Red River Fan Fiction ❯ A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE ❯ V2 C2 The new Ishtar ( Chapter 7 )

A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE

OR

WHERE THE RED FIRE AND RED RIVER MEET

 

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Miyuki Kanzaki.

 

 

Vol 2 Chap 2: The New Ishtar.

 

 

In the black darkness of a void, a giant Queen Nakia, richly clothed in her Tavananna garb, looked down to the small Miko at her feet.

 

`I must avenge Tito!'

 

Nakia laughed, shaking the void around them. `Even if the opposition is the Queen, the second most powerful person in the Empire!'

 

Emerging from her daydream, the long black-haired Japanese palmed her face. “What am I thinking? My powers are just beginning to return to me. What can I do against a full-fledged and experienced priestess?”

 

It was something strange. She had been cut off from her powers since her arrival in this time period. Only her basic mystical sensitivity and the Red Flame of her soul had been still available to her. And even then, her energy reserve had been severely limited and hard to replenish.

 

Worse, her mystical state had influenced her physical state many times. She had suffered bouts of weakness and dizziness that had hampered her severely. The best comparison would be that a state-of-the-art vehicle suddenly running on low quality fuel and almost discharged battery. All the options were here, but she wasn't fully capable to use them without draining herself completely and rapidly.

 

`I got angry and I got stuck here… Curse my temperament…' She stopped at that. Was it really her temperament or the fact that she took an oath, a blood oath? She narrowed her emerald eyes and tightened her fists. One year, she had one year to avenge the death of her friend.

 

She sighed as she considered how lucky she was for some things. `If Prince Kail weren't around, I wouldn't even be able to do a thing! I'm so stupid!' True. She came from a modern world where brain and knowledge were primordial. Here, in the ancient world, it was physical might and practical skills that mattered.

 

She shrugged. Well, she just had to learn what she could. Her friends had taught her the value of learning anything that she could. Hiroshi told her that specialization was for the insects. The combats to protect the Nexus had shown her the truth on this point. Each one of the Circle had their specialty, but each one could replace another in a pinch.

 

“Princess Miyuki, have you finished changing…” Kikkuri stopped himself and raise an eyebrow. The young girl was dressed and occupied with putting away clothes in a chest, but… “Huh? You're not wearing the attire Prince Kail prepared for you?”

 

The displaced student passed her bandaged hand on the simple tunic she wore. “Oh! This is fine! It's easier to move around in Tito's clothes.” She looked to the jewelries and fine garments near her. To the utter wonderment of her friends, she had always believed that she wasn't beautiful enough to bring the best of any feminine garb. The only two exceptions were her Miko robes and her school uniform. That was why she preferred boy's clothes. Besides, it was more practical to fight in such attire than in long flowing dresses.

 

She patted her 20th century clothes in the chest before closing it. “I'll keep my own clothes in a safe place until I go back to Japan!” `Beside, wearing his clothes is my contribution to his memory.'

 

She frowned as she heard a commotion outside and gazed through the window. Numerous soldiers were moving around. “Oh yeah, Kikkuri, hasn't it been rather noisy outside lately?”

 

The young man stopped to put away the discarded attire and looked through the window before nodding. “Yes, the armies are on the move. Prince Kail is at the Royal palace at the summons of the Emperor, so when he returns, he might know something.”

 

Miyuki blinked. “Prince Kail is at the palace?” `The armies are on the move? What's going on?'

 

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When the third prince came back from the palace, he brought something that made Ilvani and Kikkuri reacted as one.

 

“THE KASKA CLAN ATTACKED ARINNA!?”

 

“That's right!” Kail sighed as he took off his toga. “A short while ago, a notice was delivered to the Royal palace. It seems a few of the city walls have already been breached!”

 

Miyuki turned to Ilvani. “Arinna?” Ancient Middle-East geography wasn't her forte.

 

“It's a city like this one. There is an important temple there.”

 

Kikkuri was flabbergasted. “But, we defeated the Kaska last year. They shouldn't have enough of an army to take down Arinna!”

 

“Exactly.” Kail's eyes narrowed. “Perhaps a wealthy “benefactor” is helping them secretly.”

 

Ilvani frowned. “…“benefactor”?”

 

It was the turn to Miyuki to frown as she looked into the amber eyes of the prince. `The one controlling Zuwa of the Kaska clan is the Queen.' “Someone knowledgeable and wealthy enough to pay the services of their only chief, right?”

 

Kail nodded imperceptibly to the Japanese priestess. “Miyuki, don't say it loud! We don't have any proof.”

 

The young man sighed. That wasn't all he was told at the palace. “In any case, I've been ordered by the Emperor to command the punitive forces. I must depart from Hattusa immediately.”

 

Miyuki's eyes widened. “You're leaving Hattusa… What…about me?” `Huh? What pushes me to ask that?'

 

Kail said nothing as he gazed on her. But Ilvani understood. “Of course, Princess Miyuki will wait here. The battlefield is no place for a woman.”

