Red River Fan Fiction ❯ A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE ❯ V4 C2 The Battle of Kizzuwadna ( Chapter 15 )

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 4 Chap 2: The Battle of Kizzuwadna.

 

 

On this day, the Hittites met the Mitanni in battle in the small kingdom of Kizzuwadna on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Miyuki Kanzaki, Miko and time-displaced Japanese prepared herself to go on the battlefield. She turned to her head-handmaid, the eldest of the Hatti sisters. “Hadi… Get me a horse and a sword.” She was ready. Her strength had returned and she had trained hard for such a situation. “I won't be a burden to Prince Kail in this battle!”

 

Ryui held a slender sword to her Princess. “Here they are. Your horse Aslan is being prepared by Shalla and awaits you in the courtyard. My father re-forged the iron sword for you.” Miyuki smiled. This particular sword was made of the iron dagger she used to avenge Tito by killing Zuwa, his murderer. Ryui was also holding a simple bow-design made of dark wood and a dark leather quiver full of white-feathered arrows. The bow was unique in this era: It was a Japanese-style longbow made especially for her per her instructions. All the countries of the era used short-bows only.

 

Hadi presented a piece of garment to the long black-haired girl. “And please wear this, princess Miyuki.”

 

The teenager blinked as she advised the cloth. “A mantle? But I'm not cold. I'll just get tangled by it.” She rapidly bound her thick mane of hair into a high ponytail.

 

The long honey-haired daughter of Talos winced. “It's for…your chest…”

 

Miyuki blinked again. “What?” She then remarked that her ivory skin still showed the marks of her near-rape. `I forgot that Zannanza gave me hickeys.' Her skin was easily bruised and marked. `I hope Prince Kail didn't see them yet. I still need to explain him what truly happened.'

 

During this opening battle between the Hittite Empire and the Mitanni Kingdom, 300 chariots and 2,500 Hittite infantry are led by the empire's Third and Fourth Princes, Kail Mursili and Zannanza Hattusili. They are opposed by the 500 chariots and 5,000 infantry of the Mitanni troops are led by Crown Prince Mattiwaza, the Bloody Prince of Darkness. No one expected that these three princes would face each other so early in the war.

 

Kail was discussing war plans with his officers as the troops readied themselves for the upcoming battle. Prince Zannanza entered the hall and knelt before his half-brother. “Brother!” Zannanza felt ashamed of his past comportment, even if it was due to the enchanted Rose Water of Queen Nakia. “Forgive me for kidnapping Miyuki. I was…”

 

Kail stopped his brother. “Let's not discuss it now.” None of them were ready to speak about that now. “Zannanza, you will command the left wing. Try to get round to attack Mattiwaza from behind.”

 

Zannanza sighed internally and quickly exited with his orders. “Yes, my Prince.”

 

Miyuki frowned. She didn't like the present interaction between the two brothers, especially compared to their recent complicity and sibling love. But what could she do when she was the direct cause of the friction. She approached the third Prince. “Prince Kail?”

 

Kail looked neutrally to the young girl then turned away. “Miyuki, you stay inside the fort with Hadi and her sisters.”

 

The Miko was stricken. He didn't want to look at her? Beside, considering the situation, the Prince needed her at his side, if only to bolster the morale of the soldiers. “I don't want to hide in here! Take me with you!”

 

Kail still didn't look to the Japanese. “Ishtar should remain in the temple.”

 

“But I…”

 

This time, Kail turned to her. “DO AS I SAY!” He began to walk away. “Kikkuri, come.”

 

Miyuki was dismayed by his attitude. `He is angry! He must have seen the love bites.' She bit her lower lip. `He's listening to his heart, not his head. Not good!' She snorted at herself. `Because you think you're better than him?' The anger of the Prince had struck her deeply and left her in shambles.

 

True, Kail was thinking of what might have happened. `What happened between Miyuki and Zannanza?' He bit his lower lip. `It took all I had not to ask that question. But Miyuki is not my woman.' He still remembered the foreign name on her lips when he had wanted to make love to her. `She told me she loves someone from her home. I have no right to interrogate her.'

 

Kail rejoined his war chariot with Kikkuri and signalled his troops. The matters of the heart would have to wait. It was time for war now. “Right wing! Follow me!”

 

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Bronze swords clashed against bronze swords. Horses neighed as they passed each other. Their drivers on the chariot battled with their counterparts. Dust was projected in the air under their wheels. Armed with shield and sword, soldiers fought against soldiers. Only their uniforms differenced them as the call of the battle was answered. Bodies littered the ground, many already dead, some moaning as their lifeblood spilled, others agonizing and praying to their gods. Organized in two ranks, an archer company dealt with another enemy one. Arrows rained like drops of water under the implacable sun.

