Chapter 16: Presence of a Queen

I pull myself up from bed only to groan painfully as I felt a sharp pain in my ribs. I sat still a moment, waiting for the pain to dissolve. After a while of the pain being constant, I lost my patience. Rip the band-aid off, right? I braced my feet and pushed myself off the bed and onto solid ground.

"Owwwwww!" I complained, my ribs were burning!

"Or you could stay in bed?" Came a tired voice. I turn to see Ilbani getting out of bed and getting dressed.

"There is stuff to do…we have to get Rusafa out of this mess." I grouse, getting dressed myself. This is honestly one hell of a mess. Rusafa was charged with kidnap of a royal concubine. Somehow, I don't think telling the Senate that the problem was magic water that the Queen used to control people. Even I still found that somewhat ridiculous, and I had lived through it!

"Well, I could take care of that and you can sleep." He reasoned. I was already dressed and so was he. I gave him an odd look as I hobbled out the door.

"I didn't think you would like that idea either." He sighed, coming up next to me and offering his shoulder for me to lean on. I waved him off, but he caught my arm as I stumbled and weaved his arm around my waist. I grumbled a bit, but accepted the help. As we both headed to the Senate meeting concerning a marriage between His Majesty and Yuri.

I rolled my shoulders and groaned. It was going to be a long day.

"You know we cannot possibly allow this! A Hittite king must wed royalty to secure political bonds! It is not our custom!" Senator Agil opposed immediately. Murmurs rose from the senate. Ilbani was sitting in the corner, recording the entire conversation for future refrence.

"Peace, Senator Agil. As you know, the Queen is a very powerful tradition. Would it not be wise to base the decision not on tradition, but on logic?" I say in a reasonable voice. Some more voices chimed in agreement. I surveyed the Senate, the younger generation was more accepting to a new change in tradition. Changing an old man's mind was no easy task.

"Dear child, tradition is there because it has proven it's worth!" Agil said in an almost scolding tone. I grit my teeth at that. A child? Had I not proven my worth as more then a mere child?

"Senator Agil, clinging so closely to tradition has its dangers. As humans progress, we must evolve our ways as well. Otherwise, we would only be spinning our wheels in the same pit forever. Why can we not create new traditions?" I smirk. A child indeed!

"Perhaps Princess Yuki is correct. I say we take her advice. The last we did not heed her, we had a murdered prince and were nearly at war with Egypt." One of the senators said hesitantly.

This started a long argument. The senate was split. I cursed to myself. If the senate is split, the decision goes to…the tawananna.

I saw the look of despair on Yuri's face as they asked for the tawananna's opinion. My look of surprise was even worse when I heard the answer.

"I wish for the King's happiness, and believe a compromise can be reached." She said.

I froze at the word Compromise. That woman was not the kind to meet in the middle.

"I advise Yuri Ishtar lead our troops on a war campaign. Let Ishtar prove her worth as the goddess of war." The woman said confidently. I hissed. She had played the Ishtar angle perfectly! I could not dispute it. But to send Yuri into war alone? I won't allow it.

"I request to accompany Yuri." I glower, looking directly at the Queen. She may be able to separate Yuri and Kail, but she will have to try harder then this to separate us. I saw Ilbani freeze his hand mid-record, and glance up crossly at me. I smile sadly back at him. I truly only knew how to worry and infuriate him.

"This is a test for Ishtar! You are not necessary." She glared at me.

"My Queen, there is more to war then just force and power. There must also be wisdom behind that power. Surely, you cannot believe that it would be wise to separate the two goddesses?" I challenge her. I saw her clench her jaw in anger. I may not be able to stop Yuri from going, but I was not letting her go alone. She will not stop me. After my display at the shrine to call back Yuri, my renown has soared, and with it so has fear toward the "Goddess of Darkness".

"What are you thinking?!" Ilbani raged at me once the door to our bedroom shut. I cringed. I knew this was coming, Ilbani had been sending secretive glares at me the entire meeting.

"You know I can't let her go alone, what if she gets hurt?" I shrug, sitting on the bed and scratching Nenatti behind the ears.

"What if YOU get hurt? I'm coming too." He raged furiously, pacing back and forth. When had he begun pacing when he was stressed?

"You are the king's main advisor. It will be chaos here without you. I'll be fine." I whisper, resting my face in my hands as I waited for his anger to die down.

