Chapter 3: Light casts Shadows
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.
The next morning I woke up early. I wasn't scheduled to meet with Ilbani until noon today, but I was never really one for sleeping in. As I was trying to get out of bed, my body finally felt the repercussions of yesterday's workout. Every muscle in my body screamed mutinously as I set to the task of changing my clothes. I decided to wear a plain boys tunic, like Yuri, and looked in the mirror at myself. I was short, barely reaching five feet, with slender limbs and pale skin. My eyes and hair were both dark like Yuri's. But unlike Yuri, whose hair was curly, mines was stick straight and hung all the way to my hips. I truly did look like a child. I began to wonder if I would really be all right here. I wasn't physically very strong, truthfully my strength is pretty pathetic. I would be of no use in the battle field anytime soon. I shook my head vigorously. No. No time for thoughts like that.
I headed down to the parlor and met with Yuri and the three sisters for breakfast. " By the gods! What is it with you two, the finest clothes at your disposal and you both choose to dress like a man!" Hadi sighed, exasperated.
"Aw who need to dress up if you got a prince at your feet, huh Yuri?" Ryui/Shala replied. I still had some trouble telling them apart.
At that Yuri blushed and we all laughed happily. Laughter came so easily here.
After breakfast, I headed down to the kitchen to ask if any of the maids needed some shopping done since I was headed to the market. At first they adamantly refused to send a princess on errands, but eventually they relented and asked for some groceries. I walked towards the gate to see Ilbani already waiting. Before we reached the gate, Prince Kail caught us and handed me a cloth purse. I weighed the purse in my hand, glancing in to see coins, all types of coins. "For you to purchase anything you please." He clarified before hurrying away.
I looked at the bag, and then suddenly, the realization hit me like a rock. I didn't know anything about the monetary system here! Come to think of it…I didn't know a lot of things. How to read and write, the political system, the surrounding countries… I didn't even know the mythology that I was now a part of. Such simple things that I had completely forgotten about. Simple, yet so very important. I had arrogantly thought I would only have to work on the fighting aspect, but I had forgotten fighting is useless without knowledge.
"What is a gold coin worth?" I look at Ilbani, who is walking a few paces in front of me.
"50 Silvers. And twenty coppers in a silver. Though as a Princess of the court, you need not worry yourself over things such as money. Simply ask and it shall be done." Was his dry answer.
I scowled at his back. " Quit calling me 'princess'. I'm not one of those pampered brats. How much is a decent amount of bread?"
" A decent piece would be 3 coppers. Why do you care?"
"I just do. It doesn't hurt to know, right?" I grin impishly at him.
The rest walk to the market was silent, but not an uncomfortable silence, when we reached the market, the only way to say it was…well it was certainly a market. Nothing like the malls or grocery stores, where wares are neatly lined and organized on shelves. No, here, vendors dotted the streets selling everything from fine clothes and jewels, to fruit and bread. Some vendors had makeshift stalls while others simply sold form ratty blankets on the floor. My attention was pulled away by a tug on the end of my tunic. A young boy, dressed in rags and dirt smearing his face.
"M'lady, a bit of food? Please?" He whimpered.
"Beggars. If you feed him, you will end up feeding all of them. " Ilbani warned.
"What's your name, boy?" I ignore Ilbani, addressing the boy.
"'Names Hassik." He said warily.
"Well then Hassik, I need some help with my chores today. If you help me, I will be sure to pay you later." I offer. The boy nodded vigorously, his eyes wide.
"Yes, ma'am, anything!" He answered earnestly.
"Well then, my sister simply loves jujubes, the maid have asked me to purchase two baskets of them. Hassik, do you know a place where we could buy some good jujubes?" I ask the young boy.
The boy nodded and led the way through the maze of people and vendors. I followed along with Ilbani in tow.
"What are you planning?" Ilbani asked with a glimmer of interest in his eyes.
"Why…simply to get some jujubes for my sister! I am still so sore from yesterday that I may need some help!" I say innocently. He wasn't fooled, but let it slide.
" Ha. You are like Yuri. Yet you aren't. I can't seem to pinpoint the difference though…." He was fully looking at me now, his eyes full of intrigue.
" Yuri is much more graceful then I am. She is truly a Lady. She is also much bolder then me." I laugh.
"No. That's not it. You are both quite bold in your own ways, stubborn too. But something about your mannerism sets you apart. Even if you are smaller, you seem so much sturdier. Like… Like…" He trailed off.
" Like a commoner? " I supply," Cause in a sense I am."
"But you are Yuri's sister" He furrowed his brow in confusion.
