Sulel was still for a moment, staring at Kaori in disbelief, shocked by her reaction. He wasn’t used to anyone treating him in that manner. Appalled, he brought his hand up to wipe at his face, gazing down at the moisture on the tips of his fingers. All at once he sprung into motion, the back of his hand connecting hard with Kaori’s cheek, a loud, crisp smack echoing through the courtyard from the power of the strike. Her head snapped to the side under the force, an involuntarily cry escaping at the pain it caused. A rustle of fabric came from Sulel’s side, the guards instantly in motion, Deliao’s blade lifting from Kaori’s neck to extend outward toward Therek where he approached Sulel, stopped in his tracks by the sharpened tip coming to rest under his chin.
“Losuva,” Sulel blinked, startled by Therek’s aggressive stance. A look of realization crossed his face, supercilious. “You dare think to attack me because of this woman?” he pointed at Kaori disdainfully. “Is she truly worth betraying your Emperor?”
Fists clenched at his sides Therek inhaled a deep breath, lifting his head in a show of pride despite the weapon poised at his neck. “I am beginning to wonder if you are even worthy enough to call yourself by that title.”
“You question me, Losuva?”
“Every day since your father’s death.”
Sulel’s expression fell. His face pale. “Excuse me?”
“Did you want me to lie?” Therek asked, peering with interest at Sulel as he forcefully pushed Deliao’s hand away, side-stepping to avoid the sword as he came to stand in front of Sulel, towering over him. Intimidating. Powerful. Seeing the two together, Kaori realized that Sulel was afraid of Therek. He trembled, cowering slightly from Therek’s dominating form. “For years I have stood by and watched while you bullied the people of Carpaen. Forcing your ridiculous laws upon them to make yourself feel more powerful. Raising yourself up. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t regret handing you the crown.”
At his words the courtyard fell silent. Kaori knew his meaning. It struck her as odd to think that she may be the only one who understood the implication. The Empress stared between the two men, her mouth hanging open in shock for several moments before managing to find her voice to speak. “Darling, what is the meaning of this?”
“Ignore him, Mhina,” Sulel scoffed. “The Duke seems to have forgotten his place.”
“You despicable little man,” Kaori wrinkled her nose, unable to refrain from speaking her mind. She was already sentenced to death. What more harm could it do? “How do you look at yourself in the mirror each morning? Everything you are is a lie. A worm sitting on a throne that was never meant to be yours.”
“You shut your mouth, whore!” Sulel started to move toward her again, hand raised in preparation to deliver another blow. He was stopped by Therek’s strong arm extending across his chest, blocking his path before he could get close enough to reach Kaori. Angrily he tried to push Therek away, his strength no match for Therek’s sturdy hold. “Is this how you seduce women now, Losuva? Whispering lies in their ears about how you should have been Emperor?”
“They’re not lies,” Kaori tried not to laugh at Sulel’s pitiful attempts to conceal the truth from the others present. She wasn’t going to let him off that easily. “I saw the will, Sulel,” she added with bolstered confidence. “Your father knew you were a pathetic ingrate who was not fit to rule the Empire. That is why he left you nothing. No land. No titles –”
“That is all lies!” Sulel shouted, his face turning red with rage at his inability to get past Therek to confront her properly. “You are nothing more than the whore of a duke and a traitor. I refuse to be subjected to this insanity any longer. Deliao!”
At his name, the General was back at Kaori’s side, the blade of his sword once again positioned across her neck above the collar, his fingers woven into her hair to hold her firm, pushing the other soldiers out of the way. “On your order, Emperor, I will remove her head.”
Irritably, Sulel waved his hand in disapproval. “No,” he shook his head with exaggerated emphasis. “Her death must be slow. Painful. I want to watch her suffer.”
“Don’t be a fool,” Therek hissed, holding Sulel’s gaze steady. Unyielding. Reflexively, Sulel took a step backward, a noticeable tremble affecting his hands where they hung in weak fists at his sides. “You have condemned this girl to death because one man provided her name while under duress. He could have pointed the finger at anyone if doing so was the only way to save his own life. It is what cowards do.”
