Chapter 25

Caspian Region: Barsils Encampment

Due to her inquisitive nature, Gohar was immediately subjected to a crash course in Persian politics in response to her inquiries regarding the uprising. She listened attentively as the present situation in Persia and Pannonia was described to her; the more she heard, the more interested she became. Late in the evening, additional provisions, including food, wine, and opium, were delivered inside the yurt.

She puffed heavily on the opium pipe and sent forth a cloud of smoke. She sat still in the thick fog that filled the yurt. She drank from the glass and gestured at Xena.

"You can tell the Khagana that the Barsils will join the empire," she said, finishing off the wine.

"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Xena stated. "Come to Pannonia with us."

Gohar snuffed a laugh. "Seriously?"

"Why not? We're going to Estakhr first. You can bring your Alps with us. They might come in handy."

"I...I have nothing to offer the Khagana. My tribe will barely make it through winter. What can I possibly offer to her?"

Xena regarded Gohar as a fierce fighter with a burning desire to take charge of her people. She was youthful and alert, so she could pick up on warning signs quickly. Gohar would develop into an invaluable asset to the empire if given the opportunity.

"Your allegiance, for one," she said with admiration. "And your Alps could get paid."

"You think the Khagana would employ my Alps?" Gohar said with disbelief. "We're mountain people."

Xena answered with an earnest smile, "She is from the mountains too, you know. And she is great with a bow." She heard a soft laugh from Gohar. "You're pretty good with a bow yourself. You should challenge Arielle to an archery contest. She loves challenges."

Then a loud roar of laughter erupted and Gohar slapped her knee in delight. "Me? Challenge the Khagana? You are trying to get me killed."

"She would respect you. I know my granddaughter very well," she said, splaying a hand over her chest.

Gohar chuckled, wagging her head. "If I challenge her to a contest, I will say it was your idea," she jested.

"Fair enough," Xena said, rising from the floor. "I'm going back to the yurt. I have to be up early. Traveling while tired is never a good idea, especially for Gabrielle's sake."

She was almost outside when Gohar called her name.

"I'll come with you," Gohar said. "I don't know how much help I'll be, but if I can help get rid of these Persian rebels, I'll do anything I can."

Glad to hear that, Xena nodded. "See you in the morning then. Oh, and you ought to lay off that stuff," she gestured to the opium. "It's not good for you."

Constantinople

On a damp and drizzly night, Farah found herself indulging in a delightful repast accompanied by a velvety glass of wine, all in the illustrious company of Empress Sophia. It was a surreal experience for Farah, who could hardly fathom engaging in a civilized discourse with such a formidable adversary.

Yet, Farah astutely observed the Augusta's remarkable ability to effortlessly enchant the masses. While in the public eye, she exuded an air of grandeur and entitlement, but behind the opulent walls of the palace, she revealed herself to be a generous and lighthearted soul.

Farah traced her wine glass rim with her nail. "Empress, if you are coming with me to Pannonia, I have two conditions."

"Go on, let's see if they're realistic."

Farah raised her eyebrow. "I want you to release Fusun from your servitude," she gazed at the slight offense written on Sophia's face. "She deserves to be free and I won't let you bring a Hun slave to Pannonia. When we reach the borders, she belongs to me."

"Belongs to you, huh?" Sophia cackled while sipping wine. "I thought you wanted her to be free."

"She's been a slave for most of her childhood."

Sophia snapped, "I know very well how long she's been a slave."

"I...was going to say that a big change like that is going to take her a while to get used to. I'm going to offer her a job with me so that she can ease into it."

As Farah eagerly awaited her response, tension enveloped her chest. In a display of profound wavering, Sophia's delicate fingers curled and her lips contorted, unmistakable manifestations of her inner turmoil.

"And."

Farah's forehead knotted. "And?"

Sophia waved her hand dismissively. "And what is your other condition?"

A profound sense of gratification encircled Farah as she grasped her remarkable feat of persuading one of the world's most influential individuals to acquiesce to her conditions. Unable to conceal her elation, a radiant smile graced Farah's face as she exchanged glances with the illustrious empress.

"If you're going to supply us with a military stipend, I ask that it be paid in four installments over the course of a year."

Sophia nearly choked on the wine mid-swallow. "Those are very large payments, Queen Farah."

"You're using our land and we have a very large army. I need to clothe our soldiers, feed them, shelter them. All of that comes with a cost."

"Have you thought of having a seat on the Byzantine council?" she asked with a snort.

Farah added with a laugh, "No, why do you ask?"

"Because you are an excellent negotiator!"

"That's what my husband says when he loses an argument with me," she said with a smile.

