Chapter 2: A Temporary Goodbye

The news that King Andragoras was to go on an extended exposition had spread throughout Pars fast than the light traveling through the morning skies. Our prosperous kingdom had been so fruitful in the past few years that it had gotten to the King's head. Though I could never voice such ideas to anyone, I found it odd that the king was so obsessed with power. Was it common within royalty to go after it in such a manner that they told those who followed blindingly that they were committing acts of honor in the name of Pars?

To defeat and concur land that was not initially part of Pars made little sense to me. When my father tried to make sense of it to me I could not see it the way he did. For the first time in years I found myself getting yelled at for speaking my mind.

"Kadriye! I do not want to hear any more of this! I should've expected as much. Do not let your emotions blind you. You are a warrior not a woman."

It was clear that my father did not see the woman that I am. He knew I was more than a pretty face and a bundle of emotions that couldn't be controlled. He spoke to the spirit that burned inside of me, "Then why am I not allowed to come! You've raised me as your equal and yet so many in that kingdom scoff at the idea that your daughter can defeat them in a one on one!"

"Kadriye," he took my face in both his hands and brought me close to him, "One day Kadriye, you will get that chance. I know the Gods have something planned for you. You burn with so much passion that is undoubtingly because you were born as woman. You are capable of so much because of the way you are born. But you must stay here. King Andragoras will not accept it and neither will the other soldiers. I do not want you to pretend to be a man because I know you will be able to distinguish yourself with ease. I want you to stay her and protect your mother and the slaves. Do you understand?"

At that point I had tears running down my face in such a shameless manner. Every word he had spoken to me, had shaken the very depth of my soul. I believed in him, in the Gods. Father was right, there had to be a reason for why I was the way I was. He gave me a hug, his armor making him so big that it made me feel all the more fragile, "Kadriye. I love you."

"Baba, come back safe, alright?"

"Of course. I've yet to lose a battle! This will be the least of your worries," he gave me a reassuring smile, "Now let me go bid your mother goodbye. You best go find Daryun before he heads off. I don't need you crying over him either."

My face instantly flustered, "We are just friends."

"Nonesense. I'll have to it that he ass your hand in marriage. Don't you dare fall in love with some peasant boy while I'm off. I won't have it you becoming a mistress either, you hear me Kadriye."

"Father! I'll do no such thing!"

"And try to avoid spending unnecessary time with that Narsus boy. People will start to talk if they pay notice. He's an odd one at that."

"Baba, I'm off!" I ran out with red in my face, proof enough that I was still a woman who needed much growing in terms of love.

I was already sixteen, close to seventeen. The age of marriage. Father only ever spoke about it at the mention of Daryun. He loved that man as if he were his own son. The power he had was unmatched to anyone else in the kingdom. Everyone knew that this expedition was going to be his chance to shine. Mother on the other hand always voiced disagreement, said that I needed no heartache and should marry a noble that wouldn't go off to war at the every whim of the king.

A warrior was dazzling in appearance and strength but the loyalty they had toward the King was far more superior than what they had for their wife. And I did see how my mother crumbled without my father. Always waiting, always wishing for his presence at home.

I thought it would be different if I were fighting with him.

"Daryun!"

I found him once more in the horse stalls when I passed by his empty home. He was dressed in his armor. The red and silver colors somehow did not suit his tan skin and amber eyes that gleamed like a tiger ready to rip apart his enemy.

"Leaving without letting me say goodbye to you? You are truly a cruel man."

He gave me a half smile, "I would not dream of doing that to you."

My heart raced and I felt like my eyes betrayed my every attempt to hide my feelings. They always said that I had the most readable face. My Dark brown eyes were like an open book and right now I was afraid that he could see that I was pained to say goodbye.

"Be safe alright? Don't come back until you've gotten the title Marzban," I teased him in a light manner. I told myself over and over again that I mustn't cry.

"Still giving me challenges, eh?" I could see that he too had some feelings of remorse. His hand reached out to me to wipe away the tears that escaped me no matter how hard I tried to hold back. I cursed under my breath and I pulled away so I can wipe them off my sleeves.

"I'm sorry, I told myself I wouldn't cry," I tried to explain my embarrassing actions while looking away no longer able to look him in his eyes. In that moment all I wanted to hear from him were words that returned those very feelings I felt.

"Kadriye…" I glanced back over to him. His height easily towering over me. His hands took mine and all I could do was stare helplessly into his eyes-the most vulnerable I've ever been, "I will miss you as well." And I found myself being pulled into a tight hug. Almost instinctively I returned it right back, ignoring the cold metal plates that got between us.

"How long will you be gone?"

"…At least three years," He answered back hesitantly.

An answer I already knew.

I stayed quiet. I knew I'd wait for him.

"I'll be here waiting for your safe return."

He gave me a smile, "Take care of yourself. I look forward for the day I come back and tell you I'm a General for a reason. "

I laughed, my eyes tearing up yet again. I watched him get up on his horse, ready to make his exit and head toward the palace.

