Chapter 2: The Sister of Light
Ereshkigal. My mind ran through any knowledge I knew, but a goddess by the name of Ereshkigal or even Ishtar ran a blank in my mind. I had always been intrigued by mythology, but my interest generally centered around Greek and Egyptian Mythology. A place where mythology was still believed in...where were we?
I had been thinking so hard, I didn't even realize we had reached our destination. A palace stretched into view, with guards posted at the walls and high white pillars. I finally turned to Yuri and asked, "What the hell is going on?"
Yuri got a sad look on her face, and began explaining everything. We were in Hattusa,to be more specific, the royal palace of Hattusa. We were taken from our world by the evil Queen Nakia to be human sacrifices to curse Prince Kail. The current King of Hattusa was Suppliuma II, the Pharaoh of Egypt was Tutankhamen. I had also been informed of Princess Yuri's new status as the first concubine to Prince Kail. I'm not sure how I felt about that last one. Yuri was like a sister to me. Being a man's concubine just rubbed me the wrong way.
Suddenly the panic set in. Not at the situation we were in, but the situation Hattusa was in. I might not know much history on Hattusa, but damned if I didn't know the history of Egypt. I also know that King Tutankhamen ruled for less then a decade, and after his death, his wife asked Hattusa for a prince to be sent to Egypt to be the new pharaoh. But the prince never showed up. Hattusa accused murder, and a devastating war broke. Egypt had been ravished by the war, but Hattusa was left in ruin. This war was the one that ultimately began Hattusa's quick descent and an all around collapse.
How much peace will Hattusa have before then? Years? Months? Even less? Even more so, which prince was it that went missing? Yuri's Prince Kail? I won't put Yuri through the perils of war. But if it happens too soon, we may not be home in time to avoid it.
But...perhaps history can be changed. Yuri had personally secured iron for Hattusa. Maybe... just maybe... the course of history can be changed. If the prince doesn't die, there will be no war. Then came the problem once again. Which prince was it? History had minimized him because he never came into power and so no records were kept on him. I sent a silent prayer that it would not be Yuri's Prince Kail.
In the palace, things happened in a whirlwind. I was introduced to so many names and faces. I was given a grand room, was toured around the palace and chatted with Yuri about the months she'd spent seemed clear to me now that Kail did not think of her as merely a concubine. The way he watched her, how she was always by her side, and how easily he spoke with her. She loves him as he does. But she won't say it.
"Uhm...Yuki. My family... H-how are they?" Yuri suddenly asked while we were alone in my new bedroom that night. Her family. That's right. of course she's homesick. No matter how much Kail loves her, she misses home.
It was silent for a while. I tried to think of what to say. Should I lie and tell her her family is doing fine? or tell the truth, her disappearance took a huge emotional toll on them. Should I tell her of her own funeral? How they've stopped looking? How they are afraid to hope for her return?
"They...They are well. They miss you. But they are well." I answered vaguely.
"Oh." Yuri murmured looking downcast, "Thank you, Yuki. You...you should get some rest." And with that she left.
That's right. I left things behind in Japan too. Not as much as Yuri, not nearly as much. But even I had hopes and dreams for my future. Would they all have to be abandoned now? I wonder if Mother will miss me or celebrate?
That night, as I lay in the overly extravagant bed, I came to one resolution; no matter how decorated this room was, how many fine clothes and jewels they showered us with, this world is dangerous. Dangers lurked in the shadows of this huge palace, and I will do anything in my power to protect Yuri in this new matter what that cost was.
The next morning, I sought out Kikkuri whom I had met yesterday. I found him in the sables and used the opportunity to ask him for a horse for me to practice on. Not only did he find me a fine, pure white horse, he also informed me that she would be mine. My own horse. I truly felt like a princess now. How many little girls have wished for a pony on their birthdays?
All that morning, I practiced riding until my thighs could take no more. True it took me a while to actually try and mount her, even staying on was difficult for me.
I cursed my self as the horse bucked and I landed on the dirt floor again. Where Yuri was strong in sports, I was more academic. I spent much of my time studying, I was convinced that academics were going to be my way out, the only way I could get a better life. I chuckled darkly. So much good it's doing here. What good s knowledge when I could not ride a horse, when I am not strong enough to swing a sword. Fat lot of good my random facts are doing for me.
"YUKI!" A voice pierced my jogged up with who i recognized to be her three maids, Ryui, Shala, and Hadi. " Princess Yuki! you are covered in dirt! and oh i believe you've gon and cut your leg when you fell!" Hadi cried, fretting over me.
I swatted them away. " Oh it's nothing! and a little dirt is good for you! Builds character!" I say getting up and brushing my self off. Though I will admit, it was nice having someone fuss over me. "But please Hadi, just call me Yuki. I am no princess." I say, wrinkling my nose.
"Yes, yes, in the mean time, let us clean you up." Hadi said. I doubt she truly heard me, but perhaps she was right. I was getting pretty winded. I shooed the three sisters out so I could bathe and dress. I could never get used to people doing those kinds of things for me, It truly made me feel useless. I am no princess.
