Chapter 34
Estakhr, Persia
The court gathered in the throne room, gawking at Bawi as he was ushered in. The accused was forced to kneel before the Shah. Bawi, with his wrists and ankles shackled, glared at everybody present. He had a gut feeling that he would be arrested as soon as he arrived. There were ten soldiers crowded around the gates, waiting for him.
The Shah raised his hand to silence the room. "Bawi, soldier, general, and husband of Shehzada Esther, you are accused of poisoning a member from the House of Sassan. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty."
Councilmen muttered under their breaths, whispering in each other's ears. Shehzade Xerxes, seated beside his brother, jumped out of his seat, and approached Bawi. His chest rose and fell heavily. Here he was, standing before his mother's murderer, and he wanted nothing more than to snap his neck.
"How arrogant are you to stand in front of this court and plead not guilty?" Xerxes scoffed. "You tried to kill my mother. You laced her clothes in poison!"
"Xerxes, he is already guilty in the law's eyes. Don't prolong this meeting," Khosrow urged his brother.
Bawi laughed. "I see my fate has already been decided. What does it matter if we have a law to follow? It is not being followed, clearly."
Khosrow narrowed his eyes and replied, "I have two witnesses of your crime, Bawi. I have followed our laws. Perhaps, I would have shown you mercy and sent you to Anosbord if you had pleaded guilty."
Two guards grabbed Bawi's arms and dragged him out of the throne room. He was forced to look all the palace staff and servants in the eye as he trudged through the hallway. When the doors opened, he squinted at the bright sunlight beaming into the marble palace.
Outside in the courtyard, there was a large stone block, ready for him. Bawi's face drained of all color, realizing he would be put to death in the most gruesome way possible. He knelt in front of the block, glaring at the Shah and Shehzade standing afar. The executioner lowered Bawi's head to rest on the block. The sharp blade whirred in the air and Bawi closed his eyes for the last time.
Xerxes bore a smile when he saw Bawi's head separate from his body and roll onto the grass. He clapped the Shah's shoulder.
"A long-awaited death, brother. He should've been put to death when you found our aunt's body."
"Our laws exist for a reason," said Khosrow.
Rouran Khaganate
As Aurora's eyes fell upon the dress, her breath caught in awe. The vibrant dark green hue of the fabric seemed to come alive. The long, billowy sleeves added a touch of elegance. Intricate gold beads adorned the bust, creating a mesmerizing pattern that drew the eye. And the tassels, cascading down to the thighs, added a playful flair to the ensemble. It was evident that the dress had been meticulously crafted to fulfill his desire.
And she hated it.
Aurora was dreading the dinner with Tengri. It felt like the choice had been taken away from her. She clenched her fists, her gaze becoming more intense. Tengri would probably be thrilled to see her in that dress. The way it hugged her curves would surely catch his attention. She could already picture him greeting her with a smile, referring to her as Blue Eyes, his chosen nickname for her.
"My eyes aren't even blue," she grumbled.
Stepping out of the baths, Mara's radiant skin glistened in the flickering candlelight, replacing the sight of the dress with a much more captivating one. With a swift motion, she swept her long hair behind her shoulder and flexed her arms, displaying her strength. Glancing at the dress, she reached out and grabbed a sleeve, pressing it against her body.
Concerned about the dress, Aurora pleaded, "Please be careful! I don't want Tengri to notice anything."
Mara responded playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Don't worry, I'll make sure to rub my scent off on it. That repulsive son of a bitch shouldn't have any clue about your scent. Is he sniffing your clothes while you sleep?"
Aurora hoped that wasn't the case. "Once this dinner is over, I'll ask Gohar when we can finally leave this place."
Slipping into a silky robe, Mara sank onto the bed. "Haven't you heard? We're trapped here until they apprehend the murderer," she murmured.
If only she disclosed the identity of the person she saw near the Khagan when he was killed, everything would be resolved and she could finally leave. But she had given her word to Wasifah, promising not to reveal anything, and it had already been more than a week since the Khagan's tragic end. Revealing anything now would make her look suspicious.
