Chapter 39
Central Pannonia
When Arielle received the news of her daughter's disappearance, it was expected that she would collapse in despair, overwhelmed by grief. She acted in stark contrast. Shortly after exchanging pleasantries with Gabrielle and her grandmother, she received the news with grace, fully aware that the eyes of many were upon her. Crowds of tribespeople assembled before the Adame; their hearts heavy with anticipation as they yearned for news of the princess. The news spread like wildfire, and Arielle found herself powerless, enveloped by the mournful cries and hushed tones of her people, steeped in worry.
She no longer felt the weight of sorrow, for the tears had long since dried up. She cried when Aurora departed from Pannonia, embarking on her journey to train with Gohar. Upon hearing the news of Aurora's abduction, tears streamed down her face once more. Then, her fury ignited, and she unleashed her wrath upon those closest to her. Yet, now, she felt profound emptiness. Shielding her heart and feelings felt like the wisest course of action.
Weeks turned into months and soon three months had passed. Bayan continued to train the army, acting as a proud commander, which freed up a lot of Arielle's time. He dispatched spies to the Frankish territories in the west and stationed a third of the troops in the Pontic-Steppe. Meanwhile, Arielle focused on securing diplomatic ties with the Byzantines. It was important that she remain allies with Justin and Sophia for as long as possible.
In the last week of winter, emerging into spring, Edemen's and Öza's wedding commenced. After months of planning and hard work, Farah promised her son the most elaborate wedding. The ceremony was held outside for the entire tribe to witness.
Ceremonial canopies encircled the camp, and individual tents were assigned to each of the many branches of the enormous family. With their daughter, Fusun, and twin sons, Csaba and Farah sat beneath the central canopy. The bridal dress that Öza wore was complemented by everyone's dark green attire. Even Fusun matched the rest. The family seemed to have adopted her. As her stay progressed, Farah started to treat her more like a daughter.
Sitting next to Arielle and Xerxes were Anastasia and Navaz. With their father caught in the middle, Abbaseh and Boran bombarded him with questions regarding wedding traditions. Crawling across Anastasia's lap, nearly two-year-old Elif begged for her attention, babbling incoherent phrases. And Arielle seemed distant, almost icy. Without fixing her gaze on anything in particular, she gazed into the distance. She hardly spoke to her girls and smiled feebly at the tribespeople who came to greet her.
Gabrielle continued to keep an eye on the ceremonial tent of the Khagana across the camp. She maintained both her oversight of the empire and her teaching duties at the academy while she attempted to return to a life of normalcy. Both her responsibilities and Arielle's demands started to weigh her down. Immersing herself in the empire, Arielle became a different woman. She'd emotionally distanced herself entirely.
"I haven't heard back from Khosrow since we left Kazakhstan," said Gabrielle.
Xena pursed her lips, drinking some wine. "I'm sure he's choosing not to respond to you," she said. "He has trade business with China, and we don't. He can't tell us all his secrets."
Not knowing that Khosrow had any kind of connection to China, much less the new emperor, came as a shock. Khosrow revived a long-lost relationship between his grandfather and China that had provided rich fortunes to both empires many years ago.
When Xerxes learned of this news, he was not surprised, but he had always suspected his brother was trying to curry favor with China. It was another struggle between Hunnic tribes and Persia. In recent months, Xerxes noticed an increase in tension between him and Arielle. He volunteered to go in search of Aurora on his own, but Arielle rejected him instantly. She voiced her concern about losing him if he were to enter China. Losing both her daughter and husband would be too difficult to bear.
Gabrielle smelled the air, thick with incense from the bonfires and women's perfume. She turned to Xena. "I received a message from Empress Sophia. She didn't say it in so many words, but I think Justin is worse off than anyone realizes. She is running the empire and fears we will attack their lands if we don't receive payment."
"Hmm," grumbled Xena as she snacked on stuffed dates. "People must face consequences. You and I both know this."
"He has fits of insanity, Xena. He is not well." Her nails drummed on the wine goblet. "Sophia doesn't want to tarnish this relationship. Farah has offered to meet with her, and I think she should. She likes Sophia."
"And what did Arielle have to say about all this?"
Gabrielle scratched her head. "I haven't told her yet. I don't think she would disagree with the idea. She is…sort of letting me and Farah govern the empire for her."
