Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Chapter 17: The Pact

Sanala: Capital of Aserai

Sora worked her away up through the palace of Aserai. As she made her way up the stairs she dragged the struggling man behind her. She arrived up at one hallway but heard a sudden noise.

???:
You cannot be serious, father!

Sora stopped dead in her tracks and turned to the door which she noticed lead to the Sultan's room. She peeked inside to see Merab laying in bed and Jinda standing beside him.

Merab:
I have made my choice, Jinda, we will have this alliance with the Empire.

Upon hearing those words Sora was instantly relieved of herself. This relief, however, quickly faded from a single word.

Jinda:
We are survivors, Father! Why must we form an alliance with them!

Merab:
Enough, Jinda! I have made my decision.

Jinda:
Then you leave me no choice.

Jinda bent down and placed a hand on her father's head. Taking a vile of poison from her pocket she began pouring the poison down her father's throat. As it was complete the old Sultan began coughing before he collapsed in his bed and died. Sora tried to run and tell someone but was quickly stopped by two guards. A soft clap was heard and she noticed Jinda walk out of the room.

Jinda:
So now you know.

Sora:
It's over, Jinda! I know what you did!

Jinda:
You know, do you? Well I'm sad to say it will do you no good. You see, once my dear brother is dead the throne will be mine.

Assassin:
Well you have what you wanted, now pay up.

Jinda seductively stroked the assassin's face before running a dagger into his stomach. She withdrew the dagger and the man collapsed dead.

Jinda:
Now no one will back you up. Take her to the dungeon!

Jinda walked towards the throne room and the two guards carried Sora off to the dungeon. Sora only thought of how she had come to Aserai for nothing and now the Empire was doomed, at least until she noticed no one was around. In a swift action Sora stomped one of the guards on the foot and head butted him then the other in their faces. She grabbed the sword from one guard and put it into his chest. The other guard attempted to apprehend her but she also struck him down. Now free Sora wasted no time and dashed for the palace throne room.

Jawwal waited in the throne room with many councilors from the Aserai. He waited for any moment his father would come and make a decision about the alliance. The doors opened and Jawwal turned his head hoping to see his father but instead saw his sister enter the door with many guards.

Jawwal:
Jinda? Where is father?

Jinda:
That will be answered shortly. Guards seize them!

Her guards then mi e and apprehend Jawwal and many of the councilors. She walks passed them all and up towards the throne.

Jawwal:
Jinda, what are you doing?

Jinda:
Don't play dumb! After what you did, Aserai is mine to rule, brother! You should have stayed in Quyaz while you had the chance.

At that moment Sora came hurdling into the room seemingly out of breath.

Sora:
Stop! It was Jinda! She killed the Sultan!

At that the whole room let out of gasp. Kinda on the other hand only laughed.

Jinda:
I would never. Silly girl, you have no idea what your talking about.

Sora then took out a mask that she carried with her, the mask of the now-dead assassin.

Sora:
She sent assassins to kill us! It was her all along!

At that the guards remaining loyal to the throne came into the room with spears drawn. Jawwal then looked at his sister and broke free of his restraints.

Jawwal:
I cannot believe you, sister!

Jawwal pulled out his scimitar and slashed I rod the guards restraining him. The room soon broke out in a battle. Jinda took a spear and used it to begin a duel with Jawwal. She thrusted her spear into his shoulder but he managed to slash at her arm. Jawwal pulled out the spear and slashed Jinda's leg before knocking her to the ground and drawing his scimitar to her throat. It seemed like she was unaffected and narrowed her eyes.

Jinda:
Do it!

To everyone's surprise Jawwal only pulled his sword away.

Jawwal:
I will not kill you, but I expect you to stand trial. Take her away!

The guards then grab Jinda and drag her away from the throne room. Sora then walked up to Jawwal and they exchanged looks.

Sora:
That was unexpected.

Jawwal:
It was indeed, I am sorry about my sister.

Sora:
I'm sorry about your father.

Jawwal:
It is fine, but I have one thing for you.

Jawwal walked up to a desk and wrote down on a piece of parchment. He then rolled it up and completed it with an orange Aserai seal. He then handed the scroll to Sora.

Jawwal:
Return this to Argoron, the Aserai will fight along side the Empire.

Sora took the scroll and nodded before leaving for her horse. Once grabbing her horse she rode away from the city and returned to the Empire. She was now relieved that the alliance managed to succeed.

To be continued