(Part 1)

The following morning.

The first light snows had begun to fall even as Mardan prepared himself for the thankless task of finding out whether Mama Viper's earlier act of trying to deprive her royal stepsons of dear life, might not bring her one step closer towards recrimination; namely, from the families of maids who had actually fallen in womanly defense of their young charges.

Those same charges, in the meantime, were concluding their morning repast... and near its end, Leia appeared to have something to offer as well, having discreetly asked her eldest brother to remain ("Please?") in the dining room after the repast, and taken the seat opposite that of his as a further precaution.

Only after she was sure that the others--even the servants--had left and the doors properly closed, did this princess begin to outline her offer.

"Akhi, do you have a moment?"

"You've seen to that," came the reply. "If this is about Mira, out with it; everyone's been at it since yesterday. Couldn't say I'd sent each off with satisfaction. Well?"

Leia cleared her throat delicately, her silence giving Mu the answer he required.

"Start talking."

"I, I just think... before you get to make any pronouncement on her, would it not be best if you were to come to the city and observe darn-similar cases?"

"What are you going on about, Lei?"

"Her fouler deeds aside, Mira is still a mother," she pointed out. "How many mothers would no longer get to see her husbands or sons again thanks to your campaigns? Had it occurred to you to speak to them, listen to them describing what it's like? Oh, I know 'twas partly due to manpower pressures afield, and yes, how high they must've been... but what about now? This time you're seeking to knowingly deprive children of their mother. Is that what a wise ruler would do, I ask?"

"If we are to touch on 'wisdom', Sister," Mu replied, "methinks Father should never have taken another wife. Spared so much fuss, it would have."

"Who are you to judge him like that, anyway? You weren't there, nor any of us; we could not possibly know what it had truly been like, how necessary it might have been to have two in support rather than one. Anyways, past is past; I'm talking more of the present--and you know you can act on it!"

"The present it is, and act on it I will." The prince sighed. "So if I somehow could not bear to look at those nameless widows in the eyes even as I personally offer them condolences for something they knew to be meritorious, Leia dear... it might not be proper for me, at all, to pass judgment to her whom had actually tried to have myself and my brothers assaulted multiple times, right under our father's own roof? Is this your notion of 'wisdom', Sister?"

"But to do so knowingly..!"

"Because the foul deed too had been knowingly performed! I won't trouble you with the 'why', either; past is past, and in the meantime the results had spoken for themselves. We have victims, casualties, witnesses, and most importantly, culprits. To not hold that trial 'cause Mira's a heck of a queen... I don't think that's how Father or anyone else, not even Idris, would want this realm to be governed in decades to come!

"And what of our duties before Allah," he pressed on, "to dispense justice when we could; to right wrongs with every authority at our disposal? Would you now advise me to throw all that away, you of all people? Has our mother taught you nothing while I'm not here?!"

"Nothing of this sort, I must admit," Leia affirmed, her tears bubbling. "She's been spending too many hours second-guessing what Mira and Zalea might do to us, rather than actually telling us how exactly to prevent that from even occurring. 'Twas Zal who'd made the most effort in reaching out to all of us. The irony, huh?"

"To think I'd been treating her like trash most of the time," Mu whispered with dawning realization. "Darn it! Forget passing Mirani's verdict while pretending to have acted in fairness; my family's not been doing any better. All these months I'd been through fire, steel and blood, cooped up with the likes of Brista and her hordes up north... and for what, think you, Lei? To safeguard the whole pack of your bickering selves?! You even failed to squash that viper-spawn Razin with all the breathing space given you... Oh, for crying out loud: would you have me believe that that had all been A GRAND FREAKING-WASTE?!" this prince, now red-faced, banged at the oaken table. "Our unflagging courage, trust, sacrifice, all seemingly in vain... All said, you still dare to speak of wives, mothers and relatives of my darn-devoted legions and how I should look at them in the eyes! How brazen is that..."

The object, built to endure, did not crack; but Mu's right fist was now dripping blood. Leia yelped, instinctively shielding herself from the sort of oncoming firestorm that she surmised would dwarf even Azalea's.

Wolves howled loud and long, but would only start to become a real nuisance when not alone. Lions, even alone, were more than enough of a threat.

