With the escape plan underway will Natasa and her maids be able to escape the palace, if so what awaits them outside the palace walls? Are the people of Ur really in need of help. Knowing the truth is all well and good but will Natasa be willing to take responsibility?

Chapter 4: Truth and responsibility

The group slowly made their way along the corridors of the palace trying their hardest to avoid meeting anyone. Guards were running from every direction making their way to the centre of the disturbance at the north end of the palace. Nobody bothered the maids as they escorted Natasa to the west end of the palace.

Just as they got to the last section they needed to get through a guard suddenly noticed them and came running over, “what’s going on here why is the princess out of her room,”

Aella jumped in “were talking her to a safer part of the palace and away from the disturbance.”
“Do you know what is happening,” asked Aella.

“yes,” replied the guard “there are rebels attacking the north side.”

“Then should you not go and help the other guards so that they can swiftly defeat the rebels. The princess needs protecting and were here to do that but you need to go and finish securing the palace from the intruders.”

The guard awestruck at Natasa for a brief moment, “hurry up,” Aella demanded “the princess isn’t safe here so hurry and squash the rebels so we can take her back to the room when you have made the palace safe.”

“Don’t worry about us we will protect the princess,” said Frato.

At Frato’s words, the guard bowed and quickly ran off towards the attack. “Phew,” said Natasa “that was close I was sure he was not going to let us go so easily. Anyway, let us go the sooner were there the better.” Within minutes, they had reached a room filled with all sorts of miscellaneous items.

The room actually looked like a storeroom for cleaning materials. Aella went in first; “Ok, the coast is clear come on princess.” As Natasa entered the room, Aella opened up the passageway that would lead them to safety. “Here put these on,” she said as she passed out travelling cloaks to Natasa and the maids.

“I can’t provide weapons for everyone, I didn’t expect to leave in a group.”

“it’s ok,” said Frato “I’m sure we won’t need them.” The group had their travelling cloaks on and Natasa clutched Ishtar’s sword ready to draw it if needed. Aella passed torches to the other maids and they all entered the passageway.

“Wow!” said Sousanna “who would have thought this passageway was here. I was one of the queens maids for years and never knew this existed.”

“Very few people knew except the queen and a few select others,” replied Aella “I only know because I’m an expert in infiltration and I discovered this passage shortly after coming here to try to protect the queen.”

“Come on let’s get going although the guards may not know about this passage when the attack stops it won’t be long before they realize the princess has gone missing last thing we need is to get out the passage and have to fight.” They quickly hurried down the passage that felt as though it would go on to the ends of the world.

After what seemed like an hour, they finally emerged from the passageways exit into an old run down building. Standing around the exit were several cloaked armored figures and as the group exited the passageway they were immediately confronted with swords drawn.

“State your names,” said the lead figure. Aella removed her hood and immediately the soldiers sheathed their swords before removing their hoods and bowing to Aella. “My sincere apologies General we had to make sure of whom you were just in case Seleukos’s guards had caught you.”

“May I ask where the princess is?” asked one of the soldiers. Natasa removed her hood and immediately the soldiers all bowed, “forgive us for not greeting you properly your highness, I am Adrastus, Prince Athanas’s personal guard. The prince is eager to meet you; we are here to help you get to him.”

“First, I think it best we make our way from here to our preliminary camp; from there you can use a wolf to transport the princess to Carthage. General Aella the prince sent this message for you” said Adrastus as he handed Aella a sealed letter. Aella quickly opened and read it before setting it on fire.

“The prince has ordered me to stay by the princess’s side until we reach the palace at Carthage there he will give me new orders.”

“General Aella what about these other three,” asked Adrastus.

“They are the princess’s personal maids they travel where she travels to tend to her needs,” said Aella.

“As you command, General,” said Adrastus. “These are also the prince’s personal guard under my command, this is Euthymios my first lieutenant, and then we have Alexandros, Chariton and finally Makarios. These men are the best of the king’s guard and they will make sure of your safety princess.”

“Now we are all introduced let us get going before Seleukos’s guards are alerted to your disappearance.” The soldiers pulled their hoods back up and they led the way out of the building, Natasa was amazed by what she saw of the city, it was really run down.

Everywhere she looked Natasa saw people begging for food, the scene that met Natasa’s eyes shocked her beyond measure, she never expected to see the city looking like this she expected it to be as grand as the palace but the city couldn’t be worse.

“Princess this is why we need you to become queen,” said Aella “these people are all your people and Seleukos is just grinding them into the dust, the people are crying out for someone who can save them from Seleukos, before Seleukos took over the kingdom people were healthy and happy.”