"Not by blood. Yuri helped cure my loneliness when we were children. We may not be related by blood, but I love her like a sister." I clarify.
He nodded in understanding, " I too grew up with Prince Kail as a brother. But our mannerisms are the same. We grew in the same environment."
"I did not grow up with the same family as Yuri. Yuri was…How can I put this… Yuri was a merchants daughter. I was a beggars bastard." I look away. We had arrived at a small vendors stall. It was tucked away, slightly dull, no colorful fabrics decorated the stall. But the jujubes were large and a beautiful coffee color.
"Ma'am, I would like to purchase some of your jujubes, two baskets if you would please." I addressed the old woman behind the stall.
" Aya, two whole baskets y' say? That's quite a bit! And by the looks of your man o'er there you ain't no commoner." She cackled and began filling baskets," What brings a fine thing like you to this shack o' mine?"
"Well, young Hassik tells me you have the best jujubes around." I answer, fumbling with the money before Ilbani pulled the correct amount from the purse and paid the woman. I took note of the amount.
"Aha smart boy, dat one is! Such brain deserves a reward, yah?" She chortled, filling a small cloth back and handing it to the child. " A bit for yer troubles." The grin on the boy's face stretched across his entire face as he slung the bag over his shoulder. I looked at the two baskets.
"Hassik, this is quite a lot to carry. Do you perhaps have any friends willing to help?"
By the end of the day, a small entourage of children followed Ilbani and I. Each carrying some groceries for the maids back at the palace. At the palace gate, I gave each of them enough for three days of bread. The wide eyes as they looked at the money as if it wasn't real…I was an image I will remember forever. Ilbani, who had been quiet most of the day, finally spoke up.
"Why? If you needed help, the maids would have been delighted to follow you shopping. Honored even!"
"Come to the market for lunch with me tomorrow?" I turn around, smiling widely. After he nodded his consent, I walking into the palace to drop off the groceries and find Yuri.
After dinner, I decided I wanted, no needed a bath. The three sisters tried to assist me but I waved them off. "Honestly girls, I've been bathing myself for years! I won't drown in the bath I promise!" I laugh before walking into the bathing area.
Sighing as I seeped myself into the warm water. The heat seeped into my very bones, relaxing them immediately. I vaguely was aware that Yuri had come in and was also dipping herself into the bath as well. We spent some time idly chatting, before long, the three sisters burst in, fretting about proper cleaning and lotion or something. I look at Yuri and nodded my head towards Hadi with a mischievous smile. She looked at me questioningly, and burst into giggles as I crept behind Hadi and pulled her into the warm water,
" P-Princess Yuki!" Hadi sputtered as the twins burst into new peals of laughter with Yuri.
"Haaaaddddiiiii I told you not to call me 'princess'" I fake whined, " and besides, you've been working all day, a nice long soak would do you some good!"
Before we knew it, all five of us were soaking in the tub, laughing and giggling. For the first time in a long time, I was completely and utterly content. Even though this was the most danger and confusion I had ever been in, with Queens after my life, and being magically sent in the past; Yet I have never been more relaxed.
The next morning I stretched, moaning at some released tension of some sore muscles. Today's sore was definitely not as bad as yesterday's burning ache. Today it was like, a nice kind of sore. The sore that is subtle, but it is always there, reminding me of how hard I worked for these aches. They remind me, that when they fade, I will be stronger. I will be able to push myself further next time.
I decided there was time to do a couple of practice shots with my bow before I meet up with Ilbani for lunch. My practice today was a bit better. There were more arrows on the target. Not many, but it was improvement.
I hurried up to the palace gate to find Ilbani already waiting. Once again, we headed into the market. And when we first walked into the market, everything seemed the same as it was yesterday. Until a young boy came up to us. But this child did not ask for food or money, instead, he asked:
"'Afternoon, Miss. Do 'ya need any 'elp t'day with yer shopping?"
I smiled at him, " Actually yes, do you know a restaurant where we can get some good food?"
We followed the boy to a small restaurant nestled in a corner. "'Ere it is Miss! This place might look small, but 's the best place fer food." The boy announced. After I had paid him, the manager of the store pulled him aside and handed him something which made him beam brightly before departing.
"How did you do it?" Ilbani finally asked, after our food was delivered. I had no idea what I had ordered, I just asked the chef for his best dish. The stew came out and for the life of me I could not identify a single ingredient in it. It tasted amazing though, warm, and savory. I closed my eyes and sighed, then looked up and noticed Ilbani staring at me with amusement. I realized he had asked a question and was awaiting his answer.