"He must lose a lot."

With a gracious smile, Farah discreetly concealed her inner torment. Her heart ached for the day when she could be reunited with Csaba and their children. The sporadic letters she received only served as a meager respite, scarcely alleviating the profound sense of solitude that consumed her. In her desperation, she contemplated uttering any words necessary to pacify Sophia, all for the sake of departing from the confines of Constantinople.

"I might be able to persuade you, but nothing is final until Arielle agrees. She is not easy to negotiate with," Farah revealed, shaking her head. "I would know. She's my sister-in-law."

Sophia snickered and said, "I'm sure you can give me some tips along the way to Pannonia then."

Estakhr, Persia

Upon their arrival in the capital of Persia, a somber shroud descended upon the city of Estakhr. As Xena and Gabrielle traversed the streets, Gohar, accompanied by her loyal Alps, followed closely in their wake. The weight of the city's mournful atmosphere was not lost on Gohar, for it was evident in her countenance that she had no intentions of returning to this sorrowful place.

The buildings stood adorned, draped in ebony fabric, embellished with the emblem of House Sasan. Only a handful ventured outside, cloaked in somber attire. Enigmatic veils concealed the gazes of women, while ebony gloves sheathed their hands.

Arriving at the royal horse stable, which was conveniently located just a few miles from the palace, Gabrielle gracefully dismounted from her horse. With a polite gesture, she unveiled the clan's necklace and presented it to the stable keeper. Recognizing its significance, the young man promptly attended to their horses and expertly guided them into the stable.

Gohar gently caressed the nape of her neck, hesitant to utter a word amidst the haunting stillness enveloping her. She beheld Xena removing the burdensome bags from the horses and whistled at her Alps. In an instant, the Alps swooped in, effortlessly shouldering the weighty bags from Xena's grasp.

Xena frowned. "I can carry my own bags."

"You said my girls would be useful on this trip. I'm making use of them," snarked Gohar, as she winked.

Xena arched her brow and was about to retort until Gabrielle walked up. She held her tongue and narrowed her eyes at the sassy Gohar.

"Something's happened here," Gabrielle remarked. "Did you see those black banners?"

Nodding, Xena replied, "Must be a religious ritual or someone...died."

"Oh good, I was beginning to think this place was always this dreary," Gohar said.

"You got to work on that mouth of yours," Xena snapped. "We're walking the rest of the way to the Shah's palace."

Gohar grabbed her arm. "Wait, we're going to talk to the Shah directly?"

"Why do you think we came here?"

"I didn't think we were actually going to meet the Shah. I thought we would talk to his advisor or someone...someone who takes orders," she stumbled to find words to elicit her concerns.

Gabrielle quickly quelled Gohar's trepidations. "The Shah knows us. He isn't as foreboding as you may think. It's good that you decided to come with us. You can tell him that the rebels are stationed near your clan."

The Shah's palace beckoned with an air of foreboding akin to the city's entrance. Adorned with grand black banners, its exterior mirrored the solemnity within. Upon gaining passage through the watchful soldiers, all gathered in the regal chamber, anticipating Shah Khosrow's emergence.

Khosrow emerged not long after their arrival, appearing unlike the mighty monarch depicted by all. Clad in casual ebony trousers of cotton, a tunic grazing his knees, and a robe, he stood before them. His flowing locks intricately braided, and weary shadows encircled his eyes.

"Forgive my appearance," he said as he sat on his throne. "I haven't let anyone see me like this. It's been difficult to see people."

"We noticed the black banners all over the city. Did something happen?" asked Xena.

The Shah noticeably held back tears as he relayed the news. "My aunt was murdered," he said softly. "She was just lying there on the road."

"We're...very sorry for your loss, Khosrow," said Gabrielle. "Esther was a wonderful and kind woman."

"When I find out who did this to her, I will make sure every inch of their body is fed to the pigs," he swore, clenching the arms of the throne, turning his knuckles white.

Gohar's face transformed into a vivid scarlet hue upon imagining the harrowing prospects of the Shah's vengeance. Unacquainted with the Shah until now, she fervently hoped to evade the clutches of his wrath in the future.

Xena cleared her throat. "Do you have any idea who might have done this? Adarmahan and the rebels, maybe?"

The mere inquiry stirred a tempest within, urging him to unleash a primal scream until his lungs may collapse. The intricate details of her death were to be shunned from his mind, for he yearned solely to bestow justice upon his aunt. The murderer will be found. And they will be tried.

"Nousha believes it was Adarmahan," he said. "But I can't be too sure."

"Nousha is here?"

He waved his hand dismissively off into the distance. "She's in the mausoleum. She spends several hours a day in there doing God knows what."

