“Crown Prince Kuwari,” a familiar voice called from behind.
He sighed and then glanced over his shoulder to see Councilor Nakurtum approaching swiftly. The last day had been busy with moving into Nippur’s palace and attending to a thousand little things. He hadn’t had time to get back to the councilor to discover why she wanted to talk to him in private.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“I did mean to speak with you, but I became distracted with the move. My apologies. However, we were about to go in and sit. Why don’t you join us?” Because clearly, you’re going to attach yourself to me like a leech.
“Actually, what I need to discuss will only take a moment of your time. Can we do it here?”
Fine. Kuwari waved over one of the Shadows. “Can you please see my siblings safely to their seats?”
The Shadow bowed her head and then gathered a few of her brethren and started herding his unruly siblings.
“Can Enkara come with us?” Erra begged, but he’d already latched onto her with the grip of a starving crocodile.
Kuwari grinned at his youngest brother. “Very well. If Enkara doesn’t mind.”
He didn’t miss how Enkara’s gaze flicked over Councilor Nakurtum once before she nodded her agreement. “I won’t be far should you need me for anything.”
He translated that to mean ‘If you need me to lop off her head, I’ll be near.’
With that, she gathered together all six of his siblings and herded them in the direction of the Great Hall.
Once they were out of earshot, he whirled around to face the Councilor. “What do you want?”
“For you to set aside that woman and choose one not born of a traitorous line.”
Nakurtum’s words were like a kick to the gut. Surprising, unpleasant and begging for a retaliatory strike, but he held his tongue, wondering how much she actually knew.
“Yes. I heard about Enkara’s unique coloration. It’s rare and only passed down through a few lines. Given where she was found, I did some looking in the heraldry lists on Uruk. I discovered she was the correct age to be one of Ziyatum’s own grandchildren. One Zakiti, born of Ziyatum’s oldest son and a human servant he fell in love with.”
Kuwari clenched his jaws, refusing to confirm anything just yet.
“Zakiti’s father was said to be lost in a storm, but I did some more digging while I was at Uruk and I found a few of the servant’s that used to serve Ziyatum’s House now serve High Priestess Kammani. They were a close-mouthed bunch, but I have my ways, and what interesting stories I heard.”
Damn, she’d found something of substance. Kuwari’s mind spun. He’d have to be quick to nip this in the bud. He just wondered what he’d have to trade for her silence.
Nakurtum continued her tale. “The servants told me of how Ziyatum was so enraged his first-born son would mate a human, a mere servant, that he had his own son killed and claimed it was an accident, that storm winds and the ocean took his son.”
Nakurtum arched an eyebrow, waiting to see if he would confirm the tale. He didn’t.
“The servants said there was more. Ziyatum imprisoned his son’s human mate and daughter to hide the truth of his treachery, claiming they were lost alongside his son. But those servants knew differently since they were tasked with bringing food once a day to the dungeon below the palace.”
“An interesting tale,” Kuwari said at last.
“Oh, it’s not a tale. I have proof.” A delighted twinkle entered her eyes. “The heraldry lists had a description that sounds much like Enkara, but it also mentioned a small crescent scar on her shoulder. The servants said it happened during her birth when she was forcibly pulled from her mother’s womb. It was a difficult birth, one that nearly claimed both mother and child. Does the scar sound familiar?”
Kuwari flared his nostrils but gave no other response, his mind already on what he’d have to do to rebury the evidence Nakurtum had unearthed.
“If you’re thinking of destroying the heraldry record or relocating the servants, don’t bother. I’ve hidden it in a safe place and the humans I’ve elevated as aids working for my household. I will bring them and the record to the Council and allow them to vote on what should be done with the daughter of a traitorous line. After all, those who weren’t killed were to be sent into exile. I know we won’t see your beloved Enkara suffer a similar fate because we both know she is no Shadow. She’s something far more special.”
