AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The sun was touching the horizon when they crested a small hill, and the city of Atrahasis came into view. Fen pulled her reins gently to make her horse stop.
"Wow, that is incredible," she whispered, her mouth falling open.
"That is home," Khan replied, his voice full of relief.
The city was surrounded by a green skirt of rich farmlands intersected by water canals. High stone walls kept the central city secure, and each of the three major gates into the city was protected with towers.
Fen couldn't imagine how long it would have taken to create such walls. They slowed their horses as the roads became clogged with more people. Most of them were workers that tended the farms during the day and went home behind the city walls at night.
The main gate into the city was made of brilliant indigo blue and yellow tiles in a detailed mosaic of Inanna and magnificent winged lions.
"Welcome to Atrahasis," Khan said from beside her. He was smiling openly for the first time in days, as if making it through the gates had a burden lifted from his shoulders.
As they rode, Khan explained how Atrahasis was built in between two mighty rivers—Buranuna and Idiqlat. Unlike Ankhara, which had been made in the shape of a holy symbol, Atrahasis was constructed within seven circles, each representing their most sacred gods—Ea, Inanna, An, Enlil, Ninhursag, Nanna, and Utu. In the city's heart stood the temple of Ea, where all magi went to study and all the council meetings were held.
Fen stuck close to Khan and did her best not to get too distracted by the darkening streets, the crowds of people, the tall buildings that pressed around them, and the smells of people cooking their evening meals.
She loved how bright everything was with window blinds in shades of blues, greens, purples, and reds. The people's clothing was woven in beautiful, complex patterns, and Fen remembered Khan's worn robe with the ink stains on the sleeves.
Women wore bronze and silver bracelets and small tinkling bells in their hair. Everyone wore their long hair in elaborate braids woven with different colored threads. Fen drank it all in and couldn't wait to explore more of it.
Khan took the lead quickly, knowing exactly where he was going and appearing eager to get there. The streets became less crowded, and the houses were further apart in that part of the city. They stopped in front of a pair of red gates, and two guards opened the doors for them without being asked.
They rode through them with Khan's smile growing wider by the second. Lanterns had been lit along a paved road, which was flanked by well-maintained gardens and led to a magnificent villa.
Khan slid off his horse and was helping Fen down when the front doors opened. Fen started in alarm when a tall man stepped out and grumbled. "Well, it is about time."
He had long silver-streaked black hair that hung to the center of his broad chest, a clipped graying beard, and bright brown eyes. He looked so much like Khan that Fen knew it could only be one person—Sargon.
Khan hurried over to him and sagged into his arms. "Grandfather."
"It's good to have you home, my boy," Sargon said, his deep voice husky with emotion. He held onto him for a few moments before glancing over his shoulder. "Kashmet and Kemes, it's good to see you too. Hurry home to your mother now. She's expecting you."
"Sending us off already! We know who the favorite grandchild is, don't we, Kash?" Kemes pouted.
Sargon blew her a kiss. "I love you both, but I fear your mother more than you, little warrior. We will talk tomorrow."
Once they were gone, Sargon's dark eyes turned to Fen. Magic and awareness rippled along her skin, and she knew she was in the presence of another magi.
"Now, my grandson, you will explain who this woman is and why she is wearing a slave collar in my city."
Khan rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "It's a long story."
Sargon clapped him hard on the back. "Excellent. You can tell me over dinner."
* * *
Fen was shown to a bathing chamber where she could quickly wash the dirt from the road from her face and hands. Khan was chatting happily with Sargon by the time she returned.
They all sat on soft cushions in front of a low table piled with food. Sargon had clearly been expecting them to have everything ready.
"You look good for a dead man," Sargon commented, studying Khan over the rim of his goblet. "I got a message a few days ago saying that you had killed the Pharaoh and then yourself. I'm surprised the rest of my hair didn't go gray overnight."
Khan reached over and squeezed his shoulder. "I'm sorry for the anguish. We made it through the gates that mother had kept."
"Kash told me. I've never been so happy about Arkadia's foresight." Sargon looked at Fen. "I hear you saved Khan's life that night, even though he kept you as a slave. Can I ask why?"
"He saved mine when he bought me." Fen shifted under the piercing scrutiny of his gaze. "And he's my friend. Despite how it looks, your grandson has never treated me with anything but kindness and respect."