Xena contemplated her next move and quietly excused herself to talk with Gabrielle alone. She pulled her to the side and snatched Gohar's hand before she bore a hole into Shah from gaping like a deer.

"Gabrielle, stay here and ask him questions about what happened to Esther."

Nodding, she asked, "And where are you going? You're obviously leaving me here."

"I'm going to find Nousha and see if I can fish out any information from her."

Gohar chimed in, "What am I supposed to do? Stand here?"

"If you wish."

Gabrielle jabbed her wife's ribs. "You can take mental notes of the conversation. When the time's right, you can mention the rebel camp in the Caspian area."

Once the plan had been decided, Xena walked over to Khosrow and bowed her head slightly.

"I'm going to talk to Nousha. It's really important that we find out who killed Esther. I know it's difficult for you to talk about this, but we're here to help," she said.

Khosrow tried to smile, but even smiling was painful. "You're here right when I need you. It must be divine intervention."

Xena smiled. "We came for a different reason. I'll leave you to talk with Gabrielle."

The mausoleum, unlike any sight Xena had beheld, stood grand and vast, rivaling the very palace itself, nestled upon the eastern domain of the palace compound. As she crossed its threshold, a ghostly essence of mortality permeated the air. Its interior walls adorned in a tapestry of ebony and gilded tiles, reaching from the very ground to the lofty heights of the ceiling.

In the center of the mausoleum, there were numerous stone coffins that were safeguarded by a cord of golden rope, effectively restricting access to the area. Xena respectfully walked around the coffins and observed that each stone possessed a distinct engraving. As she read the inscriptions, she discovered that every individual interred in the coffins was a member of the House of Sasan. Upon noticing the smaller dimensions of certain stone coffins, Xena came to the understanding that some of the deceased individuals were children.

As she turned a bend, she chanced upon Nousha, entranced before a stone bedecked with a regal headdress. Unaware of her presence, Nousha stood lost in reverie. Silently, Xena approached and fixated upon the resplendent beaded crown.

"Esther would've made a great queen," she said softly.

Nousha jumped and spun around at the familiar voice. "Xena, wh—what are you doing here? We...I...I haven't sent word to Xerxes about..."

Xena raised a hand. "I was in the area. I'm sorry we're meeting under these circumstances."

Nousha gracefully guided the path toward a bench in a neighboring chamber. She removed the veil adorning her crown and meticulously draped it upon her lap. Though Xena's consolations were valued, she discerned the true purpose behind Xena's presence.

"I don't know why Esther left Assyria," she admitted. "And I don't know why she was coming here," she angrily said. "I should've never sent that letter."

"You sent her a letter? What did it say?"

"I told her what happened to Xerxes and the rebel group that Adarmahan created. I know Adarmahan is responsible for this!"

In the depth of her mind, Xena reminisced about the Persian, whom she and Gohar had apprehended, whispering of Adarmahan's journey towards Assyria. Reluctant to hastily assume, she hesitated to embrace meager intel, especially from a renegade warrior, yet the possibility lingered that the rebels bore the burden of Esther's death.

"And Bawi let her travel alone?"

Nousha wagged her head. "She had an entire caravan of ten men with her."

"None of the soldiers witnessed her being killed?"

"Khosrow had everyone interrogated. They found her on the ground outside of the carriage, bleeding from her chest."

Xena struggled to fathom how a retinue of warriors failed to shield a princess. Someone was not being entirely truthful, she gathered. If she had more time on her hands, she would interrogate the incompetent soldiers herself.

"Thank you, this was helpful. I must go talk to Khosrow." She stood up and put on her gloves. "Take care of yourself. You look like you need some rest."

Nousha arose from her seat, swiftly intercepting Xena's departure. As their gazes intertwined, a wave of emotion overwhelmed her, causing tears to well up before she uttered a single word.

"How is Xerxes? I—I can't send letters..."

"He's recovering slowly," she said, turning to leave.

"And the girls? Arielle and the baby? They're alright?"

Xena cast a slight smile. "The girls ask about you a lot. Arielle is dealing with more than she can handle," she admitted and saw Nousha tearing up. "Gabrielle and I probably won't leave for a few days. You could prepare some gifts and letters to send back with us to Pannonia."

As Nousha's tears dissipated, a renewed vitality coursed through her. Enthralled by the proposition, her mind began to dance with possibilities of the exquisite treasures that could fit within a spacious trunk.

"Esther was stabbed in the chest while she was in the carriage or outside the carriage?" asked Gabrielle.

The Shah's patience waned, burdened by the repetitive inquiry. The agony of envisioning his aunt's lifeless form persisted a relentless torment.

