When prophecies come true

When prophecies come true

Part 1 The chambers of Crown Prince Birhanedan

The Crown Prince of Birhanedan and a descendant of the ancient Torun family was in a bad mood today. In the morning, the chamberkeeper informed him of the death of one of his harem concubines, his favorite, Janie. It wasn't that the prince felt sorry for the girl herself, but rather that he would no longer have his favorite thing, as he had once felt the same way when he had to give away the Morena Island, given by his father as a contribution for losing the war with the peregrines. The prince did not like to share and give away what he considered his own. Just as he did not like those who bring bad news, so in the morning, Torun did not give away by a single gesture how much he would like to strangle the hated chamberlain when the latter reported the details of Janie's murder. The details themselves did not interest the prince - it was not the first time that the older women of his harem had arranged purges to thin out the ranks of concubines who had become too close to the prince. Once upon a time, the prince wanted to somehow investigate and punish those responsible, but then he realized that he should not get involved in women's squabbles, especially as younger, more interesting, and attractive girls appeared in the harem every time. Janine was a 15-year-old girl, and it was interesting to seduce her, to bend her to his will, to surprise her young mind and body. He hadn't played enough with her yet, so he felt bad.

The servants helped him put on the heavy royal robes, and Prince Torun looked at his reflection in the mirror and did not like what he saw - a fifty-year-old balding man who had long since lost hope of succeeding to the throne from his father, King Ahmed.9 His chances of getting the crown melted away every time he had an audience with his father and he saw him as vigorous and healthy, and not at all like a 73-year-old old man who was closer to the ground than to the crown. Ahmed 9 of the Rahiman clan King of the great kingdom of Barkhinedan had 16 illegitimate sons and many daughters, whom no one counted, and who were of no value, like all women in that state. The situation was different with his legitimate children, two sons and one daughter. Prince Torun was the first son, so he was the first in line to receive the throne, although the prince had long since formed the opinion that it was not so bad to be just an heir - you live and think about nothing... neither about the Adamanian rebels, nor about the consequences of the lost war with the Peregrines, nor about the new war with the Amarians, nor about taxes, nor about the state. Still, he was brought up by his mother Asma from the great Lorsan family. She did not miss the opportunity to put into her son's head the idea that he and only he had the right to the throne and it would be a great shame for the family to have all the chances and not get the crown. Torun did not want to disgrace his family, and he loved and respected his mother, listened to her opinion, and did everything possible to make him a worthy son in her eyes.

Today the prince was due to have another audience with his father, which he held once a month with his son, and it did not take much intelligence to realize that his father did not enjoy these audiences, and sometimes it seemed to the crown prince that his father would rather be out cleaning the stables than talking to his eldest son. And Torun himself did not find these forced meetings with his father, with whom he had never been close, and before whom he had to bow and kiss his hand, a pleasure. ‘Tame your pride and kiss your father's hand. Remember the fate of Ahmed's two sons and the fate of your father's brothers. Their pride destroyed them,’ Asma's mother would remind her son every time he met his father, the ruler. And Torun understood that his mother was right, the fate of these relatives was unenviable: the heads of the rebels hung for a long time in the main square of the citadel, attracting flies and birds.

The guardian came into the chamber and told him that his mother was coming. Torun knew she was coming today. Asma always came before his visit to his father and had long, instructive conversations, which Torun had learned by heart, but listened to with restraint, for he had never had a closer and more faithful person, and probably never would. Gesturing to invite his mother into the chamber, the Prince called off all the servants and was left alone with the one who had brought him into the world. The mother was an elderly woman, but no one had ever doubted her intelligence and wit. Her mind was still clear and pure.

- ‘Bless you, Mum,’ Torun kissed his mother's hand and invited her to sit down.

- ‘I bless you, my son,’ Asma sat down in the offered chair with the ease of a bird, although Torun had long known from the royal doctors that old Asma's bones were no longer what they once were and that she struggled to take every step. The honor of the family does not allow the mother to show her weakness and frailty, and from childhood, she was brought up to understand that representatives of high families have no right to illness or mistakes. It was a good thing that the old traditions of taking the lives of frail old people had become a thing of the past. Torun thought so. Asma, on the other hand, knew that the tradition had not gone away and that in the remote provinces of Birhanedan the younger generation used to take their old and frail parents to the mountains, where, left alone, they would die of cold and hunger - at best, usually from attacks by predatory animals. And those who were still sane but could no longer provide for themselves preferred to end their lives from the poison of peregrine falcons. The latter was the best poison makers and, despite the war with neighboring Birhanedan, successfully traded with their neighbors, especially as Birhanedan people paid a lot of money to ensure that their lives would not end in the jaws of a mountain bear or other animal, but that death would embrace them on their bed and painlessly. Asma also had peregrine venom. Not because she would have been taken to the mountains and left there at the discretion of the Almighty Andier and Prosha, but because the honor of her family would not allow her to bring herself to such a state that she, Asma of the great Lorsan conquerors, would lie in her excrement or go mad. Asma will leave this world sane and on time. That's why the vial of poison was getting closer and closer to the bed in the old Asma's chamber every year. The meeting with André was near, the old woman could feel it, although she tried not to give it away with a gesture, a look, or a word.

- You have a meeting with your father?’ Asma knew that the meeting was today, there were still people in the Citadel who were loyal to her, who brought her information and told her the latest news.

- ‘Yes, mother,’ Torun looked into his mother's black eyes and saw there the sadness of the years she had lived, which had been filled with intrigue, death, betrayal, and murder. Enemies like spiders had spun their webs of traps around his mother, and then around him, and each time his mother managed to get out, save herself and save her son, the crown prince, so that one day he would change his name from Torun to Ahmed 10, as is the tradition when a son succeeds to the throne after the death of his father.

- I will speak to you directly, son,’ Asma looked around the room to see if they were really alone. She had already seen that all the servants had left her son's chamber, but her habit of being on the lookout made her double-check. ‘This time, your father will not be talking to you about the provinces he has assigned you. He wants to send you to negotiate with the Laparian Empire.

Torun jumped at the unexpected news.

- ‘Has he gone mad?

