Page 56 of The Moon's Daughter

“Thank you, Baba,” she finally said quietly. Rising to her feet, she left the office, resolved in her quest to uncover more answers.

Behind her, Khahleel buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with sorrow.

Next, she sought out her mother. She found Queen Hadiyah in the palace gardens. When Hadiyah saw her daughter, she pulled her into a comforting embrace. Layna allowed herself a moment of vulnerability and sobbed quietly, tears soaking the sleeve of her mother’s gown.

“You were born for greatness, my child,” Hadiyah whispered. “Whatever destiny awaits, know that I am here.”

Hadiyah led her to a bench. Layna rested her head in her mother’s lap while Hadiyah gently stroked her hair.

“When your father first told me of the prophecy, I wanted to deny it, to shield you from such a fate. But deep down, I knew it was true.”

She paused, her gaze distant as she recalled a memory. “It was a summer night, much like this one. I was watching you play in the gardens after dusk. There was torchlight, of course, but it was quite dark. The shadows were long, and it is easy for a child’s imagination to run wild. A stray dog wandered into the gardens. It must have seemed monstrous to your young eyes.”

“You were terrified, Layna. Before I could comfort you, you took off running, your little feet barely touching the ground. The dog ran after you, and I quickly followed. But then, you reached a moonlit clearing, just over there.” Hadiyah pointed at a nearby spot, lost in her memory. “Your transformation was instantaneous. Under the light of the moon, your fear evaporated. You stopped running and faced the animal. There was no panic in your eyes, only calm resolve. You stood your ground, and the dog stopped and eventually wandered away.”

Hadiyah’s eyes met Layna’s again, her expression one of awe. “It was as if the moon’s light had given you courage far beyond your tender years. I knew then that you were special, destined for greatness beyond even a queen’s reign.”

“Layna, I have witnessed your growth, your resilience, and your spirit. You will be remarkable, my daughter. Youareremarkable.”

Layna listened, her mother’s words sinking in. “Thank you, Mama,” she said softly, kissing her cheek. “Your faith gives me strength.”

Her next destination was clear in her mind, the final piece in her quest for answers. With a deep breath, Layna stood and left the palace gardens.

Her steps were purposeful as Layna sought out Lord Ebrahim. She found him in his office. Without preamble, she scraped back a chair and faced the man she considered her second father.

“Lord Ebrahim, tell me about the Nahrysba Oasis. How did the Medjai come to live there?” she demanded.

The adviser fixed his gaze on the princess for what seemed like minutes.

“Certainly, Layna,” he finally replied, his eyes sharp behind his spectacles. “The Nahrysba Oasis has a rich history, steeped in lore. Legends tell of a wandering tribe, lost and desperate, led to a sacred spring by a divine sign.”

“As the tribe flourished, they became guardians of the Oasis. Over generations, this guardianship transformed into a sacred duty. The community that emerged was deeply connected to both the land and the energies that pulsed beneath it. The springs of Nahrysba are said to be blessed, abundant with unusually pure and healing water—a manifestation of this sacred connection.”

“As the community grew, they became known for their wisdom and strength. They were fierce protectors of their land. From these early inhabitants arose the Medjai, a noble order of warriors. The early generation of the Medjai recorded their knowledge in scrolls that were passed down through generations.”

The senior adviser paused and gave Layna a knowing look. “Based on your questions tonight, I suspect you have finally found the texts about the prophecy.” The princess confirmed his assumption with a small nod.

Layna gathered her thoughts. “In the texts we found, there was mention of an eclipse. But nothing detailed what exactly will happen. Do you know?”

Ebrahim sighed deeply. “The truth is, we do not know. The prophecy speaks in metaphors, leaving much to interpretation. Unfortunately, the specifics elude us still.” His expression softened. “I understand how frustrating this must be for you, especially now, when clarity seems most crucial. But as for what will happen during the eclipse, we are all, in a sense, in the dark.”

Layna was quiet for several heartbeats, worrying her lip between her teeth.

“You should have told me,” she finally said.

“I am so sorry, Layna,” he whispered, eyes filled with regret. “I wanted to, I truly did. I mentioned it to your father several times, but in the end, I heeded his command.”

Layna sighed and placed her hand over his. “Thank you.” She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a beat. Her heart battled against her mind. She opened her eyes and hesitantly asked, “I…I also wanted to know more about the Oasis’s current resources.” She sucked in a sharp breath. “Would an alliance with the Nahrysba Oasis benefit Alzahra?”

Ebrahim looked at her knowingly, a sad smile curling his lips.

“The Oasis is already allied with Alzahra through the Medjai. King Tahriq would gladly provide us with whatever aid he could. A formal alliance would not bring additional military or economic power to Alzahra.”

Layna’s gaze dropped to her lap.

“But, Princess,” he added gently, “a formal alliance would notharmAlzahra’s position either.”

Layna met his gaze, but before she could respond, the door burst open. A junior adviser rushed into the room.

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