"How I did it? I just taught them something new. A child like that… I would bet he was born a beggar. That's how he had always gotten his bread. Those children don't know any other way to live. I simply gave them a start. You are quite observant, Ilbani, so you must have noticed it too as we walked through the marketplace. There were beggars advertising stalls, some were cleaning shop fronts, I even saw a few carrying groceries for some maids I recognized from the palace. One day, maybe the one advertising the vendors will watch the vendors enough; learn enough to be a vendor themselves. Maybe the one cleaning the shop front will one day earn enough of the owner's trust to be allowed to help with selling the merchandise. Maybe the palace maids would recommend one of those carrying groceries to work in the palace. And if these children can break out of poverty, they will remember. They will remember being a beggar, they will remember not having enough to eat. And maybe they will be able to hire beggar children themselves and give those children a start. Wouldn't it be nice if there was nobody hungry on the streets?"
Ilbani looked at me thoughtfully, "Does everyone from your country dream so wildly? Yuri is quite similar in that aspect."
I considered the question, scooping more stew in my mouth before continuing, "Doesn't everyone? Doesn't everyone dream of a better life? If you don't dream wildly, then how will you start to try to make that wild dream a reality? Even…even if that dream never fully comes true, sometimes halfway is good too. If I put just one beggar off the streets today, then I have pushed him towards his dream. His better life."
"Did you dream? Yuri had always described your 'Japan' and a perfect utopia. Where war was scarce and food was plentiful. Yet in this world were you unhappy?"
I sighed at being reminded of Yuri's homesickness," Compared to here, yes, war was rare, and there were not many hungry. But it was still there. There was still war. There were still homeless people on the streets. But I will admit, I was selfish when I was there. When I was in Japan, I did not dream of a better world as Yuri might have. I merely dreamed for a better life. I dreamed of escape. And I spent the majority of my life trying to fulfill that dream." My eyes clouded over as I remembered home. As I remembered those blank stares, the hurtful words, and worst of all the days where no words were said at all. I remembered the sleepless nights as I threw myself into my studies, convinced that if I studied hard enough, I could leave this place.
"You said yesterday… That you were just a beggar's bastard. Is that why you dreamed for more?" Ilbani probed, seeing the forlorn look in my eyes.
I mock scowled at him. " It's rude to pry, silly man." I say getting up and paying for the meal. I could still feel his stares on my back, without turning I said, " I may be a bastard, but that man was by no means a beggar." Came my cold answer.
Convinced that he would get nothing else out of me, he followed me back to the palace, not without buying some pomegranates I had spotted. I loved pomegranates, I was never good at deciding which ones were ripe though, so often times, I would pop the seeds in my mouth expecting sweetness but was rewarded with tart, and bitter flavors. But every once and a while, by luck I would get a sweet one. And after eating all of those sour ones, the sweet ones tasted ten times better.
Back at the palace, I judged my legs well enough to do a short riding lesson. I went to the sable to find that white horse as restless as ever. Kikkuri walked in and saw me looking at her. " You should give her a name. Sometimes a name will calm them down." He advised.
" Huwant." I say plainly, patting her nose. " Her name is Huwant."
Kikkuri looked at me, "A name like that may make her even more wild." He laughed. " Ah well, perhaps wild is good, just look as Aslan!"
Huwant did prove to be as wild as yesterday, and even after a short ride, I could tell there would be quite a few bruises forming today. After a while, Kikkuri barred me from riding for the rest of the day due to Kail's order the night before. I grumbled and argued but even I had to face that I was pretty tired, and eventually relented and went to wander the gardens.
I didn't wander far before a messenger came and advised me that His Majesty would like to meet with me. Now. What would the King want with me? I interrogated the messenger but he was clueless.
As I walked to the throne room, I couldn't help but feel like a child being sent to the principal's office. My mind mentally going through anything I thought I might be in trouble for. What could I have done? It's barely been a week! I stood at the massive doors to the throne room. Was I supposed to knock? I mentally added "etiquette" to my list of things to learn.
Wait, what if this is a plot by that Queen Nakia? I still have not seen her since my arrival, what if this is a trap? I cursed myself for not bringing a concealed weapon of some sort. Too late to worry about it now, I swallowed the lump in my throat and knocked on the door.
"You may enter" a voice called. Pushing the doors open I decided that even if I didn't know any Hittite etiquette yet, my Japanese ones should keep me out of trouble for the time being. A band aid, so to say. I walked in with my head down, and kneeled low before the thrones. The room itself was colossal, yet the thrones were the only pieces of furniture. Upon those thrones sat one of the most powerful leaders of the Orient. The king was an old man, but he hardly looked frail. His long white beard made him look powerful, he sat tall in his throne, his voice commanding attention.
