5. A Public Example
A Public Example
Kaiden
Candlelight flickered and bent as he lifted the glass.
There was not enough wine in Arkan to get him through this banquet.
His eyes traveled to each table before him, watching the lords and ladies of the court falling too deeply into the sweet, red wine within their cups.
Their oblivious laughter and loud chatter added to his annoyance as he watched them.
He took another considerable gulp from his cup and closed his eyes trying to block out the sounds.
He knew the dining hall like the back of his hand.
His home, his palace, his kingdom. He closed his eyes, imagining the room around him as he knew it would be.
Slender braziers stood in between the twenty Corinthian columns surrounding them.
Each one painting the hall a range of warm yellows and tinted oranges.
The gemmed runes on the domed ceiling danced in the light, illuminating the impressive wall painting of ancient war heroes and legendary kings.
Thick, stained glass windows were shrouded by heavy drapes colored the same ruby red as the two banners hanging next to the double doors, the Valencia crest woven with gold thread sewn proudly in the middle.
He opened his eyes, allowing a small smile at the accurate descriptions of the room.
His seat was placed beside a majestic throne of smooth, obsidian crystal glass.
The king sat beside him, cold and unmoving as the throne he ruled from.
Heat pulled at the bottom of his stomach.
A small warning — his temper was rising.
Kaiden blew out a long breath. He was wary steam would come out of his mouth and ears like the monsters in stories read to him as a child. He let the remnants of wine wash down his throat, dousing the fire in his core.
His stomach warmed for the second time. This warmth he welcomed as his mind became fuzzy.
If the wine continued to intoxicate him there would be hell to pay in the morning in the form of a splitting headache.
Instead, he focused on the food set before him.
The aroma in the air made his mouth water as he feasted on the dishes laid onto the table.
A large roasted boar was placed in the middle.
Its sweet glaze left a sticky shine in the candlelight.
Sliced apples decorated the platter in an enticing display.
An array of his favorite dishes were strategically placed about the table to resemble a perched phoenix.
Sliced fritters sprinkled with cane sugar, pickled beets and cooked vegetables, fresh berries and dates drowned in creamy honeydew milk.
Exotic spices filled the air and surrounded the jellies and pies with sugarcoated pecans delicately placed around the crust. No matter how much he yearned to be alone and away from the court Kaiden always looked forward to the food.
A slight breeze whispered through the open windows faintly brushing against his face, pulling his attention to the blinking lights from the city square below.
“Berenger has returned from the front lines.” The king’s voice broke into Kaiden’s thoughts, clearing his fuzzy mind instantly.
“What news?” Kaiden asked half-heartedly.
“The north of Zenobia stands strong and will not yield. Gail continues to send reinforcements.” The king’s words were calm but the cold undertone of his voice was laced with venom.
“We knew Zenobia’s walls would not fall so easily. Give them time.”
“I’m removing the troops and placing them west of Vidrena’s borders. With renewed strength and forces, the kingdom should come crashing down in days.”
He snapped the leg of the boar on his plate. The crack made Kaiden cringe and tense up.
“Do you not think Rhydar and Jasper will deliver Vidrena to you?” He asked instead.
“They have yet to deliver me a full entrance. A job suited for someone more capable; you should have been sent to begin with. Wilouhby has suggested you join the troops and lead the siege.”
Kaiden held his breath. Master Wilouhby had spun his influence quicker than expected.
It was no secret he held sway over the king as the eldest elder of them all.
Wilouhby had made his desire for Eslanda’s daughter to live crystal clear within the council and during his own personal discussion with Kaiden.
“I believe the men will rally behind their crown prince.” Kaiden agreed, playing along to Wilouhby’s plan.
He only hoped his father did not see through it.
The king was unpredictable. Both Kaiden and Cahira bore scars as a reminder of his volatile temper.
The sparse moments he was kind were either in a manipulative way or with strings attached.
Kaiden could never remember a time when his father was truly genuine.
Perhaps when he was born and his father’s legacy was set to continue through him or perhaps when his mother was still around.
That was a long time ago and he never ventured down to those memories.
At his father’s silence, Kaiden continued, “With time, Vidrena will fall.”
The king laughed, cold amusement glittered in his dark eyes. “Time is something we do not have.”
Kaiden glanced down at the ring his father wore. The king’s ring pulsed a deep purple; it was almost black. Strange, he could have sworn it had always been ruby red.
“What’s the hurry?” He asked hesitantly. “We’ve captured the rebels and quelled any rebellions in the east.”
The answer could possibly be worse than not knowing at all.
“You failed to bring me their leader.” He clapped his hands twice and the double doors opened.
“Our shores will not be safe until I have his head and let it be known that he will come for his vengeance.” He drank deeply from his cup, muttering softly to himself.
“He won’t be able to stop himself. He never has. ”
The last words were but a whisper which clung to the fear building up Kaiden’s spine.
The room quieted as guards poured in. The clink of chains sliding across the floor flooded the room.
Kaiden tensed. “What’s this?”
He dared not move, his gaze sharpened as the soldiers parted, revealing the Crindald captives.
Their tortured bodies could barely hold the weight of the chains as they limped in a single line toward his table.
His heart beat against his chest. All laughter had subdued as every head turned to watch the scene unfold in front of them.
“Father?”
The king stood with a sinister smile on his face. “Lords and ladies of the court,” he announced, “for months we have fought against the Crindald guardians of Zenobia. For months, they have eluded our capture.”
The silence in the room was heavy. Kaiden and Fintan shared a worried glance from afar, both dreading the king’s next move.
