Kammani’s interference gave Ditanu a few more hours’ peace.
Chapter Twenty-Six
After the day long royal funeral rites, Ditanu ordered his Shadows to clear a path for him to return to the palace. Iltani followed silently in his wake. She didn’t voice useless platitudes, merely holding her silence and being a solid presence at his side. Once they returned to his palace, Iltani ordered food brought for Ditanu and herself and milk for Kuwari. Normally she’d trust the errand to a passing servant or one of the palace guards, but knowing traitors could be anywhere, she only trusted other Shadows.
The first of the Shadows started away, but something else occurred to Iltani. “Wait,” she called softly. The female Shadow by the name of Takurtum turned back to her. “I’ll need a pallet brought to Ditanu’s suite and made up for me there.”
Because he’d have another fit if she slept on the floor again, but there was no way she was sleeping in his bed. She didn’t trust herself. What if he’d woken while she’d kissed him last night?
She didn’t want to complicate things as they were just starting to fall back into that routine she loved so much.
When they reached Ditanu’s chambers, he ordered his steward Warassuni to report to him, saying he needed to see how his city-states had fared without him. Iltani had hoped Ditanu would give himself time to heal before throwing himself back into his work, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected, either. Ditanu cared for his people. It was part of why she loved him.
While he was busy discussing kingly stuff with his steward, Iltani took the opportunity to stake out a place to call her own. After poking around in Ditanu’s vast suites, going room to room with Kuwari and a compliment of Shadows trailing her everywhere, she eventually found her spot.
Ditanu wouldn’t be happy, but perhaps the king needed to hear the word ‘no’ a little more often. With a grin at the cub, she waved her arm encompassing the small room which was actually the king’s wardrobe. “My territory. What do you think?”
Of course, Kuwari didn’t answer in words. Instead, he scampered over to the lowest shelf where the servants stored the king’s sandals.
“I think you’re a little too young to wear those just yet,” Iltani told the cub.
After picking through them for the one he liked best, Kuwari started to chew.
The servants soon brought the things Iltani asked for. However, the food came at the same time, and that won out over the pallet and blankets on her priority list, so she instructed the servants to arrange her ‘room’ whatever way they liked. By the tittering of the servant girls, they were discussing how to turn a closet into something befitting Ishtar’s Blade.
Iltani couldn’t care less. It was a place to lay her head. She’d slept on bare ground a time or three while back on New Assur as part of her training.
Food in one hand, Kuwari tucked against her side with the other, she made her way into Ditanu’s receiving room where he, Warassuni, Uselli, and a few others in charge of running a city were already gathered around a table discussing reports.
She offered her plate of food to Ditanu, who took it with a smile in greeting before returning to his impromptu meeting. Servants brought in more food and laid it out for the others.
Her king’s needs dealt with, for now, she carried Kuwari back to Ditanu’s bedchamber and sat in one of the chairs by the fire so Kuwari could nurse from his converted water skin in relative quiet. An hour later, Kuwari had emptied his milk skin and fallen asleep. She heard the approach of feet on carpet long before the servant reached her position.
“Lady Iltani, your room is prepared,” the servant said. Iltani recognized the girl from the time she’d helped Iltani do her hair the first night she’d returned to the island. It seemed like weeks ago now, not less than a handful of days.
“Thank you.” Iltani couldn’t remember her name. She’d ask one of the Shadows later.
The girl bobbed a curtsy. “We had your belongings brought over from your other room in the consort’s…old suites.”
The poor servant flushed and verbally tripped over the word consort. Iltani couldn’t blame her. She was probably trying to figure out if Iltani was now her new mistress.
“I am a servant the same as you.”
The girl looked absolutely doubtful, but only mumbled, “If you say so, my lady.”
She dismissed the girl and took Kuwari to her new room.
