Around a Red Moon Ago

  Asbed sat at the table in the main hall facing the door, he twirled his arrow in thought. “Considering that I am the best natural swordsman I conclude I am the most skilled.”

  Across from him Dharam stood by the chair and rolled his eyes. “A scoff at fate when you choose to run off and be a little scholar. Go read some books.”

  Asbed could only shake his head as Herom came in from the left hall. “Brains are sometimes desired more than brawn.”

  “Alright then,” Dharam motioned to Asbed, “our Aljehni master swordsman. What is the beauty of being the best at offense if you use words instead?”

  “Your absence from classes grows more obvious," he snided. They all turned towards Aaleyah who walked in from the main door carrying a vase of flowers. Asbed counted his arrows, Ley Ley was once again attempting to cover up Roset’s garden mess.

  “If Asbed truly has the best natural talent, does that mean Herom lacks skills? Natural talent is not all fate cares for. One must train.” She placed the vase on a side table by the window and walked over. “Perhaps I am the best.”

  Noise was heard from upstairs and Herom stood. “The first born always masters the family dance. I just prefer throwing knives.”

  Asbed moved his arrows out of Dharam’s dangerous hands.

  “Perhaps Ley Ley may grow to excel-”

  Aaleyah held up her hand. “I prefer the Zuhos staff dance. I have plenty of siblings to study the Aljehni sword dance in my steed.”

  “She shrinks from responsibilities once more.” Asbed muttered as he pulled his arrow once more out of Dharam’s path. Why was Ley Ley so stubborn? She would have to learn it eventually.

  “-maybe I should create my own sword dance,” Herom finished.

  Asbed fought the urge to hit Dharam when he bumped the table causing his arrows to fall on the floor.

  “The Aljehni Sword Dance is already perfected. Why create something new?” Dharam asked not picking up the things he dropped.

  “Helan brought it up once. To try creating my own style. Become a swordmaster,” Herom said as Asbed picked up the arrows one by one.

  Collecting all of them, he hit Dharam’s leg with one. “Seems there is nothing you excel in dear Dharam. Sword Fighting? Not better than I. Arrows? Herom does that and perfected both family dances. Maybe you should just improve your hand to hand combat.”

  “By using you as a test subject?” Dharam’s words wiped the tyrannical smirk off his face.

  “I have been forced to study, but if I could attend more martial classes my aim would be unstoppable. I could also perfect the Zuhos Dance if I wished.” Asbed smiled gratefully as she moved the quiver to his side of the chair. “I was thinking of combining the steps of the Aljehni sword dance with the speed and offensive advantages that the Medes dance has.”

  Placing his arrows in the quiver Asbed could not help being amazed at Aaleyah’s desire for manual work.

  “Very true your aim has the precision of a spitting cobra, shame you only stay cooped reading. Maybe after you finish your studies you can come out and show everyone how it is done.”

  Aaleyah rewarded Dharam’s compliment with a bright smile.

  Asbed shook his head. They wore mourning clothes, they sang the song of exodus, they stayed in the estate reminiscing about their grandparents and uncles. But thanks to the Lord of the Heavens, they could still smile.

  “For one Blue and two Red moons we spent our lives training. There is very little you can do that I am not able to perfect with effort,” she proudly stated.

  “Fluency in the family language.” Asbed said but of course he was ignored.

  “In the past Blue moon you have stayed in here doing what exactly?” Dharam winked at Herom, “Protecting? Will learning our family’s history and legend protect you from danger dear Ley Ley?”

  “We all learn and do what we can to protect and defend our family name. Some of us are just forced to take a different approach.” Aaleyah made her way towards Dharam. “I know I can excel with anything I aim to do.”

  Across from him Herom chuckled. “No need to be so competitive. Until you all make a name for yourselves outside of this estate your words fall on foolish ears.”

  “Are your ears not listening?” Aaleyeh asked, somehow channeling Chiara.

