Chapter
1
In a time of prosperity, four kingdoms came together and
formed an empire.
The great Kaveh Miran, an accomplished general from
Silver Nation, led the great political alliance that made Sun Kingdom, Iron Land,
Blood Nation and Silver Kingdom into one.
A great alliance that became known as The Akasha Empire.
By joint decision, the kings of each nation named
Kaveh Miran the Emperor of Akasha, making him and his family responsible for
keeping the peace between nations and ensuring a long-standing empire. Kaveh accepted the mandate and built an
imperial city in the middle of the Akasha Empire. Making it easy for any nation to approach his
palace for assistance as needed. The Miran Family would then take on the duty
of protecting and serving all in need.
Akasha was abundant with resources: cultivating land,
minerals, food, and water. What they did
not have they made up for by trading with neighboring countries. Merchants in Akasha grew prosperous businesses,
and rose to fortune and fame in a glorious era known as The Miran Era.
When Kaveh Miran grew tired, he left the care of the
empire to his three children: Kiyan, Kastan and Kyra.
Kiyan became Emperor of Akasha, Kastan a Prince of
Akasha, while Kyra married a foreign king to strengthen Akasha’s allies and
became Queen of Tanad, moving to the North of Akasha.
Of all his children, Kaveh Miran had always thought Kastan
as the strongest.
For that same reason, Emperor Kiyan made Prince Kastan
the commander of Akasha’s army.
Kastan took on the role of protector of the Akasha
Empire, and lived his life for the safety and care of the empire and its
people. When he turned twenty, he too
married a princess from Blood Nation to strengthen the royal family’s ties.
For this marriage, Kaveh granted Kastan a Dukedom in
the middle of a lush valley named Silver Shore.
Kastan took his new wife to live at Silver Shore, glad to escape the
many pressures of the Akasha Palace.
Princess Jian was two years younger than Kastan. She was beautiful and reconciled to her
fate. She married Kastan out of
duty. Their marriage was a mutual
alliance and when she got pregnant, they were both happy that their new home
would have an heir to carry on their lineage.
Kastan did not count on his wife being too delicate to
give birth.
He certainly did not think that Jian would die in
childbirth and leave him responsible for a newborn son. The night Jian died, Prince Kastan held his
newborn son in his arms and promised himself that he would never allow another
weak partner near him.
*~*~*
Ten years after Jian’s death, Prince Kastan had
established Silver Shore as his permanent home, choosing to visit the Imperial
Palace when it was necessary. His
reasons deeply tied to his ten-year-old son, Rashan.
Silver Shore was a lush valley surrounded by rolling
hills, green fields, wild forests and a stunning silver river that flowed
through the valley heading to the ocean.
Under Prince Kastan’s care, the people living in the valley prospered,
and Silver Shore became a coveted utopia.
It was an unattainable utopia, as most of Silver
Shore’s residents were family members of Prince Kastan’s core army. These families turned Silver Shore into both
fortress and paradise for those who were lucky to call it home. These men and women who lived within the
valley protected it with fierce devotion.
Until it had became prestigious to marry into a family living in Silver
Shore, or to meet one who called Silver Shore home.
Silver Shore residents treasured Kastan and affectionately
called him Duke Silver, a nickname started by his best friend and right hand
man, Temu.
The people also spoiled Kastan’s son, Rashan, calling
him Little Prince when he ran around in town with his nanny and guardian. Kastan was grateful for the residents of
Silver Shore as their devotion added a layer of protection for his most
precious son. No one would dare touch
Rashan at Silver Shore.
Kastan’s manor, which stood in the most secure part of
the valley, was called Sun-filled Manor.
Kastan’s father had named it when he came to visit and discovered that
the morning sun filled the halls without prejudice. Kaveh Miran decided the name Sun-Filled
suited the manor, and deemed it a perfect home for his grandson, Rashan.
Kastan and his son called Sun-filled Manor home. They lived with Kastan’s three loyal friends,
Temu, Safan and Naveed. There was also Rashan’s
nanny, Fara, and Yasmin, the housekeeper who managed all of Sun-filled Manor.
