When Tinatin learned of her father’s crippling sorrow, she came directly to his rooms. Outside of his door, she was greeted by his chamberlain, who stood and bowed before her. She asked the man about her father.
“How is my father? Does he sleep, or is he awake?”
“My lady, your father sits and broods like a man struck in the head. Even his color has suffered a change. Only Avtandil is with him, attending to his needs and turning away all who would disturb the King. I am told a strange Knight crossed their path and brought much ruin and woe. This appears to be the cause of the King’s melancholy.”
She nodded her understanding.
“If he is not injured, I will take my leave. Now is not the time for me to approach him. Yet, when my father asks where I am, you must tell him I was here a moment ago. When this happens, send for me, and I will come.”
With these words, she returned to her apartments. Before long, Rostevan called the man and asked about his daughter.
“What news of Tinatin? Where is my solace and jewel, the water of my life?”
“She was here just now, my Lord, pale and full of worry but feared to interrupt your rest. So now she waits for you.”
“I cannot bear her absence! Call her, and say, ‘Sweet child, you are the life of your father. Why did you turn back? Come and drive away his grief. Heal his wounded heart. He will tell you why his joy has fled.’”
When she received his message, Tinatin came. She was worried but planned what she would say to console her father. When she entered his room, he set her by his side and kissed her forehead.
“Why did you stay away from me? Were you waiting for me to call you?”
“Father, you are King. Who, however bold, would dare approach you knowing of your sorrow? No doubt your suffering has dimmed the lights of Heaven, but I am sure we will find a solution together. But, I wonder, why did your men not solve this difficulty?”
On hearing her words, he showed the slightest of smiles.
“Sweet child, no matter my grief at this sad affair, the sight and life of you gives me cause for joy. You have lifted my spirits as though I’ve taken an elixir. However, when I tell you what happened, you will understand the reason for my sighing and groaning. Listen, and I will share my tragedy.”
“When my contest with Avtandil finished, Shermadin pointed to a strange and beautiful youth at the far edge of the stream. This man was like a ray of light, brightening the Heavens and expanding the bounds of the earth. He wore the skin of a panther, and though he was a joy to see, some tragedy afflicted him. We did not understand what troubled him because he wept endlessly. So, I sent a messenger to bring him, but he refused my summons.”
“His arrogance drew my wrath, and I ordered soldiers to seize him. When they approached, he wiped the tears from his eyes and mounted his horse to ride away. My men tried to stop him, but they were utterly destroyed by his hand. Seeing this, Avtandil and I rode to overtake him, but when we were close, he disappeared. Not once did he salute me as a man, and I cannot say if he was a man or Devi.”
“We searched everywhere for this strange Knight but found no sign of him or his passing. When I counted how many dead were left in his wake, I realized my actions had turned the tender mercies of Heaven against me. Now, everything reminds me of those men on the field. I fear the days of my joy are brought to ruin. Though I may live long, I think nothing will give me cause to rejoice again.”
When he finished speaking, Tinatin kneeled before him. She took his hands in hers, looking up at his sad face before offering him a solution.
“Why do you accuse God of bitterness towards you when he is tender to all? To what end would the creator visit this evil on you? Do not let your discontent with Fate leave you so upset. Cease your sadness. The boundaries of your empire span from one sea to the other, and you are King. Send your men to every village and town with news of your story. Soon you will learn the truth of whether he is a mortal man or something else.”
“If this Knight in the panther skin is of flesh and blood, others will have seen him wandering the Kingdom. They will tell you where he is. Yet if no one has information, you can be certain he was a Devi. They are an old race and not like us. Their goals and desires are not something God has given us the ability to understand. Knowing this, you can forget the evil he sought to visit on you.”
Rostevan thought long about what his daughter said. Her words were like the voice of chimes on the wind. They brought wisdom from Heaven on the wings of God’s own angels. She stilled his mind and filled him with peace and serenity.
He smiled at her before calling his generals to him. When they arrived, he ordered soldiers sent to scour every part of the land.
“Go to the four corners of the world and search for this youth. Spare yourselves no pain, and do not delay in returning with the news. Allow no one to stand in your way and nothing to hinder you. Wherever you cannot pass, send a letter, and I will open the way. If a year passes and you do not find him, return here, and tell me.”
Over the following weeks, tens of thousands of men rode out from the palace in every direction. They went across Arabia and some into lands beyond. Months passed, and soon nearly all the time given to their search was gone, yet not a soul had found the man they sought. Bitter with their failure to find the Knight and weary of heart and mind, the men began trickling back to deliver their reports to the King. One after another, they told of their inability to locate the stranger until the last of them returned.
“My Lord, we have been unable to serve you, for there is no news. We wandered far in our search but found no living man or woman who has seen the Knight. We are sorry to give you no cause for celebration, but you must make another plan to catch this man you seek.”
Yet, much to their surprise, the King was overjoyed.
“My daughter was right! The man was no more than a hideous and unclean Devi. I will not allow an evil spirit to deceive me into grief. Let us rejoice the passing of these dark days, for the burden around my neck is released!”
Though the soldiers and King’s advisors were surprised at the sudden announcement, they were happy their Lord was back to his former self. Bright banners were hung across the city, and banquets of food and drink were prepared. Minstrels and acrobats performed in the streets, while sportsmen entertained the people with contests and feats of strength. Early in the afternoon, gifts were given freely to citizens and nobles alike.
Of all those celebrating, none were happier than Avtandil. Rostevan was like a father to him, and sons forever carry the burdens of their fathers. More, he felt responsible for the tragedy, as he was beside the King when the strange Knight vanished. But now, the weight of his failure was lifted, and he celebrated until the festivities began to wind down.
In the evening, he returned to his chambers. Watching as the moon rose, he readied himself for bed yet stopped short of going to sleep. He was still too full of joy and decided to play his harp. Wearing nothing more than his undergarments, he sat on the sofa, singing to himself as he played a quiet song. Then much to his surprise, someone knocked softly on his door.
Looking out, he was speechless at finding one of Tinatin’s servants. The man whispered a message to him.
“The moon-faced one sends for you.”