Xena looked over at the Khagana tent and saw that her granddaughter had soulless eyes. She had anticipated that Arielle would be haunted by the news, but she had not anticipated such an impact it would have on her.
"You better set up that meeting with Farah and Sophia," she said. "Ask for forgiveness later."
Three days after the wedding, Gabrielle went to speak with Farah. She was greeted by Aracsilla at the door, which brightened her mood. Aracsilla was charming like her father and smart mouthed like her mother. She certainly knew how to light up a room.
"I'm so happy you're here, Gabby. Say, after you talk about politics and things with mother, will you spar with me? I've been itching for a partner," the princess said, waggling her eyebrows.
"I'm going to be too busy today, but Xena might want to spar with you. She's great at that."
Aracsilla groaned and rolled her eye, then adjusted the eyepatch on her forehead. "Nah, she's too tall! You and I are almost the same height. We're a perfect match!" she even added a light fist bump to Gabrielle's shoulder.
Gabrielle noticed the princess' sudden growth surge because she was nearly at eye level. Aracsilla gained about a foot in height in the past year, making her much taller than the majority of the tribe's children.
A maid passed by, greeting the pair quietly. As she was heading toward the long hall, Gabrielle asked her to find Farah. The young maiden rushed upstairs in haste.
"Are you here to talk about Aurora?" the girl inquired in a whisper. "Father is very sad lately. I can hear him talking with my mother sometimes. Do you think we will find her?"
A lump caught in her throat. "We will. Of course, we will."
"What if she is dead?"
"Aracsilla, don't say that," she said with more force than she intended. "We will locate her. She is alive."
As soon as Farah descended the stairs, she scowled at her daughter. "You're supposed to be studying and yet here you are," she said, her tone as cold and severe as her features.
"I was letting Gabrielle in. What was I to do, leave her outside?"
"She always has something to say," she said to Gabrielle. "Go to the archives. I will check your work when I'm finished with my meeting."
"Who knows how long that will be," Aracsilla complained, throwing her hands on her hips.
Farah raised two fingers and said, "Two hours. Go."
Once it was just the two of them, Gabrielle whispered, "It's only one hour after dawn. You make her study this early?"
"If she doesn't start early in the day, she procrastinates. We are working on it, but this is improving her behavior," Farah sighed. "You're up early, which can't be good news since you're in my home."
"I need you to set up a meeting with Empress Sophia like we discussed."
"Did you speak with—"
"No," she answered, locking eyes with her. "Arielle will thank us later for this. I've already written the letter. If Sophia agrees to meet, you will have to go to Constantinople again."
Farah wagged her head, immediate fear engulfing her. "I promised my children I wouldn't leave again. I've been attacked twice! My son—my son was just married. Please, I can't leave. She will have to come here."
"She can't leave Justin alone. You've seen him—and when you saw him, he probably wasn't half as sick as he is now. Farah, you know Sophia the best, you must go." Sensing the apprehension, she offered, "Csaba could accompany you! Would that make you feel more comfortable?"
"Yes, but I still worry. Who will manage the home without me and Csaba?"
"Öza is a married woman now—a princess. She could have a shot at managing the Adame while you're both gone."
There was skepticism in Farah's eyes. She had always been at Csaba's side, taking care of their home together. She didn't know if she could trust someone else to do it for her. Moreover, she didn't know if she could trust the behavior of her children.
"Taking care of a home is a lot of work."
"Mhm, it is."
"Edemen will know what to do with the stables and gardens. Aman and Aladar are old enough to help take care of Aracsilla. Fusun could help Öza."
"Yes…" it is working, thought Gabrielle. She will agree!
"I'll need to teach Öza everything I can possibly can," she conceded. "How much time do you think I'll have?"
"Ten days, a fortnight at most," she said with a warm smile. "Thank you, Farah."
"I do not know how I became this empire's envoy after my temporary banishment. I know Arielle will punish me for going behind her back."
Gabrielle's smile withered. "She won't unless she punishes Csaba too and she won't do that."
"She will, Gabrielle, especially since I haven't told her that we are so severely in debt that we will have nothing by next fall." Farah held her breath, tears clouding her eyes. "We won't be able to pay Persia or the Lombards. We are drowning!"
"All the more reason for you to meet with the empress. I'll work on finding a solution to the debt issue. I'm going to deliver this message after I leave here, okay?" she held up the folded parchment.
