4

THE PALACE

QUIETLY, I STEPPED FROM THE WINDOWSILL, AND SHUT THE WINDOW BEHIND ME. I glanced around. I could tell from the long grand tables, rugs, and grand candelabras that this must be the dining room. I went to the door on the rightwall, quietlyopened it and went in.

-

Looking right to left I could see that it was a corridor of marble. From it's open-air walls you could see the great courtyard, a fountain in the middle of a long pool.

I stepped into the corridor. I tried to shut the door quietly but the sound of the door closing echoed throughout the corridor.

I could hear the clanking of metal and leather.

Oh Great Gods!

I hid behind a thick tapestry of linen. It was a good thing I did as well; at least seven or eight guards, armed to the teeth, where patrolling these hallways.

I was as quiet as I could be. The only thing that I could hear was my own heartbeat…

…and someone else's breathing!

I was not the only one who was hiding behind this thick tapestry. Beside me was a small figure. I put my finger up to my lips as the guards clanked and clacked past us. It felt like a long, long time when I could finally step out from behind the tapestry, as did the figure.

I had my hand on the pommel of my sword until I saw that the figure was a child. A young girl that must of been about eight or nine her skin was darker than my own, her hair was a night black, an dark eyes were almost the same color. Her tunic was a course linen.

"Sir, are you…" she said than spoke quietly, softly, "are you the assassin?"

"Perhaps," I said my hand still on the sword, unsure.

"Come with me, sir," she said, "my mistresses are wishing to meet you".

She ran to a door down the corridor. I thought to myself, Should I trust this girl or was she going to send me to my dying well?

"Please Sir!" She pleaded, "It won't be long until the palace guards come back!"

I groaned to myself and ran after the girl.

-

The girl led me through twists of marble corridors, modest servant's rooms, and several dark passageways hidden by walls. I wondered where this girl was taking me but all I knew is that I had no one else to trust. We ran down another corridor and went to a door that led us outside to a balcony we ran up a marble staircase to a dark wooden door that had golden door handles.

"In here, sir", The girl gestured to the door.

I looked to her unsure.

"You'll be safe in here, trust me."

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and pull the door open and went in.

The walls where painted in many reds, oranges, and yellows colors; tapestries hung from the ceiling, and in the center of the room was a steaming pool, the smell of desert roses and jasmine played in the air; I knew this must be the lords harem. Near the pool where two vary, vary pretty women with dark hair and pale delicate skin, they wore sheer linen skirts and silk halters. One women wore deep lotus blue, the other women a crisp white; both wore gold and jewels of all kinds.

When I entered, they looked up, surprised. I placed my hand on my sword hilt. Unsure of who these two women were and whether or not I could trust them.

Suddenly the one who was wearing white linen smiled a dazzling smile and looked to the other and said, "Layla, It must be him! The Akkadian we sent for!"

The other women smiled with recognition, and relief.

"That means our request is finally answered Meri-Mut!" the other said joyfully.

At first, I didn't understand then I remembered King Urmhet's words: Fearing for their own lives the girl's sisters have asked for the help of the Akkadians.

I asked, "You are the ones who went to my king for help?" Just in case.

"Yes," said- what had the other women called her-Layla. "Our sister was there to support our father's warning. Later, she was slaughtered before us. We loved her and must avenge her murder"

I nodded, knowing I would do the same if Jesup or Rama were murder before me.

"Where is your lord?" I asked.

"He is asleep in his private chambers," The other women, Meri-Mut, said, "Come over here Akkadian".

Meri-Mut went to one of the tapestries, and pulled it back to reveal a crude door. I went to her side as the door was revealed. It was then I looked to the women before me.

"Follow these stairs", Meri-Mut said, " when you get to the corridor take the third door to the left, that room should supply you and lead you to the throne room. When you are in the throne room, take the only door to the right. There you will be in Kerpren's chamber."

"Sister", Layla said, "why don't we distract the guards outside the other entrance?"

"Good idea," said Meri-Mut, opening the crude door to a void of black nothingness.

"I agree," I nodded, "this assassination should be done without any interruptions."

The women nodded.

"Here," Layla said, giving me a small candle.

I nodded my thanks.

"Good luck", Meri-Mut said.

I grinned at her.

"Luck doesn't come into it", I said and entered the dark passageway.

-

The passageway was a net of dust, and spider-webs. The steps where dust covered marble. The candle helped, but barely.

I followed the passage way up two different staircases to a door. After pulling the door open (this door too was hidden by a tapestry), I put out the candle and looked down the corridor to see, thankfully, no guards. I stepped out from behind the tapestry. Remembering Meri-Mut's word I quickly, and silently, went to the third door opened it and bolted it behind me.

I turned around to survey the room.

"Well, I'll be damned."

This room had to of been the armory. Scimitars glinted, metal shields gleamed, and broad swords reflected the torchlight. Setting my bronze sword aside, I sheathed a scimitar and took up a metal shield. I looked over to see another door. I opened the door and went in.

-

When I walked through the doorway, I knew that this must be the fabled throne room. It was a room filled with splendid grandeur. Two sphinxes made of white marble flanked the elevated throne, the great chair was made of marble and gold leaf, tapestries and rugs covered the tan marble wall and green marble floors.

Nor was I the only one in this great room. At least six guards were also in the room.

"Intruder!" cried a palace guard.

Two palace guards notched an arrow and they quickly pull back their bowstring. I held the shield up high as two arrows took flight, me their target. There was a clank, andclang as the arrows found purchase in to the metal of the shield.

Two palace guards ran at me, swinging their swords. I shielded one and parried the other. I then swung around with my scimitar slashing both men, rendering them defenseless.

I ran at one of the archers as he was notching an arrow. I reverse crescent kicked the bow out of his hands, and before he could draw out his sword I head-butted the palace guard into unconsciousness.

There was a suddenly wheesh as an arrow flew straight at me. I swung around and got down just in time to dodge the speeding arrow. I unsheathed a knife from the archer's belt, and threw the knife right that landed between the archer's eyes. The mans head was jerked back as he fell to the floor, dead.

Another one of those palace guards ran at me and swung his sword at my side. I blocked it with my shield (it hit with a loud CLANG!) and lunged with my scimitar. It made satisfying sound as it merged with the bastard. I suddenly heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I glanced behind me to see another palace guard charging, his sword swinging. I yanked the scimitar up and jerked it towards the charging guard. It hit the man unconscious.

I took several deep breaths.

"Don't worry", I said to the fallen guards, "you'll soon have plenty of company".

It was then I saw it. The only door to the right of the golden and marble throne, the door to that monster of a lord's chamber. I sat the shield aside, afraid it would be too much of a burden, and would make too much noise.

I went to the door that led to the lord Kerpren chamber. I opened it, thinking I was ready for anything…

How vary wrong I was.

AN- I hope you liked this chapter.The next chapter shouldn't be that far away.Now to thank my awesome readers