Jewels of the Heart

Aaleyah sat in the study reading a different book that her father assigned to her. This book was worse than the other book, this one could not even be called a book. It was written in the old language, and because it was written on an old scroll her father had the mind to tell her to copy it down. This way she will not have to repeatedly open it. Aaleyah stopped her scribing to groan in frustration, she was not even halfway done! Nevermind copying the scroll, she understands, old things must be treasured. However, copying it would only be half the work, she was not fluent in the old language and would have to translate it. 

Asbed leaned on the door, "Do you hate studying languages so much?" he asked, taking in his younger sister's expression of distress and frustration. 

Picking up the paintbrush Aaleyah continued to scribe, "It is not that I hate it, father expects me to learn it fluently, but there is no one," she points at Asbed, "our family does not count. There is no one who speaks this language. No one can read it, speak it, write it, except us. It would make sense for us to call it the Aljehni language!" she complained.

Asbed walked into the study and took a seat on the floor across from his sister. "You know father and I really did try to reach out and see if there was anyone within the kingdoms who spoke it?" he spoke excitedly, "And we found no one. Isn't that so amazing? We have books prescribed in a language that to the world does not exist." he says with a look of wonder and astonishment in his eyes.

"That is exactly my point," Aaleyah unravels the next pasty of the scroll, "we are learning something that we will never use."

Asbed held Aaleyah's hand to stop her from writing, "Aaleyah how can you not understand, this language is all we have left to explain who we are, and where we came from." He motioned to the shelves of scrolls and books, "This language holds so many Aljehni family secrets, secrets that if we disappeared from the world today, there would be no one who could learn them. We are the key to the old world." he surmised. 

Aaleyah gave her brother a dead look, "If it is so amazing why does father not tell you to do this?" she asked, her words leaking in venom.

Asbed sighed and leaned on the table, "I did most of them, but" he pointed to the scroll in front of Aaleyah and a shelf high above her, "Some scrolls are only allowed to be read by the Family Head, and the Protector." He shrugged, "But the scroll Zale has to read is the one I translated." 

Aaleyah scoffed, "Of course Zale does not have to study this language." she complained to herself. 

Asbed covered his mouth to yawn. "I do not understand you Aaleyah, you learned the ancient language easily without complaint." he pointed out. 

Aaleyah picked up her brush to continue scribing, "That is different. Almost everyone in the Aidkjeen Kingdom has learned the ancient language. They at least know how to read it, even if they are unable to speak and write it. There are still some words that are similar to the ancient language as well. While most books and scriptures are translated, or will be translated, there are still some old ones out there." Unrolling another section of the scroll, "So it is logical to learn it. Our language has no similar words to any language spoken today so why must I learn it? It seems to me I am only during this for the sake of tradition."

"What is so bad about tradition?" he questioned. "Are you picking up on Chiara's trait of fighting everything?" 

Aaleyah filled her cheeks with air to stop her smile. These moons it did seem like Chiara only wished to argue. "Asbed, remember you asked me to make you daggers?" she rested her head on her hand and gave her brother a hopeful look. 

Moving away, "No way." He moved to stand but Aaleyah caught him and held onto his arm. 

"Please, please, please, please, please, Asbed please." she whined. "Just help me, just this once. I will do whatever you want." 

Fighting to release Aaleyah's grip from his arm one finger at a time, "No way." he grunted, taking off one finger. "If father was to find out," he took off another finger, "I would be dead." He released himself from his little sister's hold. "Besides, I am not allowed to read it. Ask Zale." 

Aaleyah reached across the table to grab Asbed once more, but he was too quick and she was too afraid to bump the table and have the ink spill. "Asbed! I have better luck doing it on my own." she grumbled but it turned into a whine as her brother made his way to the door. 

One nod, "Good, then I will not disturb you any longer." was Asbed's parting words. 

Aaleyah screamed internally, her hand pulling on her hair, stressfully ripping the braid out of her hair. This was the great moment that Zale chose to come. 

"Asbed said you think I am too foolish to help translate." He took the same seat Asbed had sat in earlier. 

Rubbing her eyes tiredly, "I only call you foolish to your face." she sighed. 

Zale chuckled, "True." he agreed. "I know you are more fluent than I am, but if you scribe and I translate it will still be faster than if you do it by yourself, right?" He got himself a paper and picked up a brush. 

Aaleyah scooted over on her cushion, "In return I will help you translate." she vowed, smiling as her twin took a seat next to her to begin translating. 

Amenah stood by the gates debating again and again if she should go speak to Kemal. She wished to see him, but she also logically knew that she should let him go. Tapping her cheeks she sighed deeply, to go or not to go.

