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Chapter 20: Precious Brotherhood
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2024-10-29 19:42:56In a commoner’s amusement place, it is filled with noise and laughter. Yet, it is Darina’s second fine choice right after Farrah’s villa. Other than these two places, Darina cannot name something any better.
A boy familiar to Rowen came with food for them in the exclusive room. Darina noticed that the boy was a new sight.
“Who is this retak?” Darina asked, amused that the boy behaves meticulously as he places the platters upon their oak table. “I had not seen him before.”
The retak greeted Darina formally as he grips the tray against his chest. “I am Ganzorig, Your Highness. I am a brother to the cavalry captain.” He said, pertaining to Rowen as he introduced himself.
Recalling that Rowen had no siblings, Darina wondered. “Rowen, I thought your life was akin to mine?”
“It is true that he is not my brother by lineage, Your Highness. But Brother Rowen redeemed me from being a slave at Sindhur. He brought me to Clapestris. Yet I did not stay for
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Jewels of The Crown Chapter 21: A Subtle Confrontation
In the guise of a military mission, Darina chooses to not take her rest at the palace. With Rowen, she went outside the amusement place to find a place to stay. They decided to go to an inn which is situated half a farsang away. While they are standing at the wide-open double doors of the inn, they noticed how the workers are busy preparing the grand hall. There are dancers in their fine dresses assisting each other to keep their fashion intact. Darina walks in while observing the people around her. A dancer whose gaze met hers stood in awe. “Dilruba?” Darina called her as she steps closer. “How can a court dancer be in this place?” “We will perform for a court official, Your Highness,” Dilruba replied while keeping her hands upon the embroidered kerchief that covers the lower half of her face. Darina felt her eyes quiver involuntarily at such aggravating thought that the court dancers who are meant exclusively for the internal court are performing at
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 22: Filial Respect
Indeed, Darina saw herself in Ardeshir when he asked for a chance to prove every candid portion of his service. When Robert the chiliarch secretly told her that she is summoned to the internal courts, her stance did not perturb. She can receive the thing that she did not forbear, and that is mercy. Darina believes that there is no trouble even though the chiliarch is covered in sweat and dread. The king's voice brought the chiliarch to apprehension on behalf of Darina. While gasping for air, the chiliarch hopes that Darina will not receive great indignation. "How can I not dread when he has not poured his anger in me? I'm afraid that His Majesty reserves all his rage against your highness." "Resign your fears, chiliarch," Darina replied. "All is well."
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 23: Calm Waters
The very first thing Darina and her company noticed about Shahin was his character, timid and reserved. While they observe him from afar, Darina’s company cannot help themselves but talk about him. “I did not expect that he was Prince Ozroes’ half-brother. I can barely see any resemblance of Chief Marcus in him,” Marsden commented. He noticed that the chief Amyrgians there have aspen-red hair. But Shahin has a brown one. “It is because he is a stepson to Chief Marcus. Chief Marcus took Shahin’s mother after the former chief wife died. Shahin is older than Ozroes but Ozroes is the chief prince,” Ardeshir explained. Hearing their conversation in this manner, Darina was enraged. “Both of you must cut your comments. What is it anyway if he bears no resemblance to Chief Marcus or has no blood relation with the chief Amyrgian line? Isn’t it enough that Shahin must be known as a brother of Ozroes? You are indirectly rejecting him. You seem to not care of your master
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 24: Hoax War and Honor
At night, Rowen beckoned Ardeshir because of Darina’s silence after the question about the practice war. They proceeded to the palace library for their secret conversation. “Don’t you think it unnecessary to ask that, Prince Ardeshir?” Rowen confronted. “It is necessary. We must see them prepared.” “Why?” “What if Minister Hazper will raise unto King Rashal about making the practice war as the criterion of the royal knight decision? I just don’t want Darina to count the practice war trivial. It is her chance to secure her title. If she wins the title, I by myself will usher it to the king to consider the winner as the only royal knight of Clapestris.” “Why not suggest this to the king before the event?” “It is a mind game, Cavalry Captain. Minister Hazper was the one who suggested the necessity of the royal knights to participate. He did not suggest this as the basis yet. He wants to make sure that his desired royal knight will win fir
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 25: Vicissitudes
No man yet was able to compare how fast could be the time is for one person and slow to another. One thing to Clapestris is for sure, that the fastest of all was all the vicissitudes that happened, in her capital and outside her palaces.While Darina and Prince Thariem are away, the warfare game prevailed. There are many red dyes slashed through from both sides that almost every one of them seemed defeated on their own. Many were serious about taking the combat and a few made it for entertainment. The same few soldiers were the first to notice the lone traveler heading towards them, and a trail of thick dust is following him. These soldiers called the deputy leaders to look at the coming person.Rowen received the letter from him. As he reads it, his hands clutched the paper. King Rashal requires reinforcement from those who are participating in the practice war for his campaign against the Egeans.“We need to help His Majesty,” the deputy leader for
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 26: The Falcon