"A-Akhi, please, calm down, I just meant to... You survived your first campaign when so many had not, that's something... Right? We should be thanking Allah-"

"We should, yes." Mustafa's glare was still terrifying to behold, and this princess was quick to lower her own gaze, avoiding it. "But if this be 'victory', I guess I should wish for no more like it."

"So, uh, about Mira-"

"Speak no more of her case with me, Leia, not in my hearing," the young lion growled, his throbbing, bloody fist being slowly raised in her direction. "Nothing short of direct talks with that she-viper--tomorrow, as I had Dastra remember--might clear things up in that respect. Get the others damn-clear on that too. Now, if that's the last of your points to make here, you may take your leave."

"Your hand..."

"Get someone to fetch bandages and ointment on your way, while we're at it. Thank you."

Ever the dutiful sibling, Lei obliged... this time with unenviable haste.

***

Zalea's immediate reply when informed of her sister's latest attempt (the bandages having been delivered and properly applied) was a snickering shrug, despite perspiring from her current session of kilij-training with Rashid.

"No way to change Mu's mind, alright," the fiery one commented. "'Tis up to him and Mom now, indeed. Thanks for trying, Pighead, t' say the least."

"Yeah, but... I still think it is necessary for him to realize that his 'campaigns', while so often lauded on, are indeed putting on a strain on the realm. Lots of orphans, whatnot..."

Zal pointed her kilij at the other princess's face; a friendly, in-style warning.

"His campaigns are pulled off on Dad's orders--to him ya should go with that case, see how it's gonna roll out. I'm keepin' darn-sharp eyes on my mom's, meantime. Fifteen minutes' break, Ras!"

With those words she stabbed the weapon down into the ground.

"I hear our new Vazir Ebrahim's going to meet Akhi this day, too," the princeling observed, passing by, his own kilij properly sheathed to his left waist. "First impressions, so to speak. Hope you left our brother in the best of moods, Big Sis."

Behind Rashid's back, his true sister winced. "Forgot about that, sort of..."

(Part 2)

When Vazir Ebrahim had finished his preparations in seeking an audience with Mustafa, the former was informed that the meeting was to take place in the prince's study, in the presence of Azumi; and that the prince would not have it otherwise.

As he bowed before Mu, he chanced to glance at his bandaged right palm, and assumed it was a battlefield wound.

"Salutations, Your Highness Prince Mustafa."

"And to you. You are?"

This youngster did not even bide me to be seated, the visitor noted. Perhaps because he is no ordinary youngster, having worked with and alongside armies of two whole Houses at this age and yet lived to brag on such an exploit...

"Ebrahim Nash, sir, now vazir by the Amir's grace. At your service."

"I'm told you've come from relatively humble backgrounds."

"That would not do disservice to my capabilities, I hope, sir."

"Hope's mutual. What capabilities would those be?"

The visitor made a mental note to personally observe this young figure more closely in future occasions.

"Two years' experience of overseeing the garrison in Ardis primarily within the logistical sphere, sir, before our Amir had come around to the opinion that my talents might serve in a somewhat-wider capacity..."

"That's a lot you're being asked for, Sir Ebrahim, for so brief a tenure," Mustafa observed, leaning forward in his seat, "such that I hope you've got more than candor and a keen hand on quills and paper to match. Managing such vast and diverse resources of a whole realm isn't quite the same as securing supplies to a couple barracks for a couple months... Been through some of the latter aspect myself, you see--and while I cannot yet say that I'm quite an expert on such things and so many others, I certainly hope we could accomplish greater feats together in the Amir's service from this point. Don't you?"

"Of course, sir." Lad's earnestly figuring out if he could trust me... This should be interesting.

"Do have a seat."

Ebrahim obliged and real talk commenced, still under Azumi's dutiful observation. It had not occurred to the new vazir to ask for this aide's dismissal from the chamber, even momentarily.

"First off," the prince resumed, "in what fields, specifically, would you plan to allocate our Amirate's current resources into?"

"I have listed quite a few possibilities as it were, my prince; chief among which being the conclusive subjugation of the northern regions, as well as the clearing or at the very least mitigation of Sigistan sea marauders to our south."

"Do whatever is necessary for the south," Mustafa rejoined. "With regards to the north, has it also reached your attention that we are about to be host to its envoys in the near future?"