At the start of Rashan’s eleventh year, seven people
stood in an open field that led to a cliff behind the manor releasing lanterns
to the sky.
Kastan watched his son carefully hold his lantern, and
then send it up to the sky. The higher
it rose, the wider Rashan smiled. When
his son closed his eyes to make his wish, Kastan stepped closer to listen in.
Rashan always spoke aloud on his wishes, hoping his
father would hear them and help make them come true.
This year was different.
Kastan frowned when Rashan decided to murmur his
wishes with a sense of fervor this year.
“Please make my wish come true this year,” Rashan
murmured. “I’ve asked so many times
already. You have to fulfill it this
year, please.”
Kastan’s frowned deepened. He was sure he had done his best to fulfill
all of Rashan’s wishes the past year.
From giving him a black horse like his father’s, to redoing the east
wing of Sun-Filled Manor to accommodate Rashan’s sword training, he had done it
all.
Why was this kid
still making a desperate wish this year too?
This wasn’t the first time he had heard this murmur, Kastan
thought. He remembered the same hushed
tone when Rashan turned nine. It
disappeared when Rashan turned ten, but now it was back in his eleventh year.
Curious, Kastan placed a gentle hand on Rashan’s right
shoulder making his son look up at him.
“Shan, is there something you want that you don’t
have?” Kastan asked, sure that his son was not missing anything material.
He worked hard to make sure that Rashan had everything
he needed.
Rashan bit his bottom lip, worrying it a bit, before
he shook his head, no.
Kastan lifted his right brow in question, and his
heart squeezed when Rashan smiled at him.
“Fara told me that this little wish of mine must be
granted by a higher power. Even if the
people call you the god of war, my wish can only be heard by the god of fate,”
Rashan said, dropping his hands to his sides.
“Fara said I must be pure in my wish for it to come true, otherwise he
won’t hear my prayer.”
Kastan glanced at Fara who was standing with Yasmin as
they watched the lanterns float into the night sky. This was a good start of the year, and he had
promised them a bonus envelope to take to their families. They looked happy. He was glad for it as they took care of his
most precious person.
Kastan wondered if Fara knew what Rashan’s wish was,
his frown deepened when he remembered she liked to keep his son’s
confidence. Meaning, if Rashan wanted a
secret kept, she was more than willing to help Rashan. The only exception was if the secret was one
that could harm Rashan, then she was the first to run to Kastan’s study.
Since Fara had not told him this secret, it was not
harmful to Rashan, but…
“Rashan, remember what I’ve said before. We must make our own way, our own path,” Kastan
felt compelled to say. “You must state
what you want to get, and set your mind to getting it. This is how the world works. One must not leave anything to chance.”
“Fara said that would be your answer,” Rashan said
with a thoughtful nod.
A few minutes passed in silence. They both looked up at the sky watching the
lanterns float away, lighting the dark night.
Then Rashan took Kastan’s left hand, his small hands wrapping around Kastan’s
much larger one.
“When I’m sure it can come true, I’ll tell you, Pa.”
Kastan crouched low to his son’s height, and brought
the hands holding his left one to his lips.
“I’ll look forward to it, Shan,” Kastan said with a
small grin, eager to discover what wish his son kept so close to his heart. “Now, are you ready for the new year’s dinner? Why don’t we go inside and discover what
Yasmin’s made for dinner.”
“She spent the whole day cooking,” Rashan said,
excitement filling his cheeks with color.
He squeezed Kastan’s hand tight, before he rushed off to Yasmin’s side,
declaring his hunger.
Yasmin and Fara each took one of Rashan’s hands and
started in the direction of the manor, their pace unhurried. Kastan watched them, smiling as they talked
about the colorful moon cakes Fara made, roasted chicken, lotus root soup, the
list seemed endless.
Kastan straightened to his full height when the trio
entered the kitchen using the back door.
He turned to look up at the lanterns, which had travelled a distance
away. He was conscious of the three men
he trusted with his life moving to stand on each side of him.
