Aranachi and Zeudi were sitting on her bed, normally they would talk about everything, their boyfriends, her pregnancy. But now they were silent, and both of them looked at a door. Zeudi was watching the servants' door, while Aranachi kept an eye on the main entrance. Aranachi was shivering, and held one of her hands on her stomach. Zeudi needed to confess that she wished that Aranachi was not inside this room. Not because she did not enjoy the company. But Aranachi was pregnant and Zeudi was undoubtedly Woldu's pray. She already hated that Simret was on the other side of the door. But she needed to resist every fiber in her body, to not call him inside. Knowing that he would be safe and sound. She looked at her hands for a moment, they were shacking as well.
"Zeudi." Aranachi said softly. Zeudi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There was a sound at the servant's door. "Zeudi, what should I do?"
"Hid in the bathroom," Zeudi said, "place something in front of it and only come out of it if I or Sennay comes to get you." Aranachi nodded and rushed to the door that led to the bathroom. Would she be able to place something in front of it, Zeudi did not know? But there was no time to worry about it now, the door opened and Woldu stepped into the room. His hands were covered in blood, for a brief second she saw Simret's lifeless body, but that was before the door closed behind her brother.
"You need a new guard dog sister, I needed to help the one at your door out of his misery." Woldu said, with a large grin on his face. This was all she needed to confirm that Simret was indeed dead. She lowered her head, and bite on her lip to hold back her tears. She would never hear him crack a joke, or see the grin on his face. He would never see Sennay's little one and to see for himself if it takes after the mother. "What is this, are you saddened about the fact that the man died. Sister you are really weak."
"Of course I am sad, he was a friend." She replied, with a broken voice. "But that means I have friends, that does not make me weak. Quite the opposite. Brother." She straightened her back and now looked him straight in the eye. "But you are here to finish what you have started." Her hand went to the sword at her hip. He nodded.
"Rather I kill you, or I die trying. Seems to me like a fair deal." Woldu said, he raised his sword and rushed towards her.
*********
Idris couldn't believe the fact that he was not at Zeudi's side, but everything else kept him away. The father of Armana had heard about her death and demanded to speak with the princess or with him. The man was not kind about it, accusing them for his daughters' death. He did not even back down when Idris reminded him that Armana was imprisoned for treason. Something Idris could admire if it was not at such an imposible time.
"Sir Flortia, I am very sorry about your daughter's death. But Woldu is still out there." Idris said, but the man shook his head.
"I do not care if he is. I want to see my daughter." Sir Flortia said, so that was the core of this. The grieving man wanted to see his daughter, which was a reasonable request. Idris nodded if this meant that he could go to be at Zeudi's side.
"Soldier Nultu, take the man to his daughter. And offer him some water, he is going to need it." Idris said. Soldier Nultu nodded and motioned to sir Flortia. Sir Flortia looked at Idris. "I already told you that her killer is still out there, and his target is the princess. My fiancée and therefore I need to be with her." Now Sir Flortia started to get why he needed to go.
"Then get him, for my daughter." Sir Flortia said, Idris turned around and started to run towards Zeudi's chambers.
"Captain Gedlear, I have heard that Woldu was spotted inside the servant's corridor." One of the Consorts guard said and he came just out of these corridors. Why is he not there looking for him? Idris did not stop to ask him this, the guard in question was a young man, which probably feared for his life.
"Go and inform the guards man in front of the princess chambers." Idris pointed to the direction. The guard nodded and rushed away, Idris on the other hand rushed into the servants corridors. Which he knew all too well, the first weeks he had explored them with all of his men. Which now came at hand, something he had not suspected. Who was he kidding, not himself of course. He knew that there came a time that he needed to know every nook and cranny of the palace. He only did not know that he would need this information this soon. The corridors were narrow, and this was not the first time he wondered how the servants menaced their way there it. He got into the corridor that leaded towards Zeudi's chambers. Where he found Simret laying on the ground in a poodle of blood. There was no need to get closer, to tell him that his best friend was dead. And no one needed to tell him who killed him, Woldu. But there was no time to grief his loss, this meant that Woldu was inside her chambers. Maybe Fitsum and Sennay were already inside, dealing with the bastard. But there was a change that Woldu took care of them first. So he needed to go in to see it for himself.
******
Araya considered himself to be a proud and considerable man. But when he heard Zeudi's story, how his own flesh and blood tried to kill him. That was a though medical brought to swallow. He still hoped that his daughter would be merciful towards her brother banishing him to another kingdom. He knew that she had considered every option that there was, even banishment. But when she explained her fear that Woldu would raise an army to opus her once again, well this sends shivers through his spine. She was wise not to make rushed decisions based on her emotions, something his wife would have done. He slowly shook his head, his daughter may look like his beloved wife, but the two were so different in character. True they shared the same ideals, but that was it. His wife would never have cooked a meal for him, even though she could. No, his daughter was her own person and was a force to be reckoned with. The fact that she had found someone who shared her views and believes, was something that made his heart overflow with joy. The plus point was that he liked the man. Araya looked at the door, it has been a while since he had set foot outside his chambers. He knew that he son had escaped and this would not be the best time to go for a walk. But if his son was on a murdering spree, he needed to go to him first. He grabbed his sword and walked towards the door, swung it open and was met by captain Codwood.
