#itaja

- She is a really beautiful creature. The King gave you a precious gift, I think.

- Yes, he did. You know why, don't you?

- I have a pretty good idea, yes.

- Mother Noor confirmed it, so normally it wouldn't be a secret. But...

- Yes?

- The King warned me that his enemies might want me dead. He actually told me to get out of Manthos, to be on the safe side.

- I see. Is that what you will do? I must say I agree with his assessments. Your position is a dangerous one.

- I really don't want to go, but I think I will have to. Father, I was thinking actually to try to find your brother, my grandfather. What do you think?

- That's a very long journey. That would probably mean we would never see each other again! Itaja swollowed. Are you sure, my son? My brother might not even be alive, you realize that? Will you be going alone?

- Pamesijos has begged me to take him with me, but I don't know. He is my brother, and I don't want to put him at risk. But I don't want to let him down either. What do you think, father?

- Well, it would be safer to be two, but... I can't imagine that his mother would accept, but if she does, maybe you should go together. Nobody can protect you like a brother, son.

- Like you and your brother sir?

- My brother... Well to be honest, I betrayed him. Yes, I had my reasons, and I was very young, but I did betray him. When you find him, please tell him that I have regretted it ever since.

- I didn't want to rip up sad stories, father.

- I know. It's just a fact of life. People we love disappoint us, and we disappoint people we love.

- Did I disappoint you father?

- Never! We've had our disagreements, but you have always been an enrichment in my life. I will miss you tremendously. But most of all I want you to be safe. Leave this place, and never look back. Just be happy.

- Yes father. I don't know how...

- You will find your way!

- No I mean I don't know how to tell mother Simadhne.

- Oh, well that's a real problem. It will probably be about the hardest things you will ever have to do in you whole life!

- I think you are right. This will be arduous. I love you both so much. I can't even imagine my life without you, but I will probably follow your advice. I... I...

Nashuja choked up, realizing that he probably would never see neither of his parents again, if he decided to go.

- I know son. I'm thinking the same. Just remember, that no matter what happens, I will always be with you, in heart and spirit.

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[End of chapter 9]

A huge thank you to those of you who have followed, liked and commented on my story so far. It means a lot, and I am truly grateful. 💕

.

- Are you okay Nashuja? Noor decided to confront whatever needed to be confronted.

- Eh.. Yes. Auntie Noor, can I talk with you in private?

- Of course! Let us go inside.

- Are you my mother? Nashuja went straight to the point. And if so, why was this hidden from me?

- I am. It was not exactly hidden, but you bonded so well with Simadhne, and then I got married. It was better this way. And Simadhne and Itaja took care of you in a better way than I could have.

- Was King Ifiklis my father? Why didn't anybody tell me about this?

Noor gasped and became visibly nervous.

- It was the King himself that told me. Before he died we had long talks. He was very kind. And generous. Kappa was his horse, you know. And he also gave me valuable stones, and his sword, that's a great honor.

Noor swollowed and her eyes became dark. She still didn't say anything.

- He told me that you were very beautiful. And that he didn't like your husband. He must have loved you very much.

- Nashuja, I can't explain these things to you, Noor was clearly upset, but I can tell you one thing, he did not love me.

- I think you are wrong! He spoke very warmly about you. He was very kind, a real man of honor.

- You don't know...

- He really was, I haven't anything bad to say about him!

- I'm sorry, Nashuja, I don't feel well. I think I will be sick...

- Do you want me to get my moth... Simadhne?

- No, no. I will be fine. I just have to rest for a moment.

Nashuja went back to the party and told his brother Pamesijos that he now had talked with their mother.

- She confirmed what the King said, Nashuja whispered, so it's all clear now. We are officially half-brothers!

- Great! Just don't start behaving like a royalty around me. I know you too well ha-ha!

Simadhne had good hearing, however, and felt cold inside from what she now heard.

- Where is Noor, Nashuja?

- She had to lay down, but she told me she would be fine. Maybe it was something she ate?

- Probably. I will check on her, just in case.

- Sweetheart. I just realized you have told Nashuja about his origin? How did he take it?

- I didn't tell him. He was told by the King, who he now think is a "real man of honor", as he said.

- Oh Goddess! Noor you will have to tell him the truth!

- NO! Absolutely not! Can you imagine what the truth will do to him? I don't want him to know! I forbid you Simadhne! Don't tell him! Promise me!

- Okay, I promise. I don't agree, that I must admit, but in the end it is only you who can tell him. It's your decision.

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Ζητώ! Ζητώ! Long live our Manthei! The crowd were cheering. The mothers, the wives, the grandfathers, the friends - all their longing and worry were finally over.

Even the ones who didn't have a personal relationship were cheering together with the relatives, and everyone were filled with joy and gratefulness.

