by Day Leitao
Odell raised his eyebrows. “How come?”
“I knew she was the princess, but I convinced myself she wasn’t.” Another bizarre answer.
“Why?”
“I didn’t want to believe that anything existed outside our garden, outside me and her.”
“I understand you went with her to the private gardens. What did you do during those times?”
“She climbed trees, we talked, sometimes we practiced wrestling.”
“Why would you wrestle with her?”
“Because she asked.” The answers were getting better.
“Were you interested in learning to fight or in grabbing her?”
“Neither.”
“What were you interested in?”
“Seeing her smile.” The potion stranger inside him was doing a much better job.
“What do you think of the fact she’s the princess?”
“Her father’s a tyrant who won’t last on the throne much longer.” What? What had he just said? Darian felt he had just signed his death sentence. He wanted to protest, but his body was limp and he couldn’t talk. He decided to relax and let the words come. Considering he’d already been sentenced to death, nothing worse could happen to him.
“Do you think she’s in love with you?”
“I’m positive.” That was quite a confident potion stranger.
“Since when?”
“It was gradual, from the night she met me.” What?
“Were you taking advantage of the fact she was in love with you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I was too dumb to notice it.”
Odell laughed. “When and how did you notice it?”
“At the ball. She stared at me the whole night. She squeezed my hand. She told me…” Darian’s throat closed. He endured the pain. He wasn’t going to tell him what she’d said.
Odell snapped his fingers. “Question answered. That’s fine.” Darian’s throat opened and he could breathe. Odell then asked, “What do you think about your father?”
“He’s a sadistic maniac who damaged my brother.”
“What do you think about your brother?”
Darian didn’t understand why he was being asked that, but it obviously didn’t matter because his mouth started speaking. “He’s hurt and broken.”
“What were you doing last night when the guards came?”
“I was lying on top of Cayla, kissing her cheek.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
“How did you come to that position?”
“Wrestling.”
Odell rolled his eyes. “Of course. And did you suggest wrestling so you could get close to her?”
“I didn’t suggest it.”
“She did?”
“Yes.”
“Are you interested in her money?”
“Soon she won’t have any.” Death sentence.
“Are you interested in her claim to the throne?”
“Soon she won’t have any claim.”
“Why do you think she likes you?”
“She’s smart and has good taste.” Conceited potion stranger.
“And do you like her?”
“I’m in love with her.”
“Why?”
“I feel good around her. Happy.”
Odell smiled. “Very well.” He snapped his fingers. “Truth out.”
Darian was himself again and could speak. “It wasn’t me. I would never say those things, I —”
“I told you it was unsettling.”
“I’m not a traitor to the king.”
“I’ll ignore that. You must be angry because he imprisoned you, that’s all. I’ll never mention anything you said to anyone. Now, I will make sure you are freed. There will be an audience tomorrow. Whatever happens, you must say you are her friend and only her friend. Never mention the kissing. Never mention you are in love. Pretend you don’t care about her if it comes to it. I’ll tell her to do the same. You might see her, and it might hurt, but don’t show your feelings.
“Also, as much as I hate your father, he didn’t disown you. He’ll try to get you transferred, but he can’t defend you openly. Your brother is part of the accusation committee. I don’t know what he’s planning. I don’t know if he’s there to protect you or to gain favors. Don’t trust him.”
“I don’t.” That hurt, but it was true.
“Well, then, tomorrow you’ll have a long day. Don’t tell anyone I’ve been here.”
“You had it all planned. Why did you make me drink that thing?”
“Word was out you were taking advantage of Cayla. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t true. But you answered the questions well. You truly like her. It might be a silly teenage crush, but you think it’s true love. You’re just kids being kids.”
He pulled the chains and pointed to the chair in the middle of the cell. “I’ll have to put you back in your shackles or the guards will be spooked. Be confident. Tomorrow you’ll find your freedom.”
“After tomorrow, I won’t see her again, will I?”
“No. But trust me, it will pass. Soon you’ll forget her.”
“You’ll also make sure she forgets me?”
“I’ll do what I can to make sure she’s happy.” He smiled. “But you’re a nice boy and maybe one day you could make her happy. It just won’t be anytime soon.”
Darian had one last question. “Is it true that she’s been accusing me of—" He couldn’t finish the sentence.
Odell shook his head. “Not true. Lalus wants to pit you against each other. He also told her you said horrible things about her.”
So Lalus was the commander’s name. “Did she believe him?”
“I don’t know. She showed no reaction. I have to go now. Try to rest.” He looked at Darian’s uncomfortable position. “As well as you can.”
Darian sighed. He was more hopeful now. If he could survive, if he could escape, he could dream again, he could make plans.
And one day, he could return.
8
The Audience
“Wake up, sleepy!” Sian’s voice echoed in the cell.
Darian opened his eyes. His brother had a key and opened his shackles. He had three guards with him and a satisfied smile on his face.
“Why did you do it?” Darian asked.
“My loyalty is to the king and his family. But you should be happy. You have an audience.”
