Ficorpio
CHAPTER ONE- RECOVERY??
It is a joyous day as the King’s health is finally improving after months of tireless efforts from the royal physicians seemed futile. But the skies seem to disagree as lightning dominates it and giving out an ominous feeling, as if to warn all about a calamity about to befall. The afternoon sky, pitch black like it would be during night time except for the absence of the moon and stars. Ignoring the warnings of the weather, my stepmother Queen Aisha organised a celebration for the entire royal family to celebrate Father’s recovery or should I say signs of recovery. Father was wounded during the previous war and went unconscious for three months now, he was shot with an arrow coated with a poison called ‘Mayede", this poison is known as the deadliest poison in all the lands originating from Kingdom Wanesa , our enemy who father had faced. This poison depicts its name as Mayede means Death in one of Wanesa’s oldest tribe language.
I attended the celebration but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy whenever a lightening flash, but I chose to ignore it and just stay in the moment and enjoy the familial bliss that is finally back in the palace, though at this time I would rather be sneaking around and spying on officials handling the state affairs, or just practice sword fighting in my secret garden, but Queen Aisha practically ordered us all to be here and she being the chief Queen no one wants to be on her bad side.
Four hours has passed, its nightime yet the weather looks the same it did four hours back. Like she had done for the past months, Queen Aisha headed for the king’s chamber, its my turn today to escort her but she refused telling me to call it a night. She relieved the attendants and took over as she does every night since father’s illness, she sat in a sofa by the bedside and just blankly stared at the pale looking king , battling the wave of emotion that she felt she couldn’t help but shed a few tears, whether they were tears of joy or of sorrow I am not even sure.
‘Your majesty’’ one of the physician who had witnessed the Queen’s breakdown every other night tried calling her attention. ‘Yes, what is it?’’ Queen Aisha replied without lifting her head. ‘You might want to have some rest, we don’t want to wake up tomorrow and think we neglected his wife, do we?’’ The physician spoke sarcastically with a hint of smile. ‘I’m not lea….., wait what ?’’ Queen Aisha asked registering the words of the physician. I could feel my chest lighten as I process what the physicians words indicated. ‘Namina ,why don’t you retire for tonight, I’ll stay here " Queen Aisha spoke to me ever so lovingly, that if any outsider were present they would think I am her child.
My birth mother died in labour. I vividly recall the cries of a new born baby, I was very happy to have a sibling from the same mother, I rushed to my mother’s side only to see her laying lifeless and my new born brother held by one of the midwives. Father had arrived a short time later and tried to comfort me, but how useless it was to me; a five year old born to this cruel whose only source of peace and true care was my mother’s, and now I sat besides her dead body, just staring at her, it was as if my whole world came crashing drown. Without a mother; if I was a boy then I would be given my own chamber and be taught in the palace, but i am a girl so I was supposed to be sent to the mountain palace to be taught how to be a proper princess and get married off when I was of age to whosoever benefited the state most, but Queen Aisha refused this arrangement. Instead she held my tiny hands and led me to her chamber, protected and cared for me as though I were her own child and she even requested I addressed her as mother instead of her title as everyone else does . She didn’t forget my baby brother too, she hired a wet nurse to breastfeed him and took care of him well, but unfortunately he also died a few months later.Some people rumoured that she was only that kind because her only child had no interest on the throne and I am a girl, others rumoured that she just wanted to feign kindness and compassion. But in my heart I knew she did it out of her own good will. Nevertheless she has been an amazing mother to me and all my half siblings. Her impartiality and just way of ruling the harem has created a special place for her in my heart.
‘Namina??’’ I hear her calling me as I realise I haven’t moved from my spot since she told me to. ‘oh sorry mother’’ I squeaked embarrassed when I realised all eyes were on me. I hastened to leave the room and soon arrived at my chamber, I rushed to my bed as I was about to get a much needed sleep, wrapped in my blanket I looked at the lightening outside, which for some reason still bothered me as I slowly drifted to sleep.
CHAPTER TWO – SHOCK
It’s been two days since father’s death, he has been buried in the Tomb of Selim II ,alongside his predecessors.
The gloomy and solemn feeling still lingers in the palace, the fear of the citizens evident in their eyes as I walked through the market place yesterday.
I fear for the civilians as they will suffer the most once the battle for the throne begins.
The beautiful infrastructure of our dear land will be destroyed, my brothers will kill each other, their wives, concubines and children will have to pay the price.
“Your highness! Your highness!” Nigar called, bringing me back from wonderland.
“What is it?” I asked without turning to face her.
“Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha has arrived with a parchment containing the name of our next ruler”
" What?!" I asked to make sure i did not just hallucinate.
But the excitement in her eyes and the smile on her lips just confirmed it.
“He has requested all members of the royal family in the court”
Hearing this, it was as if a load has been lifted off my chest , yes I still felt a little pain in my heart but the happiness seems to overshadow it.
“Seems like there won’t be anymore bloodshed” I thought aloud.
“Where is my mother ?”
“Already at court, your highness”
Stepping into the court I can see it filled with family members, those that I’m familiar with and those that I haven’t seen in forever.
When was the last time that the entire royal family sat in the same room, I can’t remember.