Farah wiped her eyes. "You should talk to Bayan. He might have a solution."
Gabrielle told her wife everything, so there were no secrets. War had been going nonstop for over thirty years, and the empire had racked up a substantial debt as a result. As the empire grew, so did its mounting debt. The marriage of Arielle and Xerxes brought the Sassanians into the mix, which exacerbated the situation. The army would quickly lose support, and the funds would be depleted in less than a year as a result of Emperor Justin's decision to halt payments.
Xena decided to confront Bayan, which annoyed her. Despite his lack of involvement in the empire's finances, Bayan was quick to notice when funds were running low. For this and other reasons, Arielle kept him at arm's length and gave him control of the Pontic-Steppe area. However, the situation had changed. Bayan now had even greater power over the empire as commander and Khagan.
In Sirmium, near the site of the old Gepid fortress, Bayan posted himself and a legion of soldiers. He was in charge of the agricultural areas and the Gepids who remained at Sirmium. Since most of the mixed tribes lived together in central Pannonia, the Gepids were mostly transported there. The cost of housing and providing food for hundreds of relocated tribespeople further strained the empire's budget.
With his fingers tangled in the grain, Bayan jotted down some notes in his notepad. Inside his tent, he heard the sound of heavy boots while he documented the grain's quality. Before he blinked again, he beheld Xena flanked by two guards at the door.
"Add more water to the soil to keep the grain from drying out too quickly," he told the Gepid farmer. "Take your earnings. I will inspect the flour next week." He dropped a heavy bag of coin onto the table and dismissed the farmer.
"You are much appreciated, Khagan."
Bayan moved his hand in a nonverbal gesture. As he fixed his unwelcome visitor, he nervously chewed on the quill's tip. "Every time we meet, you seem to have some terrible news to share," he quipped.
Xena realized she would have to force herself to be patient in order to carry out this plan. She knew he loved Aurora even though he was an absent father. Arielle turned down Bayan's request to lead a search party after hearing of her abduction and disappearance. Arielle wanted to avoid drawing unwelcome attention. Any diplomatic ties with Persia could possibly suffer as a result.
"I'm sure you're aware that we're in a lot of debt," she approached the subject cautiously. "I was told that you might have some ideas to alleviate some of it."
He gestured to the stool, and she sat down. "The Franks have a lot of resources and land. I am thinking of raiding the eastern portion of their land. There are four large villages near Pannonia, not too far from here. If we expand our empire's borders, we gain access to the western lands. It's good for trade. I have already calculated the number of horsemen and archers that I'll need. Arielle will need to be by my side, but I don't know if she will agree."
The tribes' map was laid out before them, meticulously marked in black ink. Xena seemed impressed as she studied the map, nodding in agreement as she mentally ran over the various strategies for the battle. Several notes, outlining invasion tactics, were marked on each section of the map.
"Wow, Bayan. I am shocked you put this together," she said. "I thought I was going to have to pull something out of you."
He chuckled. "You think I just know how to swing a sword and that's all I'm good for?"
"I never thought that about you. I've always known you to be a great strategist. But you were always a terrible choice for my granddaughter. You're not a good husband or father."
Bayan straightened and shifted in his chair. "Fair enough. You have no problem reminding me of that," he attempted at a joke and earned a small smile from her. "Thank you for…for trying to find Aurora. It means a lot to me."
Unwilling to bring up that subject, Xena drooped her head. Each day brought further evidence of her failure. The endeavor wasn't a failure, Gabrielle told her; there were just too many obstacles. Although all the above was true, it did little to ease her anger with it all.
"Do you believe Arielle will agree with my plan?" he asked, changing topics to avoid awkward tension.
"She will do what is necessary to preserve the empire. But won't the Lombards be irritated by this invasion?"
"I do not care about Alboin's wants and desires. He is being used for our gain temporarily. I plan to pay him off after we invade Frankish lands; then he will be kept at a distance."
Xena nodded and slapped her knee, then stood from the stool. "You've thought of everything. When will you present your plan to Arielle?"
"Sometime this week, I hope." Bayan balanced the tip of the quill on the tabletop. "She is not the same. She is no different than a corpse."
"She is grieving."
"I do not have the ability to grieve like her," he bitterly added. "Aurora is my daughter too, but the empire needs me and Arielle."