Darian’s body hurt from sleeping chained to the chair and he had difficulty getting up. Sian came to his side to help him, but Darian pushed him away. He took a step on his own, lost his balance and fell.
Sian lifted him to his feet. “Don’t worry. A little stretching and you’ll be back to normal. I guarantee it. But you’ll need help for now.”
Darian hated what his brother had done and hated having to lean on him, but didn’t push him away. He let Sian guide him to a large circular hall. Chairs and stands surrounded an open area in the middle. The king, Odell, Lalus, and four soldiers were there. Darian was both disappointed and relieved that Cayla was not.
Odell cleared his throat. “This young man is accused of seeing the princess in secret. What do you have to say?”
Darian was glad he had to answer to Odell and not the king, and that he hadn’t drunk any potion this time. He lowered his head. “I was just obeying the royal family. She ordered me and I obeyed. I thought it was my duty.”
The king laughed. “My daughter claims she played with you like a puppy. My concern is: how much did you play?”
“I only did as she asked, your Highness.”
“And did she ask you to lie on top of her?” This wasn’t going well.
“I’ve never done what your highness is describing.” Darian hated to act so humble.
Sian stepped up and kneeled in front of the king. “Your highness, if I may make a suggestion.” His voice was calm, soothing almost. “The four soldiers wh
o were present last night, as well as myself and Lalus, are here. Each soldier has spent the night in a separate cell without communication with me, Lalus, or each other. Now, if we are questioned as a group, we will say the same thing. If we are questioned alone, you’ll know who is lying and who isn’t. Therefore I ask that each of us be questioned separately.” There was something oddly hypnotic about Sian’s voice.
“That seems hardly necessary,” Odell said, dissipating the effect of Sian’s words. “We know what the accusations are.” He turned to the king. “They may have planned this beforehand. It sounds like a conspiracy to me.”
The king stroked his beard. “Maybe. But I’m interested in what they have to say.”
Odell called six guards. Each one accompanied one of the witnesses—Lalus, Sian, and the four soldiers.
Lalus came in first.
“Why did you go to the garden that night?” Odell asked.
“I was patrolling the castle. An informant told me Darian and Cayla were at the flower garden. I gathered some soldiers. On our way, Sian asked to join us. When we arrived, I saw Darian and Cayla together. I wanted to arrest them right then and there, but Sian advised us to watch them and gather evidence. They seemed to be talking. Eventually, the boy pinned your daughter to the ground. She yelled, and we came to her rescue.”
“Who informed you of their whereabouts?” Odell asked.
“Her attendant; the maid who helps her and cleans her room.”
“Very well. You’re dismissed.”
Darian wasn’t sure how this audience could be a good idea.
The next person brought in was Sian. He seemed calm and relaxed, almost amused.
“Why did you go to the garden last night?” Odell asked.
“I had been following my brother.”
“Why?”
“I feared he might be seeing the princess in secret.”
“What made you think that?”
“The ball.” Sian threw a hard glance at Darian. “He looked at her too much.”
Odell asked. “So you’re saying it was your idea? Why would you go against your family?”
“My duty is to your Majesty and his family, nobody else.”
“Where does Lalus come into this?”
“He saw me going to the garden and said he wanted to come with me. I thought it would be a good idea to have an older, more experienced member of the army with me.”
“And what did you see?”
“Darian and Cayla were indeed in the garden.”
“What were they doing?”
“Talking.”
“Were they touching each other?”
“No.”
Sian was lying. Maybe he regretted what he had done, or understood they were going too far.
“Why then did you arrest him?”
“He was meeting the princess in secret. I did not think it was allowed.”
“Are you aware of the accusations brought against your brother?”
“Yes. I accused him personally of secrecy. The matter should be investigated.”
“And not other accusations?”
“I’ve heard whispers. As far as I know, some people misinterpreted what happened. I hope the liars will be dealt with. They are tarnishing the princess’ honor.”
“And you don’t know who the liars are, do you?”
“I can investigate.”
“That won’t be necessary for now. Very well. Dismissed.”
Odell called in the first of the four soldiers present the previous night. As much as Darian hated Sian, he didn’t want his brother to be punished for trying to defend him, and feared the soldier would contradict him. But to Darian’s surprise, the soldier’s answers were identical to Sian’s. He said Sian had been the one who planned it, Lalus had joined them, and Darian and Cayla had only been talking. The three other soldiers confirmed the same story.
Even Odell seemed surprised. As the last soldier was dismissed, he said, “Well then, it seems we had a great misunderstanding.”
“Lies are lies,” the king said. “My daughter has been wrongly slandered and the responsible will die. Call in the witnesses except Lalus.”
Sian and the soldiers came in. Sian looked tense.
“The sentence for lies is death,” the king said. He turned to Darian, “You. You will carry the sentence. I want you to kill Lalus.”
Really? Darian was going to be forced to kill a person?
Sian stepped in and knelt in front of the king. “He’s a child. I, as his older brother, request permission to take his place.”