 

Miyuki raised an eyebrow. `No place for a woman? A woman of this period, perhaps. But I am a Miko. I have already fought on a battlefield.' She blinked as she thought about the timing of the attack and the tribe implied. `This…This could be the Queen's plan!' She gasped in sudden understanding. `She wants to separate me from the Prince!'

 

Kail turned to his best servant. “Kikkuri, prepare the soldiers for battle. I'm also leaving immediately!”

 

“Yes sir!”

 

`Okay, and now. What are you going to do, genius?' She turned to the clerk of the Imperial palace. “Ilvani, you're not going?”

 

“I'm a civil servant. Even if I go, I won't be of any use to his highness.”

 

Miyuki sighed. She didn't perceive hostility in the foster brother of the Prince, but his tone was still cold with her. “Hum… I know that I represent a danger for the Prince by my mere presence, but you seem particularly opposed to me being here.” She smiled sadly. “Why don't you like me, Ilvani?”

 

The long brown-haired man blinked. “Eh?” He turned to the sad eyes of the young girl. “I am not particularly against your presence at the side of my Prince, but his highness used to say he wouldn't have any concubines, I also supported that…”

 

The Miko's eyes widened. She was a concubine. “What?”

 

“That's fine, if you wish to stay, you need to know about this… His highness Kail is an important person to the succession of the Imperial line.”

 

Miyuki blinked. `Succeed in the Imperial line… That means becoming the next Emperor.' She then frowned as she remembered something. “But isn't Prince Kail only the third prince?”

 

Ilvani nodded. “The current crown prince, his highness Arnuwanda has a frail body. Even though he has a princess and five concubines, he has no children. He probably cannot hope for any from now on. The second prince, his highness Telepinu can't take the throne because his mother is of low social standing.” He turned to the attentive black-haired girl. “In that respect, our highness is the former Queen's child, and is of sound mind and body. In terms of qualifications, he is the foremost person who can succeed the throne.” He smiled thinly. “Everyone has agreed to that, except the current queen.”

 

Miyuki nodded, but she was still perplexed. “I understand the position of Prince Kail in the succession line.” She shook her head. “But whoever becomes the next Emperor has nothing to do with me.”

 

“If his highness ascends the throne, his consort will become the Tavananna.”

 

The emerald-eyed girl did a double-take as she suddenly understood the worries of Ilvani. The young man nodded as he saw the look of comprehension. “If the Tavananna is lacking in quality, what would happen? You just have to look at the current Queen Nakia. His highness has said it before…”

 

““If I received the throne, I will have strict demands of my wife. She must be capable of leading people, have self-caution, have self-control, and many other things… But I won't keep any concubines. In my lifetime, I will only love my one wife!””

 

The Japanese teenager could perfectly imagine Kail saying those heartfelt words. `“I will only love my queen.”'

 

Ilvani continued. “So his highness has always been looking for a princess to meet those conditions. And then suddenly taking you in as his concubine…”

 

Miyuki turned away from the Imperial clerk. “Don't worry, the prince hasn't forgotten his promise.”

 

“Huh?” Ilvani was surprised to hear the flat voice.

 

`I'm just the prince's official concubine.' She nodded to herself. `Yes, that was only a cover.' The displaced Japanese hugged herself. `But why does Ilvani's words hurt me like this!?'

 

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In her palace, Queen Nakia giggled as she was attended by her servants. “By the Emperor's command, Prince Kail will leave Hattusa.” She held her wine cup and gazed into the red liquid. “With Kail gone, that girl will be ours easily!” She smiled. “Well then, how should we capture her?”

 

Her personal and still cloaked servant, Uruhi poured more wine. “But my Queen… About his highness Kail. If he takes the girl along with him…”

 

Nakia raised an eyebrow. “To the battlefield? She would just be a burden.” She laughed. “But if that happened, we could kill two birds with one stone!” The bloodied bodies of Kail and Miyuki danced in her imagination. “The Kaska could have her neck in the midst of the battlefield! And then Kail would be distracted and unprepared, and they could get rid of Kail too!”

 

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The Hittites infantry and charioteers were assembled before Emperor Suppiluliumas, the King of Water. Kail was kneeling before his father, waiting for his blessing.

 

The Priest-King called upon the power of the Gods of his kingdom. “Our supreme god Teshub! GRANT THE HITTITES VICTORY!” He gazed down on his son. “Kail Mursili, as my representative, I confer upon you full authority!” He raised his scepter. “Lead the troops and free Arinna swiftly!”

 

“I will!” The blond man raised and addressed the troops. “ARMIES OF HATTUSA, WE'RE OFF TO WAR!”

 

Ilvani and Miyuki were observing the scene on a wall. The Japanese priestess had sensed the still formidable power held by the old Emperor. She smiled and considered her next steps. `I decided on my own that I would defeat Tito's enemies. I can't always rely on Prince Kail.' She looked to the handsome young man. `The Prince is doing what a prince has to do, I can't interfere!' She frowned. `We too have our duties.'

 

The chariot holding her protector and his best servant passed under them. She took her decision. `I have to tell him. I have to wish him success and a safe return.' She called to him. “Prince Kail…”

 

“Miyuki.” The amber eyes pierced through her soul. “Are you ready to go to the battlefield?”