Xena sat back down and grabbed his hand. "My daughter was taken from me right under my nose. I thought she would be safe with Ellac, but she was kidnapped—taken to Spain. I never stopped looking for her. I rescued her myself, breaking Attila's commands, not caring about anyone else but Anastasia." She took a great pause and added, "You and Arielle don't have the same luxury. Aurora will be found, I promise."
"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep, Xena."
"I never break my promises."
A tear slipped down his cheek as he nodded curtly. The outcome was established. In the next days, he intended to present his proposal to Arielle. The exciting prospect of plundering Frankish territories to pay off the empire's debt was a thrilling one. Perhaps this raid would also divert Arielle's attention.
Tang Empire, North China
The last two months were brutal, and she did her best to keep Tengri entertained. Aurora knew the vial of poison given by the Khatun was soon to run out. She couldn't keep slipping drops of poison into Tengri's opium-spiked wine. He would soon discover something was wrong when each time he woke, she was missing from the bed. She saved the remainder of the poison for the night she planned to escape.
This month, she was free from the prince's greedy hands and sexual desires. He had gone on a trip for the entire month and was due to return in a few days. Aurora used her time wisely and explored as many of the palace wings as she could. Each night she returned to draw more rooms she discovered on a map. She kept the map hidden inside of a vase of stones.
Aurora dipped the quill into the inkwell and sketched on the map. The door swung open, hitting the wall with a loud thud. She yelped, and a spatter of ink spread across the parchment. She whipped around, grimacing.
"Tengri has come back," Mara announced, throwing her hands in the air. "He's returned with a caravan."
"He wasn't supposed to arrive for another three days." Aurora quickly cleaned the smeared ink on the map and blew on the wet ink. She rolled up the map and stuffed it back into the vase. "Where have you been? You've been gone all day."
Mara hopped onto the bed and grabbed a pomegranate. "I was in the servant quarters. There are a few doors you missed, so I sketched them for you. More for you to add to that map." She winked and tore the fruit in half, suckling the juicy seeds.
"Did you find out anything about Wasifah?"
The Alp made a dismissive gesture. "When I'm around those slimy servants, their dialect becomes incomprehensible to me. Those bitches do it on purpose." Aurora felt her embrace as she rose from the bed. "I understand you want to rescue her, but what if it's too late? When we flee, we may have to leave Wasifah behind."
Aurora had contemplated that situation months before, and although it was difficult to swallow, it was possible. She had no idea whether Wasifah was alive or even where she actually was. While Tengri hadn't brought her up, it's safe to assume that he needs Wasifah to be alive. Arielle hired her, an elite guard in the army, to protect Aurora. Did Tengri not need her? Aurora had her doubts.
Ten servants stood at their sides as they made their way through the palace corridors a few minutes later. There were two parallel lines of troops and attendants inside the main palace's magnificent entryway. As a result of being overwhelmed by the splendor of everyone's clothes, Aurora furrowed her eyebrows. It was clear to her that Prince Tengri was missed.
Standing near the door, Qutlug Khatun cast a glance at Aurora and motioned for her to join her. Encircling Mara, she skillfully maneuvered among the attendants. Standing side by side, there was a noticeable sense of unease. Aurora was filled with curiosity, but Qutlug remained silent, her expression controlled by a smile that she kept tightly closed. She wore a poker face. At all times, nobody knew her inner thoughts.
Tengri entered the palace as the doors were wrenched open. Every single one of the troops and servants knelt down. Aurora mimicked Qutlug Khatun by keeping her eyes down. A young woman, shrouded in a dark cloak that concealed her exquisite silk garments, caught her attention as her gaze darted upward. The woman grimaced as she walked past Aurora, who had her eyes fixed on her the whole time. She drew back her gaze, taking a deep breath.
"She is the emperor's niece," Qutlug whispered. "Princess Yuzhu is to court Tengri."
Excellent.
She might be able to get out of here using this. She murmured something into Mara's ear and a triumphant smile spread across her lips. To hide their enthusiasm, they bowed their heads and exchanged knowing looks. Aurora glanced over to Qutlug, who nodded slowly. The woman seemed to have psychic powers, reading her thoughts.
It came as a surprise to her when Tengri invited her to dine with him and his guest. Aurora knew how to act and behave at dinners and celebrations with other monarchs, but the customs were entirely foreign to her. She had been around Tengri and in China long enough to pick up on a few gestures. And of what not to do in front of certain people of stature.
