Red River Fan Fiction ❯ A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE ❯ Vol 5 Chap 1 A revised Trojan Horse ( Chapter 18 )

A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE

OR

WHERE THE RED FIRE AND RED RIVER MEET

 

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Miyuki Kanzaki.

 

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Vol5 Chap 1:A revised Trojan Horse.

 

The story thus far:

 

The main characters:

 

Miyuki Kanzaki: long black hair and emerald eyes. A Japanese schoolgirl and Miko magically transported to the ancient Hittite Empire.

 

Prince Kail Mursili: blond hair and amber eyes. A Hittite royal prince and high-priest.

 

Queen Nakia: long blond hair and violet eyes. An evil priestess who will stop at nothing to ensure her son's succession to the throne.

 

What happened before:

 

Miyuki is a junior high school student which doubles as the priestess among a group of super-powered teenagers vowed to protect the Nexus: A highly powerful inter-dimensional gateway.

One day, she gets sucked into a puddle of water.

She emerges in the ancient Hittite Empire, carried through space and time by the evil Queen Nakia, who wants to offer Miyuki as a sacrifice.

Although powerless because she is cut off from the Japanese pantheon as a Miko, she is rescued by the handsome Prince Kail who takes her as his concubine.

 

Miyuki's wish is to go home to present-day Japan, but for that to happen three conditions must be met: She must enlist the help of a priest; the city's seven spring must fill with water; and Miyuki must wear the clothes she had on when she arrived.

In order to get her clothes back, Miyuki steals into the Queen's palace and as a result, Kail's young servant, Tito, is killed. When the opportunity finally arrives for Miyuki to go home, she swears a blood oath to stay until she has avenged Tito.

 

To shield Miyuki from suspicion, Kail announces that she is the avatar of the goddess Ishtar, and the people soon come to adore her.

Unfortunately, it has the side-effect to draw the attention of the Hittite pantheon to the time-displaced Japanese priestess.

Kail's dream is to rule an empire of justice with the help of his brother, Prince Zannanza.

The secret of iron, in the hands of Miyuki, could also help him.

Now the Mitanni have declared war on the Hittites, and Kail's father, vowing to crush the enemy once and for all, appoints Kail to lead his armies.

Meanwhile, Miyuki, newly anointed as a priestess of Ishtar, discovers that Queen Nakia is trying to get her hands on the fabled mind-control talisman, the Dragon's eye.

But Kail and Miyuki hope to beat her to it.

 

Kail's first objective is the city-state Malatia, which the Mitanni have taken as their forward base.

Kail declares he will conquer Malatia in five days and enters the city as a guest of the Hakim.

 

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In the reception hall of the palace of Malatia, the Hakim of the fortress city and the disguised Mitanni general Dana were sitting in front of Prince Kail Mursili, third Prince of the Hittites. Twenty guards flanked the aisles. Kail had only Ilvani, his foster-brother, his most trusted servant Kikkuri, the three Hatti sisters and, of course, his concubine Miyuki.

 

The prince was munching on the food and drinks presented to him by the lovelies Hadi, Ryui and Shalla who were sitting on cushions at his feet. “I was appalled when my father declared he would launch this operation.” Kail continued to caress the young Japanese dressed like a courtesan on his lap. The white translucent dress and the jewelleries had transformed the teenager into an exotic beauty. “I'd be most grateful if I could stay here until his head cools, Hakim.”

 

The bearded man hid his uneasiness behind a false smile. Malatia was now a Mitanni stronghold and Kail was still at the head of an army nearby. “Yes, but… Will your army, which waits outside the city, be staying, too?”

 

The blond man nodded. “Yes.” He smiled. “But they're fine where they are. You needn't make room for them on the palace floor.”

 

The false smile of the Hakim became more real. “As you wish…” Two emerald eyes were darting stealthily across the room, noting everything. “Stay with us as long as you like, your highness.” The hooded gaze of the Miko lingered an instant on the guards.

