“With my letter composed, I sent it back to Pharsidan in the hands of the three Lords. I did not fear what would come, for I was in the right. More, Nestan supported me. With her by my side, there was nothing I could not accomplish. Yet, I still had no news from her. This worried me, adding fuel to the fires in my soul. I began to pace, and after a time, I went to walk the walls of my fortress. Looking over the plains, I learned a dreadful thing.”

“Two disheveled people approached. One clearly a servant of the other, but both bloodied and weary from whatever ordeal they endured. Soon I recognized one as Asmath. Her head was not covered, and she stumbled as she walked. I quickly came down to the gates, running across the plain to meet her and shouting as I approached. ‘What happened?’”

“Yet she did not answer. When I came closer, I understood how damaged she was. Her clothes were filthy, and blood matted her once fine hair. It ran down her face, staining the breast of her robes a bright red. She could not stand alone and leaned on the man for support. As I reached her side, she collapsed in a faint.”

“I picked her up and carried her back. When I put her down, I wiped her face, and she woke. For a moment, she looked at me in a daze, as if unaware of who I was, before weeping pitifully. I tried calming her with reassurances as to her safety within my castle, but nothing consoled her. After a long time, she spoke one sentence before falling into tears again. ‘The Heavens have rained wrath down on us for what we did.’”

“Despite my efforts, she said no more. Clearly, grief consumed her. I grew mad to learn about Nestan, or why Asmath and her servant were so bloody and beaten. Yet, as I knew nothing, I could take no action or steps to ease her worry.”

“Finally, the storm of her sorrow abated enough for her to speak. ‘I will tell you of events, but you must swear to show mercy when I finish speaking. Fulfill your duty and separate me from this life I now hate. I beg of you, have pity. Spare me passing another day in this bitter world.’”

“‘When you struck down the son of Khvarazmsha, the alarm they raised alerted Pharsidan and the palace guard. He leaped up, stricken by news of the murder, and searched everywhere for you. When no one was able to find you, he realized it was you who felled the Prince. His anger was boundless, leaving him shouting at everyone, but he was not angry with you. Instead, he directed his fury at his sister, the witch Davar.’”

“‘Unbeknownst to any of us, he knew you loved his daughter, and she you. When you returned from your victory over Ramaz, he noticed the two of you looking at one another. It gave him joy, but he feared you would keep your feelings secret to avoid offending him.’”

“‘He turned to Davar for advice, and she counseled him to arrange marriage to a foreigner. This was done so you would speak up and insist on your right to the Lordship. For the King always wanted you marry his daughter. If you spoke for her, he would send the trespasser home to his father and give her hand to you.’”

“‘Yet, when you killed the man, Pharsidan realized he had been tricked by his sister’s schemes, for she was wise in the deceitful ways of a Kadj. He understood her plans then, as it was her counsel which led you to wrath. He swore by his head if he suffered her to live, he would renounce God. By his order, she and her lovers were to be publicly executed as punishment for their meddling.’”

“‘Somehow, by her sorcery or the whispers of a traitor to India, she learned of his intent. Knowing this, she came to our garden with sweet words. None stopped her or gave pause, as she was Nestan’s teacher. She easily made her way into the tower, where I sat with your sun.’”

“‘Nestan wore the veil and cloak you gave her, radiant and lovely. Yet Davar stormed in like a drunken sailor, breaking the peace of our rest. She surprised and shocked us both with foul words no one spoke in our presence before that day. The things she said would make a soldier blush, and they wilted your rose.’”

“‘She called Nestan a whore, saying she was a wanton and loose woman who made herself available to any man passing by. Davar told us she knew her brother would execute her, and said before her life ended, she would leave no cause for rejoicing between you and your moon. With a mad grin, she beat the pale face of your angel, dragging her by the hair and bruising her with fists and insults.’”

“‘Apparently, when you killed the son of Khvarazmsha, it ruined whatever evil Davar planned. Yet, she would not be content in fleeing with her life. She refused to die in vain for the trouble her actions caused. Calling on God as her witness, she cursed Nestan to never lay eyes on you again, or you upon her so long as either of you lived.’”

“‘Torn and bleeding, your love crumpled on hearing those words. She wept ceaselessly, but no one could stop Davar. Two brutish Kadj men had come in with her, black as pitch and with shining golden teeth. They slaughtered the guards outside our garden and brought a large bound chest with them. They opened it and shoved Nestan inside. She shouted and cried for our help, but they struck us down when we tried to stop them. Of us all, only we two survived.’”

“‘I woke in a pool of blood from my broken head and the servants who had been slain, unable to rise or move more than my eyes. Yet, I heard the witch as she uttered the last of her curse, ordering those brutes to take their prize into the great seas. Their instructions were to avoid the frozen waters to the south, and not to leave her in sweet water. Instead, they should dump her on the shores of the farthest sea, where none would ever find her.’”

“‘Those evil men laughed with joy, insulting Nestan as they lifted the chest between them. They made their way down the road towards the seaport until her screams and cries faded into the distance. When they had gone, Davar sat down, thinking no one saw her.’”

“‘She asked God who among all men would not stone her to death for the evil of her actions. Laughing, she looked to the Heavens, saying she was weary of living anyway, and would end her own life before Pharsidan had the opportunity. Still cackling in her madness, she drew a dagger from her robes and cut her throat, falling into a stream of her own blood.’”

“‘I saw everything but was powerless to stop it. How I wished to die rather than witness this! I came to you, who alone has the strength to save her. But now I beg you, release me from this unbearable life I now endure. Free me from this hollow and empty husk!’”

“When she finished speaking, Asmath threw herself to the ground in front of me. Tears fell from her eyes, burning drops of misery spilled from an ocean of guilt. I searched my soul and found words to comfort her and soothe the wounds on her heart. Kneeling beside her, with my hand on her head, I said, ‘Sister mine, why would I kill you? There is no wrong with anything you did. It is good you came. Without you, all would be lost.’”

“‘Now I am aware of what mischief Davar engineered, and I can begin to look for our rose. My debt to your strength and service is immeasurable. I swear I will search for Nestan over the whole of the earth. Wherever rocks and water are found or any other place I may roam, you and I will find her together. She is not lost to us. Do not despair.’”

“Though I spoke words of encouragement, my heart was petrified. A forest of stone grew within me, and I became mad, trembling uncontrollably. Yet, I could not allow my steps to falter. One day was already gone since they stole my sun. Now an endless sea awaited, and I had no shortage of preparations to make.”

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