ALARM AROUND THE WORLD AS JINN UPRISING IMMINENT
Tulan Under Fire, Prince Kamran Tries to Sow Peace, Threats of Violence Escalate
MESTI – In an unprecedented historical feat, tens of thousands of Jinn have swarmed the royal city of the southern kingdom, with the promise of more to come. These unwanted migrants, hailing from all over the world, are the first wave to descend upon Tulan, though they arrive with one purpose: to pledge their allegiance to the one they believe to be their queen. Jinn tradition has long hinted at the prediction of a savior, though many have cause to doubt the precipitous rise of a young woman who, according to numerous reports, has not yet claimed the mantle of leadership. Witnessed only briefly before a much smaller crowd, the alleged queen refused to offer any material information about her identity, evading direct questions and offering vague promises of explanation at a later date, which thus far have never materialized.
For nearly a month the reputed queen has been in hiding, reportedly citing a need for “calm and reflection” while her followers languish within Tulan’s borders, and the empire’s citizens live in turmoil. It is widely circulated as fact that the Tulanian king has chosen the mysterious young woman as his bride,an incendiary political decision that could throw Tulan into further chaos. It remains to be seen whether such a union will take place.
The Tulanian king, Cyrus, has refused to comment.
An uptick in criminal activity within Jinn communities has already been noted worldwide. This past week the empire of Zeldan struggled to quiet a series of riots at one of its largest camps, while two prison guards in Sheffat were reportedly murdered in an altercation with a prisoner. A Jinn uprising, according to Dr. Amira of Reinan, acclaimed professor of Jinn studies at Setar University, “could result in one of the bloodiest world wars in history.”
Ardunia, sharing a border with Tulan, has seen the largest exodus of Jinn thus far, a cause for alarm in many communities throughout the empire. Gomol province, located in the north at the base of the Arya mountains, has been all but hollowed out, many homes and storefronts abandoned. Local shopkeepers have expressed fear for the future of their businesses, with bushels of fresh grain and produce going unsold.
Still, the popular vote remains with Prince Kamran, to whom many have expressed tremendous gratitude. A rare leader of a mixed kingdom, many Ardunians hope the prince will be able to sow peace beyond Tulan, helping to lead the world in a balanced approach to Jinn citizens everywhere. It is yet uncertain when he will return home for a long-awaited coronation;though new information has led royals to speculate as to whether his delay is due to an altogether different interest. Some say the rumored Jinn queen is in fact the same young woman few were able to identify the evening of the royal ball –
Deen snatched the paper from her hands and Alizeh startled, looking up to find the apothecarist blinking nervously as he backed away.
“As a medical professional, Your Majesty, I cannot recommend reading the news –”
“Deen–”
“Give it back to her!” Omid cried, swiping at Deen to retrieve the newspaper. “She should know what they’re saying –”
“Omid,” said Huda patiently. “She doesn’t need to know this much.”
“She should know! You didn’t even let her read the worst part –”
“All right,” Alizeh said quietly. “That’s enough.”
Omid exhaled sharply, setting his jaw as he stared at the ground. His anger was a palpable thing, and it touched Alizeh to see him so concerned on her behalf.
Still, she needed to sit down.
Alizeh would be lying if she said she hadn’t been affected by what she’d read. She was more than affected. She was disturbed and frightened and overwhelmed.
Certainly, she’d been naive.
She’d not anticipated such anger from the rest of the world; she’d never imagined the ways in which Cyrus and Kamran could be embroiled in her fate; and she’d been willfully blind to the far-reaching dangers of her role. Still, Alizeh was less offended by threats against her life than she was by the insinuation that she’d abandoned her people. Nearly a month they’d been waiting for her. Families. Children. The infirm and elderly. She had no idea what difficulties they’d endured.
She’d never meant to leave them for so long.
She closed her eyes on a sigh, then looked about herself in carefully contained agitation, feeling shaky and unsettled, but there was nowhere to rest. Like all else she’d seen of the temple, the stone hall they stood in was worn and weathered, but the pitted walls were broken up by a series of narrow windows that looked out onto an interior courtyard, where brilliant light and signs of life bloomed toward them.
Huda, who’d seemed to read Alizeh’s mind, made as if to usher her toward that courtyard when Omid stepped swiftly between them, blocking the door.
“No,” he said, his eyes bright with fury.
Huda placed her hands on her hips. “I know you’re scared, Omid, but now you’re being ridiculous –”
“I’mnotbeing ridiculous,” he countered. “If she goes out there, she’s going to hear them, and then she’ll never –”
“Hear them?” Alizeh said, peering through the window as if she might see sound. Only as she focused did she finally hear the soft hum of noise, a vibration of what might be a chorus of voices.“What are they saying?”
Deen shook his head at Huda. “I can’t believe I’m repeating this, but, again, I agree with the child. It’s dangerous for her to go out there, and we shouldn’t encourage it –”
“It’s not up to us!” Huda cried. “I don’t agree with this, either, but neither do I think I have the right to force her –”
“So you’re going to let her get killed?” Omid all but shouted.