“Your Grace,” Temu spoke first, standing on Kastan’s
right. “When will you respond to the
summons from Emperor Kiyan?”
“After the new year’s celebrations end,” Kastan answered
with a heavy sigh. He folded his hands
behind his back, dragging his gaze away from his son’s lantern to the rest of
the valley sprawled before him.
The night filled with lanterns released by hopeful
souls living in Silver Shore. The
streets were alight, celebrations taking over the main square in town. The sound of joyful music echoed in the
air. His people were happy and in peace.
Kastan hated to break the spell with foreboding.
“None of them will fault you,” Naveed said from Kastan’s
left, answering his thoughts. “We are
all content with the path we’ve chosen. Silver
Shore has enjoyed five years of peace because of your staunch support, Your
Grace. The Akasha Empire is our home
too. We shall fight with you to guard
what we’ve all built together these last five years.”
Kastan looked at Naveed’s profile.
Naveed was the most sentimental one of the three while
Darian was more quick to anger and action.
“War is not confirmed, yet,” Kastan reminded Temu and
Naveed.
He wasn’t ready to think of war just yet.
“I’m only answering summons from my Emperor Brother. He could be asking for a peacekeeping tour. The problems at West Nation’s border are all
solvable with a competent diplomat.”
“The palace is full of conspiring politicians,” Safan
said, the third and most important man in the trio said. “A summons reaching Silver Shore means one of
those old men has aggravated relations at the west border and forced the
Emperor and Tanad Kingdom into a tight corner.
Whether it is peacekeeping or war, you’ll need to be cautious, Your
Grace.”
“You are all right,” Kastan said, after a minute of
thought.
His oldest brother tried to keep direct summons to a
minimum. Kastan appreciated that as it
meant that he managed all armies at will.
Every turn of the moon, Kastan made an appearance at the palace where he
met his brother, and discussed any pressing problems in the different
provinces. They managed an amiable
working relationship.
Summons were scattered, Kastan disliked them as they
meant an extended stay at the palace. He
did not like the idea of leaving Rashan alone at Silver Shore. Worse, he never wanted to entertain the idea
of Rashan moving into the palace. That
thought made him shudder.
“Whatever the order, the outcome cannot change,” Kastan
murmured. “Silver Shore stays intact and
protected.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” they all agreed.
Kastan smiled this time, his lips curving wider. He was glad that he never had to worry about
these three. They made the mess in the
palace easier to face.
“Duke Silver,” Temu said, his tone teasing. “I have a serious craving for Yasmin’s
roasted chicken. The lanterns won’t
return now. We’ve set them free; they’ll
land where they will. Why don’t we head
back to the house to eat?”
Kastan had yet to thank Temu for the interesting
nickname that had spread through the valley like wildfire.
“Who has stopped you from racing to the kitchen?” Kastan
asked.
“Duke Silver no one dares eat while you’re standing
out here staring at the sky with that mournful look,” Naveed said.
Safan moved around Naveed and came to wrap an arm
around Safan’s shoulders. He was a hulk
of a man, with bulging muscles gained from his love of using a hammer and axe
in battle and in the homestead.
Safan turned Kastan around with a simple squeeze and
led Kastan toward the house, launching into a tale about Rashan breaking into
the chicken coop earlier in the afternoon.
Kastan loved listening to Safan’s tales about
Rashan. He loved it more that Safan
managed to dispel the anxiety growing from their coming uncertain future. His message clear: enjoy the quiet and peace
for now.
~*~*~*~
Three days after the New Year’s celebrations ended, Kastan
rode his black warhorse into the capital, wearing his colors. His silver coat decorated with embroidery to
fit his station and a blood red cape cascading down his back with a black tiger
crest right in the middle. It was the
symbol of his army.
Temu and Naveed followed Kastan close, the thundering
hooves of three black warhorses cleared the road faster than any shout from the
street officers. People moved to the
side when they saw them racing down the streets of the Imperial City Akan.