  As if hearing his thoughts Chiara walked down the stairs. “What are you arguing about now?”

  “You were not present, how could we have been arguing?” Asbed muttered not wishing to start a fight, but unable to stop himself from commenting..

  “You dare to choose now to start an argument with me Asbed?”

  Not like he would not win. Alas, Asbed kept his mouth shut.

  Dharam chuckled. “You think your skills are better Chiara? You are a childish copy of my twin.”

  “I do not see the need to listen to anyone who skipped classes.”

  Asbed stifled a laugh and Aaleyah walked away with a smile on her face.

  “I only skimmed the philosophy classes. I still trained.”

  Herom chortled whilst walking upstairs.

  Zale came in from outside and took a seat next to Aaleyah at the table. “Has anyone seen mother and father?”

  Chiara’s face took one of resentment, “They are probably deciding what to do considering the king is trying to kill us.”

  Asbed scowled. “Do not speak like that.”

  Chiara sat cross-legged on the chair. “Do not act like no one is aware of this. The king fears us because the people respect us. That is the real reason why half of our family is dead.” Her swollen eyes watered once more. “We have lost everything.”

  “Do not say that,” Dharam reprimanded softly. “Do not speak things into being. We have not lost everything; we still have each other.”

  “Do we?” Chiara challenged. “Our parents have been hiding things from us, Herom was apparently going to be shipped off,” she pointed in Zale and Aaleyah’s direction, “All they do is study! Told to memorize the books as if one day they will disappear. Is it the books that will soon disappear, or is it us!”

  Aaleyah shivered.

  “Enough!” Zale squeezed Aaleyah’s hand. “No one else is going to die.”

  “All of you, stop speaking things into existence!” Dharam scanned all of them. “Have we not fought with fate enough? Lord, allowing may we only experience sun filled days in our future.”

  “I thought you were not superstitious.” Chiara argued back.

  “Do we really need to test our luck?”

  Asbed finished putting the arrows in the quiver and sat cross legged in his chair.

  “Dharam?” Amenah’s voice sounded from the right hall. She too took a seat at the table and pulled Dharam to sit with her. “We all need to relax, things have been very hard these days..”

  The sound of horses was heard from the stables and both he and Zale looked out the window catching each other's gaze. Even the horses were tired of Chiara’s pessimism.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  “Pouyin has not come to yell at us, let us stop while we are ahead,” Amenah warned.

  Zale nodded and leaned his head on Aaleyah’s shoulder.

  Chiara arched a brow, “Is he even here? “Mother sent most of the servants away, it is customary for mourning estates to close and give the servants time to go home.”

  Zale frowned. “So everyone is gone?”

  “Pouyin and Adhu are here, as well as others with nowhere to travel,” Amenah told him.

  As Amenah spoke the sound of pounding on the gate was heard, catching everyone’s attention. Dharam and Zale rose and took a step towards the window.

  Catching Chiara’s watery eyes, Asbed shook his head and moved from his chair to comfort her when the sound of pounding grew louder.

  That has to be more than ten people,” Amenah said aloud.

  “Zale, go and get Herom,” Dharam ordered.

  Aaleyah refused to let go of Zale’s hand, her eyes filled with uncertainty, so they left together.

  Chiara watched the twins leave and whispered, “Asbed, something is wrong,” she said with a gulp.

  Lifting her hand he squeezed it not knowing what else he could say.

  It was midday, and the estate was to be in mourning, no one was to run or do any strenuous activities until the period of grey was over.

  Dharam moved closer to the window, hiding his head as he opened it slightly to hear. Everyone froze as the sound of a smoke signal exploded in the air.

  Chiara nervously rocked on her feet, “Stilits?”

  Dharam quickly closed the window. “Stay calm, we need to get to the armoury and retrieve weapons. It is likely mother and father already know-”

  “Do we ring the bell?” Amenah interrupted.

