Damsel in Distress

Hiraan's blood boiled upon hearing Arazhan's words. Entertainment? Did he mistake him for a comedy jester in the Royal court prancing around for laughs? He swore on all the Tawaif courtesans he had bedded that he would not accompany him to either the wedding or the funeral. But alas, his resolve crumbled to dust faster than a drunkard's resolve when Lady Rihirtha issued a command to the courtier to obtain an order from Parastin. That aged sage is too scary, Hiraan thought. With a grumble and a groan, he reluctantly agreed and stormed off, making a beeline to the Tawaif to inform the courtesans about his departure.

Arazhan set down the medicinal oil bottle on the wooden table, which was nearly empty, making a note to get a fresh replacement from the physician. Taking the parchment from Rihritha's grasp, he spoke, "Take rest. I will get the approval in the court."

Rihritha shuddered for an instant. "Y..you will talk to them with your mouth even if they don't agree, Arazhan!" She warned, her eyes drifting to his scabbard. "Quit brandishing that sword every time."

"Can't help it. My hands and my sword share an unbreakable bond." Arazhan's reply dripped with amusement.

Arazhan left to get the seal of approval. He was well aware that the 'keeper of the seal' would offer resistance for two compelling reasons. He wasted no time going to the court and made his way to the King's chamber directly, fully aware that he was more likely to find him there indulged in wine and the company of whores rather than attending to court matters.

The two guards stationed outside the King's bed-chamber, their spears forming an interlocked cross, entered the room with parchment to relay Arazhan's request. Upon receiving the King's assent, they returned and let him pass.

As soon as Arazhan stepped into the chamber, the parchment was flung to the ground, landing at his feet with a resolute thud.

"What is the meaning of this?" King Declan shouted at him. He was on the bed with his robe discarded on the floor, exposing his bloated belly. Three naked women surrounded him, a blatant testament to his sex indulgences moments ago. A woman, scarcely eighteen, assisted him in dressing his robe while another gracefully poured wine into a goblet, extending it towards him. Meanwhile, the third woman stared at Arazhan with desire, her eyes never leaving him.

"How could you dare entertain the thought of entering our sworn enemy's land?" The King's eyes blazed with fury as he fixed a piercing gaze upon Arazhan. "They have waged war against the entire Vrinastha in the past. It still echoes in my memories."

"A war borne out of necessity, your Majesty," Arazhan asserted firmly. "They pleaded with you to return their daughter to prevent the spilling of innocent blood. Yet, you denied the rightful return of their daughter and chose to align with that vulture, allowing him to torment her inside those four walls."

"Watch your tongue when speaking to the King, Arazhan. He holds respect in our court." Declan retorted sharply, his voice dripping with authority. "Even if they waged the war, their soldiers crumbled before the might of Vrinastha's army, lasting no more than a mere three days." With a smug and confident smile etched across his face, he continued. "I will not permit your departure neither from Vagarintha nor from Vrinastha. What if dangers befall our Kingdom in your absence?"

"Danger for the kingdom Or danger for your own safety, Your Majesty?" Arazhan's voice carried a mix of respect and audacity, leaving no room to overlook his biting undertone.

Declan's throat tightened, his gulp audible in the heavy silence. How had Arazhan found out? For all his grand proclamations of devotion to the Kingdom, when faced with looming danger, the disabled King would put his own safety first, overshadowing any sense of duty or responsibility.

Retrieving the discarded parchment from the floor, Arazhan strode purposefully toward the King. "Do you hold such little faith in your own son's ability to defend our Kingdom? After all, just this morning, you proclaimed him the most skilled spearsman in Vrinastha."

"Watch your_"

"I care less about your rants." Arazhan silenced any potential response from the King as he pressed on. "My mother made but one request: to accompany her to the wedding. Seal the invitation and grant me the honour of her escort. I spare you unnecessary trouble. Deny me, and the killing will commence right at the gates of this palace, with you as the ultimate target. Either way, I would take her to the wedding. The choice, Your Majesty, now rests in your hands." Arazhan's warning reverberated in Declan's ears, causing a droplet of sweat to trace an anxious trail down Declan's quivering spine. With each passing day, Arazhan's ruthless nature reminded him more and more of his brother, Alistair.

Placing the parchment decisively on the table, Arazhan stormed off, casting a disdainful glare at the King's concubine before leaving.

Meanwhile, in the audience chamber of Mithiyana, Rysthan, Rashiel, the trusted advisor, and the commander-in-chief occupied their seats. Naimishi sat beside his father, her hands clenched as her gaze fell upon Cassian's smug smile. She was accompanying Prince Dusen on her brother's orders, giving him a tour of the palace, and her father summoned her here. She thought it would be court matters, but to her dismay, her father revealed the unwelcome news: Cassian would accompany her to the wedding.

