Red River Fan Fiction ❯ A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE ❯ V3 C2 The Fourth Prince ( Chapter 11 )

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: As promised, here is the sheet of Miyuki under the third edition of BESM.

 

Name: Miyuki Kanzaki.

Age: 15 years. Height: 1m50. Weight: 45 kg. Sex: female.

Description: A pure Japanese girl with long black hair, deep emerald eyes and ivory skin. She's a little small and bony for her age and has almost no `talent'.

 

Point cost: 360. Templates used: none. Size: medium.

Body Stat: 7. Mind Stat: 4. Soul Stat: 7.

 

Attack combat value: 7. Defence combat value: 7. Damage multiplier: 5 (7 vs evil).

Health points: 70. Energy points: 75. Shock value: 14.

 

Attributes:

Attack combat mastery (L1).

Aura of inspiration (L2).

Block power (L1): unlimited against evil with divine template (activation one general action, usable 3/day, detectable by priest, must remain faithful).

Combat technique (L8): blind fighting, blind shooting, concealment, judge opponent, leap attack, lightning reflexes, precise aim, two weapons.

Defence combat mastery (L1).

Divine relationship (L5).

Dynamic power (L1): minor, immunity to evil powers with divine template (activation one general action, usable 3/day, detectable by priest, must remain faithful).

Energy bonus (L4).

Exorcism (L2).

Features (L2): animal empathy, retarded beautiful appearance.

Heightened awareness (L2).

Jumping (L1): X3 jump distance.

Massive damage (L2): against evil.

Melee attack (L1): sword.

Melee defence (L1): sword.

Mind shield (L2).

Organisational ties (L2): the Circle.

Power flux (L3): Primal, Shinto magic with divine template (activation one general action, usable 3/day, detectable by priest, must remain faithful).

Ranged attack (L1): bows.

Ranged defence (L1): personal.

Resistance (L2).

Sixth sense (L4): evil, magic, life-force, spirits.

Special movement (L2): fast, Zen direction.

Unique attribute (L2): wards.

 

Attribute skills:

Acrobatics (L2).

Burglary (L1).

Controlled breathing (L2).

Driving (L1).

Interrogation (L1).

Intimidation (L1).

Medical (L1).

Occult (L2).

Police sciences (L1).

Sports (L2).

Swimming (L2).

 

Defects:

Easily distracted (-1): new lore.

Guy magnet (-1).

Ageism (-2): she's fifteen.

 

 

Vol 3 Chap 2: The Fourth Prince.

 

 

Miyuki Kanzaki was breathing deep and slow. Her attack on Zuwa the Kaska had been perfect but taxing. She was still feeling the after-effects of the cataleptic drug and so her strength and endurance weren't up to take the giant head on.

 

In her hand, the dagger was almost humming hungrily in resonance with her aura. It was as if the Hatti weapon had sensed that the monster was responsible of the death of one of her legitimate holders and wholefully shared the Miko's intent of revenge.

 

“This cannot be…” Zuwa was looking to his broken weapon. How could such a small and unattractive dagger be able to cut trough his strong blade?

 

He projected a hate-filled gaze to the young girl. “Little one, you've made a fool of me!” He was so angry that the fact she was still in a guarded position with the dagger ready didn't register. He was only seeing her broken and bloodied body at his hands.

 

The rest of the soldiers took the offered opening and attacked the Kaska.

 

“Zuwa! I'll avenge the ten and more of my fellow soldiers that you slew!”

 

“Die!”

 

Aiming his bow, Prince Kail could only observe his men being projected around as if they were rag dolls. Even unarmed, the cruel man was still too strong. He swore. “Damn…I can't get a clear shot!”

 

The Japanese narrowed her emerald eyes. `Damn! As I feared, he's too powerful for normal soldiers. I will not allow anyone to be killed by that monster in front of me!' She gripped more firmly her weapon. `I trust in my dagger!' As her invisible crimson aura flared up, she could feel a familiar warmth around her heart. `At least I know Tito is with me!'

 

She dashed, aiming for the kidney. “ZUWA! This is for Tito's murder, you bastard!”

 

The kaska whirled around at the battle-cry and slapped at the charging girl. Miyuki managed to parry the massive hand with her left arm, but the sheer strength of the giant broke through her defences and she found herself projected to the stone-fence of the rampart.

 

She clenched her teeth as her back screamed to her that it didn't like the rough landing. `Stupid! Stupid! You knew he was stronger than you and you warned him of your attack. Komera would have my hide.'

