does not mean I cannot spare some time every moon and then to beat my twin in a fight.”

  Upstairs in her father’s study Aaleyah pinched her leg to hide her nerves. Today her father seemed more on edge than usual, and the questions he asked were not as simple as they usually were. Suddenly her father was asking for specifics, examples, and even on the spot translations of the old language.

  He tapped the scroll with his stick. “Translate this paragraph into Ancient Aidjeeken.”

  Aaleyah leaned forward to glance at the paragraph her father was pointing at. She studied the old language really hard this past moon. Ancient Aidjeeken was easy, but she was not sure how to translate the two. “Father this moon I studied translating our old family language to Aidjeeken, or Ancient Aidjeeken to Aidjeeken; I am not sure how to go from the our family language to Ancient Aidjeeken,” she whispered.

  “Hand” Her father ordered, and Aaleyah slowly upturned her red hand for him to hit twice with the stick. “You need to know these languages, Aaleyah. You must know it as if it is second nature.” He motioned to the books and scrolls surrounding them. “You must immerse yourself in these words. So much so that Blue Moons from now you will recall the information without deep thought.”

  Aaleyah swallowed her tears. “Yes father.” She slid her hand to sit atop her thighs to soothe the sting. Her right hand was covered in red welts from the numerous hits she received from today’s lesson.

  Her father glanced at the door. “Come in Zale.”

  The door opened and Zale walked in rubbing his right hand. “Father.”

  “Zale, I assume the reason your sister is not up to date on the languages is because you helped translate.”

  Zale froze, his eyes darted to Aaleyah. “Ley Ley’s Ancient Aidjeeken is perfect. She certainly knows much more than I do.”

  Aaleyah frowned at those words, he was walking into trouble.

  “Have a seat. It is time to quiz your knowledge.”

  Aaleyah panicked, Zale had only memorized the information from the book and read the translations Asbed made. The only time he so much as glanced at the old family language was when he was helping her.

  They were saved by the entrance of their mother who walked in like an angel sent from the Lord of the Heavens.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Leave, I must speak to your father alone.”

  Aaleyah rushed to her feet and Zale helped her pack up the scrolls she had brought as they scrambled for the door.

  “You will memorize and recite the old text. For every mistake you make will be a new chapter I give you to study.” Was all she heard from her father before she slid the door closed.

  Aminah sat beside her husband. “It is starting. Amenah tells me that there are guards dressing as civilians to incite discord in the marketplace.”

  “The Medes family just left, perhaps with some time things will die down.”

  “Amenah recognized the guard, this all might be happening under the command of Duke Majidi. If I could just talk to him, or better yet if I could just talk to his sister.”

  Havil wrapped his arms around her. “We have tried to speak to Duke Majidi numerous times. There is nothing we can do.”

  “I told the children not to leave the estate.”

  “How about I close the academy?”

  The eyes that had closed under the comfort of her husband’s fingers popped open. “I thought we agreed that was not a good idea?” She asked, turning to face him.

  “I think now we should reconsider. What if I gave the academy to someone the king favors?”

  “And live with this anguished expression?” She caressed his cheek. “No. There has to be another way. Amenah will marry and move to Tamon, maybe I can step down as general.”

  “Stepping down as general would ruin your reputation.”

  “Not necessarily, it is what everyone thought I did after I had Herom. Although voluntary demotion is not ideal. Maybe I should retire.”

  He pulled her onto his lap and hugged her. “Allow me to walk in darkness for our family.” He kissed her cheek. “You, my beautiful star must be the light for them. Our children have no ambition to run the academy anyway.”

  “Dharam and Amenah made their choice, but Asbed seems to walk the path you molded. With time he would be honored to take over.”

  At those words both their smiles slowly faded.

  Time.

  The next day Asbed sat in the garden watching Roset bury his rocks. “What do you think they will grow into?” He hurmoured.

  Roset paused from shoveling up dirt and destroying the flowers. “An orange one.”

  “Your small grey pebble will grow into an orange rock? Can you explain why?”

  Roset moved his braid out of the way and rolled his eyes; a trick he learned from Zale. “The flowers are orange.”

  “Right.” Asbed sat against the wall. “Do your sisters know that you are destroying the flowers?”

  Roset’s back went rigid, and as the door to the manor opened the small boy held his breath.

  Zale stepped out, clothes tied down and a letter in hand.

  Asbed quickly stood and made his way to him. “Whatever you are planning is a bad idea.”

