Brother, Betrayed Read online

  They both took their seats and her face turned towards him. Her eyes were still cautious, but more kind and familiar. Syah nodded and started to smile at her, but it was forced, faltering as he realized there was no real reason for it. Her eyes remained on him, and gazing into them, he remembered their warmth. The smile returned to his face, honest, subtly easing the tension of his jaw and brow. And as he watched his mother’s tentative face, his smile was returned.

  Chapter Twenty

  THE PUNISHMENT

  It has been over a season since our return. Things have mostly returned to normal. It has been so like the norm that I have found little reason to write to you. The day is slow and the White Cane has let me retire early, so I suppose that is why you have found me.

  Though the pace of life seems as casual and normal as before, I sense a change. It is not just in the guards and the servants, but between us. There is something…

  I have thought much on it. I have thought I could describe it as a seed, a seed that was planted in our trust, our brotherhood, a seed planted by the riddler. But the more I have thought about it, the more I see that it wasn’t a seed. A seed is a capsule of life and purpose, a catalyst of good and growth. This doesn’t describe the witch’s false words. I have, however, realized what does.

  A spore. A spore of mold attached to defenseless bread. That was the doubt she created. And now, I am afraid, it is spreading, eating, and festering away at us. It is a doubt in ourselves, a doubt in each other.

  None of us has spoken of it. In our words and conversation it never happened. But in a touch, a glance… it is here. It is devouring.

  How shall I purge it from my soul?

  Well, look where my rambling has taken me. Never mind my thoughts, I write just to ease my…

  That is all for now.

  For the three brothers,

  Syah, Prince of Arnith

  “Your majesty.” A voice startled the king from his thoughts.

  “Yes,” the king said without looking up, continuing to write on the paper before him.

  “The prince to see you.”

  The king looked up. Oman, about a fighting competition. He nodded to the guard and then stood as he watched him leave. Or Fasime, about a hunting party or a young damsel from the city.

  It was neither of them.

  “Syah!” Algoth’s eyes caught on the young man’s set face. “Why are you here?”

  Syah said nothing, only his raised his head, a signal of dignity.

  Algoth felt his insides turn as he realized why his son had come. “No!” the king cried, stepping forward.

  “Yes Father, it is time.”

  The king’s chest swelled with a shout, but he bit his lip and held it. He forced his pulse to calm from its abruptly pounding beat. The young prince stared coolly at him from his doorway. “Sit down, Syah,” he finally said. The prince complied.

  “I know you, and everyone else, has tried to forget about it,” the prince began.

  “Syah…”

  “But it has been over a cycle.”

  “Son…”

  “All my wounds have long since healed.”

  “Now, listen to me,” Algoth said and sat down. “Syah, seasons have passed since then. I… I admire you for bringing it to me, but the reason for the punishment has passed. I want you to…”

  “No,” Syah interrupted him. “I expected you would suggest it, but we cannot revoke the sentence. You commanded it.”

  The king sighed, watching Syah closely. “Syah… what I did, what I commanded… I did out of anger. But the time for it is gone. Now, I am just happy to have you all here and safe. You have learned your lesson.”

  “And Denire Sharlane? He has already suffered this punishment,” Syah said, his voice stiffening.

  “As well he should. He broke the knight’s oath, allowing you to be in danger.”

  “And I must face the same consequences, because I led him to it.”

  “No, Syah, it was all of you. You’re not responsible.”

  “But I am! I convinced the knight to…”

  “Yes,” Algoth interrupted him, lifting his hand, “I’ve heard the story. But it is not your fault, what happened.”

  “It was mine more than the knight’s, and you commanded they take his life.” The king almost flinched. He lowered his gaze.

  “He was spared,” the king said, anticipating.

  “Yes, because I pledged for him.”

  “It doesn’t matter!” the king burst out. “It is over…” He forced himself to take a breath. “You were right, he didn’t deserve death.” Syah sat silently in thought. As the boy seemed about to argue, Algoth stood. “No,” he said forcefully and Syah stopped. “I will not let my son be hurt and tortured like some criminal! It is a dishonor.”