 

The man laughed. “You are less than a flea to me! I need no sword. I'll snap your scrawny neck with my bare hands.” He charged the dazed teenager, firmly intended to put his hands around the pale throat.

 

Adrenalin ripped the hazy veil of pain. `If he managed to catch me, I'm finished!' She rolled under the rushing man.

 

Surprised by the sheer speed of the displaced priestess, Zuwa was forced to stop himself at the stone-fence. “What!”

 

Miyuki could feel her strength waned again. `Gods above! Lend me the strength to avenge Tito.' She had just enough breath and energy for one last attack. Words from Lina floated back to her. `“Anything can be a weapon, even and especially the area around you.”' Her eyes widened as she saw where the Kaska was. She rushed and slashed at his lower body. `Please!'

 

Zuwa dodged with contempt the clumsy attack by jumping on the stone-fence. “Humph. Your beginner's luck is used up!” He was towering his prey, she couldn't escape him now. “I'll smash you and your toy knife.”

 

Miyuki put her dagger in a two-handed hold and focused the last of her energy into one precise thrust. `Help me!' The weapon smashed through the stone under the feet of the giant.

 

“What…?!” When the girl had rushed him, he was sure that it was her last desperate charge. “WHAT…!?” And then her tiny weapon had simply pierced without breaking the fence under him. “A dagger cutting trough a stone wall? How can this be?”

 

Then gravity held him in its grasp. “Huh?” Zuwa fell as his support collapsed under his weight. “UUWAAAAAHH!”

 

The trembling and panting Japanese girl watched as Zuwa fell to his death, her intact dagger still in her two hands.

 

Under the rampart, the Kaska gazed up to the sky on his back. Unseeing eyes and mouth still opened in utter bewilderment. Blood was slowly pooling around his head.

 

People and soldiers began to slowly gather around the immobile body. They quietly chattered among themselves, the reality of the scene still unregistered.

 

A curious or perhaps more courageous little boy took a small rock and threw it at the cadaver under the fearful eyes of his mother. “Oh, Aya don't!” The pebble bounced on the bald head without provoking a reaction.

 

The crowd chilled and blinked as they finally understood what they were seeing.

 

“Is he dead?”

 

“Zuwa is dead?”

 

“He's dead!”

 

“That Kaska's clan murderer is really dead!”

 

“ZUWA IS NO MORE!”

 

Clamours and yells reached the still panting Miko at the top of the rampart. Zuwa was dead, killed by her own hand. She had killed. She had killed a human. During her tenure to protect the Nexus, she had been in life and death battles, but her powers as a Miko had always been more geared towards the destruction of Outerworld creatures. Some evil and misguided humans had been killed by the Circle, but never at her hand.

 

Words from Komera rushed from her memories. `“One day, you will kill! When it happens, never forget it. Once one takes the path of the warrior, there is no turning back!”' The black-haired and golden-eyed alien princess had then smiled to the young girl. `“Never forget it, but also never forget why you take this life. You don't have to like it, but you can't go on forwards if you forget that.”'

 

The crowd was throwing stones at the corpse of the monster they feared for so long.

 

“My father was killed by him!”

 

“He killed my brother and even peeled off his skin!”

 

“My husband was also his victim!”

 

“Now the Kaska clan will not dare to attack the Hittites! The bastards!”

 

Tears fell from her eyes as she felt a great weight taken out of her shoulders. `Tito, because I knew nothing of this world you've protected me though I didn't deserve it... You gave your life for me.' The image of the engraved choker and the youth wearing it danced in her memory. The black-haired boy seemed to smile to the black-haired girl through the veil of Death. `I didn't wish to go home without doing anything to repay you.' She closed her eyes as sobs shook her body. `Tito! Although I can't lay a hand on the Queen, ...' She fiercely focused on what she managed to accomplish. `…your killer, Zuwa is now dead.'

 

There was one last thing she could do for the soul of her friend. `Your revenge, I could settle half of it.' She took a cleansing breath as she put her dagger on her heart.

 

The first rays of the rising sun caught the attention of the rejoicing crowd.

 

“Ah…! The sun is rising.”

 

“It's already sunrise?”

 

In the still obscured portion of the sky, a golden star began to shine.

 

“Ooh! Is it the Morning Star?”

 

“It really is Ishtar (The planet Venus was associated to the Goddess Ishtar.), the Morning Star!”

 

“Ehh…How can this be? The Morning Star isn't supposed to come out before the wet season festivity next year!”