They were seated on elaborate cushioned benches that rose three inches off the floor. Each person had their own table, equal in height to their knees. Aurora watched the kitchen servants scurry with haste, meticulously placing cups of tea on each table. Across from her, Qutlug Khatun sat closest to the throne, obviously.
Sitting next to Qutlug, Princess Yuzhu was the most favored guest at the royal table. This woman started staring at Aurora with a menacing expression. Halfway through preparing the tea, it dawned on her that she was also seated nearest to the prince. Tengri must have intended to sow disarray, she thought to herself. It made no difference; a princess, who likely had no experience with swords or combat. She appeared too fragile to lift her own gown to cross a damp rock.
In the distance, a collective of musicians thudded the string instruments. It appeared as though one of the men was gravely elderly; his unkempt, braided beard of grey swayed in time with his own rhythm.
Following the departure of the chamber's attendants, Aurora scanned the Khatun for signals. She mimicked her every motion, even down to the way she held the teacup. While Qutlug sipped, she glanced over to Tengri, whose grin seemed to go on forever. He fixed his gaze squarely on her.
Then, Princess Yuzhu started speaking to Qutlug, not too loudly, but loud enough. Aurora listened, though she never revealed to anyone in the palace that she understood more than one language in China.
She understood everything.
"My uncle does not know this Huna is here," said Yuzhu. "He will not be pleased to find her kind here."
Qutlug put on a false smile. "She is our guest, and she is also a princess of her people."
"Do tell her that she is not to linger for much longer." Yuzhu smiled and lifted the cup to her lips.
Aurora kept her gaze low until the Khatun addressed her. "The princess is pleased to meet you, and formally welcomes you to China." It was a lie, but Qutlug was merely trying to keep the peace.
"You may tell the princess thank you, and I am honored to be here," said Aurora.
Aurora was exhausted from the unusually lengthy supper and desperately wanted to get into bed, but she was unable to. She was mentally unable to do it. Upon returning to her chambers, she discovered Mara undressed in a silk robe, idly honing a paring knife and an old piece of wood into a crude weapon.
"By gods, you're finally back! How was it? Was it explicitly boring?"
"That princess hates my guts," she sighed. "She made comments about my appearance and 'my kind' all night. She doesn't know I can understand every vile word that she said."
"She's jealous. You are more attractive than her," Mara cooed, kissing the princess' bare shoulder and arm.
Aurora slipped the bracelets off and stared at the fireplace, the flames crackling violently against the heavy winds. "I am certain that the Khatun orchestrated this courtship to keep Tengri away from me. She is our only ally here."
"This makes our plan of escape much easier! While Tengri is distracted with his new princess, we can slip out of this hellhole," Mara squealed in delight, kissing her on the lips fiercely. "There is a wine cellar below the servant quarters with a small doorway that leads outside. It took me a while to find it because it's hidden, but there are no guards."
"But where does 'outside' lead us? Are we going to be outside the palace walls? Are there guards nearby?"
"I do not know," Mara said, frowning. "I've only discovered it today."
She huffed and folded her arms. "I need to know all the ins and outs of this place, or we'll be caught. You will go to the cellar tonight and report your findings to me."
Mara laughed and raised her palms. "Alright, princess, whatever you say. Orders are noted," she said with a salute.
"Mara, I am serious—" The sound of voices in the corridor caused Aurora's skin to tingle. This wing was usually silent at this hour. She stepped to the door and pushed her ear against it. The conversations were too muted for her to understand, so she creaked the door open.
A group of handmaids and Princess Yuzhu waited outside a chamber down the hall. The royal guard overheard her complaining about how cramped the quarters were. She clearly had an intimate familiarity with the palace and could identify each room's owner. Aurora was presently staying in the room that was supposed to be hers.
Aurora closed the door and locked it. "It seems I'm in the princess' suite."
"Serves her right for the way she was talking about you."
"This makes things more complicated. Yuzhu must know nothing about our plan. She'll have her eyes on me and her maids' eyes on you. When you go to the cellar tonight, watch your back at all times."
Mara could sense the seriousness in the princess's tone. A sense of awe that had faded after Gohar's death reappeared. She took a step back, admiring her princess as she stood poised and regal.
"You will go to the cellar every other night for an entire week. If you are not caught, then we are in the clear. What I ask of you is great, but I know you can do it, Mara."