 

`There are too many guards for a simple visit here.' Miyuki had seen the real Malatia soldiers at the entry gate and the way those men were holding themselves was different. `They're dressed like the soldiers of Malatia, but I'm sure they're Mitanni.'

 

The amber-eyed young man accepted a grape of raisins from Hadi. “Thank you.”

 

The Japanese was worried. `If they decide to kill us, we're in big trouble.' She was armed, although no one could have found her weapon without stripping her completely, but she didn't think it would be sufficient. `For now, the plan is functioning.' She felt the warm hand of the Prince gently guiding her face.

 

“War is such onerous business.” Kail leaned into her. “I'll let my brothers handle it. I prefer to relax here.” With surprise, she felt the prince gently coaxing her mouth open and…

 

`What's he doing?' She felt Kail feeding her, mouth to mouth, with a few raisins. `Oh, gods! Prince Kail! Stop doing this to me!' The gesture was so…intimate. The whole hall sweated as they witnessed the exchange.

 

Dana coughed and gathered back his wits. “Your pardon, Prince Kail. I wish to congratulate you on your brilliant victory at Kizzuwadna.”

 

“Oh, that was the work of my younger brother.” As Miyuki ate her treat, Kail took a few sips of wine. “My mother took him in, so he gives me credit for half his victories, the little dear.” He recaptured the chin the young priestess. “He's probably off achieving another stunning conquest right now. This is a trading city, no? I can hardly wait to visit your bazaars!” He kissed again and Miyuki closed her eyes as his tongue and wine entered her mouth. Her heart was hammering. The fact that they were doing this in front of an assembly was also strangely affecting her. “And Milady will ensure that I don't get bored at night.” Kail licked the few drops of wine that she had around her lips.

 

Kail smiled and gently caressed the nape of her neck. “See? A sweet wine, eh?”

 

The young girl gulped her wine and blushed as she couldn't help but feeling…aroused. `Yech…was that a good year for tongue?! Damn teenage hormones!'

 

The Hakim hid his irritation under politeness. “Your concubine, Prince Kail?”

 

“Yes. Cute, isn't she?” He beamed. “She's been with me for three months now.” He made the reddened girl standing up. “Give us a twirl, my dear.”

 

Miyuki felt like she was a lolita fashion model exposed to ogling old men as Kail made her twirling to show her…assets. “Oh.”

 

The Hakim recognized that the young girl was very easy on the eyes, especially with her ivory skin flushed. “She is very exotic and so charmingly innocent.”

 

“Oh, no. She's quite experienced.” Kail recaptured the Miko in his arms and kissed her earlobe. “Especially in bed, eh?”

 

The sensitive kiss and the comment achieved to wreck completely the reserve of the young girl. Her blush became a full-body one. “Eek.”

 

Kail blinked. “What? You're sleepy? Very well.” He lightly caressed her breasts and tender belly under his toga. “You must be tired from the long journey.”

 

Miyuki's clouded mind had absolutely no idea on what to do. She whispered completely embarrassed. “Yes! That it! Get me away from them!” `Oh, no… It didn't come out as I meant…!'

 

Ilvani approached the sweating Hakim who was bewildered by the comportment of the third Prince with his concubine. “Great Hakim.” He whispered to his ear. “It seems his highness wishes to be alone with his concubine.”

 

The bearded man reddened. “Oh, yes. I'll take my leave.” He then bowed to Kail. “Prince Kail Mursili…sleep well.”

 

“Oh, I shall, Hakim.” He swept the still blushing Miyuki in his arms. “Goodnight to you.”

 

“Excuse me, sir.” Dana approached Ilvani and Kikkuri. “I've heard that Prince Kail Mursili's concubine is…” He hesitated as he remembered the… very young eye-candy on the lap of the Hittite Prince. “…Ishtar, the goddess of war.”

 

The Imperial clerk sighed. “Oh, that rumour…” He sweated, embarrassed. “The Prince invented that tale to quiet the soldiers who didn't want a woman riding into battle with them.”

