Chapter 29 - A Bouquet of Chances

As they moved quickly through the palace's cramped hallways, Arman and Dariush's footsteps reverberated off the stone walls. They had planned their regular bow and arrow practice in the training grounds, so that was their destination. As they talked about their brother Ramin, the cold, wet fragrance of the passages blended with the aroma of the early morning dew. Dariush raised an eyebrow in Arman's direction. "Where is Ramin at the moment?" Isn't now his preferred time to visit the pleasure house?” Shaking his head, Arman laughed, “You know him too well, I see. He's probably there now, with his hookers, tucked up in a comfortable corner” Imagining the scene, he grinned, and Dariush laughed too. Their chat came to an abrupt halt as they approached the training grounds' entrance and passed through the stone arches. With an arrow nocked and pointed at a distant target, Ramin stood among the targets, bow in hand, mid-draw. Arman blinked in surprise, “I must thank the gods," he mu