A Court Of War

The crystal lattice snow fell continuously, dancing to the rhythm of the cool winter breeze, curling like sparkling spindrifts, leaving an endless beauty against the brown and grey soil of the earth. The city was quiet as the people assembled at the square. Nobody spoke except for one...

"Kill them all" A voice of a young warrior rang in the square bringing everyone back to the present. Nobody moved or utterd a word after her. She turned back and said, "This is my order."

"Your wish is my command, your highness" a giant man who stood beside her bowed. He turned to the crowd that surrounded the prisoners and nodded. The guards understood the language. They began to prepare to welcome the Angel Azrael. He was the angel in charge of death.

"H-ha-V-ve me-rcy, princess" One of the prisoners fell on his knees while pleading for mercy. Due to hunger and cold, his voice trembled and failed alongside his lips.

The crowd thought this would soften the princess. She would let them go. But, it only made her angrier. A little frown appeared on her face.

The young princess who should be in her twenties shook her head pitifully. Her red hair was striking against the background. Her skin was as white as snow. People said she was as beautiful as Angelina Zev, the goddess of ruins.

"Please, let the women go" Another man cried.

The Princess knew what to do. She took a few steps forward and spread her hands on the old handrail.

"There is no mercy for traitors. This will serve as a punishment to you and a warning to all."

"You heard her Highness, there is no mercy for traitors" The giant man spoke. He turned to the guards and raised his right hand.

The guards who were standing beside the prisoners sliced each of their throats. Blood gushed out of them.

Some of the people closed their eyes so that they would not witness such a scene. However, the Princess did not look away. Her eyes were fixed on the knife. She saw the prisoners struggle to free themselves.

On the other corner of the terrace stood a twenty-two years old woman dressed in a blue gown. Her brows knitted as she witnessed the death of innocent people. She turned around and hugged the woman beside her.

"Hazel, Do you see who she has become?" The girl asked with her hands trembling. She could barely endure the sights of blood. How managed did her cousin, the princess enjoyed it?

"I see, Ember" Hazel ran her hand through her hair. She patted her sister's back and continued to grit her teeth "She is just like the witch had said. Her father sold her soul to the devil for wealth and power."

"You are right, with what I have seen today, Azrael is the true angel of death" Ember broke from the hug. She turned to leave when she came face to face with their brother. "Williams?"

"Yes, ladies" The young man flashed a gorgeous smile. The smile on his face disappeared as he question the girls "How dare you slander your princess?"

"We? No..." Hazel looked at Ember and they both shook their heads. If the Princess finds out the truth, she will punish them.

Williams bursted into laughter. He held his stomach as he laughed at their reactions. So, the sisters believed the little show he put out.

"Was this a joke?" Hazel's brows furrowed in confusion. She leaned against the wall and watched her brother laugh at their stupidity.

"Yes, lady Hazel" Ember replied her. "Can't you see the fool is laughing at us?"

"I can see that."

Williams stopped laughing. He stood with his shoulders hung high and spoke "I'm sorry, ladies. Has your sister given her verdict?"

Ember sighed. She covered her face with both of her hands and said "She killed them all. I can't believe that Azrael could do something like that."

"Very well...she did not disappoint me but she did disappoint you" Hazel took a few steps back and held her dress with both of her hands. She curtsied "My condolences, lord Williams and Lady Ember."

"Oh, please..." Williams did not want to listen to talks about Azrael again. He hated the princess for everything she had. "Azrael is not married yet, she acts like a queen."

"I'd worry about the ball, the king will choose the best prince for her...and us? We will get remain..." Ember did not finish her sentence.

"Ember..." Hazel stopped as she heard footsteps coming their way. When they looked left, they saw the princess, Azrael.

Azrael wore a beautiful smile on her face when she saw her cousins. With so much excitement in her heart, she increased her pace.

"Here comes the witch" Williams whispered as they all bowed.

Azrael halted in her track. She did not like it when her sisters treated her differently. They were cousins but she saw them as her blood sisters. They lived in the palace with her.

"Please do not bow your heads again" She smiled as she walked to where they were. "Please..."

"What can we do?" Hazel asked with a fake smile on her face. "You are the only princess of Akkad. You deserve it."

"Do not say it. You can look up all of you" Azrael asked them nicely. She turned in the direction she came from and saw that the guards were waiting patiently. "You may leave me with my sisters."

