RHEN

by Charity Kelly

“Yes,” Rhen told her. In Surpen, he explained the situation to Orpel, who was still standing beside him, holding the crown.

  “You picked a clever disguise,” Rhen told the Thestrans. “But you have a few things wrong. Your military bars are on the wrong shoulder and you need to add two more stripes, to be allowed into the castle. And,” he said, pointing at James, “no one, but the Royal Family, can touch my crown, so you owe Queen Orpel an apology.”

  James bent his head to the Surpen Queen. “I apologize.”

  The old woman moved over to a wooden desk located in the far, left corner of the room. She took a handful of small objects from one of the drawers and proceeded to hand them to the Thestrans. James sighed with relief, when he saw she had given him a translating device.

  “You need help?” Charlie asked Rhen, walking over to him.

  “Yes. Bend down.” Rhen reached up to fix Charlie’s uniform.

  “Are you alright?” Reed asked, coming up beside them.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Rhen assured them. “I’m just having the shakes, but they’ll be gone soon.” He finished fixing Charlie’s uniform and motioned for Reed to step closer, so he could fix his. “Why are you here?”

  “We were worried about you,” Reed told him. Rhen smiled and shook his head. Reed opened his mouth to insist that they did indeed care about Rhen, but he realized his words would sound hollow.

  Ceceta fixed the other solders’ uniforms and grouped them in twos, placing them at the doorways around the room. “They should be marked in protest,” Orpel told her, glancing at their faces. Ceceta nodded and walked to the desk. She lifted a small pot of ash off the top shelf and returned to the soldier she had just moved.

  “Dip your thumb in this and rub it in one stripe down your right cheek,” she said.

  “Why?” Sage asked, following Ceceta’s command.

  Ceceta laughed at the sound of her voice. “Sorry. I didn’t know you were Sage. I thought you were William or James.”

  The soldier next to Sage spoke. “I’m William.”

  Ceceta laughed again. “You look funny as Surpens,” she told them, moving over to William, so he could mark his face. She crossed the room to hold the pot up for the soldiers located on that side. “Are you Rachel?” she asked.

  “No, Kate,” Kate said. Ceceta chuckled.

  “We don’t have time Ceceta, hurry up,” Orpel warned her. Ceceta brought the pot of ash to the remaining Thestrans before returning it to the table.

  As she placed the pot onto the desk, two soldiers, with black marks on their faces, entered the room. “Your presence is required your majesty,” they told Rhen. He nodded and raised his hands up to Charlie and Reed, indicating they should help him stand. While they lifted him up off the bench, he said, “Don’t be nervous. I’m not hurt, just weak.”

  Supporting Rhen’s weight between them, Reed and Charlie made their way over to the waiting soldiers. As they neared the men, the soldiers saluted Rhen and turned to lead the way out of the room. Just as the tallest soldier reached the archway, he stopped and turned back towards Rhen. “Sir… I just wanted to say… I’m so sorry, I…” his eyes filled with tears. Without another word, he knelt before Rhen. The soldier beside him doing the same.

  Rhen placed his hands on their heads. “Thank you. I’m fine. Let’s continue.”

  “Sir!” they barked in unison before rising to their feet. They bowed once more to Rhen then led the way out of the room.

  Before Rhen left, Orpel rushed over and placed the crown back on his head. “Thanks, Mom,” he told her, with dripping sarcasm, walking out of the room.

  Orpel shook her fist playfully at Rhen then turned towards Ceceta. The two of them whispered for a moment before approaching Kate. “You mustn’t let anyone know who you are,” Orpel told her. “The Debrino Code is very clear that impersonating a Surpen soldier is punishable by death, and our helping you with your impersonation will mean our deaths too.”

  Kate nodded. “We won’t reveal ourselves until we’re back on Thestran.”

  “Thank you,” Orpel said. She hesitated before asking, “What do you want?”

  “We came to make sure Rhen was okay. Now that we know he’s fine, we’ll bring him back to school.”

  “My husband won’t let him return to your school. He’s already told me this. His mind is made up,” Orpel told her. “Will you declare war on us, if he doesn’t return?”

  “No, why would you think that?” Kate asked.

