From above the fortress, Arta could vividly see how the Arab army had tricked them. Her heart was racing so fast and breathing seemed difficult. They couldn't shoot their arrows anymore as they might hit their own soldiers. Archers left to join the king and other knights protecting the gate. Arta searched for her father. The king was on his horse swaying his sword, killing and injuring the enemy's soldiers. Arta ran down the stairs to join them. She was about to leave the fortress when someone grabbed her arm.

It was Abtin.

"What are you doing?" Arta asked angrily. "Let go of my hand, I have to go." Struggling to free herself from Abtin's hands she could see through the open gates that things are quickly changing to their disadvantage.

"Close the gates" Abting shouted to the few soldiers remaining behind.

"No!" Arta shouted. "Are you crazy? Your king is out there." She said with anger and confusion.

She couldn't understand what was happening. Why Abtin had ordered to close the gates. She was still struggling to free herself from Abtin's firm grip, but he was much stronger than her.

"We should leave Shahzadeh" Abtin said with a cold voice.

"No, we cannot leave them behind. We should help them. Let go of my hand. You are a coward for leaving your king behind." she was shaking and his amber eyes were red from anger.

"Listen to me!" Abtin shouted at her and shook her vigorously to make her come to her senses.

"This is the king's order. You should come with me to the palace. We don't have much time Shahzadeh." He let go of her wrist to bring her horse closer.

"King's order?" Arta whispered to herself, confused. She knew Abtin was a person that she can trust but still why they should leave?

"This is a lost battle and the king knew the chances of winning this war are low. He ordered me to protect you. You should obey your father and come with me"

Arta was speechless. Her mind was full of thoughts and different emotions. Looking back at the closed gates grief filled her heart.

"What about my father and Kian?" She mumbled.

"Don't worry about them. The royal knights will protect them. Kian is one of the best warriors. We need to leave now Shahzadeh." Abtin said softly trying to convince Arta to leave.

Abtin took advantage of her hesitation and helped her to get on her horse while Arta was still looking at the closed gates and crying silently.

***

Arta and Abtin rode as fast as possible to the palace. On their way to the palace, they saw that most of the people have already fled from the city and the rest are in their houses with their door and windows closed.

It was a sad scene. The glamourous capital of Persia is now looked sad and soulless. The crowded streets and bazaars are empty and lifeless.

Palace looked deserted as well. There were just a few guards and maids here and there. Abtin was shouting and giving orders to the guards to secure the gates and to the maids and other palace residences to leave the palace.

After a few hours of crying and thinking on the way back to the palace, she decided to be helpful at least at the palace. She followed Abtin around and help him with arrangements in order to protect the palace.

Although Abtin had argued long enough with Arta to leave the palace before it becomes too late, Arta had refused profoundly. She wanted to stay until she receives news about her father and brother. She was certain that a messenger will soon come to inform them about the situation on the battlefield, something that Abtin was greatly doubtful about but did not have the heart to mention it to her.

The sun was setting. No one has remained in the palace except a few soldiers who were protecting the gates. Walking aimlessly through the halls Arta was thinking of the time that the palace was full of joy and happiness. It felt strange and she was thinking could this be the end of their reign? A lump formed in her throat and she was about to cry again when she heard a horrifying sound. A load banging sound was shaking the palace repeatedly. Moving toward the sound she met Abtin halfway through the palace's main gate. She soon realized that the enemy is at the gate and they are trying to break the gate with.

Without exchanging any words, Abtin motioned his hand for Arta to run after him toward the king's chambers. Reaching to the stairs Abtin grabbed a bag that was already there and rushed toward the basement.

Arta didn't know where they were heading to. Reaching at the end of the basement there was an empty space lightened with a few lanterns. Looking questionably at Abtin, Arta asked "What are we doing here?"

"There is a secret tunnel here that leads to the other side of the city in the mountains" he said while touching the wall's bricks looking for something. Finally pushing a brick, a section of the wall in front of them parted with a heavy sound and dusts spread out. Pulling the heavy wall Abtin opened the tunnel door and gave the bag that he took from the stairs to Arta. "I asked your maid to prepare a traveling bag for you. I hope you could find the things that you need in it." She looked at the bag in her hand and looked back at Abtin with her eyes wide open.

"Now leave Shahzadeh" giving her one of the lanterns.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Arta asked looking surprised.

"No, I'm a royal knight and I must finish my duty protecting the palace and the royal family. You must hurry now." He said looking so determined.

Looking at Arta he said "try to get yourself to Bokhara. Stay with your aunt. You'll be safe there."

With that, he pushed Arta into the tunnel and closed the heavy door and ran upstairs to fulfill his duty.

Arta was standing in the tunnel facing its door, still in confusion. After a few seconds of staring at the tunnel's door, she turned around and walked toward the other side of the tunnel in shaky steps.

The tunnel was dark, and she could only see half a meter in front of her with the help of the lantern.

