(Part 1)

Thus motivated, Azalea and her lady mother were quick to devise their own plan. The daughter would try and seek out Azumi to then help him against their common nemesis Razin, while Mira would once again go for Mustafa, ostensibly on a friendly visit but also to guard him against possible intrusions.

"Boy, would I love that," Mama Viper replied, beaming for once. "Mu's got such darn-similar tempers as yours as I'm so used to, and tenfold smarter; I can already see us gettin' along on so many fields!"

"He owes those very traits to not being yer child, best not forget that," Zal pointed out in the tone of mock boredom, "and hey, you saw how I'm learnin' too, 'pologies it's takin' forever. More to the point: ya sure we're not bein' watched here? Us together would often mean some serious stuff's on, 'specially now. We are mom and child, yeah... but that comes out as too darn-smooth an interpretation for some."

"If I can't even talk safely in my own home," Mira pointed out, "I'm gonna make sure I can."

"By partnering with the boy ya meant to rid?"

"And usin' the girl I used to despise. How times change, don't ya agree?"

They laughed together.

"Wish me luck, Mom."

"Always... but luck shifts ain't uncommon in these things, we saw that. Keep yer freakin'-wits on, and pray. Seriously, pray."

"I will."

"Oh, before I forget," Mirani paused. "Paper's still on you?"

"Wanna have it?"

"Not here."

***

When next she saw Mustafa in his chamber after her own daughter had gone along, Mirani found that he was deeply brooding at his desk.

"My prince."

"...What are you doing here, now of all times?"

"Relax. I'm just here to keep you company... if you'll let me."

Mu pursed his lips. "'Tis not exactly your company I'm seeking right now."

"My word! Is that unrequited love I'm sensing? See, you're blushing!" Mama Viper, chuckling, seated herself where Urdin had sat in his earlier visit. "Couldn't be too careful with that."

"Mind your own business. Missed me?"

"Razin's knock-down-drag-out plan's pretty much underway now, huh," Mira related. "You've sent Azumi out for him, now my daughter's just as eager to join."

"You let her?!"

"Ya know what she's like; tell her not to do something, that's as good as done."

The prince flushed. "She's a child!"

"A child eager to do right... as are you. You know damn-well there's more to ridding oppositions-"

"Yes, you've been playing on both fields. How admirable."

Mira smiled. "How admirably, then, do you plan to deal with your father?"

"Need I fear him for practically exposing the rest of my siblings--his own subjects--to the whims of that dog of yours?"

"Some might consider that betrayal."

"Look who's talking."

"There are times, you know," Mira rose and paced about the chamber, "when I'd have wished you were my son. You seem to comprehend these mind games the best from among Urdin's kids. Any secret to that?"

"I tell you, and 'tis no longer secret. Just as you've done to so many for so often before, Mira: keep guessing."

"'Tis not for myself," Mama Viper pointed out. "You've been plannin' out my death sentence, I can guess, and I don't mind. But what of your other sister, hmm? Who knows, she'd need to know that secret in time."

"Then I'll let her know, not you. Take that how you will."

Mira paused. "I'm really sorry, Mustafa, alright? My senseless envy and hate all those years seem to have rendered almost everyone reluctant to just relate anything of importance to me today; even those I desperately need. I'd had to claw up and find 'em myself, I... I wouldn't want Zal to have to repeat that. You do believe in second chances, don't ya?"

Mustafa considered this. "Believe it or not, you are being given just that, Mira."

"Then I suppose you will accept this." Mama Viper took out Idris's fateful paper. "Would you not?"

"How did you..?"

"Precautions."

The prince took it.

"Now, if ya don't mind me asking again," the queen went on, "whose presence were you expecting?"

Mu gazed at her briefly, deciding that Mira was just up for a chat between equally-astute minds. "That of a northern girl. Sender of those envoys my father's gonna be greeting."

"Got a name, that pair o' nice legs?"

"Brista, of House Sabri."

"Charming?"

"About as much as your girl. Same age, too."

"Go on."