“In just seven years it has been reduced to this,” said Aella.

“You mean the whole kingdom is like this,” asked Natasa.

“Yes princess everywhere in this kingdom is hunger and suffering, the king enjoys a lavish lifestyle while the people suffer and die.”

“That’s terrible,” said Natasa.

“Well princess only you can do something about it, the prince has been trying to provide aide to the people but it has been difficult because of the kings army, they blindly follow Seleukos, most of them are garrisoned in cities near the borders, the suffering in those towns is blamed on the adjoining kingdoms.”

“The king’s armies do not even know that the central part of the kingdom is as bad as the border cities, it has been difficult to get food into the kingdom because the soldiers posted around the borders confiscate any foods and arms coming in.”

“It is also difficult getting in and out of the kingdom, it’s not impossible but very difficult, it’s going to take an attack from our kingdom to distract the kings soldiers so we can quietly cross the border without them seeing but we still will run the risk of being caught.”

After making their way through the city they headed to an enormous mountain range, Natasa could not help but be in awe of the mountain range in front of her, it could easily rival any mountain range of earth. After travelling for over 2 hours, they eventually came to a cave close to the base of the mountains.

There were many horses tied up outside the cave and several soldiers were guarding, as soon as the group got near one of the soldiers made their way towards Natasa and the group. “Captain we are glad you made it, Preparations are complete they can leave whenever they are ready.”

“May I suggest resting for a little while before setting out?”

“Thank you Orestes you have done well,” said Adrastus “you will indeed rest as I am sure the princess is tired and hungry by now.” Natasa did not say a word but just followed as Aella and the captain led the way into the cave.

Inside was a hive of activity many soldiers were gathered and torches lit the chambers within the cave. It appeared that there were several different areas within the cave system, Natasa recognized what she thought was a war room where the captain and his troops planned missions and strategies.

There was an area that looked like sleeping quarters and another that appeared to be where meals were prepared. Natasa was amazed how organized they were for a simple rescue. “Aella is all this here for our escape.”

“No princess although today’s mission was to assist you in escaping the palace the primary goal of this site is to keep an eye on Seleukos’s movements and plan for the day we can take back the kingdom in the name of the queen.”

“You mean Inanna?” asked Natasa.

“Well yes,” answered Aella “but obviously, since we discovered what had happened to the queen and that she will not ever return, as her only heir when the time comes it will be in your name.”

“My name!” said Natasa in surprise, “but I want to go home.”

“Princess we do not know how to get you home right now, and you saw the city and how people are suffering, do you really want to leave your people suffering like that for your own personal needs?” Natasa felt scolded and did not know how to respond.

“I’m sorry,” said Aella “I don’t mean to be harsh with you, I know you have been through so much already and I’m sorry you have so much to carry on your shoulders but please at least think about your people and how much they need you right now.”

“Your right Aella, I’m sorry for being so selfish, it’s just difficult being a girl and having all these weird feelings and problems, I will try to help although I’m not sure how I can help or even if people will want my help, but I will try as I don’t want to see those people suffer anymore.”

“Thank you princess, I’m sure you will do just fine and in time as I said before maybe you won’t want to go back to how you were before.” Suddenly without realizing what was happening Natasa raised her head only to be shocked to find herself surrounded by soldiers.

“Are you our princess Natasa,” asked one of the soldiers. Natasa looked nervously at Aella,

“yes!” said Aella “this is your princess and soon to be your queen, she is a direct descendant of queen Inanna.”

“YOU LIE!” shouted one of the soldiers, “the queen never had any children before she disappeared leaving the kingdom in Seleukos’s hands.”

“This is indeed Inanna’s descendant, if you do not believe then see her for yourselves,” Aella turned to Natasa and signaled her to remove her hood and travelling cloak. Natasa did as Aella had motioned her to do and as the hood went back and she removed the soldiers all gasped.

Within seconds the mass of soldiers knelt in front of Natasa and none questioned further, Natasa couldn’t help but wonder why they suddenly believed her to be the princess of Ur and descendant of Inanna’s but she dared not to ask incase the situation turned nasty.

One of the soldiers had knelt at Natasa’s feet. “Your majesty, these men were Queen Inanna’s personal guard they and I are now yours to command.” Aella looked completely surprised by the soldier’s behavior.

Natasa had the feeling Aella had been expecting more hesitation than this in accepting Natasa as the heir, Natasa may have been unwilling to question why the soldiers suddenly knelt and accepted her unconditionally but Aella had no such fear.