 

“I know that! But look at the sky…”

 

More and more of the crowd began to react to the prodigy visible before their eyes from above the rampart.

 

“Ishtar?”

 

“It really is Ishtar!”

 

“Ishtar, the Goddess of War has returned for the sake of the Hittites!”

 

But then, the rising sun began to reveal what was truly behind the mysterious reappearance of the Morning Star.

 

“No…!? Hey, wait a minute.”

 

“Th-That is…Ah.”

 

The glorious light of the sun was being reflected from a brandished naked blade.

 

“Ahh…!?”

 

Firmly standing up on the stone-wall of the rampart, holding in her two hands above her head a shining dagger, a young girl, clad in a simple white tunic was bathed by the powerful solar light. Her ivory skin seemed to absorb the golden light and her long black hair floated in the wind.

 

“IT'S PRINCESS MIYUKI!”

 

The crowd was flabbergasted by the dramatic apparition.

 

“Princess Miyuki? Is Princess Miyuki the goddess of war?”

 

“Yes! We were right! Princess Miyuki IS the goddess of war!”

 

“Princess Miyuki is the Ishtar of us, the Hittites!”

 

On the rampart, the Japanese priestess was accomplishing her duty as a Miko to her dear deceased friend. `TITO!' Her closed eyes spilled hot tears. `I'm sending your soul to Heaven!' Miyuki was doing her last duty to the gentle soul of the boy: She was calling on her own power and the blessing of the local Gods to purify the departed spirit and send him to his final and well-earned rest. Her crimson aura, invisible to the eyes of the mundane, exploded around her. `Oh, Nergal! God of the Underworld, please take this purified soul to his true place!' The fiery aura spiralled up around her and she felt one last squeeze of his hand on her shoulder before he ascended through the final veil revealed by the Red Flame. `Go to heaven! My dear friend!'

 

So focused on her duty, the Japanese teenager didn't perceived what the spill-over of her powerful aura was doing to the crowd under her. The people were going wild and chanting their confirmation that Miyuki was Ishtar.

 

“Long live Princess Miyuki! Long live Ishtar!”

 

“PRINCESS MIYUKI! PRINCESS MIYUKI!”

 

The three Hatti sisters were gathering around the cadaver of Zuwa. Ryui winced as she saw the very familiar jewellery around the wrist of the dead monster. “Tito's choker.” The black-eyed girl turned to Hadi. “Sister, it was really Zuwa who killed Tito as Miyuki said…”

 

The long honey-haired girl gulped. “Oh no…”

 

The three girls gazed up fearfully on the silhouette on the rampart. They knelt. “What have we done?”

 

“MIYUKI!” The young girl dried her tears and turned to the voice.

 

A blond haired and amber-eyed young man was running to her. “Prince Kail!”

 

`Uh oh! I forget about him. He must have been out of his mind when I fell to the cataleptic drug.' “Forgive me… making you worry… I…”

 

The Hittite Prince didn't listen to her stuttered apologies and rushed to her. He grabbed her and put his head between her breasts.

 

The Miko blinked and blushed. “You-What are you doing!” `Touching me again! Especially like that!'

 

Kail didn't hear her. He was listened to only one thing. “This is not a dream! I can feel your heartbeat…” Miyuki gasped as she was reminded that she apparently died before his eyes. “And your body's warmth.” He fiercely squeezed her. “Thank the gods…”

 

The young girl winced. She would like to continue to breathe. “Um…Prince?”

 

Kail smiled to her and turned to the weapon in her hand. “This dagger…” He looked to it but couldn't find anything special about it, except perhaps the colour of the metal. “What manner of Blade is this?”

 

“What do you think it is?”

 

Kail turned to the tall white-haired chief of the Hatti. “Talos?”

 

The powerful bearded man focused on the young girl. It was time to confirm certain things he suspected about her. “Princess Miyuki! Why did you choose THAT dagger?”

 

The emerald-eyed teenager blinked. “Well, when you asked me to choose, I was in a weakened state, so most of your swords were too heavy for me.” She looked to the simple dagger. “I called on my instinct to feel for the appropriate weapon and `she' was revealed to me.” She shrugged. “Besides, this dagger felt and still feel right in my hand.”

 

Talos' eyes narrowed. `She'? “In that case… What do you think it is?”

 

Miyuki raised an eyebrow. Apart from her age and well making, the dagger was a very ordinary one. `It was covered with rust so I thought it was just…' “An iron dagger.”

 

The entire Hatti family gasped. “Princess Miyuki knows about iron?”

