Red River Fan Fiction ❯ A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE ❯ V2 C3 Encounters with Love and War ( Chapter 8 )

A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE

OR

WHERE THE RED FIRE AND RED RIVER MEET

 

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Miyuki Kanzaki.

 

Notes: Warning, a little citrus in this chapter. You have been warned.

 

 

Vol 2 Chap 3: Encounters with Love and War.

 

 

As the war-chariot of Prince Kail, driven by Kikkuri, galloped through the plains, Miyuki looked to the landscape with avidity.

 

`Come to think of it, this is the first time I've been outside the city walls of Hattusa. If I knew this was going to happen, I would have studied harder in history class.' She stopped herself at that thought and frowned. `Yeah, right… I suppose I would have also taken lessons in ancient Hittite.' Her eyes narrowed as she considered that she will soon be engaged in ancient warfare. `I wonder what wars in ancient times are like…' She had only a few peplum films as reference and doubted that Hollywood was very accurate in the representation of the ancient conflicts.

 

Her eyes widened as they came upon a new landscape. “OH!” She pointed right in front of her. “What's that!?”

 

The Hittite chariots had come into sight of a vast river with a strange coloration. The displaced Miko had never seen something like that. “NO WAY! The river is red!?”

 

Kail smiled. He had forgotten that's the young girl had been spirited away by the Queen Nakia. Everything outside Hattusa will be a novelty for her. “That's the Halys River (The Halys is now known as the Kizilirmak.). The surrounding soil gives it a constant red colour.”

 

“It's magnificent, Prince Kail…”

 

“Long ago, we Hittites used to live in the bend of that river. Now our empire's territory is always spreading to distant lands.” The Prince smiled. “But the bend of the Halys River is still our home land.”

 

With reverence, the Japanese student contemplated the birth land of the Hittite Empire. “The bend of the river… The Hittite's home land…”

 

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A little explanation for our readers:

 

The Halys River: This river originates in Eastern Anatolia and describes a horseshoe before emptying into the Black Sea.

 

But in present-day Turkey, it is called the “Kizil Irmak” based on its appearance (The river is often written as the single word Kizilirmak, but the two parts literally mean `Red' (Kizil) `River' (Irmak). This is different from the original name Halys, which meant `Salty'.)

 

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Kail continued. “The city of Arinna is by that river.”

 

Miyuki felt a little apprehension about this. “You said Tito's three sisters are there, but are they safe…?”

 

Kikkuri chuckled. “Have no fear on their account.”

 

“Why not, Kikkuri?”

 

The dark-blond man smiled. “Those three Hatti sisters are famous in Arinna. Tito came from the Hatti tribe, the oldest tribe in Anatolia. His father is the leader of the tribe. Talos raised his daughters to be the equal of men in battle.”

 

Kail smiled as he recalled his first encounter with the three sisters. “Quite, you'll understand when you meet them. You'll get to meet them soon.”

 

The emerald-eyed girl bit her lower lip. `That what I fear. Tito was killed by Zuwa in order to save me. How will his sisters react? Will it be okay to meet them?'

 

Later, in the city of Arinna, Kail received the three sisters in the audience room.

 

“We are pleased to meet you, Princess Miyuki. We are the daughters of the Hatti chief Talos, and the older sisters of Tito.”

 

The long honey-haired girl who spoke looked up to the Japanese Priestess. “I am the eldest daughter Hadi. These twins are my younger sisters Ryui and Shalla.” The identical girls with curly honeyed hair followed the example of their sister.

 

Three pairs of hardened black eyes gazed upon the guilty-feeling Miko. `These people are Tito's sisters…Those eyes… Anger and resentment… They know!'

 

The words of Uruhi continued to poison the minds of Tito's sisters. `“Yes, the girl named Miyuki is the one who killed Tito.”'

 

Hadi contemplated the murderess of her brother. “We've been looking forward to meeting you.”

 

Ryui and Shalla also remembered too well what Uruhi had told them. `“The selfish one spoiled by winning his highness Kail's favour, the one who killed Tito so cruelly.”'

