ACT III: Chapter 21: Idris' Ambitition

Her hand was much frailer than I remembered. It was hard for me to accept the fact that she was withering away. As I held her hand, and studied her pale face, I tried to picture how she looked during better times.

Mother. I’d been gone too long...

I remembered how vibrant and active she once was. It broke my heart seeing her in such a way. She probably doesn’t even know I’m here. That I came to apologize for what the emperor had done, to her homeland.

I couldn’t bring myself to face her before; I should have. I should have come sooner.

“Idris,” her daughter said softly. “I know. I’m leaving now.”

“It’s good that you came,” she said, wrapping her arms around me. I didn’t realize how much I needed a warm embrace. “Don’t beat yourself up over what’s happened, okay?”

“Someone has to.”

“Just give them a little while longer. They’ll understand; you’re not to blame."

“Maybe I’ll see you again, Greta.” “You will, brother. You will.”

She gave me another hug then I ducked out of the rear of the hospice. Mother birthed six other children after me with a local rice farmer.

All of them have their own children now, or so I’ve heard. Greta was the oldest and the only one in these parts that knew the rumor about her mother’s affair with my father was true.

Hakeem was his name; a high ranking soldier for the army. I followed his lead and eventually became a General for the Emperor.

Ras Almal still didn’t have a new leader. Some within Tiamoor’s circle of confidants have expressed interest in the role. More old men carrying on old ways.

And, as a General, I’d be obligated to carry out their wars or die trying. Would the cycle ever end?

I couldn’t stomach going back to my position in the capitol right away. There was no one there for a General to protect, anyway.

The many public gardens in Tazwiir’s commercial district were always a good spot to sit back and think. in. They are usually quiet, with few people, but today a crowd had gathered under the noon sky.

A woman with one of those stringed instruments on her lap was entertaining. I could never remember the names of those things; the sound it made was as enchanting as the person plucking its strings. Her music eventually faded along with her captivated audience.

I caught her looking my way a couple of times before she decided to help herself to the seat next to me. "Some day, someone has to make a smaller version of these instruments. These things are heavier than they look. I'm Arabia, by the way. And you are General Idris, am I right?"

"Have we met before?"

"I was invited to perform at the emperor's birthday bash." She frowned. "You don't remember me?"

"No, sorry. I was busy that day."

"I thought you might have at least remembered my music."

"Well, your style did sound familiar."

"I'll take familiar. General Idris?"

"Hmm?"

"How many times do I have to mention how heavy this rayie is before you offer to carry it for me?"

***

I don't think I'd ever been this deep into the city. The streets were almost too narrow for a carriage, but somehow hundreds of people navigated them without a care. The ones that weren't on the streets were above, either hanging clothes out to dry or having long distance conversations in one of the many apartments that blocked the sky.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Normally, I wouldn't stray so far from whatever path was laid out for me. Maybe not having a sitting ruler wasn't a bad thing.

"Would you look who's set up in my corner?" Arabia insisted, straining her neck to see over a growing crowd. Another musician was on the scene and by the looks of it, he was a popular guy.

"He's a sneak!" Arabia said. "Mustafa! You're a sneak! That's right! I called you a sneak!"

"Why's he a sneak?"

"The market is the busiest spot in the city and he stole the only area suitable for entertainment!"

"Couldn't you both share the space?"

"He paid off the vendors! It's his spot now! Sneak! Got so much lantern oil in his locks I'm surprised he hasn't caught fire!"

And I thought my life was filled with drama. She wasn't wrong. But the way he parted his hair added a bit of uniqueness to his style. Can't say much about his pipe skills, though. "Want me to rough him up for you?"

"Would you!?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"No," I chuckled.

"Don't toy with me like that, Idris!" She darted ahead of me and ducked inside of an apartment. "Papa! I'm home!"

A few steps led to an empty living room. Now where'd she get to? "Arabia, I'm leaving your thing here, okay?" I said, setting the instrument down. "Arabia?"

"Thank you, Idris!" she said, entering from an adjacent room and tying an apron around her waist. "Papa! Come meet General Idris before he leaves!"

"A General?" said a middle aged man wiping his hands on an apron. A smirk parted his wrinkles. "Did she sucker you into carrying that home for her?"

"No I did not!" Arabia insisted before darting back into the other room. "Papa! Why must you embarrass me in front of company??"

"I'm Oran. You're one of the emperor's Generals?"

"I will be, once we get a new one."

"Hmm. I hope he's not like the previous one."

"Why do you say that?"

"I'd better not say; I might regret it later."

"Come help me with the vegetables, papa!" Arabia beckoned from the other room. "You know I hate cutting onions!"

"Leave the tear bulbs to me, little Rai."

"Sounds like you two are busy. I'd better be on my way. Tell Arabia I said goodbye."

"Certainly, certainly.”

“Papa!” Arabia exclaimed, darting into the room rubbing her eyes. “Do I have to invite him to the wedding??”

“I’m sure the General has more important matters to attend to than your sister’s union, Rai.”

Actually, I don’t. Heading back to Ras Almal is the last thing I want to do right now.

She looked at me and smiled playfully. “My aunt Amina’s uniting with her true love, Estafan. The celebration starts tomorrow evening, Idris. There’ll be food, dancing, and music by me! So, I’ll take it as a personal offense if you’re not there!”

“I guess I can’t say ‘no’ to that.”

“You can’t!”

***

Arabia wasn’t exaggerating when she said there would be dancing and traditional music. There were three days worth of celebratory rituals. But when the morning of the wedding finally arrived, people were still filled with excitement and anticipation.

Both the bride and groom were dressed in the type of gowns and robes few people wore anymore. The celebration continued into the late hours of the evening and I decided to make my exit.

It was way past time for me to report for duty in the capitol. I threw a ‘goodbye’ wave to Arabia, who was still swaying joyfully to her music, and made my leave. Her father stopped me as I passed him by.

"Leaving?" he asked.

"Yeah. Duty calls."

"Oh well, may your home journey be a peaceful one."

"Thanks."

"Oh and General, to answer your previous question. My daughter's future is the reason why I'd prefer not to have another Emperor Taimoor."

For once what happened with Catalyst, and the future emperor didn’t dominate my thoughts. I guess Amina and Estafan’s wedding made me feel more hopeful for tomorrow.

It wasn’t until I stepped into the army barracks did a bad feeling come over me. I mean, the air hadn’t felt this way since the time we confronted Alba/Damnation.

I noticed Tears down the hallway before he did me. He seemed distracted and in a hurry. “Tears, I’m back. I know I’m a few days late...”

I paused. Something was definitely up. He looked at me like something serious was amidst. “You haven’t been briefed, have you?”

“About what?”

“We’ve received troubling reports about another attack on our territory. Tazwiir this time. Isa and Badr are on their way there now.”

Tazwiir? I just left there. “How bad?”

“Dozens might be injured or dead from what I can gather. It was during a crowded social gathering; the numbers will likely go up.”

I just knew it was the wedding; I could feel it. Arabia and her family..if something bad happened to them...

“With the two of them gone, you and I are needed to fill their boots today. Istan is making his ascension to Emperor official.”

Istan; another war agitator and another possible Arhmanian attack on our soil in response to Catalyst.

This deadly cycle wasn’t going to end was it?