Final Leon slept. Then a dream began, picking up exactly where the last one had ended. In his dream, five years had passed. Luther and Sasha still longed for a child.
The afternoon shadows grew long as Mary, Sasha's maid, carefully braided the Queen's beautiful hair. Her touch was always gentle, her pace unhurried. Sasha, lost in thought, finally broke the silence.
"Do you think i will be a mother someday?" Sasha asked softly, her voice barely a whisper.
"Of course, my Queen," Mary replied, her fingers working smoothly through the long strands. "Everything happens in its own time. But, perhaps I could help you with something, if you wish."
Sasha turned quickly, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "What is it, Mary? Tell me now!"
Mary leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Well, my Queen, you know my grandfather? He's very old, but he has a special kind of strength, from another world. For him, the problem of having a child… it's nothing! If you allow me, I can take you to him."
Sasha's heart leaped. She almost jumped up, forgetting her half-braided hair. "Let's go! Now!" she exclaimed, smoothing her royal robe in her haste.
"I don't think going right now is a good idea, my Queen," Mary said gently. "It's quite a journey. If it pleases you, let's leave early in the morning."
"You're right," Sasha agreed, her excitement barely contained. "Since it's far, go and prepare plenty of food and water. And tell Levi, the guard, to get two strong horses ready for you and me. We'll leave with him, but Levi shouldn't know why we're going."
As Mary turned to leave, Sasha called her back. "And Mary," she added, "go and tell Joana to come here. She's the maid who looks after the younger ones in the royal temple."
Soon, Joana stood before Sasha, listening intently. Sasha studied her. Joana was beautiful and strong, honorable and brave. A sudden pang of jealousy struck Sasha. She couldn't shake the thought that perhaps her husband would love Joana, and Joana would give him the child Sasha so desperately wanted.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to the Darshi kingdom," Sasha announced, her tone firm. "See to your duties, and no laziness."
She then focused her gaze on Joana. "Send the other maids to the garden. They need to pick enough fruit for all the guards." Her eyes lingered on Joana. "Also, every new maid needs new clothes. Go to the factory, get enough fabric, and send it to Marsella to sew them."
Joana nodded, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Why these new tasks, things she'd never been asked to do before? But she obeyed, a quiet wonder growing within her. Sasha watched her leave, a plan solidifying in her mind. Keeping Joana busy meant keeping her away from Luther until Sasha returned.
Satisfied, Sasha left her room to find King Luther. "My love," she began sweetly, "may I have your permission to travel to Darshi? I wish to greet your people there."
Luther smiled, his affection for his wife evident. "Of course, my dear. You have my blessing."
Meanwhile, back at his home, Noah arrived to find his wife Dorcas waiting with a meal. Noah took off his robe, his voice serious. "You can eat, Dorcas. I won't be eating until the day after tomorrow."
Dorcas looked up, surprised and worried. "Noah? What is it? What's wrong?"
Noah explained the king's dream, the heavy feeling it carried, and the prayers he felt he needed to offer his God to understand its meaning.
Early Thursday morning, Queen Sasha woke and began preparing for her journey with Mary. Outside, Levi had the horses ready, just as Sasha had instructed. Mary was also ready, waiting for the Queen. Soon, Sasha, Mary, and Levi were mounted and riding away from the palace gates.
They had just left the main gate and confirmed it was closed when Sasha saw Dorcas hurrying towards them, looking like she had important news. As Dorcas approached, she bowed respectfully to Sasha. But Sasha already sensed that Dorcas carried something significant.
Sasha smiled gently and said, "Dorcas, not now, my friend."
Dorcas nodded, understanding Sasha's unspoken message.
Dorcas and Sasha were close friends, sharing many secrets. Noah often told Dorcas what King Luther shared with him, and Dorcas, in turn, often told Sasha. They were good friends, and Noah was a wise man, highly valued by King Luther.
Sasha and her companions traveled far until they reached a massive mountain whose peak seemed to pierce the sky. "I've never seen anything like it!" Sasha exclaimed, trying to see beyond the summit but failing.
Mary: "My Queen, we have arrived. With your permission, may I ask for entry?" Sasha agreed, surprised by the empty landscape surrounding the mountain. Mary dismounted and walked further up. She bowed and spoke words Sasha and Levi didn't understand. Suddenly, the mountain shook violently. The front crumbled, revealing a passage large enough for a person. Mary turned to Sasha. "We have been accepted," she said. "Now we can enter, but there's one condition."
"There's no need to be afraid or worried," Mary added calmly. "Each of us needs to be brave and hide their fear."
Sasha looked at Levi. "You can stay outside with the horses, Levi. Mary and I will go in."
Mary went ahead, entering the opening in the mountain, and Sasha followed closely. Once inside, Sasha was shocked to see a very long passage stretching deep into the mountain. As they walked, something strange happened. Sasha felt like she was stepping in water; her feet were getting wet. She realized there was water on the path, but it was invisible.
"Mary, what does this mean?" Sasha asked, her voice filled with confusion.
But Mary didn't want to answer then. She gestured for Sasha to be quiet until they were out of this place. They continued walking, and soon Sasha felt like she was completely submerged, swimming in unseen water. The same was happening to Mary. This continued until Sasha felt like she couldn't breathe anymore. In the distance, she saw a huge dragon following her. Overcome with fear and terror, Sasha lost consciousness.
The dragon continued to move closer. "Please, great one, do not harm this Queen!" Mary said urgently.
The dragon coiled itself gently around Sasha's body and carried her to another open area, a place filled with great calm. Suddenly, the dragon began to change. It transformed into an old man dressed entirely in black. His face was lined with age, but despite his years, he seemed strong and full of energy.
"Mary, you have done well," the old man said, his voice deep and resonant. "No one must know about our relation. You will continue to bring us information."