"The soldiers found her on the ground outside of the carriage. By the time I arrived, she was dead," he told her.

"There were ten soldiers and you mean to tell me that none of them saw who attacked Esther?"

Khosrow growled. "I do not wish to continue this discussion anymore!"

Gabrielle winced and hesitantly said, "I know this is hard for you to talk about, but I need to know every detail about her death. Zal Pasha is dead, Xerxes was captured, and now Esther is dead. Adarmahan must be responsible for all of this. His rebels are everywhere."

With a gesture, she beckoned for Gohar to advance and divulge the secrets of the camp to the Shah. Gohar, plagued by uncertainty, cast a terrified glance. After a moment, she lay a gentle hand on Gohar's shoulder and propelled her forward, eliciting a piercing glare from Khosrow.

Gohar straightened her posture. "There is a rebel camp posted near my clan, Shah," she stated with a stone-faced expression.

"Where is your clan located?" he asked.

"North of the Caucasus, next to the Caspian Sea, Your Highness." She glanced back at Gabrielle, who silently urged her to keep talking. "I...we captured a rebel and he told us Adarmahan was headed to Assyria."

With a contemplative stroke of his chin, Khosrow assimilated the scattered fragments, realizing the gravity of his oversight during the interrogation of Esther's entourage. Adarmahan's calculated actions were stealthily eradicating the Sassanian lineage, paving the way for the imminent ascension of a newfound dynasty.

With haste, Xena returned to the grand throne chamber, her breath labored and heavy. She had dashed from the mausoleum, her conversation with Nousha still lingering in her mind. As she finally regained her composure, she advanced towards the elevated dais.

"You need to send troops to guard Pannonia," she said. "Nousha sent Esther a letter, informing her about Xerxes' capture and Adarmahan's plan. Whoever killed Esther must've followed her from Assyria. And now they know Xerxes is in Pannonia."

He knitted his brows in frustration. "Don't the Huns have their own army?"

"You know that we are in a deficit, Khosrow," she said, addressing him casually. "Shah," she mumbled. "It's the least you could do, especially since Xerxes is still injured and Arielle is pregnant."

His eyes widened. "Arielle's pregnant?"

"Nousha didn't tell you..."

"No, she did not!"

Though at times, Nousha proved vexing to handle, Xena was awed by her unwavering commitment to honoring her promise to Xerxes. Not a word about the heir escaped her lips, concealed even from the Shah's ears.

"That being said; will you send your troops?" she asked, almost begging.

The Shah granted his consent and gracefully lifted his hand, ascending from his regal seat. As Gabrielle neared the throne, he cast a disapproving gaze upon her.

"Can you tell us where you found Esther? Xena, Gohar, and I will go investigate the area."

"You aren't going to let this go, are you, governor?"

Gabrielle smiled.

Pannonia

Arielle, though apprehensive, recognized the inevitable arrival of this day. Preparing herself diligently, she resolved to address her tribe, recounting the numerous challenges and hardships she had valiantly faced for several months. Deep appreciation swelled within her for the unwavering support of Ursula, whose serene demeanor skillfully compelled the diverse clans to gather attentively, awaiting the forthcoming proclamation.

This marked the inaugural instance in which she broached any political matter to the tribe, and she harbored apprehensions that her words might not be met with open minds. A constricting knot coiled within her stomach as she ascended the steps of the Adame, gazing upon the multitude of eyes fixated upon her.

Fortunately, she was accompanied by a supportive entourage. Positioned to her right were her parents, while her siblings, Csaba and Cera, stood steadfastly by her side on her left. Standing behind her was the presence of Xerxes, Ursula, and Ebnedzar.

She commenced to eloquently speak of the tumultuous relationship between the Sassanians and the Huns, with a particular focus on the uprising in Persia. This discordant matter created a divide within the tribe, prompting her to perceive it as the perfect topic to bring up first. Before long, a barrage of inquiries was hurled in her direction.

"The Khagan beat the Shehzade. What are you doing about that?"

"The Sassanians have too much control over us!"

Arielle, consumed by a rising tide of inquiries, found herself adrift in the cacophony of voices. With clenched fists and gritted teeth, she battled the turbulent waves of uncertainty.

"I am addressing that matter with the Khagan!" she yelled, quieting the crowd. "It will be dealt with. I don't want violence to be the way we solve our problems anymore."

Once she gained control of her people, she continued.

"The Shah gives more to us than you all realize. Persia supplies us with most of the crops we have now. Persia gives us tools to forge new weapons."

