Alhena stood beside him and rested a comforting hand upon his shoulder. “I have faith in the goodness of Oromasd. He wouldn't unjustly deprive his holy city of its rightful king. Prince Ahmad is a good and righteous boy, and Oromasd would let nothing bad happen to him.”
Umar gave his wife a wan smile. “But Oromasd is not the only power in the universe. Outside these walls, Rimahn holds equal power, holding the cosmos in a delicate balance between good and evil. Sometimes that balance requires a sacrifice of the good. I'm terribly afraid our young prince will find himself caught in some pivot point in the eternal war of light and darkness.”
“He'll have his loyal guards to protect him, won't he? And you'll be with him too, to counsel and advise him. I have faith in you, my love, as well as