The prince sighed. "Wish I could've helped that one more, but there was only so much time during that siege. Talked much, mostly on religion, often bordering on debate. Liked her views to be heard, knew when to listen just as well; what we grew to love of each other."

"On religion, eh?" Mira smirked. "This should be interesting. I'm all ears, my prince, on how all this had begun."

Mu took his time moving back on to his bed.

"Let's just say she's seen funnier things than myself," he resumed, with a measured look at Mira. "To begin with, Bri's grandfather Balsar had been taken down by schemers at his court, rendering her father--the reigning Lord Sabri--in mild trauma for not having been able to save him in time. Worse, such timidity coupled with his collusion-wracked court--to the point where friend or foe cannot be easily distinguished--practically slowed down the rooting-out for said schemers and paved the grounds for new ones.

"Coming out of all those," Mu pressed on, "Bri was understandably irked. At one point in our more private conversations she even raged at how 'godless' many of her so-called 'courtiers' could be; that otherwise they could not have done that to their own ruler, as well as loads more of fouler misdeeds, as would have been dictated by the teachings of any religion had they remained firm to them; that perhaps she and the rest of her people deserve the current stigma of 'heathens', 'barbarians' and what have you..."

"Wow, you're right," Mama Viper remarked, "prob's not so different from what my own girl had had to face."

"Told you so."

"That said, even then Zal had not sunk so low as to complain about her beliefs. I'd say she's fortunate 'nough not to have to endure stigmas of it along the way, but still... what else could have made this one be so worthy of your personal attention, think you? Couldn't help but notice."

"Unlike Zal, Bri's an only child, no siblings to share the burden--don't look at me like that, that's how deeply the latter's come to trust me in the course of what brief time we had together: to have related such personal tidbits."

"Eh, she's still young and not like I'm seeking to condemn someone whom I had hardly met, dear prince. Heck, I'm even starting to pity her, if even half of what you're saying 'bout her could be believed. How was it that you two came across each other, I never asked?"

"Bri was pulling back from a punitive venture against some traitors of her own, closer to our own borders; her relative youth aside, she's one of the few 'commanders' remaining loyal to her dad's cause... not unlike myself in some ways. For her House to have to rely on such young commanders afield, I believe, says quite a few things of its present plight."

"In that regard, then, ours ain't faring any better. Pity."

"In our case, that serves more to forge new talents than out of extreme duress, I should like to think. To answer your earlier question: Brista's witnessed one of my earlier skirmishes in trying to hold off Vasmir's outriders. Brash as she was, or just being generously brave depending which side you're on, she'd decided to lend a hand... and stuck around even when Vasmir's main host arrived. The rest is part of our history now."

"Come, come," Mama Viper prodded laughingly. "That siege may have been, but this Brista's motivations and how you've proven to have been able to get along at all, such forceful figures otherwise as you both seem to be... boy, I could've ended up wasting more hours than I'd have liked just trying to find out why. That said," the distinguished visitor curtsied, "you must be fatigued. I better leave you be for now..."

"Mira!"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks for taking time to listen. I wish my own mother were here when I shall relate it in greater detail."

Mirani laughed again. "And why only wish, lovebird? I could help relay the word to that preachy damsel, see how she'd like that. Plenty o' stuff to try catch up on when that fat gopher's down and gone, eh?"

"Say that again."

"Peace be to you, then, prince."

"And to you."

***

Having seen the 'Finish-Razin Expedition' team off while making his own position and that of his lady mother clear, Rashid was in much-finer spirits as he went to change into his sleeping clothes and afterwards on to his own chamber to have a nap. However, once there, he was soon confronted with the nastiest surprise to date.

Almost as soon as he closed the door, it got barred from within with a thump. This was quickly followed by a hooded figure cornering him on to the walls, gripping the princeling by the neck.

"Ahk..!"

There, amidst the thrill of the still-pulsing neck and short, scared gasps of the boy's breath and stare, this uninvited visitor related their aims in a growl tinged with satisfaction.