 

The young Miko could only remember too well the reaction of the girlfriend of Himuro Nakajima who died when his practice of dark magic backlashed on him. When she did her duty and told her about his death, the distressed young girl had the same eyes than the three sisters. She gulped and tried to speak. “Hello, I, umm…”

 

But a servant interrupted the tentative of the Japanese student. “Your highness Kail, the Overseer of Arinna has arrived.”

 

A black-haired man entered and bowed to Kail. “Your highness, I apologize for not being able to protect the city…”

 

Kail waved away the excuses of the man. “Enough with greetings. What's the state of affairs?”

 

The man sighed and started to explain. “The Kaska clan has stolen valuable treasures, and are occupying the north side of the city. The north side is the residence district of the Hatti tribe. The three sisters can probably tell you more.”

 

Kail nodded. “I see… Then I'll ask Hadi.” He turned to the long black-haired girl. “Miyuki, stay here with the council.”

 

Miyuki acquiesced and sit on a small backless chair. `I'm not that good at war…' She smiled at the memory. It was Komera who was their field commander and the fights of the Circle were small-scale conflicts. She nodded to herself. `But I feel safer with Kail nearby.'

 

Ryui was perplexed as she observed the emerald-eyed girl. “What's with that girl? When he said “his highness Kail's concubine”, I was wondering what kind of beauty she was!”

 

Shalla nodded. “Really. She's still completely a child! She's tiny and scrawny… Perhaps her green eyes?”

 

Hadi was also confused about the interest of Kail for this little girl. “Geez, what does he like about that girl? I don't understand him.”

 

Ryui and Shalla turned to their elder sister. “Hey, sis.”

 

“And we can't do anything because she's being protected by his highness. But she'll pay with her life as reparation for killing Tito.”

 

After the war council, Kail escorted Miyuki outside the building and put her on his chariot. “Miyuki, tomorrow I'm going to the battlefront too. It's too dangerous to bring you along. I don't know what the extent of the Queen's reach is. I'm also worried about leaving you behind.”

 

The Miko nodded. “I understand. I'm more than prepared for danger though…”

 

It was a good occasion for the three sisters. “Your highness, leave Princess Miyuki in our hands.”

 

Kail turned to them. “Hadi.” He couldn't help but felt a little anxious of letting alone Miyuki. “In your hands… But…”

 

Miyuki smiled to Kail. “Prince, I… I'll wait here. They're here for me, so don't worry. Just win the battle and come back safely.” `I'd only be a distraction if I went with him. Besides, I need to speak with them about the death of Tito. I own them that!'

 

Kail thought about it. `She'll be safer with them than anywhere else.' He hesitated a little more than acquiesced. “I understand. Very well, I ask this favour of you three.”

 

The three sisters smiled. “We will!” They have their occasion.

 

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Before daybreak, in the wasteland of the city's north side, the battle has started.

 

The Kaska's forces were mainly constituted of foot soldiers. The Hittites have the advantage of more war-chariots, but the ground wasn't so good and their mobility suffered.

 

The crew of a Hittite war-chariot was a driver and a fighter. The fighter was the attack with sword and lance and helped to steer the chariot. The driver provided the defence with a shield but focused mainly of properly steering the horses.

 

Kail directed his men with courage and intelligence. “Don't chase the ones that are running away!” He parried the sword of another charioteer and counterattacked on the distracted driver. The driverless chariot hit another one, crashing them both. “Our goal is to recapture Arinna! It's fine if we drive them out of the city!”

 

Through her window, Miyuki listened to the long-distance sounds of the battle. `Prince Kail…' She sighed. `I hope he's all right…'

 

Hadi walked to her and implemented her plan. “If you're worried about his highness, why don't I lead you to a place where you can see the battlefield?”

 

“Really? But…”

 

Hadi smiled benevolently. “You're anxious about his highness Kail, aren't you? Then…”

 

Miyuki hesitated. The temptation was enormous. On the other hand, she wasn't so sure of the three sisters but her dread about Kail drowned what she could perceive.

 

The four girls found themselves soon above the furious battle. Hadi pointed her hand. “This plateau is a horse breeding ground. But it offers a great view of the northern plain.”