It was tiny, but the floor space was long enough to fit a travel pallet in as she’d expected. Some of the pillows and ornate tapestries had made the move from her new room in the consort’s chambers to her newer room in Ditanu’s closet. Ah, the bag she’d brought with her from the training island was there as well.
She made a thick nest for Kuwari alongside her own sleeping platform, intentionally not putting him directly upon it because she wasn’t sure if he was fully trained to go all night without accidents. He’d been good the last two nights and he seemed to know where the sand pit was in the bathroom, but there was no point making the servant’s task more difficult than needed.
Once Kuwari was snuggled down in his blanket nest, and he’d purred himself to sleep, she went over to her bag and pulled out an old shirt to sleep in. A bundle of letters fell out in her lap.
Her breath caught in surprise. These ones weren’t the well-read ones she’d always had; these were the ones Burrukan had given her just before she set foot on Nineveh. In all that had happened since, she’d completely forgotten about them.
She was just picking them up when the curtain comprising her ‘bedroom door’ was drawn back and Ditanu braced a hip against the frame.
“The closet isn’t a proper place for Ishtar’s Blade to rest her head, either.”
“Hmmm. It’s not the floor. I figured that was your only stipulation. It’s just temporary,” Iltani said, and then added in her mind ‘until I have a chance to hunt down every last traitor and make them pay for hurting you.’
His expression brightened and she sensed a playful argument on the horizon, at least until his gaze dropped to the letters in her hand.
Suddenly his king’s mask was back in place—though she’d thought she’d seen a flash of pain before it was firmly in place.
“You did not read my letters?”
Iltani glanced down and swiftly pulled out the other well-read tattered ones.
“More times than I can count,” she admitted with a blush. “These ones are new to me.”
“New?” That one word was asked by Ditanu the King, definitely not Ditanu the man.
She hesitated, sighed, and then gave him the truth. Insofar as she knew it. “Burrukan only gave these to me the day I returned, before I stepped foot upon the island. He said if he didn’t, he would be committing treason.”
“That cantankerous old goat,” Ditanu said with a chuckle, his king’s mask falling away as quickly as it had come.
Now that he had an explanation as to why she hadn’t read them, he seemed unsurprised by the news.
“Did you know or suspect some of your letters weren’t making it to me?” she asked.
“Looking back, yes, I admit I suspected a few of my earliest ones may have gone astray until he deemed you ready to read them. You were in training and didn’t need the…distraction.” Ditanu rubbed at his clean-shaven face. “Your return letters to me never made comment as to some of the more delicate topics I wrote to you about. At first, I didn’t understand, and then it occurred to me that Burrukan might be censoring my letters or your replies. I decided it was best not to question him about it, for fear of putting my mentor in a difficult position. I didn’t always like what Burrukan did, but he always did everything in his power to protect us and our kingdom.” He gestured at the stack of letters. “However, I did not expect this number to have gone astray.” Ditanu sighed. “He saved me from my own foolishness more times than I can count.” He fell silent for several moments and then with his voice thick with emotion, he said, “I will miss him.”
“I, too,” Iltani whispered, and then hesitantly, “Do you still wish me to read them, or would you…prefer if I not?”
Ditanu cleared his throat and then nudged the pile of letters closer to her. “Keep them hidden. Our enemies would very much enjoy what I reveal in those.”
“I should destroy them now, then, if they are that dangerous.”
Ditanu shook his head. “I would have you read them first. Our friendship has a four-year gap in it that I’d like to see filled one day. These may help fill that gap for you.” He rubbed a hand over his face again and then looked chagrinned, “Is there, by chance, another stack of your letters that might not ever have made it to me?”
Iltani swallowed and then felt around inside her pack for the last stack of letters. These were the ones she’d written to Ditanu that Burrukan had withheld. The pile wasn’t as thick as Ditanu’s letters.
“Ah, Burrukan always saw things right in the end, though.” He reached out and took them from Iltani. “And he was probably correct in this too. He was a military tactician until the end. Guard my letters well against our enemies, read them, and then burn them afterward.”
