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LadyCha0s

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Azriel stood facing the sunset, Ezekiel a few feet away from him, teaching little Leto how to fight. Tirzah was asleep below deck, curled up in Azriel's cloak. They had been at sea for days, knwong soon they would reach Caesarea.

"You would break your promise to protect my father?"

"I never said I was going to break my promise. I said I am going to do all I can to keep your father from being murdered and also to keep that filthy pig as far off from the throne as possible."

Azriel closed his eyes, remembering the hurt in her eyes the night he told her they were returning to Jerusalem. He knew as much as she loved her father she didn't want him to break his promise to God. But he had made his choice, his brother needed his help. 

They made it to Jerusalem, the ride from Caesarea on horse was quick but tiresome. Upon reaching her father's home, they were stopped by two soldiers outside of the gate. Ezekiel intervened and they were all allowed to pass. Ezekiel led them up to the roof where Yaakov sat alone. He welcomed them to sit beside him, Tirzah rushing into his arms. He held her , he hadn't seen her in over a year. He raised a brow when she returned to Azriel's side but said nothing. Ezekiel was the one who broke the silence, his voice shaky.

"My lord, this is Azriel, my brother, your...son in law."

"Welcome son..."

Azriel bowed his head.

"Why the solemn faces?", Yaakov asked as they all looked at him with sadness.

Ezekiel explained to him the plot for his murder, where and when it would happen and how Azriel came to prevent it.

"I am returning to the old palace tonight. If I donnot return by morning, come for me brother. This ends tonight."

Tirzah looked at him and at Ezekiel.

"Tonight?"

"If you wish to see your father alive in the morning this must end tonight. No one is taking over the throne, no more people are dying by the hand of Al-Haid. It ends tonight."

Azriel stood up and bowed before Yaakov. He embraced with Ezekiel and walked away. He heard Tirzah's light foot steps behind him, he stopped her when they reached the back gate.

"Go back to your father, sing to them, enjoy their company."

"You will leave me widowed tonight?"

"Do you doubt my chances?"

She didn't answer and he hugged her.

"The last time we stood here you saved my life. Remember? My love, if I should die tonight, think of me as you saw me that night."

"Can't you think this over? Devise a plan?"

"No, the more I think the less I am willing. If I donnot go then I never will. I love you Tirzah."

He kissed her and turned away, taking the old path to the palace. He climbed up into his old room, smiling when he remembered how often he used to do this. He walked down the hallway and into the Grand Hall. He passed the tables and statues and ran up the Grand Stair. He turned left and ran up another flight of steps and pushed open the large black door. Al-Haid was counting money, two girls asleep on the bed. Al-Haid continued to count his money and didn't look up.

"I knew you would listen to him....Foolish, but I admire your blind courage."

"Watch your tongue."

"I see your arrogance has not changed. Now that your wife is not around, your true colors can show..."

Azriel took hold of his sword, Al-Haid rising from his seat, taking his sword from his hilt.

"I donnot wish to kill you my son, you are most precious to me..Your skill is beyond excellence. You were born for this life, it would be a pity to waste your talent."

His crooked smile made Azriel all the more angry.

"Azriel do you think I have not planned this all out? Your brother waiting for you as you come here...We all knew you would come here. Ezekiel has a way with words..."

"What are you talking about?"

Al-Haid laughed.

"Right now as we speak your brother is taking your wife to bed...Even if he has to force her...Her father should be about dead already...."

Azriel charged at Al-Haid and put his sword to his neck.

"Do it Azriel..Kill me now..You would be doing me a favor..."

Azriel felt disgust as Al-Haid smiled. Azriel took him by the neck and swung him against the wall. The two girls ran out screaming when they woke up to find Al-Haid on the floor, a pool of blood forming from the injury in his head. Azriel ran out, members of the guild yelling in Arab and Hebrew that their master was dead. The few that crossed Azriels's path tried to fight him but Azriel did not stop to fight.

He could hear screams from Yaakov's house, the two guards dead on the floor when he opened the gate. He didn't see anyone in the courtyard so he searched the house. He found Miriam and Yocheved tied up near the back gate. He untied them and told them to go find help and they ran off. Azriel went upstairs and into the hallway where the bedrooms were. He couldn't hear anything but he saw light in a room at the end of the hall. He opened the door, no one. He turned and realized how foolish he was and ran up to the roof.

He found Tirzah on the ground, Ezekiel was trying to get her to stop fighting back. Yaakov was lying on the ground a few feet away from them. The candlesticks had been knocked to the ground, the oil spilling and fire rising everywhere.

 Azriel rammed himself into Ezekiel, sending him to the ground. Azriel had let go of his sword and was hitting Ezekiel in the face with all his might. Ezekiel hit Azriel in the chest and got Azriel on his back, Ezekiel hitting him just as Azriel had done to him. Azriel grabbed Ezekiel by the neck and Ezekiel hit him and took him by the neck, trying to put Azriel's face into the flames. Azriel yelled as his eyes began to feel the burning of the fire and he grabbed Ezekiel and lifted him over his shoulders, and without being able to see where his brother would land, he threw his brother over him with all his might. Azriel heard Tirzah crying in behind him and he opened his eyes. He couldn't see Ezekiel anywhere but that didn't matter. He rushed towards Tirzah and she went into his arms.  He looked into her hazel eyes, bright and filled with sadness and love. He began to cry as everything began to grow dark and all he could see was darkness.