The warm wind of evening invaded Narsus's room reminding him of the roughness of a trip through the desert.

He was packing for a diplomatic trip while considering God's reasons to be so merciless to him. First, that mission the next morning and then he had to deal with Elam's insistence to go with him. He sighed as he said to himself 'Surely, I'm being punished'.

The trip even being a great opportunity to spend more time with Elam, it was also a long and difficult journey.

Narsus continued packing until an almost weeping Elam arrived and sat by his side.

"Master? Won't you let me go with you?"

"Sorry, but I won't."

"But, why not? What is the problem, asked Elam, eyes shining of coming tears."

"There's no problem, my dear. It's just a diplomatic trip, surely boring but also rough. I'm quite sure you'll be more comfortable staying here; and I'll be back before you notice that I left."

"All right, master."

Elam's answer broke Narsus's heart as he was looking sadder and sadder. Not standing the sight of his dear Elam so sad, Narsus brought him near and caressed his hair trying to comfort him. Narsus knew that Elam was sensible and devoted to him, but he still was a child and as one needed to be protected and cared for.

"Don't be so sad, Elam. It hurts me to see you like this. I know that I don't show it, but I love you, my dear, and I really care about you. I feel miserable when you are so hurt, but please try to understand that it's for your own good."

"I love you too, master, and I'll try not to be sad."

"Thank you, Elam."

"Master?"

"…"

"May I help you packing?"

"Sure. Let's finish it so we may prepare for the ball."

Narsus rejoiced at a familiar smile that returned to Elam's face. After he left court, he'd have felt completely lost and meaningless to go on living if Elam hadn't been by his side. This boy became Narsus's reason to go on, and his own problems became smaller when Elam's happiness was involved.

"Master, may I ask you something?"

"Yes, ask."

"Since Daryon and you are friends, why did you stop arguing and talking to each other?"

Elam's sincerity hit Narsus like a blow. Having been caught off guard, he took a few moments to recover from that completely unexpected question. Could he explain something that was a mystery even to himself?

"Why would you want to know it?"

"Because you two have been acting strangely when you are together and - I'm sorry to say it, but - it was so funny when you argued like that."

"Funny?"

"Yeah. I know you are friends and like each other, so that looked more like a play than an argument; and we noticed…"

"We? We who?"

"Arslan and me. We noticed that you hardly ever talk to each other and you both look so sad…"

"Well…Sometimes we get angry with each other and we show it being hostile to the other. It's just a way of giving vent to these feelings. We knew it, so we argued, gave time to it settles by itself and some time later we were talking as nothing wrong had happened at all."

"So why don't you talk and try to solve it?"

"That's what we should do, but silence is a strong barrier and so is pride."

"This is a childish behavior isn't it?"

"Yes, it is and I should take care of you, not the opposite isn't it?"

"I know that, but I care about you Master."

Hearing it, Narsus held Elam and placed many kisses on his cheeks as he laughed.

"Master, are you going to try?"

"Fine, Elam, I'll think about it. We had enough talk by now; go bath, prepare for the ball and I'll finish packing."

"Yes, Master."

Narsus couldn't help smiling as he realized that Elam was a great gift. He wasn't being punished but blessed by the gods, having someone like him in his life.

Sometimes he forgot that Elam still was a child and like one spoke with no restraint about many subjects. Being naive Elam perceived more clearly and simply things that Narsus was trying not to see nor understand.

He's correct when he says that Daryon and I must talk. Maybe tonight would be a good chance, but… Tonight maybe.

If someone asked Daryon what the worst task of his duty was, he'd surely say that it was to attend a social event such as a ball at court.

Before the war, the balls were an amusement, meeting ladies, friends, relaxing and all these kind of things. That time, although he had the attention of ladies and colleagues it wasn't annoying, just a little bit of boring conversation sometimes but he also had many pleasant nights.

However, the situation had changed in a drastic way. He had his duty and the pressure became much more intense. Daryon had an important role in the kingdom's structure, so an acquaintance with him could be very useful. In other words, he became a "target". People behaved artificially trying to get his sympathy and it had the opposite effect on him because he hated all that flattery.

Finally, he knew by his own experience what Narsus felt those times. Narsus. He still played the same role, the pleasant, polite and always smiling Lord Narsus. Maybe he had become what he pretended to be. Who cared anyway? Narsus was surrounded by his admirers, being flattered like a sun and its stars trying to get just a little of his brightness. Parasites…

He didn't know why he was always thinking about Narsus. Well…maybe he knew but he just couldn't deal with it yet.

Being here beside Arslan gives me a great advantage. I can look at everybody, everywhere as long as I want. I can give myself the pleasure of observing Narsus; he is so beautiful tonight… He's always a delight to my eyes; probably that's why there's always someone courting him… I used to love the way he graciously avoided his admires to pay attention to me. I could keep looking at him all night…

"Daryon?"

"Uhm?"

"Daryon, are you listening?"

"Your Highness? Are you talking to me?"

"Yes, well, at least I was trying. You were so distant. Were you daydreaming?"

"No, I was just looking at … the crowd."

"Such an interesting crowd isn't it? Why don't you join them? You don't have to stand beside me all the time."

"I'm fine here."

"That is not what it seems like to me. Please go there or will I have to command you?"

"As you wish, my Prince."

Arslan makes me smile every time he plays with his authority like this. Knowing how stubborn I am, he uses my sense of duty "against" me. I'm grateful for his concern; being a king or not, he's my friend.

"Could you please ask Elam to come here when you get there?"

"But he's with Narsus."

"I know. Why don't you go there and talk to him while Elam comes?"

"Does this smile mean that you are planning something?"

"Well, since you aren't talking to each other…Yes. We'd like you to be friends again. It's so sad to see you apart…"

"We?"

"I meant Elam and me. We are worried about you two. Please, at least try to settle things between you."

"You know I'd never refuse a request from you, although this time it doesn't depend only on me, I'll try."

"Good luck, Daryon."

"Thank you, Arslan. I believe I 'm going to need it."

As he approaches, I can sense his uneasiness. Probably he and Arslan had "the talk" Elam had with me. On the other hand, maybe I'm just fantasizing; Arslan wants to talk to me, that's all. At least I hope so.

"Master?"

"Yes, Elam?"

"Are you going to talk to Daryon?"

"If he wishes so."

"Please."

"Well, I'm going to try."

"Thank you. I'll talk to the Prince."

"Wish me luck."

"Good luck, Master!"

Arslan chose the right moment to send me here because Narsus had only Elam by his side. And now he's alone since Elam is going to meet Arslan. Maybe he's correct and it has taken too long, so tonight I'll try to have my friend back or I'll lose him forever.

However in the midst of these thoughts, as Narsus stood waiting for Daryon, a newcomer arrived, breaking their visual contact and interrupting the reshaping of a possible future for Narsus and Daryon.

"I am very honored to meet such an artist and strategist like you. Please permit me introduce myself. I am Angelus."