A brown horse made its way through the gates, and once Amenah saw that it was Dharam she rolled her eyes. "Honestly Dharam, what is the point of claiming to be a student at the academy if you are never there?" 

Dharam chuckled and walked his horse towards his twin, "Help me."

"With wha-" her words died off when she saw the person sitting behind him. "Babu?" Helping his off the horse, "Young Lord Jian, what happened to you?" turning to her twin, "Why is he bleeding?" she asked in an accusatory tone. 

Holding his hand up, "I promise it was not me." Dharam got off the horse once Babu was off and hung the horse reins on a tree next to a small pond, "Is father home?" 

Amenah inspected the young lord's wounds. "No he is not. If you did not do this, then who did?" Amenah led Young Lord Jian towards the manor, "Shall we clean you up?" she asked gently. 

Dharam rolled his eyes, "How am I to know? He is always getting beat up." 

Babu glared, "That is not true." he grunted.

"Do not talk if you are going to sound like a wounded puppy." Dharam dismissed. 

Amenah walked through the door with Babu and allowed it to fall shut on Dharam. 

Catching the door with his foot, "Mei Mei I really did not do it." he told her knowing he was being sentenced unfairly. 

Ignoring her twin, Amenah asked a servant to fetch medical supplies so she could clean up Babu's wounds. 

Dharam glared at Babu, "Speak up young lord." he snided, his fingers tapping.

Babu gulped, "3nd Young Lord Aljehnin did not do this to me." he quietly told Amenah. 

Dharam scoffed at the full name, was now really the time for such pleasantries. "See, I told you Mei Mei. How can you just accuse your twin?" He held up a hand to stop the servant who was returning with the supplies, "I got it." taking the supplies he marched to Babu, "Alright, talk. What happened to your father? Why do you want my father? Who did this to you?" he questioned. 

Amenah gritted her teeth before elbowing Dharam in the stomach and taking the medical supplies, "What is this, an interrogation?" she asked, annoyed. Then processing what she heard, "Something happened to your father?"

Babu's bottom lip jutted, "The guards-"

Roset ran into the room, "Amenah look, look!" he screamed holding up a rock. "This one is blue." he told her excitedly. Roset ignored everything and made his way to his sister, "You can have this one." he offered with a sweet smile. 

Babu stared at the young boy confused, but thanks to Dharam's threatening gaze said nothing. 

Amenah forced a fake smile, "Thank you Roset. Unfortunately Amenah has to help clean this young man's wounds." Pleasing the blue rock back in Roset's hands, "How about you go put this somewhere safe." she urged. 

Roset seemed to be in deep thought debating the best course of action. He rarely found rocks that were blue. So the moment he saw it he knew it had to go to his eldest sister. What would happen if he put it somewhere and lost it, who knows if he would find it again. 

Amenah kissed his forehead, "Go one Roset. Then after, go find Chiara and stay by her side until I come back." she told him. 

Roset finally relented and ran off to find a safe place for his sister's rock. 

Once Roset was out of sight Dharam focused his attention once more on Babu, "Alright tell me what happened."

Amenah began to clean his wounds as he spoke. 

"My father has been accused of selling weapons. Everyone was arrested, those who resisted were killed." Babu winced from the wound Amenah was cleaning. 

"Then how are you here?" Dharam asked. 

Locking eyes with Dharam, "My father told me to run." His hands tightened into fists, "he told me to run and hide." 

"So you hid at academy behind a bush?" Dharam questioned in a judging tone. "General Nubian would never do what the crimes suggest. If you all went quietly you could wait for your innocence to be proven. Why did you resist? That only makes others believe you are guilty." 

"The Jian family is not guilty!" Babu forced himself to stand, his hand clutching his side. "Where is your father?" 

Amenah forced him to return to his seat, "Was it not the Stilits who did this, was the case not closed? Our family was accused of the same crime and we were able to prove ourselves innocent." she pointed out. "My brother is right, why would your family resist?" 

Babu clenched his jaw saying nothing. 

"If you do not speak, we will not help you." Dharam threatened. 

"My father is innocent." Babu gritted. 

Amenah paused, her hand hovering over the wound on Babu Jian's side. "Who resisted first?"

Babu shook his head, "Where is your father?" he asked, ignoring Amenah's question. 

"Tell us what happened first." Dharam challenged. "The guards came to your manor and arrested your father, some of you resisted, and your father told you to run away? Is that really how it all went down?" 

Amenah moved Babu's hand from his side and inspected his wound. Her body froze for a millisecond, and her gaze locked with her twin's. 