"Could you help me with my hair and makeup?"
The young Alp looked slightly offended. "Trying to catch the prince's eye, are we?" she joked. "I won't let you seem too interested. You're already spoken for." She smiled and playfully kissed Aurora's cheek.
Aurora waved the comb in her hand, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I refuse to let my beauty go to waste. Once I'm finished, we can enjoy a delightful dinner together, just the two of us."
"Two dinners in one night?" Mara asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Aurora's impish smile widened as she replied, "Oh, don't worry, I won't overindulge. Now, come on, let's get started on my hair."
Mara swiftly snatched the comb and divided Aurora's hair into large sections. "Has anyone ever told you how sassy you are?"
Aurora burst into laughter and replied, "You haven't met my mother."
Chancellor Yusi walked through the door just as Gohar was leaving. He silently acknowledged her, then his smile faded. Closing the door, Yusi approached the Khatun, bowing his head slightly.
"Alp Gohar has been in your chambers every day for the last week," he noted. "I am assuming the negotiations are going well?"
Qutlug poured herself a glass of wine and savored each sip. As she stared out her balcony, she said, "It is difficult to negotiate with a dead man's promises."
The Khatun's rapid recovery from her husband's demise posed a significant challenge. However, the empire's duties couldn't be delayed, and Yollig's focus remained fixed on the war, while his mother dedicated herself to forging alliances. Meanwhile, Qutlug harbored aspirations of uniting with the Tang Empire in China. With no time to spare on tribal conflicts, she couldn't help but fear that her eldest son lacked the necessary intelligence to effectively govern the empire.
"I'm sure the late Khagan would appreciate your efforts," he said softly.
"He is still Khagan," she said firmly. "Yollig will bludgeon any man who defies his orders. He is not fit to rule."
Yusi gasped. "Khatun, you shouldn't say things like that aloud."
"He is my son. I know him best," Qutlug sternly reminded the chancellor. "I dare anyone to speak against me."
Stepping back from the balcony, she took a seat on the bed. Her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at Yusi, silently urging him to join her by pulling up a chair. The chancellor's ability to inject humor into any situation never failed to uplift her spirits, especially during challenging times like these. Their friendship had withstood the test of time, spanning more than two decades. Qutlug vividly remembered the fear she felt when she was sold to the Khagan and the horrors of her first night in the palace. Yusi had been her constant support, guiding her and shaping her into the remarkable queen she had become.
"Has the assassin been found?" she asked.
"No, Khatun. Everyone has been questioned, so it seems we have a liar in the palace."
With an expectant nod, she kept drinking the wine. Qutlug had a strong inkling about the person behind her husband's untimely death, but she needed solid evidence to confirm her suspicions.
"What about Tengri? He promised to interrogate the Huns, but I haven't received any updates," she expressed her concern.
As Qutlug observed Yusi's demeanor change, she noticed his posture droop. "The prince is currently having dinner with the Hun princess," he informed her, his words carrying a hint of disappointment.
With a quizzical expression, she asked, "Has the princess already captured Tengri's interest?" Letting out a sigh, she expressed, "I wish to have a maid present whenever they are alone together. Find someone I can trust and instruct her to inform me about every word Tengri utters in the princess's presence."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Yusi, you don't have to address me like that when it's just the two of us," she gently reminded him, her smile radiating warmth. "I'm afraid I've lost much of my influence after my husband's death, making it difficult to form an alliance with Gohar's tribe. Yollig has always been stubborn with me, even when he was a little boy. Convincing him to agree to the alliance won't be easy."
"Perhaps, he would want something more tangible?" he suggested. "Such as the Hun princess."
Qutlug shook her head, repulsed by the idea.
"What about her connection with the Avar-Hun Empire? The Khagana is married to a Persian, and you know who has ties with China..." he hinted.
"Persia," she whispered under her breath. "I don't feel right about using the Hun girl as a bargaining chip. I can only imagine the danger I would be in if I were to go down that path."