  “When I need that opinion I will be sure to ask you.”

  Asbed blocked him with his arm. “What is it?”

  “Father says no one is to leave the estate,” Zale complained.

  “Actually that was mother’s idea but go on.” If Zale knew the orders, why did he look so ready to disobey them?

  “Ley Ley has been stuck here for a moon. All she does is study and worry and stress.”

  “Sounds like she has been doing a lot then.”

  Zale pushed him. “This is not funny, today Ley Ley and I were going to go riding and play but father said no.” As Zale spoke he gave a pointed look towards the window of their father’s study.

  “That is why you are angry?”

  “That is why I am angry.”

  “Do not be angry Zale, tomorrow I will find a rock for you,” Roset called out from his place in the flowers. Realizing his faults he was trying to push the flowers back in the place, stuffing them in dirt. Burying them with soft wishes and affirmations of growth.

  Zale’s eyes softened. “Save your rocks for when Chiara yells at your ruining the flowers.”

  Roset made his way to the door. “I will apologize before she can get mad.”

  When he was inside Asbed continued the conversation with Zale. “What are you doing? Angry face, clothes for easy movement, paper in hand. What are you up to?”

  “Nothing.” Zale’s face screamed annoyance. “Asbed, is there nothing for you to do but question me? No books to read? No scrolls to translate?”

  “Will you make me ask?” He extended his hand for the letter.

  Zale glared for some time, but when Asbed did not seem fazed he grunted and handed over the paper.

  “You are talking to Saan? You are not supposed to do that. Mother and father said we should not talk to them.”

  Zale arched his brows. “Oh, so you were telling Saan goodbye yesterday when you went to play with him?”

  Asbed’s calm demeanor took on a more apprehensive air. “That was, we-” Zale’s stare dared him to deny so he shook his head. “We are talking about you right now, not me.”

  “When did you turn into a hypocrite?” Zale ripped the paper out of his hand. “I am no longer leaving the estate, I am just going to send the message.”

  “Then why the change of clothes?” Asbed quickly asked blocking Zale once again.

  “To fit the mood!”

  “Father told you to study. Do you want to be like Aaleyah with a swollen hand? After ointment her hand still hurts.”

  Zale scoffed. “If anyone knows about her pain it will be me.”

  “Yet here you are with plans of causing trouble.”

  “How do you know I will be causing trouble? I am only sending a letter, how much trouble can I possibly get into?” Zale asked in a whiney voice.

  “You would know more than I. So tell me. What do you plan on doing?” He fixed the collar of Zale’s robe.

  Zale made a hole in the dirt with the tip of his shoe as he spoke. “Father was too strict and unfair. Today we were to ride so she could feel better. Now father hurt her hand, hurt her feelings, and told her to study. Why is father like this? He is bullying Ley Ley and there is nothing I can do to help,” he whispered helplessly.

  Asbed took in his brother’s sad state and groaned, his face turning upwards to the heavens. He was going to get in so much trouble for this. “Fine. You convinced me. Let us go and help Ley Ley smile.”

  Zale’s eyes warmed. “Really?”

  Asbed nodded. “One horse ride and we will be back by lunch.”

  “Of course.”

  Inside the palace Duke Majidi relayed the turn of events.

  Captain Enlil returned to the market place with guards to search for Stilits. Tables were upturned, carts were destroyed, the cries of anger only grew louder. The scholar perfected his role of using the Aljehni name to rally the people.

  “Your majesty, after today’s actions it will be harder to achieve peace again.”

  “Yes, we would have to find the leaders of the Stilits and stop them for the kingdom to be safe.” King Sammun agreed with an easy smile.

  Duke Majidi took a deep breath. “Then are the orders still to-”

  “Anyone who obstructs justice will be arrested, and if they keep fighting,” he stood from his throne and made his way down the stairs to the Duke and gripped his chin tightly. “Then Duke Majidi will ensure peace, and kill anyone who gets in the way.”

  Aaleyah finished the book, and wrote herself a summary in both the family language and Ancient Aidjeeken. This time her father would have no choice but to be proud of her.

  She finally made her way throughout the manor to ask a servant to warm up food for her. After she filled her belly she would have to go study again, so she went off to find a sibling. She had just made it to the door when Roset rushed in. His fingernails held the precious mud and dirt from his amazing scientific rock growing. He had taken off his shoes, and as a result his feet were the only clean things on the lower half of his body.