"Prince Dusen wishes to depart at daybreak. Ensure all preparations are made, Cassian," Rysthan declared, signalling the end of the audience.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Naimishi pleaded with the gods to pull her out of this hell. At that moment, she heard a voice.

"I dare say it would be an unwise choice to send Naimishi alongside Cassian, Your Majesty." Came an audacious remark.

All heads swivelled towards the door as an enigmatic woman stood at the entrance, her presence commanding the undivided attention of the room.

"Mother?" Cassian's eyes narrowed.

Rysthan frowned. "Are you implying that your own son is incapable of safeguarding Naimishi, Rosary?" Rystha's gaze fixed upon his sister as she took her place, seated gracefully directly across from him.

"Your Majesty, my son possesses the capability to command an entire army. Safeguarding our princess is a task well within his capabilities. However, there is a pressing matter at hand. As Naimishi rightly expressed in the morning, a threat looms from the Hunans. Rumours have spread within the market of a shaven-headed man sighted by locals in the nearby villages. Shaving heads is a known custom among the Nunans alone. They were once inhabitants of this land, well-versed in Mithiyana's war strategies. Unfortunately, my husband has imparted all his knowledge of war strategies solely to our son." Rosary's eyes darted to the commander-in-chief with a mock taunt before shifting to Rysthan. "The Kingdom needs Cassian now. I strongly advise you to send Reezhel alongside the princess,"

Naimishi's face lit up like a summer daisies. She resisted the urge to skip over and give her aunt a big, grateful hug.

Cassian's face hardened, his jaw clenching with anger. Why the hell did his mother, have to swoop in and wreck his plans at the last minute? Had she sniffed out his obsession for Naimishi? Or had that little minx told the truth to her? Regardless, it hardly mattered, for his mother had any inkling, she wouldn't hesitate to drag him to the court and kill him with her powers. Keeping his anger in check, Cassian spoke. "Mother! I disagree with your idea. Reezhel is not aware of our enemy's_"

"Reezhel is more than capable of safeguarding his sister's safety, my son. That much my brother is aware of." Rosary interjected, challenging his son. Rysthan and Rashiel engaged in a thoughtful discussion with the royal advisor, ultimately agreeing with their sister's thoughts.

The next day, Silas rose before the break of dawn, rousing everyone in the palace with the vigour of a rooster. Despite being the instigator, he was the last to get ready, engrossed in the task of selecting the perfect sword for his scabbard.

"Alora, I left the jewellery box in Mother's chamber last night. Get it swiftly and proceed directly to the carriage spot. I shall meet with you there," Naimishi said, adorning her ears with the pearl earrings that perfectly complemented her elegant blue gown.

"Alright, my lady."

Naimishi smiled at her reflection in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance. Just as she stepped out of the room, a hand tugged her towards the end of the corridor. His grip on her hand tightened, and he leaned in, gently breathing in her intoxicating fragrance. "I can't bear a single day without breathing your scent. How the hell am I supposed to survive two weeks without you, my rose?" Cassian whispered.

Naimishi's body froze in terror, a chill running down her spine. The way he addressed her as 'my rose' sent waves of disgust through her. "You are sick, Cassian. Get therapy from the physician before it consumes you completely."

Cassian's laughter echoed with a sinister undertone. "You are the remedy to my sickness, my rose." He whispered. The urge to ravish her lips was tempting, but he knew it would mean his death. "Don't relish the false hope of escaping me. This separation from me is merely temporary. I couldn't care less if you danced in the arms of that wretched bastard Prince, but mark my words, you will find yourself in my clutches once again. You will become my queen and grant me the crown of Mithiyana. Wrap your head around that bitter truth."

Naimishi bit her lips, feeling the metallic tang of iron on her tongue.

"Who is there? Naimishi, is that you?"

A voice jolted Cassian awake. It was Dusen. A curse slipped from Cassian's lips as he swiftly let go of Naimishi's hand and disappeared in the opposite direction.

Dusen approached Naimishi. "Is everything alright?" He inquired, concern etched on his voice. He had come to look for Naimishi when he realized she hadn't arrived with her handmaiden, but upon seeing her pale face, a flicker of unease crossed his mind. He couldn't shake off the nagging suspicion that Cassian might have caused her harm.

"I am fine. Let's leave." Naimishi covered her hand with the scarf, which didnot go unnoticed by Dusen.

At the carriage spot, Verna held her daughter tightly as if she were already sending her off to her future mother-in-law's house. "The palace will not be the same anymore without you."

"I will come back in one piece, Mother. Don't get worried about me." Naimishi assured, patting her mother's back. Though Rysthan maintained a composed facade for the sake of the onlooking crowd, he couldn't conceal the ache in his heart. This was the first time he would be separated from his daughter, and her absence burdened his soul.

"She is only going for two weeks, Verna." Rosary chuckled. "And Naimishi, make sure to visit the breathtaking waterfalls near Aashanti. It's a sight you won't want to miss."

"Is it? I love waterfalls!"