  “Will anyone come to our aid? Mother has not returned to the barracks and I have not seen Zaccai and Sabni; surely they would have come to comfort mother in her mourning. Mother’s guards are gone and we sent everyone away for the mourning period.”

  Asbed hated to admit when Chiara’s pessimism was correct, but there was nothing he could argue back. Zaccai, and Sabni were mother’s most trusted people; and they had not visited once. If the bell is rung no one will come.

  “Our grey clothes, we lost our family and our military strength is-”

  “Not now Chiara,” Dharam and Amenah spoke simultaneously.

  “Just for today do not speak things into existence,” Amenah tiredly asked.

  “You and I will go to the armoury-” Dharam planned aloud.

  “What about me?” Chiara jumped to ask. “I refuse to go in the safe room this time.”

  “No one is going into the safe room.” Their mother’s voice sounded from the top of the stairs.

  “Mother,” Chiara dragged him to the stair landing.

  “We believe there to be at least ten people, a smoke flare went off, so I am certain more will arrive,” Dharam reported.

  “We need to retrieve our weapons from the armoury, right mother?” Amenah asked.

  Mother did not respond and the silence became unsettling.

  “Mother?” Chiara his hand as they waited for their mother to speak

  “Where is father?” Dharam asked.

  “Your father is moving the books.”

  “Why?” Surely now was not the time to worry about the library.

  Their mother’s eyes grew cold and Asbed bowed his head. She was in General mode. “We are escaping this estate, we will not be returning for some time. As always you have weapons in your rooms; fetch them and return here as soon as possible.”

  Upstairs Aaleyah and Zale bumped into Herom and father in the midst of a heated discussion.

  “Are we to throw our legacy in the sands and live as forgotten fools?” Herom’s chest heaved with each word, his angry glare breaking under something Aaleyah was not aware of.

  Her father, the mountain of strength and admirable scholar that was breaking. As he spoke Aaleyah noted the exhaustion in his voice, the imperfect braid in his hair. Suddenly age had found him quickly. “The plan is to depart for Heahnian Kingdom.”

  “So we betray our own?” Herom asked, disgust etched onto his force.

  “When you have children of your own you will understand Herom.”

  Zale squeezed her hand and her eyes darted to his before speaking. “Father, many people are outside. I was told to retrieve Herom.”

  Herom seemed to just now notice them and adjusted his expression. “Father and I will be right there.”

  “No time, your mother has passed out the weapons and told everyone to tie their boots on. We must move.” Havil urged them all down the stairs.

  Minutes later Aaleyah walked down the stairs as Chiara began passing out weapons. Asbed was in the middle of speaking as Aaleyah’s foot left the last step.

  “-Stilits are said to fight in support of the Aljehnis, maybe they will not harm us?” His optimistic words were a stark contrast to his helpless face.

  “The king made that up, they do nothing but point the blade in our direction.” Dharam scoffed as he filled his quiver.

  Her parents stood at the head of the table. “We will be escaping this estate in teams. We will meet at the old sycamore tree.” Father paused and Aaleyah noted his troubled expression. “Wait no more than one hours time. Afterwards, those who are there are to travel to Zuzbois. Head to the academy of music and say you are friends of Patron Zareh. There you are to stay no longer than a moon, before departing to Sais.”

  “While escaping, if you are followed head for the Medes armoury, there are explosives rigged. You will just need to use the bead from your hair clips.”

  “High Prince Hammaan has plans to send the Black Leaf Token which will allow us to take control of a special military branch,” Father continued.

  “High Prince Hammaan? The danger comes from the palace, can we trust him?” Dharam pointed out, while handing Amenah her swords.

  “There are many things happening in the palace, people are not as easily identifiable as flowers. High Prince Hammaan will come. We agreed to meet in an hour.” Aaleyah studied her father’s grave but certain face.

  “The king will need time to stop the high prince. Time we will use to leave,” Mother explained.

  “Things have happened earlier than we thought, which is why we are having you escape and head to the tree first.”

