Page 2. Warrior

That took place long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. A mighty empire spread over the distant mountains. Industrious and selfless its people were. Labor was their main value, and they shared that value with their country generously by cultivating stone soil of the stepped terraces, building fine roads from rocks, and looking after animals that gave wool, meat and milk. People put great trust in their Emperor, whose kin was considered to descend right from the Sun. Everyone knew that if some trouble happened – war, drought or flood, - their country would take care of them, by sending workers from other parts of the country for help and giving food from hidden storehouses. That was why each man worked fixed time for the benefit of the empire consciously and voluntarily. “Do not steal, do not lie and do not be lazy,” – those were their three commandments.

Emperor’s power was absolute, and his authority – indisputable. So long as the sovereign had divine origin, all his numerous relatives were invested with authority under their royal blood, though their authority was not so all-embracing as Emperor’s. They usually were governors of certain parts of the country, judges, priests or commanders. Though, such posts might have been taken by mere mortals, who showed talent for organization and proved their devotion to the empire by some outstanding services. Those few got the privilege of authority by personal order of Emperor.

One of such commanders, awarded with the privilege of authority for some great services to the country, was Warrior – a son of a mere farmer, who showed uncommon talent of a captain and a diplomat. Quite often small tribes, neighboring the empire, suffered from nomads’ raids, and then Emperor would send Warrior at the head of the armed detachment to assist in chasing invaders away. Having completed his mission, Warrior would offer folks protection of the empire with maintaining their customs and culture, and most often they would be glad to accept amity of such mighty ally. Thus, the empire’s borders were spreading and its power was getting stronger.

Once, after coming back from another campaign and completing a report about brilliant results to his master, Warrior was leaving Emperor’s chamber. A fair lady, surrounded by the group of courtiers, was coming towards him. Warrior heard a lot about beauty of the sovereign’s daughter, but for all that he seemed to stumble with surprise over wide open eyes full of mischief. For a moment they looked at each other, and then he gathered his wits and lowered his gaze.

“Her beauty is inconceivable,” Warrior thought. “Only stars may be so delightful and perfect, no wonder Emperor’s kin descended from the Sun!”

Though, in front of him there stood a usual earthly girl who was looking at him with an interest.

“Who are you and what are you doing in the palace?” Princess’s tender voice rang.

“I am Warrior, governing one of the remote parts of the empire; your father’s will gave me the privilege of authority. I am serving him, mistress!”

“My father is strict, but he is favorable to those, who are devoted to him,” the girl said. “You must be a good warrior if you have deserved authority.”

Without waiting for reply, Princess continued her way. And Warrior, charmed by her beauty and play of voice, stood there for a while.

… Love blazed up between them like a hot campfire in the darkness of summer night. Several times Princess secretly managed to slip away in the garden, where Warrior was waiting for her, speechless and motionless, like a shadow of the silent rock. And only sleepless stars heard beating of their hearts, accepting them in their shining family.

“My star,” Warrior said to her one day. “We won’t be able to live without each other. It’s no good for our love to hide in the night garden, like a thief. I will ask your father about our marriage.”

“Beloved,” Princess answered anxiously. “Your strength is like a mountain stream, but you know the law, given to us by our ancestors. A mere mortal has never married a princess yet. I fear for you.”

When Emperor listened to Warrior’s request, his face grew dark.

“So, that is your devotion in practice! You returned base ingratitude for my mercy. Go away, contemptible! I don’t want to see you – you are not my servant anymore!”

And Son of Sun ordered to banish Warrior to just the one province which he governed, supposing that, deprived of authority, he will drink cup of disgrace and humiliation to the dregs. But it turned out otherwise. Residents of the province loved Warrior a lot for his wise and fair governing. Having found out, that he would not leave by Emperor’s orders anymore, people greeted him cheerfully and proclaimed their sovereign.

Emperor got angry when he knew about mutiny. He sent large army to fight against Warrior and his people. But Warrior was skilful in battles. By his order the main lines of defense were placed on the rocky mountain slopes and defenders settled on the rocks merging with grey slopes.

Battle was swift and dreadful. It seemed as if mountains themselves attacked strangers. Thick clouds of dust shot up over the gorge; and blood flew; and land moaned, echoing heartrending howls of wounded fighters. Not many were fated to come back to the capital. Thousands of fighters were left buried under the heavy boulders. There was Emperor’s son among few captives. His gaze lowered, he stood in front of Warrior.