Iltani started to reach for one of the letters, but he was quicker and wrapped his long fingers around his wrist. “But not today, nor tomorrow and not in any of the days until the end of this lunar cycle. I want to give us a chance to become reacquainted. If we haven’t managed to share our every secret by then, we’ll open our letters and read them aloud over a jug of wine.” He glanced at the stack of letters. “Though this mountain might take two or three nights and several pitchers of wine.”
It almost sounded like courtship. What, by Ishtar, did he mean? She had to know. Iltani parted her lips. It took two tries to convince her clumsy tongue to form words. “Are you asking? I mean, do you intend for us to…?
He pressed a finger to her lips to silence her.
“My grief over Ahassunu is too new. I simply need my most faithful Shadow, to be my rock and place of solitude for the next turning of the moon. Ishtar chose well when she picked you to be her Blade. I will need a blade that will not break and will not betray me.”
His words were plausible and should have been the truth, but Iltani’s new gift of knowing a truth told her the very first words were a lie. His grief was too new? That was the lie, but then that could only mean his grief over his consort was old. Did he know about his consort and Burrukan after all? Her poor king, to have lived with the knowledge that the woman he loved didn’t love him, was in fact in love with the man who had raised him. What a terrible knowledge to have had to carry around with him. Obviously, he’d never betrayed that knowledge. Why not? She’d figure that out later.
Iltani laced her fingers with his. “I will never betray you.”
He leaned down and placed a kiss on top of her head. “I know.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Iltani stood to the right and just a step behind Ditanu’s throne where she’d been stationed since noon meal. It was time for final meal. How much longer could these councilors and high ranking nobles talk? Actually, some of the nobles were worse than the councilors. At least, the councilors’ talk had a purpose.
She shifted positions to relieve a cramp in one calf. The move was slight, but enough to catch Ditanu’s attention. How he was even aware was a mystery. He sat his throne while he listened to his council and nobles drone on about every trivial problem they had encountered in the three days since Ditanu had last held court.
The king held up a hand and the noble at the foot of the stair halted mid-word. Ditanu motioned her closer. She shifted until her hip was butted up against the arm of his throne. Still he gestured her closer, making it clear he wanted her ear.
Keeping her face blank, she leaned down while Ditanu picked up his goblet of wine.
He took a sip, holding the drinking vessel in front of his mouth as he whispered in her ear. “Are you growing tired? Your body is still undergoing changes. Plus, with my cubs, you are burning through resources more quickly than even another of Ishtar’s Blades would under the circumstances. I can end the session early. There is precious little to learn here anyway. Our enemies have been planning this for more than twenty-five years. They won’t give themselves away just now.”
“I’m good for another hour or more. Do not end the session early on my account.”
Ditanu grunted and his look said he didn’t quite believe her.
She was two steps behind his shoulder. Really, how had he even seen her move? Damn heightened gryphon senses. Hmmm. Although, she was growing tired, more so than simply standing for five hours should have made her. She could run entire circuits of the small training island without breaking into a sweat. Perhaps he was correct and she should allow him to make excuses. He likely could use the rest too.
“We have done what we can to renew the protections around the islands. The repairs have already started on Uruk, and new safeguards are being woven into the structure to prevent such an attack from being so deadly ever again.” Ditanu waved to one of his scribes. “I’ve assigned more guards to patrol the waters between the islands.”
Steward Warassuni stood to Ditanu’s left, swiftly making notes.
Iltani rather admired him for it. He had several scribes already present and he didn’t need to write anything himself, but he did anyway. It showed his dedication to his work.
“There is only one other thing I can think to increase our defenses.” Ditanu’s eyes narrowed and his jaw flexed. “I should have seen to it more faithfully. Our city-states are dotted with hundreds of the lamassu, only a few of them have been maintained by my aunt and myself. At first light tomorrow, myself, High Priestess Kammani, and Ishtar’s Blade shall start going from city-state to city-state, anointing ever last lamassu we have within my borders.”