I met with Yuri and Prince Kail for lunch in the parlor Ilvani was even there, playing some beautiful music that blended seamlessly into the background. After lunch, I decided to seek out Rusafa, my thighs honestly couldn't take anymore horseback riding. Besides, I needed to learn how to fight, How else would I protect anyone?
I had proved insufficient with the sword, I was fast but muscle wise I was pretty pathetic. Spears and lances ended disastrously. I tripped on the ends of the too long weapons so many times, Rusafa took them away before I accidentally skewered myself. He finally decided that my best bet was knife throwing and archery. I grumbled a little at that, the long range weapons would make it difficult to protect Yuri who was better at swordplay and would fight people head on, not hide in the shadows shooting arrows. But then again, maybe standing back and taking out threats before they surfaced would befit me better.
Hours went by, and the sun was low in the sky. Arrows littered the entire area, only some actually hit the target. Rusafa had long since gone, seeing that at this point, all I needed was practice. My fingers were cut and bleeding from pulling the taut string of the bow with hands that were not used to all of the abuse.
"You'll run yourself into the ground." A voice behind me stated clearly. I turned to see Ilbani standing with an ounce of annoyance in his eyes.
"I'm fine!" I grin, "there is still a little light left!" I turned to take aim again.
"Are all the women of your time so very stubborn?" He sighed.
"Silly. All women are stubborn. No matter what time or place. How else will they talk men out of their foolishness?" I retort, letting the arrow fly. It released with a TWANG and struck the target. Well...the edge of the target. As I reached out for another arrow, my rebellious stomach cried out mutinously. And loudly. A god awful flush crept up my face. Guess I missed Dinner...A couple more shots and I'll head to the kitchen to raid for some leftovers.
"Goddesses need to eat too." Ilbani chuckled, offering me some warm bread. "I figured you'd be hungry with all the work you've been doing."
I reached out for the bread and stopped, he was staring at my hands. They were cut up and bleeding. I could see the callouses forming already.I pulled back quickly. "I'm gonna clean up the field first." I say, motioning to the field that was liberally sprinkled with various arrows.
"Leave it be. There are servants for that. sit down and eat." He grumbled, offering me a cloth to clean of my hands. But I had already pulled the few arrows out of the target and was going around collecting the rest. " But I can do it myself! No need to trouble others with my mess!" I said resolutely.
Once I finished, I sat on the ground against the tree with Ilbani. I took the cloth and began to clean my hands. I looked at my ruined, cut hands proudly. These are not the hands of a princess or a lady. I noticed Ilbani looking at them as well. He sighed and took out another cloth, ripping it up and wrapping my fingers to stanch the blood. I thanked him happily, taking a greedy bite of the bread. I nearly moaned at the soft warmth of the bread as it spread through my body. Ilbani was still staring.
"You aren't like Yuri...Yet you are...I can't seem to put my finger on the difference though..." He looked at me thoughtfully.
I thought for a moment before saying, " Yuri is much more graceful then I. The title 'goddess' and 'princess' fit her much better then on me." I stated plainly, swallowing a mouthful of bread.
"Not just that. You seem delicate like her, but durable. It is true Yuri is by no means meek, but even the way you walk and talk seems different." He furrowed his brow in thought. I suddenly became aware of how much he had been studying me.
"Hmmm...well...we did grow up in different environments. Yuri would be considered a merchants daughter, I'm more like a beggars bastard. Though we are from the same world, it's almost like we are from separate worlds." I laugh.
"But I thought you were sisters?" Ilbani questioned
"Not by blood." I grin." I am just a lonely child that Yuri accepted as a sister when we were children." I say getting up. "Speaking of Yuri, I want to check on her before bed."
Seeing that he was not going to be getting anymore information for me, Ilbani followed behind me. We found Yuri and Kail in the parlor, Yuri munching happily on jujubes. When she caught site of me she scowled. "Yuki! you missed dinner!" She admonished. "and you're a mess!" Hadi wailed unhappily.
"Ilbani already fed me, don't worry!" I grinned, hiding my hands behind my back. No need to worry her. Though my entire body was feeling the cost of working all day.
"Kikkuri and Rusafa have informed me of your endeavors. I must admit, your thirst for knowledge and skill is inspiring, but I cannot allow you to compromise your health. You've had no rest since your arrival, so tomorrow, I've instructed that nobody is to permit you to do anything physically straining for the time being. In the future, you may only do so many hours." He stated nonchalantly sipping his wine.
"But...I'm fine!" I protest,"I have to keep practicing!"
"You can practice other things." Yuri scolded. " just not by destroying your body. You're always like this, Yuki. You work yourself into the ground and then continue to work."
I thought for a long moment. "Then tomorrow, I wish to go to the market." I chirped.
"I don't know if that's a good idea. Queen Nakia is still after you..." Yuri gnawed on her lip nervously.
"If the queen want's me dead, she will come after me whether I am at the palace or not." I said stubbornly. When my mind is made up, it is no easy feat to change it.
"I will accompany her tomorrow." Ilbani suddenly cut in. I had almost forgotten he was behind me. The man had a talent for fading into the background.
"It is decided then." Kail lifted the wine to his lips again.
Yay! Chapter 2 is up! I'm still new at this so feedback is great!
I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT MY OC
