Princess of Death (Three Provinces Book 1) (20 page)

“What would you like me to do with anyone we find my Queen?” I could tell Ekur was trying to hide his grin, it wasn’t working.

“Just round them up. We will put together an escort to take them back to Biri.” I took one of Mylitta’s hands and it hurt a bit when she flinched at my touch. “Please know that the only reason I am not holding them here as prisoners is because of my fondness for you. Go home, and if you know what is good for you stay out of politics. Go marry a nice man and move as far from the castle as you can.”

“I can’t, I have to be there for when your sister decides to have babies,” she said softly.

“Then just stop obeying and listening to mother and father.” Dropping her hand I moved away from her. Ekur escorted her outside with orders that she and the Guardsmen she brought with her be taken, safely, back to Biri.  She didn’t struggle, but she looked back at me over her shoulder and I couldn’t tell what emotion was in her eyes but it was there and it was no longer friendly.

“I am sure her Guardsmen are probably lurking out of sight, I think I will ask the Cat Demons to help look.” Ekur was only half teasing, but Mylitta let out a soft squeak of panic. Noticing how my company all seemed to be getting a kick out of freaking out my old nurse I silently thanked the Goddess I lived in Adura now.

“Well, that’s just great,” I muttered when it was just Nam, Nergal and I.

“Yeah, whatever. I never liked her. She played favorites,” Nam huffed, crossing his arms and plopping down in a chair. This made me chuckle, cause he was right.

“Best Beloved O
ne I think you should probably go speak to your brother. He should know the decision that has been made.” Nergal put an arm around my waist, tugging me to him. It felt nice, oh who the hell was I kidding, it felt awesome.

“Yes, but before you do so,” Nanna had come into the room, “you should wear this.” She held in her hands the most beautiful crown I had ever seen. It was black, pointed in the middle like a devils peak and the top resembled flames arching up and away, opposite directions from the middle point. All over the crown were sparkling diamonds.  It was perfect. I knelt, Nergal holding my hand, as she removed my coronet and placed the new crown on top of my head. It felt like it belonged there.

“It is beautiful. Zaltu and I had it made for you as a coronation present. But I fear you will not have a proper crowning ceremony,” my aunt sniffed.

“Thank you.” I kissed her cheek, squeezed Nergal’s hand and left the room. I took my time going to my bedroom; I didn’t want to look hurried in front of my brother.

As I came up the stairs, I bumped into Beletseri who was holding some of my laundry.

“Hey, quick question.”  I had a brilliant idea, another one. I was getting pretty good at the idea thing.

“Yes, my Queen?” She smiled, trying to juggle the laundry basket.

“Would your father care to make more money? He is Nannaru born but is captain of a ship that comes to Adura, with a daughter who lives here. I think he would be perfect to help us.” My sentence was rewarded by a beautiful smile from my Lady’s Maid.

“I think that would please him,” she answered.

“I also think when he makes these trips for me I shall send you along,” I could feel her happiness radiating off of her, “as well as Namtar.” Beletseri blushed, I had been right; she had liked his looks when they met earlier. Well, I guess I could try my hand at matchmaking AND ruling.

“But will you not have need of me here?” Worry creased her brow.

“When you are away I will have Tiamat help me. I was going to tell Sarlu to hire a few more maids anyway.” Which was true. Tiamat, Igigi, the Scullery and Kitchen Maids (whose names I simply could not remember) looked like there was too much work for them.

“Alright. I will send him a message once I am done with my duties.” She gave me a slight curtsey, which I was okay with, since her head did not move, then continued down the stairs.

Complimenting myself on everything I was achieving, I went to my room.

Sitting cross legged I pulled out the carpet bag from under my bed and called up the Mirror Spirit.

“Did it go well? Do you want me to put in a call to Shamash?” It yawned and I thought that was pretty funny, a tired Mirror Spirit.

“Yes and yes, but not quite yet.” Drawing out a hand mirror from the bag I held it up. The mirror was 13 inches in height and 6 inches in width. Simple, but gorgeous, made of fine silver, the glass clear and shining. The handle was a little textured with lines but nothing too fancy.

“I am going to put one of your siblings in this and give it to my sister Ishtar. I know she will use it and then she and I can talk when we’d like,” I shared.

“Yes, it will work perfectly,” the Mirror Spirit agreed.

“This one will go to my brother.” It was another hand mirror. The frame and handle golden and much more intricate. The gold around the mirror looked like the sun; the handle like the sun had dripped flames to create it. It was 12 inches in height and 5 inches in width.

“That is beautiful, Your Highness, thank you. I shall be back presently with your brother.”              

Satisfied I settled in until Mash showed up in the mirror.

“I see I was right about you, Eshie,” there was warmth and love in his voice and smile.

“You were. I will be Queen of Adura and you King of Nannaru. One day our parents will step down and Ishtar will, hopefully, make a kind and beautiful Queen of Biri,” I grinned back at him.

“Excellent. If you send me a list of the goods from Nannaru you usually import I will send a boat immediately,” Mash said.

