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"This is where that servant beckoned us to come, is it not, princess?" Utati asked, her eyes riddled with worry as they stood within the courtyard's bare, evening blue glow. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb3zUx3dgW
Malawashina's violet eyes glimmered like those of freshly polished amethysts hewn from the very heart of the earth. Then, sighing, she looked down at her more petite friend. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxzYgDMlBq
"This is the courtyard he instructed us to come to. But I am sure his exalted highness, the King, is very busy with his affairs." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQcSEBi9U0
Utati's black orbs darkened further as she furrowed her brow. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv3F1CgFr7
"More like in the beds of his whores," she grumbled. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4NLLqzVu5
"There are eyes and ears everywhere, Utati. Watch what you say." Malawashina, too, had lowered her voice but kept her smile of pretentiousness upon her delicately made-up features. "We shall wait, as instructed," she looked out into the dark expanse of the hall that branched off before them, curious as to why it was not lit like all the others. Regardless, it mattered not. She appreciated the soft glow of the few braziers that lit up the courtyard, casting dancing shadows across the giant murals of brightly painted lions and gods. Would the halls of Egypt be as intricately decorated? So she thought to herself as she closed her cotton shawl around her shoulders from the chill in the air. Looking up to the wide opening in the roof, she could see the stars, still and silent in all their sparkling beauty. Why now, of all times, would her cousin wish to speak with her? It was suspicious, but she had to do as ordered, at least as long as her honour remained intact.
Twenty minutes passed, and no word came from Mursili or any of his servants. However, whilst Malawashina was patient, enjoying the stars shining far above, her hot-headed maid was not as accommodating. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GVHmC8nEg
"How long are they going to make us wait here in the cold?" She huffed impatiently. "If they take any longer, we may as well go bury ourselves in the ground!" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLOpHH0356
Malawashina could not help but chuckle at her young servant's remark, but she knew she had to calm the child before the arrival of the King. "Utati, calm yourself for my sake, please!" She pleaded, her back still turned as she gazed up into the night sky. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru503KtnYf
"No! How dare those buffoons to make you, the only princess of Hatti, wait here like some peasant!" No sooner did she cross her arms across her chest in a huff did she drop them again in shock at the deep voice behind her. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9Go3DhFYN
Malawashina spun around. Standing before her, his hazel eyes sharp like daggers as he glared at her maiden, was Mursili, the third king of his name.
"Will you be so kind as to repeat what you just said?" He asked with feigned kindness. "For I do not think I could hear you." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvUfjO5kg0
Utati's obsidian orbs widened in fear as she shrank back before throwing herself to the floor in obeisance. Instinctively Malawashina stepped in front of her. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqdiOORF9I
"She was simply telling me that it is cold out tonight," she answered contritely on Utati's behalf. She knew her cousin's temperament and would do almost anything to calm his tempest. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3VC0vfJuf
He looked up at her now, his gaze narrowing, the slight hook of his nose twitching as his nostrils flared. He was a somewhat attractive man, Malawashina could not deny it, but his attractiveness could not mask the ugliness of his heart. Stroking the tight braids of his dark beard, he eyed her for a long moment, making her shift slightly from the uncomfortable feeling of dread deep within the pit of her stomach. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAlmKROt5W
"Have the little bitch whipped." So came his order, which he directed to no one in particular. Immediately the air within the courtyard became stifling. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiea2CPOGBL
Utati squeaked helplessly at his words and pressed her small head harder against the marble flooring.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLbDewR6yM
"My lord!" Malawashina gasped, her violet eyes wide as she tried to step between the guard who now advanced toward Utati. "Please, I beg of you! She is still so young and a downright fool. She often forgets her tongue..."102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOv2js0KzA
"Then perhaps we shall have it cut out, then?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4hIKMZ6jM
The guard now pulled out a dagger at his King's words. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIgkI2xvHm
"NO!" Malawashina shouted, holding up her hands for mercy. "Please, your majesty, I beg you! I should be punished for not doing enough to reign in my servants. But, please, I beg you, do not hurt her!"