The celebration continued at home. In the Sharruma family Simadhne, Eira and Noor had prepared a wonderful meal, and they laughed and cried helter-skelter.

Natusha smiled and laughed like the others, but he was also on thoughts.

He caught himself staring at his aunt. The woman he now knew was his birth-mother.

Noor felt his gaze, and an uneasiness rose within her. A growing fear that well-hidden secrets now might come to the surface.

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It was one of those burning hot summer days, and Noor was burning with fear and doubt from inside as well. She, as always, sought advice from her sister.

- What would you do Eira? Would you let him go?

- No! I can't imagine I would. As a mother this would be my nightmare. Fortunately, Polykarpos is just a baby still. Did you discuss it with Simadhne?

- I did, but she couldn't give me a clear advise. She is very ambivalent to Nashuja's decision, I think. And worried.

- Well, we all are, aren't we? I don't know either, you will just have to do what you think is best for Pamesijos and your family.

- This ungodly war! Noor sighed. Destroying our lives! I just wish it would end...

- Oh for sure, that we can all agree on!

Later that day Itaja came for a surprise visit.

- I need to talk with you Noor.

- You sound so serious uncle? Would you like some tea?

- No thank you dear, it's too hot for tea, so that wont be necessary. Let's just go inside. I don't want anyone to hear us.

- Uncle what is going on? Is it Nashuja?

- No, he is fine, thank Astanna. But I know Pamesijos is trying to convince you to let him volunteer in the King's army.

- Yes he is. And you shouldn't try to convince me ...

- I'm not. Itaja cut her off. This is highly confidential, but you know I have my contacts. I've been told that in a few days they will start a new round of enrollment. I wanted you to know, because they will include younger boys this time. Pamesijos will probably be on the list. I'm sorry, but I just thought I should tell you. Please don't share the information. Not even with Pamesijos.

- It cannot be avoided, can it? They will send him to war...

- They probably will.

- Oh uncle, what am I ... OUCH! Myrto!! Don't pull mama's hair!

- I'm really sorry Noor. I really am. But now at least you know.

With this new information Noor decided to let Pam register.

- Really! Oh mother, thank you! This is such great news!

- Is it really?

- Don't worry, nothing will happen to me. I will be careful, and Nashuja will also look out for me. But mother, what changed your mind? Was it the silver?

- The silver??

- Yeah, the two silver coins they promised us, if we volunteered?

- Absolutely not! I would never risk your safety for any amount of coins!! No, eh... I just didn't want to stand in your way, since you wanted so badly to do this. But you must promise me to be very careful!! Please!

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Unfortunately Eira would later have to eat those words, and she did deeply regret challenging the Gods like that.

- Dear Astanna, she pleaded, Mother of all, please forgive me for my shortcomings and lack of respect. And please help my sister's family and spare them from the misfortune they are about to face.

It was Itaja, with his connections in the political and legal system of Manthos, who had to bring the news to Noor, when she came to visit her oldest children.

- Noor, I have to tell you that Telamon was taken into custody last night. They had caught him stealing at the Agora.

- What? That can't be!

- Unfortunately it is true Noor. They say he will be beheaded for theft next week. I'm so sorry!

- But uncle, there must be something we can do! Noor felt her blood freezing to ice.

- I don't think there is, honey. The merchant wants to set an example. I don't think he can be convinced otherwise. Unless of course if it was directly on the King's order.

Noor swallowed.

- I don't know if I can beseech King Ifiklis to help me, uncle. Not that I think he would even consider listening to my appeal.

- The King is very capricious and unpredictable, yes. But if you wish to go to the palace, I will help you. He will have to listen to us, but his decition might not be in our favor. It's up to you, dear.

- Thank you uncle. I will think about it and let you know.

There were few people in the world that knew how much it would cost Noor to even go to the palace, not to mention the ephialtes it would be for her to speak to King Ifiklis, for any reason at all. Nevertheless, she decided to do just that.

There simply was no way around it, if she was to save Telamon's life. To say that it costed her a lot would be an understatement. It was a relief when she could kneel in front of the throne, because she felt that she would faint if she had to stand up straight.

- So what brings you here Kyrie?, the King addressed Itaja.

- I'm here with my niece to plead for her husband Telamon's life, Itaja said, He has admitted to theft, and the merchant wants him beheaded.

- And why should I rule differently?

- He deeply regrets his wrongdoings, Sir, and promises to pay for any losses the merchant had. Also Sir, he and my niece have five children who depend on his support.

- Hmm. And you can guarantee that he will be righteous for the future? This is a serious crime after all.

- I will guarantee it, Noor said.

- And how are you going to make sure he will keep such a promise, Kyria mou?

- Because if he isn't, I will kill him myself, Noor whispered.