 

Miyuki was awed and frightened by the chaotic melee under her. Men were trampled and crushed under the wheels of the chariots. Innumerable duels reddened the soil with spilled blood. A group of men went against one chariot and brought it down, the horses neighed their fear and agony. The only experience of the Miko that neared what she was seeing was the one time the Circle had to stop an invasion of a swarm of lesser demons. It had been a long, gruelling battle that found them alone and victorious on the battlefield after a fragment of eternity, sweating, panting and bleeding. No one had tried to speak about it after, not even Lina and Komera.

 

She blinked as something strange registered to her. “Huh?” She pointed to the chariots. “There's no one riding the horses.”

 

Hadi stifled a snort at the ignorance of the young girl. “Riding the horses? What a strange thing to say. On the battlefield, horses are meant just for pulling war-chariots.”

 

Miyuki blushed. “Is…Is that so?” `Stupid! Stupid! Of course, they're using only chariots! The strength of the cavalry hasn't been yet discovered.'

 

Hadi pointed to a particular chariot. “Anyway, look over there, it's his highness Kail. He has a `tsukige'(`Tsukige' is a grey horse with a slight tinge of red.), so you should be able to spot him easily.”

 

“Oh…” She focused on the blond-haired silhouette fighting. “Prince Kail!”

 

Hadi turned to her sisters and silently nodded. Without making any noise, the twins departed, a wicked smile on their lips.

 

After a moment of observation, something itched in the mind of the Miko. She frowned. What triggered this uneasiness? She gazed on the combats then abruptly compared the present position of the Hittites to what she saw at her arrival. “Hey…I'm not an expert in warfare, but aren't they losing ground…?

 

Hadi gasped as she remarked it also. “You're right… Though an enemy like the Kaska should be easy to defeat. Maybe some information leaked out…!?”

 

Miyuki's eyes widened. `Information leak…!? SPIES…!' Her eyes narrowed in anger. `The Queen must be behind this!'

 

She clutched her hands as she focused again on the blond warrior. `I don't want Prince Kail to die! So please, come back safely!'

 

She suddenly realized something. `Oh no!' Her heart hammered in her chest. `Am I a little TOO worried about the Prince?'

 

On the plains, steering his four-horse chariot, Zuwa of the Kaska rushed, hold by his bloodlust. “Hey, out of the way! Whoever's in front of me, friend or foe, I'll grind you under my wheels!”

 

He suddenly remarked a cloaked feminine silhouette in his vicinity. “A woman on the battlefield!” His eyes widened in recognition. “It's that girl! The Queen sent her here!” He smiled in anticipated pleasure. “This time, I'll get your neck for sure!”

 

Hidden under her cloak, Ryui smiled as she remembered the words of the false Kail's servant. `“By the way, I've heard a rumour that Zuwa of the Kaska is out to get Miyuki's neck.”' She chuckled and began to run as the chief of the Kaska clan steered his chariot in her direction.

 

Zuwa blinked when his prey seemed to disappear. “She disappeared!?” He suddenly perceived an identical silhouette on the plateau above him. “What!? When did she…!?”

 

Hidden behind a rock, Ryui smiled as Shalla guided the giant to the plateau. The words of Uruhi echoed in her mind. `“Maybe if you lure Miyuki in front of Zuwa, you can have revenge for Tito… Oh, excuse me, that was unnecessary of me…”'

 

Behind Miyuki, Hadi smiled as she finally saw the result of their ruse. `The twins, they've skilfully lured Zuwa here, haven't they.' She gazed hatefully on the tunic-clad young girl. `We have suffered much from the whims of royal women! But you will not kill our brother with impunity!'

 

Miyuki hugged herself as she tried to deny what she felt about the third Hittite Prince. “I can't be in love with Kail!” `I was told that the one the Prince loves can only be someone with the appropriate nature to become the Tavananna…'

 

Her sixth sense yelled at her to turn quickly. She whirled to see the Kaska chieftain on his chariot rushing to her. “AH! SHIT!”

 

“Little girl! I've found you!” He laughed cruelly. “I'll learn a wagon full of gold just for that single neck. I won't let you escape!”