Mursili scoffed at her then, as his glare trailed back down to the young girl struggling in the guard's grip. "I advise you to keep them in check, Malawashina." Then, with a slight nod of his head, the guard let the whimpering Utati go. Utati immediately shrunk back behind her mistress like a cowering pup. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe74RTlcQtO
"You are lucky that I acknowledge your affection for the brat, as misplaced as it is. I would have executed others for far fewer slights." The pleated cream cotton of his tunic crumpled against the deep maroon of his gold woven sash as he crossed his muscular arms across his broad chest. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeT7wBpCYw
"I do not doubt it, your majesty." Malawashina spread out her arms in obeisance as she bowed herself low. "And I thank you greatly for your mercy. His Majesty, Mursili, is forever kind and generous." Her gut wrenched at speaking such words, but she had to keep up the facade to satiate him. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcJCAdJ6I0
He nodded then, accepting her praises, and lowered his arms to his sides. His expression softened slightly, but not without an air of arrogance still riddled across it. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpWX4GZKiQ
"His majesty has called for me. Shall we not go and speak together? The night is already late, and his divine majesty will need his rest." Malawashina began gently, yet not without caution. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1SEKgoqnL
Mursili grunted in acknowledgment, cocking his head towards the unlit hallway.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFojQ8a8i0
"There is something I must talk to you about, Malawashina," he began, his voice much more gentle than previous. He then looked back at her servant. "In private." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQclruRav7
Malawashina shifted slightly. "You know my father has forbidden me to speak with any man without my maid, my mother or himself present. Not even to a king," she began hesitantly. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjvCt4fCft
"Yes, I know, I know." Mursili waved his hand dismissively. "But I am the King of this palace, and your father will know better than to disobey me. Anyway, It is of great importance and one of national security." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8vDRHa3kJ
"Then surely you should speak to my father about such matters," She tried to protest. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48xJGfCJ0l
"No, this requires your assistance and yours alone. Are you to tell me that I, your King, your family, cannot rely on you?"102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdzFRxmpX9
Malawashina's eyes widened. How could she possibly answer such a pointed question? She lowered her head, defeated. She knew there was nothing she could do to escape whatever it was he wanted. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0woUzC2Uw
"You know I would do anything for my country, but is secrecy necessary?" She made one last attempt. "My servant would never speak a word." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjWqlHvlAW
Mursili arched one of his thick eyebrows at her, almost mockingly. "And you know how big her mouth is." Came his reply. "They are all to stay here, even my guards. That, I promise you. I have a task for you and you alone, which requires only your attention. I will not take no as an answer." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMntmGb8ZD
Malawashina's stomach tightened painfully at his words, and she could feel the blood rushing from her face. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIyXAEfozZ
"As you wish, your majesty."
"Some wine?" He offered her courteously.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB6cRlSslT
"It is a little too late for wine," She answered almost flatly. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeowj0OQlN
Those nostrils of his flared again. "Some tea then," he snapped his fingers loudly, and the young male servant that had been discreetly waiting for his master's command came forward immediately with a steaming pot, almost as if they had expected her answer. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwn3sPnGVM
The brew was somewhat heady, with a spicy aroma she could not recognise.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyTBaH55CI
"They call it 'chai' along the trade routes," Mursili explained proudly. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR28fnQgQ4c
Malawashina raised her eyes from the cup she was studying, made from some complex type of delicately painted material she had never seen before. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuUOpbCVru
"Porcelain," he smiled widely. "Costly and obtained from the great empire far to the East." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9pGOPMude
"So it has travelled well," she admired, the intricate oriental garden scene painted upon the cup's body giving her an insight into the scenery of the Far East. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g44MKaiku
"It is beautiful," 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDcwZM3k4g
"Not quite as beautiful as the one who holds it," his voice was soft now, his hazel gaze shimmering from the auburn light of the braziers as they danced and flickered from the cold night's draft. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFPGCkyiwE
"Mursili… please…" Her voice was meek. She could not look at him directly as she shifted uncomfortably on her sofa from his statement. He knew the effects of such words, yet he spoke them anyway. He knew he could. How would the queen feel if she knew he still desired the one he was forbidden to have? He grumbled then at her and straightened himself. Then, with a flick of his hand, the servant boy scuttled out of the room. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuiof4Ae3u
"Now," he began, his eyes still fixated on her. "Straight to the point, as always with you." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQh2wF2Vix
"What is it that you want?" She still could not bring herself to raise her eyes. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSOgP4bBiU
"And still so biting…." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIVectJ5E0
Her fists clenched white at his arrogance, and she bit her tongue to prevent the words of disgust from escaping her. He sensed her anger quickly enough and grinned smugly at her forced compliance. He had her under his thumb. And she knew it. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCHtXL8F0f
"Soon, you will travel to Egypt to become another figure in the Pharaoh's collection." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiH2f2Q8FB
"You phrase it like a dishonour," she answered, hiding her displeasure.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa25szxuxie
"Is it not?" He countered. "You will not be a queen." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBv4qA13jj
