Chapter 6.
Azriel did not run. He wished the lady would not recognize his face. But how was that possible? Angelina Zev's portraits must be hanging on the wall somewhere in the temple. She was his mother and look alike. Even though she died, only she could save him from this mess.
"There are just eleven men at the gate and we are five. Let's take them down" Heather advised. Each of them will take two men. As for her brother, he could take three men. He was the stronger.
"Do not irritate me" Sigurd whispered back. Her plan will fail. This city belongs to the soldiers now. More would come out of the gate attacking them.
"What happened here?" The tallest among the four soldiers asked with a deep voice. He was trying to act the boss of them but he had no idea that he- Azriel had the deepest of voice.
"He is so handsome…" The woman's eyes became watering. She could help but admire those beautiful green eyes that stared at her. "I had no idea that the Red valley kingdom has such handsome men."
Heather rolled her eyes. It was unusual for women to flatter or praise the beauty of men. No lady would dare do that if she does not want to remain unmarried. They were taught not to even look in the eyes of men. All heads must be lowered at the sight of men. Not because the men were gods or something… it was to avoid any bad luck. Some of the men were hard to resist especially her brother.
He was like a god if you get to know him. His perfect eyebrows could send any lady off her heels. He was always the spotlight of any show…the sun during the day and the moon during the night.
Heather did not blame the woman who was lost in his sight. He was an irresistible handsome bastard.
"Forgive me if I caused you any inconveniences" With his hands forward Azriel took a step back and bowed. The woman giggled while the soldiers laughed. She took the bag from him and went to the front.
"You are from the royal family right?" the soldier asked.
"Yes, I am…" Azriel replied with his head hung high. Were the soldiers blind not to have recognized the clothes they were putting on? He should have known that the prince was standing in front of him…show some respect.
"Make way for the royal family of Red Valley" The soldier yelled at the crowd while the rest guarded him. They were taken into the city by the soldiers.
He led the way trying his best to describe some of the activities happening.
Azriel was surprised that the city was so noisy. Outside these walls, he had nothing. It only means that none of them could penetrate these walls. His father built one of the strongest walls in the world.
'If only you knew that someday we would have to invade these walls, father. You would not have built it this strong" He muttered to himself.
Children were playing around when they got to the centre of the city. A child ran to his direction and hugged his legs. Azriel sighed. Even the kids in his town do this. So he was not offended.
Carrying the child in his arms, he asked "Will you love to have some cakes?"
The girl looked at him for a second. Was he kidding her? She was afraid to nod or say a word. Azriel moved to the next stall by his left and bought some cakes. He handed them to her before letting go.
The girl did not move when he kept her down. Her eyes were teary yet a smile appeared on her pretty face.
He waved at her as he continued to walk behind the soldiers.
"Do not tell me that the kids have started falling for you too" Heather asked all of a sudden. Her voice startled him because she was at the back the last time he saw her.
"Do not think like a sheep in the middle of this city. She was happy that I bought the cakes for her" He explained.
"I still don't understand how you relate with them…the way you spent time with the kids. I must confess that am impressed" Heather held his arms but he shoved her away. They were not supposed to act like siblings. She was his maid here. "I'm not good with kids like you."
"Go back and meet Kielee" He commanded with his hands clasped at his back. They were always like that…at all times. When he noticed that she did not move, he added "Or, I will tell the soldiers, you are a stranger. You must leave the City."
Heather halt. The message was well passed. She went back and joined her friend Kielee.
The soldiers stopped in front of a large building. It was an inn meant for royal families. It was going to be their home while they stay in Akkad. Azriel was glad, he thanked them and they left.
"Keep cool, Heather and Kielee. We will go in together" Azriel began. He was going to give out instructions. And he expected them to respond. "Sigurd, you will find food for us. I don't think the food at the inn will be enough" He told one of the twins. He turned to the other "Stryga, take the horses to the stable. Feed them while I look for a room for the ladies."
"What about our clothes?" Kielee asked with her head lowered. She could barely stand those green eyes that glowed at her.
"It is getting dark, my dear" he replied looking at the sky. The moon showed her pretty face. It stared at them for a long time. "Let's go, ladies."
"How many times will I tell you, I'm not a lady?" Heather looked at the three men who stood in front of her. They lived with her all their lives but never took a simple correction. She was as strong as them.
"Stop dreaming…you can never be a man," Sigurd said as he took the horses away.
"Unless you got something dangling between your legs" Sigurd added. His sense of humour made Heather wants to laugh but she did not.The joke was meant to mock her.
"Enough, we don't have much time," Azriel said at last. The twins have to finish the task given. Meanwhile, he took the ladies into the inn. It was the loudest place he has ever been to. There were mostly men from Akkad. Ale filled the table as they sang a song about life.
The women were not left out. Some of them waited for the men to take them upstairs and few were not patient. They were having fun downstairs. Azriel looked by his right, he turned to his left immediately.
"Aren't they supposed to be in a room?" Kielee asked as she saw a man and woman enjoying themselves in a corner. Their moans almost blocked her ears as she passed. Was this the place they were going to stay?
Azriel did not answer her. He asked the man at the bar and when he saw the clothes he was wearing, he quickly offered them rooms.
"Only two rooms available?" Azriel was surprised. He asked calmly as his mind forced him to yell at the barman.
"For now, yes Lord. You know that celebration brought a lot of people into the city" He explained. "I was told to reserve the rooms for your royal family."
Azriel did not argue. He nodded. The barman led the way. Nothing echoed more than the moans of men and women. He wondered if the king gave them a brothel instead of a place to lay their heads.
The rooms were not very big but it was better than nothing. A bed and a few items that were important in the room. It would have been much better if brighter curtains were placed in the room.
"If you need me, please do call me" He bowed and left.
"The both of you will share this room," Azriel told the girls. "I will share the other with the twins."
Heather was surprised with he shared them quickly. He did not ask for anyone's opinion "Share the room with Kielee. I will share with the twins."
"You can't. They are men and you are a woman. Understand that now" He told her.
"But, they are my cousins" Heather smiled. "You can share the room with Kielee and I will spend time with my brothers."
Sargon ignored her request. He opened the door before saying "freshen up, you both. We have to plan our next action before tomorrow."