“He knows the identities of their leaders. He was with the rebels in Rothdara…”
“And Lady Kaori was with me.”
“Then maybe I should inquire as to your involvement, Losuva,” Sulel glared at him bitterly. “After all, you have been sleeping with the sister of a known traitor. Maybe she has shared the names we seek while in a moment of passion.”
“I refuse to justify that with a response,” Therek turned his gaze heavenward in frustration. Sulel was impossible. It seemed a waste of time for any of them to try and make him see reason. “As your advisor, I must counsel you to reconsider what you are about to do, Your Majesty,” he forced the title to form on his lips, unable to conceal the hint of contempt he felt at speaking it.
Bringing his hands to his head, Sulel rubbed at his temples. Distracted. Tense. “I grow weary of your counsel,” he muttered heatedly. “Consider yourself relieved of your station, Losuva. You are hereby stripped of any and all titles bestowed upon you and your family name.”
“You cannot do that!” Kaori shouted, drawing in a sharp breath as Deliao pulled her head backward, tightening his grip, the pressure of the blade more noticeable against her neck.
Sulel’s head snapped up to stare at her, amazed at her continued outbursts. Between her and Therek, his anger was building. Rising quickly along with the blood which now reddened his cheeks, slowly spreading outward to turn his entire face a deep shade of crimson. “I can do whatever I want,” he hissed. “In case you’ve forgotten, I am still Emperor. And you are nothing.”
“Tell him, Therek,” Kaori tried to shift her gaze to where Therek stood, expressionless, seemingly thrown by Sulel’s orders. Not that she could blame him. They had made a deal. An agreement which ultimately allowed Sulel to possess the power he now held. His decision to denounce Therek was beyond simple betrayal. Had the elder council members still been alive, it would have been considered a breach of their verbal contract, instantly shattering the pact and removing Sulel from power. But Sulel knew he had the upper hand. Those who were aware of the agreement were dead. It was his word against Therek’s and no one would dare choose sides against him. “You have the document,” she pleaded. “Do not let him get away with this.”
Taking advantage of Kaori’s inability to retreat, Sulel brought his hand across her face once again, the blade of Deliao’s weapon cutting through the surface of her skin at the unexpected strike. She could feel the blood trickle down her neck. Warm and thick. Running down over the metal cuff to soak quickly into the thin fabric of her tattered gown. “There is no document!” Sulel screamed, heavy spittle projecting from his lips to splatter Kaori’s face with the disgusting liquid. “Now silence yourself or I will order the deaths of everyone you consider a friend on suspicion of being an accomplice to treason.”
Stiff in his motions, Therek turned around, shoulders back, staring at Sulel with hardened determination. “Take me instead,” he said simply, rotating his wrists to offer them in surrender to the guards. “Lessen her punishment from death to deportation and I will give you myself in her place. If you take my life, you will never again have need to worry about your right to the throne.”
“You?” Sulel laughed, the tension in his body instantly dissipating with the hard shake of his shoulders. “Do not be ridiculous. You have committed no crime that I am aware of. I cannot bring you to death in front of the Carpaen people without reason.”
Kaori stared into the distance. Why would Therek do something
like this? He had the will in his possession somewhere in Eykanua. She watched him place it in his doublet before leaving Siundel. So why would he offer his head in exchange for hers when it would be easier to present the document and fight for his rightful place on the throne? There was no reason for them both to die. Their people needed him more than they needed her. Therek could fight. He could lead. The Vor’shai had a better chance at victory with him than they ever did while following her.
Nodding his head in understanding, Therek directed his attention to where Arcell remained standing, silent, nervous, no longer exuding the same confidence which had been practically glowing from his person upon his initial arrival. He was afraid of Therek. As well he should be. Arcell’s betrayal had been against not only Kaori, but against every Vor’shai who fought for their freedom against the tyrant who stood before them now, calling himself Emperor. “Very well,” Therek agreed, stepping forward to address Arcell, paused no more than a foot away from his trembling form. “Leuzen, is it true that you named Kaori Levadis as leader of the Vor’shai rebels?”