The murmurs circulating among the tribe brought a subtle, inward joy to Arielle. The sentiments expressed were not rooted in anger, but rather in a lack of comprehension regarding the intricate mechanisms of the empire. She turned her gaze towards Ursula, who bestowed upon her a comforting smile.

"I know that we have had a terrible relationship with the Sassanians in the past. I knew the relationship would be difficult when I married Shehzade Xerxes," she said as her heart thumped in her chest. "I have faced many challenges because of this marriage."

Her people stared at her and did not whisper or carry on side conversations. She had their attention in her grasp.

"I did not choose this role and I do...I do not know why it was given to me. I knew the previous Khagana for less than a day before she passed." She inhaled deeply. "If I could go back, if I had a choice, I don't know if I would've taken on this role. My decisions affect you all. Please know that I am doing everything I can to sustain this empire. I may not be able to tell you everything, but I ask that you give me patience and trust. I will do anything to protect the people of this empire."

A lump caught in her throat as she awaited the public's response. She expected some sort of reaction from them, perhaps even outrage, but she was met with silence. After a few silent moments passed, the crowd drew their swords and pointed them to the skies. They roared, cheering, and chanting with their swords held high.

Arielle smiled, welcoming the positive response from her people. She looked back at her family standing behind her and they all shared warm smiles.

Pannonian-Byzantium Border

As the sun began to set, Farah instructed the soldiers to make camp in the next safest area. Just a few more days until they reached Pannonia and Farah could hardly wait to see her family. Traveling with Sophia hadn't been all that terrible, except they had to travel at a much slower pace, which was a bit annoying.

Farah pulled the blankets off the horse and kept eyeing Sophia and Fusun near the unlit campfire. She threw the blankets inside of the tent and walked over to the two, and rested her hands on her hips.

"Your tent is ready, Empress."

Sophia curtly nodded. "Thank you."

There was a silent tension between the two and Fusun avoided eye contact. Farah raised her eyebrow, expecting the Augusta to keep hold of her promise. Sophia let out a winded sigh and turned to Fusun.

"I'm releasing you from your servitude," she said bluntly.

Fusun, lost for words, managed to say, "Empress?"

"You are no longer under Byzantine serfhood," she clarified. "You're free to go."

Tired from the long journey, Sophia quickly retired to her tent. As soon as she left, she heard Queen Farah clapping excitedly and that brought a twinge of a smile to her lips.

Farah brought Fusun into a tight embrace. She pulled back and brushed Fusun's wavy hair away from her face.

"You're a free woman now!"

Just in a split second, Fusun's whole world turned upside down once more. She recalled the moment she was kidnapped by Persian slavers and sold to the Byzantines. Now, she was so accustomed to her life serving someone else, she wasn't sure how to feel.

"I...how?"

Farah explained, "I told the Empress to release you. You are free to do what you want, but I would like to offer my home to you. I will take care of you." she grabbed Fusun's hands and held them firmly.

"You did that for me?"

Farah nodded.

"But ma'am, you don't even know me," said Fusun, in disbelief. "You are a queen! You would take someone like me in?"

"I have plenty of space in my home for you."

She took the girl's hand and walked beyond the camp. Together they stood on a hill, overlooking the vast land before them. They were now on Pannonian soil and only a few feet back, they were in Byzantine territory.

"My son is in love with a young woman who used to be a slave to the Byzantines," she said, keeping her eyes fixated on the lush landscape. "She was brought to my home unexpectedly and she lives with me now. When I saw you...I was reminded of her."

While she was in Constantinople, she came to the realization that her behavior in Pannonia had been quite appalling. She consistently found herself getting upset over things beyond her control but still made an effort to exert control, even if it meant causing harm to others.

"I hope Pannonia will become like a home to you, Fusun," she said softly.

Out of nowhere, like a gentle breeze, Fusun swathed Farah in her embrace, holding her close. In that fleeting moment, Farah's body tensed, only to soften as she tenderly caressed the girl's arm in return.

Estakhr, Persia

The next morning, Gohar followed Xena and Gabrielle to the road where Esther was killed. Judging by the number of trees and how unpaved the road was, this wasn't a main road for travelers. They split up in different directions; Gabrielle went to search in the brush, while Xena looked at foottracks.

Gohar looked up at the sky, studying the time of day and how far south they were from the palace.

"You two failed to tell me that the Khagana is expecting a child."

"Well, it was supposed to be kept a secret," said Xena.

"Why? Children are to be celebrated."

Xena groaned. "Would you stop running your mouth? I'm trying to work here."

Gohar knelt and scooped up some soil into her hand. She took a whiff of it and then noticed much of the soil had patches of rocks and sand.

