Ashna's eyes snapped open to three taps on her bedroom door. This was the first time in months that she had been roused in the middle of the night. She thought she was used to peaceful nights by now but the knocking grew louder and more frequent, she could no longer ignore it. She groaned as she emerged from the bed, her muscles stiff reaching for her robe.
"My Lady, are you awake?" whispered a familiar voice from the other side of the door. It was one of her servants. In the same tone as the servant outside, Ashna replied, "Yes, what is it?"
No longer whispering, "Come quickly. Your son, he's back. At the entrance." Ashna's eyes widened.
She threw away the boots she was trying to put on, swiftly grabbed the key and unlocked her bedroom door. She found her footing quickly and began to run pushing past the servant, ignoring the pain in the balls of her feet on the cold hard stone. Outside, in the palace corridors, Ashna overtook many guards and servants who were also making their way to the entrance at a less urgent pace. She came bursting out the left wing into the second floor of the great hall onto the main balcony. The large pillared chamber was dark save for a few sources of candlelight set in the walls and pillars. Down below about a dozen people had gathered, crowding around a figure stumbling toward the staircase she was atop. Ashna flew down the stairs, guided by the ornate golden handrailing, the servants and guards gathered only just noticed her. They began to part, making way for her.
"Don't touch me!" exclaimed the figure as he pushed away a servant trying to lend him a shoulder to lean on. His voice was ragged, raspy and sounded desperate. His hair was dark, dishevelled and down to his shoulders. He was swaying side to side with his right hand on his head, barely staying afoot as he tried to make his way to the stairs Ashna had descended from. He raised his head, his gaze meeting hers. She could see those unmistakable hazel eyes, the smooth features of a young man beneath a patchy beard.
"Mother… I'm home," he said quietly, tears welling up. He stumbled forward, landing on his knees. Ashna swiftly closed the rest of the distance, catching him as his knees gave way. She turned him over, laying his body down, cradling him as her expression softened. Tears rolled down her face and she smiled as she shakingly whispered, "You've come back to me." She embraced him tightly.
She buried her head in his chest and that's when she noticed his clothes were torn and dirty, his navel and legs exposed to the cold. She withdrew her embrace, wiping dirt off his face. He had been trying to raise his arm to embrace her back but it dropped to the floor. She continued to support his back or more precisely, his spine. She shrieked as she looked upon her son's body and saw only skin and bones, cuts and bruises, a thin face, and cracked lips beneath his beard. Although his pupils were still as vibrant as the day he was born, his eyes were sunken, dark circles around them, and the few tears he had shed had already dried up.
Ashna looked up, hearing murmurs. The servants and guards were still surrounding them. "Don't just stand there! Someone fetch him some water and call the mystic," she shouted, her voice still shaking. There was silence for a brief moment as the servants stood there surprised, staring at them. "Well!?"
A deep voice boomed from above, "You heard Lady Ashna, help the boy." Everyone in the great hall jolted awake and looked up to the balcony. The large ornate wooden doors were open and the Emperor stood in front of them with his arms spread on the balcony's railing.
"Yes, Your Highness!" all in unison. The servants spread out in haste, in different directions.
"Ariyan! Why are you alone?" shouted the Emperor. The remaining guards and servants in the hall were silent. Ashna's gaze towards the emperor grew stern, angry, tears welled up in her eyes. This is your own son! She thought. She looked down and was surprised to see Ariyan despondently staring upward, looking past anyone in the room. There was no feeling in his expression, no fear, no sadness, no anger at his father's harsh words. Usually, he would stare at the ground, cowering in fear, unable to even look his father in the eyes. But now, it appeared he didn't even give the emperor's words a single thought. Perhaps he didn't hear him..
A sigh from the Emperor broke the silence and he turned around to return to his chambers. "Come to the royal chambers after you've rested, I expect an explanation as to what happened in those lands."
After being attended to, Ariyan retreated to his old room.
For the first time in many moons, Prince Ariyan had a peaceful and restful night.
