When the two girls turned twelve they were introduced to fencing. First they were trained to handle the foil and epee.
Later came the arming sword. But during one of those trainings Maryam got slightly injured. She dropped her sword and started to cry. Both governesses of the princesses panicked and the fencing teacher had to calm them down.
Elisheba was so shocked when she wounded her sister that she ran of to her bedroom and started to cry.
Hours later they were summoned by their mother: "What is this, with you two? If the two of you are not getting up to mischief, blood is flowing." "I think it is high time we send you to the next step in your training...Elisheba, you will go to Neopolis. Time you get a real military training. And Maryam, I know the sword is not your thing....so I will send you to Babylon. Both of you will be crowned to queen of your location at the age of sixteen." "No buts, no tears,....you are both dismissed."
Outside the throne room when the girls realized their mother's verdict, they embraced each other with many tears flowing.
A week later Maryam waved Elisabeth goodbye, knowing that it might be years before they would see each other again. For Elisabeth the farewell was even harder now that she had to leave the only place she had ever known and go to Neopolis which was also known as a garrison town. Maryam was to leave within a week to Babylon.