Dharam stood directly in front of Babu, "How did you get wounded? Was it a guard? Was it an arrow? Blade?" he pushed. 

"It does not matter." Babu said, getting angry, "Where is your father? He should help, he has the power to help get my father out of prison." 

Amenah shook her head, "It matters because your wound is from a star blade." Babu opened his mouth to rebut, "Do not even think about denying it. I have helped forge star blades for your father. My mother and I delivered them to General Nubian ourselves. This cut came from a star blade. So tell me, why did your father attack you?" She asked, standing at her twin's side. 

Dharam tsked, "Babu Jian, your family may be innocent of the crime, but let me guess," he sighed, "you are not as innocent."

Babu lifted his head, his brown eyes were a sea of turmoil. "I did it for the Aljehni's." he whispered with conviction. "I risked my life for the Aljehni family, should you not do the same for mine?"

Aminah followed her husband down the halls of the prison. Her eyes scanned her surroundings, confused she whispered, "Why are there no guards?" The questions did not mean that throughout the entire prison there was no one guarding. There were guards posted, but they did not spare a glance at Aminah and Havil walking throughout the prison. They pretended they were not there, and this gave off the feeling of there being no guards. 

"I paid them off." Haivil whispered back. "We do not have much time." her told her as they rounded a corner and stood before a cell. The cell had no window, and there was no sunlight to shine through. The only light came from the window of the cells across from it. 

Inside a man began to move towards them. His hair was still tied up in a tight bun atop his head. His body is still dressed in the military uniform, armor still tied to his body. As he placed his hands on the bars Aminah could see the blood that stuck to them, could see the gash on his face. She could see the white underclothing that was dirty and soaked. "Aminah." as he said her name he rested his head on the bars, "I am so sorry." 

Putting her hands atop of his, "Nubian, what happened? How has it come to this, your son is missing."

At the mention of his son Nubian eyes flashed with pained betrayal. "Aminah I would follow you to death." he smiled, "My sister of war." His eyes fluttered shut, "I am so sorry." 

Hearing his repeated apologies Aminah took a deep breath. She did not wish to ask. She did not wish to know. Without even trying she could piece together what happened. 

"My son is working for the Stilits." Nubian confessed. "I swear to you I did not know." He grunted, "The guards came and we bowed to hear the king's message. However when the crime was stated Babu stood and pulled out a sword." he scoffed. 'A sword, when did he even learn to fight? He refused my teaching all his life. He vowed to want to walk the path of a scholar." he gritted his teeth, "But he pulled out a sword and attacked, he claimed that everything he did was for the Aljehni's." 

Aminah's eyes widened but she forced herself to remain calm, Havil's hand on her shoulder helping to keep her grounded. 

Nubian banged his head against the bar 3 times. "I apologize Aminah," he turned his gaze to Havil who stood behind her, "I am sorry Havil, my son has formed a fire in the direction of your family." He swallowed and returned his eyes to his best friend, "I killed every soldier who came to the manor, everyone who heard my son claim to do his crimes for your family," he shook his head, "But I could not stop my son, I tried but he escaped." He pulled his hand to rest atop of Aminah's, "You must find my son. You must stop him." His head shook, "He is not himself, it is as if his brain has been overrun. He is not my son." 

"You think he is brainwashed?" Aminah asked in shock. She had heard of it, Nubian and her had seen it on the battlefield, but it only lasted a few minutes. What Nubian was claiming seemed unreal. To brainwash his son, have him learn swordfighting, have him betray his father. How strong did someone have to be? Or how smart to manipulate someone's brain so much?

Nubian's eyes widened as he urged Aminah to believe him, "My son is no fighter, my son is terrified of battle. He can barely look at blood without fainting, so tell me," he hands squeezed Aminah's, "How could he fight and kill the way he did today? How could he manipulate trade, how would he even know about the weapons?" 

Within Aidkjeen Kingdom, being a part of the military was an esteemed position. There are families whose sole job is to be in the military. The Jian family was a proud military family. The previous generation was one of commanders, and brave leaders. To speak of military accomplishments was something the family never failed to do. Nubian never spoke of his son, his black sheep. His wife passed away after giving birth to Babu, thus he is the only child, the future leader of the Jian family. And he hated fighting. Babu refused to even learn how to hold a weapon correctly, let alone use it. To speak about Babu in Nubian's presence immediately brought down the mood of the room. 

So to hear Nubian speak about his son's lack of ability to argue for his innocence was proof enough that he wholeheartedly believed in his words. Believed his son was brainwashed. Believed someone was manipulating things to harm the Aljehni's. 

