That took place a long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. A mighty empire spread over the distant mountains. Industrious and selfless were its people. Labor was their main value, and they shared it with their country generously by cultivating stone soil of the stepped terraces, building fine roads from rocks, and looking after animals that gave wool, meat and milk. People placed great trust in their Emperor, whose kin was considered to have descended directly from the Sun. Everyone knew that if some trouble happened – war, drought or flood, - their country would take care of them, by sending workers from other parts of the country for help and by giving food from hidden storehouses. This is why each man worked during a fixed time for the benefit of the empire, consciously and voluntarily. “Do not steal, do not lie, and do not be lazy,” – those were their three commandments.
The Emperor’s power was absolute, and his authority – indisputable. So long as the sovereign had divine origin, all his numerous relatives were invested with authority under their royal blood, although their authority was not so all-embracing as the Emperor’s. They usually were governors of certain parts of the country, judges, priests or commanders. Such posts could have been taken by mere mortals, who showed talent for organization and proved their devotion to the empire by some outstanding services. Those few got the privilege of authority through a personal order of the Emperor.
One of such commanders, awarded with the privilege of authority for some great services to the country, was Warrior – a son of a mere farmer, who showed uncommon talent as a captain and as a diplomat. Quite often small tribes, neighboring the empire, suffered from nomads’ raids; then, the Emperor would send Warrior as the head of the armed detachment to assist in chasing away the invaders. Having completed his mission, Warrior would offer the folks protection from the empire while maintaining their customs and culture; quite often, they would be glad to accept the friendship of such mighty ally. Thus, the empire’s borders were spreading and its power was getting stronger.
One time, after coming back from another campaign and completing a report about brilliant results to his master, Warrior was leaving the Emperor’s chamber, when a fair lady, surrounded by a group of courtiers, came towards him. Warrior had heard a lot about the beauty of the sovereign’s daughter, but even after all that he had heard, he stumbled with surprise with her wide open eyes, full of mischief. For a moment they looked at each other, but then he gathered his wits and lowered his gaze.
“Her beauty is inconceivable,” Warrior thought. “Only stars may be so delightful and perfect, no wonder the Emperor’s kin descended from the Sun!”
Suddenly he noticed in front of him a common earthly girl who was looking at him with some interest.
“Who are you and what are you doing in the palace?” asked the Princess with a tender voice.
“I am Warrior, and I govern one of the remote parts of the empire; it was through your father’s will, giving me the privilege of authority. I am serving him, Mistress!”
“Surely, my father is strict, but he is benevolent only to those who are devoted to him,” the girl said. “You must be a good warrior, in order to have deserved such authority.”
Without waiting for a reply, the Princess continued her way; and Warrior, charmed by her beauty and tone of voice, stood there, stunned for a while.
… Love blazed up between them like a hot campfire in the darkness of summer night. Several times, the Princess secretly managed to slip away into the garden, where Warrior would be waiting for her, speechless and motionless, like the shadow of a silent rock. Only sleepless stars heard the beating of their hearts, accepting them in their shining family.
“My star,” Warrior said to her one day. “We won’t be able to live without each other. It’s not good for our love to hide in the night garden, like thieves. I will ask your hand in marriage to your father.”
“My Beloved,” the Princess answered anxiously, “your strength is like a mountain stream, but you know the law, given to us by our ancestors. A mere mortal has never married a princess yet. I fear for you.”
When the Emperor listened to the Warrior’s request, his face turned dark.
“So, that is your devotion in practice! You have returned my mercy with this plain ingratitude. Go away, you contemptible jerk! I don’t want to see you again – you are not my servant anymore!”
Thus, the Son of Sun ordered his officials to banish Warrior to the only province which he governed, supposing that, once deprived of authority, he would drink the cup of disgrace and humiliation up to the dregs. But his plans turned out otherwise. The residents of the province loved Warrior a lot, for his wise and fair governing. Even having found out that he would not live under the Emperor’s orders anymore, people greeted him cheerfully and proclaimed him their sovereign.
The Emperor got so angry when he knew about the mutiny. He sent out a large army to fight against Warrior and his people; but Warrior was skilful in battles. According to his orders, the main lines of defense were placed on the rocky mountain slopes, where the defenders settled, behind the rocks which merged with the grey slopes.
The battle was swift and dreadful. It seemed as if the mountains themselves were attacking the strangers. Thick clouds of dust appeared over the gorge; lots of blood flew; and the land moaned, echoing the heartfelt screams of the wounded fighters. Not too many were fated to come back to the capital. Thousands of fighters were left behind, buried under the heavy boulders. Even the Emperor’s son was among the few captives. His gaze was lowered, as he stood in front of Warrior.