 

Kail' s amber eyes widened. “Iron!?” He gazed, awed, to the dagger. “How come the Hatti family has iron?”

 

The displaced priestess was bewildered by their reactions. `Huh?! I'm missing something here.'

 

“You knew it was an iron dagger at first glance.” Talos shook his head. “I'm impressed…”

 

`What's going on?' The Miko remained silent as she tried to understand why they were reacting as if she was holding and had identified a weapon made of a mythical metal. She looked again to the dagger. `This is not even precious meteoric iron but simple forged iron.' “Eh…?”

 

Kail was still under the shock of the revelation. “Iron is an extremely rare and valuable material that came only from stones fallen from the sky.”

 

“Yes, I know. But this is not Celestial Iron (An ancient way to name meteoric iron.) but iron extracted from ore and forged.” She nodded to herself. “And well-forged at that.”

 

The Hittite shook his head in amazement. “You don't understand. Any country would spend a lot of money to get its hands on such rare material, and you knew about it…”

 

Miyuki's eyes widened. `Iron…is a rare and valuable material…?' She internally slapped herself. `Stupid! Stupid! Of course, it is very valuable! You're in ANCIENT Middle-East!'

 

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A note for our readers:

 

Miyuki is right: The 14th century B.C. belongs to the Bronze Age.

 

During that time, forging iron swords is uncommon. Accordingly, it was believed that iron could only be found in meteorites.

 

In any case, iron in this era is the strongest of materials and the finest weapons of this age were made of iron. Mastering the blacksmith's skill in forging iron is every Orient country's dream.

 

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Prince Kail turned to Talos. “How did an iron weapon get mixed in with the rest of the Hatti family's treasure swords?”

 

Talos was still under the shock that Miyuki not only had knowledge about Celestial Iron but also that Iron could be extracted from certain rocks. “We have had the skill to extract iron from iron ore since a long time ago.” `And this girl, barely out of her childhood, knew about it!' He lowered his head. “This knowledge is a tribal treasure.”

 

Kail gasped as he understood what potential was before him. “The Hatti family know the secret of ironworking?” Being able to extract iron from the common iron ore was a tremendous advantage compared to the necessity to find a ferrous meteorite.

 

Hadi and her sisters knelt before the Japanese. “Princess Miyuki. Please, sentence us to death!” Hadi looked squarely into the surprised emerald eyes. “Even though we were deceived, we committed a terrible crime: We assaulted Ishtar!”

 

“Hadi! Ryui! Shalla! Sentencing all of you to death, this…” Once again, the modern girl was confronted to the harshness of the past world. She whirled to Kail. “Prince Kail?”

 

Kail looked grimly to the Miko. He read in her eyes that she knew she was against a law of his country like what happened when she thwarted the execution of Tito. “You are their victim, so I'll leave the decision to you.”

 

There was no hesitation for the young girl. “I don't want them to be sentenced to death!” She put herself protectively in front of the three sisters. “It's my fault for not explaining to them the first time we met.”

 

The three girls gazed flabbergasted to the former target of their misplaced hatred. “Princess Miyuki!”

 

The Hittite Prince nodded to himself. The attitude of the young girl didn't surprise him. “Hum. Fortunately, the details of the incident are not widely known.” He sighed. “It shouldn't be too hard to squelch any rumours.”

 

Miyuki beamed in relief. “Good!”

 

There was something that Kail could do to bury the incident more. “Talos.”

 

The Hatti chief looked to his Prince, still amazed that the act of his daughters had been pardoned by their victim. A victim, he himself threatened. “Yes!”

 

“My palace is short of handmaids, and I was wishing for someone to accompany and stay by Miyuki's side.” Kail smiled to the moustached man. “Can your three daughters become her handmaids?”

 

It was too much for the old man. He bowed with his three daughters to hide their tears of happiness and relief. “They would be honoured, my Prince.”

 

Miyuki smiled softly at the scene as she felt a gentle glow in her heart. `Maybe… I've atoned a tiny bit for getting Tito killed.'

 

Talos took his decision. “One more thing, Princess Miyuki.” Around the group, you could still hear the enthusiastic cries of the crowd. “My son Tito is dead. In the future, there will be no successor to the Hatti's secret crafting skills.”

 

Miyuki bit her lower lip and turned to the sad Kail. It was true: Tito was the only son of the Hatti family. In the patriarchal society of the Hittites, it was as crippling as it was for her own Japanese patriarchal society. Only the fact that a Miko was as powerful as a Kannushi (Male Shinto priest.) didn't force her family to take drastic steps when she was found to be the only one able to summon the Red Flame.