"Thank God" Hazel heaved a sigh. She thought for a moment that the guards were here to seize them. The fear she had lived with her for years. Each night she closed her eyes, she prayed to God, to protect her from the darkness of the palace.

Azrael's chuckle interrupted her from her thoughts. "Can we all go inside now?"

"Are you done with the execution?" They all asked her at the same time.

"Yes, it is done" She replied with a confused look. They were never interested in the politics of the state. Why now?

"Now, their blood is in your hand" Ember mumbled. She hissed.

"I don't understand," the princess asked. She stared at them with those beautiful but dangerous pair of brown eyes.

"When will you understand?" Ember asked back. She was angry that the princess's stubbornness will doom all of them. "Why did you kill them? They were the surviving members of the Emperor Sargon's royal family. You should have let them go..."

"Keep quiet, Ember" Williams held her hand. His sister was bent on losing her head to the princess. It was better to shut her up before she say too much.

"Let her speak" Azrael commanded.

Ember freed herself from Williams' hold and continued "You haven't heard about the song of the Devil? The musicians sing it in every Alehouse in Akkad. Don't you know the lyrics?"

"I have not heard of it" Hazel spoke. She was enjoying every moment... The little frown mixed with fright on the princess' face. Finally, there was something that scared Azrael. Hazel urged her sister to sing even though she knew the song as if it was written on the back of her hand. Everyone knew the song of the devil except for the princess. "Come on, sing it."

"Once upon a time, there lived a devil king named Emperor Sargon. He invited the kingdoms around for a feast and it became his funeral. Betrayal fought way in and blood became ale. The Emperor will come again to take what has been stolen away from him...blood will spill and souls will become his. Revenge and justice will...."

"Stop it" Azrael shouted. She placed a hand on her stomach as she glared fiercely at her cousin. A cold shiver ran through her spine as the last sentence replayed in her head. 'Revenge will serve and justice will be dispensed. Was this real?

Chapter Two.

Five miles away from Akkad...

"Should I kill him, brother?" A feminine voice asked impatiently. She was thirsty for blood and her blue eyes spoke of that. She tightened her grip on the sword which was close to the man's neck. Finally, they got hold of an Earl.

"Why are you in a hurry, Heather?" a deep voice asked. He was standing with his back facing them. His armour clearly showed that he was a special Viking Lord.

"You know how much I hate these men" Heather hit the back of the Earl's head with the handle of her sword. She knew her brother, Azriel was not going to give her the privilege to kill this man. The sight of him disgusts her. "So, now what? The old man has refused to utter a word. Are we going to play with him?"

"No, he will talk" Azriel turned and faced her. With his cold eyes, he glared at the man kneeling beside his sister. He knew exactly how to make him talk. His men have gone to clear the area off any soldiers. Once they return, they will make the old man talk.

"Will you kill him?" she asked with a broad smile. But it disappeared as soon as she heard her brother's response.

"Don't be a fool, Heather" Azriel picked up his sword and put it back. "He can't talk when he is dead. We shall wait for Stryga and Sigurd to come back."

"They will" Another female voice spoke. She was lying under the tree. Beside her were three dead bodies. She looked at the men and spitted. They should be ashamed where ever they might be. A woman spills their blood and sent them to the cold world.

"At least, move away from the dead bodies, Kielee" Heather shouted. She was happy seeing them die. It gave her strength and courage to face the tough battle ahead. To recapture the city that was stolen from them, nineteen years ago. She was just a child when they invaded and kill her father. Her stepbrother, Azriel was born that night.

"Undress the dead men. We shall use their clothes to enter the city" Azriel commanded. He walked to where the Earl was. His hand balled into a fist and he gave him a blow on his cheek. The man landed on the frozen grasses with blood gushing out of his mouth. "Tell me a secret that would be useful. A secret that can make me change my mind about killing you."

"I can't guarantee your freedom. I will rip each one of your balls and hang them on these trees for the birds to feed on" Heather chimed in. "I'm sure they would like to test your..."

"Enough, " Her brother stopped her. He looked at the old man and asked again "Do you have a secret? Something useful? My sister is hungry for your flesh, let's not keep her waiting then."

The Earl managed to get up from the ground. He nodded wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He was ready to talk "I can help you."

