“Until this moment, there had never been anger in my heart towards Nestan. Yet, the audacity of her accusations pierced my soul, and my spirit burst into flame. I turned and walked away from her without a word. When the curtain fell between us and I was a few steps away, I shouted back over my shoulder to her, ‘Do not think me so cowardly as to need a woman to urge me into a fight! Now you will see the truth of my promise, though I did not desire it to be public.’”
“I left in a blind rage, intent on nothing but slaughter. When I returned to my castle, I summoned a hundred of my best Knights, the same who remained living from those who had stood beside me against Ramaz and his treachery. When they arrived, I made myself clear.”
“‘It poisons me to sit idle while the Kingship is passed to a Persian. I am the last Prince of India. By right, no one should rule but me. If you would bow your knee to the son of Khvarazmsha, you deserve the yoke he will place about your neck. But if you are true to our Kingdom, come with me. I go now to slay him and end this.’”
“My men all felt like me and agreed to my course. None wanted their homeland parceled off to invaders. Together, we mounted and rode to the palace. Once there, we slipped from our horses and stealthily made our way through the city. No one was aware of us as we approached the sleeping Prince.”
“I crept up to his tent and sliced through the back edge with my knife. Slipping in, I observed him lying in bed, drunk and snoring. His debauchery disgusted me, and I grabbed him by the legs, dashing his head against the center support pole so hard I cracked it, striking him dead. As promised, I shed no blood in the deed, though other men would bleed soon enough.”
“The noise of his head splitting woke the courtiers sleeping by the entrance. They cried in terror when they realized what I did to their Lord. This alerted his guards, and they stormed in, but I was already gone back the way I came. Almost instantly, an alarm went up amongst his soldiers.”
“They pursued my Knights and me, but we knew the land better. Those who came close to us were slain. We did not lose a single man, for our armor and skill protected us. Soon we reached the walls of my fortress. Once within, we could not be touched, for my castle was impregnable. I was Amirbar.”
“I sent messengers across India, informing them of what I had done and requesting all loyal men to join me on the plains around my home. We would not tolerate insolence from our enemy. Their leader was dead, and I would rule. Still, Persians tried to make their way to us throughout the night. We cut them all down, save those few who recognized me and retreated, keeping their heads intact.”
“I arose at daybreak after a brief rest and put on my armor. When I went to inspect my troops, I found three lords waiting for me. They carried a letter from Pharsidan. ‘Tariel, I raised you as my own. If you wanted to marry my daughter, why didn’t you tell me? Why did you repay your foster father by turning his joy into grief?’”
“‘You spilled the innocent blood of Khvarazmsha’s son on the steps of our house. How will I reconcile his death at your hands without war? What will happen to the Kingdom? Worse, what will become of you? You brought a thing on yourself which will cause us to be separated. My life will be unbearable, for you will not sit beside me in my later years.’”
“Seeing my foster father so wounded by my actions tore my heart to shreds, but I wrote my response, answering him as I had agreed with Nestan. ‘I am stronger than steel. Do not worry about my safety. The flames of fire and death will not destroy me, but as you know better than me, a King must dispense justice. I swear by your virtue I did not do this to seek flattery. This man was a trespasser and received what he deserved.’”
“‘It is unjust God gave you no son, but I am far from desiring your daughter. While the heritage of our Kingdom remains with you, I must ask, where are the other heirs? Of the seven thrones and palaces, I am the only one remaining. By right, the Lordship is mine.’”
“‘If you give my rule to Khvarazmsha, what is left to me? How can another King be seated in India while I still wear my sword? This is my country, and I will destroy any man who contests my right to the throne. May God strike me down if I call on the aid of foreigners to claim my birthright!’”
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