She ran up to Xena, who was checking all the tracks in the area. "The soil has pockets of sand," she said. "This area doesn't have this type of sand."

Xena stood upright and studied the soil, finally noticing the bits of sand. She looked at Gohar with an appreciative smile.

"You have a good eye."

Gabrielle emerged from the brush. "This is a private road. The Sassanian family must use this road to travel safely. Only a few people know about it. There're hardly any tracks here."

"Whoever did this to Esther must've known she'd take this route," said Xena.

Gohar walked south down the dirt path as Xena talked with Gabrielle. She blocked out the voices and gazed up at the sky. A huddle of birds flew out of the trees erratically, heading north. Gohar dropped to her knees and put her ear to the ground. Closing her eyes, she could hear thumping against her ear, like faint heartbeats.

She sprang up and ran to the women. "There are horses traveling this way. They're less than a mile away."

Gabrielle frowned and spun around herself. "How do you know?"

"I heard them," she said, cupping her ear. "You two should hide. I'll keep a lookout."

Without questioning her judgment, they hid in the brush and crouched down. Gohar pulled a dagger out of her boot and used it to aid her in climbing up one of the trees. Below, Xena watched in awe as Gohar effortlessly climbed the tree.

"What I would give to be able to do that again," she whispered.

Gabrielle crookedly smiled. "I don't think I've ever seen you climb a tree."

Several minutes later, Gohar's intuition was indeed correct. A slew of twelve horsemen galloped through the forest, kicking up dirt and leaving a trail behind them. Xena peaked through the brush and she clenched her teeth.

"It's Bawi and Shapur," she whispered. "They're headed to the palace."

Once the area was clear, Gabrielle stood up and grabbed her wife's hand, pulling her out of the brush. Gohar jumped down from the tree and picked the leaves out of her hair.

"They must be coming to pay their respects," said Gabrielle.

"I take it you know them," Gohar assumed.

Xena brushed the dirt off her sleeves. "That was Esther's husband and stepson."

"And they're coming from Assyria?" questioned Gohar. "Shehzada Esther died two days before we arrived. It took us two days to ride from my tribe to Estakhr, which means she's been dead for a total of five days now. It takes a hell of a lot longer to get here from Assyria; maybe ten days, eight days if you don't stop along the way."

In a moment of silence, Xena and Gabrielle exchanged a meaningful gaze, speechless. Xena broke the silence and gave Gohar's shoulder a gentle thwack.

"I like you."

Gohar bore a puzzling grin. "Thank you...Khanum."

Gabrielle interjected, "Does this mean Bawi is back on the list of suspects?"

Even though Khosrow was still in mourning, the duties of the empire couldn't wait. He sat in the throne room and was briefed on the investigation of Zal Pasha's death. So far, no new news had come up just yet.

"I want a group of scouts sent to the Caspian region. A rebel camp was spotted there," he ordered his advisor.

The councilman bowed and then turned to leave. He was then stunned to see Bawi and Shapur barging into the room. Quickly, he left the chamber and closed the doors quietly.

The Shah frowned and stepped down off the dais. "You received my letter rather quickly, Bawi."

Bawi bowed. "Your Highness, forgive my intrusion. I've come here to ask if you know the whereabouts of my wife."

"Your wife..."

"Yes, Shah. She left Assyria without telling me and I had hoped she came here," said Bawi.

Khosrow was met with a surge of conflict within him. His aunt's husband stood before him, telling an entirely different story than expected. The trust he had for his family and empire had waned since the death of his aunt. At this very moment, he wasn't sure he could trust what anyone had to say.

"Esther is dead, Bawi. She was killed on her journey here."

Bawi shut his eyes and bit down on his knuckle, containing a muffled scream. He turned around and kicked over the nearest chair. Shapur lowered his gaze and flinched as the chair flew into the wall.

Breathing heavily, Bawi wiped his eyes and composed himself to face the Shah. He adjusted his collar and bowed.

"My apologies," he muttered. "Where—where is she?"

"In the family mausoleum."

Bawi nodded. "May I go see her?"

The Shah passively waved his hand. His eyes followed Bawi exiting the throne chamber then walking down the long corridor. Once he lost sight of Bawi rounding a corner, a flash blonde whipped by.

Before long, Gabrielle swooped into the chamber, which alarmed him. She briskly walked to the dais and bowed before trying to catch her breath.

"I don't know what Bawi told you, but you shouldn't trust what he says," she said, concealing a cough.

"I do not trust anyone, governor," he stated. "It is too convenient that Adarmahan and Bawi are both in Assyria at the time of my aunt's death."

"We don't know if that's true about Adarmahan."