"Just a suggestion, Khatun," he said, shrugging.
"I know my place, Yusi. Please, go and find me a reliable maid," she said, flicking her wrist.
The chancellor stood up and bowed. "I'll let you wallow in solitude," he teased, causing Qutlug to scrunch her face and playfully smack his arm.
Nezak Tribe
In the throne chamber, Cera and Gabrielle rolled out a large map onto the floor. A weight was placed on the four corners of the fabric. The map was gorgeous, painted by Cera, and was at least fifteen feet long. Xena stepped onto the map and traced the Altai Mountains with a long pointer stick. The majority of the mountains were located in China and crossed into Mongolian tribes.
"This little square is the only portion of the mountains in Kazakhstan?" she asked.
Cera nodded, regrettably. A small section of the mountains was located in the northeast corner of the territory. Meanwhile, the Nezak tribe was situated in the far northwest. The distance alone was daunting, and the map was deceiving. The mountains covered a large portion of Kazakhstan.
"Gods, that's got to be a four-day ride from here," said Gabrielle. "Are there any tribes in that area?"
"Not that I know of," Cera said. "Yana might know more about the eastern tribes, if there are any left."
"Could you write to her?"
With a brief nod, Cera retraced her steps toward her desk. Then she stopped. Her grandmother was fixated on the map, muttering under her breath. Cera frowned and grabbed Gabrielle, pulling her aside. For once, she was glad she couldn't talk, since she didn't want her grandmother to hear her.
"Should I send a letter to Arielle?"
Gabrielle looked over her shoulder at her wife. "Not yet. I would wait," she whispered.
The response did not quell Cera's concerns, but she wouldn't argue. Gabrielle walked over to the map and casually bumped Xena's elbow. She received a fleeting smile. She knew her wife had plans already forming in her mind, which also worried her. Cera was right. They needed to inform Arielle about this.
"The Khaganate is most likely in the Mongol territories. China would never allow a small kingdom to rule in the same empire," Xena remarked.
"Bad things happen in China. Csaba and Farah have been there. So has Arielle and Cera."
Xena almost forgot about Cera's experience in China after she was kidnapped. Cera was treated like an exotic animal in China and Japa. Maybe asking for her help wasn't the best choice, after Xena thought about it. She also had a gut feeling that Gabrielle wasn't fully on board with the task. Aurora had been exposed to several strangers over the last year, and now she was forced to meet monarchs with no experience in foreign affairs. It didn't sit right with her.
Yana wasted no time in responding to the letter. Instead of simply writing back to Cera, she embarked on a journey to the tribe, completing it in just three days. She informed Cera that the tribes in eastern Kazakhstan no longer existed, having been eradicated during the Sabir invasion years ago. This revelation brought a sense of relief, as it meant they could safely venture towards the mountains without fear of attack. However, the mystery of what awaited them on the other side of those towering peaks still lingered.
Outside, Gabrielle stood with Yana, gazing at the open fields. Gabrielle was attempting to determine the best route to take to the mountains. She sketched the field in her journal, along with some estimated coordinates, provided by Yana's expertise.
"Have you ever been to the Mongol territories?"
"I don't have a reason to cross the mountains," said Yana. "It's too close to the Yakut tribe and we don't get along with them."
Gabrielle couldn't shake the memory of that tribe ruled by Bleda's ex-wife. She pondered on whether Madhiya was still living after all these years. It had been more than fifteen years since the Yakuts vanished, probably moving their community to another part of Siberia. Her reverie was interrupted when Yana touched her shoulder.
"Is Xena planning to go to the mountains on her own?"
"I don't want her to," Gabrielle admitted. "But I know I can't stop her, either. I want to organize a group of soldiers to scout the mountains."
"The search will take months. You will need four groups of ten soldiers at most if you want to cover a large amount of territory." Yana sighed, and added, "Cera will need to approve the search. I can lend you some of my men, which may cut down some of the search time."