"But I will be ranked second after the Great Queen Nefertari herself. Is that not good enough?"102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSxnOF1Pmu
"And yet, who do you think you displaced to get such a lofty title?" He raised his cup to his lips yet did not sip. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbfHrg7xnu
"I know…" Malawashina answered, her voice low and saddened. "But it is not like I had a say in the matter." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM10tHgGxZ9
"Indeed. So you should indeed be grateful. I had petitioned Ramses for the title of Great Wife, but second-best is good enough for you." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4lDk6lYFq
Malawashina pinned her eyes to the mosaic-topped cedar table before them. "The mere rank of a concubine would have been good enough to escape you," she muttered. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EC25hbdbf
Mursili raised his eyes from his cup, then. "What was that?"102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnddqEtJEg
"Nothing, dear cousin," she responded quickly. "Merely I am impressed that you managed to secure me such an elevated title." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNfednDiep
Mursili placed his cup back on the table. "But you will be a mere plaything; you do know that, do you not?" He eyed her, gauging her reaction to his words.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2x3Lfn3jt
"The Pharaoh only has eyes for his queen. The rest of you are mere fodder." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq3vBIr8CW
Another pin he pierced painfully into her heart. Why would he call her forth just to part with such horrid words? 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDqf96Wzeq
"But," he continued as he leaned back against his sofa to take in her entire frame, "It was a sacrifice we had to make to ensure the peace between our nations."102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2znTluQ1l
"Yes, I am well aware that I am just a pawn." The words tumbled from her lips involuntarily. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFTq0GXE4E
The laugh that escaped him startled her enough to make her jump, almost knocking her cup over, which still sat on the table. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qBe4eMBoO
"Oh, you are laughable." He stated, his voice full of amusement. "I did give you a choice, remember?" Suddenly the facade of his merriment dropped like a ton of stone. "Or have you forgotten?"102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tBM6eckr8
She grimaced at his words and turned her eyes away from him once more. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSswheyGoni
"Forgotten what you did? And what you tried to do?" She bit. "Never."102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTDN53iPfY
He groaned at her. "Still harping on about that? It was so long ago. You women are so petty." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbXUUaB5Cz
She glared daggers at him, her violet eyes piercing him like the sun's burning rays. Yet, he paid her no heed and, instead of drinking the tea before them, took to the chalice of wine he already had. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOfWP44mnR
"Let us not argue and dwell on the past, dearest cousin," he began as he placed the alabaster chalice back on the table. "I did not ask you here for that purpose." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DTTxOxosp
"Then what?" She seethed. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCCnxnbb0P
"As I said, you will be going to Egypt very soon. But, your mother will first escort you to Kadesh, where the delegate from Hatti will pass you to the Egyptian's care. Then, they will take you to the Pharaoh's capital of Pi-Ramses. When you arrive, there is a task I would ask of you." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAIVIr66Od
Malawashina felt a great uneasiness at the calm in his voice. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpFxD7AUli
"You are to send me regular reports of your observations. I am sure that, with your position, the Pharaoh will take you on a tour of the city and perhaps of the country. I want details; How the population feels towards their monarchy, the whispers between his wives and concubines, the rumours spread by the nobles and wealthy, and the numbers of his population and the military. Anything and everything you can obtain to pass to my trusted emissaries."102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuGlrkYHMz
"So you want me to spy on the Egyptians?" She narrowed her gaze on him, for she knew his ruthlessness knew no bounds.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW6T9Z1C0C
"I would not say spy on them, but observe," he rephrased with a sly smile. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKWGoNTdpx
"So, spy," she recorrected.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYemOhXRq3
Mursili waved his hand dismissively at her once more. "Take it as you will. But I will have you do it." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9enRrZ7RW
"And if I refuse?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBa1PweIVc
"Trust me, you would not want to," he took another sip of his wine as he eyed her. Then, after a tense moment, he placed his chalice back on the table and motioned towards her untouched cup of chai. "Please," he offered her kindly. "Do try it. You will find it absolutely lovely." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0ZEnSioCa
Malawashina scrutinised her cousin carefully, his unusually gentle expression unnerving her. Then, taking up his cup, he blew away the steam and sniffed it, relaxing at its heady aroma. "Ahh, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. Apparently, there is something else I believe they call fennel as well in it. Please, my dearest cousin, try it. You will fall in love with its taste and will never drink another tea again." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhvkLSklh4
Raising an arched brow at him, she looked back down at the milky gold brew. It indeed smelt divine. Watching him sip at it, she, too, took a draught and was instantly sent to a world of sunny rays and warmth. "This is divine if I can say so myself." She confirmed his admiration of the tea. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhWEWNGwro
He smiled broadly at her. "I told you so."
Taking another long sip, she relaxed somewhat against the duck feather pillows behind her. No sooner did she do so did she feel her head become clouded. Blinking hard, she looked to her cousin, who was sipping at his wine again, watching her intently from the brim of the alabaster chalice. She desperately clasped the sofa's armrest as the room began to spin. Yet, her weight seemed to increase a thousandfold as she tumbled to the bull skin rug below them. She reached out to pull herself up at the table, and yet it seemed a hundred feet away from her now. "Mursili…" She whimpered. "What have you done?"
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