"The risks involved to even get here..." they pointed out. "Figured Prince Mustafa ain't no fool, but the ways to his chamber would've been too damn-well guarded. So listen well, brat; just don't make me dirty these hands more than absolutely necessary, 'kay?"

The princeling managed an assenting whimper where a nod would not have been possible under the circumstances.

"Now then," this visitor continued, "I'm willing to bet how thousands of wild questions must be swirling in that brain of yours as we speak; I'll try to answer a few of the most obvious ones.

"First, and before we get too far: I came here not to harm, but to talk. Best not screw it. Second, in continuing to do my 'crimes', I've only been meaning to make your father realize some of his own; that not what good courtiers are supposed to do? Hundreds of thousands had perished no thanks to his constrictive, rigid views of 'unity' over the years... I thought, if the only way for him to come around is by depriving him of those he truly loves just like what he'd done so thoughtlessly to so many others... well, so be it! And for that, I'd had to be selective, don't you agree, twat?

"The rest is history, sort of. String o' failures, some you saw. That first attempt 'gainst Mustafa had misfired as you knew, even under that smartass Mirani's directions, even after months of preparation. In turn, my Azamite patrons and so many more in Melvir--Ardis now--had had to pay the ultimate price, while Urdin continued to dance on his stolen throne!

"Then I decided 'twas that doddering Yasnar's turn: Urdin's right-hand fellow and the beckoner of those wolves to our gates in the first place. Aska backed out in the nick of time, damn him, but the deed's done; Zaeed's takedown was an unexpected if not unwelcome bonus. Still your father did not so much as budge... What, you think you wanna speak? Fine; but shout and it'd be your last."

Very slowly, this nocturnal visitor let go of his grip on Rashid.

"Razin, is it..?" the latter managed, having coughed a few times while clutching on his own neck. His visitor nodded, throwing back his hood, revealing a balding, clean-shaven mid-aged man with a bushy brown moustache. The rest of his body was wrapped in black cloak for better stealth in the dimly-lit chamber.

"Thought you should at least have the honor of knowing whom you're conversing with," the courtier pointed out. "A show of goodwill, if you like."

"Was it also you who went after me the second time... and broken my bow?"

"I could've broken your life then... but no, I didn't. Felt you and Dastra were too damn-young to understand my and Mira's sort of game, but I gather Mustafa could by this point. Why I wounded him; and darn, did that take so long a time. Wouldn't be too surprised if the Amir were to dispatch a bunch of his other dogs my way to collect their reward, this time 'round."

"So why not come clean?" the princeling asked. "Mira did, and with some effort she's practically back on decent terms with the rest of us. You're not beyond redemption!"

Following a brief stunned silence at how a mere 'brat', his to-have-been victim, would be speaking for him, Razin permitted himself a slight smile.

"That's as may be, as a person... but I had helped take the lives of those two maids. Whatever redemption I shall have, kid, shall have to take place in the Hereafter... and Mira's as well. She gave the order that made it happen! Whatever punishment I shall have to take, that wench must have it too, and double! That not how fairness works, eh?"

For his part, Rashid became quiet for a time. Was this part of the consequences of his taking no sides? To appear to side with someone so bent on putting his entire household in danger because of what its patriarch may have done?

These were indeed intriguing--though far from clear-cut--notions for his young mind.

"Let's go to Akhi," he suggested with some urgency. "He's already been pondering over Mira's sentence for some time; perhaps if you care to add that side of the story-"

"Weren't you listening?" Razin countered in a fierce whisper. "I've got a bounty on my head, damned if not. You'll have to do it for me, and I'd rather not beg to a royal twat whose father had disposed of my true liege. I'll be here same time tomorrow, to have his answer."

"I... cannot promise on that. Akhi might want you be dragged out sooner-"

"So the heck be it- he'll know where to look. My thanks for bothering to listen, brat. Now, as a further sign of goodwill, I can promise you that there shall be no further takedowns; pass that to your cocksure bro should you ever decide to see him again, alright? 'Til then."

That said, Razin put his hood back on and vanished as quietly as he had come.