Kastan paid them no mind, and did not slow down until
he saw the large black gates of the Akan palace ahead. Slowing down the pace of his horse, he
watched the gates slowly start to open; the soldiers guarding the gates all
formed a neat line on each side of the palace gates, their black uniform with
gold embroidery matching. They saluted Kastan
as he rode through the open gates into the Akasha Imperial Palace.
Kastan led his horse to the foot of the series of
stairs that led to the front doors of the palace’s greeting hall. A man’s luck depended on what he found at the
top of the stairs. It could be a cool
reception, a warm greeting, or nothing, at the extreme one found death at the
end of a sword.
Kastan walked up the stairs with a sense of
nostalgia. He grew up in this palace,
running up these steps with his sister and brother. As he turned ten, his interests turned to the
extensive training grounds beyond the main palace where learned to wield a sword
the right way.
His training master insisted he learn how to use all
weapons in the palace’s arsenal. The
challenge was welcome and with it, his thirst for adventure. The solid walls around the palace started to
feel stifling, and he longed for a life outside the Imperial City. Everything he had done since he turned twenty
and married Jian was to gain independence to live outside the palace. He dared not imagine the idea of returning
into this opulent cold palace. Silver
Shore was far more comfortable compared to this place.
“We have a reception,” Naveed murmured, his instinct
for danger alive and at work. “I count
five people.”
Kastan nodded and finished the last set of stairs, his
senses alert. Standing ten steps away
was his brother, Kiyan, and his sister, Kyra: an Emperor and a Queen. Behind them were two of Kiyan’s aides and
Kyra’s shadow guard, Sanin.
Kastan did not slow his steps, but Naveed and Temu
did, stopping right by the stairs.
“Kas,” Kyra said, racing to him without a care for
decorum.
Kastan braced himself as she launched herself into his
arms. He lifted her up and turned around
on the spot, pleased to see her so well.
He missed her dearly.
“Kyra,” Kastan kissed her cheek when he set her on her
feet.
She was beautiful in a moss green silk dress cinched
at her waist with a wide gold belt, with long sleeves and its long skirts
sweeping the floor. Her long dark hair fell
down her back to her waist, with intricate gold leaves keeping it in
check. She looked every bit a queen.
“You grow more beautiful with time.”
“I would say the same, Kas,” Kyra said, reaching up
with her left hand to caress his right eyebrow and the scar there. “This still makes you look dashing. How many hearts have you broken since I last
saw you?”
“None,” Kastan said.
“That can only mean countless,” Kyra said with a
laugh, as she took his right hand, and led him to their Emperor brother. “Kiyan, why do you restrain yourself when
you’re as glad to see Kas as I am?”
“He is commander of armies, not to be jumped on at
will,” Kiyan said when they reached him.
Still, Kiyan stepped closer and pulled Kastan into a
tight hug. Kastan held his brother,
relieved his siblings were in good spirits.
Kiyan let him go, reaching out to arrange Kastan’s red
cape with a small smile. He looked
around Kastan, taking in Naveed and Temu who bowed in greeting, still his gaze remained
searching.
“Rashan?” Kiyan asked after a minute.
“With Safan at Silver Shore,” Kastan answered, noting
the quick wave of disappointment that flashed over both Kyra and Kiyan’s
gazes. “We needed to ride fast. The journey would have been taxing for him.”
“I miss him,” Kyra complained. “I last saw him when he turned ten. It was his birthday a few days ago. I wanted to give him a gift.”
“You’re welcome to Silver Shore at any time. You could send the gifts to him too,” Kastan said. “You must visit Silver Shore before you
return to Tanad, Kyra.”
“What about me?” Kiyan asked. “Must I leave the palace to visit my nephew
too?”
Kastan sighed.
His Emperor was unhappy about his choice to keep Rashan away from palace
life. That much was obvious. Still, Rashan adored both Kiyan and
Kyra.
“I will make arrangements for him to make a short
visit soon,” Kastan said, though he sounded reluctant even to his ears.
Kyra glanced at Kiyan, before she tucked her hand in
the crook of Kastan’s left arm.