“I have a captain from Nannaru who may be willing to do runs for us. One familiar with Adura.” I said.

“That will make things much easier.” He scratched his chin for a moment and I wondered if he was putting on airs to look and sound more grown up. It was interesting, living and watching someone go from childhood to manhood. Mash had been a boisterous and happy little boy. Now he was a solemn and serious young man.

“How is Aya?” I asked. His eyes brightened at the mention of her name.

“She is going to make a great Queen, wife and one day a fine mother,” he admitted.

“Perfect.” I began to smile, but then it darkened, “Mash, when will we see each other again?”

“In the flesh? I don’t know Eshie. I hope sooner rather than later.” His eye twitched as I heard someone call him from somewhere. I wondered if he was having issues in Nannaru.

As the mirror went black again, I sat for a few minutes in darkness and silence. Then the door creaked open and it was Nam.

“Hey Eshie, come downstairs, we’ve got the beginning of a great party going on.”

“I’ll be right down,” I told him. When the door closed I took off my crown and placed in on my vanity.

What? You aren’t going to wear it? It’s pretty AND it sparkles.
I couldn’t help but look at Puabi, her red eyes open and focused on me.

“You wanna come downstairs and join in the festivities? Even Lahar will probably be pigging out.”

Sure! But, why did you take off your crown? It is so cool you should make me a small one so everyone will know I am a royal bat!

“Alright Puabi, I can do that. And I took it off because sometimes a Queen just wants to be a girl.”

Epilogue

Six Months Later

As I opened the portal to the underworld Lahar growled from my side.

“Hush now, I know it doesn’t smell all that great at first, but going between worlds has to have some disadvantages and the rancid butt smell is one of them.”

We stepped into the Underworld and everything around us shifted. I hadn’t wanted to take Lahar, he didn’t like it, this sort of travel bothered him, but Nergal had made me promise I would take someone, and someone who could help protect me. I had decided he was right, so the Syb Hound it was.

Blushing, I thought about Nergal. Marriage had suited us and he was making the perfect husband; brilliant, handsome and funny. He was a good King, too. I placed a hand on Lahar’s head as we steadied ourselves. Opening my eyes I looked around, we were in a large grassy field. The sky was Aduran twilight in this part of the afterlife. There were some places where the sun shone for those from Nannaru and Biri who died and chose the Underworld to the Heavens, but not many did.

Lahar tried to pull me towards a large farm house in the distance. “No, we aren’t visiting today. We have stuff to do; we have to get to the castle.” Jerking my head to the left I transferred the heavy carpet bag to my other side and we began to walk. Maybe I would visit my dead family when we came back through, if we had time. Lahar liked to see them because the kids all gave him treats.

I needed to be at the castle by a certain time, there was a meeting I needed to attend, one that had taken months of secretive messages and whispers to set up. I was in Nam’s old castle servants clothes and I had left my crown at home. I kind of wanted to blend in just in case I was caught there. My hair might give me away, but people tended to overlook staff.

We trudged through the field for about thirty minutes before I saw the rippling that signaled another doorway into the real world. I had worked for hours to make sure I could do this quickly. The door led right into the castle attic.

I put my bag down and Lahar nuzzled my leg, “I know boy, don’t worry this will only take a moment. You must be very quiet.” Lifting my hands I pressed against the ripple, opening it. It was as if I were looking through water. Picking up the bag, Lahar and I slid through the cobwebby substance. It felt weird, but didn’t actually touch you, in reality.

The attic was musty, dark and needed a serious airing out. I do not think anyone had been up there since I had moved away. I wondered how the Adura servants were fairing; if they had left or had pledged allegiance to my parents. I had hoped the first one, but no one had said anything to me about servants leaving my parent’s home. I figured that would be something Sarlu would know. I would have to double check once I got home.

I walked quietly looking for the two mirrors that held the other Mirror Spirits. I found them, stacked together and in a pathetic state. They needed repairs and a good scrub. I touched a finger to each of them. They came awake, angry and loud.

“Shush!” I put a finger to my mouth. They each went quiet, their forms wavering, pissy and deadly.

“Do you know me?” I asked, in the barest hint of voice.

“Queen.” One with a feminine voice whispered back.

“Ereshkigal,” the other hissed, its voice masculine and husky.

“Yes, Your… brother…I guess, has sent me to… well rescue you.” Their eyes seem to light up. I held up the silver hand mirror and motioned to the more female of the two. I said a Word and it transferred to the hand mirror, the Mirror Spirit breathed a sigh of relief. It took quite a bit of magic to transfer Mirror Spirits from one surface to another. Nergal and I had worked on the spell for days until I had it condensed to a single Word. Repeating the process I got the other Mirror Spirit out as well.

Once both mirrors were safe and in my bag, I began the real hard task; sneaking downstairs and into the garden. I had brought my Shade Cloak. And it worked well to keep me and Lahar hidden from view. But if someone really focused on me they would know something wasn’t right, the best way to prevent that was to be quiet.