  “Ley Ley!” Roset rushed towards her pulling her away from the door with his dirty hands. As she moved she caught sight of the garden outside.

  “Roset, what were you doing?” Chiara was sure to throw a fit when she saw her destroyed flowers. Now that Aaleyah was out of her study, she was sure to be pulled into this chaos. It was nice having Roset but she could not take the fall for this.

  Roset waved her closer. Once she had bent down far enough he whispered loudly, “I buried my treasure in the garden, but you must tell no one. I told Asbed I grew rocks. Ley Ley, you are the only one who truly knows,” he told her with a determined face.

  “Only me?” She said somewhat flattered. “What treasure is it you are hiding?” She whispered back.

  Roset shook his head with a toothy grin. “It is a secret.”

  Aaleyah pretended to pout. “Well you ruined Chiara’s crocus flowers to do this.” Roset’s little face crumpled and she pinched his cheek. “If we do not fix it, you may not live much longer with this secret.”

  Roset nibbled at his bottom lip. “”I should apologize, right?”

  Tired of bending down, Aaleyah kneeled in front of him. “Well,” she brushed some of the dirt, but realizing they were inside she stopped not wishing to dirty the floor. “I happen to know there is a pot of crocus flowers inside. It is possible I can bring them here and plant them in the dirt before anyone finds out.”

  Roset’s eyes opened wide and his mouth fell into an open smile. “Really?”

  “I happened to ruin plenty of flowers when I was seven Blue moons old as well. I learned the perfect way of covering up my mistakes. First we should clean you up so there is no proof you were in the garden. I will replant the flowers for you.” She urged him to go up the stairs chuckling as he waddled trying not to track dirt throughout the manor.

  As Roset waddled up the stairs he paused to give her a breathtaking smile. “Thank you Ley Ley, you will be the first to see my treasure.”

  Aaleyah made her way away to the room where she saw the crocus flowers last.

  From the back door Asbed and Zale snuck inside.

  Asbed stopped Zale from going up the stairs. “Have you thought about what to say to her?”

  “What is that supposed to mean? I am going to say grab your cloak Ley Ley, we are going,” he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He pulled his arm out of Asbed’s grasp and made his way up the stairs.

  Asbed raced up the stairs behind him. “I mean that Ley Ley has been getting into trouble, and has been reprimanded by father more than normal. Maybe Ley Ley will be too afraid to leave.”

  Zale seemed to be deep in thought, his movements paused as he contemplated those words. Asbed was just about to breathe in relief that Zale understood when the annoying idiot burst into laughter.

  “Ley Ley is not afraid of anything.” Zale fought to say through laughter. “Honestly, Asbed the things you say. Maybe you have been reading too much. We are talking about Ley Ley, not you.” He shook his head.

  “I think you are the one who simply does not think enough. Have you not realized father is more stressed than usual.”

  “Which is why I am trying to give her a break. Honestly Asbed, you do not listen to anything I say.”

  “I am listening. Your logic simply does not make any sense.”

  At the entrance to the Aljehni estate Dharam stared at the gate. He understood the entire nobody leave spiel and he had every intention of following it. Possibly after he got at least two weapons to train from the Medes Armoury first.

  This morning he hoped to wake up before Herom left and ask him to grab him some but apparently Herom left before the inhabitants of Cabimal could awaken, and Dharam woke up before sunrise.

  Dharam thought about his options. The estate was pretty big and if he left and came back without any side quests it was highly possible no one would know. Dharam put his hand on the handle of the gate. Zale would tell. He was the questionable one, because if he was not with Aaleyah then he would be watching the world like an eagle. Dharam tapped on the handle, what if he got Zale a new score to play? That would work.

  As he moved away from the gate to find a music score in his father’s office the gate slammed open and Servant Ahdu stumbled through. Without taking a second to catch his breath he turned and closed the gates locking them securely. The basket tied to his back looked like it was missing objects. As Dharam looked closer he saw small traces of blood on the edge of it.

  “Ahdu? Are you alright?”

  Ahdu looked up, seeming to only just notice him standing there. “Third Lord Aljehni?” He jolted forward and pushed Dharam away from the gate. “You must stay inside. Do not go anywhere! Where is Lord and Lady Aljehni? I must speak to them." With shaking hands he pulled Dharam with him away from the gate. “It-t-it is it we must, do not go by the gate, I must speak to Lord and Lady Aljehni.”

  Dharam let himself be dragged away. He really needed to stop lingering by the front gate.