"You don't know that…" His voice was losing its fire. He sighed and sat on the bed next to me. "Why can't you sit still for even a moment?" He ran his fingers through my hair.

"Not in my nature." I smile back at him, leaning into his warmth.

"Of course it isn't. I truly don't know if that is a good or bad thing." He mumbled into my neck, the anger lost from his voice.

"I'll take it as a good thing." I gasp as he nipped my neck, pushing the straps of my dress off my shoulders. A line of Goosebumps followed his warm fingertips as they trailed on my bare skin.

I tugged insistently on his robes and he shrugged them off his shoulders. Our breaths merged into the air. When I was with him…there was nothing else. There was no stress. No problems, no senators, no queen, no one to protect. Everything else would fade into a blank. A sweet, blissful, blank.

Nothing but his touch on my skin. Just his words in my ear, just his bittersweet taste, the smells of his sweat mixing with mine. Just him. There was just him.

Ilbani's POV

I watched Yuki as she slept. She was curled up into my chest, a sheet draped over both of our nude forms. I softly traced a delicate cheek with my fingertip. When she slept, her walls were down. She looked her age. Whenever I saw her sleep…I felt a sense of guilt. She looked so young. So very young. I keep forgetting, that she is still barely 17. Had she always been so tiny? Had she always had that innocent look on her face? Had she always had dark circles under her eyes?

I traced the new scar forming on her chest from her stunt with Princess Selto. She got lucky. Had Princess Selto held the knife a bit higher, had Yuki not moved fast enough, I would have lost her. Did she know that when she acted the way she did? She must have. Yuki was a bright girl. She was so very smart, so why couldn't she see her own worth?

I sigh as I noted how exhausted she looked. She shouldn't look so tired. I wanted to wipe the worry and stress of her face. I wanted her to be able to smile forever and never know grief.

I smile as she nuzzled into me, trying to escape the cold. I drape an arm around her and pull her in close.

One day, I will help His Majesty. I will help him create a world…where my Yuki could smile without a care. Where she could laugh and play. Where she will never want, will never cry, and never have to have another scar carved onto her body.

One day, I will create such a world.

I chuckled a bit. When had I begun to dream so vastly? My mind flashed back to the day I had first taken Yuki to the market.

"If you don't dream big, how will you start making your dream come true?"

I didn't fully understand then. Why set an impossible goal? Why try if you are most likely going to fail? Why waste time taking an unsteady path?

I understand now. If I could make this world just a little bit safer, keep just one scar off her body, save her from one tear. It would all be worth it. It would be worth dreaming of an impossible dream. It would be worth it just to see her smile.

And because of that, now I dream. I will dream and I will act. I will make it a reality. All for her.

Yuki's POV

I bustled about getting last minute things ready for our war campaign. Food storages were good, weaponry; Check. All generals are present and taking care of their units, formations have been set.

Rusafa had been promoted to deputy chief in commander. I have to say I was glad. That new archery commander was incredibly inexperienced. Not that it was his fault, but this kind of hesitation could cost us on the battlefield. His Majesty had already set off to escort Princess Adda Sharlatto back to Assyria. Yuri and I were scheduled to leave in a week's time. I glanced around. Where was Rusafa?

"Yuki! Yuki! It's awful, you have to help! It's Rusafa, He-he was tricked by the Queen! They are accusing that he tried to take advantage of a girl!" Yuri gasped out.

I growled under my breath as I race toward the senate. Did that Queen have an endless supply of plots? We had just fixed the Princess problem. Now this? Why get rid of Rusafa though? Yuri and I were already headed out to war, I thought her hope was death on the battlefield. So why go after the deputy in chief?

I hissed in frustration. Nothing. I had no power right now!

The meeting with the senate was useless. There was nothing I could do to stop their decision; Nakia had it all planned out. Without his Majesty here to rule, she was in charge. I had no leverage, no say whatsoever.

Execution. That was the verdict headed down. A trial of some sorts. A trial that is impossible to win.

I couldn't do anything. I had no evidence, there were no witnesses. His past "offence" of kidnapping Yuri was still fresh. That…and an advisor does not outrank the Tawananna.

"…He still might be acquitted. It is a trial… " Mitanammwa whispered. But his voice was dead. There was no hope in it. I paced back and forth across the halls of the palace, my feet making a shuffling noise the entire time. Kash, Mitanammwa, Ilbani and Shubas stared at me as if I were a ticking time bomb. At this point…I was.