"And if you follow the cascading waterfalls, you will stumble upon a mystical forest. You will discover a breathtaking magical pond deep within its depths," Rosary's husband added with excitement. "Be sure to take a bath there, Naimishi."

"Stop sowing a seed of curiosity in her mind." Rosary shot her husband a sharp glare.

"Never set foot in that forest, Naimishi. That pond inside holds perilous secrets," Rysthan cautioned.

"Alright, Father." Despite her curiosity, Naimishi didnot intends to go into the forest, not wanting to instil fear in her father's heart. Unbeknownst to her, she was for an adventure beyond her imagination, which would forever etch in her memory.

...

Two days later

At Vagarintha, the porters swiftly loaded the ship, carefully stowing away the provisions and valuable gifts. Hiraan munched on his peanuts, immersing himself in a book that taught the language spoken in the Aashanti kingdom. Meanwhile, Arazhan meticulously inspected each storage box, his discerning eyes leaving no room for compromise to ensure his aunt's safety.

A magnificent palanquin, carried gracefully by four bearers, was carefully placed in front of the ship. Arazhan approached and drew back the curtains. With grace and poise, Rihritha descended from the palanquin. Just as Arazhan was about to close the curtain, he was taken aback as another hand extended, followed by a familiar smiling face. "Hello, brother!"

"Nadine?" Arazhan's brow furrowed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Surprisingly, she insisted on joining me, Arazhan. I didn't want to be lonely and bored during the five days journey. Please don't refuse." Rihritha explained. Nadine is her cousin's daughter from Alynthi Kingdom. Unfortunately, her mother couldn't attend due to health reasons, so she entrusted her daughter to represent her family.

Arazhan gave a curt nod. In a matter of minutes, the ship set sail. Despite the captain's assurance of calm seas, Arazhan remained vigilant, ever watchful for any signs of trouble. For four days, the journey proceeded smoothly, although Hiraan complained about the lack of women, which Arazhan ignored.

It was the fifth day, and they were near the Aashanti kingdom's borders. Hiraan clutched a book in his hands, desperately trying to memorize the language. "This language is incredibly challenging! I wonder how the locals manage to master it. All I need to know is how to ask for directions to the courtesan establishments in Aashanti." Hiraan lamented with a sigh. Turning his attention to Arazhan, he raised a curious eyebrow. "Speaking of which, Arazhan, how do you plan to conceal your true identity? The moment you step off the ship, they will surely recognize who you are."

"How far you can swim, Hiraan?" Arazhan glanced downwards as he posed a question. He snapped his fingers, and a soldier acknowledged his call with a nod.

Beaming with pride, Hiraan exclaimed, "Guess who bagged the top spot in last year's pearl competition of Naksheer Sea? That's right! Yours truly, Hiraan. And let me tell you, I met a beautiful mermaid. She even expressed to taste my meatballs as well. I couldn't agree_"

Tired of Hiraan's never-ending tales, Arazhan interjected. "Let's put your claims to the test and see if you can find a mermaid today." Arazhan pushed Hiraan off the ship, evoking a splash of water as he plunged into the water below.

"Zhan!" Hiraan's voice boomed, his breaths laboured, and his face breaking through the water's surface. He glared at the ship, ready to unleash his fury upon his friend. However, to his surprise, he watched Arazhan gracefully descend onto a small boat that a soldier had tossed into the water.

"You bastard! You are leaving without me?"

"Swim fast, and shed the fat of those peanuts you have savoured for a whole week. Navigate straight towards the north. I will be waiting for you at the market," Arazhan instructed, deftly manoeuvring the boat's oars. He found a centuries-old chart detailing Aashanti's intricate trade routes in the old library of Vagarintha. There is a small forest towards the north, and once he crosses that, he will enter the market. Little did he know, the chart didnot contain that the forest was enchanted with magic.

Reaching the shore, Arazhan docked the boat and set foot into the forest filled with lush green trees. With each passing minute, his path seemed to loop back upon itself, leading him back to the very spot he had left. Perplexed, he grasped a stone and etched a circle on each tree he passed, hoping to forge a path of clarity. However, his efforts proved futile as he arrived once more at the same spot, trapped in a loop. "Are you playing with the fire?" A smirk played across his lips.

At that moment, Arazhan heard a voice.

"Return my dress this instant, you sneaky little brat, or prepare to face the wrath of my brother!"

"Come on, show up. Where the hell are you hiding?"

"What kind of shameless pervert are you to rob lady's clothes!"

"Is there no brave soul in this Kingdom to help this damsel in distress? Is there no fearless warrior in this Kingdom? Someone help me get back my stolen dress from this pervert!"

Arazhan caught wind of a lady's voice echoing through the forest. A chuckle escaped his lips, amused by her theatrics. A little playing with her in this magical forest would not be a bad idea. "Well, Damsel in distress, If I rescue you, what's in for me?"