 

She blinked as she heard Talos continuing. “You were kind to Tito, and even avenged his death.” The chief of the Hatti family was persuaded of his discovery. The joyful cries of the crowd below the rampart were only confirming his decision. “From this day on, the Hatti's family and our knowledge of iron-making will follow you… Princess Miyuki.” The entire Hatti clan bowed to the bewildered girl.

 

“You mean that…” Kail was breathless. “Miyuki can command your iron makers?”

 

“Yes!” Talos closed his eyes. The long wait of his clan was finished at last. “The power to topple empires is in the hands…” He gazed to the seemingly frail girl. “…of Princess Miyuki, who is Ishtar incarnate.” Yes, there was no doubt in his mind: Miyuki WAS the current avatar of the Goddess of Love and War.

 

The displaced Japanese girl could only point to herself as the roaring of the crowd chanted her name. She didn't remember enough of her history to precisely know what should happen around her, but she KNEW one fact. The Hittite Empire became the greatest kingdom of the Middle-East because of its mastery of the Iron. A knowledge, now under her exclusive control.

 

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Time passed and we found ourselves at Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire. The Imperial palace was in uproar at the news brought by the third prince.

 

“Kail! I heard that you've possessed the skill for crafting iron. Is that true?” Suppililiumas, Emperor of the Hittites was awed. “If that true then our country has the weapon to dominate the orient.” The importance of that information was making the King of Water forgot a little of the protocol as he stood up from his throne. “The significance of obtaining this skill is far greater of conquering Kaska!”

 

Kail smiled to his royal parent. “Indeed Father. But in truth, the secrets of iron were given to Miyuki, not me.”

 

The aging Emperor waved away the detail. “No matter who obtain it, it belongs equally to us Hittites. I'm starting to believe your concubine is really the goddess of war.” He beamed to the person on his left. “Queen, what do you think?”

 

The Queen Nakia smiled. “Indeed. Only Prince Kail could find such a remarkable woman.”

 

The amber eyes of the prince narrowed a little. “That very kind…Step-mother.” He lifted his cup to mask his expression. `Humph. Your mask of serenity is astonishing, Queen Nakia. You must be boiling inside.'

 

Suppililiumas looked seriously to his son. “Kail, can we start production of iron weapons immediately? I wish our legions to bristle with them when they meet the Mitanni.”

 

The Hittite Prince blinked. “Mitanni? Mitanni has already made its move?”

 

The dancers and musicians around the thrones were a stark contrast with the grim discussion. “Yes. They are massing at our borders again… We will at war before the end of the year.”

 

The Emperor pointed his staff to Kail. “The war this time won't be like any other small scale battle. There's the possibility of us losing our country.” He narrowed his eyes. His rivalry with the king of the Mitanni was a very long one. “I've sent a dispatch to all princes instructing them to come back. Kail, I need all your strength and wisdom.”

 

“Yes Father!” The young man found himself curiously relieved. `The war with Mitanni is finally going to start…'

 

Suppililiumas tapped his lips. There was still one detail and the dreams of the Priest-King of Teshub had been…interesting lately. “And Kail…”

 

“Yes Father?”

 

“When the war starts, take Miyuki with you into battle.” The King of Water nodded to himself. “Regardless of whether or not she is the avatar of Ishtar, but one thing is for sure, she can increase our soldiers' courage. Now go!”

 

Kail internally gasped at the strange request of his father.

 

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At Prince Kail's palace, Kikkuri, best servant of the blond man, was beyond him and tempted to rip off his hair.

 

“Princess Miyuki! Please don't grip the reins so tightly.” He winced at the spectacle in front of him. “You're not strangling snakes!”

 

The emerald-eyed girl was attempting to stay on the back of her walking mount, the black-manned Aslan. “If I don't, I'll fall off!” The modern girl had forgotten a little detail. In the past, the stirrup had still not been invented. The young girl was clad in another tunic and had bound her long black hair in a high ponytail.

 

Kikkuri shook his head. He didn't understand why the young girl insisted to ride on the back of the powerful stallion when a chariot would be better. “Please sit straight up and adjust your balance.” He sighed. “Princess Miyuki, we just got back from Arinna. Why are you so anxious to learn to ride?”

 

“Uhm…” Yes, that was the question, wasn't it? `Actually, I don't want to be a burden to Prince Kail.' Her eyes narrowed as she considered the other reason. `Anyhow, we haven't settled the score with Queen Nakia. I need to be ready.'

