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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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseUgsY0tXS
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BoPJ6WfR7
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb2dClSCjU
Utati's black orbs darkened further as she furrowed her brow. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9MhnRVW1u
"More like in the beds of his whores," she grumbled. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2RbDG0cO4
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP3bQ3R2SA
"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!" 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJx08t2JFz
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTNxtcXxVt
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKFKnsvyQl
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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXzppGA2g9
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVENZJMpcdj
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJF2mjIUym
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9yBVbCVAy
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4CNmusUEv
Utati squeaked helplessly at his words and pressed her small head harder against the marble flooring.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYTdcRwGKO
"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..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J8YsODD1g
"Then perhaps we shall have it cut out, then?" 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qfP626rFc
The guard now pulled out a dagger at his King's words. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76aWl0uFCs
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKflxKC48z
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qFiQUF1L9
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgek3hf8ug
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUL8jAL5D3
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bcIuaK5eI
Mursili grunted in acknowledgment, cocking his head towards the unlit hallway.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9rE7sf1oj
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwHrw8Owx4
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu0E7bJqSb
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuxAygwkiI
"Then surely you should speak to my father about such matters," She tried to protest. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQmmNyd0Bm
"No, this requires your assistance and yours alone. Are you to tell me that I, your King, your family, cannot rely on you?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp03jdM5nZJ
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8G8srlKrO
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKKIXKjqUm
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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s8PDYtMne
Malawashina's stomach tightened painfully at his words, and she could feel the blood rushing from her face. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU7ewOHHbz
"As you wish, your majesty."
"Some wine?" He offered her courteously.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzsS0k0kpR
"It is a little too late for wine," She answered almost flatly. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuhrgfi2Cw
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCfmboaehA
The brew was somewhat heady, with a spicy aroma she could not recognise.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVx77tyozx
"They call it 'chai' along the trade routes," Mursili explained proudly. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMfj17fCMu
Malawashina raised her eyes from the cup she was studying, made from some complex type of delicately painted material she had never seen before. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTWHa9qYWQ
"Porcelain," he smiled widely. "Costly and obtained from the great empire far to the East." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemQG5sTNin
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzLyOV4DSt
"It is beautiful," 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKnCtQiTVK
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx49hIbTsE
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n81J6dK7t
"Now," he began, his eyes still fixated on her. "Straight to the point, as always with you." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVzhKQxNem
"What is it that you want?" She still could not bring herself to raise her eyes. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfcFPRZRZa
"And still so biting…." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qYOBuLh4h
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHG6839pgu
"Soon, you will travel to Egypt to become another figure in the Pharaoh's collection." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT48GsGL5fk
"You phrase it like a dishonour," she answered, hiding her displeasure.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4DoT4iAac
"Is it not?" He countered. "You will not be a queen." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4SasKjM0A
"But I will be ranked second after the Great Queen Nefertari herself. Is that not good enough?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnhiWhpbBA
"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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvHQEnaKAm
"I know…" Malawashina answered, her voice low and saddened. "But it is not like I had a say in the matter." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA98sA0FVBL
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNNT7oysOn
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cPh9KjPSU
Mursili raised his eyes from his cup, then. "What was that?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITYKxoJXTw
"Nothing, dear cousin," she responded quickly. "Merely I am impressed that you managed to secure me such an elevated title." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZve3Oih0vC
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU0cbXuxqE
"The Pharaoh only has eyes for his queen. The rest of you are mere fodder." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0FHCiQv2n
Another pin he pierced painfully into her heart. Why would he call her forth just to part with such horrid words? 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlPE8upJ9H
"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."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYOBcLFSD9
"Yes, I am well aware that I am just a pawn." The words tumbled from her lips involuntarily. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteajgkUAVs
The laugh that escaped him startled her enough to make her jump, almost knocking her cup over, which still sat on the table. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUWoS9wV1y
"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?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirpnBnOMEq
She grimaced at his words and turned her eyes away from him once more. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGuK6tX82s
"Forgotten what you did? And what you tried to do?" She bit. "Never."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcrBwzAZhT
He groaned at her. "Still harping on about that? It was so long ago. You women are so petty." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzbA8BY0xH
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLrNpCIwjc
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8szNImMFmu
"Then what?" She seethed. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MJZGn4S7k
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCchYieGYBP
Malawashina felt a great uneasiness at the calm in his voice. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRp1ujTvUI
"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."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEE9Uj7ZpD
"So you want me to spy on the Egyptians?" She narrowed her gaze on him, for she knew his ruthlessness knew no bounds.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4heMagHjw
"I would not say spy on them, but observe," he rephrased with a sly smile. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Eb804MIp
"So, spy," she recorrected.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqf9T7EZYI
Mursili waved his hand dismissively at her once more. "Take it as you will. But I will have you do it." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUou5Qm8OA
"And if I refuse?" 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFr9RSAXW5
"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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL9eELnh8y
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." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi21Ar07gOc
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. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaqYCGiUYN
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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