  “But…” Syah began.

  “No!” the king cried, slamming his fist on the table. Syah straightened as Algoth leaned forward, locking the prince’s eyes with his angry gaze. His voice had lowered, but it was still as angry as his face. “I forbid you ever speak of this again.” The prince was still. “Son, you have already faced your punishment. Now, I am issuing a new command. Let it be.”

  Syah blinked, and stood. “Your majesty,” he said. He closed his eyes as he bowed briefly before him. “I am sorry that this pains you,” the prince said as he straightened. The king was about to interject, but the look in the boy’s eyes held him. “I understand. You do not wish to see the youngest of your sons hurt or in pain. Especially since he is weak.”

  “Enough!” the king shouted, standing.

  “And why should you expect him to hold up his word? He will never be a leader. So of course it is acceptable to darken his honor.”

  “You should not speak this way.”

  “You grow angry because you know it’s the truth!” Syah countered. “I will not let you revoke your sentence.”

  The king came around the table and stood next to his son. His face had softened. “Syah… You don’t have to do this to prove yourself. I don’t think of you that way, and you know it.”

  “That’s not what this is about. I accepted this punishment for a reason. Denire was able to keep his life.”

  “He won’t lose it if you don’t receive that punishment.”

  “But he will lose his honor. My pledge allowed him to keep his title and rank, but if I don’t fulfill it, then his pardon is artificial.”

  “Syah, no one remembers.”

  “They do. The knights, the guards, they all remember. They called me brave when I stood up for him, but what do you think they would call me now, if it was an empty promise? Worse than a coward, father.”

  “Son…”

  “And the real dishonor for this family wouldn’t be having your son face physical punishment. It would be to let the kingdom see that we think that the royal family doesn’t have to face consequences for their actions. That they are not bound by verdict of the king. I am prepared to face this consequence, father. And I do it for much more than proving my bravery.”

  Syah looked hard at the pained, stricken expression on his father’s face. The king didn’t move or speak. Syah raised his hand and placed it firmly on his father’s shoulder. The king made no further move to dissuade him.

  The prince turned to leave. His hand was on the door when he heard Algoth’s voice. “Syah.” He turned around. The king’s face had hardened. He kept Syah’s eyes a moment, and then bowed his head to him. The prince nodded, unsteadily, and opened the door.

  Syah let out a long, shaky breath. The front of his body tingled with apprehension. A tangible dread came from the direction of the dungeons. He felt the pressure on his feet as he walked, the shift and pull of muscles in his legs, a churning unease in his gut, his nervous hands and arms, not knowing where to be or what to do, awkwardly shifting beside him. His head felt full of smoke, fogging his thoughts and senses. And yet, as if in a fog, everything was distorted and amplified. He felt as if a mere pinprick would have echoed s
wift, sharp pain through his whole body. How could he withstand twenty lashes?

  Don’t think about it, he told himself as he followed the guards down the hallway. Don’t think about it, just do it. It will be over quickly. Syah straightened. You will not show any sign of cowardice to them. You will not. His words flushed through his whole person, but the weak, sick feeling was still there, waiting…

  Syah caught his breath; Oman appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed Syah’s shoulder tightly. “What are you doing?” Oman’s words pounded him. Syah tried to back away from his angry face. “Answer me!” Oman cried, shaking him.

  The guards stood nervously by.

  “Stand aside, brother,” Syah said, trying to keep his voice firm.

  Oman’s eyes widened and his face tensed. He grabbed a fistful of Syah’s shirt, forcing him against the wall. Syah didn’t try to break free, but readying to argue with Oman, he found he couldn’t speak.

  The guards stepped to either side of them.

  “Prince Oman,” the guard said, coming closer, “you must release him.”

  Oman ignored them and pushed Syah harder against the wall. “I won’t let you do this!” Oman yelled.