After a few minutes that she got used to the darkness, the thought of his father and brother brought tears into her eyes. She felt weak and angry and her heart started to race as she walked faster and almost running. She was angry at herself because she had left her father and brother on the battlefield and now she was running like a coward.

She suddenly stopped from running breathing rapidly looking back at the tunnel she was fighting the urge to go back and fight those who have invaded her home, but she knew it would be useless. She fell on her knees and screamed in frustration.

She stayed on the rocky tunnel path for a few minutes while crying. She slowly stood up and continued walking with a heavy heart.

After walking for a couple of hours which felt like an eternity, a fresh breeze petted her face. A sudden wind blew off her lantern and she had to continue in the darkness. But soon she saw the moonlight.

It looked like a cave high in the mountain from outside. She stood at the edge of the tunnel and took a deep breath. Looking outside she could see the lights coming from the city in the distance.

Flames coming out of the buildings here and there. Her heart was beating with pain, her throat was dry and painful.

It was impossible to find her way down the mountain in the darkness. She was tired emotionally and physically. Taking her armor off she sat with her back against the cave wall, slowly she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

***

Osman was mesmerized by the beauty and luxury of the Palace. Everything was made of precious stones, gold, or silver. He couldn't believe what he sees. High pillars and ceilings, marble floors, golden statues, golden dishes, silk carpets and curtains, marvelous pieces of furniture. It was like walking into a magical place.

He had ordered his soldiers not to touch anything in the palace. Their hard work had paid off. After being in the war for almost a year now he was convinced that it was worth all the burdens. The Parse palace was nothing like their own adobe building that they call a palace.

Walking through the palace halls and rooms with Ahmad and Samir they arrived at a heavy iron door. Osman pushed the door to open it but it was locked. It was the only door that was locked so far. They became suspicious. Looking at each other Samir shrugged "I bet this is the door to the king's harem"

"Don't be silly! Why harem needs an iron door?" said Ahmad with a puff. They both looked at Osman who was robbing his chin.

"I think it's the treasury" Said Osman.

Ahmad and Samir's eyes widened in surprise, thinking about all the golds and wealth behind this door.

"We should open it then" Said Ahmad while examining the room for a clue on how to open the door.

A few hours had passed and they couldn't open the door. They tried everything they had from attacking the door using chairs and tables to their swords and daggers. Even Samir tried to break the door a few times with his big bearish figure, but they could only manage to put small scratches on the door.

Feeling exhausted they sat on the marble floor looking at the mess that they made while uselessly attacking the door. "We can use battering rams!?" Ahmad said looking unsure.

Samir turned his head toward him "I think that's a good idea, Osman?"

"Yeah, we can try that tomorrow. I'm so tired. Let's find the royal chambers to take a rest" he said looking tired.

They were about to leave the room when two soldiers came and informed Osman that they have cleared the whole palace from the Persian soldiers and has already assigned soldiers guarding every corner of the palace.

Marching toward the west wing of the palace they found the royal chambers. The west wing itself was a separate huge palace dedicated to the royal family. In this two-story palace, on the ground floor were the dining rooms, library, and a big well-furnished hall for visitors. In the basement were the maid's quarters, kitchen, and bathing pools. The luxury bedrooms with vast balconies looking toward the garden and mountain were located on the second floor.

Entering one of the bedrooms Osman crashed into the bed while Samir and Ahmad were examining the room.

"I bet it's one of the princesses' bedroom" Samir said.

"Yes, there are so many girly kinds of stuff in here" Ahmad said with disgust visible in his voice. "Let's change the room"

"Just sleep. It's only a few hours left until dawn. We'll leave for the camp tomorrow." Osman said lying on the bed and folding his arms behind his head and eyes closed.

Ahmad and Samir they both lied on the cushions and soft Persian rugs on the floor without further complains.

Samir asked "Where do you think these princes and princesses are?" he asked while turning his head toward Ahmad.

"They have already fled to another city." Ahmad said while yawning.

Turning to his side Osman smelled a very refreshing aroma from the pillow under her head. The pillow smelled like heavens, so refreshing and relaxing and slowly he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Osman woke up by the sound of birds singing outside. He walked toward the chamber's balcony to take a look outside. The sun had not risen yet but the scene in front of him in the dim morning light took his breath away.

"No wonder Persians gardens are famous as paradise." He thought to himself.

From the balcony, he could see two rows of tall cedar trees on the sides of a long shallow pool with several fountains. As far as the eye could see there were different kinds of flowers and trees that Osman had never seen in his life before.

When he came back inside the chamber, Samir and Ahmad were still asleep. Looking around the room a shinny box caught his eyes. standing in front of the table he carefully picked up the box. Slowly he opened the box and saw an elegant necklace, a combination of pearl and turquoise. He had never seen such a delicate piece of jewelry before. He took the necklace out and examine it. He wished his mother was alive so that he could gift this beauty to her.

He placed the necklace back in its box and put it in his robe's pocket.

"Samir, Ahmad Wake up! It's time to leave."

********