  “Because that’s what a Surpen would do,” Ceceta answered for her mother-in-law. “What will you do if we can’t come back?”

  “That depends on Rhen I guess. Do you think he wants to return?”

  “I’m not sure. I think so.”

  Orpel smiled at Ceceta’s answer and reached out to touch her chin. “It’s for your sake. He’s only at school for you, and we all know it.”

  Ceceta blushed. “No, he wants to learn, and we’ve made some really good friends at school too.”

  Orpel laughed. “You can’t fool me child. I raised the two of you. I know you better than you know yourselves.”

  Her words angered Ceceta. The Queen didn’t know her at all. They spent a great deal of time together, but they never spoke openly. Since she didn’t know anything about Orpel, how could Orpel know her so well? Ceceta was going to make a comment to that effect, when Orpel surprised her by asking, “Do they know everything?”

  Ceceta stared at the Queen. What was she talking about? Did she know? Since Ceceta wasn’t sure what Orpel knew, she kept her mouth shut and shook her head.

  “You can’t dangle that out there and not fill us in,” James said. “What’s ‘everything’?”

  Orpel gave James a hard look then turned to Kate and said, “It’s not my place to tell. If Rhen wants you to know, he’ll tell you.”

  Choosing her words with care, Kate asked, “If there’s something you feel we should know, something that would make Rhen’s life easier, we hope you will tell us.”

  Orpel laughed and shook her head. “Nothing will make Rhen’s life easier. If he had been born without powers, he would’ve had a lovely life, but that’s not to be his fate, is it?”

  Ceceta’s eyebrows shot up. Did the Queen know? Why else would she have said something like that? If Orpel knew, did that mean Andres knew Rhen had great powers too? And how had Orpel found out about Rhen’s powers? Who would have told her? Was it possible she also knew that Rhen was the Black Angel?

  “What powers does Rhen have?” James asked.

  Before Orpel could respond, there was a sudden roar that echoed throughout the room.

  Lilly glanced about with concern. “What’s going on?”

  “The King is speaking to the entire military force. He rarely does this, because there are so many soldiers. He’s showing the men that not only is Rhen still alive, but he still supports his father. The soldiers’ allegiance has always been to Rhen, not Andres. They love him.” Ceceta paused as another loud roar echoed through the room. “It’s very important for Andres to make it clear to the soldiers that Rhen supports him, because for the first time ever, the soldiers are rebelling.”

  “Rebelling?” William asked, sounding worried.

  “Yes,” Ceceta said. “They’re furious that the Debrino Code was enforced on Rhen. They heard Rhen beat the Ustarians without much help from you or your military, so they feel Ustar should be a part of Surpen’s territory. Rhen won the war, not Thestran. Ustar is ours. The King, on the other hand, seems to have his own agenda. He’s more interested in punishing Rhen than enlarging Surpen. The soldiers are very upset with him right now. He couldn’t even ask Surpen’s military to arrest Rhen. He had to use his own personal guard.” Ceceta pointed at their faces and explained, “The soldiers are showing their anger by wearing a protest stripe down their cheeks.”

  “It’s a historic moment,” Orpel said. “No one has ever protested the Debrino Code. Ever. Now, the entire military force, except for the King’s perso
nal guard, is showing defiance towards the law.”

  Outside, there was another loud roar as the soldiers cheered.

  “None of us know what’s going to happen next. If they’re angry enough, they could overthrow the King and place Rhen in control. Although it’s unlikely,” Ceceta told them, when it had quieted down. “They would need some indication from Rhen that he would support them, but Rhen’s never gone against his father.”

  “In public,” Orpel said under her breath. Ceceta raised an eyebrow. Orpel clarified, “He’s never indicated to anyone, except to us in private, that he’s unhappy with the King.”

  Ceceta gave Orpel a slow nod. She hadn’t realized that Rhen had told his mother about his frustration with Andres and Loreth. Turning back to the Royal Family, Ceceta said, “Also, Surpens follow rules. It’s what they do best. The very fact that they’re questioning a rule… it’s astronomical!”

  “You have no idea how amazing this event is in our history,” Orpel emphasized.

