Rise of a Sultana

Chapter Five ~ Jasmine

What remained of Shrahbad was a desolate shell shocked city. Jasmine stepped around toppled buildings and ruined market stalls. She kept her face hidden behind the edge of her hood so that only her bewildered eyes were visible. The dead seemed to outnumber the living here making her stomach burn with anger and despair.

"I should have been here." She clutched a band around her mother's bracelet. Vihaan shook his head placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"This would have happened with or without your presence." She couldn't find the words to explain to the young guard how he was wrong, because he wasn't.

"We shouldn't linger." Reyansh warned, his hand still on his sword handle. Dalia, Rajah and Chandan has stayed behind hoping to keep the party from being recognized in case Jafars guards lurked nearby still.

"I can't just leave my mothers people like this, I have to help." Jasmine insisted, fixing him with a determined gaze. "We should go to the palace and see what can be done."

"Princess, I do not agree with this." Reyansh took a step forward as if to intimidate her but stepped back again when he heard a voice call halt.

"My kingdom may be in ruins but I'll not tolerate such violence against women." A young man dismounted his horse, his guards following suit. They left his side to go through the houses nearby bringing out the injured. "Miss, you should make your way to the palace, we're offering refuge while things settle."

"Thank you, we were actually discussing what we could do to help. Are you the king here?" Jasmine kept her good close to her face looking him over.

"No, the prince, Arush. But...anyone from here would know that." He drew his sword beginning to look at them with suspicion. "Who are you?" Her guards moved to her sides as his began to regroup near him.

"We should go." Vihaan muttered closing a hand around her wrist.

"No, I said I came to help and I'm not leaving till I do." She pulled away and pulled down her hood. "I am Princess Jasmine of Agrabah." Swords went up all aimed at her. "My father's vizier has taken over and now holds my father the rightful sultan captive. I only escaped with the help of these loyal men."

"If you are truly the princess you will have no problem with meeting my father to prove it."

"Not a single problem." Jasmine nodded stepping away from the protective arms of Vihaan and Reyansh. Prince Arush boosted her onto his horse, walking at its side to the palace.

The entry gates lay broken on the ground, they walked across them as they entered. Vihaan helped her down, elbowing his way between her and the prince and glueing himself to her side. Around them the citizens poured in being led to temporary shelters.

"My son, you're back already and...." An older man, standing tall and proud despite his frazzled appearance, stopped a few feet away from them with his eyes locked on Jasmine. "Shefali?"

"That was my mother's name." Jasmine moves towards him awestruck. "Did you know her?"

"Know her? If you are who I think you are then she was my sister." He took her face between his hands so gently. "You look so much like her." He wiped away a tear she hadn't even realized had fallen.

"I am so sorry, for all of this, I should have-" He silenced her with a hug.

"Do not blame yourself child, no one could have foreseen this. Come inside, you must be tired." He made to pull her away but she looked to Reyansh first.

"Go fetch the others, let them know it's safe." He bowed and the king stopped him.

"I know your face...Reyansh is that you?" He laughed hugging the older man. "It's been so long, I haven't seen you since...since Shefali died." He nodded and released him. "Go then, no harm will come to my niece here." He assured him.

"My princess." Reyansh bowed to her and hurried away to gather the rest of their party.

"This way my dear." He took her arm bringing her inside with him. "I wish my father had been able to see you. The last time we saw you, you were barely walking."

"How long ago did he..." Jasmine faltered over the words.

"Our great king died just an hour ago." He said sadly lowering his head briefly. A deep seated hatred began to grow with Jasmine, a want...no need for revenge overruled her grief. Later she could mourn a family she'd never been a part of.

"Jafar is going to pay for this." Her hand curled into fists.

"No good can come of that Jasmine, look around you. Even before the siege we were no great militant kingdom. We are so much less than that now."

"Then I will find an army, someone who can help. I would sooner see Agrabah burn than let that man keep hold of it for even a moment longer."

"Jasmine this path can lead only to heartbreak and pain." He took her hand trying to make her see sense. "Just stay here, stay safe, start again."

"I can't just abandon my people, my home, my father." She gripped his hands trembling. "Please, help me." She was begging trying to keep his eyes on hers. Something in her eyes moved him and finally he nodded.