"Daryun," I called out to him suddenly unable to keep it in. I knew he was strong enough to survive every battle but I could not risk not telling him before he came back. He glanced over his shoulder, giving me a questioning glance, "I love you. "

Those amber eyes locked with mine and I could tell there was a longing in them, like he had been anticipating those words for the longest time, "Me too."


Without my father or Daryun to keep me company and help me train with a sword I fell deeply into depression. For a while I fell victim to the dainty part of my gender. I became a love sick woman who sat by the window and wondered how Daryun was. I wondered if he was like most men who enjoyed the company of mistresses while they were in lands not Pars. It was only natural was it not?

Mother tried to talk me out of this senseless affection toward him. She spoke of his loyalty to the king was far greater than father's. That in the end he would look away from me if the circumstances were fit. Perhaps she was right but I did not care in that moment.

I just wanted to be with him now that he had returned those feelings.

I visited Narsus quite often despite my father's warnings. Out of all the people in Pars, he was the one who spoke to me about serious manners despite me being a woman. He taught me many things, spoke to me about the places he had seen when he was at the academy. And so forth.

The thing about Narsus that peeked my interest was that he was half a noble. He had lived in Ecbatana until the age of ten when his mother had become sick. Once she had passed away he had been sent off to the Academy by his Lord father. His mother had been a close friend to mine from their younger years. She'd often run away so she can play games with his. When she'd become pregnant with Narsus my mother did everything possible to help her raise him on her own.

Narsus had only been back for two years now. My younger self could have never imagined that I would be so close to the pale skinned boy I used to see glimpses of when my mom went to visit them. He'd spent so much time away in Daylum that it surprised me when he came in to visit my mother after all those years away.

It was even more surprising that he even knew Daryun. Perhaps that's why we were able to get along.

Either way I was grateful for his company and even more grateful that he seemed to enjoy my presence around him.

"How are you and your father doing?" I asked him one day after we'd finished eating. I'd made myself comfortable on the cushioned seats on the floor. I'd helped take the dishes to the kitchen despite the servants who voiced their concern. I'd told them than their master was not home and Narsus did not mind.

"Even on this death bed he seems to hate that I am his sole successor."

They had never seen eye to eye. Despite her friend being quite the conceded character, confident of his appearance, prideful because of his intelligence he was nothing short of a good man. He had once voiced his dream of freeing the slaves in his home-to which his father would never agree too. Perhaps because I was younger I had easily soaked in those desires. Or perhaps the idea of equality was subconsciously connected to wanting to stand on equal grounds with man.

Either way his ideals made sense to me and I began to see what underlined the prosperous Pars.

"Does it bother you?" I asked him while looking at my drink. I could not imagine my father hating me the way Narsus's father did.

"I've become long numb to it. A man who abuses others to get what he wants and to distinguish himself in the King's court only sickens me."

"I wonder if Daryun would blindly do the same if the King willed it…perhaps that's the greats thing that has come out of not being allowed to distinguish myself as a warrior. I won't have to be commanded to do wrong."

"Yes but you do have the misfortune of being forced to be a concubine if someone of royalty finds your beauty most irresistible."

"Do not remind me," I muttered with red coming to my cheeks, "Had my father not been a respected general I might have been just that."

It was quite ironic really. Growing up, no one could have imagined that I would become such a fine woman. I had been born with a yellow complexion with dark brown eyes. My hair was so thick and curly that the mess on my head was difficult for the servants to maintain. It was only in my last two years that my body and face began to show the signs of a grown woman. My features finally softening and my skin clearing up. While most of the woman here had blonde and fine hair my hair was a jet black color, with waves that fell down to my shoulder blades. My mother had introduced me to the kohl that I had only started to use on my eyes and the red tint of berries that now stained my lips.

"I heard from your mother recently that she's desperate to wed you to someone, has no one caught your interest?" I found him bringing up a topic I was not comfortable with. I raised a brow at my old friend. The one habit I hated about him was his ability to observe. I had never told him of my feelings toward Daryun, afraid that he may comeback with a woman from a distant land. But I knew in my heart that he already knew from the way I spoke about him.

"Why do you even ask such a question?" I averted by eyes to the window.

"I only wished to confirm if you still had feelings for our Dear Daryun."

"Quiet Narsus I do not wish to discuss my feelings for him. They will take their course and pass on their own."

"And if they don't?"

I looked back over to him not sure what he was trying to get out of me, "Then I won't marry."

"How about yourself, have you not found a woman yet? You are twenty years of age. Far more ready to have a woman take care of you." I bounced back irritated by his ways. He answered with a snicker, obviously pleased to get such reactions out of me.

"Kadriye my dear friend, I am a man who is still in his youth. To settle now is almost a crime."

"Typical."


"People are talking Kadriye," her mother spoke sharply when I readied myself to leave the house. The servants were quietly listening as they tidied my bed, "Please ladies don't worry yourself with my room. I can do it myself." My disregard for my mother's worries only made her pale cheeks red with anger, "Kadriye."

"What is it mother?"

"I do not want you running over to Narsus like some little stray animal."

"He is my friend no more than that. Let the people say what they wish. I have no desire to settle with anyone that comes to this house."

