A/N: Hello!:) In this difficult time, I hope all of you and your families are healthy! Stay safe!
Chapter 13: Secret letters
The warm sunlight filtered through the wide windows, illuminating the king's private office. The walls were hidden behind large shelves on which were hundreds of books: some concerning politics and history, some about medical knowledge, some others were full of detailed geographical descriptions. In the middle of the room was a rectangular table on which was spread a map of the whole kingdom of Pars.
Arslan was sitting at his desk. In his hands was the letter that Narsus had sent him a few days earlier. The Court Painter had urged the sovereign to leave immediately and reach Peshawar to lend him his aid. The king had decided to answer right away to the strategist's plea. However, Arslan hadn't even managed to get close to the Fortress.
The young sovereign lifted his gaze to the four people standing in front of him. Daryun, Elam, Alfreed and Farangis had been summoned by the king himself soon after their breakfast.
«How are you feeling this morning, Your Majesty?», Daryun asked him, glancing at the bandages showing from under his tunic.
«Much better», Arslan answered smiling. He dropped the letter on the desk and got up. «I think it's time we discuss what happened». A heavy silence fell upon them.
«Too many things feel off», Daryun said lowering his gaze. The king nodded.
«We were attacked soon after we left the Capital. They were waiting for us», the young sovereign stated. «The way they fought, their weapons, their knowledge of the land… Those men were soldiers of Pars. There's no doubt».
«What? Is it true?», Alfreed asked in shock.
«I'm afraid so», Daryun confirmed clenching his fists. «And this means they're traitors».
«But what could have led them to betray their own king?», the red-haired girl wondered.
«They knew where the troops would pass. Whoever controls them was aware of the army's movements. You left soon after receiving Lord Narsus' letter, only a few knew about your sudden departure. This means their leader promptly got word from the Palace, or he himself was here when we decided to take action», Elam added narrowing his eyes. Daryun looked at him in disbelief.
«You mean the traitor is in the Court? How could-»
«Very possible», Arslan agreed, getting closer to them. «Those soldiers decided to follow someone who managed to gain their trust more than I did. We need to look deeper into that. I need to understand what pushed them to act that way».
«And how does Your Majesty intend to proceed?», Farangis asked.
«I'll need your help of course», Arslan answered.
«I am at your service, always!», Daryun hastily told him, inciting the other three to declare the same.
«Thank you all. I'll ask you to investigate the matter as discreetly as possible. But first, I want to confirm something», the king stated gathering the letter from his desk and holding it up. «Was this letter actually sent by Narsus?»
His comrades exchanged worried looks.
«I know Lord Narsus's handwriting very well. I also compared it with other documents. I'm sure that he himself wrote that letter», Elam said. Arslan cast him an unreadable look.
«Something is troubling you, Your Majesty», Farangis noticed. Arslan turned his gaze on her and sighed sorrowfully.
«I think there's a possibility that this letter was only a bait to lure me out of Ecbatana», he confessed.
«You mean…», Daryun whispered, not daring to complete the sentence.
«I refuse to think Narsus is involved!», Alfreed exclaimed in dismay, as Elam felt a shiver run down his spine.
«I'm not suggesting that of course», Arslan reassured them. «However, I want to be sure. If Peshawar is really in danger, then we need to reach the Fortress as soon as we can. But if someone made all this up so that they could attack us, then we need to be prepared. The danger is nearer than we think».
The young sovereign opened the wooden box resting on his desk. He took out a scroll on which was painted his royal emblem. He got closer to Elam and handed him the document.
«I personally wrote a letter to Narsus. I ask him to confirm the condition of the Fortress. His response will prove whether his previous message was real or just a fake», he told them. Elam took the scroll and nodded.
«I'll make sure this letter is sent as soon as possible», the young man exclaimed.
«Very well. And please, this has to be kept a secret between us for the time being», Arslan replied. His friends nodded smiling reassuringly.
«Now, there's something else I wish to discuss with you», the sovereign said.
«Sir?», Daryun asked.
«We are hosting a banquet tonight», the king announced happily. His comrades cast him a perplexed look.
«A banquet?», Alfreed repeated to make sure she had understood well.
«Exactly!», Arslan confirmed.
«But Majesty, isn't it too soon to host a celebration? You haven't fully recovered yet», Daryun pointed out. Arslan smiled confidently.