- Quiet, son!’ his mother started looking around the room again, ’Do you want to lose your head? No one has the right to talk about the Ruler like that, not even his own son. Be quiet and listen! Ahmed 9 has no other choice. Losing the war with the Peregrines is a painful blow to our kingdom. We have lost important resources. Don't forget that the lost province of Urumat alone produced 80% of the azor ore. No ore means no weapons. And who are we without weapons? Who will you be without weapons when the power is in your hands? So you have to go to the Laparian Empire and negotiate an alliance.

- ‘Mum, what alliance with the godless?

- ‘The gods were invented by people,’ old Asma stood up from her chair, this time not hiding how hard she had done it, ‘and remember, son, you can only trust me.

No one will ever be as faithful to you as I am, your old mother, who is living out her days and does not want to outlive her son.’ With a light touch of her hand, she stroked her son's head and her face shone with all-consuming maternal love for her only son, the Crown Prince. Without another word and leaving her son alone with her thoughts, old Asma left her son's chamber. Today, the peregrine venom will be under the pillows, so that it can be taken out even more quickly.

Part 2. Mice and foxes. The Laparian Empire.

- I can't afford to pay you anymore.’ Old San Itaat blurted it out but looked away. He could not look into the eyes of his servant, who had been helping him with the household and more for six months. But his wife had ordered him to get rid of young Thaït, and he could not disobey her order. Itaat understood that difficult times were coming in his life, and it was not just that he would have to do all the housework himself, he would lose something more - something that his wife could not give him - the warmth of his marital bed. Itaat loved the young twenty-year-old Tait. It was not the kind of love when a person cannot imagine his life without another person. It was love for a young, attractive, and gentle man who periodically allowed him to caress him, to be tender, and to receive what his wife had not wanted to give him for many years. ‘Of course, I'll pay you for the work you've done, but don't come back.

Tait put the knife aside, thus stopping cleaning the fish, and looked at Itaat. It was a pitiful sight to see his master, the former chief favorite and husband of the Raisaufin, standing before him with a guilty look and unable to find the right words to explain the real reason why Taït would no longer be coming to the old man's house. Tait knew the reason. He knew that old Itaat while receiving his distant relatives, had been unable to restrain himself from drinking too much of the wine he had been given, and he told his relatives in colorful words, when they began to feel sorry for old Itaat because of his loneliness, that he did not need the affection of old Raizaufin, for he had been caressed by the young and attractive servant Tait. The guests rejoiced at the happiness of old Itaat, and in the morning they sent a bird with a letter to the Raizaufin. It doesn't take much intelligence to understand how she reacted to this letter.

In years gone by, she would have jumped on her horse and ridden away that evening, and that evening San Itaat's body would have floated in the cold waters of the Stormy Ocean. However, it so happened that Sanaa Raizaufin was already of a respectable age and she felt sorry for her first husband, after all, her eldest daughter was his child. However, it was old San Itaat's own fault, there was no need to gossip in front of her relatives, and now everyone would know, especially her other husbands. We can't let them think they can get away with it. The first husband will have to be punished, as an example. But first of all, she has to get rid of Tait's servant, because she couldn't order him. He is not her husband, and the laws of the Laparian Empire do not allow you to punish other people's husbands, even if you are the head of the Snow Fox clan. No head of a clan has ever allowed herself to command a man not of her clan, and Raizaufin will not be a pioneer in this. The Tait will leave the compound of San Itaata and will never set foot in the lands of the Snow Fox clan again. San Raisufin was comforted by the thought that she was doing the right thing and her thoughts immediately turned to matters of state.

- ‘Don't be silent, say something,’ San Itaat's voice trembled with overwhelming feelings, and over the years he had become childishly sentimental. Although to be fair, San Itaat could cry even at the sight of a dead bird. The old man wanted love and affection in his old age, but all he got was loneliness and his wife's neglect. He cursed a hundred times the day when Sana Raizaufin married him as her first husband and the fool agreed because she was the future head of the family. And when she became the head of the Snow Foxes, life became hell for San Itaat. The new status of a wife meant that she had to marry at least three more men, which his wife did. Gradually, other men pushed him out of his wife's life, and the more time passed, the less time Sani Raizaufin spent with her first husband. Jealousy ate away at San Itaat from the inside, he was angry, resentful, and would tell his wife everything.

She only laughed and replied that she had a duty to her family and that he, as the first husband of the head of the family, should understand the importance of observing laws and traditions. But when she saw the tears in San Itaat's eyes, she relented and promised to visit her first husband more often, but she never kept her promise. Itaat found solace in poetry and painting, and as the years passed, there had been no revival for more than ten years for Itaat. And he did not feel such a craving for his wife at this age, the years had taken their toll. When San Itaat asked his wife to move to a remote settlement in the lands of the Snow Fox clan, she readily agreed. She was tired of listening to his sad poems about unrequited love, unfair fate, and the hard life of men at every opportunity, whether it was a family dinner or a court ball. As Sanaa Raizaufin watched her first husband's carriage pull away from her ancestral home, she felt relieved. She would have gladly sent her other three husbands to follow her first husband, but family honor and tradition did not allow her to do so. This is the fate of the head of the family.

- I'm waiting for you to tell me what Sana Raizaufin has ordered,’ the blue eyes penetrated the very soul of the old Sana Itaat. And he, in turn, did not dare to tell about the ban on Tait's stay in the lands of the Snow Foxes.

Tait smiled. He knew that the law protected him from the arbitrariness of a woman if you were not of her kind, so he was sure that there would be no severe punishment. He approached the old San Itaat, wiped his eyes with his palm, and kissed him gently on the lips. Tait's tongue penetrated the middle of Itaat's mouth, and the old man's breathing became labored and heavy. Excitement flooded Itaat from head to toe, warm waves enveloped his body as Thait continued his caresses, kissing his neck and going down lower. And when the old man's soft, luscious lips enveloped Itaat's cock, the old man pulled Tait's head closer to his loins to feel the depths of the young man's mouth. Tait moved his head quickly and decisively, and finally, the old San Itaat felt his semen being released by his cock and pouring down the young Tait's throat. The highest bliss. The best thing in his life. A look of gratitude came over the young Tait as San Itaat lifted him from his knees and kissed him hard on the lips that tasted of his own semen.