“Now,” his father continued. “I’m proud to bring an end to the very thorn in our kingdom’s side. Tonight the Crindalds will be no more.” With a wave of his hand, the guards gripped the arms of the captives and kicked them down to their knees.
Kaiden’s hands tightened on his seat as he fought to stay by the king’s side instead of running to stop the bloody execution.
“Is this truly where you wish to execute these soldiers?” he ground out, glancing at his father.
The king sat back on his throne, a nonchalant glaze in his eyes. “An example must be made. A message will be sent.”
A small cry escaped one of the soldier’s lips as the guards gripped his shoulder, pushing his head down and neck out.
The king lifted a finger and Kaiden squeezed his eyes shut. The slice of a blade and the dull thump of a rolling head sounded throughout the hall.
“Open your eyes boy,” the king hissed in Kaiden’s ear.
Kaiden pushed himself back into his chair as he opened his eyes.
The decapitated body oozed across the floor. Iron filled his nose, mixing with the aroma of the feast. The food in his stomach soured. A wail escaped one of the captives but was cut short as another guard silenced her forever.
“Bring me the head.” The king held out his hand.
The guard picked up her head by the stringy mop of hair. Blood dripped in a twisted line as the head spun with the guard's steps. As it landed in the king’s hand with a squelch, he knew the disgusting sound would add to his nightmares.
The king turned it until the opened eyes stared at Kaiden. He placed the head onto the table in front of Kaiden’s plate.
“You will watch this.” The threat was clear in his father’s voice. “If your sister fails to bring me what I desire, this too shall be her fate. You would do well to remember your own standing.”
Heads thumped onto the floor, spreading gore until the very walkway was covered in an inch of death.
Kaiden swallowed the bile threatening to rise.
The king’s voice echoed in the room. “Let this be a lesson. To all those who go against the crown.”
No one moved or breathed. The laughter would have been a respite compared to the terror coating each lord and lady.
“There is much to do,” he simply said.
Kaiden remained silent — stunned.
The king stood finishing his drink. His royal robe dragged through the bodies behind him as he walked effortlessly through the execution, dragging pieces and bodily fluids behind him, without a glance at the fallen.
He strode to the double door without another word.
A picturesque war king. He nodded in acknowledgment to Fintan, then Byron who quietly followed him out.
Fintan bowed to the king, hiding his disgust.
When the doors closed, Kaiden jumped from his chair and away from the head.
“Clean this up,” he snapped at the guards.
He made his way behind the dais and throne, creating distance from the execution. His anger boiled in his veins.
“Your highness,” an old voice called behind him.
Kaiden kept walking, fearful if he stopped now he would explode.
“Kaiden.”
A demand. Only a few people aside from Cahira and the Aariv Family would ever call him by his name. He turned and met Master Wilouhby’s frown. He forced his patience into a thin line of focus.
“Now is not a good time,” he said.
“Now is the only time.” Wilouhby hobbled over to Kaiden, laying a hand on his forearm. “It is a sad day for Zenobia.”
“It is a sad day for us all.”
“Arkan cannot go on like this. You must decide what our future is before it is too late.”
Kaiden pinched the bridge of his nose. “What am I to do?”
“Make your move against your father.”
A humorless laugh escaped his lips. “Me and what army?”
“You must win allies to your side — to your future. There are those who would depose your father, if only you were to lead them.” Wilouhby’s voice was firm as he gripped Kaiden’s arm.
“Where would I even find someone who’s willing to risk their life and meet with me?”
“Go to Pirath as instructed. There is a witch there who is even older than me,” he chuckled. “Her knowledge is vast and so is her network of allies. There was much I could not teach you, but she holds the answers of the past.”
“A witch?” Kaiden raised an eyebrow. Any dealings with a witch never ended well. “Why would she be willing to help us?”
Wilouhby sighed. “It will be her story to tell, if she so wishes. But I believe she desires the same things as we do. She desires her own freedom from your father.”
“Her name?”
“Idalia.”
“Only Idalia?”
Wilouhby smiled. “It’s her name and title all in one, you’ll see.”
“Why her?”
“Because she’s been involved with this for longer than any of us.
She knows of the girl. Let her answers be the final decision if you are ready to make the changes Peraynia needs.
” Wilouhby stepped aside. His gaze moved to the guards who were mopping the remnants of the gruesome entertainment for the night.
The hall was no longer filled as the court flocked to the doors, trying to escape.
“I have a beautiful family. A granddaughter full of life and innocence. A grandson who looks up to me,” Wilouhby said.
The sadness weighed on his back, making him appear more hunched over than normal.
“How can he look up to me if I don’t stand for what is right — for what I believe in?
They deserve to grow up in a realm which is safe and good.
That is all I want. It’s the least we all deserve. A better life.”
Kaiden nodded. He had often dreamed of it. Could almost taste what freedom would be like. Every time hope bloomed, his father’s actions reminded him of how dark and alone their reality was underneath his reign.
“When you’re ready to build a new era, rest assured, it will seem impossible before you can bear the fruits of a clean conscience.”
Kaiden looked out amongst the court. He didn’t want to see how much worse things could get. Whether he was ready or not, the die had been cast. His father's action would create a reaction and he had to be ready for what was to come.
“I will send a message to Idalia to meet you.”
Kaiden nodded. “Who would ever believe the change would begin in the city of Pirath?”
Wilouhby shook his head, pointing at Kaiden’s heart with his cane. “No, the change is starting here.”
“The gods are humorous,” Kaiden cursed under his breath. “To Pirath then?”
Wilouhby squeezed his forearm in support before returning his gaze to the court. “To Pirath.”