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"Sir, I think it is best if you stay in your chambers." The man said.
"You know as well, as I that I will not listen to you, or anybody else who is going to tell me this. So you have two options, you come with me, or stay here in the hope that you do not need to explain yourself to that shiny new captain of my daughter." Araya said, captain Codwood shook his head.
"For everybody, who wonders where the princess got her stubbornness from." The captian muttered under his breath.
"From her mother and I, respectively. Captain, now move out of my way." Araya demanded, the captain did this and they started to march towards his daughter's chambers.
"Captain, captain!" A young man's voice called. Both man turned around, it was the newest member of his guard.
"Tesfay Conwin, what are you doing here. Did I not send you into the servants corridors?" The boy nodded, how old would he be? Maybe he just barked into adulthood? No wonder the kid has upped out of his duty in the fear of the murderous prince.
"There is no need to be hard on him right now, the boy is young and clearly needs more time to become a man." Araya said. "But this means that Woldu has moved to the corridors, and we all know where he is going." Both man nodded.
"I already told captain Gedlear. He told me to relay this two the guards in front of the princess door." Tesfay said, he was still shaking. Araya smiled at the boy, he at least was a good messenger. The three of them walked towards the chambers, where the guards man were laying on the ground. "What happened here?" Tesfay asked. Captain Codwood rushed to the man, laid his fingers in their necks.
"They are wounded, but both of them are still alive. Tesfay, go and get some help for them." Codwood said, the boy sprinted away. "He is a good kid."
"Agreed." Arya said, he laid his hand on the door nob and pushed it open. But he was not prepared for what he was about to face.
********
It was by some kind of miracle she was able to avoid his attack, but now she needed to call upon all her training. Which in Woldu's eyes might not be a lot, which was true. But she was smaller, and quicker than he was. At least that was what Idris told her, the first time he trained her inside the palace walls. So she blocked or jumped out the attack's way. Looking for an opening. But of course, Woldu as a well-trained swordsman, was not giving away any. Still she needed to do her best to stay alive, maybe she could stall until however came in first to save her. She slammed against the front door which stayed closed, what happened to Fitsum and Sennay. Maybe he got to them first, maybe it was most likely. He wanted her, and getting her personal guard out of the way was of course the first step.
"You are thinking too much, sister." Woldu said, he swung again and this time he was able to cut her. She wanted to curse, but she kept her words in. This was indeed her own fault, she was indeed thinking too much. He swung again, but this time she avoided with ease. But now his sword slammed against the door and it got stuck. Good, she took her pose, to attack. Now that she got time to prepare, but she did not run towards him. No she waited until he had menaced to pull out the sword and came towards her. But this time she lowered herself, turned away from him. But still attacked him at the same time, he screamed and placed his hand on the deep wound. "I hate to admit it sister. But that was a good move, did your rogue taught you that?" She wanted to nod with pride, but she knew that this was something meant to distract her. She again took in her position and look at him, he started to pace. He was not going to give her another change like that. Another option was for her to attack, but she knew that he was waiting for her to do so. As she saw it there were only two options left and both of them had their downside. "Come up sister, show me what you have learned." He was mocking her, and it was working. She was about to run and attack him, but then she caught something in the corner of her eye. It was an simple knife to peel fruit, it was sharp. Idris had thought how to throw a knife, she quickly grabbed it and throw it. Woldu blocked the small thing with ease, and was going to say something mocking. But Zeudi rushed forward and launced gher sword into his chest. He smiled at her. "You are not as weak as I thought." And he fall on too his knees, towards the ground. He was death, he was really death and she had killed him. The front doors of her chambers opened and her father rushed in, freezing in his place when he saw his son on the ground with her sword in his chest. The servant's door slammed open, Idris also entered the room. Only he did not freeze, instead he rushed towards her side. Checking if her wound was not to deep, and took her into his arms.
"I am so glad that you are still alive." He said. She wrapped her arms around him, when she felt his tears on her flesh.
"I am fine." She said. "I am sorry about Simret." Idris nodded slowly and buried his face in her shoulder. She closed her eyes and now her tears started to flow as well. This scarry episode was over, and she did not need to worry about her brother.
"My son." She could hear her father say, behind her. She let go of Idris to face him. She wanted to tell him that she wished that things could end differntly. But Woldu came with one thing on his mind. Kill her or die trying. But she could see in her father's blue eyes that he knew the truth.
"Fitsum, Sennay?" She asked.
"They are hurt, but alive." Captain Codwood entered and replied. He looked at Woldu in disgust. "I am sorrry for your loss, sir. But he knew that he would not survive this. Even if he had menaged to kill his sister." Her father nodded, turned around and walked away without a word. Captain Codwood now looked towards Simret's corpse. "I will send some men to collect the death. Where is the Lady royal, by the way." Zeudi pointed to the bathroom door. Codwood said nothing and went to the bathroomdoor. Zeudi did not pay much attention to what happene after that, her world was turning. Was this and adreline rush? It could be, but there was no time to ask anybody this. Because her world became black.