There were mumbles of agreement for Ditanu’s plan. Iltani was secretly pleased. It might take a fair bit of blood to complete the task but had there been more lamassu it was something that might have prevented some of the tragedy that happened on Uruk.
“That is indeed wise council, my king.” Councilor Ziyatum approached the throne.
The Shadows closed rank, only allowing the councilor to come as close as the foot of the stairs. It wasn’t something against Beletum’s father in particular; they treated everyone as a possible threat to their king’s life.
Ziyatum stopped a couple steps away from the first stair. “However, I think you forget one important detail. If you wish to ensure the safety and prosperity of our beautiful islands, you need to give the people some kind of reassurance that should something happen to you, they are still looked after, made safe by well-laid plans.”
“Why don’t you just say what you truly mean…never mind, I’ll do it myself. You want me to confirm my choice of regent. Strange, I thought Iltani had explained the way of things to you.”
“Ah, wasn’t that just deception to confuse our enemies?” Ziyatum asked as he tilted his head in question. “It would only be wise to name your true regent for Kuwari now, thus preventing possible future civil disturbances to the ruling body of these great city-states. The cub could likely also benefit from the loving guidance of a new mother figure. So perhaps the new Regent should be female.”
Iltani winced at the councilor’s callous words.
“And I imagine you have someone in mind already.” Ditanu smiled coldly. “Strange, Beletum doesn’t seem the motherly type. I suppose I’m lucky that Kuwari has taken to Iltani so readily. Besides, since she is also carrying Consort Ahassunu’s unborn litter, Iltani will fill the role of mother for all my cubs rather nicely. I have already named her regent with Ishtar’s blessing. I assume that solves your worry?”
Ziyatum made a noise which Ditanu must have taken as assent, for he stood and then held his hand out for Iltani.
She hesitated for a moment longer than Ditanu’s patience lasted. He glanced over his shoulder at her as if to ask why his hand was still empty. She slipped her fingers in his.
Ditanu descended the stairs and crossed the length of the hall, his Shadows flowing around him. Iltani scrambled to match his longer strides. His blessedly quick departure saved her from having to fend off the councilors’ questions.
In the end, only one of the councilors chased her down, or more likely, was allowed to follow by the Shadows. Consort Ahassunu’s father.
“Is it true?” Shalanum asked, doubt mixing with pain, hope and joy in his expression.
She supposed if anyone had a right to know, it was the cubs’ grandfather. Shalanum had always doted upon Ahassunu and her younger sister. His mate and other children had been killed in the same attack which had killed Ditanu’s parents and siblings.
“Yes,” she answered truthfully. “High Priestess Kammani has examined me and says the little ones are healthy, unharmed by their ordeal.”
She didn’t know how else to phrase that. ‘Your grandchildren survived your daughter’s death unharmed, all is good with them.’ No, that just didn’t sound good, no matter which way one tried to soften it.
He drew in a deep hitching breath, and said simply, “I’m glad something of her lives on.”
King Ditanu remained silent for the entire trip back to his quarters, leaving Iltani to handle the other grieving father. She didn’t blame him. Ahassunu’s father must have brought up memories of Ditanu’s own loss.
“Would I be permitted to visit with Kuwari for a few hours over dinner?
The king turned to Shalanum. “Of course. You, too, have suffered great losses. I imagine Kuwari misses his grandfather.”
“Thank you, King Ditanu. You have always been just.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Over dinner, Kuwari and his grandfather played while Iltani and Ditanu looking on and ate their meal. After a long hour of play, Iltani wondered which one would wear the other out first. In the end, Kuwari fell asleep in his grandfather’s arms.
“Kuwari needs his rest,” Ditanu said and then surprised Iltani by continuing, “However; I think he and his grandfather are good for each other.” At which point Ditanu ordered Shalanum to take Kuwari and a large unit of Shadows and go stay in the nursery.
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