  Without warning, Andres strode into the room with ten soldiers who didn’t have protest stripes on their cheeks. At the sight of him, Orpel and Ceceta dropped to the floor in low bows. Andres ignored them. He sat down on the bench near the low table and took a drink from the goblet he had received from one of the slaves, who had magically appeared in the room. “Move that bench over here,” he told them, gesturing towards a red, cushioned bench that was against the far wall.

  The slaves placed the second bench at a right angle to the one Andres was sitting on. Just as they finished, Charlie and Reed carried Rhen into the room. Rhen looked exhausted, his skin was pale, and he was breathing heavily. The trip to speak to the soldiers had clearly worn him out. Andres ordered Reed and Charlie to place Rhen on the bench next to his. They eased him down, catching Ceceta’s eye when they stood back up. She indicated to them that they should walk over to guard one of the doorways.

  A slave brought Rhen a goblet of blood, but he shook his head, so the man placed it on the center table in front of the two benches and backed away.

  Andres dismissed his personal guards. Once they had left, he cleared his throat and said, “That went well.” You could still hear the men cheering occasionally in the background. Andres stared at his son. “Not too tired, are you?” Rhen shook his head. “Drink something, it’ll help.”

  “How do you know what would help?” Rhen said, through clenched teeth. He moved his left arm up to cover his eyes. “Have you ever been punished with the Medusa whip?”

  Andres decided not to answer. Getting up, he moved over to sit down on Rhen’s bench, pushing Rhen’s legs over to make more room for himself. He picked up Rhen’s goblet with his massive hand and leaned forward, lifting the cup to Rhen’s lips. Rhen removed his arm from his eyes and stared at his father without speaking.

  After what seemed like a long time, Andres said, “Come on, drink some of this.” He pushed the goblet against Rhen’s bottom lip. Rhen opened his lips and Andres tilted the cup, pouring some of the red liquid into his mouth. When he felt Rhen had had enough, he lowered the goblet and returned it to the table. As Andres leaned back, he said, “Don’t be mad at me Rhen. I wasn’t the one who broke Debrino’s Code. We had an agreement and….”

  “I know all about our agreement Dad,” Rhen said. “And I followed the rules, I accepted the punishment for my crime but… what the hell!” He gritted his teeth with fury then added in a quieter voice, “Why did you choose Narseth to deliver the blows? You could’ve chosen Bosternd. I mean…” he sighed and pushed his body back against the bench with anger. “God. You can be such a Rasack’s ass.”

  Andres’ eyes narrowed as he scowled at Rhen. “I needed to prove to everyone that I’m in control of my own house. You’ve been gone for months now, playing your little games on Thestran. The people wonder where your heart lies.”

  “No, they don’t,” Rhen said. “They know I’m with them.”

  Andres grabbed Rhen’s face, squeezing his cheeks. “I had to use Narseth,” he growled. “He was the only one who could deliver the blows properly. Bosternd is your friend. No one would believe him capable of administering your punishment to its full extent.”

  “Let go of me,” Rhen said.

  Instead of releasing Rhen, Andres switched his grip to Rhen’s tunic. He lifted Rhen a foot off the bench. Shaking him hard, he shouted, “I’m in control Rhen. Never forget that. I’m in control. This is my planet. I’m the ruler here. I’m in control.”

  Rhen started to laugh, his limp body hanging from his father’s hands. “Yeah, you sure look like you’re in control Dad.”

  “Dammit,” Andres said, throwing Rhen back down onto the bench. He started to walk away from Rhen, but turned around and pointed at Rhen yelling, “Never forget that I’m in control!”

  “Yes, father,” Rhen said in a meek voice, but he couldn’t help himself from chuckling again.

  As soon as Andres heard him, he pulled his swords out of his weapons belt and rushed at Rhen, swinging them towards Rhen’s head. In a flash, Rhen pulled out a dagger, ducked under the King’s swords, grabbed Andres by his hair and placed his dagger at his father’s throat. After a tense moment, during which no one spoke or moved, Rhen said, “Leave the fighting to me Dad. That’s my job. That’s why I’m here. For once, I wish you’d believe me, when I tell you I don’t want to be King.” Rhen shoved his father away from him, causing Andres to stumble.

  Andres turned and glared at Rhen before putting his swords back into his belt. Rhen tossed his dagger onto the table and lay back down on his bench, placing his forearm over his eyes.