 

The emerald eyes widened. `What?'

 

Kail raised his hand. “If you're by my side, I'll let no harm befall you!” The amber gaze continued to hold captive the emerald pools. “If you trust me, come with me! Miyuki!”

 

Ilvani was shocked by his Prince's action. “Your highness!”

 

Miyuki remembered what she felt during the aborted tentative to send her home. `Prince Kail!'

 

Ilvani gasped in fright as the young girl threw herself in the air without any hesitation. The height of the fall was enough to cripple or kill an average person, but the Japanese Priestess trusted the Hittite Prince.

 

The young man caught the young girl safely in his arms. Tears pearled off the closed eyes of the Miko. `Prince!'

 

Suppiluliumas was dismayed. “Kail! You plan to bring a woman with you to battle!”

 

`Uh oh! This is no good.' Miyuki had seen enough to understand that the Hittite society was patriarchal and not prone to send women in battle, no matter their capacities. But Kail hid a half-smirk before turning to his troops and his father.

 

To her embarrassment, he lifted the small girl on his shoulder. “Everyone listen up! This is the girl that recently appeared, from the spring the day Ishtar was shining! As you know, Ishtar is the Goddess of War.” He held the bewildered girl high up above his head. “Ishtar has sent this girl for our sake!” The sun played with her long black hair, reflected from her emerald eyes and shone on her ivory skin. “AS LONG AS THIS GIRL IS WITH US, THE HITTITES WILL PREVAIL!”

 

The ovation from the assembled troops shook the area. But the Japanese girl was extremely worried by the action of the Prince. `Kail! You're a priest! You just CONSECRATED me to the Goddess Ishtar in front of your kingdom!' As a priestess herself, she knew that the Gods tended to listen to such requests. Even if she didn't want to, she was now under the gaze of the Babylonian Goddess of Love and War.

 

The King of Water shook his head and muttered under his breathe. “Even though he's my child, stirring people up like that.” He sighed. `I give up!'

 

Queen Nakia said nothing but her eyes narrowed as she gazed on the young girl. As a priestess herself, she knew that the gesture of Kail was heavy of consequences. Until now, her future sacrifice didn't have the backing of a divinity. Now…

 

Ilvani sighed in frustration. `I wouldn't say he's stirring people up.' He smiled a little. `It's more like smooth-talking them.'

 

As she was lowered in the chariot, the newly consecrated priestess turned to Kail. “Prince…”

 

“Is this okay, Miyuki?” He looked down on the girl in his arms. “If you want to avenge Tito, you must survive at all costs. Don't forget that!”

 

The displaced teenager narrowed her eyes and nodded. “I won't!”

 

Kail closed his eyes. There was another reason why he wanted Miyuki to come. “Also. The Arinna we're going to from here is Tito's hometown.”

 

The Miko gasped. “What!?”

 

Nakia smiled as she looked to the departing troops. “Lovely. This is working out perfectly!” She turned to her personal servant. “Uruhi, get Zuwa to Arinna!”

 

The cloaked man bowed. “Yes, my Queen.”

 

The Queen giggled. “You go as well.” She smirked. “And choose your words wisely.”

 

Uruhi smiled in the shadows of his cloak. “Yes, your highness. Leave it to me.”

 

Somewhere, someplace, a giggle escaped the lips of a tall and powerful feminine silhouette.

 

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Under the walls of the Holy City of Arinna, battle raged as the Kaska clan attempted to break through the defensive troops.

 

A hand knocked on the door of a house in the city.

 

“Is this the home of Tito, who worked in the palace of his highness, third prince Kail!?” The hand continued to hammer the wood. “Open the door!”

 

Feminine voices sounded from the inside as the door opened. “What is it?! This is a time of emergency!”

 

A tall girl with long honey-colored hair and black eyes appeared. “Tito is our younger brother, and the eldest son of our house.”

 

She was followed by twins with short but curly honeyed hair and black eyes. “What do you want!?”

 

“Oh, I'm a servant of his highness Kail.” The cloaked man continued on a sad tone. “I've come to inform you of the death of your younger brother Tito.”

 

The three girls paled at the news.

 

“TITO DIED!? NONSENSE!”

 

“HOW DID IT HAPPEN!?”

 

The servant lowered his head. “It was by the concubine that his highness Kail met. He was blamed for a trivial mistake, and was punished.”

 

One of the twins blinked. “At the hands of his highness' concubine…?!”

 

The cloaked man nodded. “Yes, and in such a cruel way too.”

 

The other twin's eyes narrowed. “What kind of person is this concubine!?”

 

Uruhi covertly smiled in the shadows of his hood. “Well, she's just a brainless slut. Her name is Miyuki.”

 

The long-haired girl snarled in hatred. “Miyuki!”

 

The twins tightened their fists. “She killed Tito! She'll regret her heartless deed!”

 

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Notes: Well, our dear Miyuki is now under the gaze of the powerful Goddess of Love and War. I wonder how a Japanese priestess is going to react to that.

 

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