How had she discovered Enkara was the granddaughter of Ziyatum? Worse, how had she learned Enkara was his Blade? Only the senior Shadows and his immediate family knew that detail. And what could he do to force the Councilor to hold her tongue?
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I most certainly do. We both know it to be true. I’m not here to debate that with you. While I can only guess why you and your father have hidden who and what Enkara is from the Council, I assume it is only a temporary measure to protect her until she is fully trained.”
Kuwari didn’t respond verbally, but his body was betraying him, and he forced his fists to unclench and his shoulders to relax. “What do you want?”
“To give New Sumer the best protection it can get.” Her voice lowered even more. “I know you love Enkara and I don’t expect you to set her aside. But even you must know she is a war leader at best. All I am suggesting is that you do as your father did. Name my daughter as your consort and allow her to rule at your side. It will be in name only, of course. Enkara shall be your true mate in secret.”
“It isn’t as simple as that,” he said at last, knowing he had to say something or risk her going directly to the council with everything she knew.
“Yes, it is.”
“I’ve already named Enkara as my intended betrothed.”
“Yes, but the ceremonies have not yet been performed. There is still time to change your mind.”
“People will grow suspicious if I suddenly just change my mind.”
“Then let the rumors that Enkara doesn’t love you in return flourish. That won’t be hard for the court to believe. We’ve seen how she does her best to avoid your amorous attentions. It won’t be difficult to make it believable.”
“Enkara loves me!” Kuwari’s nostrils flared with rage, and for the first time in years, he felt his Gryphon stirring below his skin without him calling on it to shapeshift.
Nakurtum just shook her head at him. “Enkara serves you. I don’t doubt that she loves you as well, but she serves you first.”
A cold pit opened in Kuwari’s stomach. Nakurtum will do anything to get what she wants, remember that, he reminded himself.
“I’m only asking you to postpone your official betrothal and allow my daughter closer. Over time, others will see what you want them to see, and they won’t get suspicious when you name Kullaa as your betrothed and later consort.”
“I’ll think about your offer.” But only because I need time to figure out how to neutralize you.
“I look forward to your decision.”
He turned and walked away. Outwardly, he was cold and emotionless. Inwardly, he was seething with rage and the need to hunt and kill.
Chapter 26
Enkara sat stiffly next to Kuwari, scanning the faces of the nobles sharing the table with the royal party. This dinner welcoming him to Nippur was no different than any other of the hundred such festivals held in honor of various religious rites. There was no reason to feel uneasy.
And yet she did.
She slid her hands up her robe’s sleeves and wrapped her fingers around the hilts of the daggers Kuwari had gifted to her. No one else at the table noticed her small move, but the Shadows standing behind her did. The softest snick of sound marked when they drew their weapons and approached the high table.
Like a hazy gray fog at the peripheral of her vision, she sensed another power creeping into the room. It was like no threat she’d ever encountered before. While she might not be
able to label it, she knew it was a threat. Enkara leaned close and whispered in Kuwari’s ear. “I sense something. Have you had any visions that you haven’t told me about?”
Kuwari arched his eyebrow. “No, but I take it this dreary dinner is about to change into something more interesting?”
King Ditanu leaned around Kuwari to meet Enkara’s eyes. “From what direction is the danger coming?”
On his other side, Queen Iltani rose from her seat and stood with her hand resting on the hilt of her goddess-gifted crystalline sword of power. “It’s coming from everywhere.”
The Shadows along the walls converged on the high table, scanning the crowd around them as they moved.
“Clear the room,” Iltani shouted suddenly.
Guards wearing the colors of Nippur’s garrison jumped to obey the queen’s command, but they were too late.
On the heels of the Queen’s warning, a nobleman jumped up and managed to disarm a garrison guard in a blur of motion. Before anyone could stop him, he was rushing toward the royal family.
Some of the dining nobles screamed in fear while others stood as if to face the danger head-on. Neither activity was helpful. But Enkara didn’t have time to worry; she was too busy leaping over the table to meet the oncoming threat.
