Blood (Epic of the Mediterranean) [Book 1]

Chapter 26

The place she was confined to had no ventilation and light of sorts. Perhaps a dungeon. She had been barely conscious when hauled down here, muscles torn and bleeding internally. But it was perhaps because of a blow to the head, to prevent her from running or acting up. What did it matter anyway? Dead or alive, all was same to her. She couldn't face him anymore, but she would have to, eventually.

There wasn't anyone or anything around her, only cold void. Anything which could have been used to commit suicide was removed. Basically, everything was removed. Just an endless dark which provided nothing to her hazy sight. Her body didn't pain anymore, it was numb.

It had been an entire day, new Sun must have rose already.

"How have you been?" The locks clicked, the door sliding open. Her senses returned in a flash. The lamps were lit up, darkness lifted from his face which still shone beautifully.

All strength returned to her as she sat on her knees, taking his view in. "Lord." Her eyes brimmed up at what all was done, she couldn't do anything else. "I am so sorry. I have wronged you. It couldn't be reversed and I am at fault. Please, forgive me." Her face hid behind her hair as she hung her head low.

"I never said anything. Look up", he kneeled down, lifting her chin, "Who hurt you this bad? You look filthy."

The anger she had anticipated was nowhere to be seen. He was dead calm. Face holding a plastered grin, eyes hollow. He terrified her like never before. She felt afraid.

"No! Please listen to me. Let me explain! Please", her cries resounded in the dungeon loudly as she held onto his hands. His eyebrows rose comically once before becoming bored.

"Let's go, An-Ki. You deserve a good bath", he rose back up, pulling her forcibly with him.

"No, please!" Her screams held no meaning as she was pulled out casually along with him, his smile never dying down. The guards of the gates dug their fingers into their spears, creeped out by his aura.

"I have a present for you."

She finally understood where they were. The lower level of the east wing. Her eyes squirmed at the sudden light as they walked into the open. Everything became invisible as she shielded her eyes, struggling to adapt. But soon it came into clear view just what he had intended to show her.

Naya flinched in shock before turning around instantly, hiding herself in her hands so as to believe what she saw wasn't real.

This was their execution and torture grounds outside the captivity and dungeons. She finally understood what was meant when they said that the criminals were served in a way such that crime rates fell down by themselves.

"Now, don't do this. I went till this extent to have it set up. What's the use if you don't even behold it?" He forced her hands away from her face which was drained of all color, holding her in place.

Ziusudra's severed head was impaled on the wall, his detached and distinguished body parts lying down on the grass. He wasn't alone. The ground was full of distorted carcasses, and the heads of her servants and knights impaled. Her aunt Semiramis and her cousins beside her uncle.

She felt her stomach churning. This was her bloodline.

"I hated Ziusudra and Semiramis. Even you should agree that they deserved that", Asmaka held her in his arms, forcing her face as she tried to bury it in his chest.

Bath rooms and houses held special position in the Mediterranean, and were celebrated as such. Hammam, as they were called. A place to relax and beautify, appreciate art while devouring in luxuries. Messages and make up made up a part of it. It was a place to socialize at times, and public bathes in royal palaces for women were very much common.