Hours later, Largatha was released. She thanked the prince, her voice soft and wary, unaware of the price he had paid for her freedom.
At dawn, she prepared her carriage for the journey back to Kattegat knowing fully well her fathe would be worried.
Vekas approached her quietly.
"Allow me to escort you. The woods between Qin and the borderlands are unsafe."
She shook her head with gentle firmness.
"My prince, I am grateful. My guards have protected me well enough. I cannot burden the crown prince of Persia."
With that, she departed beneath the pale morning sun.
Vekas left at noon, but his destination was far from the borders. He rode straight through the forests and hills until the hidden camp of the Tigerclaws came into view.
Matheus met him with solemn eyes, sensing that the prince carried a heavy weight. Vekas told him everything: the slaughter in Qin, the cruelty he had been forced to watch, the silence he had no choice but to maintain.
"I sat there while they murdered innocent men," Vekas whispered. "I do not deserve the honor of a warrior."
Matheus placed a steady hand on his shoulder.
"If you had acted in that moment, you would have thrown away your life. And with it, Persia's future. You are the only heir, Vekas. If we truly hope to change this world, you must live long enough to rule it."
The words settled heavily in the prince's heart and some weights lifted in his heart.
Matheus continued, voice shifting.
"And the swords you promised?"
"When I reach the palace workshop, the thousand blades will be delivered at once."
Matheus nodded slowly.
"You cannot know what this means to us. We await the arrival of the weapons have influx of volunteered recruits"
Meanwhile, in the Persian palace, Generals Arsam and Darius returned and bowed before the throne.
"May Your Majesty live long," they said.
King Cyrus coughed, breath catching painfully.
"Rise. Where is the crown prince?"
Darius stepped forward.
"On our journey home he mentioned he has an urgent matter to attend to. But be assured, Majesty, he is on Persian soil. No one would dare harm him here."
The king nodded despite being curious on what matter will be so important to prince vekas than seeing him first, and the chamber dissolved into silence.
The next day, Vekas went straight to the royal smithy to oversee the transfer of the blades and observe to make sure it was of utmost quality. He believed he was alone.
He was not.
Prime Minister Darius had arrived earlier for an unannounced inspection. He lingered in the shadows, hidden behind a stack of crates, watching every movement as smiths loaded the swords into sealed chests.
What was the prince doing?
Why transfer a thousand blades in secret?
Suspicion clawed at him.
Later that night, Darius visited the king's chamber. Vekas, patrolling the corridor outside, noticed the minister entering the royal quarters at such a late hour. Something felt wrong. Quietly, silently, he followed why dressing as an assasin.
Inside, Darius spoke with controlled urgency.
"Your Majesty, I have reflected deeply on the Priestess's vision. I believe I know who the dragon is ." if you permit me to say.
"Who?" the king asked, his voice weak but curious.
"Matheus. Leader of the Tigerclaws."
The king frowned, then let out a dry laugh.
"Matheus? He has never shown interest in power." what made you think that in the first place?
"Indeed, Sire," Darius replied, "but he may not have a choice when push comes to shove. The refugees he saved and the common people who follow him… they may proclaim him chosen by Heaven. Once their numbers grow, they could push him toward the throne. It is only a matter of time."
King Cyrus's expression turned grave.
"And how do we avert this fate?"
"We cut short his life," Darius said quietly with loyalty looks all over his face.
The king stared at him.
"You mean kill him? Would that not provoke rebellion?"
Darius bowed.
"We need not stain our hands. Qin already offers rewards for his head. All we must do is set the trap and the rest is left for Qin to do."
Suddenly, a faint shadow flickered across the door.
Darius moved instantly. His hand shot into his robe, a blade flashed, and he hurled it through the narrow gap of the doorway.
A muffled cry.
Someone staggered away.
"Guards!" Darius roared. "An assassin! Find him!"
Footsteps thundered across the palace corridors. Shouts erupted through the halls.
Vekas rushed in few minutes later, feigning shock.
"Prime Minister! What happened?"
"There was an assassin near His Majesty's chamber," Darius said sharply. "The king is safe, but the intruder escaped."
Princess Roxanna( A daughter from one of the most powerful men of Qin tribe married to vekas to settle internal dispute) arrived with their two young sons, Fahad and Arman.
"They cannot sleep," she whispered.
Vekas softened his voice.
"Return to your chamber. Everything is under control."
She left with the children.
As Vekas turned to leave, Darius's eyes narrowed. He noticed it faint but unmistakable a smear of blood on Vekas's shoulder.
The prince walked quickly into the night, breath uneven. He moved toward the woods, where a hidden whistle summoned a messenger of the Tigerclaws from the shadows.
The man emerged, received the letter meant for Matheus, and prepared to ride.
A knife sliced through the darkness.
It struck him in the heart. He fell silently.
Vekas spun, sword drawn in a single motion.
Darius stepped from the trees, expression cold and unyielding.
"My prince," he said, "have you been working with Matheus?"
"Yes," Vekas answered, voice steady. "But my father must never know."
"I am sorry," Darius replied. "I cannot conceal anything that endangers Persia. I am a citizen before I am a minister."
Vekas pressed his blade against the minister's throat.
"Then tonight shall be your end."
Darius gave a low chuckle.
"If you kill me, Persia will suffer."
"You fool," Vekas snarled. "How dare you?"
He raised his sword but the blade stopped mid descent.