- I will give you my savings. Don't worry about anything. You will have a good life from now on. You will never have to worry about anything. This is my thanks to you for your love.’ The old San Itaat looked at his young lover with grateful eyes once again and went into another room to give away what he had been saving all his life - his savings.

Tait sat in his chair and breathed heavily, this time the induction of illusions was much easier for him, and he didn't even have a nosebleed. Still, practice makes perfect. For six long months, he had been training to induce illusions on the old man, San Itaat, and he had been successful. The old man did not realise that in reality, he had never touched the body of Tait. That everything that happened in the intimate sphere between San Itaat and Tait was just an illusion. And now the Order's task was completed and it was time to return to their lands. Tait rose from his chair with difficulty and left his ‘lover's’ house without turning around. He could not have known, and did not care, that exactly two days later they would find the old saint Itaat hanging from an old pear tree. His tender soul could not bear to be separated from his beloved. A few days after Itaat's death, the head of the Snow Fox family, Sana Raizaufin, passed away. According to the servants who saw it, she simply fell off her horse and hit her head on a stone when she fell. The old Snow Fox died instantly.

3. Dancing in the fire. Amarius.

Nothing decorates the evening of the festival like the famous dances of the Odalisques in the fire. Young, beautiful in their youthful beauty, they came out to the applause of the audience, making the men present at this celebration of life hold their breath and follow every movement of the young bodies. The bonfires were blazing, and the charming odalisques were dancing in it, and the fire did not harm them in any way. Of course, everyone knew that this fire was not the kind of fire that heats homes or cooks food. They knew that this fire was completely different, that it only had the appearance of a real fire, but no one knew the secret of its creation, nor did they know the one who knew the secret.

Meanwhile, the festival was in full swing, the sound of the drums made the hearts of the crowd beat in rhythm with them, the fire reached over five meters, and the Odalisques bared their breasts. They moved to the rhythm of the drums and drops of sweat ran down their elastic young bodies - the fire, though not harmful, gave them warmth. Their wet, flexible bodies gave themselves over to the dance, their movements became more and more sharp and dusky, and their eyes were seductive and manna-like. They continued to dance, making the men in the crowd languish from the heat in their bodies, and that very evening the wives of those men would have a passionate night of love and deep affection. It was in vain for those men to dream and hope that one of those thirteen-year-old odalisques would give them even one kiss, it was in vain to desire them and to lust after them. The only thing left for those unfortunate was to come home after the holiday and fervently take their wives, mentally fantasizing that they were taking an odalisque. The lights went out and the feast was over. The crowd hurriedly dispersed, and only a few single men gathered in small groups to continue their celebration, but not in the arms of their wives, but in the beds of the Amariyah widows. May the Almighty bless them! They are the only hope for the unmarried and widowed today. Of course, extramarital affairs were condemned by society, but if it was a widow, it was even considered a righteous act to make such a woman happy with your attention. And these women wanted more than just love and a passionate night; when you go to a widow, be prepared to bring a gift or money, because when she receives you at night, she expects gratitude. If you don't thank them once, none of the widows will accept you again. Janis knew this and had prepared well for today. Today Madina will be the happy owner of gold coins, a jug of honey, and a whole roll of beautiful peregrine cloth. It had taken him a long time to persuade the Peregrine merchant to give him the cloth for less, but he had succeeded and now he had something to please Madina, and she was worth it.

Madina's house was located on the very edge of the city, where widows usually settled, not because anyone forced them to, but because the housing was the cheapest and there were not many eyes there to see the men, not only single but also happily married, who visited them. Although there was nothing to be afraid of, there were never any city lights, and two neighbors could pass each other without recognizing each other. The wives of married men who used the services of widows turned a blind eye to this because they knew perfectly well that there was nothing to be afraid of. Their husband might spend one night there, but he would come home anyway. Sometimes it was even good. The woman could take a break from her marital duty. Thus, all parties were satisfied: the widow with her coins (usually the only source of income), the husband quenched his thirst for sex, and the wife had one night of quiet time. And everyone pretended that no one knew anything and that everyone condemned married men who took advantage of widows.

Yanis knocked on the wooden door and it was immediately opened by Madina's little daughter.

- ‘Mum said you were coming. I saw you through the window. Do you have a present for me?’ The little girl pointed to the bag behind Janis's back. And Janis felt ashamed, he had forgotten about her daughter, he would have to give her a little more money today, but he could have done with a lollipop. Mentally, Yanis was angry with himself for being so careless, he didn't want to give more than he had planned to give today. But what can you do, if you want to have a good night, you have to pay. Janis counted out three coins and put them in the girl's hands. Immediately, the girl's face lit up and a smile appeared on her dirty face. Janis forgot her name, and he didn't really want to remember it, but he couldn't show his disinterest either, so he just called her ‘Dear’.

- Is mum at home?

- Yes, she is, come in, Janis. It's good to see you.’ The door opened wider and Madina appeared. Beautiful and charming Madina. She was beautiful, really beautiful. But not that young seductive beauty, but a real adult beauty. Big blue eyes, thick black hair, always braided, it was as soft as silk when she let it down in bed. Plump lips and dimpled cheeks. She was of medium height and rounded. This is the case when she has larger than average breasts that have not fallen down as it usually happens to women, a thin waist, a small soft tummy, and rounded hips. Madina is a man's dream. Just the sight of her made the blood in his veins run cold. The personification of femininity and pleasure. Madina had her own principles. Not everyone could be a guest in her home, not everyone could have her braid untied, and not everyone could have pleasant words whispered in their ear. Janis knew of a story when Judge Adamis tried to get his end to her, but Madina did not even let him in the doorway, knowing his bad temper and something else that only Madina herself knew. At first, the judge was tempted to harass her, but the judge's wife intervened in time to quickly restrain the negligent husband and reminded him that it was the widow's choice to open her legs to whom she wanted to prostitute herself and that he, as a married man, would be ashamed if he tried to harass the poor, lonely woman. Either the judge was really ashamed of himself or decided not to anger his wife, but he left Madina alone. Since then, everyone knew that Madina chose who she spent time with. She could open the door to a sailor and not look in the direction of a merchant, even though he could promise big gifts. At the same time, she had an advisor, an inquisitor, and many other high-ranking officials of the capital as regular visitors. Everyone knew about this, but she never said a word or even hinted to anyone about who she had visited and when.