"I have one favor to ask of you once we are free." Aurora's eyebrow rose slightly, and she beckoned her to ask of this favor. "I will no longer be called a maid."
Aurora laughed and kissed the Alp's forehead. "Consider it done. You are a terrible chambermaid, anyway."
Central Pannonia
Anastasia offered a heartfelt farewell to her son and Farah as they embarked on their journey to the storied city of Constantinople. She held her breath as her son prepared to leave. She wished to shield her son from the burdens of concern, so he would remain focused on the mission. Now, as the likelihood of Arielle's departure to conquer the Frankish territories loomed, her concern grew more intense. Those fears, she concealed from the world around her.
Anastasia worked on her knitting, sitting in the gathering room. She started knitting as a hobby a few months ago to pass the time, particularly when her mother and Gabrielle were absent. Being the most patient woman alive, Ursula was gracious enough to teach her. Ana had no interest in waiting on others while she sat around the Adame. For her, knitting was a welcome respite from her reliance on others.
Xena, captivated by her daughter's craftsmanship, stitched a loose stitch on her kozak. She beheld Ana's deft use of the huge knitting needles as they meticulously worked their way through the yarn, ensuring that not a single stitch was overlooked.
"You are smiling, I know it," said Anastasia.
"You're getting pretty good at that," Xena remarked, stitching the last section of the kozak. "And yes, I was smiling. Can you see more than you're letting on?" she jested.
Anastasia smiled a bit. "I assure you; I see nothing but blackness."
A palpable stillness descended upon them, yet it was brief. Xena carefully placed the repaired kozak on the mat, draping the veil around it. She ran her fingers across the multicolored shawl Ana was knitting. There was not a single piece that was out of place among the stitches.
"Mother, may I tell you something a little…strange?"
"Please do."
"I have been having many dreams, more than I usually do. I dreamt of Aurora last night."
The hairs on Xena's skin prickled. "Yeah? What did you see?"
She envisioned Aurora gazing upward, tears cascading down her cheeks, her face flushed red. A woman with ebony hair that shimmered blue in the shadowy glow, skin paler than anything Anastasia had ever encountered, sat near Aurora. The woman consoled Aurora, gently wiping the sweat and tears from her forehead and cheeks. Ana found herself staring at a woman whose visage was foreign to her, yet there was an unsettling familiarity in the shadows of her face.
"And then I woke up," she said with a heaviness in her chest. "I startled Navaz and nearly whacked his face."
Xena smiled, mildly humored by the picture in her mind. She cleared her throat and touched her daughter's hand, stopping her from knitting. "That's a very vivid dream. Am I the first to know of it?"
With a nod, she paused for a long time before saying, "I've had more." Her mother tightened her grip. "No matter what they signify, every time I awake from a dream, I am relieved because I know she is alive."
"You're sure these are dreams and not visions?"
Anastasia snickered. "I am no seer, mother."
"Then who is the woman you described? Do you recognize her?"
"Why are you so interested in my dream?" she narrowed her eyes. "What are you hiding?"
"I had a dream about Aurora too when I was in the Rouran camp. She resembled you in the dream." Ana's head drooped, chin touching her chest. "When I see her again, I will see for myself if she is your mirror image," she said, lifting Ana's chin with a finger.
Anastasia was afraid that if they persisted in this discussion, tears may come in rivers. Nobody in her family should ever be in danger, she thought. Just waiting for Arielle and Bayan to leave was all she did after Csaba and Farah departed. It was her firm belief that her granddaughter would be the last to return home.
"You will not be joining in on the raid?"
"I'll be right here with you, keeping the peace while Arielle is away," she teased.
"And you will not be bored? I am not the most entertaining person to be around these days, unless you don't mind helping me around the Adame."
Xena gave her daughter a tight thigh squeeze. "Ana, you could never bore me." Carefully stroking her jaw, she caressed her face. Her daughter appeared, at first glance, to be a middle-aged woman, complete with a few gray hairs and fine lines around the eyes. Xena, though, never stopped seeing the child in her.
A knock on the threshold made their heads spin around. Navaz smiled at them and waved at Xena to which she gave a curt nod. "Hanim, I am going to take a walk in the gardens. Will you join me?"
"I would like to stay with my mother for a while, if that's alright."