Gabrielle was grateful for the generous offer and began to worry that searching for Aurora was leading them down a dangerous path. While the thought of Aurora being kidnapped seemed unlikely, Gabrielle trusted her wife's intuition, knowing it had never failed her before.
She explained to Yana, "Aurora has been in the Barsils tribe for over a year. She did some training there under Gohar's instruction. Gohar has been trying to ally with this Khaganate for a year and Xena thinks Aurora is being used as a negotiation tool."
"And what do you think?"
The thought never crossed Gabrielle's mind, as she couldn't imagine Gohar stooping to such a heinous act. Gohar's expertise as an Alp and her remarkable skills were widely acknowledged. However, a small part of Gabrielle's intuition diverged from Xena's viewpoint.
"I don't know. I think it's coincidental. Aurora being with Gohar doesn't mean that she's in danger."
"Yet, if Gohar wanted to build an alliance for so long, she could've done so without Aurora. That Khaganate has a reason why they won't ally with her."
With her heart thudding in her ears, a shiver raced down her spine. Gabrielle responded, "So, you're on the same page as Xena?"
Yana simply shrugged, displaying indifference. "I'm not taking sides here. I'm just suggesting that Gohar might not have the best intentions. I don't know her personally, but if I were in her position, I wouldn't dare to bring a princess to a foreign land without obtaining permission."
Without her wife's knowledge, Xena and Cera embarked on a horseback riding excursion to explore a route that would take them to the Altai Mountains. Setting off early in the morning, they aimed to return home before the sunset. Cera was insistent on making it back in time for dinner to avoid any unwanted questions.
Xena eased the horse into a gentle trot, eventually reaching Cera's side. "You're quite the speedy rider," she remarked, brushing the sweat from her forehead. "Do you think anyone else uses this path?"
The princess motioned her hand, indicating a firm 'no.' Dismounting from her horse, she strolled up the rugged hill, navigating through the intertwining trees. As she advanced, the enchanting sight of the mountain peaks gradually unfolded before her. Despite the imminent arrival of summer, traces of the unforgiving winter still adorned the peaks, adorning them with a glistening sprinkle of snow.
"The journey is going to be a breeze. It's when we cross to the other side is what I'm worried about," Xena expressed.
"You plan to ride to the mountains?" asked Cera.
A twinkle of curiosity sparkled in Xena's eyes as she admitted, "I must confess, I'm a tad bit curious." This prompted her granddaughter to adopt a serious stance, arms folded and a frown etched on her face. "Don't worry, I'll let your capable men handle most of the work."
Beneath the cool shade of two trees, they discovered a lush patch of grass. Seating themselves on the ground, they relished the fruits they had packed, accompanied by sips of cool water. Xena cleansed her hands with a gentle drizzle of water and observed Cera, who continued to enjoy the succulent plum in silence.
Starting the conversation in a gentle manner, she commented, "I can see that you've transferred your anger from your mother to your sister. Care to talk about it?"
A flicker of unease crossed Cera's lips as she kept her eyes downcast. She scolded herself for not anticipating the inevitable interrogation that would follow her decision to be alone with her grandmother.
"Bayan was chosen to be commander because he is a good military leader. He is also the Khagan. I don't like him, but he's a good choice. You wanted your soldiers to listen to you, which is why your mother suggested you train with Navaz and Eksama. You can't blame your sister for the decision she made."
"But I could've been considered!"
"Really? You have a whole tribe to look after, Cera! We can't tear you away from the tribe again. Yana was nice enough to govern in your absence, but you can't rely on her all the time."
Cera grumbled and spat out some seeds. "You're making it sound like I'm being unreasonable."
Xena couldn't help but stifle a chuckle. "You kind of are," she admitted with a sigh. "Leading an army consumes so much of your time that you end up missing out on precious moments in life. And those years, once gone, can never be reclaimed. Think about Mirac and Emese. They would go months without seeing you. Is that really fair to them?"
