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LadyCha0s

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Artemesia returned, ignoring Seth's body as if death was a daily occurence. She called Azriel, telling him to rid her home of that vile stench. He laughed and did as he was told, Tirzah helping Artemesia make dinner. They ate under the pavillion, Tirzah smiling as Artemesia and Azriel cought up on old times. That night Tirzah slept beside Artemsia, wondering if Azriel, a few rooms away, was asleep.

 Yahweh...Please protect us and guide us in safety. Lead us in the right direction. And bless Artemesia...She is most kind to us....

Azriel and Tirzah remained hidden in Artemesia's home until the day they would leave arrived. Artemesia lied to Julius the Greek.

"Seth the Nubian came for him. They left together. They said something about Luxor."

"Thankyou Artemesia. The gods be with you."

Azriel held his breath, waiting until he heard the door close. He waited for Artemesia's call.

"She is taking too long.", he whispered. He took Tirzah's hand.

"Come, it is time we go."

He bit his lip when he saw the old woman laying on the ground, she died quickly. Tirzah fought her tears as they left the house. Artemesia died to protect them.

As they reached the port Azriel quickened his pace.

"They are hear."

He began to run, Tirzah running behind him.

"Which one will take us to Greece?"

"It no longer  matters. The one that is moving is the one we take."

Azriel drew his sword, seeing Narayan ahead of them. Azriel charged foward, slitting Narayan's throat. He stopped to grab Tirzah's hand, leading her to the farthest ship. It was sailing away, Azriel catching the ropes. He held Tirzah in his left arm, climbing onto the ship with his right. When they got on, Azriel could see the black cloaked men; Julius, Ilyas, Khaled and Rashne. Julius bowed and turned away. Azriel took Tirzah into his arms, comforting her.

"Did you pay your pass?"

"Here take this. Leave us be."

Azriel handed the captain a small bag filled with gold. The man bowed and told them they could take the quarters below deck. Azriel laid down on the floor, taking Tirzah into his arms. She held onto him tight, he smiled. She had never been in a ship at sea.

The days turned into weeks, weeks into a month, maybe more. Azriel trained in silence when the captain and his crew were on deck. Tirzah joined him when she could, most days she was sleeping or sitting on deck, watching the endless ocean. Azriel helped the crew, Tirzah watching him lift the anchor in the morning, his muscular body glistening in the sun. He would look at her and smile, continuing his work. Tirzah cooked for them, the captain praising Yahweh for giving him a cook. They enjoyed sunny days on deck, singing and the captain reciting the Illiad to Tirzah. At night they slept in peace. When the rain came there was much fear, the crew still believed in Schylla and Charibdys.

"Foolish men, that is but a tale. Yahweh will protect us."

They calmed at Tirzah's song, soothing and calming to their hearts. Azriel would sit with his arms crossed, indian style on the floor. He would close his eyes, focusing on her voice. He would imagine her singing to him, songs of love to him. He imagined her in his arms, her curls flowing with the wind, her hazel eyes gazing into his, her full lips against his....

"Land!!!!"

Azriel opened his eyes, they had reached land. They began closing the sails, throwing the anchor into the waters. Tirzah gazed upon the shore, a green forest beyond. She could see mountains further up.

"My Lord Azriel, Lady Tirzah, welcome to Sicily."

Sicily...Tirzah's heart raced. Azriel gathered their things, taking her hand as they entered the small boat. The captain rowed them to shore, accompanying them to the small village by shore. They bid the captain goodbye, Azriel leading Tirzah further into the island.

"Remus, a teacher, lives further north. He is an old friend-"

She slammed Azriel against a tree.

"No more old friends. No one dies for our sakes. No more."

He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Be calm, my lady. The Seven are not familiar with him. Remus does not know of my...trade. I am merely an old student of his, when I was a child."

"Azriel...Donnot lie to me."

"I would never lie to you. Come now, I can almost taste the figs and wine. We can stay here for a few weeks,", he looked at her,"If my lady wishes."

"What ever my lord desires, that is where I shall reside."

He took her hand and led her up the rocky path, a small house at the top of the hill. Azriel knocked on the door.

"Oh!! Azriel! My son! What blessing is this!"

"Master Remus, I am traveling the isles with my wife. She has never seen the Mediteranean."

"What?! A wife! Oh come in my children, I was just pouring some wine. Sit, sit.", he led them into the house, the dining hall was open and had draperies everywhere.

"Oh do sit down.....Julia!! Julia! Come here girl and take my guests's things to the bedroom!!!"

A girl Tirzah's age walked in, grabbing their things and rushing off.

"Silly girl...Ah, yes. Here is your favorite wine Azriel..."

He poured them wine. As Azriel and Remus talked, Tirzah walked outside, Remus had a beautiful view of the island. She looked at the vast ocean.

Yahweh...This is beautiful...You have created a masterpiece. And this is only one island!

She smiled and walked a few steps more, standing by the edge of the hill. She saw people walking and talking, children playing. She thought of home, her father. She shook her head and walked back inside, Remus showing Azriel maps.

"Master..How can I get to Greece without boarding a ship from Egypt?"

"The ports west of here are mainly from Greece. Having trouble with anyone in Egypt?"

"No...Yes, but it is nothing to worry about."

"Well now, when would you like to go?"

"How long can I stay here?"

"Not long Azriel."

Azriel looked at Remus, the tone in his voice was grim. Remus stood up and called Julia.

"Close the doors, the windows. Lead Lady Tirzah downstairs."

She took Tirzah by the hand, leading her away. Remus took Azriel into his room.

"You have brought me danger Azriel. As much as I love you, I cannot allow you to bring dogs here. You must leave at once. Stay the night but be goe before sunrise. Take the dirt road to the ports. Greek ships will be there. Forgive me Azriel..."

Azriel felt his face get hot, his anger and frustration rise. He stormed out of the room, finding his things. He took Tirzah by the arm and pulled her from Julia's grasp.

"We are leaving. Julia let go of my wife."

"M-murderers....M-master...M-master let murderers inside. Hide here. T-take the servant's way out. F-follow me."

She didn't give Azriel a chance to realize his teacher had given him over to Julius, she led them through a secret door in the wall. She walked fast, stopping every so often to listen for any sound. She opened the door, Azriel saw the shore.

"Follow the shore north. Hurry before my f-father finds you..."

"Father?"

"J-julius the G-greek."

Azriel bowed before Julia and took Tirzah's hand. They ran in the direction Julia had told them, in no time seeing the ports. Azriel payed the fair to board the ship leaving to Crete. They went below deck, Azriel sitting on the floor, his head bowed. Tirzah sat beside him, her arm around him.

"He betrayed me...He was going to let them murder us in our sleep. There is no port west of his house......That girl..Her father...curse him... Curse them all!"

"Azriel..", she whispered,"please...we're safe now."

"No, we are not safe. Every where we go they are there. They follow us and find us. We won't be safe until they are sleeping with their fathers."

"You mean to kill them all?"

"Every one of them."

"Azriel..."

"You knew that this would happen from the very beginning. We are not safe. You knew this. Don't desert me now."

"I promised you my life. I am yours. I follow you until the end. I am only afraid."

"I told you not to fear them."

"It is not them I fear....But you. Your anger and willingness to take life."

He looked at her eyes, those eyes he wanted to forever gaze into. He wasn't drawing her to him, he was pushing her away. He looked as the tears fell from her eyes, her curls falling off her shoulders in a mess. She was afraid...His tender, sweet, innocent Tirzah.