  Syah tried to swallow down his quickening breath as his gaze slid across his brother’s hot, tense skin.

  “Prince Oman,” the guard said, “he must be taken to the dungeon, by order of the king.”

  “That’s a lie!” Oman cried.

  “Brother…” Syah was able to say, but Oman paid no heed to him.

  “Prince,” the guard said, carefully pulling out a rolled piece of parchment, “these are his signed orders. They state that…”

  “I don’t care what they say!” Oman interrupted him, and his hand tightened on Syah’s shirt. “You are not taking my brother anywhere near the dungeon!”

  “Prince Oman,” said the other guard, “the orders cannot be overturned by anyone less than the king. We must take him.”

  “You will not touch him!” Oman warned. He released Syah, his hand going for his sword. The guards began to react, but hesitated. Syah grabbed Oman’s arms. His brother’s hot, angry eyes jerked back to him, but Syah saw something else below his rage.

  Oman knew that look. Syah was studying him. He was about to start with one of his cool, calm arguments. Oman started to pull away from him, remembering the soldiers, but Syah grabbed him by his wrist, tightly, and pulled him back.

  “Syah…” Oman said in a low, warning tone. Syah said nothing, but he forced Oman’s arm lower. Oman’s free arm grabbed Syah’s and tried to stop him, not knowing what he was doing but uneasy about losing control to him. But Syah’s grip held him fast.

  “Stop it,” Oman commanded angrily, but surprise shook away his anger as he realized what Syah was doing. Syah pressed Oman’s hand against his injured chest. Oman’s free arm moved to the wall to push himself away, but still Syah forced his hand harder against his lower ribs.

  “Syah!” Oman cried. Syah looked calmly back at him as he forced Oman’s arm closer. Oman could feel the bones in Syah’s chest give a little beneath his hand. He stopped struggling, gazing silently into Syah’s unblinking eyes.

  “It has healed,” Syah said. Oman pressed his hand around the area, feeling Syah’s steady breathing.

  “So it has,” Oman said.

  Syah released him and Oman took a step back. The younger placed his hand on Oman’s shoulder. “Have no fear for me,” Syah said. Oman’s jaw tightened. “I must do this,” Syah continued resolutely. “It is not your place to try to prevent me.”

  “No, I must…”

  “Stop,” Syah said firmly. Oman held his words. “I am not weak. I have made my decision. Now, stand aside.”

  Oman took a slow breath. Something changed in his face. He grabbed Syah’s arm strongly, but this time not hurting him. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. His eyes pierced his brother’s, but Syah did not look away. “Each slash will rip your skin and you will bleed. You will be humiliated.” Syah was silent, but his eyes flashed with arguments. “You cannot do this.”

  Syah almost smiled. “I am going to be all right, brother. By the end of the day it will be over. But, Oman, my oath and honor bind me to do this. I know that you are concerned for me, but you must let me go.”

  Oman relented. He stood rigidly, but he let Syah step away from him. His eyes didn’t follow Syah. He stood facing the wall, listening to the guards and his brother start down the hallway. Anger returned in him, anger with himself, and he felt it was about to explode from him. He had failed… The image of Syah’s contorted face flooded his mind. His bitterness swelled in him and he focused it on the wall with his fist. He felt his chest tighten as if his lungs had become leather. He had failed.

  Syah stepped inside. The large room was quiet as he entered. His eyes scanned the darkly dressed prison keepers at the base of the circular room. Then he saw the table in the center. His insides cringed as he focused on the bindings, the stains that tainted the table and floor beneath it with anguish of the past. Syah forced himself to look away. Don’t think about it. It will be over quickly. But there was no burying the feeling now. He took in a deep breath and held it as he started down the steps. He tried not to let show what he felt in his heart. It’s too late to leave now.

  “Syah,” a voice said from beside him. He felt a hand on his arm and turned.

  “Denire,” Syah said, at first not realizing why he was there. The guards stepped up beside them and Syah’s eyes focused on the knight. Sorrow and concern shadowed his face.