The memory of her daughter's face contorted in horror as they fought off the Gokturks was etched deeply in Cera's mind. The idea of Emese ever witnessing her mother injured was something Cera couldn't bear, and she made a solemn promise to herself to keep her daughter safe from harm.
Her grandmother added, "Plus, I need you to help me find the Khaganate. I'm letting you lead the charge on this one."
"I get to call all the shots?" she clarified.
"All yours," Xena said, raising her hands. "But I'm always here to help."
Cera smiled earnestly, which earned her a light pat on her knee. "Then...as my first decision for this mission..." she took a long pause. "I want to tell Arielle about this. She should know."
"You've already sent her a letter, haven't you?"
Cera guiltily smiled.
Sirmium, West Pannonia
The Lombards kept their promise and provided an abundance of soldiers. Arielle oversaw the Lombards as they constructed large catapults. In a matter of weeks, they had six catapults ready for ammunition testing. At the speed they were currently going, they would have twelve catapults in less than two weeks.
Arielle had been surprised by Bayan's determination to protect the empire. Even though they were in close proximity to each other, they hadn't fought once. A lot of pressure was taken off of her once Bayan began making orders and commanding the army. It almost made her loathe him less. Almost.
A soldier approached her on horseback. "Khagana, you are needed at the Adame," he told her.
Of course, she was. If she wasn't needed in the field, she was needed at home. Last time she was called back to the Adame it was because Abbaseh had fallen ill. Another time it was Boran, who hurt her arm climbing a tree. She was wondering if it was the best idea leaving her children alone with her father and Ku.
"Finish this one, and then you're all done for the day," Arielle spoke to the Lombard soldiers. "I'll be back in a week to test the catapults. Relay the message to Bayan."
Central Pannonia
As Arielle marched into her home, her face was worn with a scowl. She wiped her boots on the mat and was headed toward the stairs. When she walked past the sitting room, a flash of a familiar smile caught her eye. She backtracked her steps and was overcome with joy seeing Xerxes. Their daughters were huddled around him, except for Elif, who was nestled in his arms.
Boran and Abbaseh cheered, calling her name, running toward her with big smiles on their faces. Arielle gently brushed her daughters' heads and slowly approached Xerxes. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tears streaming down her cheeks. She then pulled his face toward her, and kissed him, drawing his breath from his lungs.
Elif gurgled and grabbed her father's beard, giggling noisily. Arielle broke the kiss, her heart racing, and smiled at her daughter. She pinched Elif's chubby cheek.
"Mother, did you know baba was coming home?" Abbaseh asked, tugging on her mother's pants.
Arielle glanced up at Xerxes. "No, I did not."
"So, you were surprised?" Boran said, throwing her hands in the air. "Like us!"
"Yes, definitely surprised." she pecked her husband on the lips. "For once, I'm glad to be summoned back to the Adame," she jested.
That evening, they sat together for dinner, which was a rarity in recent weeks. Anastasia and Navaz sat together, opposite Arielle and Xerxes. The girls were huddled in a circle, eating quietly. Ever since Xerxes' arrival, his youngest daughter was glued to him. Elif would immediately release a piercing scream if she was taken away from her father.
"How is Nousha?" asked Arielle.
Xerxes' mouth twitched noticeably. "She'll be back on her feet in no time," he said, spooning food into Elif's mouth. "She was being poisoned slowly. Bawi sent her clothes laced with poison. Since we had more than two witnesses, he was sentenced to death. Decapitated."
"What? Xerxes, that's huge!" she said, grabbing his arm. Elif then whined. "I'm not taking him from you, sweetheart, I promise." She gave a warm smile and poked the baby's nose.
Anastasia, reliant on the tones of people's voices, recognized how dry Xerxes' voice was. He was clearly upset over something; she just didn't know what. Arielle continued to express her astonishment over Bawi's beheading. Anastasia simply listened as she ate the warm bread quietly.
She waited for a long pause to say, "You don't seem very happy that you caught your mother's killer."