Queen Iltani vaulted over the table a moment later. Together they faced the oncoming assassin only to realize a second assailant was running just steps behind the first. Enkara darted down the dais stairs to meet the first as Iltani engaged the second. All around them Shadows leaped forward forming two defensive lines between the high table and the enemy.
With the first strike of her sword against her opponent’s, Enkara assessed his skill level. He was good. Their blades blurred and danced, catching the light and flashing it back in strange glints. Though Enkara was more interested in her opponent’s footwork than the pretty play of his blade.
Ah. There was the opening she’d been waiting for. He struck at her again. Shifting her weight, she dropped back on her left foot and then twisting to the side, her sword streaking toward the enemy. Surprise showed on his face the moment her sword buried its blade in his gut. Shoving him off, she whirled around to see Iltani had dispatched her opponent and was moving to the next.
She only had a moment to seek out Kuwari. He was still at the high table. Then her next opponent was upon her, and she met the descending blade that was meant to take her head. Deflecting the strike, she slammed her knee up into his groin and a dagger up under his chin.
A moment later, she ripped her dagger free and scanned the chaos. More Shadows and city guards rushed into the hall while panicked diners fled. Which was the natural order of things as far as Enkara was concerned. Anyone running towards the royal family that wasn’t a Shadow was someone in need of killing.
A quick count showed thirteen revelers moving towards the high table. Goddess. Sixteen assassins in total. There hadn’t been such a brazen attack since Kuwari was a cub.
As she moved to face the nearest of the assassins, she watched in horror as several Shadows fell before one particular adversary. This assassin didn’t look like much. A man of medium height, build and age. But the way he cut down fully trained Shadows was anything but ordinary.
Clearly, the hostiles had different levels of training. Hired mercenaries versus well-trained assassins? Enkara didn’t have time to reason it out though. They were all just threats needing to be neutralized.
Queen Iltani intercepted the man Enkara had picked out as her next kill, so she glanced over her shoulder to make sure another with equal skill wasn’t even now cutting his way towards the King and his family.
Ditanu and Burrukan were now in front of the table, shielding the younglings. Kuwari was absent. Cursing, Enkara swung around, seeking Kuwari, guided by her magic. She found him herding Lady Kullaa and Councilor Nakurtum toward the high table. Once all three were safe behind a line of Shadows, Enkara breathed a sigh of relief.
It didn’t last long. Leaving the two women, he leaped down the stairs and halted at her side, his own sword smeared with blood.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she shouted at him as she snatched up a second sword from the hand of a fallen Shadow. She didn’t have time to hear Kuwari’s answer. Leaping forward, she engaged three assassins who had gotten past the first line of Shadows.
Enkara met her new opponents, a man and two women, in a clash of steel on steel. She pivoted, cut, slashed and danced out of danger, all the time calmly keeping them all too busy to break away and engage Kuwari.
She landed a glancing blow to the thigh of the taller of the two female assassins. Long skirts hid how deep the wound went. It slowed the assassin, which was all Enkara needed. With a meaty sound and the crack and snap of bone, her sword thrust deep into the woman’s ribcage.
Spinning away from the body, she parried her two remaining opponents.
Kuwari darted forward and thrust his sword into the other woman’s gut. He flashed a grin at Enkara. “You were having all the fun. I felt left out.”
The remaining assassin appeared unfazed by the death of his two cohorts and continued his attack. She and Kuwari worked like a well-oiled unit, and together they pushed back the third assassin.
“I really don’t like assassins,” Kuwari stated calmly a moment before the point of his sword erupted through the front of their opponent’s chest.
“I had him,” Enkara grumbled as she sidestepped and put her back to his.
“Learn to share.” But the humor was missing from his voice. He saw the same thing as her. Dead Shadows.
The remaining assassins were engaged now. Two more were already dead at Queen Iltani’s feet while Burrukan was finishing off his own opponent. A soundless warning urged Enkara into motion before she fully understood the danger.
