Chapter 14: The Empress

The soldiers in the courtyard quickly grabbed their weapons and surrounded Wahan, Ramtuo, and the others.

Lada was pressed against the mud-brick wall by the soldiers.

Blood dripped from the left hand chain ring gripping the curved blade. The woman's jet-black hair swept across Wahan's face in the gentle breeze.

"You've lost. Release them, give them a few horses, and let them go," Wahan said solemnly.

"Alright," the woman said to the soldier beside her, "give them a few horses and let them go."

After Lada was released, he began grabbing handfuls of dinars from the ground. A soldier beside him tried to stop him, but was blocked by Nadim.

"You bastard, get out of the way. You lost, so you lost," Nadim scolded the soldier who had lost the bet. He then hurriedly bowed to Lada and said, "You fatso, leave some for me. I bet on this side too."

"Alright, alright," Rada said, continuing to scoop up the dinars on the ground into his arms. When he saw there wasn't much left, he quickly stood up and ran toward Ramto and the others.

Nadim picked up the dinars on the ground and paused, "This bastard, this isn't even enough to cover my original dinars." He glanced at the captive Alva and said no more.

Pala had someone bring over a few horses.

"You guys should go quickly. I'll stay here; they won't chase me. Run as far as you can," Wahhan shouted to the others.

"We should go together," Ramto shouted.

"We came out together; we must return together," Zayn shouted, pulling on the reins.

Boge and Zana pleaded. Rada wiped away tears, muttering incomprehensible words.

"You better get out of here. Otherwise, you'll all die here."

Nadim was already standing on the mud-brick wall, his arrow with a cone-shaped tip aimed at Wahan.

Wahan clutched Alva's waist tightly with his right hand, burying his head in her jet-black hair. After all, he had witnessed Nadim's archery skills.

"You'd better think carefully about how you want to die," Alva said in a low voice, twisting her body to try to break free from Wahan's arms. But Wahan held her even tighter.

"Get out of here, all of you."

"Mount up and go," Zhan roared, getting up and mounting his horse.

"Everyone mount up," Ramtuo glanced at Wahan and Nadim before getting up and mounting his horse.

Zana, Bog, and Rada mounted their horses one after another.

The five of them rode away.

"Everyone's gone, why won't you let go!?" Alva shouted.

"I'll let go once they're farther away," Wahhan dragged Alva backward, leaning against the dilapidated cart. His head still buried in his long hair, Wahhan's right hand remained firmly pressed against Alva's right hand, clasped around her waist. His left hand gripped the hilt of the curved sword tightly, not daring to relax for a moment. Blood from his shoulder soaked through his clothes, and blood from the chainmail gloves dripped continuously downward, flowing along the curved sword onto Alva's indigo-blue robe.

The soldiers dared not move, for the person being held hostage was the last hope of the entire Sarran tribe.

Time passed slowly.

Wahan felt time moving so slowly for the first time, and nothing had ever tormented him as much as this moment.

Several minutes passed.

Wahan's head rested on Alva's shoulder, his right hand still clutching her waist as if frozen in place.

Sunlight streamed into the courtyard, filtering through her hair.

Suddenly, the curved blade fell to the ground, and his left hand drooped. Alva quickly turned around and grabbed Wahan's arm. Wahan collapsed to the ground uncontrollably.

Alva placed his hand on Wahan's neck, feeling for a pulse.

"Get the medic here. We must save him," Alva stood up and kicked Wahan, "You worthless dog, if you die like this, you'll be getting off too easy."

"Continue training them. We'll be stationed here for the time being," Alva said to Parra.

————

Beneath the dome, candlelight intertwined into a golden net, enveloping every corner of the hall in brilliant light. In the gilded, intricately carved bronze mirror, the empress's figure sat steadfastly on the ebony throne, clearly visible. At thirty-two, her beauty was in full bloom, her brows and eyes radiating an air of natural authority. On her skin as smooth as white jade, a few lines etched by time across her temples added a touch of maturity to her elegance. Under the soft glow of her pearl-adorned crown, her face shifts between the vibrant radiance of youth and the graceful elegance of maturity, both lively and solemn. A peacock-blue floor-length robe drapes over her form, with a velvet outer garment embroidered with gilded rose patterns that shimmer with brilliance; the layered sheer skirt beneath ripples with every movement, casting a shimmering glow.

Three strands of South Sea pearl necklaces cascade down to her collarbone, with the largest pearl, the size of a pigeon's egg, gently swaying with her breath. When they collided with her emerald earrings, they emitted a delicate tinkling sound, like ice cracking silently under moonlight. Her fingers were slender and angular, like the edges of a jade carving, with nine enamel rings sparkling on them. Wide sleeves covered her slender arms, with the cuffs adorned with exquisite velvet tassels that swayed gracefully with her movements. Each time she raised her hand to brush through her intricate updo, the faint clinking of gems and metal against hair sent a chill through the hearts of the maids waiting in silence. When she gently lifts her chin, the veins on her swan-like neck are faintly visible, like hidden cracks in a marble sculpture. This aura of sternness, coupled with an undeniable sense of absolute power, instantly captivates the hearts and minds of all her subjects.

"Ila, you will accompany Patir to the city of Razih. Spread the word so that all of Asele knows you are within the city of Razih," said Empress Lagaya.

"Yes, Mother."

"Patir, Turiyados, take these two letters with you. Open them only after arriving in Razih. Only you two must know their contents. You must act according to the contents of the letters," Queen Lagaya said again to Patir and Turiyados standing in the grand hall.

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Patir, like Lagaya, was a member of the Petros family. As the clan leader, Lagaya intended to support the growth of family members to strengthen their power, striving to prevent the decline of the family's prestige in the Southern Empire.