“Forgive me, my sworn brother! I have not forgotten our glorious campaigns, when while fighting we shielded each other with our backs; and I could not disobey my father’s order. Discipline is the foundation of our army, and we should obey orders, if we don’t want to face chaos and anarchy.”
“There is no reason for you to make excuses,” Warrior interrupted him. “You’ve done your duty and that’s not your fault; it was mine, who stood in your way. Now, please tell me, how’s the Princess? ”
“Warrior, it was hard for me to battle with you,” he answered, “but it is harder to be a messenger of grief. My beloved sister has suffered an agonizing death. Our father, besides himself with rage, ordered for her to be put in the dungeon without any meals, water or light.”
The successor’s face got distorted with pain as if he was going himself through a terrible incarceration and death. Warrior got petrified when he heard these words. They remained silent for a while and nobody knew what sufferings they were experiencing in their hearts. Warrior was the first one to break the silence.
“I have nothing to do, or no desires in the capital. Go back and tell your father that he does not deserve my revenge. However, I would destroy to the ground the whole Empire, if that could bring back my beloved one! Go away!”
The morning came like the evening, full of gloom; the first one of an endless chain of knots which would compose from now on the dim thread of his life. He had lived on hope till now. And this hope had died. The Emperor did not try to conquer the mutinous province, as he did not see a threat from it and besides, he did not want to lose his warriors. His heart softened a bit, when his beloved son, who was considered to be dead, returned and told him about his meeting with Warrior. Thus, the delicate and anxious balance was restored in the empire…
As to Warrior, he became old, not from the years past, but from the severe loss of his lover. One day, it was announced that a person of high authority, yet wearing a soldiers’ uniform was coming near to speak with him.
“What has brought you to me?” Warrior identified and asked the Successor, while meeting him at the gate.
“My father has died,” he answered. “Now I am the Emperor, and I came to invite you to the capital. The country needs you, our people need you, and after all, I also need you. Forget your pain and return to the court, for the sake of our former friendship. Be near, help me, and our country will become again single and invincible!”
Warrior shook his head negatively, not lifting up his eyes.
“One ear does not hear twice. There is no place for me in the capital anymore; but I will go with you to bow before the ashes of my Princess for the last time.”
When the new Emperor ordered his old servant to open the massive stone door in the cellar of the palace, a subtle confusion flickered in his eyes.
“Master, this door has not being opened for many years, by the order of your father…”
“Now open it!” the Emperor ordered him with a stern tone. “Whatever we encounter, we are ready for everything.”
While the servant was slowly handling the lock, the Emperor hugged Warrior’s shoulder.
“Hold on, brother! You have seen a lot in your life; don’t let your heart tremble now!”
Warrior lowered his head without uttering a word. Yes, he was ready for everything. For everything, but not for what they faced the following moment. When the heavy door finally opened, a muffled voice was heard in the darkness of the tiny room carved in the rock.
“You’ve brought me meal again. Thanks, but I’m not hungry!”
For some time people stood still, looking as the old servant lowered his eyes; then, they rushed to the small cell, lighting the way with smoking torches, when soon they found an old woman with long grey hair sitting in the corner of a room. Although her blind eyes were opened wide, due to long years of facing sheer darkness, they could not perceive anything.
“Who is there?” the woman asked after hearing the sound of steps, vainly trying to discern something in the middle of a black mist. “Who has come to me? Oh, gods, gods! Why is my heart beating so much?”
With difficulty, having recovered from the first shock, Emperor looked at Warrior. He stood silent on his knees, unable to come closer. Whirlwinds of different feelings were passing through his face. And that man, who had conquered vast territories, who had beaten select forces of the Emperor’s army, who had endured the loss of his beloved one and the goal of his life together with her – that iron man was on his knees, crying…
Emperor turned his eyes towards the old servant – Warrior, who rushed to touch Emperor’s feet. “I am the one to be blamed for this, my master! I did not obey the order of your father. Love and devotion to our Princess prevented me from letting her die. For many years, I have been bringing her food and water secretly. I have been serving her, having disobeyed the order of the sovereign. I am ready for death, my master!”
“Now it does not matter,” Emperor said after a deep thought. “Let’s leave them alone, for they deserve it!”. Then, he raised his torch and hanged it up in the wall, while turning to the exit.
The torch kept giving a steady light, making visible in the darkness two silent people who had overcome death and oblivion with the power of their love.