 

True. The Japanese had launched herself into an almost frenetic mood of learning everything she could. In Arinna, she had been taken aside by Talos and instructed into the secrets of iron-making. Then the old man had tested her until he was satisfied with her knowledge and its applications. And that was only the visible part of the iceberg.

 

Hadi and her sisters, clad in the dresses of their new positions arrived to the training field. “Princess Miyuki!”

 

The young girl smiled to them. She was agile enough to turn to their direction and maintaining her horse walking. “Ah, Hadi, Ryui and Shalla. Later teach me sword and bow skills.” That was the most important thing. She needed to actualize her fighting skills to the current era and its weapons. “I've heard that you're all good at them.”

 

Hadi shook her head. “What are you talking about? Prince Kail will be back soon and you, as her concubine, are still wearing these rags.” She grabbed the Miko down from the back of Aslan.

 

The Japanese girl was surprised as the three sisters took hold of her. “Huh…Whoa!”

 

Kikkuri rushed to catch the abandoned reins. “Wait! What are you…”

 

Hadi hadn't finished with her mistress. “We've got to make you presentable.” She turned to her sisters. “Ryui and Shalla, prepare the bath immediately.”

 

Miyuki was flabbergasted as her three handmaids took her clothes out when she was still out in the open. “Hey! Give me my clothes!”

 

Kikkuri blushed to the spectacle. Aslan blinked and rolled up his golden eyes. His partner was really weird sometimes.

 

Miyuki was grumbling as Hadi was washing her in the big pool of the bathroom. She was a big girl: She didn't need someone else to wash her up. “Oh dear. You must take better care of your hair and skin. You feel and smell like a rhinoceros.”

 

Ryui was near the pool, holding a dress. “Your gown, milady.”

 

Shalla was kneeling near Hadi and holding some vials. “And fragrant oils.”

 

Under the soap suds, the black-haired girl was pouting. “Is this really necessary, Hadi? I liked the clothes I was wearing!”

 

“Now, now… As your handmaids, it's our duty to take care of you!” She began to scrub some unmentioned parts of the small body.

 

“AAAAH! That tickles!”

 

“And after your bath, I shall rub oil all over you.”

 

Miyuki blinked and blushed. “Rub…all over ME!?”

 

Kail entered at last his palace. “Kikkuri, I'm back.”

 

“Welcome home, Prince Kail!”

 

The Prince sighed to his servant. “We shall settling accounts with the Mitanni soon.”

 

Kikkuri gasped. “It's finally going to start?”

 

Kail nodded. “I have something to tell with you all. Go and look for Ilvani. But, before that, I need a bath.” He threw his toga and sword to Kikkuri.

 

“Eh…?”

 

Kail walked quickly to the rear section of his palace. “The dry weather and having my body covered with sand is really uncomfortable.”

 

Kikkuri tried to stop him. “Lord, the bath room is…”

 

Kail stopped at the curtain of the bathroom as he heard voices coming from it.

 

“Princess Miyuki has smooth skin like a baby.”

 

“But, I'm still bony and breast-less.”

 

The Hittite Prince looked in, pushed by curiosity, and stopped breathless at the scene.

 

Hadi was rubbing oil on the back of Miyuki. “Your breasts will grow soon. Even faster if your master caresses them. Ask Prince Kail to help you with this.” A very naked Miyuki, with her ivory skin which seemed to irradiate because of the oil.

 

The beautiful girl shook her jet-black thick mane of hair, drops of water shone like dozens of pearls at the surface. “Don't say such things so seriously…” Her emerald eyes glowed with an inner light under her embarrassment. A cloud of light incense gave a soft hazy veil to the marvellous sight.

 

A slightly blushing Kail was leaning against a column as he drank the divine vision. “Yes, I might be persuaded to assist you.”

 

Miyuki gasped as her head whirled to the voice. `When did he…'

 

Hadi smiled. “Ah…Prince Kail! Welcome back!”

 

The nude Japanese cringed and reacted as a modern young girl should. “Wah…AAAAAH! Pervert! GET OUT OF HERE!” With uncanny precision, the content of a jug of water hit squarely the Prince in the face.

 

Ryui gasped in dismay as she saw the wet prince retreating from the bathroom. Shalla turned to her princess. “What are you ashamed of?! Haven't you two been sleeping together every night?”