  Chiara finished fastening Roset’s boots. “How will we team up?”

  Aaleyah caught the glances her parents gave Havil, Amenah, and Dharam.

  “If the Aljehni path dims, there is one who can call for the sun again.” The cryptic words had a familiar air to the books Aaleyah had read. ‘The Aljehni head is a light that can never be extinguished. As long as the head lives and breathes the path can lighten once more.’

  “If darkness finds us, the one who must make it has to be the blessed one,” Asbed thought aloud.

  The tattoo on her arm pulsed and Aaleyah’s teeth chattered in fear. “I will not go alone.”

  “You all read the books. If the Aljehni head does not see the first birth of the next generation, then the blessing will die.” Father turned to Herom as he pointed at her. “You spoke of legacy, she is our legacy.”

  “This conversation is meaningless. We will all live,” Zale spoke up, his hand squeezing hers painfully. He was scared.

  Mother placed the duel swords into Father’s hands. “You will all heed our commands. Our legacy must not die.”

  “Twins will split up.”

  There was an immediate outcry, and this time Aaleyah could feel Zale’s nails cut through her skin.

  “Amenah and Dharam you do not need me to explain why.” Mother’s sharp eyes turned to her and Zale. “You are not of age, the magic in your blood is hard to control, being together will cause more harm than good.”

  Aaleyah could not disagree, when Zale got hurt while he was away she would feel a dull ache; but the times she was nearby when he was injured, the pain intensified.

  “The Stilits are at the West Gate, therefore your father and I will stay there and attract them. Asbed and Chiara leave through the North Gate.

  The sound of yells and a horse's cry was heard.

  “That was Ahdu,” Aaleyah whispered, recognizing the yell. Everyone’s faces dropped in silent mourning.

  “We must move quickly,” Mother stated.

  Aaleyah was stunned at her mother’s cold countenance. Ahdu had just died and she did not even flinch.

  “The scream came from the East gate. We will have to draw their attention immediately to help get Aaleyah and Dharam out,” Herom advised.

  “Me!” Dharam sputtered. “I am the one trusted to get Aaleyah out? Should it not be you?”

  “Dharam now is not the time, you are trusted to get your sister to safety. Can you do it?” Father asked.

  Aaleyah turned to face Dharam.

  “I will,” Dharam whispered.

  “Herom, Zale and Amenah will go through the hole in the wall. Remember, if darkness finds us; Aaleyah must make it.”

  “No.” Aaleyah shook her head. “Not just me. Roset is not even a Red moon, he must make it. And Zale has not perfected the stupid lyre. Amenah found some obsessed bookworm that she wished to marry so she to, has to... Chiara has not found anyone.” Her heart pounded in her chest. “Herom continues to give up position as captain and Dharam has to go to classes.” The tears rolled down her cheeks. “We all have to make it. Why is it just me? I do not wish for it to be just me!”

  “All the studying you have done, how can you question your importance?” Father asked.

  “The Aljehni Head must live I am aware, but-”

  “Aaleyah. If you wish for us to live then you must follow the plans we put in place. Do not disobey this time,” Herom gently urged her.

  Aaleyah listened to the rest of the plan in a blur. They had to split up because if they all ran in the same direction it would be easier for them to be picked off. None were certain if the Stilits were after a specific person. Or if there was a bounty on their head dead or alive. Another reason to split up. The North Gate was hopefully the safest, so Roset was going with Asbed and Chiara. The back of his neck had been squeezed to make him sleep.

  Aaleyah could only stand in a daze as the debriefing was suddenly over, and everyone broke off running in different directions.

  Pulling her arm Aaleyah fell into Zale’s embrace as he kissed the side of her head. “I will see you again Ley Ley.” He hesitated, his eyes stung with tears and Aaleyah hid her face in his chest.

  “I will see you by the sycamore tree.”

  She watched as Zale followed behind Herom and Amenah out the side door.