Nezzar

Part Two: When He Returned

"Very well." With a wave of Mudamir's staff, a purple robe appeared and fell over Nezzar's lap. "Head East." He turned away and vanished.

Not blinking at the odd phenomenon, Nezzar grabbed the cloth and rose to his feet. His mind had never felt clearer, not even when he was a starry-eyed youth seeking honour through duels and lion hunting.

Shrugging on the robe, Nezzar began the trek. On and on he walked. Time passed. The morning sun began to grow harsher, but he walked on, feet bare, steps measured and focus fixed ahead. All he had was blind hope in those he had put in charge. Nebuzaradan, Belteshazzar and Arioch.

As the thought passed through his mind, Nezzar saw them. At first, he wasn't certain. Though the wilderness was a stretch around him with sparse shrubs and scattering of rock formations, the image in front of him... they were people on horses rushing forward.

Nezzar stopped, fists clenching at his sides. He felt naked without a weapon. Giving up on the undignifying idea of running, he chose instead to wait. If he were to be slaughtered, he would accept it with his eyes fixed on his enemy.

"My king," someone shouted.

That voice. Nezzar frowned even as the horse drew nearer. Never before had he witnessed a person fly off a horse the way Arioch did. He rushed over, eyes wide and wet with tears.

Falling to his knees before Nezzar, he bowed. Shoulders shaking with his weeping, he cried out, "This humble servant welcomes the king of Babylon!"

Soon, Nebuzaradan appeared as well, dismounted and hurried over. He flung his arms around Nezzar, not minding his filth as he wept over his shoulders.

"My brother," Nezzar whispered, voice shaky and thick in his throat. "How long has it been?"

"Seven years."

"Hmm." Nezzar shut his eyes. The next question he wished to ask was heavy on his tongue and unable to pass through his lips.

When Nezzar let go of Nebuzaradan, he swept his gaze over those gathered. All his generals and commanders. It was like they had known he would be returning to his senses today.

"It was Belteshazzar," Nebuzaradan said. "The interpretation he gave your dream came to pass."

A sad smile touched Nezzar's lips. Now he had even more reason to be thankful to the captive.

As Arioch led Nezzar to one of the horses, his men bowed.

"Everything has been set, my king," Nebuzaradan continued in an eager voice. "The kingdom has been smoothly managed by the Prime Minister, the wise men and the military. Every voice of rebellion was silenced."

Just before Nezzar mounted his horse, he paused and placed a hand on Nebuzaradan's shoulder. "You have done well." His gaze shifted to the others gathered. "All of you have done well."

First, there was shock in their eyes before smiles brightened their faces. "It was an honour to defend your throne, my king," Nebuzaradan said with a bow.

"This is my first command," Nezzar said after mounting his horse. "Keep my return a secret until I tell you otherwise."

***

"Do you think it would happen as the Prime Minister said?" Amytis asked as she strolled down the stone path of the garden. Though the gardeners did a marvellous job at maintaining the beauty of Nezzar's gift to her, the rainy season did an even better job. Because it had rained the night before, there was a softness to the air here, and the mixed scent of flowers played a part in lifting her spirit.

"I'm inclined to believe his words," Usman answered. "Recall the odd experience I had in the land of Egypt—the strange things I saw? Some things simply cannot be explained with human logic."