A Court Of War

The crystal lattice snow fell continuously, dancing to the rhythm of the cool winter breeze, curling like sparkling spindrifts, leaving an endless beauty against the brown and grey soil of the earth. The city was quiet as the people assembled at the square. Nobody spoke except for one…

"Kill them all" A voice of a young warrior rang in the square bringing everyone back to the present. Nobody moved or utterd a word after her. She turned back and said, "This is my order."

"Your wish is my command, your highness" a giant man who stood beside her bowed. He turned to the crowd that surrounded the prisoners and nodded. The guards understood the language. They began to prepare to welcome the Angel Azrael. He was the angel in charge of death.

"H-ha-V-ve me-rcy, princess" One of the prisoners fell on his knees while pleading for mercy. Due to hunger and cold, his voice trembled and failed alongside his lips.

The crowd thought this would soften the princess. She would let them go. But, it only made her angrier. A little frown appeared on her face.

The young princess who should be in her twenties shook her head pitifully. Her red hair was striking against the background. Her skin was as white as snow. People said she was as beautiful as Angelina Zev, the goddess of ruins.

"Please, let the women go" Another man cried.

The Princess knew what to do. She took a few steps forward and spread her hands on the old handrail.

"There is no mercy for traitors. This will serve as a punishment to you and a warning to all."

"You heard her Highness, there is no mercy for traitors" The giant man spoke. He turned to the guards and raised his right hand.

The guards who were standing beside the prisoners sliced each of their throats. Blood gushed out of them.

Some of the people closed their eyes so that they would not witness such a scene. However, the Princess did not look away. Her eyes were fixed on the knife. She saw the prisoners struggle to free themselves.

On the other corner of the terrace stood a twenty-two years old woman dressed in a blue gown. Her brows knitted as she witnessed the death of innocent people. She turned around and hugged the woman beside her.

"Hazel, Do you see who she has become?" The girl asked with her hands trembling. She could barely endure the sights of blood. How managed did her cousin, the princess enjoyed it?

"I see, Ember" Hazel ran her hand through her hair. She patted her sister's back and continued to grit her teeth "She is just like the witch had said. Her father sold her soul to the devil for wealth and power."

"You are right, with what I have seen today, Azrael is the true angel of death" Ember broke from the hug. She turned to leave when she came face to face with their brother. "Williams?"

"Yes, ladies" The young man flashed a gorgeous smile. The smile on his face disappeared as he question the girls "How dare you slander your princess?"

"We? No..." Hazel looked at Ember and they both shook their heads. If the Princess finds out the truth, she will punish them.

Williams bursted into laughter. He held his stomach as he laughed at their reactions. So, the sisters believed the little show he put out.

"Was this a joke?" Hazel's brows furrowed in confusion. She leaned against the wall and watched her brother laugh at their stupidity.

"Yes, lady Hazel" Ember replied her. "Can't you see the fool is laughing at us?"

"I can see that."

Williams stopped laughing. He stood with his shoulders hung high and spoke "I'm sorry, ladies. Has your sister given her verdict?"

Ember sighed. She covered her face with both of her hands and said "She killed them all. I can't believe that Azrael could do something like that."

"Very well...she did not disappoint me but she did disappoint you" Hazel took a few steps back and held her dress with both of her hands. She curtsied "My condolences, lord Williams and Lady Ember."

"Oh, please..." Williams did not want to listen to talks about Azrael again. He hated the princess for everything she had. "Azrael is not married yet, she acts like a queen."

"I'd worry about the ball, the king will choose the best prince for her...and us? We will get remain..." Ember did not finish her sentence.

"Ember..." Hazel stopped as she heard footsteps coming their way. When they looked left, they saw the princess, Azrael.

Azrael wore a beautiful smile on her face when she saw her cousins. With so much excitement in her heart, she increased her pace.

"Here comes the witch" Williams whispered as they all bowed.

Azrael halted in her track. She did not like it when her sisters treated her differently. They were cousins but she saw them as her blood sisters. They lived in the palace with her.

"Please do not bow your heads again" She smiled as she walked to where they were. "Please..."

"What can we do?" Hazel asked with a fake smile on her face. "You are the only princess of Akkad. You deserve it."

"Do not say it. You can look up all of you" Azrael asked them nicely. She turned in the direction she came from and saw that the guards were waiting patiently. "You may leave me with my sisters."

"Thank God" Hazel heaved a sigh. She thought for a moment that the guards were here to seize them. The fear she had lived with her for years. Each night she closed her eyes, she prayed to God, to protect her from the darkness of the palace.

Azrael's chuckle interrupted her from her thoughts. "Can we all go inside now?"

"Are you done with the execution?" They all asked her at the same time.

"Yes, it is done" She replied with a confused look. They were never interested in the politics of the state. Why now?

"Now, their blood is in your hand" Ember mumbled. She hissed.

"I don't understand," the princess asked. She stared at them with those beautiful but dangerous pair of brown eyes.

"When will you understand?" Ember asked back. She was angry that the princess's stubbornness will doom all of them. "Why did you kill them? They were the surviving members of the Emperor Sargon's royal family. You should have let them go..."

"Keep quiet, Ember" Williams held her hand. His sister was bent on losing her head to the princess. It was better to shut her up before she say too much.

"Let her speak" Azrael commanded.

Ember freed herself from Williams' hold and continued "You haven't heard about the song of the Devil? The musicians sing it in every Alehouse in Akkad. Don't you know the lyrics?"

"I have not heard of it" Hazel spoke. She was enjoying every moment... The little frown mixed with fright on the princess' face. Finally, there was something that scared Azrael. Hazel urged her sister to sing even though she knew the song as if it was written on the back of her hand. Everyone knew the song of the devil except for the princess. "Come on, sing it."

"Once upon a time, there lived a devil king named Emperor Sargon. He invited the kingdoms around for a feast and it became his funeral. Betrayal fought way in and blood became ale. The Emperor will come again to take what has been stolen away from him…blood will spill and souls will become his. Revenge and justice will…."

"Stop it" Azrael shouted. She placed a hand on her stomach as she glared fiercely at her cousin. A cold shiver ran through her spine as the last sentence replayed in her head. 'Revenge will serve and justice will be dispensed. Was this real?