(Part 2)

The immediate danger having subsided, Rashid sat on the bedside, still trembling.

"Phew... T-that's gotta be the nearest brush with death I've gone through, to date; seems I've gotten a tad braver, after all... Wait a second, what's this- Aw, for crying out loud-"

So shaken was this twelve-year-old stripling by the encounter that he had not quite realized that he'd wet himself. When such realization came he was more than abashed.

"Gosh dang it... 'a tad braver', my boot..."

Having sent for an attendant to fetch him a set of more presentable attires, forgetting about his fatigue in the process, Rashid instead mulled again on what his next steps ought to be.

"I gotta let Azu and Zal know, to say the least," he murmured, "they're already moving out on Akhi's order, or believe to; let's hope Razin knew how to elude them in the meantime, or we'd be in for one bigger heck of a mess..."

With this in mind, the search was on. As ever, Zal proved the tougher of that unlikely pair to bargain for any leeway with.

"What was that?!" that princess blinked in seething disbelief when informed of that new change. "Razin had been in yer chamber... but did no further harm beyond almost chokin' the sorry life outta you, and instead asked for Akhi to listen to his crap? The nerve..!"

"Princess," Azumi reminded, "let's not forget, we are already in possession of the required evidence. Motives aside, I gather our prince could only welcome such a change."

"Or he'd give ya 'nother verbal lashing at this delay," she sneered. "Just 'cause ya've been with 'im for the better part o' the day does not mean you can't get demoted or worse, Sir Azu. Akhi has that choice; he freakin'-knows it; and like myself, he wouldn't have hesitated to put it to good use."

"And unlike you," Rashid chimed in, "he would have known to pause and listen. His verdict on your dearly-beloved schemer of a mom might also be altered in light of this news, which, oh, by the way fits into Father's earlier request for further evidence too... so why the panic?"

"Explain to me, then, Pipsqueak," Zal blasted, "how the heck ya both could be so damn-sure that this might not be just 'nother ruse by that heck of a fox to get that much closer to Mu's person! I had been damnably-fortunate for my mom to have stepped in just last night when Lei's seen me with that bloody dagger, ya know. Next time the latter's heard me allowing an assassin to get that much closer to our brother on purpose, she'd settle for nothing less than my hide, and not even your puny help would have mattered!"

"All right!" Rashid exclaimed, exasperated. "Don't tag along if you don't wanna... but don't look for me should your mom's upcoming verdict turn out to be totally beyond what you may have been entertaining, either. After you, Sir Azu."

Piqued but with nothing better to offer, Azalea decided to swallow her ego once more and tag along.

"Better be worth my freakin'-time, ya louts!"

(Part 3)

Back in his own chamber, the 'lion prince' was lying sideways in bed, still mulling over his previous encounter with Mira.

As friend or foe, Mama Viper's open-mindedness had never ceased to amaze this prince, as proven in the former's remarks on Brista and the circumstances she had been raised in.

Zal arguably had her own merits, but Mu could--if pressed, and few would dare to--say with some confidence that Mira's insights seemed to be on another level. Her only flip: having pretty much established herself as a second-to-none schemer. From there had stemmed often-baseless ill will toward her each and every time anything foul should befall Urdin's court.

Even had anyone been brave enough--and few that Mu presently knew at court did--to put such prejudices aside, the hard fact remained, at least for this prince: Mama Viper had been involved in the offing of his two maids. Such a slight, as he had seen for himself, cannot simply be overlooked without the inherent risks of the Amirate's laws and rulings being made light of; something that, as a possible heir of said realm, he would try his best to avert.

Would Azalea prove capable of filling that gap at all, should the worst ever take place?

Coming to the end of this train of thought, the 'lion prince' sighed again.

"Being an Amir sure is no fun... Little wonder Idris chose to just be a common father when I got 'round to ask him, for all those rights that so many claimed he had-"

Shortly thereafter, three knocks on his chamber's door occurred. With a resigned smile Mu once more seated himself in bed, ready for yet more complaints and/or rumors that anyone felt would require his attention.

"Come in!"