"Nobody wants your help, old man" Heather clenched her fists. She hated the way her brother treated his prisoners "It's either your head or the secret."

"You should interrogate the man, instead," Kielee told her. "You know too much."

"If you two do not keep quiet, I will plunk out all your tongues, do you understand?" Azriel commanded all of a sudden. He spoke in a serious tone and the ladies knew that he meant every word that he said. They kept silent this time around. "Old man, speak. There is no time."

"There is a festival going on in Akkad. More than twenty princes are invited including me."

"Wait..." Heather paused. She pressed her lips together. It was funny because the man was not dressed like a prince. She did not expect her brother to know the difference "please, do not tell me you are a prince?"

The skin in between Azriel's forehead pinched. He ignored his sister and turned to the old man "Go ahead."

The old man hesitated. He looked at Heather with fear. Beads of sweat covered his face as he studdered "You can go as the prince and your men as guards. As for the ladies, they could be your maids."

"Is that all? Azriel asked. He did not want to leave any details or make a mistake behind those walls of Akkad. There was no way they would survive if the king found out that they were spies sent by the Genasi.

He turned to the direction where his men went to. They spent the entire day looking for someone who would let them into the city. At last, they found the prince and his men.

Heather walked to where the old man was. She made him kneel in front of her "Are we done with him?"

"Sort of," Azriel replied with his eyes on the path that led to the forest. He was worried. His men were supposed to be back by now. Before he knew what was happening, Heather placed her hand under the old man's chin. She raised his head and brought her knife. It went so fast on his skin, separating the neck and his head. Blood rushed out as her hands and trouser got stained.

Her brother was shocked. He could not move or say a word to her. The man was supposed to stay alive.

"Heather, do not tell me you went against your brother" Kielee sat up. She was surprised even though she wanted the man dead.

"I have to do. I'm sorry" She dropped his head and walked to where Kielee sat. Heather knew what her brother's anger was like. He could kill her within a minute. "Forgive me. I got carried away."

Azriel sighed as he looked at the lifeless body. He gave the man his word. They were going to spare him because of the information, he gave to them. "Your punishment should start now. Only you get to bury the bodies, Heather. And I will check for the boys. They should be back by now."

Heather was in shock as she watched her brother and friend leave. She was stuck with dead bodies. Now, she was going to cause more disasters with them. They won't have peace even on the other side.

It was all for vengeance!

*******

Chapter 3

Princess Azarel's POV.

I looked at my cousins. They were trying to scare me. I made my way to my room and they followed closely. I hated it when people saw my father as a traitor. It was a battle between emperor Sargon and my family. We won and he lost. Why will they keep praising his name after death?

"She is sorry, my Lady" Williams apologized. He was supposed to join his father in the fields, where the soldiers were training. He gazed at his sister who did not care about my feelings at the moment. She did not utter a word of apology. "Please, Azrael. Forgive her, I beg of you."

I stopped walking and Hazel almost stepped into my heels. Poor girl, she had no idea that I was going to stop all of a sudden.

"It's okay" I smiled as she turned around. "Let's go to the courtyard. The king's Ball is tomorrow... We will get to see the visitors from afar."

Williams was glad that everything was fine between us. He bowed and excused himself. We watched the view of the city for hours. It was a boring scene for me because my father would not let me out of the palace.

"I'm leaving" I informed the rest. They joined me as well.

Passing through the dark walls that led to my room, Hazel continued to talk about the ball. I was scared of attending it but my father insisted that I do. It was meant for me in the first place. He was going to choose a groom for me.

"What will you be wearing tomorrow?" She glanced at me, there was no hint of reaction or alarm on my face. It was just a party and anything I come up with will be my outfit. My sisters were surprised that I had nothing to wear.

"It is such a big day for you, Azrael" Ember told me. She was wearing a pink gown with an embodiment of stones. The pearls father gave to her on her last birthday were attached to her dress. She was a lovely lady...if only she could smile more.

"It is not" I stopped in front of a giant door. I yanked open the wooden door, the heat and light almost blinded me as I slipped inside. "I thought I turned the fire off."

"Well, you didn't" Ember crossed her hands in front of her chest while leaning at the door. The room was hot instead of warm. I turned the fire off with cold water from the bucket in my bathroom. I was in a rush when I left the room earlier. Father called me to handle the prisoners while he attended a meeting.

