At the other side of the desert queen Maryam had been worrying for succession lately. Having no children of her own she had invited her sister Elisheba to discuss the problem.
Elisheba, who was on the road most of the time, made a slight detour when she was in the neighborhood.
It felt strange when both sisters met after twenty years without any contact. But after a warm hug, memories and ancient feelings of sisterhood overrode the first awkwardness.
When Maryam shared her worries, Elisheba smiled. But before she could say anything Maryam interrupted her: "I cannot appoint one of the twins queen. The nobility and military here will never accept it. For them it would look like an annexation by Opal. But I can have both of them marry to two of the crown pretenders. That way our house will keep its influence and can also help maintain the long standing peace we have today."
Elisheba replied: "I love it. And so will the girls. Now I have a favor of you to ask. You probably heard of the affair with Jade. She is completely heart broken, and with the new academic year, I fear she will run into Charles again. If that happens I do not know what will happen. I think that a new environment and challenge would help her. She is highly educated, and she reminds me of you....could you use her as your assistant for some time? I would really appreciate it." "Consider it done. I would love to help her."
When Elisheba left in the evening, she had a warm feeling. Her twins would be delighted with the news and Jade, well, it was the best she could do to help her over this dark period. She just hoped that Jade would see it the same way.
But she didn't. "I don't want a new challenge. I want to finish my studies here. And I don't like Babylon. Furthermore, with me away, what happens to the crown if you suddenly die? The twins hate me. They mock me. Who says they won't steal the throne before I will even know you are not there anymore? And who will keep them from stealing it anyway....you are always on the road."
"Now, now...it would do you good to think a bit more positive of your sisters. And to counter your arguments they will join you to Babylon to get married with some crown pretenders. So, no, your heritage is not in danger. And as for your studies, you can do them in Babylon, too....and I also think you can learn a lot of your aunt on how to rule a kingdom. My decision is made. You better start to get used to the thought."
As for the twins....they were thrilled with the thought of going to Babylon, and thrilled with the idea of getting married, with princes above all...and maybe have the chance for one of them to become queen. They couldn't stop cheering, not even after Elisheba had left the room. "Can you imagine Jade? The look on her face when she hears that one of us might become queen too? This is going to be so much fun."