 

`Damn it! Zuwa!' In one fraction of second, she analyzed her possibilities. The only escape from the chariot was near rocks where Hadi was. She tightened her jaw. She couldn't endanger the sister of Tito! She whirled around and began to run away from Hadi's position.

 

Hadi shook her head. “What an idiot, she thinks she can escape a chariot by running!?”

 

Shalla, who had rejoined her sister, nodded. “Kill her! Hurry and kill that girl!”

 

Miyuki found herself cornered to the fence of the corral. `Great! I saved the sisters! Now, I need to save my neck!'

 

Shalla exulted. The murderess of their brother was trapped. “Kill her!”

 

Because of her inertia, the Japanese hit the flank of a grey horse. She suddenly realized that she had perhaps found her ticket to the exit. “Yes! A horse!” She instinctively advised the biggest near her and jumped on its back.

 

Hadi didn't believe what she was seeing. “She got on the horse!?”

 

Shalla' eyes widened. “Th…That girl can ride a horse!?”

 

`Uh oh! It was not a GOOD idea!' The mount she chose was a big black horse that looked like more a great warhorse than a chariot's horse. “Kyaaa… I'm sliding off!” She had always had a way to communicate with animals. She really hoped she didn't lose it in this time period. “Horse! Please! It's my first time riding… You're too wild!” She didn't think it would launch itself at breakneck speed once she was on its back.

 

Hadi's eyes narrowed as she remarked the direction of the running pair. “But…she won't be able to get away. She's headed for a cliff!”

 

The Miko's eyes widened when she saw the approaching edge of the cliff. `Horse! You can't be serious!'

 

Zuwa chuckled as he drew his sword. “Little girl! Prepare to die!”

 

She turned her head to the approaching giant on his chariot. `Damn it! I'm literally between a rock and a hard place!'

 

With an incredible agility and power, the black horse jumped down the cliff. “H-Horse!? Don't be crazy! Don't jump!”

 

Too late! The magnificent mount was already in the air. “OH NO!” It perfectly landed on the slope of the cliff and began to masterfully slide down. `Oh, great! The battlefield's just below! It's literally out of the frying pan, into the fire!'

 

Zuwa swore and steered his chariot away from the cliff. His prey escaped him! Once again! Hadi and Shalla gasped at the incredible demonstration.

 

On the battlefield, Kail remarked movement in the back of the Kaska. He gaped at the sight before him. “Miyuki!?”

 

With its passenger still on its back, the mighty black warhorse hit the ground with a resounding impact that alerted the Kaska soldiers. They gaped at the impossible sight.

 

“What the… A surprise attack!?”

 

“WAAA!”

 

“It's an ambush from the rear!”

 

Panic began to spread around the bewildered troops like a brushfire.

 

“From behind? That shouldn't be…!”

 

“That's crazy! They came down from that cliff!”

 

Miyuki was still firmly clutching the black mane of the horse and prayed to all the divinities that she won't fall. “KYAAAA! You stupid horse!” The powerful horse rushed through the ranks of the Kaska. “STOP! Huh?!” She then really remarked where she was heading. “Wait! I've changed my mind! RUN, horse! Run like the wind!”

 

The black horse charged through the dismayed soldiers, trampling anyone not smart enough to go away.

 

“WAAA!”

 

“Watch out! They're coming this way!”

 

Kail was still looking, wide-eyed.

 

Kikkuri attempted to nudge his lord out of his stupor. “P…Prince Kail, the Kaska have been thrown into disarray.” He pointed to the dispersing troops. “It's a miracle!”

 

Kail gazed on the soldiers and chariots parting, in panic, before the rushing black horse mounted by the frail silhouette. He nodded to himself, still under the shock. “Riding a horse into combat? This is a new tactic. But it certainly gives more mobility than a chariot… Miyuki…That girl…”

 

He shook his head and rallied his men. “Don't let this opportunity go! We'll crush the Kaska at once!”

 

Hearing the voice of their Prince, seeing the incredible spectacle of the panic caused by one girl on a horse, the Hittite soldiers roared their battlelust and charged the already dispersed and unprepared enemy.