All the remaining assassins broke away from their opponents and charged the line of Shadows protecting Kuwari’s siblings. The two groups collided in the thunderous clash of steel, flashing blades and swiftly moving bodies. The Shadows held fast, giving her and Kuwari time to reach the battle before the last defensive line was broken.
She outpaced Kuwari as she bolted up the dais stairs at a diagonal, jumping fallen chairs, dishes, and injured and dying Shadows. There was nothing she could do for them except avenge their deaths. Burrukan and Iltani were sprinting towards her from the opposite direction. King Ditanu was positioned in the center of the defensive line, helping hold back the determined assassins.
Behind them, Regent Ahassunu stood with a sword in each hand. The twins, more skilled with the sword than their other brothers and sisters, flanked Ahassunu and together formed the final defensive line around the unarmed siblings.
Enkara roared in rage and slashed at the backs of the assassins. Burrukan and Iltani joined her moments later. Even outnumbered, the enemy put up a good fight, though no more Shadows fell to their blades.
“I want one of them alive for questioning!” Burrukan bellowed.
Carrying out his order proved difficult. Each time they managed to nearly disarm one of their foes, they turned their daggers on themselves.
Shouting out a surprised curse, she watched helplessly as one of the assassins directly in front of her, reversed his hold on his sword and drove it into his own gut. As she kicked over the body slumped against her legs, she realized Kuwari wasn’t at her side.
A quick glance around showed the room had emptied of both nobles and other citizens of Nippur. But there was one fight still going on.
Kuwari was facing off against a familiar assassin—the man of medium height and build and deadly sword skills. She’d thought Queen Iltani had finished him off, but apparently not.
Presently he was circling Kuwari, trying to find a way inside his defenses. But Burrukan had trained the prince, and he was holding his own, his sword a blur against his opponent’s blade. Though, the assassin was skilled, matching Kuwari strike for strike. It wasn’t until she ran closer that she heard the assassin speaking with her p
rince.
“It’s good to cross swords with you again. It’s been too long. You’re rusty. Practice more or some assassin is going to send your soul spinning off into the next life.” The male said with a grin of genuine warmth.
That’s when Enkara’s blood ran cold. This opponent was only toying with the prince.
Kuwari didn’t rise to his opponent’s verbal baiting though.
“Earlier, when you were protecting the two women, you should have let one of my brethren slip past your guard. We would have rid you of a couple thorns in your side.”
“I think not,” Kuwari’s sword met the other male’s in a shower of sparks, “Anunnaki.”
“Ah, you know what I am.” The Anunnaki’s sword struck Kuwari’s and the prince nearly lost his grip, but Enkara stepped into the fight, her blade dancing with the Anunnaki’s sword.
“Ah, Blade. We meet again. As I said to Kuwari, you should let me kill the other girl. It will save you much trouble shortly.”
Enkara laughed. “I think I’ll skip taking advice from one of my sworn enemies.”
“So misguided. I am not an enemy. Not to you or your prince.”
“Don’t think we need friends like you,” Kuwari said as he lashed out at the Anunnaki.
The Anunnaki parried both hers and Kuwari’s strikes, but her Blade’s magic told her this creature was tiring and had already expended a great deal of power to take a host and hide from the Lamassu.
She and Kuwari renewed their assault upon the Anunnaki.
“Ah. I see I’m out of time. Your Shadows and the other Blade just defeated the last of my brethren. My apologies. I must bow out of this fight now.” In one swift motion, he drew a throwing knife and tossed it at the prince. Kuwari didn’t deflect it in time and it sliced a line high up on his thigh. Grunting in pain, he stumbled back but kept his sword at the ready.
“Didn’t see that coming, did you, old friend?”
Shouting, Enkara lunged forward as Ishtar’s fiery power boiled up from inside her. With a swift thrust, she impaled the Anunnaki on her now flaming blade. The magic roared higher and the host body burned to ash in heartbeats.
Blade's Honor (Ishtar's Legacy Book 2) Page 18