I mean most of the time they’re at each other’s throats.
“Bitaqir , sit with me " my step brother Prince Aroald calls me as I pass by.
Prince Aroald, my elder brother is my favourite of all my brothers.
I might get along with all my brothers, but I can feel the fake energy from them.
But Aroald he’s just so real and down to earth, not to be partial or biased.
To my left is Prince Selim, my second favourite brother. Selim the womaniser, Selim with the largest harem, Selim the always in trouble with the King, that Selim who is the kindest is my dearest brother who taught me sword fight and hand to hand combat in secrecy as Princess should have nothing to do with any form of violence. He is my beloved brother whom I treasure more than anything else.
" Little sister, how are you?” Selim asked in his ever playful voice, but Bitaqir detected a strange feeling coming from Selim.
" Brother are you okay?" Bitaqir asked worriedly but Selim just brushed it off .
" Don’t! brother you’re tapping your feet which means that you’re anxious or worried…..or better yet both!" Bitaqir said to her brother in a hushed tone.
" You’ll find out soon, I promise" Selim replied and looked at his younger sister signs of worry flashing in his eyes.
" Broth…" Bitaqir started but was disturbed by the Aghas announcing Ibrahim Pasha’s arrival.
" We will continue this later" Bitaqir glared at her brother and Selim just shrugged his shoulders innocently.
Ibrahim Pasha enters the court and the court becomes so quiet that even if a pin is dropped all will hear it sound.
All of a sudden it seems like everything is moving in slow motion.
It seems like Ibrahim Pasha is counting his steps and taking extra long to reach the podium or is it just me being too impatient.
Finally he reaches the podium, waving a parchment we can all clearly see it was still sealed with the late King’s stamp.
“Salam” he finally broke the silence.
He opens the parchment and starts reading
" I Sultan Soulayemane Khan, The thirteenth King of Azbedran in my right mind under no constraint and undue influence declare that this is my free and voluntary act.
After observation and thorough examination of my children’s ablilties and capabilities I hereby pronounce Shehzadi Bitaqir Khadija Khan, Princess of Azbedran as the ruler who will succeed me."
Silence evaded the court.
CHAPTER THREE - CONDITIONS
Frozen in my seat, everything became a blur.
“Ha ha , that’s funny Pasha” Princess Serra spoke from across me waking me up from my trance.
Everyone burst out in laughter, the once quiet and tensed court was now filled with laughter.
But for some unknown reason I still couldn’t relax.
“Silence” Ibrahim Pasha’s voice reverberate in the court.
The stoic expression he wore showed that he was not in the mood to joke .
A tense atmosphere enveloped the courtroom once again.
“Is this some kind of a sick joke ?” Prince Koray asked arrogantly.
Why am I not surprised!
“I will never let her ascend the throne, if she has to die then she will” Prince Aroald spoke besides me.
To say I was shocked was an understatement, my favourite brother who has always had my back now speaks of killing me.
All of a sudden I hear a sword being unleashed and then I could feel the sharp edge against my throat.
I try to fight back but strong hands enveloped me and made me immobile.
Judging by the jewelry on the hand I can without a doubt say that it is my brother, Aroald.
I was devastated and couldn’t bear it as tears threaten to fall from my eyes.
To top it all , no one, not even Prince Selim my other favourite brother who by the way I always cover for whenever he causes trouble, or whenever he’s under punishment I’ll always fake going out and insisting that he should be my chaperone just so he can escape his punishment.
Choking down a sob, I tried to talk sense into my brother, but it proved friutless.
“Before you kill her you might want to hear the remaining clauses in the will” Ibrahim Pasha spoke in a calm voice.
“Go on” again the arrogant Koray spoke
“Anyone who will try to go against my will shall be given capital punishment” Ibrahim Pasha began
“Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha will be my successor’s guide for the first two years of rule.
Under no circumstance must any harm come to my successor, if so then the throne will have to skip one generation and be bestowed on one of my grandchildren chosen by the viziers and approved by the Grand Vizier”.
“I don’t care ,as long as no woman will sit on the throne” Aroald spoke coldly.
Hearing his tone made me shiver, I closed my eyes ready to die, as I know nothing can change his ready-made mind.
Finally accepting my fate,I recited the dua that I was taught
" In the name of Allah and on the creed, religion and faith of Rasulullah. O! Allah, ease upon me the matters, and make light for me whatever com…"
I was cut off by a sudden push as I felt a strong arms embrace me.
Relief washed through me as I could feel as though i have been given a second chance.
I opened my eyes to see that Selim was infront of me in a defensive position and some guards were engaged in a sword fight with some of the Princes along with their personal knights.
Unsure of what to do, who to run to, I was startled when I saw Prince Ozqur aiming an arrow towards me. I froze in place as I looked at the arrow making it way towards me. In just a matter of seconds the arrow was before me and i awaited for it to puncture me but that moment refused to arrive as the next thing I saw was a shield before me and felt strong arms around me leading me towards the exit.
I was escorted out of the court by the guards forming a circle around me and Selim holding unto me.
The sound of swords clashing and the cries of fear radiating from the courtroom can be heard all the way from gardens that we’re now at.