- I'm not empty-handed,’ Janis said, taking the cloth out of his bag and putting a pot of honey on the table. He also put the ten gold pieces on the table next to his wares. Madina took a good look at all this and smiled at Janis with satisfaction. She nodded her head to her daughter and motioned for her to go into another room. And the little girl quickly disappeared, leaving them alone.

- ‘Thank you for not forgetting your Madina. And thank you for the clothes. Next time, I will meet you in a dress that I will make from your gift. And most of all, thank you for not shunning my child. You're a good man, Janis.’ Madina stroked his face with her gentle hand, and he felt that this touch was not like the touch that women caress their husbands. This touch was like a mother's tenderness towards her child. Madina was truly grateful to him. Twice during the evening, Janis felt ashamed of himself, Madina thought he was a good man, and he only wanted Madina to always take him to bed and never refuse him.

- You're too good to me.’ Janis held her close with one hand, and with the other, he lifted the hem of her dress and found what he was looking for, and was pleased to realize that Madina was wet. No more words were needed. That evening he took her as long as he wanted, where he wanted, and how he wanted. Madina did not refuse and, on the contrary, enjoyed everything that Janis could do for her. Excited by the odalisque dances, he took Madina gently and roughly, slowly and quickly. There was no limit to Janis's imagination. At last, tired and exhausted, naked and silent, they lay in bed and each thought about his own. Janis's hand gently stroked Madina's silky hair, while the latter lay humbly with her eyes closed.

- As if it would last forever. - Yanis barely whispered and closed his eyes, enjoying the beautiful moment. He will visit Madina soon. As an assistant to the inquisitor, he had to go to another country, and this path was not close.

4. Parents and children. Birkhanedan.

Torun could barely contain his anger. He had been standing behind the closed door of his father's reception hall for two hours. Ministers, advisers, and even merchants passed by him to this hall. All these people were open to the ruler of Birkhanedan, except for him - the crown prince. He perfectly understood that his father despised him, but he did not realize how much. All these people who saw his humiliation today passed by expressing respect for him, on the contrary, but he knew that it was not real, the question settled in everyone's mind: "What did the crown prince do that his father orders him like that?". And this thought will spread throughout the kingdom, where the dirtiest cobbler will mix his name with dirt. Is it such a great happiness and good fortune to be a crown prince, when everyone knows your every step, your every action is evaluated and judged? Too often, Torun began to think that he had no desire to one day occupy his father's throne. Immediately before the eyes appeared the image of the mother. The only person in this world whom he loved unconditionally. And she has high hopes for him. The only son, from a respectable family, the son of his mother by blood, but not by spirit. Nevertheless, Torun calmed down and exhaled. Is this the first time his father has humiliated him? He is not used to it.

In his deep thoughts, Torun did not notice the approach of one of the main guardians of his father's chambers - Hassan - his half-brother, the fourth by birth. Hassan bowed his head as a sign of respect and Torun nodded in response. Torun had no ill feelings towards his brothers, even though they had certain privileges, but under no circumstances would either of them become king of Birkhanedan. There was never and never will be such a thing as illegitimate ones becoming kings. The brother was much younger than the crown prince, famous for his military prowess, and inherited his mother's looks. "Young, strong, and handsome" flashed through Torun's mind, but the crown prince did not envy his brother. Torun knew very well what it was worth to become close to his father. Very quickly, all those close to me, who yesterday raised a glass with my father, lost their positions and disappeared from life under various circumstances. It is good if the ruler gives the order to exile to a distant province (although this rarely happened), but mostly the father gave the order to execute. Who knows, maybe this part will pass Hassan, although the probability of this was small.

When the guard finally invited the crown prince to the reception hall, Hasan entered with Torun. And Torun was seized with anxiety. It has never happened that an extra person was present at an audience with his father. Torun felt that something extraordinary was happening, but remained calm and bowed to his father with dignity.

- I congratulate you, ruler. Thank you for blessing me with your desire to see me. May Proshi not meet on your path, may Andyera shine in your life. - Torun knelt down in anticipation of his father's blessing and the latter put his hand on his son's head - I bless you, son.

Finally, Torun could rise from his knees and look at his father. The ruler had slumped since their last meeting, there was no longer any doubt that he was an old man and that time had taken over the ruler. And the eyes of ruler Ahmet 9 are always so lively today they looked faded and exhausted.

With a gesture, the ruler ordered them to sit down and sat down himself. He sat next to me. Not as usual at a distance of ten meters. And already here Torun felt that he should listen carefully to his father. He has something extremely important to tell.

- I was told that Asma has already visited you. - the father smiled and this smile seemed childishly naive - I know what she told you about my intentions to send you to the Laparian Empire. The old witch was always sticking her nose where she shouldn't be. But I have to give her credit. She is trying her best to protect you, a worthy mother you are not worthy of.

Torun felt like a child again, remembered the past feelings of deep resentment when, as a twelve-year-old boy, he lost an exhibition fight to a much scarier and stronger opponent. Losing to such a rival would not have been so humiliating, if not for the father's words, which he spoke with indescribable disgust to the son of "Nobody". Torun then almost burst into tears, but his mother looked at him sternly, and Torun understood that under no circumstances should he do so. Clenching his teeth, Torun bowed to his father and said "Forgive the ruler, I am not worthy of your blood."

- I didn't call you to reproach you, even though it is for a reason. Asma told you what I wanted her to tell you. There is a much more important mission than making alliances with infidels.

Ahmed 9 approached the window and a shadow of sadness flashed in his eyes. Torun also looked out the window - as always, the outlines of the citadel city shimmered in the evening heat, and the air seemed drooping and heavy. Soon the luminary will sit behind the horizon and finally the much-desired coolness will reign in the kingdom. Subjects, like ants, will begin to leave their homes to enjoy the fresh air.

- Your task is extremely simple - to find the prophet of Andyera. - the ruler turned to his crown prince, his face showing that he was ready to answer any of his questions.

Torun did not expect such a task from his father. To find the prophet Andyera…. To find the one everyone has heard of but no one has seen, the one who is mentioned a thousand times in the prophecy of the good things of the Creators, but even small children know that it is a legend. Torun looked at his father and no question except "Has the ruler lost his mind?" it did not occur in Torun. But Torun could not voice this question for known reasons.