"Nubian, I will get you out of here. You can help me find your son." Aminah vowed, "I will not leave you in here."

"Nubian's eyes watered, "Aminah, there is nothing I would not do for you. But I selfishly ask you to stop my son, by any means necessary. Do not allow him to place harm on your family." He stepped backwards away from Aminah and dug into his pocket, "Aminah I know my son is manipulated, he is unable to stop his own actions." A tear escaped his eyes, "For I too am unable to control mine." 

Aminah's arm reached between the bars, "Nubian, what do you mean? Tell me, come back and tell me."

Nubian smiled, "I can feel it in my mind, whispers." he told her. "But I refuse to listen, I will not be able to refuse for long I know. Even now there are words I wish to tell you, but my lips will not pronounce them." His eyes shook with pain, "It is as if I am unable to remember."

Her facade of calm broke as she watched Nubian pull out a vial, "You told me we would die on the battlefield together or of old age." she reminded him, the tightness of her throat making her breaths quicken in fear. 

"If I do not do this I will cause you great harm." Nubian told her opening the vial. 

"You are causing me harm now." she told him. "Please," she tried to open the door, "Do not leave me Nubian. You promised me." she argued, masking her feast and pain with weak anger. 

"I do not know how it happened," Nubian chuckled, "or why I have more control than my son, but this is the only way I can ensure I do not harm you." Lifting the vial to his lips, "Promise to stop my son, by any means necessary, save him from himself." he emptied the vial. 

Aminah watched as her best friend's body began to shake, his skin reddening as his body collapsed to the floor. Moving back she kicked at the lock of the door as hard as she could. 

"We have to go, Aminah. Time is up." Havil gritted as he tried to pull his wife back. 

Shaking her head, "No." her eyes welled with tears, "No. I can save him, I have to save him.Havil do not make me leave him behind." She clung to the bars, "Nubian." she called. "Please wake up. Nubian, please." her tears fell, "Havil do not make me leave him." she brokenly asked. 

Havil could hear the sound of different guards coming, guards he did not pay off. "My star, I am sorry." He pulled her hands away from the bars and hoisted her on the shoulder, before rushing to the exit of the prison. 

Babu laughed and stood from the chair his hand moved to clutch his side. "I have proven my loyalty." 

Dharam and Amenah took a synchronized step back. "Babu, did you attack your own father?" Amenah asked.

Babu tilted his head with a smirk, it was as if the weak in pain scholar had disappeared. Before them was a confident male who seemed to be exactly where he wished. Babu dug his hand into his side barely even wincing. The blood dripped to the floor as he searched in his wound. 

Dharam and Amenah made looks of disgust. Dharam pushed Amenah to stand behind him, turning to whisper, "Bell." 

Amenah nodded. Outside the main house was a bell, when run the guards would move immediately, some on guard to protect and some would move to notify Aminah's troops back to the manor. 

Babu finally seemed to find what he was looking for and pulled out a small star blade. Holding the bloody metal between his fingers, "My own father attacked me." he said with a crazed smile.

Amenah took a step back, "Babu, what is wrong with you? This is not you." The man who stood before them was a man they never saw before. The Babu they were forced to know growing up was a pushover, a scaredy cat.

Dharam kept his hand protectively in front of Amenah as he too took a step back. "Do you really wish to speak to my father, or was it just a ploy to come to the Aljehni estate?" 

Babu staggered, blinking back. "Please, you have to find your father. He has to help." he pleaded, his face was one of desperation. His hands shook, "Your father has to help." he said with a trembling chin. 

Dharam and Amenah exchanged a look, "What is wrong with him?" their eyes asked each other. Was Babu not digging into his body to pull out weapons seconds ago with a smirk on his face? "What do you plan on doing with that weapon?" Dharam asked. 

Babu's hand shook as he stared at the bloody star blade held between his fingers, "Blood." he whispered. 

Amenah held her breath, it was a known fact in the Aljehni and Jian family that Babu fainted at the sight of blood. This time, when Babu faints she will ring the bell and ask her parents to take him to a doctor. Something was obviously wrong with his brain. 

However, Babu did not faint. Instead his eyes fluttered for a moment. Then he gripped the blade in his hand and grinned, "To bleed for an Aljehni is to show the ultimate test of loyalty." He told the twins and took staggering steps towards them. His blood continued to drip on the floor, he stepped on his own blood leaving footprints on the path he left behind. "Do you not appreciate my loyalty? Do you not marvel at all we have done for you?" he asked, his voice filling with anger the more he spoke. "All that we have sacrificed, does it truly mean nothing to you!"

Dharam pushed Amenah towards the door, "Go!" he urged and the both raced towards the door.