“What made you change your minds and believe us so quickly?” Aella asked the soldiers.

“Begging your pardon general but who could not believe when they see the proof so clearly.”

“What proof?” added Aella. The soldier turned to Natasa, “that necklace is all the proof we need general,” said the soldier.

“Only the Queen and her heir could wear that necklace, the central gem would not display the royal seal if anyone other than the rightful heir to the throne of Assyria wore it.” Aella turned to Natasa and as her eyes fell on the necklace, she looked as if she was seeing something completely unbelievable.

“How is that appearing there,” said Aella.

“What’s appearing where?” asked Natasa thinking maybe she had sprouted a second head or something else equally or more freakish.

“The soldiers were correct princess the central gem in your necklace is displaying the royal seal of Assyria.”

“Royal seal what is that?” asked Natasa in a confused tone.

Frato had been rummaging in a bag during this time and quickly produced a hand held mirror that she passed to Natasa. “That symbol inside the central gem is the royal seal,” said Frato “the other maids and I saw it while you were at the palace and that’s why we knew you were our princess but we kept quiet as we didn’t know who to trust.”

Aella was still in shock, “the proof was there all along yet I did not see it.”

“Actually general,” interjected the soldier who had spoken earlier, “the seal only shows itself to those loyal to Ur and also it doesn’t always show itself, if you already trust that the person wearing the necklace is the heir then it won’t display the seal unless it has to.”

“I think it’s a way of protecting the heir to the throne so should the heir need the help of the people only those with true and loyal intentions will know the seal is there and they will know the wearer of the necklace is the true heir. If the necklace considers someone is an enemy or is unsure of their motives the seal will not show until it is sure that the person will not try to use the heir for their own evil purposes.”

“I don’t know everything about how it works and its origins but either way the fact that the necklace shows the royal seal whilst on the neck of the princess is proof enough that she is the rightful heir and as such she will have our unconditional loyalty and support. Princess we pledge our lives to you our future queen, we will gladly fight where you want and protect you with our lives.”

“We will help you take back your kingdom and ensure you become our kingdoms new queen,” said the soldiers in unison. Natasa was about to argue that she didn’t want to be queen and hell she didn’t even want to be female but before she managed to speak Aella jumped in, she seemed to sense what Natasa was about to say and decided to stop her from saying too much.

“Thank you captain,” said Aella “your loyalty to the future queen of your kingdom is greatly appreciated and her highness would feel blessed to have soldiers such as you fighting beside her for the future of the kingdom and the throne. I must ask that we leave us for now though.”

“I beg your forgiveness but the princess is tired from our escape and the journey here. She needs rest and the maids need to tend to her needs, so I ask for now that you leave us so the princess can rest and prepare for the coming journey. There is not much time and we need to make sure she gets to Prince Athanas palace as quickly and as safely as possible.”

“We understand,” said the captain “we will go and make preparations and plan the route we are going to take,” he continued.

“The preparations are already complete,” said Aella “and you are needed here, the maids and I will protect the princess and make sure she gets to the prince safely.”

“Nevertheless, general,” cried the captain “we are the royal guards of Assyria, it is only right that we stay by the princess’s side and protect her.”

“No!” said Natasa abruptly “as already said Aella and the maids will escort me, if I am to be your queen then respect my wishes. You are all needed here if we ever want to take back the kingdom you must prepare to do so here.” The captain looked taken aback but he humbly bowed,

“As you wish your highness we will do as you ask until you return.”

“Thank you captain.” With that the soldiers bowed and left, Natasa the maids and Aella made their way to the sleeping quarters of the cave, here they found a private area had been set up especially for the princess to use; it was as if a wooden flat had been built in the cave itself.

Natasa was grateful of the privacy though, she had always hated physical education at school, she disliked the idea of being naked in front of other guys and now she was female she felt vulnerable even when dressed. Inside the princess’s quarters were lavish decorations completely different from the quarters laid out for the soldiers.

At the far end of the bedchamber, was a large four-poster bed with beautiful silk drapes, flowers adorned every surface. The maids found that there was a wardrobe full of the most beautiful clothes, it was as if someone had made huge efforts to make it as much like a princess’s wing of a palace as was physically possible in the large cave system.

“Wow!” said Sousanna as she browsed the dresses for something to change Natasa into. Frato was busy preparing a hot drink and something to eat in the small but well stocked galley section, Militta was busy preparing the bath with freshly boiled water and scented oils, Natasa lay face down on the bed and Aella sat on a chair beside her.