And as if knowing what his son was thinking now, the ruler smiled

- This is not a legend at all. The prophecy says that the prophet Andyera will be born when the light goes out. But this is not so, this legend was changed in ancient times so that no one, except for a few people, knew exactly what the harbingers of the prophet's appearance were. In ancient manuscripts, it is said: "And the messenger of Andyera will be born when the star Gemini blossoms into a flower" - Ahmet 9 fell silent when he saw the pale face of the crown prince. The ruler understood what thoughts were swarming in his head and what conclusions his son had reached. - That's right... You yourself saw how the Gemini star flared up sixteen years ago, and this flare was so similar to a flower.

Torun looked out the window again and, of course, immediately saw the Gemini flower in the pre-dawn sky - sixteen years have passed, and the flower is still a decoration in the sky.

- "And you will find him when the relatives mourn the old fox that the horse killed." - Ahmed 9 kept silent, allowing his sons to understand what was said. He saw what he expected to see - the faces of both his sons showed surprise and concern.

The crown prince was ready for anything, but not this. The prophecy, which was hidden from everyone, began to come true. Thoughts swirled in his head, but Torun never saw the final picture of the situation. Why is he here? why him Why is this brother? The crown prince looked again at the twilight sky, where the star Gemini was burning like a flower, and from the street came the singing of the servants of Prosha, who in prayers called to protect people from his anger and not to send punishments on their heads. All his life, Torun heard these prayers - at night to Prosha, during the day to Adyera. He knew all the prayers by heart, every word, every intonation of a language foreign to all Birkhanedans. After all, the entire service was conducted in the ancient language of Tanda. No one spoke this language for a long time, the majority of the population knew only prayers and only the ministers knew it to the extent that it was possible to read ancient manuscripts. And even ministers often debated among themselves how to interpret certain words written in the ancient Tanda language. Torun again listened to the evening prayer:

Oh, please, majesty,

You have such strength!

Darkness is your daughter-

Covered the whole earth

We are in your mouth,

As the light goes out

And your strength

Definitely scary

Forgive and forgive

Don't punish us

People will not live

From your blows.

The Crown Prince, like most Birkhanedan aristocrats, was never a religious person. Of course, he did not show such an attitude towards religion, on the contrary, he supported in every possible way the illusion that the royal family is one of the most religious families in the kingdom. However, powerful, wealthy, educated people were skeptical of religious beliefs, although they strictly adhered to all the canons and laws of the word of the Pantheon of Creators. Torun did not know what ordinary people thought and did not want to know. What struck him in the beginning when he heard about the true prophecy no longer seemed so extraordinary. The effect of suddenness lost its power and Torun returned to rational thinking. Where is the confidence that the ministers correctly interpreted the prophecy? And is that prophecy real? The ancient Tanda people were probably even darker in their development than Torun himself could have imagined. Such dark people lived in ancient times and everything that was a phenomenon of nature and frightened them was endowed with divine powers. Thousands of years have passed, and people still pray in the streets to the same gods invented by dark people.

- Hasan, - Ahmet 9 turned to his illegitimate son, and he bowed his head in return as a sign of worship and respect. - You heard everything. And here is my will. You will accompany the crown prince, protect him, and help him in every way to achieve his goal. - the king of Birkhanedan turned to the crown prince. - Your goal is to bring me a prophet. At any price. find him You are leaving tomorrow. You will be joined by a third person - Andyera's servant. And if you don't find even a trace of the prophet in a year, rip open that servant's stomach and tie him to a tree, just don't kill him - let him tear out the eyes of the Beggar. - the father's eyes burned with thirst, dark and all-consuming.

- Yes, ruler - Torun kissed his father's hand, realizing that the audience was over. And both sons - the heir to the throne and the keeper of the chambers left the ruler of Birkhanedan alone.

As soon as the door closed behind Torun, the latter felt incredible relief and at the same time heaviness in his soul. The relief that the audience with the father is over and the difficulty, because only the Gods know how to fulfill the father's order and stay alive. What the ruler ordered to do with the priest in the event of a mission failure was expected of him, only when he returned to Birkhanedan. Father spoke these words to him - the crown prince. Now Torun could not return without results.

5. Parental love. Amarius

It is almost the middle of spring, and there is no heat yet. Especially at night…. Especially in Amaria. The cold winds, which usually stop at the beginning of spring, did not want to retreat in any way this year. They bent the trees to the ground, raised smoke all around, and pierced both the living and the dead with their icy coldness. Alesh hated these winds, they forced him to go to the barn and hug the goats in order to get at least a little warmth from them. And this time Alyosha had no choice but to run to the goats and seek shelter there from the cold and wind. He perfectly understood that tomorrow he would have an unpleasant aroma of animal waste products, but there was no other way out. The cold drove him to the warmest place he could afford.

Alesh quickly ran to the barn and quickly closed the door behind him. He was shivering all over from the cold, his lips were blue and it seemed that even one look at him could freeze you. The inhabitants of the barn were alarmed, but Alesh quickly calmed them down and the latter recognized their caretaker and shepherd in his voice. The animals hid and quietly began to whisper in their animal language, probably today's gossip, which they had not yet had time to discuss during the day, or perhaps they complained to each other that there was no heat... who knows what was in the heads of those goats. "To sit quietly, so that father does not hear because there will be grief." - Alesh thought to himself and looked around, as if afraid that his father would hear his thoughts and appear on the doorstep. He quietly leaned against the goats, wrapped himself in fragrant hay, and thought that he would not fall asleep soon, but fatigue from a hard day's work broke the boy and he fell asleep, although he still shook from the cold from time to time, as if he had a fever. Over time, when Alyosha's body finally warmed up, he fell into a deep sleep, quiet and peaceful. And he saw his mother in his dream. Still alive, smiling and so kind. She sat on the bank and stroked his head. And he was still so young in his dream, he was a boy of ten years old. That's when the mother died, that's how Alesh remembered her. "Don't be afraid son, I will always protect you," she said in a dream. And that boy believed his mother's words and clung to her, and clung to her, not wanting to let go. Something is wrong... something has changed in this dream, Ales feels danger. Not the Alesh who was in the dream, but the one who shared his bed with Kozma in the old shabby barn. He felt something unpleasant, far from subconsciously knowing what it was, but he did not want to let go of such a pleasant dream, it was so sweet for him there that Alyosha's mind simply stopped perceiving that there was not only the smell of goats and manure in this barn. When Alyosha realized that he could smell the brew... at the same time, he opened his eyes and saw his father, who was bending low over Alesh. The expression on his father's face made it clear that nothing good should be expected. But what to do next, Alesh did not have time to think - a heavy blow to the nose knocked the spirit out of him, blood gushed in different directions, his head became dizzy and all thoughts disappeared from the boy's head, as if they had never been there.