 

Miyuki caught a cloth to dry herself and hide her blush. `I sleep with him sure, but we just SLEEP.' Her hands slowed down as she thought about that. `If I were his real concubine, I could stay with him forever…' She stopped her drying and looked to the curtains. `But I'm not. Maybe that's why I'm so uptight.' Her eyes narrowed. `Damn teenage hormones!' She softly continued. `And damn duty…'

 

In the corridor, the wet Kail was laughing his head off as he remembered the scene. He suddenly stopped as a stray thought entered his mind. No, he didn't like to think about it.

 

Hadi was almost whining as she pursued her princess with a rich dress in her hands. “Princess Miyuki, you are wearing that boy outfit again…”

 

True, Miyuki was back into a clean but still simple white tunic. “I don't care! Anyway, I can't look any better no matter how I dress up. I know that very well myself.” The only concession she had made to her sex and current social status was the jewelleries she wore: earrings, a pectoral, bracelets and rings. A white bow held her hair in a high ponytail. Although, she had remarked early that male and rich Hittites liked to wear such decorations.

 

A servant entered the main hall. “Your highness! His highness Prince Zannanza has returned from Kanesh.”

 

The visage of Kail beamed at the good new. “Zannanza is back!”

 

The young girl blinked, intrigued by the visible joy of the Prince. “Zannanza?”

 

“His highness Zannanza Hattusili, the Emperor's forth Prince.”

 

Miyuki whirled around, startled by the sudden and near voice. “Oh, Ilvani.” `Well, what do you know? I don't consider you as a threat since my sixth sense didn't react.'

 

Ilvani held a small smile. “They're brothers of different mothers, but they played together since childhood. So he's Prince Kail's most trusted brother.”

 

The displaced student raised an eyebrow. “Most trusted brother?” `Shouldn't all brothers trust to each other?'

 

“Right! He is a very important person in Prince Kail's vision of dominion over the orient.”

 

This chilled the blood of the Miko. `Prince Kail wishes for dominion over the Orient…?'

 

“BROTHER!” The young man who entered the palace was visibly the blood brother of Kail: He had the same blond hair and the same amber eyes. “It's been a long time since we last met.” He opened his arms to embrace his sibling.

 

“Zannanza! You're finally back. How are you?” Kail was visibly very fond of his half-brother.

“FINE! By the way brother, where is your goddess of war?”

 

Kail raised an eyebrow. “Eh…?”

 

Zannanza grinned. “I didn't rush all the way back here just to talk of war with hairy men but to look at the beautiful girl whom my brother is obsessed with. Don't hide her, let me have a look at her!”

 

Miyuki blinked and pointed at herself. “Beautiful girl?”

 

Kikkuri frowned. “Beautiful girl?” Zannanza couldn't speak of Princess Miyuki, could he? `Rumours tend to exaggerate as it progresses.'

 

Ilvani sighed softly and rolled up his eyes. “Looks like the rumours got exaggerated again.”

 

Zannanza searched the hall. “Oh oh…” He advised Hadi. “She is truly a beauty!”

 

The ponytailed black-eyed girl shook her head and pointed to her left. “Eh? Wrong? She is the one?” Zannanza blinked as he saw Miyuki garbed in her masculine clothes. “What, she is THAT…” He turned bewildered to Kail. “Ah! Brother, when did you fall for such childlike and boyish…”

 

Hadi looked awkwardly to her fuming princess. “That's why I insisted on you changing your clothes…”

 

“Leave me alone!” `Okay, I know I'm not a beauty, but nonetheless…'

 

The group found itself near the interior pond and was served drinks and foods by Kikkuri. Ilvani was providing background music with a string instrument.

 

Zannanza was laughing about his earlier remark. “Forgive me!” He grinned to his half-brother. “Because she's different from any other pretty lady my brother had earlier…”

 

Kail was feeling uneasy. “Zannanza!”

 

The young man waved away the concerns of his sibling. “I trust my brother's taste.” He lifted his cup of wine in a toast to the young girl. “Falling for Ishtar, it looks like victory is on our side.”

 

Ilvani nodded. “It'll be bad if we lose.”

 

Kikkuri smiled. “This war will spread Prince Kail's fame across the world.” Miyuki jerked at that and turned his bewildered gaze to the brown-haired young man. “Don't worry, there's no better warrior than Prince Kail in the whole world.”

 

Kail looked grimly in his cup. “Negligence is victory's biggest enemy. If we lose this war, the Hittites are doomed.”

 

Miyuki gulped but she needed to know. “Prince Kail, you wish to have dominion over the orient?”

