As dawn painted the sky, An imperial caravan, led by Raibod, the youngest prince, set forth toward the tumultuous borderlands of Babiros in the southwest.
The unexpected news of the spirited young prince venturing into such an insecure war-torn region swiftly circulated, leaving many astonished. The audacious move of a noble prince, amidst the chaos of bandits, thieves, and foreign adversaries, resonated even among commoners.
The Babiros province was a blessed border region, under the dominion of the Salar kingdom. This massive land in the southwest had long endured assaults from both internal and external threats, creating chaos and discontent throughout the whole nation.
The efforts of local authorities to quell these dangers proved futile, prompting the King to dispatch two of his eldest sons, the second and third princes. Prince Pedram and Prince Anoosh were the chosen ones for the challenging battle against tough enemies. By the king’s order, they had a formidable army at their disposal that was bound to safeguard the blessed border region.
However, even with a huge military presence, the war had been prolonged and its harmful effects were exhausting the king's authority, thus, it was just a matter of time before, Kabus Salar, the third monarch of the Salar dynasty came to another difficult decision.
The land sovereign was renowned for his ruthlessness against enemies and those who terrorized his civilians, and sooner or later, he would have sent another successor to the clutches of death, if it meant quenching the flames of conflict for good.
The populace, anticipating dire circumstances, awaited the prince's departure with a minimal retinue of guards and retainers. Even rivals in the line of succession were taken aback by the boldness and unpredictability of this decision.
…
In the prime minister's office, the senior retainer entered, bearing breakfast trays, questioning the minister's choice to dine in his workspace.
"Your Lordship, breakfast in your office again?"
Seated at his desk, concealing a note in his trembling hands, the aged politician nodded, tearing apart what he had been writing. A sense of bewilderment lingered in his gaze, recalling the unsettling meeting with the young prince the previous day.
…
Raibod had erupted in anger: "Me? Go to the chaotic battlefield of Babiros? Why? Are you crazy? Why should I, the youngest son of His Majesty, fight in a battle?"
Attempting to conceal his frustration, the Prime Minister offered, "Sir, earning acclaim on the battlefield is a way to secure the aristocrats' and courtiers' favor, especially when the issue of succession arises."
Raibod, eyes wide, retorted vehemently, "Fuck succession!" Storming towards the exit, he paused, turned with a mischievous smile, and declared, "In that case, Tomorrow morning, the caravan of Prince Raibod Salar, the youngest of the royal family and in line for succession, will depart for Babiros province... although..."
An insidious glint entered his gaze, injecting a sense of villainy, "This will be only the cover story; you know? I'm not fit to fight, but who says I can't pretend to be benevolent for the citizens' sake!"
"Your Majesty!" The miserable minister, who comprehended the prince's end game, promptly objected, but it was too late.
"I'll make it look like I'm heading to Babiros, but my real destination would be Gilanat province in the north! Brilliant! right!?"
The prime minister implored, "Your Highness, please reconsider!"
The prince chuckled, "Haha... And you're not allowed to tell anyone! Let them think I'm going to war; Let them gossip about my demise on the battleground and figure they’ve got rid of me at last. And all that time, I’ll be on the opposite side of the country! I'll have a grand vacation in Gilanat at the seaside pavilion. It's going to be epic! Hahaha."
Raibod's insolent laughter echoed in the prime minister's ears as he tried to concentrate on his writings. Because of the recklessness and incompetence of this ambitious and ignorant young man, he felt a wave of revulsion utterly filling his heart. Finally finishing the letter, he had torn up multiple times, the minister signed it, sealed it with a royal emblem, and urgently summoned a trusted courier.
The messenger, clad in black, face concealed, knelt before his master as the old man handed over the letter with a stern warning, "Ensure it reaches the first prince directly! No one else, understand? If anyone else discovers the contents before the first prince, you'll lose your head. Do you understand?"
The obedient messenger vanished, leaving the helpless Abrsam muttering, "I'm sorry, Your Highness."