Before the troubles of the capital and her woes pounded the land, Darina had lost all her time in trying to find Prince Thariem. The reckoning of her subconscious demands to get the search done. Taking familiar routes, breaking abandoned barriers, and racing with the unknown, Darina got nothing to think at all but to see Prince Thariem. There, at the higher place of Zagros Mountains, that she saw him pouring his grief. She kept on calling the prince, pleading him to return. “For what Darina? To be your laughingstock? Why are you enthusiastic about the game? To get your desires against me done?” Prince Thariem retorted. He laid back as he met Darina’s terrified gaze. The prince gathered all his guilt to be sorry right away to Darina. “Forgive me. If only I can plead for the game to not happen and it would be better.” “Even if it has to happen, I will do something for your sake. So do not think that I forgot you in my works,” Darina simply replied as she gets n
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 27: Myth of the Scythian Ghosts
Fear succumbs the kingdom and the plea for escape remains undeniable even for the heroic Marsden. He could play retreat to save himself. But how can he resist the heroic call when both women before him are vulnerable? Marsden cannot help but enfold his hand on Dilruba’s arm. He let Dilruba assist the Queen Dowager to run against the futility of their exit. The Queen Dowager can only recall a few of the secret passages of the palace. As she enters with her heroes to the path behind the chamber walls, she cannot guarantee any safety either. They only have a torch to light the path, and they can follow the available path towards the most of freedom they can attain. Struggling on their way, and their steps against cobwebs and rodents, that they found the best clue for the exit, that is the passage that can deliver them straight out the gates. There is a few drops of water from the ceiling of the passage, hinting to them that they are beneath the moats of the city. So the
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 28: Beyond Zagros
How must fleeting moments pose as eternity for Clapestris to weep a heavy one without the care that her voice reaches her neighbors? Each of her laments seems to account for a thousand-year travail, and each of her sighs brings all manners of agony to shame. Among these moments where refuge could only be seen is when Clapestris has her people in rendezvous. Yet, among her valiant men is the imperative to make no noise. Prince Thariem and Darina had to be still in the presence of two treachery soldiers who are conversing among themselves. Ardeshir was dubbed as a sure strategist. But from the same soldiers are the doubts on his skills. “Truth be told, I do not think that he already excels on being a strategist,” the soldier said. He cited that Darina is the finest strategist of Clapestris next to General Daylam. “What if Darina only lets Ardeshir execute his plan to meet his own trouble?” The other soldier agreed. “Together wi
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Jewels of The Crown Chapter 40: At The Ramparts
Instead of her grim look during her charge in a battle, Darina rather has a worried scowl. The Agabean Royal Knight is composing within herself what must she say to King Rashal about the recovery of Clapestris. The reason why she hasted on going to the king was to save Prince Thariem’s face. She still brought that same purpose as she finally faced King Rashal. “Father King, Prince Thariem has operated to restore Clapestris not for his name’s sake but for your highness. He never assumed to reside on your throne for he believes that you will return any time sooner.” Unlike the puzzled soldiers who are with King Rashal, the king is not confused about what Darina is referring to. He smiled to convince Darina that he never thinks about Prince Thariem in that manner. “Darina, how can I think with such malice? You and Thariem are the jewels of my crown. I regard the works of the both of you with appreciation and due faithfulness,” he said while looking at her. The k
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 39: Doors of Blessings
Some suspicions do not last. They are better off unattended and let consideration do its work. By this, malice subsides to the unrecoverable setting. Perhaps, mercy worked with consideration in excusing the Eran Jamasp from the previous doubts of Prince Thariem. He was, after all, never been an ally of The Falcon even of the time that he received the order concerning Darina. Hence, he is favored to know the pleasant news about Prince Thariem retaking the capital. He also heard that it was Darina who caused the messengers to spread the news. “They utilized the military prowess to the best of their advantage,” Jamasp said. He is glad in himself that he was among those who extended help to the Clapestrisian force. “Seeing how easy it is for them to enter the capital, it seems like they did not rely on the strength in numbers,” Farhad said. Ever since the company of Prince Thariem came to his abode, he became an enthusiast in understanding war. He sought to write a book
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 38: Vows and Peril
After the war is a morning dream still far from that pleasant, bright, and redeeming. Clapestris has met her heroes and her villains. On the part of the heroes is the responsibility to capture all enemies. While there is Shahin and Ardeshir already captured, Tanya Khatun and Minister Hazper are still at large. Ozroes vowed to capture them. Darina insisted on going with him. It is for Prince Thariem to continue his authority in Clapestris, unhinged by any of Darina’s influence. “This is what I can do to compensate Your Majesty for all the troubles you had with me,” Darina said sans the fear that Prince Thariem might envy her again. “But Darina, we helped hand in hand to restore Clapestris. This is not about me neither our aims. Do not go thence just because you think the conflict we had before might come again.” “It is not because of the conflict, Prince Thariem. I want Clapestris to know that a prince is with them. I want them to acknowledge your name. Hence,
