Xunpadshahannama: Rajas of the Sandstorm
| Xunpadshahannama: Rajas of the Sandstorm | |
| |
| Original title | Xunpadshahannama |
| Language | Common Tongue |
| Author(s) | Gustaaf Vermeylen |
| Genre | Historical narratives |
| Location(s) | Çakaristan |
| (main) characters | list of characters |
| Timeframe | 1735 and onwards |
Xunpadshahannama: Rajas of the Sandstorm is the second part in the story series Xunpadshahannama. This Book of Xunpadshahan is the official chronicle of the reign of Xunpadshahan. It contains various stories surrounding the Shahanshah, the third ruler of Çakaristan. It is a sequel to Xunpadshahannama: Game of Crowns.
Loose grains of sand
In the middle of the Thul Marusthal lies a ruin. A ruin of a bygone city, once situated on the banks of a river. That river has dried up and sand has taken hold over the city. The ruin is called Apolloniae Genevae, the ancient capital of Madland at the time when that nation was located on Apollonia. First as part of Antica, later independently and before the nation moved north. The ruin was the meeting place of two men. The first man had arrived on a Jaap Pimpim. The second man arrived on a camel. Somewhat suspiciously, they approached each other and were actually unsure how to greet each other.
After the initial awkward moments had passed, the men started talking to each other. "Here we are, both with a desire to rule, but both do not rule". Hrithik looked strangely at these words from Aurangzeb. "Yes," Aurangzeb said, "it is true. My mother rules..." Hrithik responded and said, "Surely with one firman you deprive her of that position and you rule". "It is not that easy, she has her pawns in all sorts of places and they are going to oppose me," Aurangzeb sighed. Hrithik pondered and said, "It is time for you to play Tahmaseb chess and win, if not it will cost you your head". Aurangzeb nodded in agreement.
"And now you," Aurangzeb began, "You're hiding in caves, listening for sounds of planes, helicopters or drones so you can get out safely. You must have a terrible existence." Hrithik replied and said, "It's not like I'm hiding in a cave like a shivering reed, but it's still intense. Only my children have to grow up in that intense environment. That is something that bothers me". Aurangzeb said, "We can end that situation here and now." Hrithik replied in disbelief, "And then, are you going to put me on trial? Or lock me up in the Fangzhu Castle?"
As Aurangzeb tried to calm Hrithik, a sandstorm flared up. The men jumped up, Aurangzeb wanted to run to his Jaap. But Hrithik shouted, "You can't stay ahead of a sandstorm!" Aurangzeb looked back and saw that the sandstorm was fast approaching and realised that Hrithik was right. Then he saw the ruin and cried, "Come, let's take shelter in it!" Hrithik led his camel to the ruin, but the beast refused to go inside. The sandstorm descended on the men and Hrithik could no longer restrain his camel and the animal escaped. Then Aurangzeb grabbed him by the arm and dragged him inside.