He chuckled, folded his hands behind him, and stepped closer to her. "Gabrielle, I have a list of every Persian soldier stationed in Assyria. One-hundred and twenty-seven names. There is no reason for Persians to be in Assyria. Adarmahan is not working alone and if it's not with Bawi, then it's with someone else."

She held her breath for as long as she could until he stepped away. Exhaling, she rubbed her neck anxiously and looked at the Shah.

"I think it's best Nousha stay in the bedroom with me and Xena tonight."

Khosrow turned around. "You think Bawi would be so bold as to try and murder Nousha in my palace?"

"If you really think Bawi and Adarmahan are working together, would it surprise you if Nousha turns up dead tomorrow morning?" she probed.

With his eyebrows knitted, he answered with a conflicted, "No."

Gabrielle closed the space between them. "Don't tell Bawi that we're here," she whispered. "Invite him and Nousha to dinner tonight. And send the guards out of the east wing."

He gasped. "What? You want me to dismiss the guards from Nousha's wing?"

"Just trust me," she said.

During dinner, all was normal, except for the sweltering pit of anger bubbling in Nousha. She couldn't keep her eyes off of Bawi and Shapur, casually eating. It was as if Esther's death was an afterthought. She presumed Khosrow felt the same, given his curt answers to Bawi's questions about Esther's death.

It was all too timely for him to travel all the way from Aleppo, a mere five days after his wife's sudden death. He had explained that Esther left without telling him and knew nothing of a letter she received.

It was quite skillful of the Shah not to mention the letter came from Nousha. It was something Nousha took notice of and played along. Occasionally, Khosrow gave her side glances and she knew she had to follow his ruse.

After dinner, Nousha followed the plan as instructed. She waited until Bawi and Shapur left the dining hall and made sure they knew which corridor she entered. Her heart pounded in her chest as she focused on getting to her quarters.

She rounded a corner and quickly switched spots with Gohar. As she passed the room's key into Gohar's hand, she was pulled into another hallway by Xena. Finally able to breathe, she exhaled, clutching Xena's arm.

Xena took Nousha's hand and hurried down the hallway. When they entered the guest quarters, Xena closed and locked the doors. She pressed her forehead against the door and took in a deep breath.

"If either one of them comes to my room it just proves I'm their next target!" Nousha squawked.

Gabrielle arose from the bed. "I'm sorry we have to put you through this," she said.

"Why can't Khosrow arrest them if he knows they're with Adarmahan?" she cried.

Xena turned on her heel. "We don't have any proof they're working together. And we don't want them to think we're on to them," she pressed. "You're good at keeping secrets. This is a secret you need to keep."

All Nousha could think about was if Xena and Gabrielle weren't here, she would probably be dead. She gazed up at both of them and slowly nodded.

Gohar paced back and forth, tapping the key on her palm. For over an hour, she waited in Nousha's room. Her two Alps were stationed in the room with her, waiting for a command. As if the gods answered her prayers, there was a knock on the door and then a rattle of the handle.

She approached the door and turned the key. Slowly opening the door, she pulled her veil to a close, feigning coyness. It was Shapur who stood in the hallway, alone, without his father present.

"Is Banu Nousha awake?" he asked.

Gohar answered meekly, "No, she's turned in for the evening."

"I brought something for her."

He revealed a dainty box concealed behind his back. Gohar's gaze fixated on the box, before shifting upwards to meet his captivating gaze. Entranced by the mysterious depth of his dark eyes, she found herself unable to look away. As he began to speak, a subtle hiss seemed to intertwine with his words, evoking an enchanting sense of intrigue. In that moment, he sparked a sense of familiarity within her.

"If you could give this to her, I would appreciate it," he said, holding the box in his palm. "It belonged to my stepmother. She loved jewelry."

Gohar bowed. "I will. Goodnight."

"You don't sound like you're from here. Are you Persian?"

Slightly panicked, she cleared her throat. "Only half, sir."

"Which part of Persia?"

Gohar felt sweat beads bubbling up on her back. "North."

"Ah, that makes perfect sense. Plenty of spotted Persians up there." He smiled and tipped his head. "Goodnight."

Pannonia

Arielle, weary from the toils of the day, gracefully surrendered onto the feathery embrace of her bed. Today's labor had not only demanded her voice to resonate in a resolute second proclamation to her tribe, but it had also obliged her to pledge time with her daughters.

"Thank you for helping proofread my letters," she said.

Xerxes leaned his weight on his elbow. "I would do it again if it helps clear your busy schedule."

Despite the physician's warnings, Xerxes left the infirmary and slept in his wife's quarters. If he was going to sleep in a bed, he would rather sleep in one with his spouse.