“Forgive me, my sworn brother! I have not forgotten those glorious campaigns, where while fighting we were shielding each other’s backs. But I cannot disobey my father’s order. Discipline is the foundation of army, and we should obey orders, if we don’t want chaos and anarchy.”

“There is no reason for you to make excuses,” Warrior interrupted him. “You’ve done your duty and that’s not your fault that it was me, who stood in your way. You’d better tell me how’s Princess? ”

“That was hard for me to battle with you, but what is harder, that is to be a messenger of grief. My beloved sister has suffered the agonizing death. Beside himself with rage, father ordered to put her in the dungeon without meal, water and light.”

The successor’s face got distorted with pain as if he has undergone incarceration and death. Warrior got petrified at these words. They kept silent for some time and nobody knew what sufferings were boiling in their hearts. Warrior was the first to break silence.

“I have nothing to do or desire in the capital. Go back and tell your father that he does not deserve my revenge. I would raze to the ground the whole Empire if that could bring back my beloved one! Go away!”

Then the morning came like the evening, and the day full of gloom, - the first one in the endless chain of knots composing from now on the dim thread of his life. He had lived on hope till now. And it had died. Emperor did not try to conquer the mutinous province as he did not see a threat from it and to lose his warriors he did not want. And his heart softened a bit, when his beloved son, who was considered to be dead, on his return told him about his meeting with Warrior. The delicate and anxious balance was restored in the empire…

Once Warrior, who became old not from the past years but from the severe loss, was announced of the armed detachment with symbols of the high authority on soldiers’ uniforms coming nearer.

“What has brought you to me?” Warrior asked Successor meeting him near the gate.

“My father has died,” the answer was. “Now I am – Emperor, and I invite you to the capital. The country needs you, people need you, and after all, I need you. Forget your pain, return to the court for the sake of our former friendship. Be near, help me, and our country will become single and invincible anew!”

Warrior shook his head not lifting up his eyes.

“One ear does not yield twice. There is no place for me in the capital anymore. But I will go with you to bow before the ashes of my princess for the last time.”

When the new Emperor ordered his servant to open the massive stone door in the cellar of the palace, the subtle confusion flickered in the eyes of the old man.

“Master, this door has not being opened for many years by the order of your father…”

“Then open it!” Emperor interrupted with the peremptory tone. “Whatever there is, we are ready to everything.”

While the servant was dawdling with the lock, Emperor hugged Warrior’s shoulder.

“Hold on, brother! You have seen a lot in your life, let your heart not tremble and now!”

Warrior lowered his head without words. Yes, he was ready to everything. To everything, but not to what they went through in the next moment. When the heavy door opened at last, a muffled voice was heard in the darkness of the tiny room carved in the rock.

“You’ve brought me meal again. Thanks, but I’m not hungry!”

For some time people stood still looking at the old servant lowered his eyes, then they rushed to the small cell lightening the way with smoking torches. An emaciated woman with long grey hair was sitting in the corner. Though blind eyes were opened wide, but after long years of the pure darkness they could not reflect anything.

“Who is there?” Woman turned to the sound of steps, vainly trying to discern something in the shroud of black mist. “Who has come to me? Oh, gods, gods! Why is my heart beating so much?”

With difficulty having recovered of the first shock, Emperor looked at Warrior. He stood silent on his knees unable to come closer. Whirlwinds of different feelings were passing over his face. And that man, who had conquered vast territories, who had beaten select forces of the emperor’s army, who had endured the loss of his beloved one and the goal of his life together with her – that iron man was crying on his knees.

Emperor turned his eyes on the old servant. The old man rushed to Emperor’s feet.

“I am to blame for this, my master! I did not obey the order of your father. Love and devotion to our Princess prevented me from leaving her to die. For many years I have been bringing her food and water secretly. I have been keeping serving her, having disobeyed the order of the sovereign. I am ready for death, my master!”

“Now it does not matter,” Emperor said deep in thought. “Let’s leave them alone, they have deserved it!”

He raised his torch and having put it in the wall hole he turned to the exit. The torch was giving steady light, making visible in the darkness two silent people who had overcome death and oblivion with the power of their love.