 

At the Mitanni camp, Crown Prince Mattiwaza was waiting for the report of his officers. “How do we fare?”

 

The kneeling Mitanni wasn't optimist. “We are at an impasse!” That was something he didn't understand. “We outnumber them, but we cannot break their ranks. It is very strange!”

 

Mattiwaza snorted and smiled as he observed the battle. “Humph…This is what an able commander with a small number of good soldiers can do.”

 

The officer blinked. Did his prince compliment the enemy? “My Prince?”

 

Mattiwaza pointed his arm. “Look. Though divided, the Hittite wings move with discipline and unity. They must have two skilled generals.” He considered one specific part of the battlefield. “The one commanding the right flank is especially good.”

 

The Mitanni officer frowned. “As it is, both sides will be annihilated. What shall we do?”

 

Mattiwaza thought about the situation. He frowned when he remarked the flags displayed on the battleground. He could see his colours and those of the Hittites but… “What of Kizzuwadna's soldiers?”

 

“They make no move.”

 

The black eyes narrowed. “Humph, typical of that opportunistic coward king Sunash.” He smirked. “It's time to pay him a visit. We will get him to join us.” The smirk turned to a dark chuckle. “Then we will turn the sea red with Hittite blood.”

 

In the middle of the battlefield, Kail continued to lead his troops with mastery. He had a promise to hold. “Infantrymen, guard the city streets! You are not to harass the citizens! Protect the women and children!” Kikkuri smiled as he listened to his master. Even if there was currently tension between Kail and Miyuki, the third Prince continued to listen to her.

 

A Hittite soldier entered a house with sword drawn. A group of women and children huddled inside screamed at his apparition. “AAAH! Please don't kill us!”

 

But killing wasn't in the intention of the soldier. “Hush. Call the others here. We're taking you out of harm's way.”

 

The woman blinked. “What?”

 

“We're not going to harm you.” The Hittite actually smiled to the bewildered women. “Our Ishtar doesn't like to see women and children mistreated.”

 

Elsewhere, a Mitanni officer brandished a torch with his men. “Burn the houses!” He directed them to the residential block. “Smoke out the Hittites!”

 

The townsfolk were dismayed. “Mitanni soldiers! Please don't burn our property! We work hard for it!”

 

The man snorted. They were at war. “Out of my way or I'll beat you to death!”

 

There was a hiss in the air as a dark arrow with white feathers was fired. The torch of the officer was torn off his hand and nailed on a wall nearby. Two other but more standard Hittite arrows hit the arms of other torch-wielders.

 

The officer could only gaze on the strange but powerful arrow. “What's this?!”

 

His men were more preoccupied with the location of the archers. “Where are they?”

 

Emerald eyes glowing with righteous fury, Miyuki was camped on a nearby roof. “I won't let you burn this city!” The young girl put her longbow on her back and drew her sword. Around her was Ryui and Shalla armed with bows. Hadi was providing close support if need be. “Hadi, Ryui, Shalla… Let's get them!”

 

The Hatti sisters exulted as the call of battle sounded in their blood. “Right!”

 

Miyuki jumped on the back of Aslan and lead the charge. They plunged into the beleaguered Mitanni. Their iron weapons clashed with inferior bronze ones. The Mitanni could have use soft wooden weapons for all the resistance they put.

 

“HIYA!” Miyuki rushed in with Aslan and aimed in a large sweep for the weapons, her slender sword cutting through the metal like a scythe on wheat. Hadi and the twins followed their princess and mowed down the dismayed and disarmed soldiers. Their battle-cries echoed in the streets of Kizzuwadna.

 

The population cheered on, surprised by how effective the group of four girls were. The fact that they were all women was also duly noted.

 

“How strong they are!”

 

“Are those women also Hittite soldiers?!”

 

“I've never seen women warriors before!”

 

One matronly woman remarked who was on the back of the powerful black stallion. “Oh, that girl is…” She ran to her to make sure she wasn't dreaming. “Little girl! You've come back!”

 

Miyuki pulled back the reins and stopped Aslan. She recognized the matron. “Oh! I'm so glad you're all right!”

 

The matron shook her head. “Girl…I thought you went back to your man.”

 

The Japanese priestess smiled. “I did, he's with me.” She pointed the battlefield. “That's him over there in the chariot drawn by gold-manned horses.”

 

The older woman blinked as she looked to the blond and dashing young man. “Oh! He's very handsome! He must be an important man, eh?”

