Secrets

As the rain knocked on the window Asana got curious to see outside from there. It was a weak light outdoors that allowed her to see trees that were more like spectrum waiting to catch passengers. That thought gave her a chill, shoved it away and got back to reading.

"I strode to the stable took back my horse when the glowworms gathered around me, shining to distract me. Riha, my horse neighed and I patted its mane.

"Calm down girl, I have the same sense, let's go home". I mounted even though the fireflies made a beautiful scene to push me to stay there I ignored all of that and pulled the bridle to the home direction. The clouds roared and the rain started. I became all wet cursing myself, going to Bazar and spending time with a stranger wasn't that necessary.

It was heavy rain not like other days. It was falling like the great Margoun waterfall between mountains, which located around the city, flowing and galloping such as wild horses in plains, neighing and stomping feet on the ground battering grasses and flowers on their way.

The lanterns light hanged on each door sparkled even more as I passed them all. Only a few hours till spring. I thought I had to have some rest before the New Year celebration the next morning.

I had narrated the 90th anecdotes and finally, my covenant to the king of Sun's empire had ended.

I slowed down my speed and didn't care that I had become drenched to the skin. Near the house, I observed something odd. The door was wide open. I dismounted. Riha neighed repeatedly. My gaze went blurry then without any hesitance I ran inside. There was a strong storm whiting me, a war between unknowns. A nonsense cold leaked into my brain and didn't allow me to think. I entered inside. My heart was about to pump out of my throat. Shouka, my dry-nurse had fallen on the ground unconsciously. I knew this kind of scratches on her hand, someone had pushed her from the top of the stairs.

I held her between my arms, caressed my wet and cold hand over her face. My poor old Nanny. "Nanny Shouka, wake up", my voice shattered and tears mixed with rain.

Her eyelid trembled and a few seconds later opened her eyes slowly. I helped her get up and walked inside. As I got assured about her situation quickly jumped up the stairs. I gaped when I saw dry blood drops had covered all around the floor. I felt time slowed down and swallowed whatsoever around me into a gap then left me alone in that utter darkness.

The living room was purely messed up. My father's favorite antique pitchers had broken. The rigs inside the chest were all out on the floor. They were not thieves, but looking for something, because they hadn't taken the coins and golds with them.

I went toward the table, candles had fallen on papers burnt all of it, but the fire died as the water mug managed to turn it off. There was a parchment attached to the table by a dagger.

My vision was blurry and hardly able to read the words. Shouka's voice brought me back to presence while said, "My daughter Asaya they took him away", gasped and continued, "I'm sorry", she sobbed and sat down on the floor, while my head was down couldn't even help myself. I tried to perceive the words and softly asked, "Who are they? What's the advantage of taking my father?"

Many questions appeared in my mind, but from her face, I realized there are some hidden secrets that I'm unaware of them. Things which trying to come out of their hidden place and she had been well-knowing that if they keep staying there in her chest the worst and dangerous things are on the way up to ruin everything we love.

After a short hesitance replied, "Years ago, before your birth, many things had happened that you never learned or had no idea about your family".

My eyes had widened already by surprise and my tongue-tied, "in…this alert said… they are looking for a broken stick, what does it mean?" I approached her, kneeled and she held my hand. That was the first time that I ever heard of something weird about my family.

I was stared at burning candles tugged into the candelabrum on the wall, it melted and got close to its end. I remained all ears to listen to the truth that I wasn't ready for something that could blow my brain. while I had fun in Bazar my family dissipated and at that time I completely forgot myself and my wishes.

She gathered herself leaned on the wall and went on, "Long ago when your father was too young became interested in trading. At that time I was in the beginning days of working in the palace kitchen and serving king Sheed personally.

My brother Shareeq the person you call uncle was your father's close friend. They were so talented in their career and proved themselves to others. This case made more good situations for them. One day a great trader called Habib sent a letter to them and said that he wants to teach them all the trading secrets and techniques. Destiny smiled at them. Three years later they were the most adept traders so achieved many honors and fame. At that year Habib became ill and couldn't survive that, after a while passed away.

On a trip to Sham, Nerssi met a beautiful strange girl with big and dark eyes while strolling in the Bazar. Her long brunette hair hadn't been seen before in the world. He fell in love at the very first sight and became a slave of her eyes.

That day the girl was in hurry so covered her face and disappeared into the crowd. He goes after her, but many people locked his way and he had to go on the roofs then noticed some strangers have been chasing her. After taking them under supervision, he sees the girl got trapped in an impasse.

She took out her precious Arab dagger which was designed with valuable stones. She was ready to attack them, but they had shown no reaction. One of them said, "Amal you must get back now so your father will forgive you if you bring back the broken stick".

Amal raided to them, but one lady against six warriors was not a fair fight as your father realized.

Your father jumped down from the roof. At that time he wasn't a good warrior but tried with a sweet linguistic which always helped him in his job also. He used this talent to make them calm because certainly, that was a family fight, not a war. Although after years he changed his mind because not a real family can hurt their children because of power. Of course, it's not true for devils.

As he successfully wasted time my brother and the others joined and helped them to run away. Your mother Amal escaped with your dad and after a while, the two love birds got married in Roma. She taught Nerssi all the martial art techniques she had learned from her strict father. They spend many tragedies and adventures together, also very tough moments. They came back here and I and your mother became very close friends.

Three years later you were born and had only six months when Amal's family found her for taking the stick. By putting a dagger on your throat tried to gain something, but she had fought to keep you safe."