Blood [Epic of the Mediterranean

A Mystery Land of Moving Lights

Would it do any good? Taking out the repressed pain of an impalpable wound on the person who might have caused it? Not particularly, when seen through a more rational view. Venting it through physical actions has no effect on the emotional state, even though it may provide instant gratification, or an awaited satisfaction. No, what is needed is always a healing. Deep and gentle. But it is a fact of humanity, that revenge runs in our blood. Fight or flight has been imbedded in all species, but holding grudges for the right time of dispersing them is special to humans. An inevitable trait. Could it be deemed wrong then? In all possibilities no. For those who don’t eat get eaten.

Naya’s hands twitched at the searing sensation on her palms. The skin had already been torn apart by iron whips, allowing the flesh to be exposed to further afflict.  

“You truly expect me to drink this?” Vain reasons for conveying the perpetual hatred. A façade of futility. Yet not a single noise. No one dared to speak a word against the injustice for the sentiment of fear dominated that of virtue. Secondly, the master was unusually furious today which was written all over his face. 

Asmaka banged the porcelain onto the table as he stood up in a hustle from his position, “Why, even though it is the skin of your hands which has withstood the contact, does it seem as if your tongue has suffered more?! Have you lost the ability to speak? Believe me, it isn’t your fault. It is the fault of the very family you took birth in. Perhaps, if I drain out every last drop of blood from your body, you won’t be so impure anymore,” even if the reasons didn’t account to much, as long as they could be used for torment, it was good enough. Yet it didn’t cause any look of thrill or remorse on the receiver. This highly frustrated the Lord for he wasn’t receiving the pleasure of twisted contentment through agony on her face which he had projected. 

Unforeseen, the foreign crockery was thrown in her direction which she dodged barely. The force was such that it shattered into a million pieces at the very contact with the pillar behind. “Stop staring into the void and clean it up!”

The order alerted a few other servants to perform the duty, but the cold eyes of the master sent them back to their original positions. Naya looked at the fragments uneasily. Of course, it had only been a few days and being unacquainted to performing any such labor before along with getting mixed up in next to most of the tasks was already a rather stressing experience. She looked at the ivory while bowing down on one leg. A memoir from a past journey to the further east perhaps. 

“Tsk, utterly useless I say”, Asmaka thundered before stomping out of the hall. 

Another woman, who didn’t seem to be any older than Naya herself, rushed forward as soon as the threat to her affability passed away.

“Look at them, only it isn’t half as worse as it could have been, considering how Lord Asa is”, she grimaced while helping her up, “Why is he always so cruel? And without an end.”

At this point, it wasn’t a new picture to anyone in the palace anymore. Most of the workers knew the reason. Shadi was one of those who didn’t. What was to be expected anyway? All those who knew, looked down at her with aversion. An eagle’s pride remains unleashed and bold as it dominates the highest of the skies without equal. Some birds don’t dare look up at it out of dread, while others because they are way below. The eagle could only be seen when it descends to hunt. But when its wings are severed off, the sky becomes a distant thought. The vultures which never raised their eyes on it and fed after it now advance to feed on it. They devour it through its vulnerability. That is just the way of the world. 

“Shadi, if anyone hears you out, it would be difficult,” the two women walked out into the grand portico overlooking the back gardens which was actually more of a resting place for the servants, yet never overcrowded.

Treason was one of the most lethal crimes which a person could commit in the state. Naya being the most prominent object to the Lord’s dislike, empathy for her could cause complications for others.      

“Very well, not like it is something they would disagree with”, the effervescent voice of the freckled woman held onto her statement with such belief that it seemed almost comical rather than thoughtful.

Pushing behind a strand of chestnut twirls in a hurry, Shadi’s strain ridden round deep blue eyes seemed to carry an evergreen youth which would without a doubt withstand even the tarnish of time. With a face so honest that the expressions themselves held the strength to convey even the tales which leave the great poets wordless, her young heart never had to go through the pain of burying away her true feelings. Her slightly pudgy frame was mostly adorned with loose fit cotton dresses with glimmering embroidery multiplying the brightness of the beautiful skin by a million times. A family profession of the Houtans’, her ancestry, of delicately threaded handicraft which had many devotees all over the state. Even the Lord himself got many pure silk robes custom made by the craftsmen family, showering them with great rewards in return, the connection with the royal cloth designer being the very reason behind Shadi’s recruitment into the Bactrian palace.

A panache enthusiast she was, and never failed to wear brooches and necklaces of bronze and copper, the bracelets being made of gold, not something uncommon in the lands of Persia. Yet not as localized as the jewelry traditions of Aryavarta. In contrast to her, Naya’s robes were usually pitch dark. Various choices in clothes and jewelry were perquisites for the workers in the palace.