Amenah sped out and immediately raced to the bell. Dharam stayed behind to block the door. With his back against the door he dug his feet into the ground to keep it shut and steady himself. But there was nothing.

Amenah raced to the bell, to get to it she had to run along the outside of the room she just excited. Passing the window she saw Roset making his way through the other door. Her heart lurched, why did he never find Chiara!

Dharam rubbed his chest, something was wrong with Amenah, he turned his head to listen through the door. He could hear the sound of light footsteps. Too light to be Babu's. 

Amenah watched Roset step into the room calling for her. Babu turned to face him, he had wiped his face and a path of blood was smeared under his eye to his neck. He smiled widely at Roset and Amenah could wait no longer. "Dharam!" she screamed as loud as she could. If Dharam is still outside the door he could get to Roset faster. "Go back!" she lifted her head to the heavens as she screamed. A silent prayer leaving her lips. She had to trust Dharam to go inside, and with that she moved her legs faster to get to the bell. 

Hearing her scream Dharam grabbed a mop that was left by one of the servants and opened the door. The first thing he saw was Babu inching towards Roset. "Roset, come here." he ordered, and this time Roset headed his order without hesitation. The blood on Babu's face must have been the deciding factor. 

Babu exhales laughter, "Dharam you led me here, you brought inside, just show me where your father is." he twirled the bloody star in his hand, "You may be able to stop me but I am not alone." he threatened. 

Dharam gritted his teeth, "Go to Chiara." he ordered Roset. "Do not come back out." Roset ran off, and Dharam silently prayed for Amenah to quickly ring the bell. Keeping his eyes on Babu's every move, "I do not want to fight you Babu." He closed the door behind his blocking Babu and his own escape. "But I think you are ill." he split his gaze between Babu's feet, as well as the hand holding the blade, "You need a doctor." 

Babu took a step towards Dharam, "You do not have to be afraid of me." he shook his head confused, "Have I not proven my loyalty enough? No." he told himself, "No, stop." he held his hands over his eyes, "Dharam please." he pleaded in a weak voice, "You have to stop, your father will help me." his words held broken strands of hope. Whatever was happening to Babu, the crazed one and the one they grew up with both wished for Havil Aljehni. 

Dharam held the wooden mop like a staff, "Why do you need my father?" 

Babu smirked, the question showed that Dharam was lowering his guard. "We will show the world the Aljehni power, who better to lead than him?"

"Who is we?" Dharam asked. 

Amenah pulled her hair pin out of her hair, her curls cascading down her back, then looking to the left, to the right, and behind her; she ripped off the petal of the hair pin. Flipping it in her hand a small bead fell out, pushing the bead into the lock Amenah was able to enter the gate tat surrounded the bell. Pulling the string with all her might the bell rung loudly. She could feel her ear drums aching as it clanged once, twice, three times. 

Throughout the entire estate the bell sounded. All the servants moved to positions. Most of them were trained to fight and moved to grab a weapon. The females moved to locate all the Aljehni children and move them to safety. 

Amenah rang the bell 8 more times before stumbling back, her hands pushed against her ears. Exiting the gate she forced her feet to move, her ears rang, pulsing through her head, she could hear nothing else; and she certainly did not see the arrow that flew through the air in her direction. 

Aaleyah and Zale stared at the window as the bell sounded. "What is going on?" Aaleyah scrambled to stand and look out the window, but Zale beat her to it. 

"There is nothing to see Ley Ley, this window shows the back of the manner." he turned to face Aaleyah, "Things are probably happening at the front." He moved towards the door, "Let's go see." 

Aaleyah grabbed Zale's hand, "Do not be foolish, mother says if we ever hear the bell we should move to safety." she reminded him. 

Zale nodded, "How will we know where safety is if we do not see what is happening?" 

Aaleyah could not argue with that logic.

Two heads peered out the door, One looked left, and the other looked right. Then Aaleyah glanced up at Zale, "Clear." 

Zale nodded, "This way too, before I came here Chiara was in the library," he stepped into the hall, "shall we go there first?" 

Aaleyah shook her head, "How about we go to your room first."

"My room"

"Your room faces the front of the manor, the front of the estate. We will be able to see the bell, and we will be able to see who rang it." she proposed. 

Zale nodded, "Alright." As they walked the bell stopped ringing. "Who do you think rang it?" he asked. 

"It is not Roset, he does not have the key, and Herom is not here." Aaleyah reasoned aloud. 

Zale snickered, "Herom does not need the bell, our brother is formidable." he said proudly. 