…
Perched atop the regal peaks of a forest-clad mountain, the Salsal Forest Pavilion loomed, a mansion of awe and dread crafted by the hand of the late Salar dynasty king. A fortress on the edge of the abyss, nestled in the heart of the mountainous wilderness, it was a spectacle of grandeur, inaccessible yet alluring, boasting unrivaled amenities. A bespoke marvel designed for royal revelry.
The youthful prince, a goblet of wine in hand, stood at the precipice, overlooking a cascading waterfall that cleaved the air with its formidable descent. The crystalline waters plummeted mercilessly, offering a breathtaking view of the untamed jungle sprawling beneath his feet.
After traversing weeks of arduous terrain, crossing bustling cities, winding passages, and arid expanses—some of which were vast deserts—Prince Raibod's convoy finally neared the enchanting Gilanat region in the north.
A verdant expanse bordering the sea, it unfolded with abundant water bodies and majestic mountains. Nature, in its most delightful and untamed form, welcomed the prince. In this haven, Prince Raibod found solace like nowhere else. And many times he dreamt of coming back to it.
To reach this sanctuary, the prince's modest retinue navigated through densely populated cities, including the capitals of two major provinces, located in the central plateau of the empire. The royal caravan, a blend of camels, horses, carriages, and chariots, accompanied by a handful of trusted guards, ventured forth. Raibod's chosen guardians, a select few from the government ranks, were always by his side during his travels. He never had too many companions to begin with, but there were invariably some who couldn’t stay away.
Accompanying the young prince were his closest confidants, old classmates from the royal school days, and also sons of high-ranking officials. Their camaraderie forged in joyous times fueled their adventures. Prince Raibod, wary of the intricacies of female company, rarely included women in his entourage. Moreover, he relished the novelty of encountering fresh maidens of distinctive faces, diverse cultures, and unique attires in each city—a hobby fueled by excitement and curiosity.
Despite the small number of his companions, their presence never failed to raise eyebrows. Entering a new city, the gatekeepers promptly relayed the arrival of a distinguished royal figure to the city ruler. Raibod understood the impossibility of a covert journey away from prying city officials. Hence, upon entry, he proudly announced himself as the youngest prince of the mighty Salar king, sparking instant festivities and banquets with the governor's approval. After that, residing in each place for them accompanied by all sorts of welfare and enjoyment. But, on every occasion, he would keep it brief, like an experienced conman, prepared to move on and find another prey. While departing, the prince employed various methods—bribes, smooth persuasion, and at times, veiled threats—to coerce the city heads into concealing his passage. And every time, he successfully convinced them to cooperate.
Raibod even went as far as dispatching a decoy convoy to the tumultuous region of Babiros, ensuring no complaints reached his father and brothers until his return. And now after that irritating long trip, he was in the heavenly province of Gilanat, sipping wine and enjoying nature.
Stepping back from the perilous edge of the waterfall, the young prince strolled into the mesmerizing garden of the royal palace. Babbling rivers wound through arched pathways, cascading into expansive ponds adorned with turquoise tiles. The late king's decree ensured skilled gardeners meticulously tended to the side gardens, where the most exquisite flowers bloomed in perpetual splendor.
Faramerz, a bosom friend and the offspring of a prominent minister welcomed the prince in the garden, joyously draping his arm around Raibod's shoulders. "This is my first time here! This palace, not to mention this garden is absolutely enchanting your majesty!"
Maintaining his composure, Raibod tasted his wine. "I'm delighted you find it so."
The noble offspring looked over the prince's shoulders and took a petrified glance at the waterfall. Then he exhaled as if he had an epiphany and uttered, “Your Highness seems to enjoy watching that perilous pitfall too much! I saw you coming here a couple of times and standing by the edge!”
Prince Raibod didn’t get too excited by his lame observation trick and responded: “Yes, I do in fact! I like it here! And that raging waterfall! I like that a lot too, That scenery has a dark and undying thrill don’t you think!?”
Faramerz spooked by the prince's sinister remarks, shrieked "But your majesty! That waterfall is terrifying! I wouldn't dare approach that abyss!"
Raibod smirked with an even more menacing tone "Why should you? What lies beneath is a mystery beyond our knowledge indeed!."
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