"It has, sir... but with due respect, I personally would prefer not to put too much weight on a lasting alliance with those savages."

"And why not?" Mu's tone was noticeably firmer now, and the vazir did not miss it.

"Because, my prince, and despite the fact that your august self had worked with elements of them, it has reached my attention too that those northerners' own domains are presently in turmoil. Whichever rulers that you may desire to try and strike an accord with, might well be replaced in a matter of weeks; thereby rendering said agreement null and void, and we'd have to start from scratch. The efforts-"

"Subjugating them would've stretched our resources thin, at best, for Allah Knows how long," the prince countered. "Heck, I would even propose that we take a step back on this operational quarter and watch them regain their own feet with their own efforts while keeping our own vigilance high; that way we shall ruffle no more hornets' nest than we could handle."

The visitor smiled quizzically. So young, he reminded himself.

"Begging pardons, my prince, but would that be our Amir's view as well? I seem to recall that he had in mind for this peninsula to be united under our noble Amirate's banners. Far be it for me to oppose him... nor, for that matter, should you."

"Offering a different solution, sir, is not the same as opposing." The prince rose, and his visitor followed suit. "As you know, people of different faiths and backgrounds had long been enjoying our benevolent protection in coexistence; the same offer could be extended to those northern domains, surely."

"And if they should choose to oppose us at a later date? I also heard it said that they are in possession of weapons far superior to what we could hope to muster at present..."

"Play it right and we might get to lay hands on quite a few of said weapons... to which end," Mustafa clapped his visitor on the shoulder with his own bandaged hand, "I shall be relying on your extensive experience regardless of my personal involvement, if then. That would be all for today, Sir Ebrahim: your attendance is appreciated."

"It has been an honor, sir." The new vazir meant it.

***

"With respect, my prince," Azumi remarked after the vazir left, "Ebrahim might choose to report your earlier suggestion to leave the north alone to the Amir, and the latter might not regard it too warmly."

"Let him. The Amir knew of this meeting in the first place, I gather he'd be as curious to learn of its results. Besides, logistically, that offer would make sense."

"Sense is so often mute before ambition, sir. Perhaps... it might be best to readjust your priorities?"

"To whose?" Mustafa countered. "Ebrahim is a state official, now; there will be times when he'd have to follow the official line, or be offered nothing instead. I am a prince, and those in my position must be firm enough to stand up to their own views, wouldn't you say?"

"But suppose the Amir were to order you to subjugate the north anyway... what would you do?"

The prince gazed deeply at his adjutant as he replied:

"I will not have this realm split under my watch, insha Allah; and you will help me ensure that."

***

Even as Mustafa was impressing yet another of his father's officials, Mardan's efforts had likewise begun to bear fruit. As it were, families of the dead maids entertained contrasting views.

The family of fair Vareena, upon realizing the truth behind their relative's passing, categorically shrugged it off. Years had come and gone, they maintained, and it would not be very wise to remain in opposition to such a powerful figure as Queen Mirani. "Glad she chose not to forget the memory of her victims," was how one of them put it. "We'll just take the blood money, thank you. Helps a greater deal more."

The family of dark-skinned Zahra, meanwhile, clamored for Mama Viper's blood; and in doing that, almost no pleasantry was spared.

"Dear sweet Zahra had been our family's backbone," Mardan was informed, with angry tears. "Her passing had been a particular blow to all of us. Only fair that the palace witch should pay for it!"

"She is our queen," Mardan tried to reason, "and Prince Mustafa might object. Not to mention, she most certainly had not acted alone."

"More to punish, then. Also we don't bloody care what Prince Mustafa thinks; he's still a kid, all said, and might well have been bluffed into complacency! Mirani's our queen, you said--very well, just means more will be there for her execution. Bring her out in golden chains, tell 'em... and when the grisly event's over, those royal bums can melt it down and have it too!"

None of Mardan's arguments towards leniency or compromise worked at that time.

The testaments having been obtained, Mardan--with his black hood back on--next invited himself to a number of taverns and inns within the city, where rumors of all sorts could be found aired and picked up.

In one of these, the aptly-named 'Crossroads Inn', Mardan became engaged in a conversation with a fellow adventurer claiming to have come all the way from Ardis, and calling herself Sarvia.