"Call it what you may, it is an execution." I hiss. A message was sent to His Majesty…but it wouldn't make it in time. I continued to pace, back and forth, back and forth.

I tried to shake the ugly feeling of Deja Vu that was creeping up through my stomach. This was just like Ursula…like Zannanza. That damn Queen…she was going to take another person away from me. I am going to fight back this time. I will not sit by idly as this woman continues on her bloody path. Not this time. I won't let her take Rusafa.

"You are going to make a ditch in the ground if you continue to pace." Ilbani sighed, but didn't stop me. Just watched as I continued to pace.

I ignored him and began to line up my options. I could argue the senate…but it would get me nowhere. The speedy trial today proves that. I could get the witness, or the girl that Rusafa allegedly took advantage of to spit out the dark water…but she was under heavy guard right now. I wouldn't get to her in time.

Dead ends. Everywhere…everywhere was dead ends! The only idea left now was to just charge in and take Rusafa by force. But that would be dangerous and predictable. The Queen would expect us to act quickly in rage and emotion. She would have a trap. Besides, going in based purely on emotion was usually not my style. It was more of…oh by the gods she didn't…

"Where is Yuri?" I stopped my pacing and said incredibly slowly. I was met by a silence.

"I…I think she was so upset she went back to her bedroom…" Kash said hesitantly.

"Princess Yuri is gone, and so is her sword!" Hadi came rushing in. Ilbani and Kash got up immediately and I followed behind. We all knew where she was headed.

I spied Yuri just in front of the holding area, her blade ready to strike the guards down. I snaked my arm around her waist before she could lunge at the nearest guard.

"Yuki! Let go of me! I have to do this!" She hissed at me.

"This is what the Queen expects you to do. It will not end well, for you or for His Majesty." I whisper back. I myself was holding back anger. I wanted to charge into that cell and drag Rusafa out by force. While I'm at it, I may as well charge into the Queen's chambers and stab the witch right in the heart.

"It's just like Ursula all over again. Can't you see that?" Yuri was still furious but she had slumped to her knees in defeat. "I won't stand by and watch it happen…" Her voice trailed off.

"Then we will have to give him a fighting chance." I say. I had been thinking of this the wrong way. I was trying to think of ways to figure this out politically, try and get Rusafa off the hook by negotiation with the senators. With Queen Nakia in charge, that was impossible. I was looking at this as an execution, but that wasn't right. This is a trial. So instead of trying to fight with the laws…why not work with it? If this was a trial, then I should be thinking of a way to get him acquitted!

"We have to find a way…to get a small blade to him. If he get's out, then he is innocent." I explain to Yuri. Hope bloomed in her eyes.

"They check very carefully for concealed weapons." Ilbani said carefully.

"Then we get it to him after they check." I grin. There has to be a way out of this. I know there is a way. All the pieces are here; I just have to put them together.

"I got it! Leave it to me this time, Yuki!" Yuri suddenly shouted before dashing off.

"Will you let her take care of it?" Ilbani asked.

"She looks confident. And I am fresh out of ideas." I sigh, rubbing my temples.

"Well that's new. I'm sure you've got a few more lined up in there some where." He said, tapping my head lightly. I playfully snapped at his fingers with my teeth. "Little wildcat has teeth. It's good to know you are finally accepting help." He smiled softly.

I will find a way out of this…there are people…people that believe in me…I don't have to be alone.

"It's ok to ask for help" There were Ilbani's words again. I had never noticed…that I had always repelled other's aid. Why have I never asked for help? Why had…I never accepted anyone's help before? Back in Japan, and even here. I never asked, even when I knew I needed it. Even those tiny moments, where I walked down the halls at school with books in my hand, I never let anyone help me carry anything. I never Let Ilbani help me until I was unconscious.

I never once asked for help concerning my mother. Or when my injuries from battles here hurt so badly that I could barely move. When I know I couldn't do it on my own, I would rather fail on my own then succeed with someone else.

Asking for help was a weakness. It meant I was unable to do it by myself. That I wasn't good enough. That I had failed. It meant putting my outcome into someone else's hands. It was unpredictable. It gave me no control.

But now…it's ok…it's ok to ask for help. Because…there are people that want what's best for me. I can trust them. I can. It's not weakness…to have people that care about me.

But I still have my end of the bargain to hold up.

"Ilbani. We have a Queen to convict." I say. She must have left some kind of evidence behind.