Aaleyah shrugged her shoulders, "Then I have no idea, I have been in the study since morning. I do not even know who is in the manner and who is not." They reached Zale's room and rushed to the window. As they reached it Aaleyah added, "Well I know Asbed is here." 

Peering out the window Zale saw Amenah holding her head, her body was swaying as if gravity was pulling on her to fall but through sheer will she was refusing. 

"Amenah-" Zale started.

"- rang the bell." Aaleyah finished. 

Zale stared at his older sister, her hands covered her ears tightly, but he could see red on the side of her face. "Is she bleeding?" he whispered. 

While Zale focused on Amenah, Aaleyah looked around for the reason her eldest sister would ring the bell. There had to be danger somewhere she just could not see it. Glancing along the walls of the estate Aaleyah almost missed it, but something was moving along the shadows. Aaleyah pushed Zale out of the way.

"Hey! That hurt." Zale complained, it did not really, but still. 

Aaleyah pushed the window open just as the arrow went flying, "Amenah! Watch out!" she screamed. 

One of the servants ran and lifted Amenah, twirling her away from the arrow's path. "2nd Lady Aljehni." the servant called to her, but Amenah only looked in a daze. 

Amenah stared at the servants lips, she could still hear ringing in her ears, to her left she could see an arrow. "We have to move," she whispered.

The servant flinched from Amenah's yelling. Behind his 20 some servants raced with swords. The servant holding Amenah ran his finger over the blood at her ears, "Escort 2nd Lady Aljehni to safety, and fight the intruders." 

"Yes." with a slight bow everyone made to move. 

Babu tilted his head as the sound of the bell rang, "Do you think that will help?" He moved his hand to his side and dug more.

Dharam winced from pain in his ears and forced himself to focus. He was not one to wait for people to pull out weapons, and he had no interest in seeing what other filthy objects crazy Babu was going to pull out. He moved faster than Babu could keep up with and attacked his pressure points. 

Babu may be crazy, or he may be manipulated. Regardless, Dharam has trained for years, and there are no new skills that Babu can learn to help him fight off Dharam. 

Babu sliced the star blade in Dharam's direction but he was unable to strike him before the broom hit the side of his neck. 

Aaleyah and zale rushed down the stairs as fast as they could. The last thing they saw before they left the window was a servant pulling Amenah out of the way. As they made it to the first floor they ran into 3 servants. "Young Aljehni's you must stay inside"

Zale and Aaleyah gave each other a look before dodging to the opposite sides to get around them. Making it to the door Zale flung it open just as a servant was about to open it. Holding Amenah up by her shoulders the servant stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Zale's focus immediately turned to Amenah, but Aaleyah glanced outside just before the door closed. There were some people scaling the walls to enter the estate, and the Aljehni servants were pulling out their swords to charge. 

Zale pulled Amenah into his arms, his strength and serious face hiding his young age as he checked his older sister for wounds. Gentle brushing the blood on the side of Amenah's ears, "Can you hear me?"

The ringing in Amenah's ears was subsiding slightly and she turned to Zale's voice. "You sound so far away." she reached for his hand and squeezed it. "I am fine, the pain is fading." she said in a loud voice. 

Aaleyah pulled out a knife she grabbed from Zale's room from her sleeve. "Who are those people?" 

Amenah dropped Zale's hand and moved towards the direction of the common room, "I have to get back to Dharam he is in danger. She turned to a servant, "Tell everyone to be on the look out for Babu Jian, there is something wrong with him, but I think he is connected with the men who are fighting outside." 

The servant nodded and rushed to spread the information. 

Amenah used the edge of her sleeve to wipe the blood away, "Aaleyah and Zale make your way to the study any sibling you see take them with you." she ordered. 

Zale nodded but Aaleyah held her blade up, "I can fight with you. I can help." 

Amenah shook her head, "Now is not the time to be silly. Besides, the men outside are a mystery to us. We know not their fighting style, nor where they came from. Is it wise to have the youngest daughter risk danger?" Amenah reasoned. "I do not have time to argue with you. Go."

Aaleyah was ready to argue back when Roset ran from the hallway, "I can not find Chiara." he cried with tears running down his small face. He raced into Amenah's arms and the force had her take a small step back before holding him tightly. "Dharam told me to find Chiara but I could not find her. And outside are scary men in masks, they destroyed the flower garden!" 

Patting his back Amaenah eyes bore into Aaleyah, "Take your brother to safety, or will you continue to disobey my order?" she challenged. 

Roset's fear stricken face could not be ignored. Kneeling to the ground, Aaleyah opened her arms, "Come Roset." she gently called. "We will go to the study."