“Well done princess,” said Aella.

“For what?” asked Natasa “all I did was tell them to go away but in a polite manner.”

“No princess you took command, you showed you have leadership abilities in how you handled the soldiers.”

“No I didn’t Aella, don’t make things sound better than they are. I said what I said because I am already uncomfortable around men, but add to that the soldiers are so enthusiastic about making sure I become queen of Assyria. It all became too much for me, I want to go home but no one seems to want to let me find a way back, there all too busy getting excited that I will lead them.”

“I never asked for this Aella.”

“I know princess; no royal ever asks to be born into the responsibility of ruling a kingdom.”

“I was not born to rule, in fact I wasn’t even born to be on this world or for that matter to be female.”

“That is not true your highness, if you were not destined to rule then you would never have got the necklace and never been transported here ready to be the queens successor. If you were not meant to rule Ur why did fate make sure you turned up at the right time in the right place and with the right qualifications to be queen?”

“What qualifications have I got to be queen?”

“Well firstly there is the fact that your female,” stated Aella.

“But I didn’t start as female; in fact If I could go back to being male I would be very happy.”

“That’s beside the point princess.”

“There is also the fact that you are wearing that necklace that proves you’re the rightful heir, as the soldiers said it only appears if the one wearing it is the true heir,” said Aella confidently. “Then there is how you took control of the situation with the soldiers, irrelevant as to the why the fact of the matter is your voice commanded and they respected your words.”

“Princess you really should feel lucky.”

“Lucky!” spat Natasa, “how is being transported to a different world in an alien body and being harassed lucky Aella?”

“Well, you are lucky because you got to experience being a child, you got to have friends and play games.”

“How is having a childhood lucky Aella, doesn’t every child not have fun and games and friends to play with?”

“No, they do not, the prince for example never had many friends, he was never able to leave the palace to make any, and instead he was brought up knowing one day he would sit on the throne and rule.”

“The prince has had the pressure of responsibility of others for as long as he can remember, can you imagine how hard that must have been on a child, no time to play just study duty and responsibility that’s all he ever knew. You grew up not having to worry about the responsibility of ruling a nation until now.”

“You have had a life free to do what you wanted be how you wanted and enjoy yourself, now princess you are faced with what the prince has had to do with since he was young. So yes princess you are very lucky, but now is the time to take on the responsibility that fate has handed you.”

“You must lead your people and you must make an effort to learn to live with the way you are now, otherwise you will never be able to enjoy your life again, all you will do is be miserable all your life because of the things you cannot change and wanting for things you will never have again.”

“Yes it sounds harsh but that is the reality of your position, never forget your position princess, those men out there those soldiers they have just had hope that will inspire them to move mountains in your name, even if you don’t want the title princess or queen you must accept them.”

“The people need a leader and one has been placed in front of them giving them hope that one day Assyria will be taken back from Seleukos and it will again prosper as it did in the time of Inanna’s reign.”

“I think I understand what you are saying Aella, but I am not sure I can be what you want me to be. I’m not a ruler I’m not special I’m just a 17 year old boy thrown head first into a woman’s life and the fate of a kingdom on my shoulders. How can I be expected to lead the people of this kingdom, I don’t even know myself and where I am.”

“Give yourself time princess, allow yourself to see more than just your own needs and feelings. I’m still positive you will be a good queen for this kingdom, granted you have some growing up to do but one day you will be the most beautiful and one of the most respected rulers ever to rule this kingdom.”

Natasa did not want to hear it; she could not help but blush at Aella’s kind words. “Until then please try to bare your fate and show nothing but dignity and courage, that way your people will keep their hope.”

“I will try,” replied Natasa as Frato came into the room.

“Your highness,” said Frato “your bath is ready please come so we can wash the stresses from your body.” Natasa didn’t hesitate and got up to follow Frato. In the bath area, Natasa did as Aella had asked and acted for the first time as if she were a true dignified royal heir.

She accepted Frato and the other maids help cleaning her body without question or argument, it was not that she wanted to accept being a girl but more that she wanted to thank Aella, without her she may have been violated by Seleukos by now. That and Aella’s words of hope and the people of Assyria had touched on something in Natasa’s heart.

After the bath, Natasa took time to rest and even though it did not feel very long, she managed to get about an hour or two of slumber before the maids woke her to get ready to leave for the Assyria and Akkadian border.

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Megumi here :)

After a sugestion made by Maggie I thought I would lay it out a little different, please let me know if you all prefer it this way, thanks for all your comments they are appreciated :)