 

Hadi could only blink at what she was seeing. “The Kaska are collapsing!”

 

Shalla shook her head as she witnessed the routing and slaughter of the Kaska troops. “It's become so one-sided. What is this girl…!?” She then blinked and pointed somewhere in the melee. “Hey sis, Ryui's over there!”

 

“What!?”

 

Shalla was right: The retreating soldiers passed trough the hidden place of Ryui and forced her to escape the onrushing people. Unfortunately, that exposed her to the chaotic melee and she was weaponless.

 

But she wasn't the only one who remarked the endangered girl. Miyuki's eyes widened. `NO! NOT AGAIN! I WILL NOT PERMIT IT!' “Horse! Go left! Left! Hurry!”

 

The black horse snorted as if it was saying why should it obey her?

 

The Miko winced as she perceived the proud nature of the animal. “Ah, I'm sorry!” She instinctively poured the power of her soul directly into the noble horse. “Forgive me! So please, I beg of you, head over to that girl.”

 

Something shone in the golden eyes of the mighty quadruped which promptly turned to its left, its powerful legs devouring the distance.

 

Kail nodded as he saw the progress of the battle. “It looks like it'll be fine leaving the clean-up to the soldiers. Where's Miyuki? Lets go help…”

 

Kikkuri pointed to his left. “Princess Miyuki's over there!”

 

Kail turned his head and received his second shock of the day.

 

Firmly holding the black mane of the mighty warhorse, her own long black hair clacking in the wind of their course, Miyuki rushed to the position of Ryui.

 

The twin remarked her approaching way of escape with bewildered wide-open eyes.

 

Kail could only witness the prodigy. `…What the…'

 

In an impeccable manoeuvre, as if she was one with the black horse, Miyuki held down her right hand. “RYUI! YOUR HAND!”

 

The honey-haired girl raised her arms. `How could she recognize me?'

 

Kail shook his head. `She truly is a gift from the gods!' As he observed the incredible rescue, another thought imposed itself to him. `She single-handily decided the outcome of the battle to recapture Arinna!'

 

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At the evening, the battle is completely over. In a single day, Arinna is returned to the hands of the Hittite army.

 

But broken weapons and bloodied bodies over the battle field reminded everyone of the cruel reality of war. The vultures will have quite a feast this day.

 

Inside the walls of the city, the soldiers and the population were celebrating their victory. A circle of veterans were shaking their heads and laughing as they retold what happened.

 

“I was surprised.”

 

“That the first battle would be decided that quickly?”

 

A serving girl nodded. “That tiny girl played a big part, didn't she? And she's his highness Kail's concubine.”

 

The soldier acquiesced. “Oh, you mean Princess Miyuki.”

 

“In an instant, she drove that horse and knocked those Kaska around.”

 

Others soldiers lifted their cup in the honour of the young girl. “Like his highness Kail said, she must have been sent by Ishtar.”

 

This remark was also used by others in the palace of the Overseer. Kikkuri entered the room of his lord with drinks. “Princess Miyuki, you're the talk of the entire town. They say you might be Ishtar's avatar.”

 

The Japanese priestess groaned and palmed her face. “Don't tease me, I was just desperately running away from Zuwa.” She turned to Kail which was carefully looking the edge of his sword, searching for nicks and imperfections. “This is only because Prince Kail said I was sent by Ishtar to justify my presence. Right, Prince!”

 

Kail nodded as he sheathed back his weapon. “That's true.”

 

Miyuki sighed as she considered the inherent dangers to this…public adoration. “Besides, I don't like the implications...”

 

Kikkuri raised an eyebrow. “Implications?”

 

“Faith is faith, Kikkuri.” She gazed in the direction of the sounds of the feast. “If enough people truly and deeply believe that I am the avatar of Ishtar, it will cease to be a cover story.” She looked in the eyes of the young man. “I WILL become the avatar of the Goddess of Love and War.”

 

Kikkuri thought about it a moment, then cocked his head and smiled. “Well, in that way, if you go out on the balcony and wave, the people of the city will be pleased.”

 

The Miko rolled up her eyes as she accepted a cup from the young man. “Stop it, Kikkuri!”