«I know, but I think this is the perfect time. I wish to make sure everyone in this Palace and this city know that I'm back and as driven as ever to make this kingdom a better place. It'll take more than what they did to discourage me».
The king's resolute voice managed to hearten his comrades. Alfreed volunteered to organize the food and drinks that would be served during the reception. Daryun and Farangis took on the role of arranging the guards that would provide security during the night. Elam agreed on sending the invitation to all the noblemen and generals among the Court.
Everyone was dismissed and Arslan's loyal companions exited his office. Elam was the last one to approach the door, but as he was about to cross the threshold, Arslan called him back.
«Do you need something else, Your Majesty?», he asked getting closer to the sovereign.
«Thank you», Arslan told him smiling.
«Sir?», Elam looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
«Thank you for… last night. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been able to meet Étoile», the king explained, as a fair blush covered his cheeks.
Elam understood at once what he was referring to and smiled sympathetically.
«I don't know what you are talking about, Majesty», the young man replied, pretending to sound surprised.
At first, Arslan was taken aback by his response, but the knowingly grin painted on his friend's face made it clear to him that the young man was willing to keep it a secret between them.
Arslan smiled back and turned his gaze beyond the large window.
The sun was shining majestically in the sky. The king felt its warmness on his skin and a reassuring feeling grew inside his heart.
The day passed quickly and soon darkness fell upon Ecbatana.
The Royal Palace shone like a precious gem. A merry melody reverberated in the inner garden, arranged to host the banquet to celebrate the safe return of the king. The torches illuminated the area, and their flames reflected on the polished trays carrying all kinds of delicious food. The guests were lying on precious cushions, chatting happily and drinking restlessly.
«I have to say, Parsians sure know how to have fun!», Yanis exclaimed filling his mouth with more bread.
«Yeah, I'm getting really fond of their traditions», Thibaut said raising a cup full of red wine. Kostàs looked at Malakai in exasperation. The elder knight smiled shaking his head.
«Why on earth are we still here?», the young soldier grumbled grinding his teeth, glancing at the palace's walls surrounding them. His annoyance was in plain sight.
«The king himself invited us», Yanis reminded him, swallowing the umpteenth mouthful of spiced meat. «We couldn't refuse!»
«We were supposed to leave days ago», Kostàs pointed out, casting a distressed look at their Commander.
Étoile was sitting comfortably on an embroidered red cushion. She looked completely at ease as she took a sip of wine from her cup, blissfully ignoring her comrades and staring right in front of her, where, a few meters ahead, stood the royal baldachin, arranged to shelter the injured king from the evening breeze.
Arslan was sitting there among his friends, occasionally accepting something to eat or drink from the trays and jugs the Elam moved closer to him. Under Daryun and Farangis' watchful eyes, a small crowd of people had formed in front of the royal baldachin. The Counselors and noblemen who had been invited at that simple celebration approached the king one by one to express their relief in seeing him alive and well.
Arslan replied to each one of them with fond smiles and thankful words, urging his guests to enjoy the evening at their pleasure. From time to time, however, the king's gaze would divert from the noblemen to focus on the bottom of the garden, meeting two shining amber eyes.
Étoile didn't lower her gaze, relishing the warm feeling that his gentle smile awakened in her chest.
«Shouldn't we go and greet him as well?», Thibaut wondered glancing toward the king. «I mean, we should at least thank him for inviting us». Yanis nodded vigorously at his friend's suggestion.
«He could come here himself. He's the one who needs our help!», Kostàs said harshly. Yanis and Thibaut rolled their eyes in exasperation.
«Relax, boy! He'll talk to us when the moment comes», Yanis replied, taking a sip from his cup.
«He has already talked to the commander… What else does he have to say to us?», Thibaut told him.
«Whatever», the young knight mumbled. «Why are we even agreeing anyway? Shouldn't we be on our way home already?»
«The king himself asked for our aid», Thibaut reminded him, pointing his finger toward the royal baldachin.
«The king of Pars. We are knights of Lusitania. He has no right to ask anything of us», Kostàs blurted out in anger. Malakai, who had been listening until then without bothering to intervene, put a hand on the young man's shoulder to calm him down.