"Or 'Via' if that should suit ya better, makes no matter," she added with a giggle. "Been called many more 'long the way; wouldn't wanna know some of 'em, I'll bet."

Mardan concurred with no bets. "What brings you here, good lady?"

"No lady," she reminded. "Good, yeah, but no lady. Drift wherever the road takes me, ain't no lie."

"What, alone?"

Via clicked her tongue. "Joined a couple caravans, mister. Three more invited themselves from that last village, all dust now. Took their gold n' all, they won't need it longer." Next she clicked her fingers together as loudly as the din in the inn would allow. "Ale, barkeep, and fast! Strongest ya got. Damn-hot out there, lucky to scamper in 'ere!"

Privately, Mardan could not help wondering how the caravan masters might have been 'persuaded' to take in such a blatant lass. "What does Elbar have that Ardis didn't?" he probed.

"Security, for one." The first round of ale had arrived, and Via gulped it down to half with some gusto. "Good part o' people there been wonderin' aloud how their town should not have been the nerve of now-dead House Azam, thereafter renderin' themselves vulnerable to this freakin'-Amirate. 'Course, they might even have asked late King Tharion's last surviving daughter to be at the helm, given half the chance... Hole's poppin' up for armed fortune-seekers seekin' a time to, what's their word, 'help correct our mistake'; Vasmir's death didn't help either, one of their own. Didn't want a stinkin' part in all that, so I fled."

Mardan raised an eyebrow. Vasmir had caused a great deal of trouble for Prince Mustafa, he recalled, and the young prince might not--would not--take kindly to notions of separation; chip of the old block. Were those already-simmering Ardisians to catch wind of how Mirani was to be 'offed', the results might prove irreparable.

Be that as it may, this hooded errand boy calculated, this revelation that the Ardisians were finally up to something, might come in handy...

Presently, Sarvia had gotten around to order her third mug of ale and was burping loudly, though hardly noticeable in those bustling midday pre-winter hours.

"Say," she went on, a slight slur in her voice, "ya do seem like a guy o' secrets yaself that's been here a tad longer than me... Might ya not have come to spy straws in the wind that a fellow traveler from so far away could hope to take up, sir?"

The other hooded figure shook his head slowly, as if checking whether it was still in place. "Not free to relate that for now, I'm afraid... but if you could procure a way for us to keep in touch for the next few days, I might have some stones you could try turn."

"For that," Via rejoined, "we'd need at least working names. What's yours?"

"Aidan," came the unblinking reply. "This time tomorrow?"

"Ya're on."

(Part 3)

As Mardan went back to report on his findings to Mama Viper that same evening as had been agreed, he noticed that her fiery daughter was never too far away. Despite his misgivings of the latter's more-than-possible outburst, the truth would need to be relayed.

To his surprise, that outburst did not occur for once. Azalea merely gritted her teeth in frustration.

"To think they've 'nough guts to sentence their own queen to death, those low-ends..."

"In deciding to undermine your father's position in the first place, dear," Mirani pointed out, "I had not used the logic of a queen, quite unlike Vestra who'd stayed true. This is what I deserve."

"Urgh! For crying out loud, Mom, never shy away from solutions while ya still can! That not what ya tried so damn-hard to pass on to me and Das?! Well now that I've started to properly embrace it, why're ya the one weakening, huh?!"

Mira gazed artfully at her daughter. "Go on then, show me what ya're capable of for those ya claim to love."

"My way?"

"Your way."

"I'll hold ya to that." This princess momentarily closed her eyes. "Testaments ya gotten are rather incomplete, Mardan; only one of two families made a demand for Mom's life, and an as-yet-informal one at that."

"One is enough for it to be passed, Princess, for your information."

"One might still be reasoned with. Ya were nothin' but a mouthpiece, not exactly free to lay out conditions. I am a noble-"

"And as a noble," Mirani rejoined, "you are supposed to uphold the laws, not try to circumvent them for yer own ends."

Zal ignored the sally but for a stony glare.

"All the same," she continued, "Akhi would need to know this... and I probably am not the right person to relay it. Be so kind, Mard?"

"Of course, my lady."

"And what do you think we are supposed to do now?" Mira inquired, eyebrow raised.

"We," the daughter declared, "are gonna be there for an audience with Mustafa tomorrow. Together!"