 

Kail gazed to the Japanese teenager and understood why she was asking him this question. “When I sit the throne… I shall rule the Empire with justice.” Miyuki blinked as she perceived the regrets behind the words. “We shall neither invade other lands, nor allow our lands to be invaded. I wish to rule a peaceful Empire.” He sighed and held his hand in front of him. “But peace must be won at the point of a sword. We live in a harsh world.” Visions of gory battles danced in his mind. “If we are weak, our neighbours will destroy us. If one wishes peace, one must fight for it.” He clenched his hand into a fist. “For the sake of a peaceful world, I must gain the dominion.”

 

Zannanza, Kikkuri and Ilvani smiled at the determination of the third Prince. Miyuki said nothing but thought that she was also at the crossroad on that particular subject.

 

Zannanza lifted his cup to his brother. “Let's do it, my brother. We're sure to prevail.”

 

Kail saluted his favourite sibling in return. “Zannanza!”

 

“Even if I'm not as outstanding as you, please count me in.”

 

The emerald eyes gazed upon the young man. `Prince Kail, the more I understands him, the more I feel like he's drifting away from me…' She needed to gather her thoughts and regained her composure. “Looks like we ran out of wine. I'll go and refill it.” She took the jug of wine and practically ran out of the patio.

 

Kail looked worried to the retreating Miko. “Miyuki!”

 

Ilvani intervened. “Until now, I disapproved of you bringing along your concubine, but since the people have acknowledged her…” He continued his cold analyze. “No matter what, before choosing a princess, let her stay beside you, as she might be of use.”

 

Kail frowned. Trust Ilvani to put his finger where it hurt the most. “I'm not bringing Miyuki along just because she's Ishtar! She is not a pawn in the game of thrones, Ilvani!”

 

The Imperial Clerk raised an eyebrow at the departing prince. His outburst had been… surprising.

 

Zannanza shook his head. “Your heart is as cold as ever, Ilvani!” He grinned to the civil servant. “Those ladies brother dated in the past years, he tested them to see if they were suitable to be his princess.” He gazed into his cup of wine. “But, as long as he likes this girl, it's all right, isn't it?”

 

The young Japanese priestess was gazing into another pond and breathing the sweetened air, unshed tears shining under the reflected stars. “Miyuki!”

 

She turned to the gentle voice. “Prince Kail!”

 

“Miyuki! I can have a palace of your own built for you!” It was a risk to let her go but he respected her too much to keep her near him against her will. “I'll dispatch several strong guards to protect you. Do you want to separate from me?”

 

Miyuki's eyes widened at the Prince's words.

 

Kail gulped. He was committed. “What do you think if we stayed separated?”

 

The teenager frowned. `Eh… The Prince by right still has to choose a princess.' “If this is what the Prince wants…”

 

Kail closed his eyes. What he wanted? “If you continue to stay by my side, you'll get involved with the wars in this world.” The young man continued to pour out his soul. “You don't belong to me…” His hands clenched as if he wanted to grab and retain sand. “Except that you've been entangled in this plot and, I might have taken advantage of you.”

 

The Japanese girl looked with widened emerald eyes. He didn't want her out of his life because he might choose a wife in the future? No, he had the same reservation as her about the power she now held. “I… Was I of any help to you?”

 

“Eh…Really helpful!” Kail shook his head. “But, it's not because of that, that I rescued you from Queen Nakia's hands!”

 

Tears shone anew in her eyes as she beheld the noble young man. “If these are the circumstances… Allow me to stay by your side…” She had taken her decision.

 

Kail blinked to the young girl. “Miyuki…!”

 

She nodded to herself. `I can't fall in love with Prince Kail, he doesn't belong to me.' “As long as I'm not an obstacle to you…” Her magnetic gaze plunged into the amber eyes. “Let me stay beside you!”

 

He looked again for something into the jewelled gaze and gently reached with his hand. Miyuki felt a little startled as the warm arm circled around her head. Kail leaned to her visage, her warm breath caressing her skin. She gazed a moment the handsome Prince. `Because of my duties…I knew very well from the beginning that I couldn't be at his side forever. However I still wanted to stay beside this man as long as I can.' She closed her tearing eyes and opened slightly her mouth. They kissed deeply under the stars. `I WANT TO HELP THIS MAN!'

 

Visible under the starlight and yet invisible to all, a tall and powerful feminine silhouette gazed upon the couple from the garden. “Perfect! Already one test accomplished.”

 

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