«It's about helping Lusitanian people though. That's some pretty remarkable thing to do as Lusitanian knights», he said. «Besides, King Arslan has been hosting us for quite some time now. What's wrong in taking the chance to help him and repay his kindness?»
«Well said!», Yanis exclaimed, holding up his cup of wine.
«So you agree to this too, Malakai?», Kostàs asked, casting him a look of both disbelief and annoyance.
«I'll act accordingly to my commander's orders», the knight answered, moving his gaze to the young woman.
The other knights followed him and looked at Étoile, but she was too focused on staring at Arslan to notice that her men were waiting to hear her opinion on the matter. Only when Yanis cleared his throat to get her attention, she turned toward them and realized she had been ignoring their bantering.
She had caught a few words of their discussion, but she didn't really know what she was supposed to say. The knights were looking expectantly at her and the young woman felt she had to come up with something rather quickly.
«We can't possibly turn our back on our fellow Lusitanian people, can we?», she chose to say, hoping her words would fit in the conversation. Étoile felt assured when Malakai, Yanis and Thibaut smiled widely in approval, but couldn't help but notice that Kostàs answered with a mere shrug.
«I'm sure you'll be even more motivated when you'll hear Arslan's words», she added. Kostàs' mood grew even worse. He couldn't stand the way she referred to him so casually. It gave him the clear impression that the relationship between them was more complicated than it should have. He shook his head to chase those unsettling thoughts away and raised his gaze on the moon to calm down his frantic heartbeat.
The celebration went on smoothly and a few more drinks later, the Lusitanian knights forgot their earlier bickering and enjoyed the night at the fullest. They chatted, laughed, had fun, and at least for a while they forgot the disappointment for their failed diplomatic mission.
At some point, Alfreed joined them and didn't miss the chance to tease Kostàs for his dark look. His gloomy attitude was even more upsetting, compared to Étoile's cheerful mood.
Malakai looked at her with a bitter smile on his lips. He was glad she was finally happy again. Surely the prospect of a new mission and the possibility to help some fellow countrymen had helped to improve her mood, but the knight knew there was something else going on. He turned his gaze toward the royal baldachin, where Arslan was still greeting his guests. There was no doubt that the change in Étoile's attitude had something to do with the king.
Malakai sighed and turned toward Kostàs. Judging by the young man's resentment toward the parsian sovereign, he probably suspected the same thing too. Kostàs' feelings for his commander were clearly more than mere loyalty and obedience. Malakai wondered if Étoile was aware of the turmoil that shook the young knight's heart.
He looked at her. Her bright smile raised an unsettling sensation in his chest. He had no control over her feelings, but he hoped that at least she would have realized what she was getting herself into before she went too far.
It didn't take much longer to the Lusitanian commander to order her men to retire for the night. She cared to point out to Yanis and Thibaut that if they kept drinking like that they wouldn't be able to return to their chambers on their own feet. Much to their disappointment, the two knights couldn't deny it.
They left their comfortable spot and headed towards the wing of the Palace where their rooms were. As soon as they reached the other side of the garden, their attention was suddenly drawn by the noise of frantic steps approaching them.
«Étoile!»
The Lusitanian knights stopped. Arslan, followed by Elam, was running toward them with a raised arm and a wide smile on his face. Étoile felt her heart skip a beat.
«Are you already retiring?», he asked once he reached the small group.
«Yes. We had enough fun for tonight», Étoile answered glancing at Yanis and Thibaut.
«I see. I'm glad to hear that», he chuckled, keeping his eyes on the young woman.
«We were delighted to receive your invitation», Malakai told him bowing his head. Yanis and Thibaut nodded approvingly. Kostàs lowered his gaze and didn't say a word.
«And I'm grateful that you've accepted», the king replied turning to the elder knight.
«We are the ones who should be grateful, Your Majesty», Malakai added bowing again. «You are granting us the chance to be of use and offer our help to our fellow Lusitanian people».
Arslan's gaze darted back at Étoile. The young woman cast him a reassuring look.
«I told them already», she informed him smiling.
«Told them what, exactly?», he chuckled nervously, shooting her a questioning glance.
«About your plan to find out what's keeping our fellow Lusitanians from integrating into the city. We talked about that this morning, we when accidentally met at the stables, don't you remember?», she answered, looking at him knowingly.
