Epilogue #2
But he couldn't help the pride and love he felt when she fought for him, defended his honor, used what little he had taught her to fight her way out of that soldier's hold. He loved her so much. He just wished that loving her had been enough, that it hadn't been seen as wrong.
Jahar hadn't recognized many of the soldiers.
They were either from before his time of training or were newly on the job, he didn't know, he didn't care.
However, with the few that he did recognize he could see the uncertainty in their eyes.
What that uncertainty was he didn't know.
Could it have been uncertainty of Jahar as a person and what he had done?
Or uncertainty of locking a fellow servicemen away, one that they had known, had been allies of?
None of it mattered though. They had orders from the King. They couldn't disobey him.
Jahar's stomach had dropped when the key had turned into the lock, trapping him behind the bars. Despite the maids actually keeping the dungeons clean, and their lack of use, the air still smelled stale, smelled of rot.
He had sat there in the silent cell, staring out at the slice of sky he could see through the small window at the top of the wall.
The boredom and loneliness had made it feel like he had been down there for hours, but he wasn't sure of the exact time.
He thought that maybe someone was coming to check on him, to bring him lunch, when he had heard footsteps approaching, but he had been dead wrong.
Guards in chainmail armor entered the room, and behind them King Abasi entered slowly, arms held behind his back, chin in the air, an expression of superiority staining his face. Jahar grunted, anger and fear spiraling through him, as he looked up at this horrendous man.
”Well, well.” Abasi mocked.
Jahar continued to sit there, silent. He didn't want to give this man any sort of satisfaction. He was sure now that Abasi was the one who had told the King about him and Aza, had exposed their secret.
”You see when people underestimate me or do anything to disobey or undermine me they pay, in any way I see fit.”
”This is not your land. You are not the king here.” Jahar said firmly.
”My rule extends to wherever I see fit. But this all started on my land, in my Empire, and I will finish it wherever I deem necessary.” There was a finite, unwavering assertion to his statement that made Jahar's blood run cold.
“What do you even want? This can’t all be about a bruised ego because one beautiful princess didn’t fall for your egotistical ways.”
“No, this is not all about her, but regardless no one rejects me, especially not for someone lesser. I know the marriage you spoke of was a shame. You’ve been bedding her.
It disgusts me. Marrying Aza was the easy solution, but I will go through any means necessary to accomplish my goals.
But telling you now would ruin all the fun.
Not that telling you would do any good. You won’t see your precious princess again. ” A poison laced his words.
Jahar had never felt fear like this, but he refused to show it. He stayed on the ground, fists clenched. Abasi motioned at his guards. One came closer to the cell, slipping a key into the lock. Jahar looked puzzled as to how they had it.
“Your soldiers are not too wise. My men easily followed them to the key’s whereabouts. But don’t worry we’ll put it back when we’re done.”
Jahar stood up quickly as the lock clicked and the door started to open. He widened his stance, raising his arms up with his fists cocked.
“You have no right.” Jahar bellowed.
“I don’t care,” Abasi said plainly as he motioned his guards to enter the cell.
Jahar kicked at the first guard to reach him, the guard stumbled back briefly, but they were covered in metal armor so there was little Jahar could do to defend himself without a weapon.
When more tried to reach for him he pushed and shoved and tried every evasive movement he knew, but they still over powered him, four to one.
His arms were twisted behind his back by two guards, while the other two kicked his legs out from underneath him, forcing him to crash to his knees.
One of the guards grabbed a fistful of his hair, pulling it back so that his head tilted up to see Abasi as he too entered the cell.
He walked painfully slow towards Jahar and looked down at him with utter disgust in his eyes. Abasi cocked his fist and swung, hitting Jahar square across his jaw. His head whipped to the side and he could taste something metallic in his mouth. He spit out his blood on Abasi’s boots.
“Is that all you got? You hit like a bitch!” Jahar spat.
Abasi punched him again, this time directly at Jahar’s throat causing him to suck in a clipped breath, leaving him gasping for air.
Before he could even regain himself Abasi punched him again, this time across his cheek.
More blood pooled in Jahar’s mouth and he felt like he was now drowning in it as he still frantically tried to drag in breaths.
He coughed through his words, “Only a… coward… fights a wounded… or tied man.”
“I will be whatever I need to be to end you.” Abasi snarled.
Then his fists flew. Repeatedly he hit Jahar.
Blood splattered all across his face. Pain scattered throughout his body.
Abasi did not stop the punches at just his face.
He hit and kicked him wherever he could reach.
Jahar’s body tried to keel over in pain, but the soldiers held him back, held him up right, so that their king could beat him.
Jahar could feel his skin tearing, his bones breaking. His eyes were nearly swollen shut, he could only make out a sliver of Abasi’s body, only seeing the swift movements of him as he pelted Jahar with more of his fists and boots.
Part of Jahar wanted to die right then and there so that the pain and agony would stop, but another part wanted to hang on, to survive merely so that he could continue to protect that beautiful blue-eyed princess he had fallen so madly in love with.
But deep down he knew this was the end. Abasi was not going to let Jahar live, and he had no chance of getting out of this, of besting Abasi and four other men.
So he did his best to keep his head held high, to endure it all.
To not be a coward, to not show weakness.
The blows finally stopped. “Your resolve is futile.” Abasi hissed and Jahar heard the slinking of metal being taken out of a holster, “Without you in the picture, your princess will crumble. I will still get what I want. I always get what I want. But don’t worry, I promise she will be taken care of.
In any way I see fit.” He danced the blade over Jahar’s chest.
“F-f-fuck you!” Jahar sputtered, “You underestimate her and… and that will be your downfall.”
“I’m not scared of a pretty little princess, and I am done wasting any more of my time on you.” Abasi plunged the dagger into Jahar's chest.
Air escaped Jahar’s lungs. The pressure of the dagger suffocated him as it broke through his ribs, as it pierced his heart. Fear and agony raced through him, before there was cold, then nothing.