“I…” Arcell glanced over Therek’s shoulder, clearly uncomfortable with the question. “I had no choice, Your Grace. My family has been forced to flee Carpaen. The General promised to clear their names of all charges in exchange for the name of our leader.”
“It appears there was more included in that offer than the freedom of your family.” Therek tapped the fine fabric of Arcell’s tunic. “How much money did they promise you? What was the price which tempted you enough to betray your people?”
“I did not do it to betray my people. I had to protect my family.”
“And acquire more gold? A title perhaps? Your presence at court indicates a position of nobility. Mere farmers do not tend to find themselves in the company of the Emperor.
“They offered me the title of Baron and enough gold to bring my family back from Mialan.”
“You force your family to return in disgrace,” Therek frowned in disapproval. “The name Leuzen will forever be linked with your traitorous deeds for the sake of your selfish desires. Do you have any idea how many of our people have died in hopes of making Carpaen safe for your family to return honorably?”
“Forgive me, Your Grace!” Arcell reached forward to grasp at Therek’s doublet, gazing at him, desperation visible in his eyes to hear the way Therek spoke of him. He knew his actions were wrong. That he was weak. When gold and power were waved in front of him, he wasn’t strong enough to throw it back in Deliao’s face for the sake of honor. In his mind he justified his actions by claiming it was for his family, but the pride he displayed when standing next to Sulel was all Kaori needed to see to know the real reason he betrayed his people.
Nose upturned in disdain, Therek grabbed onto the back of Arcell’s collar to pull him away, brushing at his doublet to wipe away the invisible taint Arcell’s touch may have left behind. “It is not me you must beg forgiveness from,” he stated calmly, motioning toward Kaori with a fluid gesture of his hand. “She is the one whose family has died so that yours can live. Her life is forfeit so you can wear silk and drink wine. No, Leuzen. Let her be your judge and jury while I am a willing executioner.”
Entertained by the display, Sulel stepped back to reveal Kaori to Arcell, his brow raised, watching in mild fascination. At her side Kaori felt Deliao ease the pressure of his blade, lowering his sword to his side without letting go of her hair, pushing her forward to present her bloodied figure in wait of what Arcell might do.
“Kaori, I beg you to understand,” he gazed at her. Pathetic and miserable. “Surely you understand the position I was in. You would have talked as well if you were in my shoes.”
Letting her eyes shift toward Sivar’s dangling corpse, she could barely see the faint outline in her peripheral vision, unable to turn her head against Deliao’s grasp. It was true that she had nearly divulged the information to these men when she thought it might save her brother’s life. But she didn’t. Sivar wouldn’t have let her. He was far braver than her in his willingness to die for the sake of their cause. A perfect example of how the rest of their people should strive to be. Dedicated to their freedom at whatever cost. Arcell had given her up without consideration of what his treachery would do to her and her family. No thought as to whether or not Deliao was telling the truth about saving his daughter. Arcell could very well return to his home in Whitelyn only to find his wife and daughter dead. Even if they were alive, every Vor’shai in Carpaen would find out what he’d done. They were disgraced. Outcasts. The Leuzen name was destroyed.
“No.” Kaori let her gaze focus on Arcell once again, calm and direct in her judgment. “Because of you, innocent people will die. My brother is dead and I will soon follow him to Sytlea’s grasp.” She tossed a curious glance at Sulel, realizing only after she spoke the name of the Vor’shai Goddess of the Underworld that she had broken another of Sulel’s laws while in his presence. He didn’t appear to notice. Or perhaps he simply no longer cared. She was dead anyway. There was no point in continuing to add charges upon those which already sentenced her to death. Slowly, she met Arcell’s eyes, holding them steady, unwavering, accusatory. “You are no longer worthy of calling yourself Vor’shai. I cannot forgive the treachery you committed against our people. It would only be fair that your blood be shed along with those who will die because of your betrayal.”
