Dangerous Game
a/n and dis: I do NOT own Anatolia/Red River Story, it belongs to Chie-sensei. I don't apologize for OoC, its majorly AU with the intent of totally diverging from the canon. No flaming, I'm out of fire extinguishers. I'll accept any and all constructive criticism.
A wealthy lord paced anxiously in front of his room before a piercing cry ripped through the air. His motions froze momentarily before he rushed into the room, "Well?"
"The second twin died but the first is a healthy baby girl," said the midwife respectfully.
"WHAT!? I was to have two girls. Ishtar's priestess told me so! One to dedicate to the goddess and one to continue my family line!" said Mamoru burying his face in his hands.
"Darling, we can work this out," said the mother, "Midwife, go to the Tawannana's palace and tell them that Tsukiko is calling in a favor from Hinti."
The middle aged woman nodded and rushed out of the building, her shoes creating an echo as she ran down the metal walkways. She soon reached the palace of the Tawannana and was stopped by a guard when she pounded on the gate, "What is it woman?"
"Tsukiko-sama sent me to deliver a message to the queen," said the midwife breathlessly.
"Well what is it peasant?" asked the guard.
"That she is calling in a favor," said the midwife.
"Ok. I'll tell her," said the guard skeptically as he shut the door.
An elegant blonde entered the courtyard with two small boys following, laughing in her wake. "What was that about, guard?" asked the woman.
"A poor joke queen Hinti," said the guard, "It does not concern you."
"Humor me," said Hinti.
"She said to tell you some woman named Tsukiko is calling in a favor. Stupid really," said the guard
Hinti froze and said, "Send Kail and Zannanza to their lessons nurse. I must go." She walked out of the palace towards the home of her oldest friend.
Tsukiko looked up when Hinti entered the room and the bed-ridden woman said, "Hello my dear friend."
"What do you need Tsukiko?" asked Hinti sitting on the bed next to her friend.
"This is our daughter. The priestess of Ishtar told us we would have two, one to continue our lineage and one to devote to the goddess. But Nergal claimed the second," said Tsukiko, "I wanted your counsel on this."
"Raise her to be both," said Hinti logically.
"And how, my dear friend, do we do that?" asked Tsukiko as she held her daughter out for her friend to hold.
Hinti took the tiny form and said, "The only time the priestess of Ishtar leaves her temple is when she goes to war. Have this tiny angel sneak out of the temple whenever she is needed to be a princess and it doesn't conflict with her duty as a priestess."
"Two names were planned and both shall be used," said Mamoru.
"The priestess is Yuri Ishtar and the princess is Bara Hinti," said Tsukiko, "I hope you don't mind that we named one after you."
"I'll tell my step daughter to help protect the secret and the girl her namesake bore," said Hinti, "And I'm honored." The queen handed the infant to her father and started to leave.
"Hinti, Bara is to marry your son Kail," said Tsukiko.
"I'll tell him as well." She waked out and back to her palace, a faint smile gracing her face.