 

The young girl nodded, her emerald gaze locked on the third Prince. “He is. I told you the Hittite soldiers wouldn't hurt you, didn't I? He won't let them.” A soft smile blossomed on the lips of the young girl. `Nothing happened between Prince Zannanza and me. I love only you, Prince Kail.' She sighed. `I wish I could tell him that but I can't.' The fire of determination burst in her green eyes. `No matter how much I want to stay with him, I have to go on being the avatar of Ishtar until I can come back home.'

 

Her eyes narrowed. She must continue, she was needed…No, he needed her presence. She turned to her handmaids/bodyguards. “Hadi…Please take care of these women for me, okay?”

 

“Young lady…” The matron reached the shoulder of Hadi. She needed to know who the little girl she helped was. “Who is that girl?”

 

“She is Princess Miyuki, concubine of Prince Kail Mursili. She is Ishtar of the Hittites.” She shrugged off the hand, her Princess had given her an order and she must guide those women to safety. “Now let go of me.”

 

The townspeople looked bewildered to the silhouette on the back of the black horse.

 

“She is his highness's concubine and Ishtar of the Hittites.”

 

“That whisper of a girl.”

 

As she rode to another fight, Miyuki thought about why she was doing this. `I want to be at Prince Kail's side, and do whatever I can for him.' She drew her dark longbow and unleashed another arrow: A Hittite soldier in difficulty blinked as the throat of his adversary was suddenly pierced. He had been sure there was no allied archer in range to cover him. `If it helps, I will play the role of Ishtar with all my might.'

 

Enemies' arrows suddenly bracketed her position. She leaned on the neck of Aslan and augmented her speed. Her eyes narrowed as she remarked a company of Mitanni archers. Still galloping she drew a bead and fired. The bowmen suddenly found themselves under the fire of a very skilled archer with a superior mobility and superior range. They broke ranks as casualties and fatalities augmented.

 

“MIYUKI! LOOK OUT!” She was suddenly caught from behind and pulled down her horse as arrows hissed where her head should have been.

 

She found herself on the ground, safely in the arms of the man who had saved her. “Oh!”

 

Kail was livid. “You little fool! I told you to stay in the fort! Go back before another arrow finds you!”

 

She gazed into angry amber eyes. “Prince Kail!” She gulped. “I'm sorry…I wanted to help you.”

 

Kail got up and turned away. “I don't want your help!”

 

“I'm sorry!” This time, the attitude of Kail was really freaking her. “Don't be angry with me. Please don't be angry with me anymore!” She was dismayed and hurt. She really wanted to help him and felt helpless before him and his anger.

 

Kail blinked. He could saw that the young girl was distressed by his attitude. “I'm not…angry with you.” He tried to reassure her. “I'm sorry I shouted. I'm agitated from fighting.”

 

He grabbed her arm and helped her on her feet, but he still couldn't look into her hurting emerald eyes. “You've done well as our Ishtar…better than I could have imagined.” If he looked into those mysterious green pools, his resolve will weaken. “But you've done enough.”

 

She grasped his hand. “Command me! I'll do anything for you!” She must reach him! She must break through this shell of indifference.

 

Kail shuddered. The pleading tone of the young girl raked his heart. `I don't want her on the battlefield. I'd like to keep her locked away safe within my palace.' That was the problem with the actual situation. `I'd like to hide her there where no other man could ever lay eyes on her.' He closed his eyes, trying to control his emotions. `And have her all to myself.'

 

Not listening to his mind, his hand gently grabbed the teenager by her neck and pulled her next to his head. “Prince…” Two mouths drew closer and closer, ragged breaths already mixing under the hammering of their hearts.

 

“YOUR HIGHNESS!” They froze, startled by the voice. Accompanied by the Hatti sisters, Kikkuri ran to the couple. “Prince Kail! The king of Kizzuwadna has sided with Mitanni.”

 

Kail and Miyuki turned simultaneously to the servant. “What?”

 

The Miko swore internally. “Why? I thought Kizzuwadna was our ally!”

 

Kikkuri tightened his fist. “King Sunash has betrayed us.”

 

Shalla was dismayed. “With Kizzuwadna's 2,000 men, the Mitanni can sweep even Prince Kail from the field!”

 

Hadi didn't like what her sister was saying. “Shalla!”

 

Miyuki punched her thigh in frustration. `DAMN IT!' She turned to the frowning third Prince. `Prince Kail… They must be a solution! There's always a solution! Think genius! What Komera would do in such a situation?'