The designs of colored glass roof of the spacious and open halls along with the crystal rimmed walls on either side reflected a thousand shades of bold tints over the features of the two as Shadi applied the herbal ointment carefully. Natural medicine was a widespread idea, with variance as it crossed different borders. Eastern disciplines were more thoroughly acquainted to Naya, which included a deep knowledge on poisons and potions. 

The rose, oceanic and sunny hues created by the light filtered by the glass were a beautiful contrast on Shadi’s pallor which seemed to be the diverse colors of pure tender womanly care which even the Gods long for experiencing once. Naya chuckled frivolously at the expressions of Shadi, only to receive a rebuke. 

Looking around the ornamented hall, it was occupied with equally festooned people. Talking softly while performing their daily chores with whole hearts and warm interactions every once in a while. With the approaching dusk entered a new array of lights through the closed windows and multiple reflections, as the air filled with strong but appetizing aromas from the cooking chambers. A mix of spicy main courses and incredibly sweet desserts. The earrings of both men and women dangled as they rushed to their assigned jobs with the many blindingly beautiful, exquisite stones studded bangles clunking irregularly. The melody of the silver anklet bells ringing deliciously with every move accompanied with the singing of the Red-headed bunting who seemed to have paid its presence principally to add on to the aesthetic scenery, created a picture which was too mesmerizing to be conveyed through words. Henceforth, it was best to just absorb everything and soundlessly appreciate it with a brimming heart instead of destroying the harmony.

“What are you doing?” The two women were densely engulfed in their own thoughts to note the entrance of a very familiar voice.

“For the love of my heart, Katana, would it kill you to not appear out of nowhere for your silly pleasure of startling”, Shadi complained while the young man quickly sat himself adjacent to the two, smiling naively as a way of mockery, his brown eyes seeming a shade lighter in the twilight.

“Very well. Perhaps it is you who is so easy to tick off.” The pair seemed to stand on the end of each other’s nerve. Katana was always around sleeping with a new woman every night, amusing and flirting with young ladies relentlessly. Whereas Shadi still held a place for morale and a liking for gossip. A way of maintaining liveliness around themselves and a source of entertainment to others. The way they lived, so easily and as good luck would have it, they never failed to overwhelm her. 

“Where was I, now”, Katana turned to Naya while placing his hand on her arm as a sociable gesture, even though it didn’t take him more than a second to pull it back. “What happened?! Your hands are hurt.”

“Many thanks, we have no words to express our gratitude towards you. If not for you, we would have never guessed”, Shadi retorted.

“That’s just an expression. Can’t you read the grievance on my face?”

“If that’s how it is, then I might be illiterate, but your face reads more confusion than anything else. How about you tell us what you think actually happened?”

He rubbed his handsome square jaw with much thought before making a judgment, “Don’t ask me. Rashes from one of those poisonous plants of Lord Asa’s? I knew we should have replaced them; he would have never noticed.”

“Those are burn marks.”

Katana’s expression went a long gasp before he regained his former state back again, “And such pretty hands too.” Shadi would have considered it promiscuous behavior, but there wasn’t anything he could have done either way instead of sighing. “Let that heal, but there is something.” Pulling out a palm sized glass cut bottle which he had placed safely inside the pocket of his puffed salwar, a silly grin spread through his face yet again, “I was asked to buy some essentials. And then there it was. The markets being put up for the Gahambar.” 

The celebrations, even though held six times a year, took place at different kingdoms of the empire each time. This meant that even though it could be celebrated individually, the grand feast and fairs would take place just once for Bactria. Entertainers and exquisite traders travelled to the state along with the representatives from other territories who were a showcase of alignment and peace towards the kingdom, providing it with much grandeur. Even though the Lord’s beliefs were that of Aryavarta, the celebrations never faced a glitch. Nor was Bactria forced to accept the Vedic ways. Generous enough, the Lord didn’t bother anything until it caused a threat for the kingdom, for a threat to him never arouse. Katana shifted eagerly, “It is beautiful this time being too. And there are beautiful, beautiful girls out there looking for thrill. I wandered around and while at it, coincidently ran into a shop of fragranced body oils. I liked this one pretty much and perhaps you might too.”

Naya carefully held it between her fingers and tilted it slightly, the sparkling liquid inside sliding along with it like starlight captured inside a case made out of crystals, “Why that’s, undoubtedly lavish of you”, her eyes went soft yet sad as they failed to remember the last time when they looked at something gifted to her with such affection, “Yet, I fail to understand why you’d randomly buy me this.” These two confused her greatly, for caring about a person who was their master’s sworn foe. Knowing so little about each other and yet being there nonetheless. 

“It’s in your skin which is so exotic. It would look beautiful on you.” With a partial Mongolian mother and inheriting Mesopotamian genes from the father’s side, sure enough Naya’s skin was more strikingly crimson-amber of a tanned shade, which contrasted with the Bactrian skins. Making it seem more outlandish, the two coworkers being likewise mesmerized by it. “It is as if God intended on showcasing his artistic interests by painting your face with so many different hues”, dusting copper all through and sparing red for highlighting.