"Of course, Princess." Ilbani smirked, giving an overdramatic bow.

"Don't you dare start that with me." I growl teasingly before setting out.

I stood on Masa, watching as they tied the wet leather cords on Rusafa. I nearly killed the man tying the restraints as I heard Rusafa cough as the cord was tied too tightly.

Of all the days for this…the sun was beating down relentlessly. A dry wind picked up loose dust that swirled through the land. In simple words…it was hot. It was awful, those leather cords…how long before they dry and shrink up? How long does Rusafa have to get loose?

Yuri had assured me…that she had a plan, but now I was starting to doubt. Ilbani put a calming hand on my shoulder, but it didn't do me much good. I hated not being in the loop, not knowing what to do or how things will go. Yuri has taken the control out of my hands…no I handed it to her this time. I had to trust her. I had to believe that things would be ok…but how? We were cutting pretty close right now.

I suddenly flinched as Yuri threw down a flag of the Gal Meshedi, shattering the gem on top. Everyone stared in surprise when she suddenly kissed Rusafa.

"A blessing from Ishtar." She had said, backing off quickly and standing with her head held high.

Yuri…may act rashly when she is panicked, but she does not act needlessly. She does not tantrum and rampage in times of need. This was not like her. She must have a reason for her behavior…but what?

I looked at the shattered remains of the stone that was on the flag. What was it I had said to her?

"Give him a fighting chance."

My own words flashed back to me with a shock. So that was it! But…. would it be enough of a chance? I looked dubiously at the thick restraints on Rusafa. Those didn't look easy to cut through…

"Everyone is to exit Masa now!" A voice called as everyone lined up at the ladders. I guess my time for a plan was up. I graced one last look at Rusafa.

"I don't know if a blessing from the goddess of death is a good idea right now…but as a friend, I pray for your safe return." I turn and descend down the ladder myself.

Hadi's POV

"Princess Yuki!" I snapped.

"Wha- Not a princess." Came a mumbled response as the goddess in question jerked her head up in surprise.

The Princesses…they have been sitting at the entrance of the palace since we got back from Masa. They have not accepted any food or drink for those days. They were wasting away.

"Please, at least some water." Shala begged, nudging the pitcher into Princess Yuri's hands. And Ryui trying to urge Princess Yuki to drink as well.

"Rusafa has not drunken anything either." Princess Yuri said. Her voice was wispy, ghostly.

"I'm not thirsty." Princess Yuki smiled. I saw blood drops bead on her cracked, dry lips. We all knew she was thirsty. Princess Yuri has been drifting in and out of sleep, spending most of her time exhausted and napping on the couch we had set up for them. Princess Yuki was in a daze. She was neither awake nor asleep. She barely spoke, and when she did, they were incredibly short, only a few words would escape her lips, her voice was barely audible anymore.

What was most painful was Ilbani's expression as he came by to try and coax some food into her, to beg her to rest. Ilbani was no man to beg…but for her, he dropped his guarded face.

I could see it, the genuine pain that etched his features as he watched Yuki sit and waste away. I could hear the pleading in his voice. That man was so strong…only Yuki could push him to this state of misery. Cause the agony on his face. He barely got any work done, he kept walking by her, checking up on her. It was obvious that she was not moving from her spot until Rusafa walked through the palace gates.

It was painful for me to watch as well…those girls were already so tiny, they seemed so fragile. In battle, they were anything but delicate. They seemed so resilient on the battlefield that we often forget just how breakable they are. How young they are and how unaccustomed to blood and death. We forget their innocence is still there.

I think about our princesses. They just appeared in our lives, and for it, these tiny little girls have changed the outcome of the Orient. It's hard to believe, that in two years, they have accomplished so much. I feel truly blessed. Blessed that I am able to be a part of their lives. Blessed that I am able to watch them as they blossom into true goddesses. These girls…they are not like any other princesses. They shine, they have a light that draws everyone around them. We cannot help but love them. They don't realize it though…our dear princesses…they don't realize the influence they have over people.

Just then, His Majesty came rushing through the gates.

"Where is he? Where is Rusafa." He demanded, spying the girls at the entrance.

"Masa. Still…at Masa." Yuki's wispy voice was almost lost in the wind.

"Your Majesty! Glad to see you return! But that was rather quick, was it not? Well I am sorry to say, it has been days since that man's sentence. I suspect the leather cords have long since dried. I hope you do accept my condolences." The Queen Dowager said in mock sympathy. Yuki's glare looked sharp enough to cut glass. She was too exhausted and the fire behind her eyes seemed dimmer.