 

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At the Royal palace of Kizzuwadna, the king was shaking as a bloodied sword was held under his nose.

 

“King Sunash…” Mattiwaza actually smiled. “You've made a wise choice.” The Mitanni Prince turned to the bodies of the concubines and young children of the king. “But if you had joined me immediately, this unpleasantness could have been avoided. Ah, well, you'll have other concubines and children.” He shrugged. “But you may live only if you vow to remain loyal to us after we conquer Anatolia.”

 

Hittite soldiers came to Kail with grim reports. “Prince Kail! The first and second chariots units of the right flank are falling back! They're hopelessly outnumbered.”

 

Another pointed to a tired silhouette arriving. “Prince Zannanza has returned.”

 

The fourth Prince wasn't in good shape. “Brother…Forgive me, the left wing forces couldn't hold.”

 

Kail winced and pondered on the dire situation. `If Kizzuwadna falls, the southern part of our empire will lie open to attack. The Mitanni will pour across the border and ravage our lands. What should I do?'

 

Zannanza perceived the hesitation of his sibling. “Brother, our forces will soon be totally annihilated!”

 

Kail bit his lower lip. He knew that! But he didn't see a solution to get out of this hornet's nest.

 

Miyuki snapped her fingers as her emerald eyes widened under a sudden intuition. “That's it!” Everyone was startled and turned to her. “If we stay here, we'll be slaughtered. We need to regroup.” She plunged her intense green gaze into surprised amber eyes. “If we maintained a sufficient force in the area, the Mitanni wouldn't take the risk to move recklessly and quickly since we could isolate and destroy their forces one piece a time.”

 

Zannanza blinked and frowned. “Hum…Might work… And we could still retake Kizzuwadna later.”

 

Kail slowly nodded. “It's the only tactic under the circumstances until we received reinforcement”

 

Suddenly, Kikkuri pointed his finger. “Your highness! The Mitanni are advancing!”

 

Miyuki smiled grimly. “Perfect! They're using the main street to facilitate their advance.”

 

Kail turned bewildered to her. “What do you mean, “perfect”? There are too many of them! We can't regroup with them on our heels”

 

The Miko shook her head. “Don't worry about that. I will provide cover while you regroup as much possible of our remaining forces.”

 

Zannanza raised an eyebrow. “You will cover us? How?”

 

The Japanese teenager grinned as she unlimbered her longbow. “Not alone, of course. And not in melee range. I'm not suicidal.” She then turned to the nearby soldiers. “ALL ARCHERS REGROUP TO ME!”

 

Kail, the Hatti sisters and Zannanza could only observe the young girl ordering their troops around her.

 

“NOW, FOLLOW ME! ON THE DOUBLE!” Miyuki, the Hatti sisters and two complete companies of archers rushed to a building on a hill above the main street and the advancing Mitanni infantry.

 

Kail shook his head, mystified. “I see what she wants to do.” He paused as he pondered more. `We have no choice but to retreat for now and trust in Miyuki.' He turned to his officers. “All forces retreat and regroup behind that hill!”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

As Kail and Zannanza began to rally their exhausted troops, Miyuki positioned her archers. She had an almost perfect lane to stall as long as she could the Mitanni flood. If the soldiers dispersed in the adjacent streets, they will lose their fighting edge in numbers.

 

The archers felt galvanized as their Ishtar was with them. Miyuki slowly drew a bead on the advancing threat. “Not yet…Not yet…Hold your fire…Let them come closer…closer… NOW!”

 

An almost literal rain of arrows plunged into the Mitanni. Their advance was broken since they were sitting ducks in the large street. They immediately tried to take cover under the threat. Their officers yelled to continue the advance and closed to melee range where the archers would be mincemeat. It was then that the formidable potential of the longbow was revealed.

 

Miyuki was letting her archers fired at their rhythm: They knew it better than her. She was calmly targeting anyone who was showing authority or holding a flag. Her Zen archery and Kyudo skills were doing ravages. The Mitanni were almost panicking as the deadly dark arrows found their commanding and regrouping elements. Even shields were insufficient against those deadly shots.

 

Of course, the Japanese knew that it couldn't last. Sooner or later, her group will be forced to retreat with the others. Her only regret was that she hadn't been able to hold her promise to help the people of Kizzuwadna. And then another miracle happened.

 

Urns of liquid were suddenly poured from the roof on the covering soldiers.

 

“AAGGH! BOILING WATER!” The Mitanni were caught between death under a rain of arrows and be used as ingredients for soup.

 

They looked up, bewildered, just in time to receive… “BRICKS!?”