It was slow going and I had to hide myself several times, crouching low in closets and behind furniture as Biri servants moved in and out of the darkness. It gave me a bit of pleasure that I had not seen one Aduran servant as of yet.

Lahar was like a ghost, blending into the surroundings and warning me when people approached. We finally made it to the back door. I stepped into the garden and breathed a little easier. Things scraped and groaned in the darkness and I could smell the ripe apricots.

“Come on Lahar, they should be here.” I mumbled as we made our way forward. It hurt a little to be back. I had so many fond memories of growing up there. I also had a lot of unpleasant ones. I don’t think my siblings would ever really know how much different their upbringing was from mine. Mother and Father at least, willingly, went into Nannaru. People hate what they are afraid of and me with my red eyes living in Adura, well, I guess I was truly scary for them.

As we came to where the line of Biri was thinnest, there they were, Ishtar and Mash. She was straddling the line with Mash in the bright dawn of Nannaru. I dropped the cloak, a little sad at its loss. It was only good for one use and once I took it off it would fade back into the Shadow Lands.

I ran forward and the three of us embraced, I had tears streaming down my face as I took in their appearances and breathed in their familial scents.

“We have to be quick,” Ishtar whispered, eyes glancing up at the darkened castle windows. “The Sleeping Spell I put on Mare and Father won’t last long.”

“Alright, what was so important?” Mash asked.

“Give me a second. I want my few moments of normal first,” Ishtar glared at him, hands on her hips.

“How is married life? I wish I could have seen the ceremony.” She took my hand, face glowing and soft.

“It was simple and beautiful. We’re really very happy,” I answered quickly, hearing Mash snort and tap his foot.

“And you Mash? When will you and Aya be married?” She turned those warm loving eyes on our brother. His shoulders drooped and he sighed, giving in.

“As soon as I take care of some old Nannaru traditions that are out of date and bothersome. She sends her love.” Glancing up at the castle and then at the sun rising behind him he moved closer to us, “now what was so important we couldn’t do this without the risk?”

“They are going to try and invade Adura and Nannaru in ten days time.” Her words were like a splash of cold water on my face.

“Not even she could be this stupid,” Mash swore.

“No, just this vindictive,” I said.

“She has ordered both of you to be brought back here. She is going to strip you of your titles and powers and put you under house arrest,” Ishtar delivered the rest of the news.

“It would be a death sentence for her. My people would consider it kidnapping, an act of full fledge war.” I was distressed; my Alu family would massacre Biri people in really atrocious and disgusting ways.

“Mine would not kill, but there are things worse than death,” Mash agreed with me.

“You must try and reason with her Ishtar, and if you cannot, appeal to your fiancée and the other elite, explain this would be the worst idea in a history of bad ideas,” I begged her.

“I will, but I had to let you both know first.” Ishtar sounded tired. She also looked much older than she had when I had left home, less than a year ago.

“If Mare sends Guardsmen into Adura my people will kill them,” I warned. “The way will be dark.”

“I cannot say what my people will do, but Biri Guardsmen will not return if they cross the border without permission and hostile,” Mash’s tone was very, very angry.

Hearing a noise from inside the castle, we all startled. Lahar whimpered. “Yes, I know, we have to go. But first….” I opened the bag and handed each of them the mirrors.

“Thanks for the gift Eshie, but I don’t really need a mirror,” Mash joked.

“You do. It has a Mirror Spirit in it, who is, well the brother I think, of the one in my mirror. Now we can talk to each other and it will be safe.” I explained. I didn’t put it past my mother to place spells on the mirrors in the castle to intercept Ishtar’s calls.

“Oh, what a good idea!” Ishtar hugged me again, I could tell she didn’t really want to let go.

“I have to go now Ishtar, I told Nergal I would be home in a couple of hours. You don’t want him to come looking for me.” I kissed her forehead.

“I must go as well,” Mash looked at us forlornly. He didn’t want to go either. Reaching across Biri I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

“I love you both,” I sighed and then Lahar and I ran off into the darkness of the garden.

I moved quickly, passing Snake Ivy and Bleeding Pomegranates, deeper and deeper into the foliage until I found the stone wall. It was in bad condition because no one every came this far into the garden. Something I had counted on while making my preparations. I was a little depressed; it had taken a long time to arrange this meeting, and all for a measly ten minutes of time. Lahar nipped at my heel, breaking me from my melancholy thoughts.

“Right, better than nothing.” My eyes raked the stone wall until a found a piece that was waving in my mind. I opened the gateway and Lahar and I went through, tears stinging my eyes as reality shifted around us and planted us in front of my family’s home in the Underworld.

My stomach lurched for a few seconds as it always did. I was happy to see the house though; I had spent a weekend there every month since Zalm had given me the gift to cross over. Appearing here after my gloomy visit with Ishtar and Mash was great, almost as if Zalm knew I would need a small respite, a break after my experience.

I looked at the front porch and gave Lahar’s head a scratch. Nergal would be ok for another half hour while I had some supper with my father’s real family. Besides, I would make it up to him when I got home. In the only way I knew how: dark and naughty.

The end