 

The Hakim nodded gravely. “I see. Your job must be most…demanding.”

 

“Quite.” Ilvani leaned to the two men and whispered. “But, please…let's keep that between us.”

 

Dana acquiesced. “But of course.”

 

The Hakim sighed in disappointment as he and Dana exited the quarters of the Prince. “It seems the Prince of Darkness needn't worry about Prince Kail.”

 

Dana shrugged. He had been also disappointed by the fop he met instead of the lion he had anticipated. “No. But I must inform him of this, nonetheless. I'll send a rider immediately.”

 

“As you wish. The Prince of Darkness will surely have Kail's head when he returns.” The Hakim yawned as the night was rather advanced. “We'll allow him to spend his last days enjoying himself.”

 

Dana said nothing. He couldn't shake a lingering feeling of…uneasiness.

 

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Kail smiled as he observed the movements of the soldiers outside. “Look. They've reduced the guards by half.” He chuckled. “My performance was convincing, eh?”

 

Curiously, EVERYONE had the same thought. `It was an act?' They weren't very convinced.

 

`Phew…I'm exhausted.' Miyuki was trying to recompose herself. The mix of stress about their plan and the emotional roller-coaster that Kail produced in her had taxed her endurance. `That was worse than riding Aslan on the battlefield.' She took a cleansing breath and looked up to Kail. “Prince Kail, now will you tell them how you plan to conquer Malatia?”

 

The young man smiled to the young girl. “As you already know, half of my plan has been executed.”

 

The Hatti sisters blinked and turned to their Princess. “What? Did you guess the plan of Prince Kail, Princess Miyuki?”

 

The Japanese nodded. “It's a variation of the `Trojan Horse'.”

 

Ilvani's eyes widened. How can this young foreigner know about this war between Troy and the Greeks? Very few Hittites texts referred to it, even in a roundabout way. (Some Hittites clay tablets spoke of a historical city that had been destroyed in the time period modern historians had narrowed for the Trojan War, between 1334 BC and 1135 BC.)

 

The three soldiers accompanying the group listened with awe as their Prince exposed his plan. “Miyuki is right. The most difficult part of seizing a city is getting inside. And we've just accomplished that.” He smirked. “And without building a giant wood horse.”

 

The Miko looked to the small number of persons. “What is worrying me is our small numbers. Odysseus had a full squad of soldiers. We can't fight a whole city with so few!”

 

Kail continued to smile. It was true that the Greek hero managed to open the city gates by shedding blood but… “I have no intention of fighting. Malatia will be taken without bloodshed.”

 

Miyuki raised an eyebrow. “Without bloodshed?”

 

Hadi shared the scepticism of her Princess. “He means to take the city without killing anyone?”

 

“Yes. We shall open the western and eastern gates and let in the Hittite army.” Kail could perfectly picture his army storming the city gates. “But before that, we shall set fire to Malatia's armouries. We'll deprive Mitanni of a stronghold and avoid full-scale battle.” He began to count on his fingers. “One day to learn where the guards are deployed… One day for our troops to take control of the city… Two days to prepare for the Prince of Darkness's inevitable attack…” The group listened with rapt attention. “And one more day just in case. That's five days in all. Thus, we take the city quickly without wasting resources or lives.” He closed his hand into a fist.

 

Widened emerald eyes gazed into amber eyes. “Without bloodshed… Can we really do it?” The young girl was all for this plan. Although she had already killed, she hated it. No bloodshed was very good to her.

 

“We are going to do it.” He smirked. “The Prince of Darkness's absence makes this possible. If he was here to defend the city, it wouldn't work.”

 

Miyuki snapped her fingers. “That's why you asked Prince Zannanza to lure the Prince of Darkness away from here.”

 

“Exactly.” He turned to the group. “All right, we've no time to lose.” First thing first, they need some specific information. “Find me the deployment map.”

 

Kikkuri and Hadi nodded. “Yes, your highness!”