Arielle eyed her mother, shocked that would come out of her mouth. She was about to scold her mother until her gaze traveled to Xerxes, and his expression betrayed him. He was visibly upset, angry even.
"You were right, Arielle. She won't change her ways. She is dangerous. My family is dangerous."
Arielle rubbed his arm. "What are you saying?"
"My mother only sees our daughters as shiny pawns to the throne. Since I couldn't give her what she wanted, she will make sure one of the girls obtains the throne. I don't want anything to do with that," he assured.
It was a bad time to give the 'I told you so' speech. Arielle consoled him instead. "You had to hear it for yourself to realize the truth. I'm sorry you had to hear it from your mother."
"Don't be. I needed to hear it." He smiled at Anastasia, knowing that she would sense it. Ana did smile in return, chewing her food thoughtfully. "What's important now is that I'm here and I won't be leaving for a very, very long time."
Instead of venturing out into the field once more, Arielle opted to seclude herself within the walls of her chambers. Her determination to keep Xerxes close knew no bounds, as she aimed to prolong their time together for as long as destiny permitted. For three days straight, their moments remained undisturbed, except for fleeting encounters with Elif during the early mornings and late evenings.
Xerxes gritted his teeth and flexed his abs. Looking down, Arielle emerged from under the sheets, positioning herself on top of him. She flipped her hair over her head and arched her back, moving in harmony with him as she slowly swayed her hips. Xerxes traced his finger down her breast and then to her navel.
He clasped her ample hips and drew her nearer. Arielle surged forward, a playful smirk adorning her lips. With a steadying palm against the wall, her form seamlessly melded with his. The warmth of his breath caressed her neck, prompting her to elegantly sweep her hair aside.
As her breaths quickened, an intrusive knock on the door rudely interrupted their passionate interlude. Arielle's face contorted into a frown as she patiently hoped for the intruder to retreat.
Then a gurgle from a baby resounded.
Her head drooped, nestling her nose in the crook of Xerxes' shoulder.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you so late," called Navaz. "But I have a very important letter!"
It was even worse than Arielle thought. Her father was standing in the hallway with her daughter. She slid off her husband and grabbed her robe. Catching Xerxes' eye, she was met with a reassuring smile.
"Don't get too comfortable. We aren't finished," she said.
She cracked the door and extended her arm. Navaz raised an eyebrow and Elif giggled, seeing a portion of her mother's face. Arielle wriggled her fingers and said, "Dad, you said you had an important letter. Give it here."
Passing her the letter, he watched as she firmly shut the door. Leaning her weight against it, she impatiently tore open the envelope. The name on the sender's line, Cera, struck her as peculiar, arousing her intrigue. As she delved into its words, a fiery rage began to bubble within her. Her cheeks flushed with crimson, and tears welled up, blurring her vision.
Xerxes noticed the distress and mood shift. He sat up, clutching the sheets over his bare body. "Arielle, what's the matter?"
Fueled by anger, Arielle grabbed a brass candlestick and hurled it at the wall. She ripped the tablecloth off her desk, sending glassware and wine bottles crashing to the hardwood floor. Before she could wreak more havoc, Xerxes embraced her, holding her in a tight grip. Despite her struggles, he held on firmly as she let out a primal growl.
Closing his eyes, Xerxes maintained a firm grip on her, patiently waiting for Arielle to wear herself out. Once she fell limp against him and slumped to the ground, Xerxes sat down next to her, gently cradling her in a comforting embrace.
Navaz entered the room after a cacophony of crashing and shattering sounds filled the air, instantly alerting him to Arielle's distress. Without hesitation, he knelt on one knee, creating a comforting distance between himself, Arielle, and Xerxes. Meanwhile, in the doorway, Anastasia stood with Elif nestled securely on her hip, her presence offering silent support to the unfolding situation.
As he perused the contents of the letter, a frown graced his lips, and he cast a glance at his wife. Anastasia was blessed to be spared from witnessing the anguish etched on her daughter's face.
"We will find her," he said to Arielle. "She is probably unharmed."