With an audible mutter, he glanced over at Xena. He became irritated and began thumbing over his shoulder after she attempted to read his lips multiple times. Xerxes remained in the corridor behind him.
Down came the knitting needles as Anastasia heaved a sigh. "Your silence is clearly conveying the message. Navaz, I'll accompany you to the gardens."
She crossed the room unassisted and extended her hand for Navaz to take. On her way into the hallway, she detected the faint aroma of a certain fragrance. As she passed by, she gently tapped Xerxes's shoulder.
Xerxes entered the room, looking sheepish. "I apologize for interrupting. I was going to speak with Gabrielle, but I couldn't find her."
"She's teaching at the school."
"Ah."
He rocked on his heels and approached Xena. "I received a letter from my brother. He said that in the last letter Gabrielle sent that it was first time he learned of Aurora's kidnapping. This could damage Persia's relationship with China. I thought he knew about the situation the entire time."
"There were many reasons why we couldn't reveal that information to Khosrow right away," she explained. "He shouldn't trust the Rouran Khaganate. They are colluding with Shapur and Adarmahan, and their prince is holding Aurora captive."
"He will handle that in his own way. But now that he knows that Aurora may be in China, he worries greatly, Xena. I fear that he may make some irrational decision."
Xena took a step forward. "Your brother better not do anything to endanger her. The best course of action would be for him to hire spies to track down Aurora. Do you not hold the position of ambassador?" His chest was pricked by her. "The letter needs to be written by you."
"Sending spies into China is extremely risky," he exhaled.
"You know what else is extremely risky? Having your stepdaughter held captive by an egotistical prince who burned down his own home and killed his family to take the throne."
He put some space between them. "I am just as upset as you are about Aurora. I cannot promise my brother will agree to your suggestion. If he doesn't, I will go to China myself."
Tang Empire, North China
Tonight was the night.
Aurora went through the plan with Mara several times over eight days. During Mara's frequent nightly trips to the servant quarters, everything went very smoothly. She was not caught, not even once. When she went outside, the path led directly toward the imperial city, meaning it was outside the palace walls. As soon as their escape plan was finalized, Aurora waited for the opportune time. She needed to gain Tengri's attention.
It wasn't difficult.
Despite his mother arranging the courtship with Princess Yuzhu, he still had eyes for the Hun princess. It was likely the only time she craved for Tengri's attention and wished for this very night. She was due in his chambers to dine with him, and knowing him, he would want more. She would give it to him, including the vial of poison.
Tengri waited in his chambers, half-clothed and already two goblets deep in wine. He encircled her and smelled her hair, taking in all her scent.
He was making this entirely too easy, Aurora thought.
"Princess Yuzhu won't mind that I am with you, will she?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"I do not wish to talk about her," he whined. "She is a bore."
"Do you not want to marry her? She seems very intent on marriage."
As Tengri ascended onto the bed, he shoved her under his weight. Aurora had grown numb to the unpleasant aroma of liquor and opium on his breath. The vial dropped from her corset, and she worried since she didn't expect him to grope her so fast. Tengri swiftly reached for her blouse and tugged at the collar.
After a short laugh, he started nibbling on her neck. His mouth caressed her breasts and neck while his fingers delicately ran between her legs, stroking her thigh. Aurora clenched her fists and clung on to the little vial. But then their bodies pressed against each other, fusing like fire and iron.
"Resistance will not treat you kindly," his tongue slithered in her ear. "Don't behave like a whore, Blue Eyes. It's unbecoming of you."
Aurora felt a spark erupt within her and flung her legs around Tengri, connecting her ankles. She swung around his body till he was beneath her. Tengri only laughed as she strapped his arms over his head. The opium began to take effect, making Tengri sweat and flush all over.
She promptly grabbed one of the curtain ropes and tied his wrists to the bedposts. He assumed it was all a game. Indeed, the game was about to end. Aurora removed the cork from the vial of poison with her teeth. She spit out the cork and poured the poison into Tengri's throat. He hardly struggled and gasped, absorbing the toxic liquid.
Choking on his own saliva, he sputtered. Perched over him, a pillow obscured the room's light. A violent pressure from the pillow caused him to convulse. Suppressed by the pillow, his screams resounded.
As he pressed his knees into her thighs and his toes into her ankles, Aurora forced all her weight onto the pillow. Tears were running down her face as she pushed down.
Hard.
Harder.
Harder.