Whoa… it's been a long time since I've updated this…

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Asryn looked out through the window of her room and looked towards the shinning moon. Everyone had been in turmoil when Sahaid and Aisha took it to themselves to cause a scandal. For many years, Aisha had never confronted Sahaid and Sahaid had never gone to the extent of locking her in her room. For a moment, Asryn suspected that the argument had to involve Aubrey but later on she had discovered that Aubrey and Jessica had left Ardid long before the argument took place. The confrontation had been about something else. She did not like the way things were going. Sahaid had shown a deep interest in Umayma lately. An interest that was dangerous to everyone.

There was a small tapping to her door and Asryn walked towards it to open it. It was Munia. She had never liked her much but she was useful when it came to information. She hid all her knowledge behind that mask of vanity and dim-witted demeanor. She was by far the oldest servant in Ardid and many of things that Asryn knew were due to her. Asryn opened the door slightly more, gesturing Munia to make her way in. Munia laughed lightly as Asryn closed the door and locked it.

"What did Umayma tell you?" Munia looked around Asryn's small room and sat on the edge of the window smugly.

Asryn shook her head at Munia's gestures and expression and answered her dryly. "She spoke of nothing of interest. She was only slightly alarmed when she heard Sahaid in such a mood."

Munia raised her eyebrow, questioning silently whether what she had just said was true or not. "You don't have to lie to me. I know very well how Sahaid treated her. I've seen that face on him once before and I'm not surprised if he treats her kindly. In fact, he's treating her far more kindly than he ever treated you remember?"

Asryn closed her eyes at the painful memory that Munia's words had evoked. For a few years, Asryn had suffered the disgrace of becoming Sahaid's lover. Almost all the women who had come as slaves suffered that fate. He had given her gifts and fine silks but she had never liked the feeling of disgust. He was handsome, creatures like him always are but his mind was twisted and dark. She had also suffered with his brother, Zein, who loved to use all women for his own use. Asper was the only one that had proved to be kind and gentle. Munia had once spoken of Namtala, Sahaid's mate and queen before Aisha. She was dead now. Yet, there was one problem. In Ardid, to kill someone who shares your blood was to kill yourself. That was one of the things that she could not figure out. There was a high probability that Sahaid killed Namtala but the only question in this was how.

Asryn shook her head as she tried to shake off the memories and thoughts. "Umayma is strange but she shows no apparent interest in Sahaid. Munia, you know so many things about Ardid, you know all of the history yet what compels you to hide it?"

"Haha…" Munia laughed softly, a laughter that could hide her discomfort or simply mocking mind. "What compels me?" Nothing compels me to hide anything that is of interest to you my dear. Yes, I have seen many things but I do not dwell in the past, especially a past that could do me much harm."

Asryn eyed Munia closely as she paced around the room in despair. "You were once Nam…"

"No! Do not say that name to me for it brings no peaceful memory. She is dead and so is the history behind her. If she was murdered or died by her own hand it won't make a difference. Sahaid has forgotten her, Ardid has forgotten, and you need to forget as well. You did not know her." Munia laughed once more, this time the cynical tone could not be disguised. "It won't be long until Aisha is out of the picture and soon you're going to have to bow down to our new queen as did I once before. You might as well expect the worst." With that, Munia walked towards the door, unlocked it, and then walked out of the room as she let the door close softly.

Asryn did not wait for the door to fully close before she slammed it and locked it once more. It was time for things to change in Ardid and if Aubrey and anyone else were needed, she would gladly solicit their help. If none could be found, then she would have to fix things once and for all.