Chapter 1

Seventeen years later...

....

In a small dingy village, about 100 miles from the capital the day began at ten. The shopkeepers only opened their stores then. The ladies huddled in groups, roaming from store to store trying to salvage something. Sar roamed on the garbage strewn street. He had woken up very early today. It was his eighteenth birthday and he had felt different when he woke up.

It was winter but the cold did not affect him much. He loved snow as it made him feel pure. He had climbed the hill which had separated his village and the capital. From the top of the hill, the scene below was majestic. He could see the capital gates which covered the whole city. It had only two gates and only the permitted and the rich were allowed inside. A person like Sar would never be allowed into the city. After the city gates, the beautiful capital began. Torches lined each street and there were gardens, houses of the officials, guest houses and the most beautiful of all the royal palace situated in the heart of the city. Seeing all these made Sar, for some unknown reason, wistful. Today there was an unusual activity in the capital. The whole capital had lit lanterns and one by one, they sent them into the morning sky. Soon the sky was filled with lanterns. It was done yearly on this specific day. Coincidently, it was also his birthday.

He walked his way back to the hut where he and his aunt lived. He lived with his aunt because he did not have parents. His aunt told him that they had died years before and so she had been taking care of him.He did not know their names. He had asked once but his aunt had not told him the answer. since then he never asked their names. Nobody in the village knew, because he was an outsider. He and his aunt had come there from some other place.

His aunt was busy cooking when he reached home. She asked, "Did you go out early to see the lanterns?" He nodded. She said, " Then you must be hungry.. " and placed some food on the table. "

"I want to go to the capital", he said matter of factly. The aunt who had her back to him froze for a moment then asked," Why? " He replied, "Because I have a promise to keep." The aunt slowly turned to look at him and asked, " Is it because of that girl... The merchants daughter? " He blushed and again nodded. "I see..She must be so beautiful then for you to risk your life for her. You know that people like us will never get the permit to cross the capital gates. The only other way is to climb the wall, after which you will be caught and beheaded",the aunt replied.

Sar had promised the girl,two years ago, that he would come to capital searching for her when he became eighteen. He had loved her. The merchant had come from a far away place to trade with the capital. His had his only daughter with him. They had travelled a long way and had rested in this village. The sixteen year old Sar had fallen in love with the beautiful young girl and he had promised to meet her in the capital two years later. The merchant and the girl settled down in the capital for business. Sar did not ever want to lose the girl who captured his heart.

Sar, hearing his aunt's words, lost his appetite and pushed his food away. He went out the house angrily. He ran towards the hill and sat on a rock on its crest, thinking about the girl of his heart.

At home, the aunt stopped the work she was doing and went to the back of the hut and opened a small box which was securely locked. She, then, looked at the old ring with awe. It was the symbol of power of the whole kingdom. Those looking for it would never imagine that it would be here. She then thought about Sar, how he was determined to go to the capital for a girl. His destiny was calling him. He still did not know his past. It was time for him to know. She was always afraid of this moment, and she said not know that it would be so fast. She feared telling him about his parents murder and the murderer. She decided that tonight was the time. Tonight was the time to tell him his birthright.

Sar sat fuming on the rock.He had to cross the gate somehow or die trying. He then searched under a bush and pulled out a bundle. It was bundle full of spare clothes and other necessities. Holding the bundle in his hand, and taking in a breath of determination he walked down the hill toward the gates.

After walking for a while, he came across a merchant 's caravan. A cart full of goods was parked under a tree. "Tomorrow after a brief rest, my firststop will the Desai pub. I heard that the traders are interest in oriental silk. I heard that they offer the best price for silk in the whole capital" , the merchant to his friend. Getting a sudden inspiration, Sar slowly sneaked into the caravan and hid himself under the bundle of silk clothes. After a long time, the merchant can and started the caravan. Not daring to move a muscle, Sar sat still the whole journey. He lost the track of time. After a long time, he heard a gruff voice say, "Halt." The soldier asked for a permit from the merchant . The merchant gave it to him. The soldier inspected the permit for a long time and at last nodded forward. The caravan plodded on and Sar let out a breath of relief. Cutting open bit of cloth to see outside, he saw the gates looking behind him. If he could he would have let out a whoop of joy. He had crossed the gates! He was getting closer to his dream. He would search for the girl and marry her. In his excitement, he had forgotten his aunt. He did not know that his aunt was back home waiting to tell him everything about his past he had to know...

...