Nezzar

Part One: A Price for Loyalty

Usman's heart hammered against his chest as he drew nearer to the looming doors of the king's throne room. Amytis walked a foot ahead, head held high with a satisfied smile on her lips.

Amytis' plan was stupid. She did not understand the risk she was taking, the kind of fire she was making them play with. But Usman would always choose to fall into the hands of her father ten times over than into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar.

"You seem worried."

Usman blinked and stopped himself from crashing into Amytis at the last moment. His eyes drifted past her face and settled upon the guards at the king's door.

"Worried?" Usman stood straighter and forced a smile. "Princess, I am only concerned for your well-being," he said in a voice loud enough for the guards to hear.

Amytis observed him, eyes lingering on his face for a moment. When her smile returned, Usman released a relieved breath. Grip tightening on the hilt of his scabbard, he walked forward and waited at the door for their presence to be announced.

Usman had not met king Cyaxares since he had resumed his spying duties. The king was a shrewd man who knew how to sniff out those disloyal within his court. But Usman had been trained by the finest spies of Babylon, grilled in the art of subterfuge, sharpened and sharpened until he became the perfect tool of pretense and information acquisition.

His eyes lingered on the back of Amytis' bejewelled head. If war were to come, she'd be done. Finished. What the Babylonian forces would do to her. Her innocence would be turned to filth. His heart resumed its relentless hammering within his chest.

Finally, the large bronze doors swung open, revealing the throne room in all its splendor.

King Cyaxares sat upon a tall golden throne, deep blue layered robe hanging from broad shoulders, and grey face bright and happy at the sight of his favourite child.

"My dear flower!" His smile grew as he raised his scepter at her approach.

As they walked past the tall marble pillars that lined the path to the throne, all present bowed. Several officials' eyes gleamed with awe and longing. Amytis had made sure to look her finest. Shine like the sun so her father will be too blinded by her light to rage at what she did in the early hours of the morning.

"My father and king." Amytis offered a graceful bow before straightening and beaming. "It fills me with joy to see you alive and well. May the gods protect your reign and cause your kingdom to know no defeat."

King Cyaxares' face beamed with pride. "Is there any female in all the land as intelligent and lovely as dear Amytis?"

The officials present were quick to corroborate his statement, nodding and mumbling in agreement.

"Come walk with me at the gardens. I have not seen your face in days and days." Gesturing to the officials present, he dismissed them.

Soon, the king, Amytis, and an entourage of personal guards made it to the king's private gardens. The lush green hedges were short enough to expose any assailant with an aim to harm the king or Amytis. Usman's gaze swept over the winding stone paths, bright clusters of colourful flowers, and every corner that held any sort of deep shadows. Nothing strange or out of place. Good.

"Father, I wish to tell you something I only discovered recently." Amytis stopped in her path, forcing her father to do the same.

This was the part Usman dreaded. That he had remained silent when Amytis decided to hatch her plan had been an idiotic move. The night before, he had sent a scroll containing a detailed report of Amytis to Babylon. Abilkubi had read through the report first before it was given to a messenger. Then this morning, Amytis had informed him of her wild intention. When she asked him if it was a good idea, his tongue had felt too heavy in his mouth to say no. So he chose to stand by and let fate do its work.