The following days were stressful. Mercy had granted Ariyan only that night's rest and no more. After a messenger informed him of the emperor's orders, he insisted on having someone, usually his mother, with him at all times. He did not want to be left alone in this state. Ashna tried to ask about what happened to him but gave up after he shut down. She did not want to see that despondent look on his face again. As she suspected, Ariyan grew fearful after learning what his father asked of him. Ashna felt a small sense of relief in that, in this moment her son was the same as she remembered, too kind and sweet for this family, this empire. She ensured that his beard was shaved and his hair cut short.
"Here, use this cane." said Ashna, "There isn't much we can do about your father's orders but showing up on your own two feet might leave a positive impression. The sooner the better." She helped him stand and supported him until he could balance on his own. He was still terribly underweight and would take weeks to recover his strength fully.
"I know it's hard but try to look him in the eyes," said Ashna. She hugged him and kissed him on the forehead. "Now, go. You will be alright." She smiled at him but he did not return it.
Reaching the ornate doors in the great hall on his own two feet was half the battle. Servants were there to help him but he refused them. He struggled against the weight but he managed to open the doors. Inside was the throne room, a long purple rug with golden tassels leading up to a raised golden throne. To Ariyan's left, an attendant began to close the door behind him.
"I'd like an audience with the Emperor," trying to sound like he had authority.
"Very well, Your Majesty." replied the attendant who exited into a room on the side. Unable to contain her worries, Ashna walked to the doors shortly after and waited outside, occasionally pressing her ear against the door. Minutes passed and she began to pace back and forth, stopping to listen and then pacing back and forth again. How long will he make Ariyan wait! The Emperor came in from the same exit the attendant left to fetch him and proceeded to sit on the throne. "His majesty, Mazaeus Darakk!" announced the same attendant from before.
"Come, Ariyan!" said Mazaeus, gesturing him over. Today the Emperor wore a light pink robe lined with gold just like the rest of his clothes. His long black beard was styled into three main braids, reaching down to his full and round belly. He wore a simple wooden circlet on his bald head. Many lines streaked his aged face. He leaned on his right fist, further accentuating his wrinkles.
"I'll ask again, why did you return alone? Where is everyone else?"
Ariyan was kneeling, looking downward. He raised his head to look his father in the eye but he could not hold his gaze and looked down again.
"I'm s-sorry father. The rest of the expedition d-died during the journey," stuttered Ariyan.
"Died? Died how?" more sternly. He didn't intend to let his son off the hook this time. "Tell me everything! Now!"
"Father, those lands…"
"Speak up, boy!" boomed Mazaeus.
"Father!" this time Ariyan met his eyes, "those accursed lands, they are too treacherous for us mortals. No man should go there. Some died from starvation but…"
Ariyan hesitated, tears welling up, "there were terrible things, monsters, beings we were not meant to bear witness to. Almost everyone died fighting them. I alone survived though… I do not remember how. I ran, I ran until I could no longer run and still, I kept running until I found myself back home." Ariyan trailed off and looked down at the floor again.
Outside Ashna was also tearing up. Why did you send him to those lands? What did you hope to find? There was a long silence, she put her ear to the door again.
Mazaeus stood up from his throne and looked off to the side. "To be honest, I had given up on this expedition a while ago. We haven't received any messages in over six months." said the Emperor, gently this time. Ariyan looked up and saw that his father's face had softened. Mazaeus approached the prince, Ariyan closed his eyes anticipating the worst but to his surprise found himself in an embrace. His shaking slowly subsided and he found himself hugging him back.
"Father?" asked Ariyan, confused.
"It's okay, my son. I am glad you are home. Welcome back." He withdrew from the embrace still holding the prince's shoulders, meeting his gaze.
"We must celebrate! My son is back!" He turned to the attendant. "Inform the others and prepare to send messages all over the Empire. Ariyan, 2nd Prince of the Darakkan Empire has returned!"
He stood up, "Your brother will be thrilled to see you again!"
Ashna, still listening from the other side of the door, was more shocked than relieved. This was very unlike the Emperor, she almost didn't recognise his voice.
"There must be some heroics you can tell!" Exclaimed the Emperor. He noticed the prince wasn't matching his candour. "Chin up, boy! For you, Ariyan, are the first to ever return from the Land of the Gods!"