 

Kail frowned as he observed Miyuki. The young girl was right. Faith was faith. Him, as a priest, knew the formidable potential of a properly focused belief. His eyes narrowed. What he said about the displaced priestess had been purely a spur of the moment. But with all those soldiers as witnesses AND his own father, backed by the power of Teshub, he could really have consecrated his pseudo-concubine as the REAL avatar of Ishtar and… `…it definitely turned out like I said at that time in regard to the battle…'

 

“Excuse me.”

 

Kail turned to the voice. A smile on his face, the responsible of Arinna had entered. “Overseer!”

 

The man beamed to Miyuki. “Oh, it's the one chosen by his highness.” He smiled apologetically to Kail. “I was anxious about what he was thinking when he brought his concubine. But oh, I see, I see.” He shook his head as if he was mocking his own stupidity. “Therefore, there is something I would like to present to Princess Miyuki from the city of Arinna…”

 

Miyuki pointed to herself. “A present…? For me…?” She then blinked as the Overseer waved to a tall cloaked female servant outside. She gasped as she recognized the animal she was leading. “That horse!”

 

The Overseer nodded as a powerful and tall black stallion waited outside. It had a long black mane and amazing golden eyes. “Originally, this horse was to be presented to his Emperor's highness, but its spirit is a little wild.”

 

The horse snorted in contempt to the man and flicked his ears as if it was saying what the Overseer would know about that.

 

Not very sensible to the mood of animals, the man continued. “But it seems to have good affinity with you, Princess Miyuki. Please accept it…”

 

The Japanese approached the mighty beast and plunged her emerald eyes into the intelligent golden eyes. She gently raised her hand to let it sniffed it. “What do you say, noble mount? Do you accept me as your partner?”

 

The stallion leaned its head and thoroughly sniffed the offered appendage then finally let the Miko caressed its soft nose to signify its acceptance. Miyuki beamed. She observed the horse as she continued to lightly groom it. “I thank you for your acceptance. I promised I will be a good partner, too.” The men around her where looking to the scene with bewildered eyes. She let her internal flame lighted her emerald eyes. “I…know…your name. You are…Aslan!”

 

Kail blinked. Well, it seemed that the young girl was still full of surprises. The way she made herself accepted by the proud beast… Aslan, huh…? He nodded to himself, this present was perfectly suited to her. “Hum… Speaking of which, I should give Miyuki a dagger for self-defence too.”

 

Kikkuri nodded in approval. “Then, let's look for something… A small beautiful one that a woman would like.”

 

Miyuki internally sighed as she continued to stroke the beautiful mane of Aslan. `Aww, but I don't care about a dagger or whatever. Instead I…' She vividly remembered the eyes of the three sisters: Black eyes so like Tito's and so full of negative emotions against her. `Instead I want to have a talk with Tito's sisters and apologize.' She smiled and giggled as the horse sniffed her to search for any sweet hidden on her person. `After all, I didn't get a chance earlier in the confusion of the battle, so I still haven't had one chance to talk at leisure with them.'

 

Looking to the odd pair of the girl and the horse, the tall cloaked female servant smiled under the shadows of her hood. She nodded imperceptibly to the noble black stallion. Aslan flicked back his ears as if he was saying that he accepted something.

 

In the house of the three sisters, Hadi was pacing like a beast in a cage. “What the hell! Miyuki should've been killed under the circumstances.”

 

Ryui had been shaken by her ordeal on the battlefield. “B…But…” She was an honest girl and honesty pushed her to defend, even a little, the black-haired girl. “That girl saved me.”

 

Shalla waved away the argument of her twin. “It doesn't matter! She's the one who killed Tito!”

 

Hadi nodded. “That's right. But since this has happened, we'll have to kill her directly with our hands!”

 

Shalla was sceptical. “But it seems like the Prince won't leave Miyuki's side for even an instant.”

 

Ryui was frankly worried. “Not even the three of us can match the Prince's swordsmanship.”

 

Hadi winced. She could only acknowledge the arguments of her sisters. “…that's true, but…”

 

“Heh heh, young ladies.” The voice behind them startled the three girls. “This will help you.” A hand was showing a little crystal vial.