«Oh, yeah! Of course, I remember», he told her nodding. Étoile smiled, happy that Arslan had understood he had to play along.
«My men and I would be honored to be of help», the commander said, as the other knights nodded. Even Kostàs, although unwillingly, had to agree.
Arslan smiled widely.
«I'm really happy to hear that! Let's not wait any longer, then. We can start tomorrow», the king said enthusiastically.
«Very well», Étoile answered, glancing at her knights. Malakai was smiling confidently, and Kostàs was forcing himself to at least pretend that that whole situation wasn't upsetting him. Yanis and Thibaut just stood there, with a sleepy grin painted on their faces.
«I won't keep you here any longer! Please, feel free to go and rest», Arslan said noticing the two weary soldiers.
«Goodnight, then», Étoile replied, smiling gently at him.
«Goodnight», he told them, but his eyes lingered only on the young woman's face.
The Lusitanian commander stared back at him for a few seconds, before leading her knights to their chambers.
The night breeze blew through the window ruffling the wide blue curtains.
Étoile raised her head from the sacred Bible she was reading, comfortably lying on her bed. The Lusitanian woman hadn't changed into her night robe yet, and her blonde hair was still tidily braided. She wasn't feeling sleepy at all, so, after reciting the evening prayers of the faith of Yaldabaoth, she decided she would read some of her favorite passages of the Holy Bible of her religion.
Étoile left the book on the bedside table and got up from the bed. She got closer to her private balcony and let her gaze wander over the Palace's inner quarters. She spotted some guards patrolling the walls and some servants still going back and forth to clean up after the banquet. The young woman raised her eyes. The dark night sky was dotted with thousands of bright stars surrounding the shining moon.
A sudden, unexpected hiss drew her attention. Étoile tried to locate the source of the shriek and she finally spotted Azrael flying above the Palace. Arslan's face took shape in her mind and a soft smile graced her lips. One that soon faded, however, as the bird of prey deflected his trajectory to fly right toward her balcony.
The Lusitanian commander took a step backward, as Azrael gracefully landed on the marble parapet. The hawk seemed to look expectantly at her, but the young woman didn't dare to get closer to him. She thought he had probably landed there out of curiosity, and that if she didn't move, he would have gone away. But Azrael seemed unwilling to leave any time soon. He flapped his majestic grey wings and let out a soft shriek, in what was maybe an attempt to draw the girl closer.
Étoile understood her strategy wouldn't have worked, so she got a grip of herself and slowly moved closer to the parapet.
«So we are friends now?», she wondered with a raised eyebrow, surprised that the hawk hadn't tried to attack her yet.
It was then that Étoile noticed the rolled scrap of paper attached around one of his feet.
She knew immediately she was supposed to take that small scroll, but it was easier said than done. Even though Azrael looked unexpectedly harmless, Étoile still wasn't particularly fond of him, and she feared the same could be said about the orange-eyed hawk.
He, however, didn't seem too willing to leave any time soon, not until she took that sheet of paper at least.
Étoile didn't have much choice. She hesitantly moved her hand closer to the bird and took the scrap of paper, not without trembling a little.
As soon as the scroll was in her hand, Azrael spread his large wings and took flight, disappearing in the dark night sky.
Étoile opened the small scroll. As soon as she read the few words written on the crumpled paper, her heartbeat sped up. She couldn't help but smile widely and a faint blush covered her cheeks.
The young woman folded the message and took a deep breath to calm herself, mentally reprimanding herself for having such a sappy reaction.
Étoile cast a glance at her reflection on the mirror hanging beside the headboard of her bed. She fixed her clothes and her hair, then she left the room.
Arslan waited patiently, leaning against the parapet of the panoramic terrace. He let his gaze wander beyond the Palace's walls, over the sleeping city. Here and there he spotted the feeble lights of the torches illuminating the main crossroads and squares.
Sometimes, he wished to quit his royal duties and leave the Court to start a normal, simple life among those very streets and squares. But he knew very well that his people still needed him. He felt selfish for his craving for freedom when there were families in Ecbatana that had yet to recover from the war. He had still so much to do as king of Pars. The well-being of his people had to come first.
A sudden hiss tore the air. Arslan raised his eyes in time to see Azrael flying toward him. The sovereign raised his arm to allow the hawk to land safely.