  “I don’t know why you care who swung the whip,” Andres said, sitting down. “It’s not like you don’t heal instantly.”

  “It still hurts Dad.”

  “Well, can’t you get rid of the pain?”

  “No,” Rhen told him. “Only the wound.”

  “Is it hurting now?”

  “No,” Rhen admitted. “My system’s drained, though.” After a pause, he said in a teasing voice, “Where did your advisor go? He was in the room during my punishment. Did he leave once he got what he came for?”

  “Shut up,” Andres snapped. “Show some respect. Loreth’s brought this planet farther than we could have ever hoped.”

  “Through bloodshed and tears,” Rhen said under her breath.

  Andres jumped to his feet looking furious. He was about to walk over towards Rhen, when an enormous soldier entered the room, followed by a smaller soldier, whose cheek was marked in protest. Both men bowed before Andres then waited in silence. Andres sat down and motioned for a slave, who was holding a large box, to step forward. He opened the box the slave was carrying and took out a handful of gold coins. Rhen raised his arm off his eyes to watch his father. The King motioned for the large soldier to step forward. He handed the man the coins he was holding, saying, “Thank you. You’re dismissed Narseth.”

  Before Narseth had even moved, Rhen scoffed and said, “So, Dad, since when do we provide extra payment for soldiers who are simply performing their duties?”

  Infuriated, Andres lunged towards Rhen, hitting him hard on the head with his military wrist cuff and growling, “Don’t you ever speak to me in that manner again.” He raised his hand to hit Rhen again, but the look his son gave him was so disturbing, he stepped back.

  “Dismissed Narseth,” Andres barked at the large soldier.

  Addressing the smaller soldier, the King said, “Bosternd, you had something you wanted to speak to me about?”

  Bosternd dropped to the floor in a bow. “Your majesty, I wish to inform you that since Rhen survived the punishment for breaking Debrino’s Code, the soldiers feel his proper rank should be reinstated. As you know, Debrino’s Code states you are innocent, if you survive a death penalty.”

  At Bosternd’s words, Andres had a fit. He screamed and kicked at his bench, knocking it over. Bending down, he grabbed items off the table in front of him and threw them against the wall. Turning back to
Bosternd, Andres held up his finger and yelled, “Rhen’s punishment was not the death penalty, but a simple whipping, and Rhen’s not innocent. He admitted his guilt.”

  Andres sat back down on his bench, which the slaves had returned to its proper location, and told Bosternd. “You’re the acting head of Surpen’s military. If you don’t take control of the soldiers, I will replace you this instant and you can spend the rest of your time on the Island.”

  Without hesitation, Bosternd said he would take control of the situation. He saluted Andres and left as fast as he could.

  When Bosternd was gone, Andres gestured for a slave to bring him a drink. He snatched the glass and drank its contents, slamming it down onto the table in front of him. A moment later, he moved over to sit down next to Rhen. The two men stared at each other in silence for a few minutes.

  The Thestrans were surprised by Andres’ gentle tone, when he asked Rhen a moment later, “You know how I feel about you son. Right?”

  Rhen sighed and relaxed. “Yeah, I know.” He motioned for a slave to move his brass urn back into place. After it was in position, he started to throw the white pieces that had been on the table into the urn. For five minutes, the only sound in the room was the clink of the white pieces as they struck the urn and fell in or bounced off.

  “What are you up to?” Andres asked, breaking the silence.

  “Seventeen.”

  “Fantastic,” Andres said, slapping Rhen on the back and making the Thestrans in the room wince. “You really are amazing.” He stared at the white pieces in Rhen’s hand. “Whose bones are those?”

  Lilly coughed in shock at the question. She couldn’t believe Rhen was using someone’s bones for a game. Frowning, Andres turned around to stare at her. For the first time, he glanced around the room at the soldiers standing at attention. “Which battalion are these soldiers from? I don’t recognize any of them.”

  Rhen glanced up at the Thestrans as if he hadn’t noticed them before. “Legion 437,” he said with disinterest.

  “Oh,” Andres exhaled, perking up. “Your water troops?” Rhen nodded. “They did well on Tgarus. How did you get them to hold their breath for so long?”