Nezzar

Part Two: Circling Vultures

It has been thirty-four nights since Usman last saw Ziba. After sending a message to King Nebuchadnezzar and Princess Amytis, he had set out in search of the girl following the banks of the Nile River. If a person were to ask him why he chose to use the river in his search, he would be unable to give a coherent answer. All he was doing was moving with instinct.

If Ziba was dead, would he see her body? Could she even die? Maybe he was being foolish. But she had been in a terrible state the last time he saw her. This sense of urgency to find her would not leave him and he wasn't willing to let it go either. Two days ago, he had paid for a raft ride to cross to the other side of the Nile after replenishing his supply and changing his horse. Even though he was now on a route that led to the location where he was to meet the Babylonian forces previously scattered about Egypt, Usman still searched for Ziba.

Squinting his gaze, Usman focused on a change in the distance. What looked like a small cluster of houses. Retrieving his map, he observed the spot he was at. There was no indication of any village. Had he taken a wrong turn? Now that he looked at the map, it seemed that was so. Very odd. If there was anything Usman was good at, it was reading maps and knowing terrains. Now that he observed his environment, he noticed with dismay that there were not many options on places he could hide if enemies were to suddenly assail him. The surrounding area was strangely arid, a wasteland of sorts. Choosing to take the risk, Usman guided his horse in that direction.

Vultures. Usman noticed the birds for the first time. A considerable number of them circled the place. Was there a body? They would descend if there was. Perhaps, they were waiting. Worry and hope formed an uncomfortable mix in Usman as he hastened his horse.

Looking around, Usman observed the place, all senses alert. It was an abandoned outpost of sorts. The structures that still stood were sunbaked and crumbling. So far, Usman had yet to notice any sign of life save for lizards and other small critters. And those vultures, they did not cease their circling.

From what Usman observed, this outpost had to have been abandoned for more than a decade but that still did not stop him from being alert. After dismounting, he unsheathed his dagger and made sure to take quiet steps as he went about searching each crumbling building. He had just pushed the door of another house that opened to a hall when something scurried out, rushing over his leg. Usman barely stopped himself from leaping back. He glared after the large rat as it raced across the street and disappeared into another house.

Drawing in a calming breath and willing his heart to slow its frenzied beating, Usman resumed his search. The hall was wide, with a partially collapsed roof that allowed sunlight into the place. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed a small form in the farthest corner.

Heart sinking, Usman ran over and fell to his knees. "Ziba!"

His hands trembled as they hovered over her still form. Her cheeks were sunken, her hair caked in dirt and stringy, her complexion terrifyingly wan. When her eyelids twitched and she released a shuddering breath, Usman melted in relief. "Ziba," he repeated, voice shaking this time. Had he found her too late? Was there a way to restore her to health? It seemed almost impossible. She appeared so frail he feared touching her would cause her to break.

Glancing around, Usman frowned at what he saw. Morsels of dried bread and odd half-eaten fruits. There was no water in sight.

A low groan snapped his attention back to Ziba. He gingerly held her small bony hand in his. "I found you, Ziba. It's me, Usman. Do you recognise me? I found you."

Her eyelids twitched again but this time they slowly opened. As she gazed at his face, her dim blue pupils danced weakly. "I..." her voice was croaky and low. Usman leaned closer, straining his ears. "I did it," she whispered. "He is gone from this body." A tired smile touched her cracked lips. "But this child's..."