«Have you delivered the message?», he asked caressing Azrael's neck. The small scroll was gone. Arslan smiled in satisfaction.
«Good job!», he exclaimed.
«You even talk to him?»
The young king started a little and Azrael moved from his arm to the terrace's parapet.
He hadn't expected she would have been so quick to reach him. Arslan turned around and a gentle smile bent his lips.
Étoile was standing a few meters from him, wrapped in the shadow provided by the canopy that sheltered the entrance to the panoramic terrace. She moved forward and the oil lamps scattered all over the place illuminated her frame.
Arslan kept his eyes on her smiling face as she walked toward him. When she was by his side, he instinctively pulled her closer, but before he could kiss her, Étoile raised her hands on his chest and pushed him away.
«Someone could see us», she warned him, looking around. Arslan cast her a confused glance.
«No one's here, except for Azrael», he pointed out. «You won't tell anyone, will you?», Arslan chuckled glancing at the hawk. The bird shrieked and took flight into the vast night sky.
«Very funny», Étoile replied rolling her eyes. Arslan put his arms around her and before she could protest he kissed her cheek. The young woman grumbled as a fair blush covered her face, but she didn't manage to hold her pout for too long.
They spent a couple of minutes in silence, enjoying the light night breeze.
«How are your wounds?», she asked, resting her hands on the parapet.
«I'm feeling a lot better already», Arslan answered brushing her hand with his fingers. He lowered his gaze and couldn't help but smile when he saw the amber ring shining on her finger.
«You know that I left the city because I had received a request for help from Narsus, don't you?», he asked suddenly.
«I heard something about it along the corridors», she answered, looking at him. Arslan kept his gaze on the blurred, dark horizon beyond Ecbatana's walls.
«Well, I'm not completely sure it was from Narsus. I have reasons to believe that the letter he sent me is a fake», he stated in a grave tone. Étoile opened her eyes wide in shock.
«You can't be serious», she said.
«I am, unfortunately. The soldiers who attacked us were Parsian. They used parsian weapons and they fought like our best warriors», he told her.
«They received parsian training…», she commented.
«Exactly».
«That's why they managed to best you so easily…», Étoile said, casting a worried look at the king.
Arslan kept quiet for a few seconds, collecting his thoughts.
«What are you going to do now?», she asked.
«I sent a letter to Narsus. When he'll reply I'll know for sure if someone is scheming against me. Until then, I have to keep my eyes open», he explained, as his gaze grew darker.
Étoile felt bad for him. After all he had done and was still doing for his people, Arslan didn't deserve that. She hoped that somehow behind that whole situation was just a huge misunderstanding, but being a knight and a soldier herself, she knew all too well how easily men could be corrupted.
The young woman took his hand and squeezed it.
«You'll manage somehow. After all, you've been in far worse situations. You're not alone, now. You have your friends' support… and mine too», she told him, smiling softly.
Arslan smiled back at her and raised her hand to his lips, kissing her ring.
«Thank you, Estelle», he whispered.
The Lusitanian woman felt her heartbeat speed up. There was something in the way he said that name that touched her. His sweet and deep voice warmed her up. It was a completely new feeling, different from what she felt when it was her grandparents who called her that. Arslan poured all his love for her in that name, that's why she didn't oppose when he dared to call her Estelle for the first time. The joy and calmness she felt in that moment were overwhelming and made her wish he never stopped saying it.
They spent a few minutes in silence, holding their hands, letting their gazes wander over the Palace and the Capital.
«I should go back now…», Étoile suddenly said, withdrawing her hand.
«If you really have to…», Arslan replied smiling bitterly. He didn't try to hold her there. He knew that their meetings were to be quick and secret.
«Goodnight», she whispered, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth.
Arslan smiled gently and watched her walking away from him. His eyes moved back to the city for a few seconds before he rushed to Étoile, who had just reached the terrace's threshold.
Hidden by the discreet shadow of the canopy, Arslan pulled her in his arms and kissed her passionately. The young woman kissed him back with equal ardor, throwing her arms around his neck.
When they separated to catch their breath, a blissful grin graced their faces.
«Goodnight», Arslan whispered against her lips, before letting her slip away from his grip and disappear inside the Palace.
A/N: First of all, thanks for following this story so far. As Always, feel free to share any thoughts on this.
- Kiara