Blood (Epic of the Mediterranean) [Book 1]

Chapter 24

Bhadra had been attending meetings in Arachosia as some trouble regarding the blockage of a kind had aroused out of nowhere. As it happened, it seemed to be the work of foreign hooligans who had infiltrated through Gandhara. Yazdan and the minister of domestic affairs had accompanied her on the orders of Asmaka for it was a matter of state security concern. Even after spending over two weeks; for the day they left being the third of Gahambar, a rather coincidental affair keeping in mind all that which occurred that night; they failed to find the root cause. The problems were assorted and the state released from conflict, but how they had come into the scene, there was no guessing.

Discussing of matters produced a possible answer, it was the pirates which had attacked the Persian Gulf. But they couldn't have traveled this far.

Then it could have been a blooming native gang or rebellion, but none of the sort existed during the prior inspection of the state. It could have been this nonetheless, after all, criminals don't live under the broad day light. They might have worked secretly.

Lastly, this might have been the work of invaders from the neighboring kingdoms, specifically from the borders of Gandhara. This option posed as the most unlikely and the most likely at the very same time. Both the previous theories were irrational and impossible. The third theory proposed as the easiest coming explanation. Now, the reason why it was unlikely laid in the fact that the neighbor was just one. Kamboja on its north.

Kamboja itself shared the river Oxus and boundary with Bactria, being the northernmost mahajanapada. The ethnicity of the people who habituated the kingdom was a mix of Persia and Aryavarta. But the rulers themselves identified as the royal clan of Saka. And Saka was nothing else but another name for Scythia.

The king hadn't returned to Kamboja and all its workings were taken over by the queen who had sworn on waiting for her husband even if it took a lifetime. Asmaka himself admitted that his biggest mistake had been the distress with Kamboja. But they couldn't accuse anyone without solid proof, considering how they were already in a heated state with them.

After the recovery of Asmaka, Dara had sent out a message to Yazdan, asking him to abandon the case and return to the capital. It was better to keep Bhadra out of the palace at the time. But it was already too long now, and there were further matters which Yazdan had to work on.

They were all back in the palace, except for Ilvala and Uma, who had returned to Gedrosia in relations to some work. Letter was already sent out a few days before to notify the mistress of Gedrosia, Eudoxia, about Bhadra's return to Bactra. It was just a formality, and an indication about how she would return soon now.

***

She had had a prior taste of insomnia, but it had long gone. For the past few days Naya had been able to sleep particularly well without the need of forcing on prayers. It had been good. Actually, too good to be true, but it indeed was. Negative thoughts and emotions which kept her awake for nights were nowhere in sight anymore, and she had completely eradicated them from her mind. Surely, forgetting about something doesn't mean that it has been resolved, yet she had no intentions of thinking that way.

But then again, they weren't the children of sweet delights, but of war blood and a world of never-ending doom. It was all too good to be true. The silence before the storm.

Naya squirmed while waking up in the middle of the night. Shadi had had the same reflex for the window seemed to carry heavy smoke instead of light breeze.

Fire had broken out somewhere in the palace.

Everyone gathered outside while the head maid and the asbarans hurried out to get a clearer look. It wasn't inside, but the gardens all around the west wing.

Naya stared at the chaos in utter shock, flames growing higher and higher as they held captive everything under their reach. The authorities had headed straight to work, attempting to subside it. They were succeeding, but the area was too big to be brought under control that easily.

She pushed ahead. As it turned out, it had already advanced to the further south wing in all its might.

Her jaw dropped, struck with dread. The forbidden garden.

Her body froze right there, being pulled with a sudden jerk to far behind making her snap out of it. A woman.

Naya drew back her hand, "What are you doing?" At a clearer look, it was that woman from Gedrosia addressed as Uma. She hadn't seen her once, her face and hair always concealed under a veil. They had already returned, whatever was she doing here?

"Keep moving."

***

The lingering whiff of burning covered him in a blanket of smoke, suffocating him. Asmaka sat up coughing. He hurried quickly to the verandah as the noise created on lower floors disturbed the resting silence.

The scene his eyes met made his body fall cold. It was as if his heart was yanked out of his chest, not to kill him, but to inflict torture. There hadn't been anything in the world, any material thing, which meant him in the least. His familial artifacts were destroyed long ago and all the luxuries replaced more than once. The carcasses of his parents were washed away in battles and there was nothing which he valued anymore. But there was a garden which meant him more than his kingdom, his possessions, his titles. When he died, he wanted for his bones to be buried there, the only way for him to return to the time in past which he cherished, which helped him move on with life.

The only utopia of his, put up in flames.

Asmaka's mouth went dry as tears of excruciating ache gushed out, his entire personality falling apart. They could have come after him, or anything he constructed. Why did they have to hurt something which stood entirely innocent?

"Master!" Dara burst in, already late for Asmaka had seen it all. He came to stand behind him, completely at a loss about what to do.

"Cye, who did this?" His voice didn't hold any anger or frustration of any kind, just pure defeat.

Dara gritted his teeth at his condition, this had broken him. "We have caught them. Only, I think it was someone from inside who executed this. We will make them speak. But please, master, come inside. Don't look at it", he brought his robe before draping it over the Lord's body, holding onto him.

"No", Asmaka declared, his voice hoarse, "Let it settle in. They pulled the last straw, taking away what meant me the most. But I don't have anything else to lose. Now I will take away their everything. I have been soft for too long. I should have known better."

Dara couldn't stand it, he knew how much this meant to him. The shock had produced strain on his wound which hadn't healed completely, making it throb.

"Also, have you sent men to check if anyone is missing?"

"Chisti is at it", the General had a clear idea about whom this was indicated towards.

Just as this was said, the Army Chief entered the chamber, holding his breath. Dara turned, for Asmaka refused to move, guessing that he hadn't brought any good news.

"Master, she eloped. Also, we found this", Chisti held up a blue saber, "The one who stabbed you was without a doubt her."

"That little", nerves budged on his hands as his body pulsated with just one emotion, sheer rage.

"Lord, you are bleeding", the floor was oozing red along with his clothes. The cut had opened up. Dara looked in terror, "Please, I will bring the physician."

"No need", his body still stood sternly which made it bleed more. Dara turned a deaf ear as he sent Chisti off to call. Asmaka placed his hand on his chest, but the flow didn't stop. It was hurting beyond bounds, for the cut had been made deeper this time.

He collapsed onto the floor, holding himself up on his hands. "Cye."

"I am right here", he supported him, painted red in the master's gore.

"Even if you have to dig up hell, bring her back to me."

"Yes."