 

Ryui and Shalla followed Kikkuri. “Deployment map? Does such a thing exist?”

 

The most trusted servant of Kail nodded. “All fortified cities have one. We'll go to the city hall and look for it.”

 

“There's something else we should look for it.” Miyuki raised her hand to stop the group. “The Dragon's eye!” She turned to Ilvani and Kail. “It should be here in Malatia, right?”

 

Kail blinked. He had forgotten about this. “Miyuki?”

 

Ilvani was impressed that the young girl had the presence of mind to remember this particular threat. “The Dragon's eye. That fabled talisman said to hold the secret of controlling people's minds. Yes, we must find it before the Queen or the Prince of Darkness do!”

 

Her eyes narrowed. “What does the Dragon's eye look like?”

 

Ilvani shook his head. “I don't know. No one has seen it. But some say it's a real dragon's eye from ancient times. Others say it's just a scarlet stone.” He shrugged. “It is said to be sealed in a box of gold-inlaid ivory that fits in the hands.”

 

The Miko frowned. “A box of gold-inlaid ivory…” It was hauntingly familiar to the young girl. She was almost sure she knew about the Dragon's eye in the 20th Century. But where and what?

 

Kikkuri and Ilvani bowed. “I'll investigate when I search for the map tonight. You two rest well. Goodnight.”

 

Kail sat on the bed and removed his toga. “Very well. Please be careful, everyone.”

 

Miyuki took suddenly conscience of her situation: She was going to be…alone…with Prince Kail…in a bedroom! “Hah…” Blushing, she rushed to find an idea. “I'll go with you!”

 

Kikkuri blinked. “Princess Miyuki, you should rest.”

 

Hadi was perplexed by the actions of her mistress. “Yes, it's too dangerous.”

 

“But wait…” She brought out the dagger she had hidden on her person. Even Hadi didn't understand how the hell she could hide something like that with the skimpy and revealing outfit she had. “You're shorthanded! The more of us, the better. Let's go!”

 

Kail said nothing but frowned as he observed his concubine rapidly changing into a tunic.

 

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Stealthily, the group of the Hatti sisters, Kikkuri and Miyuki progressed in the halls of the palace of Malatia, their darkened clothes helping them to bypass the guards.

 

“Princess Miyuki…” Hadi whispered to her charge. “You should really have stayed with Prince Kail.”

 

The young girl sighed guiltily. “I know…” `But staying with him is a problem.' She nibbled her lower lip. `I'm finding it suffocating to sleep with Prince Kail lately.' She remembered vividly what she felt when Kail held her in his arms. `I know what it means to be someone's concubine.' Her heart sped and she felt goosebumps. `I like Prince Kail very much, but…I don't feel ready…yet…' She perfectly knew that Kail wanted to make…love to her. `Last night, I pretend I was asleep. But I don't think I can keep doing that forever.' She also knew that she would be helpless to stop him. Each time he touched her, she felt powerless. `Damn hormones and damn me! What should I do?'

 

“Miyuki. Princess Miyuki!” She jerked back in the reality at the whispered warning. She felt the hand of Hadi catching her by the back and whisked her behind a column. “Princess Miyuki, hide yourself!”

 

She caught her breath as a soldier on a horse galloped in front of the group and went to the city gate. She raised an eyebrow. “A messenger?”

 

Hadi nodded. “Probably. He was sent to tell the Prince of Darkness about us.”

 

Miyuki narrowed her eyes. “I really hope our troops outside will stop him. I really do not want Mattiwaza breathing down our necks.”

 

“Don't worry, Princess. They're expecting this move.” Kikkuri turned to the young girl. “But please be careful. If the guards see us, we'll be dead before the Prince of Darkness returns.”

 

The group finally arrived at destination. “This is their city hall. Find the Hakim's office.” Kikkuri waved to the Hatti sisters to disperse. “The map should be there.”

 

A spark of light, reflecting on gold, caught the eye of the Miko. She looked into a room. “This must be the Mitanni's cache of plunder!” It was completely full of various chests, sacks and others objects. “Maybe we can find the Dragon's eye!”