- Is the animal sleeping?! And for almost an hour you have to herd the herd. How long will you torture me in bed? How much longer do I have to feed you? Why didn't your mother take you with her? - Father's eyes burned with hatred. He wasn't drunk, and that's even worse. In those days, when the father did not drink, he took out all his anger and hatred on his son. The boy scrambled to his feet, but another blow knocked him down. "I'd rather kill him right away..." Alyosha thought, but the boy couldn't bear his father's beatings again, so he jumped to his feet, recoiled from the third blow, and ran past his father into the open door of the barn.

Alesh ran away from the hated father, the hated home, and the difficult fate of a half-orphan. He could not see the road in front of him, because his eyes were filled with tears from pain, pity, and insults, his father's swearing could be heard behind him, and although Alesh was much smarter, he understood that his father was not far behind. Despair drove Alesha away from the settlement because he understood perfectly well that no one from the residents would help him in any way. All Ales could hope for was to run to the forest and hide there. Soon Alesh saw the tract of Spirits - a chasm above the river Irzha, which meant only one thing - the forest was just a short distance away. Alesh didn't look around, even though his father had stopped shouting, but Alesh knew that his father was simply tired and was saving his strength to catch up with him. Alesh felt with all his guts that his father was nearby, breathing on his back, and would not hesitate to grab Alesh when he stopped. "There is quite a bit left" - thought Alesh, and immediately his luck left him - Alesh twisted his leg and fell painfully to the ground. His gaze stopped at his leg - nothing was broken, but he could only move his foot with indescribable pain. "The end" - a terrible thought flashed through his head - his father was approaching...

Sebas saw the fall of his son, whom he didn't even consider a son, he already tasted the pleasure with which he would kill this bastard. And when Sebas had already achieved his goal and saw Alyosha's eyes filled with terror, he channeled all his hatred and the feeling of humiliation of his entire married life into a kick on Alyosha's head. The bastard yawned and fell silent. Sebas immediately noticed a thin stream of blood from the ear and from the nose of the bat. "Killed" - at first Sebas was scared, his heart was pounding with fear not for the life of the bastard, but for his own. He would not like to answer him with death from the gallows, which the baron will certainly appoint as a punishment for murder. Sebas was confused, his head was frantically thinking about how to save himself - until suddenly he turned his attention to the cliff. Without even thinking about what he was doing, Sebas grabbed Alesha's legs and stubbornly began to drag the boy to the abyss. I had to pull for a short time, as soon as an abyss appeared in front of my eyes - Sebas without thinking for a second pushed the body of the beaver into it - and immediately felt an incomparable relief. Today he will have an extraordinary reason to celebrate. Sebas watched as the swift's body fell to the water, where the mountain river picked up the body and carried it downstream, and leisurely headed for the local tavern.

Gi Soo saw the flight, he also saw how it happened. It was not the first time in his life that a murder was committed before his eyes. It's normal, people kill each other every day - it's none of his business. You get used to everything and Gi Soo got used to it. He indifferently looked at the body that floated near the place where he was standing and was about to move on when he heard a low moan. "Alive" - thought Gi Su and a new thought dawned on his mind "Isn't it time to take advantage of the moment and try in practice what he was taught in the order."

Already late in the evening, when the nocturnal animals went hunting and the crickets began to sing their songs, Alesh came to his senses. As soon as the dark delirium fell from his eyes, he saw a young man 5 years older than him. He sat wrapped in a leather cloak and threw brushwood to the hearth. The heat of the fire was burning Alyosha's face, but he would never want to move even an inch away from the fire - it was finally warm here, and he was going to die. A sharp pain in his left arm and a dull ache in his leg finally brought Alyosha back from oblivion and he groaned in pain.

- The body will heal, and we will deal with your internal pain later.... Drink - said the stranger and Alesh did not understand a word of the language the stranger spoke. The stranger held a mug of boiling water to Alesh's mouth, the aroma of the contents of which definitely indicated that herbs were brewed there. Alesh drank, and an even greater heat enveloped his body, he felt so tired that his eyes immediately closed and the unfortunate man plunged into oblivion again.

Gi Soo wiped the blood from under his nose and, making sure that the guest was sound asleep, began his whispers.

6. When the heart wins the mind. Lamarius

- Faster, come on! - shouted the leader, referring to the clumsy and slightly smooth Manatee. The latter tried as hard as he could, but the extra weight did not give him any chance to escape from the angry Mr. Samanthus. The manatee knew perfectly well that to fall into his hands meant to be punished for the theft of apples by his boys in the master's garden, but he could not do anything. Manatee's face is round, like the same apple, and as red as that apple, scorched by the heat, sweat trickled down to his eyes, which also prevented the boy from kicking his heels. The manatee ran, but deep down he had given up a long time ago. And he ran only when the leader ordered him to run, the Manatee himself did not like to move once more, not to run. He knew it was a bad idea to steal apples from Mr. Samanthus, but the leader ordered him to go and he went. Manatee's heart almost jumped out of his chest, the air he breathed burned his lungs with heat, and he was almost glad to feel Mr. Samanthus' firm hand on his back. "Finally it will end" - thought the Manatee and felt relieved, stopping and catching his breath. The manatee immediately found himself in the foul hands of the farmer. Mr. Samantus would know that Manatee himself was not going to run anywhere else - he was already running. The expected "Weak" sounded from the irritated leader, but Manatee didn't care, he was much more worried about the pain in his side from running, heavy breathing, and the understanding that no authority is worth running like that until the heart stops.