 

Hadi recognized the cloaked person at their opened front door. “You… The one who informed us about Tito…!”

 

Shalla was dismayed. “You… You were listening to our conversation just now!”

 

“Yes, I heard it…but you don't have to worry. I bear resentment towards that girl too…I'm here to lend a hand.” The cloaked man opened the small container. “Look at this, it's called White Water.”

 

Ryui blinked. “White Water?”

 

The man advised a bound goat nearby and let one drop fall into its mouth. The animal began to violently coughed liquids and fell on the ground almost immediately.

 

Ryui narrowed her eyes. “The goat…!?”

 

Shalla examined the beast. “Sis! It's dying! No! It's already dead!”

 

Hadi's eyes widened as she understood. “…poison…!”

 

The hidden form nodded. “Yes, even for a human, two or three drops are enough.” He gave the small vial to the tall girl. “So, if you drop some in her mouth when you see a chance, she'll be gone in an instant.”

 

Hadi gulped as she accepted the container and gazed down on the dead animal.

 

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Later that night, in Prince Kail's lodging in Arinna.

 

Kail was peeling off his toga. “Today was tiring, let's sleep soon.”

 

“Eh, uh…ummm…” The emerald-eyed girl was tapping her forefingers together and was looking everywhere except to Kail. “Excuse me…”

 

The blond man turned to the visibly embarrassed Miko and internally sighed. “If you plan to remain in this country. Shape up, you have to get used to sharing a bedroom with me.” The black-haired student blushed. “As long as you're here, the fact is that you have to act as my princess.”

 

Miyuki continued to blush as she examined the situation under this angle. `That's…right…I'm a false concubine after all.' She perfectly remembered why she felt like this. `I feel safe with him. I mistook that for love.' She nodded to herself. `I need to get over this.'

 

The amber-eyed young man blinked as he perceived the internal conflict of the young girl. “Is something wrong?”

 

She whirled around and promptly went to bed. “It's nothing. I'm definitely tired, so I'm going to sleep.”

 

Kail raised an eyebrow. He wasn't very convinced by the act of the Japanese priestess. He went to bed with his sword still at his hip.

 

The heart of the young girl was hammering again in her chest as she felt the Prince moving on the bed. She could already sense the warmth of his body.

 

Kail imperceptibly tensed as he suddenly perceived something near the curtains of his bedroom. He gazed down on Miyuki and saw that he wasn't the only one to sense something. The shoulder blades of the Miko were hard with tension. He considered his options and chose one.

 

Miyuki slowly turned to Kail and whispered. “Prince…? Did you…”

 

She blinked as a warm hand lightly caressed her cheek. “Pri…!?” Kail interrupted her by deeply kissing her. Miyuki gasped and opened more her mouth as her breath was stolen by the shock of the intensity behind the kiss.

 

As he felt the young girl trembling under the assault of her senses, Kail released a little the delicates lips and whispered. “Lie still, my sweet. Leave everything to me.”

 

The Japanese teenager plunged her emerald eyes into the amber ones, read something in it and nodded imperceptibly. She lowered her eyelids and let Kail renewing the deep kiss.

 

Kail caressed her hip with his right hand and slowly slide to the sensible flesh on the inner thigh. Miyuki gasped under the surprising and pleasuring contact. Her own right hand slide from the shoulder of the young man and slowly progressed to his side. A stray gust of wind rustled the curtains.

 

Suddenly three hooded and armed feminine forms rushed in the bedroom through the balcony. “Murderess! Hand over your life!”

 

Kail seized the neatly secured small bronze dagger on the upper left thigh of Miyuki and threw it to the aggressors.

 

“AGH…!” Already, one of the attackers let go of her sword when she received the dagger in her upper right arm.

 

“YAAAA!” Another one rushed and went for an overhead blow.

 

Miyuki seized the sheathed sword on the hip of Kail and parried the attack directed to her. Kail was impressed. The young girl had perfectly understood his ruse and she was masterfully defending herself and himself. She was still panting because of the intensity of the earlier sensations but she was alert and focused.

