Note: Just as I mentioned before, a lot of the next chapters are about how Farah came to Babylon, and we will make our way back to the scenario and timeline of the event of the intro chapter.


After the vizier had been defeated and the kingdom had been restored, Farah had retained a cordial relationship with the Prince. They had grown close, especially after the tale the Prince told her shortly after the aftermath of the events of the vizier. She vividly remembered standing with the Prince at the balcony of a palace tower as the sun descended in the sky.

"Prince, there's something I still don't understand. How did you really know my name?"

The prince had smiled to himself and laughed softly. Reaching over, he gently brushed a stubborn strand of hair that always seemed to get into her face before he responded.

"Most people think time is like a river, that flows swift and sure in one direction but I have seen the face of time and can tell you they are wrong. Time is like an ocean in a storm. You may wonder who I am and why I say this. Sit down, and I will tell you a tale like none that you have ever heard."

The tale was deeply shocking and chilling all at the same time for Farah. The dagger of time, Azad, her adventure with the Prince, her death, the grand rewind, the Dahaka, the Empress of time, returning to Babylon in a different timeline. Perhaps the part that made her gasp most was him knowing "kakoulukia", her secret word. It sounded like a madman's tale; yet, it all made sense and came together like pieces of a puzzle, and that word only verified it even further. Still, Farah felt the Prince left out some bits of the tale. It sounded like they had worked together and had built a relationship of trust, but she couldn't help but shake of the feeling that there was something more. There was something in the Prince's expression: his gaze upon her, the way his voice stuck when he spoke of her death at the tower, and his overall manner around her suggested that he had feelings for her that went beyond some simple camaraderie. How could she forget his words back in Babylon when she had reprimanded him for wanting to leave the women in the brothel and accused him of relishing and enjoying the bloodshed, especially after she had witnessed his transformation into a sand monster?

"Why should I believe you? Everything you have done contradicts this! I have seen the way you hunger for combat! You take pleasure in creating death! Your constant talk of bloody vengeance, your cold disregard for your own people! You heard the women in the brothel as clearly as I did and yet you turned away!"

"But I came back. I came back! For you…"

Back then, Farah was too disappointed and angry to think on his words, but looking back, they made her blush a little.

Although she would have never admitted it to his face, Farah had come to admire the Prince during their quest to regain the kingdom, perhaps even felt attracted to him. Sure, he had made some rash decisions here and there, but Farah could see that he had a good heart and that even when he made mistakes, he was back to make amends. The Prince did not embellish the story of their first adventure together beyond the details of the major events themselves, and Farah decided not to push, even though her curiosity remained. As the Persian kingdom began to rebuild, she too returned home to help with the cleanup and restoration of her own kingdom, led by her cousins, one of whom assumed the throne, and her uncles, who served as his guiding ministers. It was not until about three years later that her life path met with the Prince's once more.

On a warm summer evening, Farah was summoned to a meeting hall with her uncles and cousins, who relayed to her information about the man she had known in what seemed like two different lifetimes. The Prince, now the King, had married both a member of Persian royalty and a Greek princess who he had married to establish diplomatic ties. To further strengthen the ties between the Persians and Indians, it was suggested that Farah be married to the king as his third wife. Internally, Farah shuddered at the thought of being third wife. She had grown up hearing and seeing horror stories of favoritism and competition between multiple wives. The politics, the schemes, and the scandals that plagued such an arrangement did not appeal to her one bit. Yet, she forced herself to think of her kingdom. They are your people. You are their princess. This is what they need to advance. This is what your kingdom needs. Besides, he seems to like you. He probably wouldn't treat you poorly.

Farah strolled through a garden, thinking a walk would do her some good, and sighed heavily. When her father had been murdered by that traitorous vizier, she felt like someone had ripped through her with a thousand knives. She didn't think there was anything worse than feeling the way she did at that time. Now, thinking about this, she was torn apart inside. She had spent two years working and reacquainting herself with her people. Just when things seemed slightly normal, and she had started to feel at home, she was leaving for good once again.

An elderly uncle came by and joined her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Farah, child..."