- I was catching up - said Mr. Samantus, and the notes of the winner sounded in his voice.

- I was catching up - Manatee repeated and swam after Mr. Samantus, whom he dragged by the skin back to his possessions. The manatee did not resist and calmly followed the owner of the garden, rejoicing that he had time to catch his breath and come up with a more or less decent excuse for his act on the way.

- Well, what do you say - Mr. Samantus said sternly, looking into Manatee's eyes. Pan was squinting at the Light shining directly into the farmer's face, but he tried not to look away.

- But what can I say - guilty. - Manatee shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't going to lie, or rather, he was going to, but changed his mind - because nothing sensible ever came to his head.

Mr. Samanthus stared into the Manatee's face for several long seconds before he burst out laughing.

- I remember myself in your years. I also drove around the neighbor's gardens and fields with the boys, and weeded fruit trees and strawberry fields. Yes, he often received whiplash on his legs and back. And I didn't get it for nothing. - Mr. Samantus smiled to himself, as if these were happy memories, and not the horror of childhood. The manatee tensed, he by no means expected that instead of a strong whip on the back or, in extreme cases, good kicks, he would stand and listen to the childhood memories of Mr. Samanthus.

- Don't be afraid, I won't kick you, I won't ask who was with you either. I know you won't say. And I don't need to, I know all those guys and I know their families. But I was the same.

The manatee let out a loud breath and immediately tensed up. And what then? Why was he caught?

- But if you have already done damage, you must undo it. - said Mr. Samantus clearly. - You will work for a month, work on my farm will be waiting for you every day. You will do it - then walk boldly.

Manatee did not want to do it at all, it would be better to get a stick on the back than to work hard for Mr. Samanthus for a whole month. And he was about to open his mouth to protest when he saw that chick - a red-haired girl ran straight to them - thin, her whole face was covered in a swallow, snot-nosed, green-eyed. She was running, and behind her was flying her red red hair, which shone so brightly in the sun that it seemed that it was not hair at all, but gold. The manatee opened his mouth in delight, and Mr. Samantus, following the boy's gaze, immediately understood why he was speechless - his sister Madina's daughter, Nata, ran straight to them.

- Uncle, uncle! Caught? - said the niece quickly and her lively eyes ran over Manatee, inspecting him from head to toe. - Wow, healthy. Nice catch! - Nata burst out laughing, and to Manatee this laugh seemed like a ringing bell, it was so beautiful to him. Nata jumped up to Manatee and began poking the boy's stomach with her thin finger. - Now uncle will punish you, now you will get from him. You will know how to break into someone else's property and commit theft.

Manatee had never fallen in love before. Of course, he knew what it was, but he himself had never once in his life had the chance to know this feeling for himself - until this moment.... As soon as the girl appeared before his eyes, he immediately understood that he would move mountains for this girl. And let it be two whole years before the time of the engagement - Manatee has already clearly realized - that this red-haired chick will be his partner on the wedding day. Due to the fullness of his feelings, Manatee did not realize at all that the girl was talking to him there, he silently admired her, and a dreamy expression appeared on his face.

Mr. Samantus, who had long since retired from matters of the heart, but of course had by no means forgotten what it was, watched with amazement how a healthy, like a mountain, young man, a head taller than his niece, looked at her with loving eyes and could not take his eyes off her. Double feelings tore the mind of Mr. Samantus - as if it is too early for the niece to get married, after all, she is only 14 years old, and on the other hand - who is he to interfere? It is still unknown how Nata herself will react to the courtship of a handsome man.

- Guilty, sir - Manatee turned to Mr. Samanthus - guilty and I have to work.

- Yes...yes...- said Mr. Samantus, smiling to himself.

7. Blood is not water. Laparian Empire

"This day has come," thought the eldest daughter of the now-deceased head of the Snow Fox clan, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She was not pretty, and the women of the Laparian Empire didn't need it, and she didn't need it too much for the one who today will take the place of her late mother and become the new head of the family. San Jin ran her hand over the deep scar on her cheek – a distant memory of long-ago battles – the scar stretched from her temple almost to her mouth. This ancient sign was both hideous and beautiful at the same time. She closed her eyes and images of the battle immediately appeared. The battle that made her worthy of her kind. She saw herself, at the head of a group of border guards, lurking in the high coastal rocks, waiting for the approach of the small, but extremely fast and maneuverable ships of the Isik-Atans. Usually the latter attacked in small groups of 5-8 ships. This time there were about a hundred of them. Her group will not be able to fight back with only arrows and catapults. Sany Jina knew military affairs well, and was also considered a good connoisseur of military history, so the result of this battle was known to her immediately - this time the cursed ones from Isik-Atan would be lucky enough to set their unclean feet on the land of the Laparian Empire. Only a miracle could save them. And only the Empress could create this miracle. Sana Jina rose from her shelter, raised her left hand, and began to whistle a melody known only to two beings in this world. A shadow fell from the sky on San Jin - it was the eagle Chanchal flying at the call of her mistress. After making one circle around Sana Jin, Chanchal landed on her left arm, digging her claws in firmly. The cuff lasted as usual since it was made of whale skin, but Sany Jina knew very well that the life of this cuff was coming to an end, and this saddened Sany Jin no less than the possibility of an open battle with the Isik-Atans. Moreover, it was an ancestral cuff, this cuff was once given to the great-grandmother of Empress San Hanni at that time, and only later did San Jina herself receive this gift from her grandmother.