 

“Princess Miyuki… Queen Nakia wouldn't allow the Dragon's eye to be transported in plain sight. It would be well hidden.” Kikkuri stopped the young girl to enter the treasure room. “We don't have time to look for it in this mountain of booty, now. We'll search for it after Malatia has been taken.”

 

The Miko frowned. `It's hidden…' She focused on her senses, but the familiar tingle associated with magic didn't register. “Yes. You're right.” `Stupid! Stupid! Of course, such a powerful talisman must be protected against detection.'

 

Ryui waved to the rest of the group. “This way! We've found his office.”

 

They entered an office and Kikkuri nodded to the rows of clay tablets. “We just need that deployment map. Hurry!”

 

The twins shed their hoods to better search. “All right.” Able to read cuneiform like her sisters, Hadi assisted them.

 

Miyuki sighed internally. She had begun to learn cuneiform, but her current level was nowhere the level needed to properly recognize military terms. She then advised a roll of treated animal skin on the wall. It looked like… Could it be so simple? She unwrapped the roll. The map of the city appeared with various symbols and cuneiform characters. “I found it!” Yes, it was that simple. “It's the map!”

 

The whole group stopped their search and blinked to the young girl. She managed to find it just like that? The twins shook their heads and took a writing kit and a papyrus. “Let's hurry and copy it.” They carefully began to draw the symbols. “Then we'll put it back just as it was!” Shalla smiled to her sister. “This is going well.”

 

Miyuki smiled. `True. If everything goes this smoothly, we can conquer lots of fortified cities in ten months.' She then stopped herself. `No plan survives the enemy. There WILL be problems!'

 

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Meanwhile, the messenger galloped in the night to reach the Mitanni army. A Hittite soldier listened to the sounds of his run. “Here comes a rider from Malatia.” He turned to the two chariots and the three men under his command. “He mustn't reach the Prince of Darkness! Don't let him get away!”

 

His second nodded. “I won't.”

 

“Wait.”

 

The officer turned to the soft voice. “You…!” He blinked at the cloaked person. “What is your business here? Step aside! If that rider gets through, Prince Kail will be in danger…”

 

“Yes…That's exactly why I'm here.” The person drew a dagger.

 

“What? You…” The Hittite officer didn't have the time to react as the dagger suddenly pierced him. “AGH!”

 

His men drew their swords and rushed to the assassin. “Kill him!” There was a flash around the hands of the cloaked person and two knives found their marks. “HAH?!”

 

The last soldier died as another dagger pierced his heart. “AAGH!”

 

The assassin gazed on the four bodies. “The sooner the Prince of Darkness returns, the better…” A smile shone under the shadows of the hood. “If he kills Prince Kail, Queen Nakia will be pleased…”

 

Back in Malatia, Miyuki held the copy of the deployment map. “All right! We have the map, and we have four more days until the Prince of Darkness returns.” She smiled to her friends. “Before we let the troops in, we should get some rest.”

 

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As the sun shone on the city of Malatia, the third Prince of the Hittites briefed his group. “Let's go over this one more time… The plan for conquering Malatia.” Kail pointed to various symbols on the copy of the deployment map. “There are three armouries we must deal with and two gates.”

 

Kikkuri and the three soldiers smiled. “We'll set fire to the armouries!”

 

Ilvani and the Hatti sisters continued. “Then we'll open the gates and let the soldiers in.”

 

Kail nodded. “While you are doing that, Miyuki and I will distract the Hakim and General Dana.” He smiled to the young girl, clad in a white dress with an Imperial purple top, at his side. “We'll put our plan into action tomorrow at dawn!” He considered his trusted servants. “Is everything clear? Make sure you get word to the soldiers outside!”

 

The group bowed to him. “Yes, sir!”

 

Miyuki tried to contain her excitation. `I didn't think it would be so easy to conquer Malatia.' She slapped herself mentally. She could already imagine the scowl of Komera about too much confidence. `Okay, okay! I guess I shouldn't sell the bear's skin before killing it.'