He looked genuinely frightened by Kaori’s words. Hesitant, he took a step backward, his head turning toward Therek at the sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath. “No, please,” he whispered, staring up at Therek in trepidation. “You cannot do this. I am a Baron. There is no official charge laid against me by the Emperor. Spilling my blood would be murder, not justice.”
“To some,” Therek replied calmly, extending his sword to let the light of the sun reflect off the blade. “I will accept your life as reparation for the wrongs you have done. In death, I leave you to the gods to determine the fate of your soul.”
Before Arcell could offer further protest, Kaori cringed at the sound of Therek’s sword piercing through Arcell’s abdomen, sinking deeply into the soft flesh. Arcell’s hands grabbed for the blade, gazing up at Therek in horror before looking down to where the blood poured from the wound, the fine fabric of his tunic darkened by the thick liquid. “Murderer,” he grimaced, stumbling backward under the force of Therek’s hand pushing him away to withdraw his sword, blood trickling along the metal to drop onto the cobblestone at Therek’s feet.
“You are a murderer as well,” he nodded, giving his weapon a firm shake to dispel some of the lingering liquid from the tip. “The difference between us is that the blood of my victims is on my hands. The bloodshed you have caused will simply fall from someone else’s sword.”
With a loud groan Arcell slumped to his knees, clutching wildly at his stomach to try and staunch the bleeding. There was too much. It flowed freely from the wound, his face growing pale with every second that passed. Desperate in his final moments he looked toward Sulel, seeming to plead with him to do something. But Sulel remained perfectly still, chin raised, expectant. Waiting to see him die. In her distraction while watching Sulel, Kaori didn’t see when Therek brought his weapon back up, a whistle of air accompanying the swift motion of the sword as it cut through Arcell’s neck, sending his head toppling to the ground with a disgusting thud, his body falling forward to bleed out on the stones underneath him.
“I have given you the charge you require, Your Majesty,” Therek announced, turning around to face Sulel, sword still held firmly in his hand, the blood of his victim coating the thick metal blade. “Deport Lady Kaori and take my head for the murder of this traitor. I will admit to the crime so no repercussions befall you for my death.”
“Where would be the fun in that?” Sulel smirked. “My men will have more fun with her. Besides, you have nothing I want. She knows more than she’s letting on and I intend to get the information I require at any cost. I suggest you remove yourself from Eykanua
before I change my mind about letting you go. There is no place for you here any longer.”
“On the contrary, I do have something you want.” Returning his sword to its sheath, Therek reached into the folds of his doublet. When his hands came into view again, Kaori inhaled a breath, filled with nervous excitement at the realization of what he held between his fingers. She recognized the discolored parchment, the edges worn and tattered. The will. So he did have it with him. There was still a chance he would find a way to prove to these people that Sulel was a fake. “This document was the final order of business your father conducted before he died,” Therek’s legs carried him easily across the cobblestone to hold the parchment out for Sulel to see, careful not to let anyone close enough to try and take it from him. “If you let the Lady go, I will destroy the evidence of your father’s true order of succession and allow you to take my life so your rule is never questioned again. Is that not what you have wanted all these years? To be rid of me? Free from the fear that someone might learn the truth?”
At the sight of the document Sulel’s head lifted slightly, eyeing Therek curiously, his unease becoming more noticeable. “My father’s will was destroyed years ago. You cannot prove anything, therefore you are no threat to me.”
“No?” Therek mused, his arm slowly extending out toward the Empress. Overcome with curiosity, she accepted the parchment from his hand, her eyes opening wide with disbelief at what she saw written there.
“Sulel –”
“It is a fake, Mhina,” Sulel cut her off, a slight tremble causing his voice to shake with uncertainty. “I saw my father’s will set a flame…”
“You saw a forgery of your father’s will destroyed,” Therek interjected. “I suspected this day may come and I prepared for it with great care. You forget that I was the true Emperor for the weeks after your father’s death. I had access to every room in this palace, including that which was home to this particular document. I spent days, painstakingly copying every letter, every curve of your father’s writing, to make a replica convincing enough that you wouldn’t question its authenticity. The true will has never left my possession.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 58