He was doing this to prepare me for the future. When I become the queen of Akkad, I will be able to handle everything that comes my way. It was not easy standing in front of the people and asking the soldiers to kill prisoners. I wanted to impress my father...I had to do it.

"Open the windows, Azrael" Ember asked with her covered nose. Hazel was surprised by her behaviour. Even though they were older than me, our statuses ranked different in the empire. I was the Emperor's daughter and the future Empress. She had no right to send me. But I shrugged it off. I never took whatever she did personally. She was my sister and I would do anything thing to make them happy.

"Are you being serious?" Hazel pinched her and she let out a scream. "Go and open the window if you want to stay in the room with us."

"Do not worry, I will do" I smiled walking towards the windows. I drew the beautiful curtains that my stepmother made for me two weeks ago. There were brought from Asia. Every week, she asked the maids to change my curtains.

"These are new curtains, Azrael" Hazel touched them gently. She kissed and rubbed it on her cheeks. "They are smoother than my bedsheets."

Ember laughed and I joined her too. I had no idea why she did but I did not want to talk about the curtains so it helped me change the conversation.

Hazel went to my giant wardrobe and opened it. She was surprised to see that my clothes got changed again. The ones from last month were sent to the nunnery to distribute to the poor. I went to my king-sized bed that was well dressed by the maids and sat down. The books I read last night were still on top of my drawer.

The first book was about Genasi, our biggest enemy. They were the deadliest creatures we have ever seen. They were immortals and mortals like us did not possess magic- did not possess any superior strength speed of the Genasi. The rare and dangerous one was the wildfire Genasi. None of us had ever seen one before. It was said in this book, that the last kind was killed years ago by ashes.

"I don't believe this, Azrael" Hazel's loud voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see what she was up to...my dresses...not again. It made me feel uncomfortable. I smile revealing all my frontal teeth. She knew it was a fake smile. "I love them. I love the fabrics, they are unique."

"Thank you," I said returning to my book.

"That's why she is the princess" Ember's soft gasp scraped past my eyes and I ignored her. There was nothing special about being a princess. All my life, I lived by the rules given by my father. When they were outside playing, I was indoors learning with a tutor. They learnt to ride a horse because they loved it but I learnt it because my father said I needed to be on horseback while going to war.

"Let's talk about the ball. Which prince are you going to choose" Hazel was excited about tomorrow. The question was general but I let Ember speak first. I waited patiently for my turn.

"Hmmm..." She sat on the bed beside me and said "The most handsome prince to graced this palace with its presence will be my husband. You know, I'm always good with taste...he should be strong and tall. A warrior in disguise of a prince...I mean...he should be stronger than all princes" She chuckled.

I noticed that her eyes did not blink as she spoke. Poor girl, such a man did not exist. It was either she goes for a handsome prince who will brag about his riches or a brave warrior who was committed to a king or prince. He would not have time for his family.

"If you are done dreaming, can you wake up from slumber?" Hazel told her. She turned to me and asked "What type of man would you like to marry? Or what prince..."

"I understand, dear" I interrupted her but my tone was polite so she flashed me a smile. I never thought of a man I would like to marry. As a Princess, my marriage was going to be arranged by my father. It would be for the betterment of the empire. But if I was asked to choose my husband, he would be "I want a kind man. One who respects all women. He should be caring, loving and understanding. He should love me because of who I am not what I am."

"That was long and impressive" Hazel took a deep breath and asked "What about his physical looks? What do you want him to look like?"

I sighed. This was going to be hard. We were taught not to admire men so I had no time to picture the man I wanted. With my eyes closed, I described the image in my head to them "A tall fine man. He has long dark lashes and impressive cheekbones. His shining emerald eyes..."

Ember did not allow me to finish. She interrupted me as usual "They said that Emperor Sargon had a thing for green eyes. His wife had green eyes...his son who was born years later had green eyes too."

A shudder skittered down my spine at the thought and I shoved it away. It was just a story.

Emperor Sargon was the devil who ruled this empire for years. They said he ascended the throne at the age of ten killing his father. It was said he was a no-mercy king. But when he fell in love with a green-eyed slave, everything changed.

"That man is dead. His family is dead. Your father ordered his son to be killed before it was born" Hazel assured me. Was this true? My father would never kill a child.