  “Prince,” Denire said as Syah turned towards him.

  Syah strained to keep down a cry; he had hoped this wouldn’t happen. “You aren’t supposed to be here,” Syah said through clenched teeth.

  The knight took a moment. He had to be sure. “No, Prince Syah, it’s you who shouldn’t be here.”

  “Denire…” Syah paused. “I know what you have come to say, but you will not dissuade me from this. I have made my decision. It must be done.”

  The knight raised his head and took a wider stance. His voice and face were firm. “I cannot, on my honor as a knight, as a servant of Arnith, allow a prince of my kingdom to suffer torture to remedy a mistake that I made.”

  “You made no mistake,” Syah quickly returned.

  “Forgive me, your highness, I did. I allowed the heirs of the throne to leave the protection of the city without raising the alarm.”

  “It was our choice to leave,” Syah said.

  “I cannot allow you to suffer a single slash. You do not deserve this.”

  “I must do it, to protect you.”

  “Even if you leave here, if you never face this punishment, I will not lose my life. The king has lessened the sentence.”

  “But you will lose your honor, your knighthood,” Syah protested hotly.

  “Those are the consequences I am ready to face.”

  Syah’s face became grim. “I will not be responsible for Arnith losing your service,” he said. “You are too valuable to the kingdom. It is up to me to save a great knight from being shamed.”

  Denire stared at Syah. The boy’s words resounded in his thoughts. He took a step closer to the young prince in front of him. “I will not allow you to do this in my name. If the son of the king were to be harmed under my protection, my title being returned to me would not matter. I would have disgraced my Arnithian bloodline, and I would banish myself from this kingdom forever in shame. Your sacrificing your comfort would have no purpose.”

  Syah stood still. His eyes were fixed on Denire’s face. He thought of the prison keepers standing at the base of the steps. Then he turned to the soldiers who had escorted him there. They were visibly agitated, but stood silent, waiting. As he turned back to Denire, the knight straightened. Syah nodded and raised his voice, “Well, as you can see, it’s too late to stop it now. I cannot and will not walk out of this room with the shame of cowering away from pain.”

  “There is no…”

  “
How could I face my father or brothers again?” Syah continued, more forcefully. “How will the soldiers, servants, and people of Arnith think of me? As a coward! I would never have their respect. What would my place in this kingdom be then?”

  “You are a prince of Arnith, a son of the king!” Denire said emphatically.

  “No!” Syah cried. “I am nothing! Anything that I am I must earn. My actions, my choices today will determine if I deserve to be a leader of Arnith. You have no right to force me into a path of darkness and shame! If you consider me too weak to face this that I have promised, that is your own impasse. I will not suffer because you do not consider me worthy of bravery.” Syah paused as Denire’s face darkened. “Now, stand aside. You will not interfere. I will face this punishment. Whether you stay or leave afterwards is your choice.”

  Syah swiftly turned away from the knight. He drew in his breath, met the eyes of the prison keepers at the foot of the stairs, and started towards them again.

  Denire’s hand grasped the prince’s shoulder, and he glanced quickly at the knight. He was startled at Denire’s earnest expression. The knight stepped closer, holding Syah’s eyes. His voice was low, yet it echoed through the young prince like thunder, “Syah, I know the true reason.”

  Syah pulled angrily away from him, but as he stepped back, his gaze was caught on Denire’s face. He felt a wave of gratitude towards him, of companionship. Letting out a shaky breath, he nodded slightly to him. Denire stiffened as the prince turned away. Syah started back towards the threatening table at the center of the room. The prince approached the guards, and one came forward to meet him.

  “We’ll not have any trouble from you, boy,” the guard said in a cruel voice. He was so close that Syah smelled his stale breath.

  Syah stopped and locked the guard’s eyes with his unblinking gaze. “Do not presume,” the prince said after a moment, “that you have any authority over me. I am here for a simple purpose. You and your men are still servants of Arnith.”