Page 47 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Katerina guided Zahra out of the village, which was empty as Zahra expected. Zahra came to a stop at the edge of the village. Thepr-aasat in the close distance, and the Iteru river roared between them and it.
Zahra’s heart thundered as the horror set in. The assassins were already in the capital. What if she was too late?
Katerina circled above Zahra, letting out a cry before continuing toward the river. Zahra summoned her strength and ran after her. The moon dimmed as Zahra followed Katerina over a wooden bridge. Aurans heading home from the celebration looked at her in confusion, some yelling at her as she pushed past them.
The obelisk chimed five Atum as they neared thepr-aa. Zahra worked her way through the crowd and celebrations, but it was difficult to keep an eye on Katerina with all the lights and noise.
The moon barely cast any light by the time she arrived at the grounds of the Feast. Katerina had disappeared from the sky. A pair ofmedjaywere casually talking to each other as they watched maidens stand around in boredom.
Zahra let out a relieved breath. The King was still alive.
“Sirs,” Zahra cried, running toward them.
They turned to her in alarm. Onemedjayheld his hand up. “What is it?”
“You have to warn the King,” Zahra gasped. “There are assassins seeking his life.”
Themedjayglanced at each other and laughed.
“Is that so?” the othermedjayasked. “Do you think he will thank you for saving his life by making you his queen?”
Zahra gritted her teeth. “I am telling the truth.” She showed them her wrists. “They held me captive because I overheard their plans. They plan to kill him.”
The firstmedjaycast a more serious glance at Zahra’s wrists as his partner’s laugh settled into a grin. The othermedjaylaughed. “Do you believe her?”
“How else would she have gotten these wounds?” Themedjaystepped closer, and Zahra allowed him to take her wrists in his hands and study them. He released Zahra and nodded to her. “We will tell the othermedjay, but we will not bother the King with this news tonight. Thank you for informing us. Please, get your wounds treated, and enjoy the rest of the celebrations.”
Zahra’s heart sank as themedjaywalked away. She thought of previous nights as she wandered toward the Feast. Namir had not mentioned the assassins. What if they were not a threat?
She shook her head. Just because he had not seen them yet did not mean he wouldn’t run into them. From her memory, she knew he was in a different place every night. If the assassins planned to kill him at the Feast, he may not have stayed in one spot long enough for them to succeed, or for him to notice.
She had to warn him.
Thepr-aaglowed with life. Though many of the maidens were standing with expectant gazes on the outdoor room, many were sitting, eating, or dancing with care only for each other’s company. Most did not think the King would choose them.
Zahra searched for Eshe, but she was nowhere to be seen. Namir was nowhere in sight either. Had they already danced together?
Zahra began to panic. What if he was dead? What if she was too late?
Twomedjaytackled Zahra as she neared the Pharaohs’ Gardens.
“Hey!” she cried.
One of them grabbed her head, studying the ear with her debt tag. “It is her.”
The other nodded. “Let’s take her to the prison.”
“No! You don’t understand.” Zahra thrashed in their hold. “The King is in danger! There are assassins?—”
“Quiet!” Themedjaypushed her to the ground.
The maidens behind them gasped. Zahra cried out, his grip tight on her raw wrists.
“Please!” They dragged her away from the Feast and toward the gardens. “I am telling the truth!”
“Guards.”
Zahra gasped in pain as themedjaysuddenly stopped. Beneath the shadow of a wooden structure covered in plants and vines stood Namir. His head raised.