Next to him, the woman who dragged me here herself sat. She was quite a beauty, with long blond hair that looked silky to touch, and honey gold eyes. She was so beautiful, yet something about her just screamed danger. Her beauty was like that of a leopard, stalking its prey before it struck. It was a terrifying, exciting, and dangerous allure.
I quickly turned my gaze away as the king spoke, " Girl, I've heard much about you. They say you are the incarnation of Ereshkigal, and that you have recently proven so due to your actions in the market. Tell me girl, is this all true?"
I looked up in surprise at that. How did he know about that incident in the market? " Well, I really didn't do much in the market, I just helped some beggars."
"Ilbani says you did more then feed a few beggars." The king says, "Isn't that so, Ilbani?"
"It is correct, Your Grace. This girl has shown immensely good judgment when I observed her in the market." Ilbani said, stepping forward. How long had he been there? Damned man had the power to appear anywhere. But I breathed a sigh of relief. I decided it was best to let him do the talking in this case, so I kept my mouth shut as he outlined my activities in the market and their results.
"Where did you get money for this endeavor, Girl? You've only been here a short time, you could not have possible procured that much money." Queen Nakia sneered. " You must have stolen it from the palace. Good deed or not, I will not tolerate a thief!"
"I- "
"Don't interrupt me, child! Your manners are uncouth. It is obvious you are a commoner. A common thief." Her voice was rising.
"Now then, Nakia. If she did indeed steal, then the money went to a cause better then it could have served lying around here." The King soothed his tantrum-throwing wife. " Though I must ask, this feat must have required a hefty sum. Where did you get the money?" He addressed me this time looking away from his fuming wife.
I took a deep breath and searched myself for powerful, confident voice. "P-Prince Kail gave me some shopping money, I used that." Most of that came out almost squeaky. So much for the powerful, all-commanding voice.
"If I may, Your Grace. Lady Yuki only used three silvers and fifteen coppers for this accomplishment. And most of that went to the groceries for the palace." Ilbani interjected, to my very relief.
The king laughed heartily. " Well now, even if you stole that much from us, I doubt it would have been noticed! On a regular circumstance, I would have taken the amount you spent then tripled it as your reward, but I see now that is not nearly enough! So tell me, girl, is there anything you want? Anything at all, fine clothes, perchance some imported jewels? Anything you'd like and I shall reward it to you."
I thought a moment. Things like money, clothes and jewels…they didn't appeal to me. They wouldn't be useful…something useful. I smiled widely, " Your Majesty, if it is not too much trouble, I wish for a tutor as my reward." My voice was still soft, but there was no stammer.
" Tutors, dear child, are you certain of that? What would a girl like you need a tutor for?" The King looked pleasantly surprised.
" There is still much I need to learn. And I wish to learn all that I can so that one day I may be of use to the empire." My voice was getting stronger. "Please, your majesty. It is my only wish."
" I will do it." Ilbani declared. " I would be honored to take her in as my student."
The King was still laughing. "Then it is done. I expect great things from you, child. You do truly live up to your name as Ereshkigal." He said, before dismissing us. As the door closed I heard Nakia's voice spit venomously, " Hopefully she does not live up to it too much."
Walking down the hall, I glance at Ilbani. "Thank you for offering to tutor me." I sang happily. One of my more prominent problems plaguing me was about to be solved.
"It will take place mostly at night or after dinner. I have other matters to attend to during the day." He responded.
"No problem! Hey Ilvani, what did the King mean when he said I lived up to Ereshkigal?" I inquired.
" Ereshkigal is the sister of Ishtar, and the god of wisdom." He looked at me, his face completely full of amusement.
"Then…what did Queen Nakia mean?" I ask, remembering how malicious her words sounded.
"Ereshkigal is the opposite of Ishtar. Where Ishtar is the goddess of love, fertility, and war, Ereshkigal is queen of the underworld, goddess of darkness as well as wisdom."
That made sense. I thought to myself. Yuri is so full of light. She was the sun itself. Next to her, I was merely a candle. But, I am content standing in her shadow. A shadow of someone as bright as her? I would happily remain in her shadows, protecting her forever.
"Be warned. Some will fear you if they know who you are. The title that has been set on you, it bears a hefty weight of apprehension and fear. And standing next to one with such a beloved title such as Princess Yuri's… Well just remember, that light cannot exist without dark." And with that, he bid me good night and retired to bed.
And Chapter 3 is now up! I know that there isn't much happening yet, but it's getting there, I promise!
P.S i decided to use a lot of Hittite names for any other added characters so here are some meanings:
Hassik ( Beggar boy): To eat one's fill
Huwant the horse: Traveling wind