Arielle kissed his forehead. "One problem solved. Now all I have to do is make sure Adarmahan doesn't kill us, score a deal with the Byzantines, and hope the Gepids don't invade us again. Oh, and give birth."

"That's a very ambitious list," he said, chuckling softly.

"Out of everything, giving birth seems the easiest task I can complete," she said, sighing.

Xerxes lifted his hand. "Can I?"

She shifted against the pillows and leaned back. "I don't know why you feel the need to ask. It's your baby."

"I'm just being polite, Khagana," he teased.

He inched nearer, placing his hand upon her abdomen. With an air of patience, he playfully waggled his eyebrows at his wife, provoking a dismissive eye roll in return. Tenderly, he prodded her belly, coaxing a response from within. Finally, the baby stirred with a sudden jolt.

"I am almost willing to bet on my brother's crown that this is another girl," he said, batting his eyes.

"Did you look at your mother's map of stars?" she asked skeptically, narrowing her gaze.

"I didn't, I swear!"

Arielle gently nudged him, adding a touch of playfulness to their interaction. However, in that very moment, the weight of her impending future engulfed her entirely. As her gaze fell upon the life growing within her, the joy that adorned her face began to fade. It was in that moment that she comprehended - the child nestled in her womb was not solely hers, but also an integral part of the Sassanian lineage. Placing her hand over Xerxes', she intertwined their fingers.

"I can't have any more children after this one," she said, tears surfacing. "Your family scares me, Xerxes. They can get rid of anyone."

Xerxes sat up, bearing the pain shooting up his leg. He cupped her face and kissed her forehead and nose.

"You and our daughters mean everything to me," he said, pressing his forehead against hers. "I would die to protect you all."

Tears clouded her eyes and she tried to shy away. "Stop," she slurred.

"If I had to, I would. I will do anything to protect you, even if it means going against my own people."

Arielle wiped her nose and then caressed his bruised cheek. "No more."

His jaw tightened. "No more," he repeated.

With a newfound sense of relief, she drew a tranquil breath and bestowed upon him a tender smile. Enveloping him in an embrace, she was abruptly interrupted by a resounding pair of knocks on the entrance.

"Who is it?" she called.

"Wasifah, Your Highness."

Gracefully, Arielle swiftly departed from her chambers, donning her robe with each step. The urgency to witness and embrace the truth that Wasifah had disclosed consumed her. Stepping out of the Adame, her breath materialized into a faint frost in the crisp, wintry air. And there, below, stood Augusta Sophia and Farah, patiently awaiting her arrival.

Arielle delicately positioned her kozak atop her head before descending the staircase. Augusta Sophia's gaze instinctively gravitated towards her noticeably swollen belly, only to be met with a newfound sense of curiosity and intrigue.

"Khagana, I apologize for arriving at this time of night, especially since we've never met before," said Sophia.

"I suppose there is never a right time for introductions," Arielle gracefully said, fleeting a glance at Farah.

Sophia ghosted a smile. "I don't want to keep you, but I would like to discuss the proposal my husband made. We can talk about it in the morning?"

Arielle's eyebrows knitted for a second. "Yes, in the morning when we are all rested," she said, eyeing Farah once more. "I will have a room prepared for you. Wasifah will show you the way."

The empress ascended the stairwell with graceful strides, crossing the threshold into the Adame. Meanwhile, Arielle stood unwavering, her gaze piercing into Farah's soul. As their eyes met, Farah's resolve wavered, her jaw clenching and her gaze descending. Arielle's eyes blazed with intensity, and then she turned away, retracing her steps.

Estakhr, Persia

Come morning, Gohar hadn't slept the entire night, anticipating Shapur's return. She bolted from the bedroom after checking to see that the halls were clear. Dashing through the palace, she knocked on the door frantically.

Gabrielle slowly creaked the door open and Gohar rushed in. Once inside, Xena was wide awake, yet Nousha was found still sleeping in bed.

"Did Bawi come to the room?" whispered Xena.

Gohar shook her head. "No, Shapur came last night. He gave me this." She presented the box.

Gabrielle took the box and lifted the lid. "Jewelry?"

"It belonged to Shehzada Esther. He wanted me to give it to her," she motioned to Nousha.

Though it was an odd thing to do—give gifts after someone dies—it could have been a tradition. Xena noticed the pale look on Gohar's face and the fragility in her eyes.

"Did you see anything else suspicious, Gohar?" she prompted.

Gohar blinked. "Yes..." she paused, drawing in her eyebrows. "I know him. He's one of the slave traders. I haven't seen him in four or five years, but I know it's him."