 

“Good block, Miyuki!” He drew the sword as Miyuki oriented the handle to his hand. Seeing that the effect of surprise was lost, the three aggressors began to withdraw. “Hold it cowards, I won't let you run!”

 

Kail hit directly the weapon with a peculiar twist and disarmed the attacker. “OH!”

 

He went for an underhanded slash and aimed to the hooded face. “Let's see your face!”

 

The cloth was neatly snagged and revealed a familiar visage with curly honeyed hair.

 

“OH!” Miyuki was dismayed by what she was seeing. “Tito's sisters!?”

 

Kail was utterly confused. “Shalla!? The three sisters! What's the meaning of this!?”

 

Seeing that they were discovered, Ryui and Hadi shed their hoods. “We're more than prepared to face the death penalty for breaking into your highness' bedroom! But even so, we'll never forgive the one who killed our younger brother!”

 

Kail shook his head. “By “the one who killed Tito”, you mean Miyuki? Surely that's…”

 

“Wait, Prince! Let me explain!” Miyuki turned back to the three sisters. “It's true that it's my fault Tito died. That's why I wanted to talk to you from the start. Please listen to me!”

 

Hadi seemed to listen to the pleading young girl but in fact, was slowly extracting the small vial of poison from her hood.

 

The guilty-feeling girl tried to master her emotions. “The first thing I wanted to say was… I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry.”

 

Hadi stealthily opened the little container.

 

Miyuki felt as pathetic as she felt when she couldn't prevent the death of Nakajima. “But an apology isn't enough. I don't think you can forgive me, though… I'm sorry!”

 

The three sisters waited for the right occasion as they remembered the words of Uruhi. `“Even for a human, two or three drops are enough.”'

 

The Japanese teenager sighed. She owned the three sisters. If they believed her guilty then so be it! She would accept their hatred. “Um, where should I start from… To put it simply, my life has been targeted by the Queen all this time… Then when it seemed like my neck was going to be cut, Tito rescued me. But in doing so, Tito was captured by Zuwa of the Kaska…and was killed…”

 

Hadi yelled in rage. “LIAR! We heard straight from his highness Kail's servant that Tito died by your hand!”

 

Kail blinked in wonderment. What were they talking about?

 

Hadi rushed in. “Ryui! Shalla!”

 

“Understood!”

 

Ryui slammed into Kail and pinned him to a column. “What are you doing!?”

 

“AA!” Shalla seized Miyuki in her back. The Miko aborted a reflex counterattack with her elbow: She didn't want to hit Tito's sisters. `I killed Tito? They must have been manipulated or their sorrows are too strong!'

 

Hadi grabbed the jaw of the Japanese. “If you want to apologize, tell it directly to Tito. In Nergal's realm (Nergal is the Babylonian god of the Underworld.).”

 

“What…” Miyuki still didn't defend herself as Hadi forced open her mouth and bring out the vial of White Water. `What the hell is she doing?'

 

Kail suddenly understood that the three sisters didn't really know what happened. “Hadi, what Miyuki said is the truth. It was by Zuwa's hand that Tito was killed and his choker adorns his arm.” He managed to push away Ryui. “And I didn't send a servant either!”

 

Hadi blinked in confusion as she turned to the Hittite Prince. “Huh?”

 

Too late! The entire content of the crystal vial dripped into the mouth of the Miko who reflexively gulped it down. The young girl jerked in surprise as the substance seemed to penetrate her and instantly reacted.

 

“MIYUKI!” Kail rushed to catch the already swaying girl.

 

The Japanese teenager gazed up to Kail with wide frightened eyes. “I can't…I can't b-breathe…” She hiccupped as air refused to pass in her lungs.

 

The three sisters huddled together as they began to think they committed an error, a mortal error. “Hadi…!”

 

“MIYUKI!” Kail panicked as he held the now violently coughing young girl.

 

Outside, on he nearby roof, the tall silhouette of the female servant who brought Aslan smiled. “Excellent!”

 

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Notes: I have just bought the third edition of BESM. I think I'm going to write the sheet of Miyuki Kanzaki before she went in the Hittite Empire.

 

Send me your comment, ideas and reviews.

 

Please and thank you.