At The Gate.

*****

Chapter 4.

Fate machinery got into motion elsewhere that same evening and placed on a string two destinies joined carefully at their seams by an unclear thread. Like a shadow crossing paths at the bidding of death's uncanny ways, with his stunning green pair of eyes, Azriel alongside his sister and three friends rode on the horse to the city gate.

They were dressed in clothes that belonged to the dead prince and his men. It took an hour to clean the blood off the clothes. Nobody must suspect them.

As they near the city walls, he carefully inspected them for the future. There was no way they could breach those walls. His father, the late Emperor Sargon built them in such a way that no force could bring them down.

But they had to be a secret tunnel or a place to escape the city if an emergency arises. The only person who could have given them direction was his uncle prince Edward. But how could he? The poor man was still in a coma. After the death of Emperor Saron, he could not bear it.

"I swear I hate these Saxons" Heather spitted. She rode beside one of the men named Sigurd. She glanced at him hoping he would say something but he didn't. "I hate weakling too."

"Enough with your hatred, sister" Azriel stopped her with his palm spread in the air. He noticed that soldiers were standing at the gates. It seemed they were checking the people who wanted to enter the city. He sighed and stopped with a frown. "Check your tattoos. It should be hidden."

The tattoos were marks from their tribe. It was an identity. He had a huge tattoo on his back. Anyone who touched it thought it was drawn with ashes.

"Your tribal knives should be hidden. We will show the sword that belongs to the men we attacked earlier. Also, nobody should argue with the soldiers at the gate. Avoid saying anything that would anger them."

"You should say that to your sister, Heather" Sigurd's twin brother, Stryga told him. He was fair in complexion. His skin was gleaming even though they spent days on the road without taking a bath. His blue eyes were charming enough to impress any lady.

"You…" Heather kicked his legs. She moved away from him and went to the front. Her brother's stares were hurting. It was as if they were imprinted on her skin. She avoided his gaze. His anger was not good for any man.

"You will be silent until we get into the city, do you understand?" Azriel commanded. Even though she was older than him by two years, she was going to obey him. He was their leader. "I will send you back if you make another sound..."

"Or cause trouble" Kielee added with a smile. Heather was her friend but there should be a limit to all troubles. Kielee knew this mission was everything to Azriel. She wanted to help him fulfil it. It would make her happy too.

They rode quietly to the gate. Azriel was the first to reach. He was afraid that the soldiers were going to ask about the women. Why were they dressed in men's wear? They were supposed to be in gowns.

"Good day, brave men of Akkad" He greeted with a smile. The mem did not return it. The one who was in charge did not look at them. His eyes were focused on the book in his hands. There was a queue. The tallest among them noticed that Azriel was not on the line.

"Move back or they won't attend to you," He told him.

Azriel looked behind. Other people were waiting too. He rode to the back and came down from the horse. He asked the last person on the line what was going on.

"It is called registration, my Lord. Due to the security issues, the king had ordered his guard to take note of each person and the kingdom he is from…or the village."

"I will tell them, my kingdom and name?" Azriel asked with his heart thumping within his chest. His horse could feel his fear too. His hands trembled as they sweat in the winter season.

"Yes," The man faced forward. He took a step forward and closed the gap. The line was moving and Azriel was yet to decide on what to do. He turned to the crew and said in a low tone "Does anyone of you have an idea of which village prince we just killed?"

Heather was speechless. Did they do all these for nothing if they don't go into the city now, it would take them forever to come up with another plan? She had waited for this day for years. Now that it was here, they had no idea whose clothes they were wearing.

"Check in the chest. There should be something to show that the prince was everstone or Norva …" Sigurd was shivering. If they stay too long at the gate without moving, the soldiers will suspect them.

"If you are not going to move, then excuse us" An angry woman pushed Sigurd to the other side. He was trying to check the chest and did not balance well.

"Are you blind?" Heather shouted at the woman. She was angry.

"No, but I lost my eyes to the birds" The woman snarled back. She stood in front of Azriel. When he looked at her, she was speechless. Her lips parted but no words came out. Her bag which was under her armpit fell to the floor. It did not make noise so the soldiers did not notice.

Azriel felt uncomfortable. Did she recognise him? They said he looked so much like his mother. He bent down and picked up her bag. It was heavy. Women, what do they carry all the time? He wondered.

"You?" the woman uttered at last. She froze. He extended his hand and wished she took it away.

A cold shiver ran down his spine as the soldiers noticed the distraction. Four of them marched to where they were. Azriel felt like disappearing. They were caught before the mission started.