“Oh no-no, that’s too beautiful”, Naya laughed timidly at the depiction.

Shadi clapped her hands, “Romantic! Speak something about me too, this is the only thing you are good at anyway.”

“Very well”, Katana raised a brow as he observed her intensely, “Nah, I have got nothing”, as soon as the words left his mouth, a sharp smack on the shoulder followed.

“How about this, he wasn’t engrossed with you in first place, already knowing that the outcome would be just so very plain. How tragic”, Shadi remarked with distaste.

The two sneered at each other but still made peace at the end. Naya inhaled deeply, they are a bit too carefree for their own good, the zeal and carefreeness that she had only ever noted in Ziba.

“You might have used such extravagant products a lot, isn’t it? And your sisters. They must have been pretty. Ladies like such things. Last time when mistress Sitara went out for all these, she sure got carried away herself.” He was rather captivated by the sort of life she led as a young mistress in her palace at Sogdiana. He never meant any harm or ill feelings for her, nor did it bother her much. Only it wasn’t as pleasant as he supposed. 

“As a matter of fact, we never had much time for all this. Lady Khava, I would rather commit on having no idea about her. She must have never used any for she was pretty enough as it was. Yes, Nakurtum did indulge herself in all such luxuries, and the way all that made her already arresting face look was enchanting. It was as if pure gold was melted into the shape of a slim and tall woman”, truth be told, she knew the most about Nakurtum for she had considerable amount of interactions with her. But the most important adornment over that beauty were her manipulative skills and extraordinary intelligence and the vigilance in combat. Her way of carrying herself was such that she could cause anyone to become a slave to her magnificence, and others to feel extremely insecure about their very existence. Even if she wasn’t as invincible a fighter as her older sister, her deceit was enough to confuse the opponent in such a way that they won’t even realize how death approached. An assortment of next to all talents.

Naya posed a habit of narrating not just with words, but the jesters of her hands which made it more intriguing to hear. 

As for the fourth daughter An-Hedu-Ana, there was nothing to tell. Nothing she would like to tell, “In conclusion, they all were way prettier than I can ever be.”

“That is what you say. Your sisters must have been beauties. But it isn’t just flawlessness, it is about how your personality compliments it”, Shadi beamed warmly.

“Doesn’t your master possess beauty too though?” His skin and features being one thing, but the well nurtured hair and just as refined high arched eyebrows over the sharp features.

“Why yes, he does have a body like a stone carve out, just like those statues, isn’t it”, Shadi leaned in closer before adding in a whisper, “I thoroughly believe that his heart is the very same, not in the sense of beauty, but the material.”

“I can’t agree more. A heart of cold stone. Who cares either way? Sure, he does have pretty features, but I can’t ever think about that aspect of his. Unsympathetic, fierce and so discourteous are all his qualities, with an unbearable personality. There are rumors about him, none I’d like to indulge in though, lest get charged with treachery to the throne”, Katana scrunched his nose in disapproval. Naya chuckled awkwardly at the turn which the harmless comment had taken. 

“Ah, yes. Of course, he was so furious today. How did I forget this? Anyhow, here it is. I heard that a tragedy occurred in Khorshid, on the outskirts of Aria. I don’t know exactly what, perhaps a fire or mass m******e. The news is yet to be heard for the orders were to not reveal the details about it until the Lord arrives. It happened just the night before after all. Something so serious was executed firmly, targeting a whole wide village, under the nose of the strongest Lord of Persia. Of course, this might raise queries over whether he actually is capable of handling the east. Sogdiana was taken over by him too. When I arrived at the palace, I saw him leaving along with both the Generals and an array of other soldiers. In a hurry, if I may add. Something might be the case for sure.”

“You do know all which is going around. Now that I think about it, why didn’t you join the army? With this tall stature and broad make, you would have made it. Well at least then you wouldn’t have been such a useless pushover.”

“Why? For I am not qualified for it! I prefer to live free, the disciplines would have killed me, and with a Lord like that, I would have been thrown out the first day”, Katana squealed. Nonetheless, whatever he spoke was rather true after all. He got a job in the palace because of the head chef, the goodwill of his grandmother to begin with.

“Ah, but then you would have received a chance to work under Chief Chisti. He is the greatest that is, and such charms. Anyway, I would have taken my chances”, Shadi argued with a matter-of-fact tone.

“Why, I think he hides the darkest of attitudes behind that smile! Why is he so popular among women to begin with?”

“That’s envy. Rather, I think that he could be called the best man”, the woman raised a brow confidently. Katana was tired of fighting back at this point hence decided to admit defeat instead, gaining a smirk of contentment from her. “Listen now. For the master isn’t here, why don’t we visit the evening markets? Won’t that be sweet? My work is almost done for the day and as for Naya, all her duties are related to the Lord anyway. And you, well, you don’t have anything better to do. Take us to the majestic mystery land of moving lights!”