Again Sian was defending him. He made mistakes—he did—but he made up for them.
The king smiled. “That will be fun. But you are Keen’s older boy. I’ve heard you are a great fighter. I’d love to see it. Let’s make this a death by combat—see who kills the other first. Lalus is a dear member of the army. I am happy to give him a chance to defend himself.”
Darian’s heart beat faster. He didn’t want anything to happen to his brother. On the other hand, it was true that Sian was an excellent fighter.
Sian asked, “May we use any weapons?”
The king laughed. “No, bare hands will be more fun.”
Odell whispered something to the king. The king then said, “Gruesome! Indeed. Get them swords.”
Darian had no idea how good his brother was with a sword or if he had even practiced with old weapons. But Sian had asked for a weapon, so he must have had a good reason.
Lalus was called in. He walked with a confident air and a satisfied smiled.
The king said, “Walk to the middle. You’ll fight Sian.”
Lalus looked around, confused. “What?” He stared at Sian. “You. You lied! You planned this!”
“Quiet!” the king yelled. “You will duel, and then we’ll know the truth. You both have an equal chance. I’m fair.”
Lalus looked down. His face had changed. He looked afraid. A guard brought two swords and gave one to Sian and one to Lalus. Darian didn’t like what was happening. He wished he could step up and stop that madness, but the King had five guards behind him with fire weapons. Incapable of defending his brother, he felt powerless. In that moment Darian decided he would do whatever it took to bring the king down. Cayla would understand.
Sian and Lalus walked to the center of the room. Sian seemed calmer than Lalus. Darian trusted that his brother’s skill in hand-to-hand combat would keep him alive and unharmed. And where was his father in all this?
Lalus and Sian started circling each other. Lalus attacked and Sian blocked the strike. Sian stepped sideways and dodged another attack, then another, and another. Lalus seemed to have the advantage, but Sian persistently blocked his every move. There was something strange about the way his brother moved, though. Sian was slow, rigid, almost clumsy. It didn’t make sense. Darian had never seen his brother spar, but he had tried to wrestle him, and Darian could never predict what Sian would do with his feet. Ten, fifteen, twenty times he’d tried, he always lost. Couldn’t Sian use the same kind of movements now? In fact, as he looked, Lalus had strong blows but moved slowly. Sian could easily have already dropped him to the ground. What was his brother doing? What was he thinking?
The worst then happened; Sian fell backward. Lalus brought down his sword, and Sian rolled away just in time. The king was ecstatic, enjoying every moment. Sian was back to his feet in a single movement, defending himself. Sometimes he tried to hit Lalus, but with very poor attacks. Maybe Sian was trying to tire his opponent. Maybe a sword duel had different rules. And then, maybe Sian just didn’t know how to fight with a sword.
Sian then fell again, but this time didn’t roll away fast enough, and was hit in the arm. Sian’s sword flew away from his hand. Darian tasted something bitter. The only reason he didn’t ask the fight to be stopped was because the king would probably have him killed as well.
Lalus advanced towards Sian and thrust his sword towards his chest. Sian jumped to the side and pushed Lalus’
sword hand down, causing the old man to stumble forward. Sian then kicked the sword out of his hand and caught it midair. In less than a second, Sian had cut Lalus’ throat.
He fell to the ground.
Sian kneeled and closed his eyes, then glanced at Darian. There was fear and horror on his face.
* * *
Darian packed in his bedroom, as he'd been ordered to leave the city. He had been forbidden to come near the castle, Siphoria, or the princess ever again, not even to say goodbye. At least he was alive. His father had him transferred to a battalion far south, in the city of Eves. He hadn’t seen him or his brother after the sentence was decided.
Hard knocks startled him. Darian opened the door.
It was Odell. “Follow me. You have an audience.”
“Again?”
Odell smiled and whispered. “Don’t you want to say goodbye to a friend?”
Darian felt hopeful, then cautious. “Is this a trap? Or a test?”
“I think I tested you all I could, didn’t I? But hurry. You’ll have little time.”
They walked to a corridor Darian had never seen before and descended narrow stairs. Odell touched a wall and opened a door that didn’t seem to be there before. Darian suspected the old man had dealings with magic, which was ironic if he was the king’s counselor. Still, he was different from the king, and Darian almost trusted him. Almost. The old man gestured for Darian to go inside. The room looked like an upside-down bowl with walls and a ceiling that came together in one piece. Light came from a small circle in the middle. Odell said, “Don’t worry. This room is secret. You won’t be heard.”
Darian looked around. He heard Cayla’s voice before he saw her. “I’m sorry. You can’t imagine how sorry I am.”
She sat on a chair, sobbing. Her eyes were puffy and red, with dark shadows. Darian approached her and touched her face. “It’s not your fault. At all. You couldn’t have known.”
She looked at him. “Can you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive.”
He’d never thought he’d see her like this—weak, vulnerable, and yet, so beautiful.
She looked down. “I would never have forgiven myself if… But I didn’t know. I didn’t know this would happen. I didn’t.”