Hézo

One week later

The armory was located in one of the most remote wings of the royal palace. At this hour, it was seldom visited, bathed in muted light filtering through tall skylights, casting shadows across the stone walls. The place resembled a warrior’s sanctuary: swords carefully aligned, bows hung on the walls, axes, spears, and ancient tribal weapons engraved with old symbols.

Hezo brushed his fingers against the tribe’s insignia, carved above the central display: a flame rising over a crescent moon. He found the symbol magnificent. Ever since he was a child, he would always stop for a moment to admire it whenever he came to choose his training gear. To one day rule this tribe, to stand beside his father wearing those colors… It was more than a childhood dream. It was his sacred fire.

A sudden noise broke the silence. Hezo froze, on guard. His instincts urged him to stay alert. He advanced slowly, senses sharpened, scanning every corner, every shadow. He was about to turn back when another sound stopped him cold. It wasn’t hostile. It was… sobbing.

He rushed toward the source of the noise and saw her. Imany, curled up in a corner of the room, trembling. Her shoulders shook with the rhythm of her tears.

— Imany! he exclaimed, hurrying to her. What are you doing here? Have you been crying? Look at me. Tell me what’s going on.

She didn’t answer. Her gaze was vacant, lifeless. Imany’s eyes, usually so expressive, seemed to have lost their light.

— Come, we need to see Selom. You’re not well.

He gently lifted her into his arms, but as he dashed toward the exit, she stirred faintly.

— Imany… what happened to you? Say something…

Her lips moved, but no words came out. Silence weighed heavily. Something serious had happened.

Heart pounding, Hezo hurried to Selom’s quarters, the nursemaid. Imany needed to be placed in safe hands.

She was laid in bed. Doctors came one after another. No physical injuries. No visible trauma. Yet they all gave the same verdict: she had witnessed, or endured, something profoundly shocking.

Days passed. Hezo came every day. He sat by her bedside, watched over her, refused to leave her alone. He couldn’t bear seeing her like this.

***

A week passed. And finally, one morning, she opened her eyes with more clarity than he had seen in a long time.

— Imany! Are you all right? Hezo rushed to her.

— Hezo… You stayed here all this time? Why?

— Are you serious? You’re my sister. The only one I have. Of course I stayed.

He smiled. She stared at him for a moment, unsettled.

— You smile… warmer than usual.

— That’s a good thing, isn’t it? So why don’t you smile back?

She looked away and fixed her eyes on the pendant Hezo wore: a silver medallion adorned with a moonstone. Their mother had given it to him. She wore the same, saying the shimmering hues reminded her of her son’s eyes.

Without a word, Imany turned to the small dresser by her bed. She opened the drawer and pulled something out. When she held it out to Hezo, his heart stopped. His hands shook. He leapt to his feet, eyes wide. It was a pendant. Identical to his own.

— Where did you find this?! he roared, breathless.

Imany lowered her eyes, refusing to answer. She looked crushed.

— Answer me! he shouted, almost snatching the object from her hands.

This pendant belonged to his mother. It had to be hers. She… she was alive. Imany had found her.

Tears welled up on the girl’s face.

— I have to show you something, Hezo… I’m sorry…

His throat tightened. But at that very moment, a sharp voice sliced through the silence.

— How dare you raise your voice at my daughter?!

Dyandra. The queen. She had entered soundlessly, like a serpent. And at her side, Jahia.

Panicked, Imany seized the distraction to snatch the pendant back and quickly hide it. She didn’t want them to see. Then, awkwardly, she tried to wipe away her tears.

— Step aside, ordered the queen.

Hezo obeyed reluctantly, eyes still locked on Imany, who avoided his gaze. This wasn’t over. As soon as they left, he would return.

That jewel couldn’t lie. And Imany didn’t lie. His mother had never left Ardara. Or else… she had come back.

He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to know.

***

Hezo retraced his steps, heart racing. He wouldn’t hesitate to force his way through if needed. He opened the door just as Imany was explaining that she wished to remain alone. The queen and Jahia were heading for the exit.

— Go back to your duties, boy, Dyandra spat venomously. Let her rest.

— I forgot something in her room. I’ll grab it and be on my way.

She studied him for a long moment, then finally left. When the door closed, Hezo released the breath he’d been holding, then turned toward Imany.

She didn’t wait. She took out the pendant and handed it to him again.

— It belonged to your mother… You know it.

Hezo took it, clenched it in his palm. He opened his mouth, but no words came. His mind was buzzing. He was afraid to hope.

— Hezo, Imany whispered gently. Your mother… I know where she is. She’s…

— Take me to her! Please… Where is she?

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Imany tried to step closer, but stumbled. He caught her just in time.

— Your body isn’t ready…

— We have to go. Tonight. I can’t keep this to myself any longer.