"Get him down now!" His Majesty commanded as he checked on Yuri. Ilbani was there in moments, supporting Yuki as she tried to stand up, and failed.

"No need, you highness." Mittanammwa said, he came into view with Kash, a tired looking Rusafa draped over his shoulder.

"Rusafa!" Yuki's voice gained some strength. "Thank the Gods! Oh thank the Gods!" Her voice cracked, as if she were ready to cry. Then she suddenly went limp. She had finally passed out from fatigue.

"I will be taking this little fool to get some rest." Ilbani sighed, scooping her up quickly in his arms and stalking off. Nobody dared to stand in his way.

"Rusafa! How did you get free?" I put a jug of water in his hand, which he quickly guzzled. He could not answer while his mouth was full of water, but instead, held up a little black stone.

"Obsidian? This is a rough piece, but given time, could probably cut the leather cords! Rusafa you sly dog, how did you sneak that in?" Kash laughed, clapping the man on the back.

"I am not that resourceful. I got this from Princess Yuri." He said, grabbing an apple from Shala and biting into the sweet flesh with a satisfying crunch.

"You mean…when she kissed you! It was a shard of the flag she broke!" Mittanamwa said in awe.

I was quite surprised myself. That was some quick thinking. It was not easy to trick the law like that.

"I got the idea from Yuki." Princess Yuri said from His Majesty's arms. "Yuki had advised me to stop trying to hide him from the senate, but to instead get him publicly acquitted."

I smiled knowingly. Those two were surely something. Yuki was the one with the plan; Yuri was the one who would enact it. I have sometimes seen them switch roles, but they were secure in their position. Perfectly balanced.

I looked at the sky, sending another silent prayer.

"Teshub, Father of the sky. These daughters of yours, I pray you will protect them in the coming war. Let them not be separated. Let their balance remain undisturbed." I whispered at the sky.

I have truly come to love these Princesses. I have come to see them as my own sisters. And I will give my life to protect these girls.

Ilbani's POV

I dripped a small stream of water into Yuki's mouth. She gasped and immediately grabbed the jug to gulp some more. I pulled it away quickly.

"Slowly. Or else you will just throw it all up." I warn her, tipping the jug back in her mouth. I could see her struggling to control herself from downing the entire pitcher in a few gulps.

Once the water was gone, I reached back for a bowl of broth on the table. I could see the slight disappointment in her eyes.

"You haven't eaten in days. You need something easy to digest." I say, spooning the soup into her mouth. She gratefully accepted. I noted that she did not once ask to feed herself, for once, she just accepted the help. Either that or she was too weak to protest. Once the broth was done, I set the bowl back on the table. She spied a pomegranate in a fruit basket on the table and reached her hands out toward it, waggling her fingers. The image reminded me of a toddler, reaching for a toy from a high shelf.

I chuckled as I retrieved the fruit and delivered it to her. She happily opened it and popped a seed into her mouth, crinkling her nose. It was a sour one.

"You always get sour ones. Why don't you try a different fruit?" I ask, watching her pop another in her mouth and grimacing.

"But the sweet ones are my favorite. It makes the sour ones worth it." Her voice was still frail but was better then it was before. She finished the sour fruit and yawned, burrowing back into the covers and quickly fell asleep.

Were we really sending this child into war? This child that would laugh and frolic in the snow, this girl that jumped into the pond on a hot day, the one that would climb to the top of the apple tree to try and find the sweetest one, the one who would nap on the soft grass with the sun warming her face. But this same girl had had a hand in destroying Mittani, negotiating with Arzawa, taking countless cities and debating on par with some of the oldest, most stubborn senators.

This girl…both these girls….they will determine the future of the Orient. Why would such a girl want to be with an advisor like me? She was meant for royalty. She thought like a queen. Why would she settle for less?

I sigh, gathering her in my arms as she slept.

Sorry I took so long on this one! School's been getting in the way .

And about the Princess at the picnic last chapter, it was Ishin Saura that interrupted Yuri, not Princess Aksham...but I really hated Princess Aksham and wanted to throw a knife at her. So there's the reasoning for that.

I am reading the manga as I write this so the timeline should be lining up with the manga, but from here on I will probably push the story more toward Yuki as we go into the Egypt arc.

Thanks for reading!

~EternallySnowy