"Don't be ridiculous Kadriye. Marriage will help settle your preposterous spirit. Listen to me. If Daryun had loved you he would have told you to wait. These games you're playing with Narsus won't do. If he loves you take advantage of it and have him marry you."

"Stop it mother. I'll do as I wish."

"Kadriye you are not a man. You cannot easily get away with what you please."

"Watch me."

And I stormed out, furious at her words.


The summer had come and gone and so did the winter. It had been especially hard on my mother, nearly taking her life this year around. As the days went by bringing the spring once more the land was brought back to life and with this new life news had returned from those who had been gone for a year.

Father was still alive. And so was Daryun. In fact, Daryun had been appointed as a general for his ferociousness on the battle field. He apparently came out unscratched- undefeated in all the battles they had fought.

"What do you think of this one?" Narsus led me over to his latest canvas he had out in the garden. It was a hideous abomination that it's kind unmatched all of the pieces of art I had ever seen. I tried my hardest not to be honest. But my hardest only kept me quiet and skeptical. A reaction that did not please the noble, "I should not be asking someone who does not know what art is. You have no vision Kadriye, apologies for asking."

"If that is what you tell yourself to convince yourself that you are an artist than by all means go ahead."

"You woman! How dare you!"

I laughed and sat back down on the grass and tookin the sweet breeze. As I gazed at the garden I noticed a young boy quickly hide behind one of the walls that had the vines crawling all over it, "Eh? Who's that?"

"Hm?" his violet eyes found the boy inquiry and he smiled back to his painting, "That is Elem one of the children of the servants."

"I see," I waved toward him when he peeked over again only to have him panic and hide once more. Narsus gave a laugh, "You do well scaring children."

"Oh shut up Narsus," I got up to my feet and made my way over to where the boy was hiding. I carried along the bowl of strawberries I had been given to eat in the leisure time I spent with the young master. When the boy had peeked over once more to his surprise he found me right there with a smile on my lips, "What's your name little one?" I asked kindly.

The nervous little boy stared up at me, his bright green eyes filled with confusion, "E-elam."

"I see. Does Narsus treat you and your parents well? If not let me know and so I can teach him a thing or two."

The boy only gave me a funny look.

"What are you saying to that boy!" Narsus called out when he noticed me rambling.

"Nothing nothing!" I laughed and offered the boy the berries, "You look hungry."

He took the berries from me most hesitantly but when he saw that I did not reach to hit him or make any advances he took another from my hand before thanking me and running off toward the housing where the servants stayed.

"What a cute boy," I started when I returned to where Narsus was. This time he took a seat beside me, a break from his painting.

"He is. His parents are quite fearful though. He spends too much time playing around rather than doing the housework."

I defended, "We he is just a boy. I remember playing out in the streets when I was but five years old."

There it was. His smile, "Yes but he's a boy of a slave."

That was right, which meant he did not have that freedom. I took a berry and plopped it in my mouth. The sweet juices running down my dry throat and quenching me, "What do you plan on doing once your father dies Narsus?"

"When he dies? As soon as I know he can't get out of bed I plan to free all our slaves."

The wind blew past us and I couldn't help but wonder what the Kingdom might think of his actions. While my family did indeed have slaves and used them to carry out house chores, cooking, and tending to the garden outside the house, I tried to treat them as kindly as possibly. I could not imagine being forced against my will to do their jobs.

But I always just thought it was part of the Parsian culture. A part I did not necessarily like but had to accept if I lived under my mother's home. Narsus' words triggered my thoughts. He was willing to change that. He was following his conscious rather than ignore it.

I stared over at him in complete shock, for once my sharp tongue had nothing to say. It was a bold action that would definitely displease his father and those who worked under him.

"That's a bold statement is all I can say."

"Will you not do the same if you were head of your household?"

"It's true I do not like slaver and the ill treatment that I see others commit to them, if I had the opportunity to do it…I think I would do the same."

"This is why we get along so well," he smiled before leaning back on his hands, his head fell back as he closed his eyes allowing me to take in his almost angelic appearance. From his complexion to his hair, to defined yet pointed features, we must've looked like an odd pair together, perhaps even more odd if we were a couple.

For some reason looking at him made my heart tingle and I absolutely hated the feeling. I tried to redirect my thoughts away from him and brought my knees close to my chest, "Indeed…Daryun too would have agreed."

Narsus peeked over at me through one open eye, a bit surprised I even bought him up after such a long time had passed, "It's been almost a year now."

I sighed, "Yes."

Narsus sat back up, just as a couple men came up through the entrance. Others our age-well close to Narsus. They were friends of Narsus who had come to visit him, "Ah Narsus, I hope we are not disrupting anything important."

"Hardly," I answered as I caught the underlining tone he had meant to convey it as, "Hello Amern, nice to see you again."

"Kadriye, my apologies I mean not to put you on the spot," the man laughed awkwardly as Narsus helped me to my feet.

"No need to worry, I was just about to head off anyways. It was good to see you Narsus. Amern send my greetings to your mother and sister."

That very conversation I had walked away from was the news that the Three Alliances were planning an attack on Ecbatana.