 

The citizens of the city had taken arms to defend their homes. “We know our city better than you dogs do!”

 

A rain of heteroclite objects fell on the Mitanni. “Take that!”

 

Kail stopped the gathering of his soldiers as he witnessed the prodigy. On the roof, Miyuki blinked and gasped as she recognized who was helping them. “It's the people of Kizzuwadna!”

 

Animated by righteous fury and backed by their newly discovered faith in a small black-haired and green-eyed girl, the townsfolk attacked the invaders with agricultural tools, clubs, rocks and sheer courage.

 

“We've always lived in the shadow of foreign rulers!”

 

“If an outsider must rule us…We prefer the Hittite's Ishtar to the Bloody Prince of Darkness!”

 

“Our king may have sided with the Mitanni, but we'll stand with the Hittites.”

 

An intense emotion squeezed the throat of the time-displaced Japanese. Her emerald eyes shone with unshed tears. She turned to her archers. “All right! We'll cover them! Mind your shots, there are women and children!” `I can't believe it! It's truly a miracle!' She grinned fiercely as she was finally able to hold her promise. More than a soldier trying to strike back at the population found himself with a dark arrow with white feathers imbedded in his flesh.

 

An alarmed officer rushed to Mattiwaza who was drinking a cup of wine. “Prince of Darkness! The rabble is attacking our forces!”

 

“What?”

 

“The people of Kizzuwadna are attacking us throughout the city!”

 

This time, Mattiwaza was flabbergasted. “How can this be? Those terror-stricken worms have taken up arms against us?”

 

“Yes, and their battle-cry is “Ishtar”.”

 

Mattiwaza frowned. “Ishtar?” He then considered the new situation. “Humph. We can't win a battle with the entire populace in the city streets.” He pressed thinly his lips. “Withdraw! We'll regroup and plan our next move.” He nonetheless wondered who was responsible of this defeat. “Did you learn who the Hittite commander is?”

 

“Yes, my Prince. The prisoners say he is Prince Kail Mursili.”

 

The black eyes narrowed. “Kail Mursili…I shall remember that name.”

 

Under the incredulous gaze of the population, the miracle continued. “Look! The Mitanni are fleeing!”

 

“We did it! Run, you bastards! And don't come back!”

 

Miyuki sighed in relief. `We won. The Hittites won.' She smiled. `Prince Kail won!'

 

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After the battle, Kail and Miyuki found themselves on the top of the main temple of the city.

 

The King Sunash was kowtowing before the third Prince. “Prince Kail…I beg your forgiveness!” The poor man feared with just reason for his life. “Please forgive me! I was forced to help the Mitanni! My remorse overcomes me! Please spare my life!”

 

Kail gazed down on the man responsible for the death of so many of his soldiers. “King Sunash…My father will decide your fate. Until then your son will rule and you will be confined to your palace.”

 

“Yes, your highness.”

 

The almost entire population of the city was around the temple, acclaiming the one they deemed responsible of their victory.

 

“HAIL ISHTAR! BLESS US!”

 

“BLESS US, ISHTAR!”

 

Kail actually sweated. “The people have embraced you as the avatar of Ishtar far beyond our expectations. It's bigger than us now.”

 

Miyuki nodded. She felt really uneasy. There was power here: The power of Faith. A power directed to the powerful Goddess of War and Love…through her. She turned for guidance to Kail as she felt a little like a fish out of the water. “Prince Kail…”

 

“Miyuki…Give them your blessing.”

 

The Miko winced. She was more and more implied with the Hittite pantheon. “…All right… How do I do that?”

 

Kail walked to her and leaned to her head. The young girl blushed. “Prince Ka…” The young man softly put his lips on hers. Her eyes widened and she shuddered. `Cold lips…' She could only gape to the Prince who had closed his eyes and turned away from her.

 

The third Prince of the Hittites put his hand to his lips and extended in salutation his arms to the population. “Ishtar blesses Kizzuwadna!”

 

`There was no feeling in that kiss.' As the name of Ishtar resounded in the entire city, she was glad that she wasn't near the people. `I can feel the people's excitement. I feel the warmth of the sun and the earth… I can feel the Power…' Her invisible aura seemed to intensify as the spiritual energy of a whole city surged through her. `But his kiss was cold.' She had difficulty to swallow. `What can I do?' She closed her eyes as tears fell. `I love Prince Kail so much it hurts.' Her heart seemed to break. `What can I do about this feeling?'

 

Undetected, somewhere in the crowd, a tall woman basked in the glory of this day. She smiled to the stricken girl. “Patience, my daughter. Patience.”

 

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