“Come in, Kastan,” Kyra suggested. “I made sure there was plenty of food and
drink ready for when you arrived. Your
men can follow us and we’ll get them settled for the night.”
Kastan turned and nodded to Naveed and Temu who
followed them.
“Thank you for answering my summons so soon,” Kiyan
said as they went down a long hallway.
“I imagined you might be delayed for a week or so.”
“I always come when you ask,” Kastan reminded his
brother.
“You’re the only one I can count on,” Kiyan said, his
tone enough to make Kastan pause.
Kiyan was the most powerful man in the empire. He should fear nothing, especially with Kastan
by his side. Still, an Emperor had more
worries keeping him awake.
“Kastan, can you trust me with Rashan? It’s dangerous to leave him alone at Silver
Shore.”
Kyra squeezed Kastan’s arm, and he caught her
censoring gaze when he looked at her.
She wanted him to take it easy with Kiyan.
“Your Majesty’s offer is hard to ignore,” Kastan
said. “I’m afraid I would have to wait
to give you an answer. Your servant is weak
when it comes to his son. I can’t force
him to do anything.”
“Aren’t you being too nice a parent?” Kiyan asked,
leading the way into an elegant greeting room with tables laden with food and
drink.
“I still have a lot to learn,” Kastan answered, noting
that the servants moved in silent coordination leaving the room and closing the
doors tight. “Is the Empress not joining
us?”
“She is occupied with our sons,” Kiyan said,
indicating for them to take seats at the largest dining table. “Besides, what I want to discuss concerns the
empire.”
Kyra sat directly across him on Kiyan’s right, while Kastan
and his men took the left side. Kastan waited for Temu and Naveed to settle
beside him before he pulled out his chair and sat.
Kyra and Kiyan allowed Kastan and his men to eat and
drink in silence for a few minutes.
Kiyan was the one to break the silence first.
“Kastan,” Kiyan said, making Kastan look.
Kiyan watched him with a somber gaze. Guilt bloomed in his gaze and Kastan looked
away, sipping his wine, unable to take that guilt.
“West Nation has become a problem,” Kastan said,
bringing up the topic on his brother’s behalf.
“All your attempts at negotiation must have failed.”
“So you already understand the situation,” Kiyan said
with a heavy sigh. “West Nation is
matching on our border. All attempts at
reaching an amiable agreement have dissolved.
They sent me the head of the last envoy I sent to them. All because they want the iron mines at Mount
Kin.”
Mount Kin spanned the length of Akasha’s west border
with West Nation. The mountain was in
Akasha land, and the people living at the foot of the mountain were skilled
metal forgers. They mined iron from the
mountain caves and were a huge source of income for the land. The Emperor would need to respond with force
on any aggressive move against Mount Kin.
Kastan met his brother’s gaze.
“Say it,” Kastan said giving his brother an assuring
nod.
“Are you sure you will not send Rashan to stay with us
in the palace?” Kiyan asked instead. “He
is important to us, as much as he is to you, Kas.”
“Rashan is happiest at Silver Shore,” Kastan said,
noting the flash of disappointment in his brother’s gaze.
“Then, Commander,” Kiyan said, his tone hard. “Akasha is at war with West Nation. I’m leaving the west border to you.”
Kastan placed his goblet on the table and gave his
brother a single nod in answer. He knew
his brother would repeat this same order before the royal court tomorrow
morning.
Kastan turned to Naveed and Temu. He gave them a short nod and they both got up
from the table, excusing themselves.
They headed out to start discrete preparations.
“This war is on two fronts,” Kiyan said, lowering his
voice once Kastan’s men left the room. “One
shall be fought at court, dealing with the Minister of Trade and the Empress’s
father, the other by you, at the border.”
“I have pledged my Queen’s Army to you,” Kyra said,
her gaze on Kastan. “You’ll need all the
support you can get.”
Kastan pushed his food away, and concentrated on
understanding the plot at court that had lead them to war.
*~*~*~*
Prologue
Sui Writes 