With some urging from Amenah, Roset moved to Aaleyah's arms. Amenah watched as her three siblings made their way to the study. 

No sooner had her sibling disappeared from view when a servant ran in through the door, "2nd Lady Aljehni, the people who have broken in are not fighting." his words of confusion left Amenah and the remaining servants stumped. 

An older servant by the name of Ahdu spoke first, "What do you mean they are not fighting?" He pointed to the cut on his clothes, "How have you gotten hurt?" 

Pulling his sleeve back, "My clothes are cut, yes. But I am not injured! The men outside fight us in hand to hand combat but they never draw blood." he explained. 

"Not drawing blood." Amenah repeated, "Did they say who they were or why they are here?" She made her way to the widow, and sure enough the masked men were surrounded, and while they were fighting back, they were only temporarily incapacitating others. 

Inside the carriage Aminah and Havil made their way back to the Aljehni estate. Havil's eyes stayed on Aminah. Her elbow rested on the side, her fingers circling her chin. Her red eyes continued traveling through its wind of emotions, and she silently fought for calm to prevail over all. Her hand rested on her swallow, her fingers turning red at the knuckles from the tight hold. Her silent words hung in the air. "I could have saved him." her heart screamed. 

Havil rubbed his boot against his wife's. "There was no time." his soul responded.

Tilting her head down Aminah rubbed her finger over the point between her eyebrows. "I understand." she answered with tearful eyes.

Havil had expected this ride home to be in pained silence, but hearing her words he moved to hold his wife in his arms. "My Star, we will avenge Nubian." he vowed. 

Aminah took a shuddering breath, "He was my best friend. If we can not prove his family innocent he will not even have a proper burial." she whispered, almost afraid that if she spoke louder she would cry. "I could have-" Aminah's swallow shook, from the middle of the weapon grew warm and she sat up out of Havil's arms to inspect it. Opening the small compartment a small bead fell out, "The estate is in trouble!"

Both parents moved quickly, jumping out of the carriage. Aminah jumped onto a horse and called her 2nd in command to come with her. She yelled for the third to gather the troops to move to the estate as soon as possible. Havil abandoned the carriage and he too hopped on a horse, "The only ones who could ring the bell were his children, and they only rang it in emergencies. He raced his horse to the palace to reach Herom and gather his group of men.

Racing his horse Havil flew through the capital's streets, continuing straight he heard a familiar yell and pulled on the reins to stop his horse. 

Herom caught up to his father with Helan and 5 of his other friends behind him. Before Herom could speak his father yelled an order. "The estate is in danger. I was coming to find you." 

Herom's eyes widened and he turned to his group. Helan shook his head, "We are with you. Let us go quickly." Helan turned his horse towards the direction of the estate, "The others are not far behind I will pick them up on the way." 

Herom smiled, "Thanks." Then everyone raced towards the estate. 

Dharam flew through the door onto the ground outside. Lifting his hand he wiped the blood from his mouth, "Babu!" The broom was split into pieces on the ground and Babu stepped on one as he limped towards Dharam. 

Babu winced and swung his fist at his head, "I asked you. Why do you refuse to listen to me!" he roared, his brown eyes flashing with anger and then agony. Crying without tears, "I asked for your father. He can help me. I have to tell him, I have to tell him." he repeated and hobbled to Dharam. 

Dharam jumped back onto his feet, and having no weapon put up his hands to fight. From their left both men could hear the sounds of fighting. Babu shook and for a split moment he looked fearful. However before Dharam could question it Babu screamed loudly, "I am here. Harm no Aljehni we must prove our loyalty" he ordered with a smile, and as he heard the acceptance of the Stilits a tear rolled down his face. 

Babu took the star blade and cut his arm. 

"What are you doing!" Dharam made to help him but stopped himself. 

His fingers dug under his skin, blood poured out onto the ground. Dharam winced for Babu and swallowed his vomit as Babu pulled out a small wiggling insect. He placed the insect on the star blade and aimed it at Dharam. "We are loyal to the Aljehni's. You will be loyal too." he said in a daze.

Slowly stepping back, "I am an Aljehni." Dharam said, giving up on stopping Babu, he decided to feed into the nonsense. "You say you are loyal to the Aljehni's, that is me. I am Aljehni. Be loyal to me." he argued as he continued to move towards the front of the manor. 

Babu paused his staggering steps, "Aljehni?" he whispered in confusion. "Scholar Aljehni," he said the name as if it was his saving grace. "Aljehni, please help, I have to, I can not-" he punched at his head again and his eyes rolled back. 

