After the ceremonies and feasts were done, Elyasa sat in his garden, beneath the shade of the palm trees, overlooking the oblong pool with fountains gushing forth. The water reflected the colour of the leaves, with specks of sunlight glistening on its surface. Murad escorted the Animals of the Ark and Queen Inayat to the garden within where Elyasa was waiting for them. He longed for their company and he also knew that Jem felt the same way. Other than Jem, no one else was in the garden with them except Salih. Luqman was off on some other business.

When Miyanda, Qinan, Asayker and Inayat entered, Elyasa rose from his chair and greeted them with a warm smile. �Peace be with you. It has been a long time.� He said.

�May peace and blessings be with you as well. Indeed it has been.� Asayker replied for all of them.

While the leaders of the Ark seated themselves around Elyasa, Jem and Salih, Queen Inayat remained standing.

�It is so good to see you all but unfortunately I cannot linger, even though I wish to. I have come to say farewell to you King Elyasa and Prince Jem before I leave.� The Queen of Almaz said regretfully.

�Can you not stay for at least a day? It has been long since I last saw you.� Elyasa said hoping she would stay for he was very fond of her. She was a very open-hearted woman and she treated him and Jem as if they were her own sons.

She smiled sadly and shook her head, �I�m afraid I can tarry no longer, I cannot be absent from my kingdom for long periods. But before I go Elyasa, I wish to tell you that if ever you need anything do not hesitate to ask and I will do what I can to help. You are young, Elyasa, and I know that governing such a large kingdom is not easy.�

�I am very grateful Queen Inayat and I thank you very much. I wish for you a safe journey home.� Elyasa said graciously, returning her smile.

�Peace be with you all. Please come and visit us in Almaz soon. Farewell.� She said bowing her head and in graceful steps with her long robe trailing behind, the Queen of Almaz left the garden.

�It is a shame she had to leave so soon.� Qinan said after she left.

�Yes it is. It had been long since I have seen her.� Elyasa agreed.

�It has been a long time for everyone.� Miyanda remarked, �My, you boys have certainly grown and blossomed to handsome young men.� Miyanda observed laughing �How is it with you all?�

A frown overtook Elyasa's face and he looked down and turned his face away from them. The atmosphere quickly changed from one of cheerfulness to one of gloom. Everyone sensed Elyasa�s uneasiness.

�What�s wrong Elyasa?� Miyanda asked concerned.

�We miss our father.� Jem answered for Elyasa, for he knew what troubled him.

Qinan stepped up to Elyasa. �Elyasa we understand your grief. We loved him and miss him very much as well.�

Elyasa remained silent, still with his back to them. Tears welled up in eyes, which he tried to push back.

�But you must move on, our dear Elyasa.� Qinan continued.

�Qinan is right my son. We all miss him but we cannot let grief overcome us.� Salih added.

Elyasa turned around and wiped his tears away, � I am sorry. It is just that he left us so suddenly.�

�Do you know what caused his illness?� Asayker asked.

Elyasa shook his head.

Salih hesitated for a moment but after some thought decided to share what he knew, �Osorkon does not yet know what caused Omarian�s deadly fever. But he says that the symptoms were similar to those of one who has consumed poison.�

Everyone looked up at Salih in shock even Elyasa for this was news to him.

�Do you really think it was poison?� Miyanda asked, finding it hard to believe.

�It is very much possible.� Salih answered gravely.

Elyasa sat down on his chair for he felt his knees could no longer hold him.

�But who would poison our father?! Who would do such a wicked thing?! And why?!� Jem cried in disbelief.

Salih shook his head, �I do not know my son. But keep in mind, although it may look like Omarian was poisoned, we have no definite proof. This is all speculative. It may not have been poison but a natural fever. Or if it was poison it may even have been an accident. We cannot be so sure.�

Elyasa, who had removed his turban, had his head within his hands, fingers entangled in his hair, with eyes shut tight as if he felt a sharp pain. Jem could not bear to see his brother so. Elyasa�s misery grieved him.

�This is grave indeed. If it was poison, then there may be a murderer loose within the palace?� Qinan concluded.

Elyasa looked up at Qinan and let out a deep sigh, �We do not want to feed on suspicion. It will only cause ill feeling and insecurity within the palace. That, we do not want. It would be an injustice to suspect an innocent person. My father, may he be showered with mercy, would not have wanted that to happen. If there is a guilty party may his conscious eat him up. He will be punished for it eventually if he does not repent. It is better for us to leave this issue and put our trust with the All Wise.�

Everyone nodded in agreement. There was a long pause of silence as everyone was lost within his or her own thoughts.

�Will you not visit us?� Miyanda asked finally breaking the silence.

Elyasa gave her a faint smile, for she like Jem had that charm about her. �As much as I would love to I cannot at this time.� He said regretfully. �But Jem may go with you.� He added.

Jem looked up at his brother, his eyes full of excitement. �May I? It is all right with you if I go?"

Elyasa nodded smiling at his brother.

�Jem last time you were with us you were but a child who never tired. You gave your brother and father a difficult time, do you remember? You will not give us trouble this time? Will you?� Miyanda asked good-humouredly and laughed at the fond memory.

Jem flushed and everyone could not help but burst with laughter.

�I will send Luqman to look after him.� Elyasa said half teasingly.

�Elyasa!� Murad called at the gate running into the garden.

�Murad!� Elyasa said startled �Why are you in such a rush? I hope it is not ill news that you bear?� He said eyeing the boy intently. �Every time I see you rushing to me I sense that something is amiss.�

Murad shook his head and frowned. �So now I have been associated with all that is ill. Is that all I am? The bearer of bad news?� He said indignantly.

Elyasa sensing that he had hurt Murad�s feelings smiled at him. �No you are far from that. You know that I value you greatly. What news do you have for me? It is not ill?

Murad�s face lightened at Elyasa�s words. �No ill news. �King Izozi of the Kingdom of Dyn wishes a private council with you.�

Elyasa�s face remained the same. Everyone else looked at Murad in surprise.

�Tell him I will grant him his wish. Murad escort him into the meeting chamber, I will be with him shortly.� Elyasa replied.

�I will.� Murad answered obediently and with that he rushed out of the garden as he had rushed in.

"What do you think the King of Dyn wants?" Jem asked his brother.

Elyasa shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. But we shall soon find out."