Ark(29)

“You should’ve let me die, you stupid little bastard,” Kichu growled.

“But I didn’t,” Japheth said past clenched teeth.

Now that the adrenaline was leaving his system, his myriad aches and pains were making themselves known. On the battlefield, a handful of warriors from the conquering army were stepping around piles of bodies, prodding corpses with sword tips. Those wounded who might recover were pulled aside, and those too far gone to be saved were put out of their misery. Women carrying jugs of water were making their way across the battlefield, offering drinks of water, and officers were issuing commands.

The battle was over; it had lasted maybe thirty minutes all told, and already vultures were circling in the sky overhead. The joint armies of Emmen-Utu and Sin-Iddim were storming into the city, knocking down the gates to plunder and loot, rape and pillage—considered payment for the troops, who were expected to take whatever they could carry out, be it goods, gold, slaves, or women.

Japheth wanted none of it.

He hadn’t died in the battle, he’d survived, and judging from the reaction of those gathered around him, he’d killed an important person in Uruk.

“Who was that?” Japheth asked, kicking the head.

Kichu laughed. “Of course you wouldn’t know. That was Amar, crown prince of Uruk. He was the only possible heir, and it is likely his father, the king, is either dead right now, or he will be very soon.”

This meant that Sin-Iddim and Emmen-Utu had just ended the dynasty which had ruled over Uruk for centuries. It also meant there would be squabbling and bartering between the two kings over who would rule in Uruk, now that the throne was empty.

Japheth found that he didn’t really care. Kichu had declined to join the pillaging of Uruk as well, and so he and Japheth were still on the battlefield, sitting on the side of an overturned chariot, sharing a wineskin, watching as vultures winged overhead and hopped from body to body. There were other kinds of vultures as well, the human kind, those beggars who followed an army to battle and waited for the carnage to end so they could loot the bodies of the slain.

“What the in the name of all the gods are you doing here, Japheth?” Kichu asked. “And in Larsan armor, no less.”

Japheth shrugged and said cryptically, “It’s where fate has taken me.”

Kichu glared, helping him to his feet. “Give me a straight answer, little man.”

Japheth cursed, propping himself up on his sword. “You want a straight answer, Kichu? All right, then, here’s an answer for you: I love your sister, but your demon-god of a father married her to the foulest pig who’s ever lived. I joined the Larsan army hoping to get close enough to Sin-Iddim to put a spear through his fat belly. It may not have allowed me to win back Aresia, but at least she wouldn’t have to suffer at the hands of that vile old demon.”

Kichu rocked back on his heels, stunned. “I knew you and my sister were meeting frequently, but . . . love? You are a fool, Japheth.”

Japheth struggled to keep his face free of emotion. “I don’t know for sure, but I’m fairly certain she agreed to marry Sin-Iddim to save me from your father. If that is so, then I could not allow that to go unrecognized. I may not have much, but I have my honor.”

Kichu nodded. “Sin-Iddim has been after her for years. He asked Father for her hand in marriage at least twenty times, and every time Aresia kicked up such a fuss that Father always gave over, for he knows very well what Sin-Iddim is like.” Kichu swore. “So, she has feelings for you, eh? She wouldn’t agree to marry Sin-Iddim for just anything.”

Japheth felt for the pendant. “He hates humans, as you well know, and learning his only daughter had lain with one was more that he could tolerate.” He hesitated a moment. “My father worships Elohim, and I was raised to worship Him as well, although I’m not sure what I believe any longer.”

Kichu laughed, shaking his head. “You’re a bigger fool, Japheth, than I first imagined. Why would you admit these things to me?”

“Because we each owe the other a dozen lives,” Japheth said, “and you cannot deny that.”

Kichu looked down at the bloody sand between his feet, knowing the human was right; after all, Japheth had just saved his life mere moments ago.

Japheth continued, “And because I don’t think you share your father’s hatred for Elohim or for humans. But I don’t care what you think. Whether I live or die no longer means anything to me.”

“No? Then why did you fight so hard today to stay alive?”

Japheth was wondering the same thing. He shrugged, saying, “Instinct, I guess. I may not care if I live, but it’s not in me to roll over and die either, especially not at the hands of some godless Nephilim dog.”

This explanation amused Kichu, for he shook with silent laughter. “You have lost your mind, talking to me like that. You’re all right for a human, but don’t think I won’t split your ugly skull like a pomegranate if you keep up that talk.” Kichu’s features smoothed out, as he turned serious once more. “So what are you going to do now? There’s plenty of women in there.” He jerked a thumb at Uruk, smoke and screams emanating from the walled city.

“I don’t want those women. I want Aresia.”

Kichu shook his head, his eyes narrowing in anger. “She’s not for you, Japheth,” he snapped. “She is a princess, and a Nephilim. You are a commoner, and a human—it’s impossible.”