Dharam truly wanted to help him but with his ears aching and his chest hurting from the kick, there were other matters to attend to. Really wanted to do the right thing, but the Babu before him seemed unstable, and with that thought Dharam ran away towards the front of the manor to the sound of fighting. He picked up a sword from the ground as he made his way. Reaching the front he cursed in his mind. Where did all these people come from? In the front yard there seemed to be at least 20 masked men fighting with sheathed swords. 

Jumping into the fight Dharam hit the pressure points of the masked men and sent a prayer of thanks when it worked and they dropped to the ground. His attack on Babu was a fluke and he had not lost his touch after all. 

The horse kicked at the door swinging the gates open. Aminah rode in and upon seeing her son moving through the yard to incapacitate men, she immediately jumped into action. "Tie them up, we will deal with them after." she ordered. 

Seeing his mother arrive Dharam sighed in relief and when his father and brother came a few minutes after he left the fighting to them and searched inside the manor for his twin. 

The moment Dharam entered he was enveloped in a hug. "Dharam you are bleeding. What happened?" she asked loudly.

Pulling himself away from Amenah's arms. "It is not too bad. Mom and Herom are here, so the fight will end soon." he inspected Amenah. "What about you, what is wrong with your ears?" he asked his fingers gently brushing over them. 

Amenah waved his hand away, "The bell was louder than I thought is all." she explained. 

"And the others?" Dharam asked, glancing down the empty halls.

"In the study. Head servant Pouyan told me everyone was there. They are all safe." she reported. 

Dharam pulled Amenah into a hug and the two twins slowed their breathing, finding comfort that they were okay. 

Outside Herom's friends were doing a great job of catching all the men and tying them up. By the time Aminah's 3rd in command came with the troops the fight seemed over. 

Dharam walked outside with Aminah, "Mother it is Babu. He is here, he needs a doctor." he reported to his mother. 

As if he was summoned Babu's self deformed body made his way to the courtyard, a sword dragging on the ground as he walked, "Scholar Aljehni, "he rasped, "you are finally here.

Aminah aimed her swallow, "Babu Jian, do you admit to your crimes of harming your father?" she asked, her best friend's death fresh in her mind. 

Babu slammed his fist against his head, "Scholar Aljehni." he pled with tearful eyes. Shaking his head his face became resolute and he lifted the blade he was holding in his hand. "We have done all you asked. We delivered the weapons."

Dharam and Amenah stepped towards their mother. Babu's words were unnatural. The words he spoke and his crazed eyes did not match. He spoke as if he was reciting verses, not speaking in conversation. 

"You see mother?" Dharam's eyes focused on Babu's bloody figure. "There is something wrong with him."

Amenah agreed, "Yes he needs a doctor, his head is not where it should be."

Babu's laughter echoed throughout the courtyard. All the intruders had been caught and tied up, but hearing Babu's laughter they laughed as well. 

Amenah shuddered, the people around them had their faces covered with a cloth, only their eyes could be seen. Their cold empty eyes stared at the Aljehni family, their laughter echoing leaving a sense of dread that thickened and made it hard to swallow down dread and the sense of foreboding. 

Aminah refused to allow the shock to slow her down, aiming her swallow she swung at Babu, her friend's words echoing in her mind. 'Stop my son-'. But as the swallow swung down Babu focused his attention on her. Still laughing robotically tears fell from his eyes and he nodded. Almost relieved that his death was coming. 

One of the soldiers in Herom's team ran from his spot by the gate. Making his way to Herom he whispered in his ears. Herom's eyes widened, turning to his team, "Disperse, you were never here." 

His team bowed and made their way to the back gate but Helan hesitated. 

Heron shook his head, "You wish is to be the king's guard. You are almost there, do not be dragged down." Motioning towards the back exit the rest of the team had gone, "Go!" he ordered. 

Helan frowned, but there was no time to argue, and he could not ask Herom to come with him. It would change nothing. 

Heron whispered the words he was told to his mother. 

Aminah stared at Babu, her hand tightening on her swallow. The king's guard was coming.

The king had his guards searching for Babu. The king wished to arrest Babu, and if he did not show up the punishment was for the entire Jian family to be wiped out. But if the king takes Babu and Babu sprouts the nonsense that everything he did was for the Aljehni family it would lead to chaos. Her family would be in danger. 

Nubian told her to stop his son. But how could she kill him? She helped raise him. Was there for his birthdays. Rode with Nubian in the middle of the night to find medicine when the poor boy was weak from the cold. 

Aminah's eyes stung but she could not show weakness, instead the swallow shook in her hand. 

"The king's guard is arriving!" 

The gates to the Aljehni estate were left open and as the steps of a brown horse appeared Aminah was forced to make a choice.