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 37: Unsilenced Heroics
In the eyes of almost everyone, Basiliskus was the scheming enemy staying behind the shadows of conspicuous villains. All his actions made them formulate verisimilar conclusions. He was the man always crying to sever Gilan from Clapestris. He looted the armories and equipment stored in the fortified house of Mahagino. He used the information from Shahin for the whereabouts of Darina and Prince Thariem. Eight days past and he returned to the capital of Clapestris with many prisoners of war. Entered with him to the main gates of the city are the wagons of spoils. The one that is highlighted among them was Darina in the cage. There is a blood-stained steel helmet beside her. It is a known helmet always worn by Prince Thariem when mounted for campaigns. The Clapestrisians filled the sides of the streets with their sighs and unexplained hopes. The Agabean Royal Knight has returned but is no better than them. “She has become a prisoner of war,” was among the genera
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 36: Troubled Empire
The luxury of the kingdom is on owning many regions and the luxury of the military is on having prowess that outnumbers the other. However, the camp of Clapestris cannot count the assurance of numbers. The espionage they launched confirms a thousand and half a hundred are loyal to Shahin. There are thousands more serving Ardeshir. In a hazier perspective of what kind of strength Clapestris must confront, a fragmented alliance is reported between the camp of Shahin and Satrap Basiliskus. If they understand their common goal, they might become the bigger enemy that Clapestris must war against. Marsden could barely understand that Darina decided to divide the caravan in two at the increasing strength of their enemies. Prince Thariem will lead the other division towards Gustus in their search for Ozroes’ medicine and military support from the empire. Meanwhile, Darina will lead her division to make war against the satrap of Gilan. While there is still time and th
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 35: Flattery
The worse fall of a kingdom is not by siege but by the internal problems prevailing in its sides, ruining foundations and dividing its people. It is a haunting folk saying that joins the caravan of Clapestris when a commotion erupted in the midst of it. Darina and Prince Thariem emerged out of the carriage to resolve the noise. Many soldiers with their ready swords surrounded the sowers of ruckus. They are the same people sent by Tanya. There are about ten of them with clothes no distinct from the soldiers that work with Ozroes. “Brothers, why do you have to cause this?” asked an Amyrgian soldier to the workers of Tanya. “It is best for us to do this, brothers. For we are not heading for the glory of our house. We are heading to our downfall. Look at Clapestris and how it is ruined now. Even the Clapestrisians have to flee to this desert because of the travails there,” accused by Tanya’s worker. “No one in his right mind would think th
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 34: Growth
Many soldiers of varying ranks and skills are admitted to the company of Prince Thariem and Darina. Tools are with them but their delight is on Ozroes that is healed and freed from his isolating yurt. Darina cannot help herself but keeps on staring at Ozroes. They are inside a carriage which Ozroes recommended for them to ride in. The same familiar bright eyes met her in comforting silence. “Ozroes…” she called him. “What is it, your highness?” “I am more than delighted that you are now fine,” Darina stated. “I am also grateful that you sent messengers to aid my situation,” Ozroes revealed. It was Tali, Samira, Nariman, and Kashvad who sought another physician to check his condition. The physician has proven that he was poisoned but he also has not denied that there is still a remaining sickness in him because of the inadequacy of medicine around. The medicine administered to him before the sight of a few people was enough to relieve his sympt
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 33: Ambitious
It is still, after all, a battle of time, terrain, and understanding. Going to the land of the Amyrgia Clan as of this time is like plunging through the lair of an old mad lion. It is the place where the Falcon was from. The traveling Clapestrisian military can never assure itself that no hostility will await them there, especially from the ruling entities. They cannot rely solely on Ozroes, though be of great name and authority, due to his illness that kept him weak and guarded away from the rest of the steppe. The terrain is at least favorable to the Clapestrisians. There is a portion of the Gobi Desert that makes it distinct and bold to face the hint of a Parsian topography. It is the Kashun-Gobi. It mediates before the borders of Amyrgians. It offers a route for the Clapestrisian force to reach the eastern territory of the mentioned house. Yurts of familiar designs and varying sizes are placed in the eastern district. Amyrgians move according to their way of life
Jewels of The Crown Chapter 32: Careful Thoughts
In war, there are pawns. But for the struggling Clapestris, never forlorn and abandoned brothers. The messengers in themselves thought already that something might happen to them than expecting the receivers to respond according to their ideal. However, they choose to not get frightened. They composed themselves in the understanding that their roles are not yet done; even if they have to get fettered down the cells of arid antiquity. The fate that happened on messengers for Gilan also emerged to other pairs who touched the city thresholds assigned to them. Yet, a distinct event came to the pair who arrived in the Amyrgian land. Another person from the house of Amyrgia had received the letter from Darina. Instead of locking them, they are well received. Maidservants and musicians attended them. Steppe delicacies are set upon their tables. Their thirst is ready to be quenched by wine. “Serve them well for they are from the house of Lunekleare,” the chief woman announce