- Haha! The King found that amusing. Nevertheless, I can't really see any reason why I should spare his life.

- Please Sir! Have mercy on his children, if not for him or myself, Noor cried.

- Do I know you from somewhere, Kyria? What is your name?

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Nashuja had not been on the enrollment lists up to now, but suddenly he just decided to volunteer. He knew it was only a matter of time before he would be drafted anyway, and when his classes ended he felt it was wasted to start something new. He was excited to start a new path in life - and he was proud to become a soldier.

Simadhne was distraught when they got the news, and couldn't hide it. Itaja respected and supported Nashujas decision, but he was also very worried about him. He did however try to keep a happy face for his son's sake.

When the day of departure came, Itaja was heartbroken, and actually it was Simadhne who had to comfort him.

- I'm so afraid we will not see him again! he sobbed.

- My darling, I'm sure he will be okay, Simadhne said with modest conviction. He is well trained, and very strong. We will pray for him. He will be okay. He MUST be.

- I feel so sorry for those young men and their families, Noor wailed. It's such a waste! So much suffering.

- I absolutely agree. Why can't those intruders stay where they are? Why must they come to trouble us?

- You are so right! We didn't do nothing to them, did we?

- Absolutely not! We were just minding our own business and ... Simadhne swallowed. Well, war is terrible. You must be happy that Pamesijos wasn't drafted.

- Well, he wasn't up to now. But it might not help, because now he is going on about following Nashuja's footsteps. To volunteer.

- You must be joking!

- I'm afraid not. And you know how stubborn that boy is. The only thing that is holding him back is that I need him so much in the house. I have no idea what I would do without him.

- Maybe that's an excuse you can use to keep him out of the lists? A way to avoid him being drafted to the king's army?

- Pff, I don't think the king would even care about that. Besides, I really can't go to plead with that man again. I ... I just can't.

- Of course not! Let's just pray it wont even be necessary, dear. Maybe the war ends before Pamesijos reaches the age where he has no choice.

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- Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND! How COULD you! Simadhne was not happy.

- What do you mean? Simadhne please calm down.

- Don't tell me to calm down!! I heard you!

- Hear what?

- Don't pretend innocent! I heard you telling him to become a soldier. How could you? And now when there probably will be a war coming!

- Simadhne, I didn't tell him anything, we were just discussing his future.

- Right. And then you told him the military would be the best sollution.

- I did not! I conveyed my opinion, but this will be his choice you know.

- Well, if anything, you should urge him NOT to choose the military.

- I can't go against my own convictions. I believe it would be a good choice for him. If he decide to do it.

- How can you say that!!? He might be killed!

- I realize that. I fear it too, just like you. But these are dangerous times. It is men like Nashuja who will have to defend us and protect us and come out triumphant. IF he chooses to go that way, I will be very proud of him.

- So you think there will be a war?

- I do. From what I understand, there is no way of avoiding it. We will have to be brave. All of us.

- I don't want to be brave. I just want to protect my son.

- Simadhne, If I could take his place, you know I would. I would give my life for that boy. But I'm old and weak and can't defend us the way he can. What I really don't want to do, if it comes to that, is adding stones to his burden. I don't want him to think about our fear for him. I want him to be as sharp and fit and capable as possible. So that he wins every battle and opposition he encounters.

- I can't bear to lose him, Itaja!

- I know. I feel the same, believe me. So we must help him to be as fit as possible for what is to come. It's the best we can do.

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Nashuja was a pretty good athlete, and enjoyed going to the gymnasio with his father.

There was no doubt that Itaja was his son's biggest fan.

But he was not the only fan. The girls were trying to get his attention, but Nashuja was not that interested. Or maybe he was just shy? Anyway, he was trying to ignore them, unless they addressed him directly.

Early in the morning, when just the cats were awake in Manthos, he could be seen running on his training rounds. To Nashuja this was something very enjoyable.

He often had discussions with his father about his future.

- I'm not sure what I want, papa. On the one hand I like to discuss philosophy with the teachers, but I don't think I would like being a teacher myself.

- I think you are right about that son. It wouldn't be enough for you in the long run. But don't think that the military is without intellectual challenge. You need to know strategy to be a successful soldier and officer.

- But mama is also so negative about it? I don't know.

- Nashuja dear, you shouldn't listen to women about this, they don't understand. Mama is afraid something will happen to you, which is fully understandable, and honestly I worry about that too. Despite that I can see that this path is very honorable, and something that would fit you.

- The thought of killing another man though... I'm not sure if I can do that.

- Don't think too much about that. Yes, sometimes it would be necessary, but to be a good soldier, at least here in Manthos, it is about preventing the killing. To defend your village, your family. If someone attacked Simadhne and me, would you have doubts?

- No! Of course not!

- There you see! It would be the same thing!

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