Banou spend her time helping Aylin to arrange a room for the boy, Arya. They walk around to shop for things to make the room feels more like home. It takes months when he finally arrive in Tang. Quietly without army but a few men who looks like they can take down anyone without hesitation. Afshin hurry to dispatch his man servant to Banou's mansion to inform her of the boy-to-be Sultan have arrived quietly. Banou noted and write back with a letter that she will visit them tomorrow at noon.
The weather is now changing to winter soon. Thus, all thick blankets and curtains are taken out and replace those thin materials. Banou arrange for the thick winter wear for the youngest children. At noon, She put on her coat and cloak, she board on her carriage head towards Afshin's residence. After she arrive, Aylin welcome her at the entrance. The ladies enter as they talk. Afshin bow to Banou. Together they walk inside the inner courtyard. Banou see some men who is tall and calm looking. They all bow to her in unity. These men are trained to protect the Sultans with all they have. The door open and she enter to find two boys sitting side by side. Banou look at both Afshin and Aylin. The young child look at her and stand up. They are obvious not twins and they look like they belong to different age group. Both of them walk to Banou and take her hand. The boys take turn to press their nose on her hand. She is surprise but she accept them by taking her hand back and press it on her chest.
"How should i address you?"
One of them ask politely.
"She is the daughter of the current Sultan. Your mothers are the grand-nieces of the Sultan. So therefore address her as Princess Banou will do."
"What are your names, little one?"
"My name is Arya and he is Darius."
Arya who is ten is taller and skinny with black hair while Darius is smaller in size with hay color hair. Both boys have big round eyes and hook nose along with honey golden skin. Banou smile and they talk for awhile. Afshin ask them to play while they get lunch prepare. Both boys are delighted to be back at playing their game they hurry back to the desk.
The adults leave the room and the guards close the door. The three of them walk further away and sit in the hall where hot tea and parties are serve before lunch.
"Why are there two boys?"
"Princess Banou, i was too told there is one boy but yesterday the two boys came out from the carriage. They too don't understand what is going on. Anyway on the way here from where they are, they becomes each other's companion.
"Are they both from the same region?"
"From what i learn, they are from different places. Both of them are born from the grand-daughters of the late Sultan. Their grand-mothers have chosen to marry ordinary citizens and give up their tittles and richness. One marry a Shepard and the other married a farmer."
"That means their grandmothers are the sisters of my father?"
"Yes your highness. They have been remove from the royal registry since they marry off. A lot is unknown till now."
"So did my father select two boys?"
"I have written an urgent letter back to the great Sultan. In a months' time we will know what his majesty is thinking off. So for now, we will treat them equal. If should one of them be the future crown prince, then the other will be dispose."
Banou's heart sink when she hear of that. It is a cruel way that they have to deal with royalty at hand. She look to the direction of the door where the boys are in. She have to think how to deal with this when it happens.
After lunch, she talk to them briefly about their lives back home. Arya, is a Shepard boy who only knows everything about sheep. He knows where to look for source of food and water for his heard of sheep. He also keep a look out on any wild animals that is approaching. He have his own weapons to fight off one wild animal. If there are more than one who is in a distance, he have to hurry to bring them all back to a safe place. His own home, he have a large family members to take care. His grandmother had passed away many years ago while his mother have been blind after she is caught in a fire at the age of fourteen. She give birth to him at the age of sixteen without knowing how he looks like. When the guards came for him, she is wiling to let him go because he will be at a place which is much better than where they are now at. The family is compensated with a lot of camels and some livestock animals. His mother also heard from her own father that her mother was a princess who is wiling to let go of there titles and richness. She only bring her inherence of a symbol of the royal family member. It a jade ring that is inlay with gold and the symbol. Now his blind mother now wears it.
While Darius a farmer boy is in-charge of the crops with his grandfather and father. His day starts before the sun rises and ends when the sun is setting. He can read and write simple lettering as he have to report the quantity to the government the tex they are paying every month. His family always know that his grandmother is royalty. She hardly do manual work but she teach everyone in the family how to read and write. She pass down her inherence to her daughter-in-law when she marry into the family, a jade ring with gold inlay. The symbol of the royal family is clearly shown. She hopes that someday, one of her descendant is able to return to Ottoman to continue the glory of the nation. Now the ring is still worn by Darius's mother. She went into the capital and knee before the Sultan and ask him to take her son. To whatever position he can go, may he have a better life. Thus an agreement is made and their family is compensate with lower taxes till the death of the grandmother and mother.
For this exchange, both boys are push away from their own families. They found each other in a large caravan where they call home for a few months. They form a bond to be friends for life. Young and did not know where they are going. They both listen well to the men who said will protect them with their lives. They watch the the golden sands become green grass and now they find themselves in a city where people are different.
Before lunch ends, Duke Hassan appears. He have gone out to do a bit of horse riding. He meet the boys and however Banou feels like there is a resentment from him. Even though he is smiling and asking them questions, Banou feels there is not right about it. Hence she will watch and see how and what he is going to do. Before she leaves, she whisper to Aylin to watch Hassan for her. Let her know if there is something strange going on. Aylin understands and bow to her deeply as she watch the carriage move away.