Blood (Epic of the Mediterranean) [Book 1]

They say that keep your friends close, enemies closer. But just how close? Close enough so as to have them carve out your heart, or close enough for them to secure an inevitable place inside it? How much can you trust them, that is, if you can trust them at all.
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An-Ki Naya, the third daughter of the Assyrian dynasty of Kinkha which held a short lived rule on the Persian Empire, gets abducted and brought in as a slave after a complete end to her family line. No one and nothing is left of the once mighty history of Mesopotamia, the sole rubble being her hope which is shattered by the regret of being alive. Persia expresses immense contentment with the end of the mortal enemy and takes the peace as an indicator for a rule of serenity. Only, it isn't quite so. The most treacherous member of the Kinkha blood is still alive, a threat which wasn't taken under consideration since the time she was born. An impending conspiracy dawns with her which includes many participants hidden within the empire under the forged veils of loyalty.

The Lord of the Persian state of Bactria is Asmaka Araxa Kayasth, one of the five most prevalent powers which were involved in the victory of Cunaxa. Sharing a history of enmity with the Kinkha family name, he annexes Sogdiana while crushing them into nonexistence. He takes in a slave, without an idea about what all would come with her.

4th century B.C. Persia is the supreme empire of its time with Arthaxerxes II as its shahanshah. A period which was drawn by the blood and valor of the most prodigious rulers and the knowledge of self-actualization throughout the world. Behind the blinding shimmer of the exquisite luxuries exist conflicts of family and values, betrayals, treacheries, imperial enigmas, tension amongst thrones, hunt for spiritual wisdom and uncertainties.

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[COMPLETED]