San Jina quickly wrote a message to the imperial court and stuffed it into the cylinder attached to Chanchal's leg. At the very moment when the eaglet heard the sound signal from her mistress, Chanchal flew up into the air. "I hope that you will make it, little bird," San Gina thought then, and the bird made it. The Imperial Army and the armies of the four Houses of the Laparian Empire were already halfway to the border group led by Sana Jina when Eagle spotted them. The empress had her own sources of information, which informed her about the enemy armada in the waters of the Laparian Empire earlier than Sana Jina saw it with her own eyes. The army of the empire arrived just in time - a small border group first hit the enemy with arrows and artillery as best they could. But there were too many Isik-Atans, most of them had already landed on the shore, and Sana Jin had no choice but to get his blade and lead his small group into an open battle. The geography of the area allowed them to hold out a little longer than they would if they were in the open field, but Sani Jina understood perfectly well that she and her small group of border guards were already suicide bombers. The battle was hard and exhausting, the men of Isik-Atan fought with the women of the Laparian Empire as if mocking them, nature endowed men with physical strength, but not always with intelligence. At first, the border women managed to maneuver briskly and deliver deadly blows with their blades, but when the enemies realized that the jokes were over, they attacked Sana Jin's group with all their fury. One by one, Sana Jin's warriors began to fall, and she received a deep wound in the face but managed to turn away from the next fatal blow of her enemy. All of a sudden everything stopped. In a few minutes, the entire army of the Isik-Atans fell from the arrows of the help that Sany Jina so hoped for. Sana Jina raised her gaze to the rock and saw the empress herself there and the heads of the four houses, among whom was her mother Sana Raizaufin. Later, when the bodies of the fallen heroes were burned in a ritual fire, the empress herself approached Sana Jin and said, "Anyone can die heroically, next time try to survive heroically. There was no need to lead the group into battle, they could all stay alive. Nevertheless, I am grateful to you for your loyalty to the empire, and for the heroism you have shown. You are a worthy daughter of the family." - the empress put her hand on his shoulder as a sign of her affection and left Sana Jin alone.

Seven long years have passed since that time. There were other battles in Sana Jin's life, but every time only that battle, with living proof in the form of an ugly scar on the face of the future head of the Snow Fox clan, reminded her of how bitter victory can be and how harmful courage can be. Sany Jina threw a cape made of white fox fur over her shoulders, girded herself with a leather belt, and finally completed her preparations for the meeting with the empress and her subsequent initiation into the head of the Snow Fox clan. Today, for the first time in seven years, Sana Jina will have the honor of meeting the empress again.

8. On the way. Birkhanedan.

Torun did not spend the last night with his many women of the harem. Only one woman was in his head - his mother Asma. He expected her to come to him today, as he was more than certain that his mother's informants had long since reported his father's plans to send his son on his way tomorrow. But his mother did not appear at the threshold of his room, and Torun, without waiting, went to his mother's room. She sat in her chair and looked into the night sky, and it was impossible to understand from her face what was bothering her or what she was keeping in her thoughts.

- Mother, - Torun drew attention to himself, as he understood that his mother knew about his presence in the rooms, but did not react to it in any way.

Old Asma gestured to her son to sit down in the opposite chair without saying a word. She looked at him with such sad eyes that Torun's heart sank inside. Pain and despair were in those eyes. Only for a moment, but Torun saw it and felt it immediately. Silently, he approached his mother, sat down next to her chair, and put his head on her lap. Also silently, old Asthma stroked her son's hair like she used to many years ago when old Asthma comforted her eldest son when he was suffering from his father's anger. Asma loved her eldest son with that boundless love that needed nothing in return. And old Asma knew that her favorite also loved her, maybe only loved her in this life. Over time, after regaining his composure, Torun said: "Bless my mother." - "I bless my son" - was heard in response, and finally peace settled in Torun's soul. Already later, when both of them had mastered themselves, there was a long conversation between these two closest people. And this conversation was not about today's affairs, but about the past, about pleasant childhood memories. And each of them realized with sadness that there was no way back to the past. Asma will never be young and healthy, and Torun will never be a child. And when the door closed behind her son, Asma was finally able to let go of her feelings and cry quietly. A mother's heart told her that this road would inevitably change everything in her life with her son.

They set out on the road before dawn. Torun and Hasan were arranging their horses, on which they were to set out on the road. Neither of them said a word. No one gave them any instructions on where to go and what to do. In this, the father relied on the common sense of both sons and gave them the full right to act on their initiative and at their discretion. And both sons perfectly understood that their journey should be secret, and therefore there would be neither the crown prince nor the keeper of the chambers among them. They will be equal. Each of them remained silent, mentally trying on the new roles they would play throughout the journey, and each of them did not dare to speak first.

- I greet you, sons of Adera! - the stranger's harsh voice rang out. Torun and Hassan turned around, and in front of them stood a much too young servant - thin and tall like a stalk, it seemed that one breath of the wind would break the servant in half. He was taller than both brothers by a good 15 cm. "Well, the servants could not have chosen a less visible escort" - thought Torun, imagining that in an attempt to secretly and imperceptibly get to the Laparian Empire, they would be defeated - this servant was too visible. - My name is Muaz. I am glad that I was chosen to accompany Your Majesty. – He bowed, but it didn't help much, he was still too tall. Torun and Hassan looked at each other and as if reading each other's thoughts, the brothers smiled - both felt that the ice between them began to melt.

- And let Adyera shine on you - answered Torun to the servant's greeting. - And tell me, Muaz, why there was not a companion less noticeable to us in the abode. Why did they choose you?

The servant's face was immediately covered with red spots, later the brothers would understand that this happened every time with Muaz, when he felt embarrassed. The servant did not immediately find what to answer, he nervously began to smooth his long white robe, which was a distinguishing feature of all the servants of Adera.

- I am one of those brothers of the pantheon of Gods who perfectly knows the Tanda language and one of those who devoted his whole life to studying the prophecy of the good things of the Creators. - Muaz bowed once more - I understand that we will go secretly. Will you enlighten me on the details of our journey with you?

The crown prince thought only for a moment, looked around his future companions, and said in an unappealing tone: - From today there are no crown princes, servants, and guards. You, Muaze, are a merchant's assistant from Urumat province, accompanying Mr. Torun and his brother Hassan, who are heading to the Laparian Empire in search of new opportunities to sell their goods - poison. We will not change the names, you and I are not spies... We will discuss all other details of the legend on the way. - Torun fell silent, and then turned directly to the minister - And you, Muaze, will have to change your clothes and forget about prayers for the rest of our journey.

The minister wanted to protest the necessity of giving up the prayers, but common sense prevailed and Mu'az nodded his head in agreement. The three companions hurriedly started preparing for the trip, each thinking about his own and not noticing how in another room of the stable old Asma, having finished watching her son, headed for the first time in several years to meet her husband - the ruler of Birkhanedan. And it was not her initiative, which made Asma even more mentally search for a reason for this.

My dear friend, I will continue to post this essay if you are interested. Just let me know about it.