 

A knock at the door sounded. “Good morning, Prince Kail… May I come in?”

 

Ilvani waved to the group. “The Hakim! Hide the map!” In a rush, everybody took their positions.

 

The Hakim entered. “It is a beautiful day, your highness.” Although he was smiling, Miyuki could perceive his uneasiness. “I wish to host a formal feast tonight in honour of your visit. Would you be my guest?”

 

“A formal feast? That means only male royals are invited?” Kail was on the couch and caressing the hair of a blushing Miyuki on his lap. He was receiving a cup of wine from Shalla, while Hadi and Ryui waved their feather fans. “Then only Ilvani and I would be allowed to attend.”

 

“Forgive me, I am unable to invite your charming concubine. Royal custom forbids it.”

 

Kail frowned. “Humph, a feast with no women? Ah, well, I accept your invitation.”

 

The Hakim beamed in relief. “Thank you, your highness. I will be back to escort you this evening.”

 

Ilvani smirked. “Heh, heh… He wants to hand Prince Kail over to the Prince of Darkness.”

 

Kikkuri snorted. “Right. But he doesn't know his messenger was intercepted.”

 

“Well, I'll enjoy his hospitality for now.” Kail threw his untouched cup. “You should all get some rest.”

 

“Phew.” For one moment, it had been touch and go for the Japanese priestess. Thanks for their rapid reflexes.

 

“Yes, your highness. Please excuse me…” Ilvani bowed to his Prince. “I know you must flaunt your ardour for Miyuki in your current role, but be careful not to exhaust yourself.”

 

“You wound me. One night of love won't wind me!” Kail caught the waist of the young girl.

 

“Prince Kail?!” Miyuki gulped. `So all the preparations are done, and we have nothing to do until morning, which means…' She was now sweating. `I'll be alone with Prince Kail for the rest of the night…with my hormones…and his desire…' The door of the Prince's room closed as the group exited. `I'm doomed…'

 

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On the vast plains around Malatia, a group of four Hittite chariots ran. Kash, the redheaded commander of the chariots was worried. “We've had no words from the men we sent to intercept the messengers from the city?”

 

His second nodded. “They should've reported by now.”

 

The chariots finally arrived at the place where Kash had placed his men. “They were waiting in ambush around here. We'd better have a look.”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

The soldiers began to search the area and suddenly… “Lord Kash! Over here!”

 

“Damn!” Kash narrowed his eyes as he gazed on the bodies of his men. “Who did this?!”

 

A soldier took out one of the knives used to kill his comrades and shook his head. “The knife provides no clue.”

 

“We'll worry about who did it later…” Kash paled as he took in the seriousness of the situation. “This means the messenger got past them! And the Prince of Darkness knows that Prince Kail is in Malatia!”

 

At the Mitanni camp, a soldier rushed to Mattiwaza. “Prince of Darkness! A rider has just arrived from Malatia.”

 

The Crown Prince of the Mitanni was appalled by what he learnt. “What?! Kail Mursili is a guest of the Hakim?!” He snarled to the cowing messenger. “That fool! Why did he let him in? The Hittite obviously intends to capture the city from within!”

 

He blinked and considered the Hittite soldiers near his troops. “This army was a decoy! That's why they're just sitting around!” His black eyes narrowed. `Nice ruse! Too bad you didn't stop my messengers.' He whirled to his officers. “All forces! We're returning to Malatia with all speed!”

 

With swiftness, the war chariots rushed back to their base.

 

A Hittite scout ran to the fourth Prince. “Prince Zannanza! The Prince of Darkness is withdrawing!”

 

Zannanza's amber eyes widened. “What?” He turned to the retreating army and paled as he saw where they were going. “Damn! Word must have reached him from Malatia!” He knew that for his plan, his brother and Miyuki would be alone in the fortress city. “If he goes back now, my brother will be…!”

 

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