Garden of the Lion and the Dove

Chapter 9

Gilgamesh pushed the horse to its limit. "Come on, faster!" he snarled. His hands were curled tightly around the mane as the horse galloped for its life. It would have taken too much time to get the horse saddled up so he went out bare-backed. He gripped the beast's body so tightly with his legs that a small part of him was afraid he might end up crushing the horse's ribs as a result.

His citizens dove out of the way as Gilgamesh cleared a path to the Euphrates. The ashipu was standing near the bank of the river. His eyes widen in surprise when he saw the King.

"My King, what are you doing here?"

Gilgamesh yanked hard on the horse's mane to force it to stop before he jumped down. The animal was panting hard and covered in sweat. It would probably not be used again after today.

A quick look around told him all he needed to know. She was not on the shore but many people were still here. They were here to see the result of the river ordeal.

He spotted brown hair in the river traveling downstream. Her head rose to the surface for a few brief seconds before it disappeared under the water again.

"Move!" Gilgamesh yanked his heavy king necklace and tossed it against the ground. It would only weigh him down.

"My King!" protested the ashipu as the King dove into the water without a moment's hesitation.

The water was colder than he thought it would be. After getting over the initial shock, he began swimming with strong, powerful strokes towards her. He saw her head rise for a few brief seconds before slipping under again.

Diving underwater he searched for her. The current pulled him along but he fought against it. Where was she?

He saw movement below him. Squinting, he located her. Her eyes were half-open but they focused on Gilgamesh as he grabbed her arm and began swimming up.

She gasped and coughed as they broke the surface of the water.

"You are alright…you are fine…" He put an arm around her as he began swimming to the shore.

"Why…why are you here?" she whispered. "I…I am…"

"Do not worry about it. We will speak about it later."

When the water was shallow enough to walk, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her bridal style. "Do not complain and keep quiet," he murmured.

"My King! What are you doing!?" The ashipu was waiting on the shore. His eyes were so wide it looked like they were going to fall out of his head. "That girl…she is a witch! She needs to be judged by the river! She's a…."

"Do not finish that sentence," he growled. His people were gathered on the shore. They were giving the ashipu and Gilgamesh a wide circle.

"But my King…she is a…"

"I know what she is. And I am grateful. I am alive thanks to her and so she should not be commended as a witch. I will not have her commended as a witch."

"Gil, you need to tread lightly," murmured Hakuno. "Your position as a King might be in trouble here…"

She would be worried about him in a time like this. "Do not worry," he replied quietly. "I can handle this." He glared at the ashipu. "Like I said, I am alive because of her power. And I am not happy that you would attempt to drown her." His voice dropped to a low growl.