"Uncle…" she looked up, her face obviously conflicted "I…"

"I understand child." He said, silencing her. "Your heart is heavy with duty and the weight of your family and your kingdom is all on your shoulders. Nothing seems fair. I know that feeling well." Farah bit her lower lip and bowed her head. The elderly uncle simply placed his hand on top of her head and gently patted it. "I have no say in this matter and neither am I fit to judge anyone, but I will say that you are through and through your father's daughter. Sometimes in life, we are thrown into situations that seem impossible or go against everything we want. Know that in my experience, we are never given anything we cannot handle." Cupping Farah's chin in his frail palm, he looked directly at her and said, "Wherever you go, whatever you might become, this will always be your home, and you will always be one of us."

Farah looked up and embraced her old uncle without a word. The old man returned the embrace, and both proceeded back to the palace.

The day before she departed for Babylon, Farah took a walk through the many gardens and rooms in the rebuilt palace, trying to take in as much possible as a memory. The next morning, her family came to see her off. When she hugged her old uncle goodbye, he tucked a small packet wrapped in paper into her hand.

"A small gift from your old uncle. When you feel lonely, perhaps it will bring you memories of home. May you be protected from evil" he whispered softly as he embraced her.

After some teary embraces, it was time to leave. Once her entourage had set off, leaving the palace in the distance, she opened the package. Out spilled small jasmine flowers and a gold pendant with a glass-like bead in the center on a fine gold chain. Frowning, she wondered why her uncle would send her off with such an odd trinket. The design did not resemble anything she had seen before. Still, he must have given it to me for some reason thought Farah put on the pendant and turned her attention to the view of the landscape outside, wondering how much what she would do the keep herself busy until they reached the kingdom.

As the journey continued and she grew tired of the scenery outside her window, she rested her head back against her cushions with her eyes closed. As she dozed off, she dreamed of being in a beautiful chamber with a great pool of warm water. How peaceful it is she thought to herself. She could have been floating on a cloud. Then, she felt a hand gently stroke her cheek, the tickle of a light beard as a man's face approached hers. Farah raised her eyes shyly and looked up into a pair of luminous blue-green eyes. His face was slowly getting closer and closer until his lips were almost…

Farah awoke with a gasp. Looking around her, she saw she was still in her carriage. Shaking her head, she could not believe what she had just seen in her dream. Blue-green eyes? That short distinctive beard? That was the Prince!

Farah reddened. Barely have left home and you're already dreaming about him like that! But what a dream it was! She could have sworn it felt so real. Farah let out a sigh and once again turned her attention to the view outside. It was just a dream she reminded herself firmly. Nothing more.

Farah's entourage arrived safely after two weeks. A cool breeze blew through the air, causing her to wrap her long shawl around herself tighter. She and her companions had traveled in the interest of time and had even skipped a rest in order to make it to the Persian Kingdom early. Taking notice of her dusty skin and rough hair, Farah lamented not having taken even a small stop in order to freshen herself up. What kind of impression was she going to make at the palace? One of her older servants patted her hand and assured her that they would get a chance to freshen up before she was to appear in front of the royal court. Special guards met them at a back entrance of the palace and summoned palace staff, who led Farah and her servants to her quarters.

The room was quite beautiful and also had a fairly large balcony that opened up to the gardens in the back, as did her room at home. Another room contained an area for washing and bathing. Farah's most trusted servant, Indrani, bustled around unpacking Farah's clothing and other items, storing them away safely. Before she could get too lost in her thoughts, Indrani pulled Farah towards the bathing area, yelling at the other servants to make haste and bring warm water. After she was washed, Indrani applied scented oil to both her skin and hair and arranged her hair into a long plait. Another servant brought out a pressed deep blue and gold silk banarasi saree. Once she was dressed, Farah put gold bangles on each arm as servants placed additional jewelry on her upper arms. A mekhala was drawn and fastened around her waist. A gold tikka, or head ornament, with matching blue gems was pinned above her forehead, and matching earrings and a necklace were fastened to her ears and around her neck, respectively. Her eyes were lined with kohl and golden powder was applied to her eyelids. Lastly, color was applied to her lips.

Farah looked at herself in the mirror in front of her, feeling incredibly nervous. She reached over for the packet her uncle had given her and pulled out the pendant. As she put it on, she remembered his words.

"When you feel lonely, perhaps it will bring you memories of home…"

May it bring me some confidence…prayed Farah to herself.

"Lady Farah, it is time" called Indrani, snapping Farah of her own thoughts as she turned to exit the room. Taking a deep breath, she turned from the mirror to exit the room with her heart in her throat.