“Learn to keep your hands to yourself,” Kaori grimaced from where she lay on the floor, a mild sense of pleasure coming over her to see the blood which poured from under the man’s fingers grasped tightly over his face. He deserved it. In truth, she wished she could have made him suffer more. The gods only knew what unspeakable things he had done to other poor defenseless women over the years. It made her cringe just to consider.
Angered by Kaori’s unexpected blow, the injured man drove the toe of his boot hard into Kaori’s stomach, taking away what little breath she regained after her fall. She cried out as he struck again, her legs curling defensively to protect her midsection, a sharp, unbearable pain shooting through her at the sound of something cracking under the man’s foot from a third blow. Her ribs. She was sure at least one of them was broken. Possibly more. It was hard to tell. The pain was so great, she couldn’t focus long enough to determine the extent of her injury.
Satisfied with his work, the bloodied soldier took his place at her side again while the first man pulled her back to her feet, moving at a faster pace through the darkened corridors. Kaori’s vision swam from the pain, stumbling forward after the men, teeth clenched to keep from crying out. Every step hurt. Renewing the discomfort in her abdomen, radiating outward, her breaths like sharp wheezes in a desperate attempt to take in air. Death was starting to sound more favorable. At least then the pain and humiliation would cease.
She didn’t recognize the halls where the soldiers led her, bypassing the main entrance to maneuver through smaller passages winding deep into the private sections of the palace. Keeping her out of sight. Deliao was smart. He knew it was a risk to let anyone see her. The military couldn’t chance an attack on the Imperial Palace. And having the rebel leader in their custody made the Emperor’s home a prime target. More so now than before when Sivar was the most prominent prisoner in their ranks.
By the time the soldiers led her into a large courtyard, Kaori thought she would faint. Or vomit. With the way she felt in that moment, both options were possible. The fresh air helped to clear some of the fog from her mind. Enough to grant her a better view of where she was. A private garden. An array of fragrances greeted her nostrils, boasting several different types of wildflowers, their colors vibrant against the lush green grass which lined the cobblestone walkway they traversed to reach the central seating area. The walkway opened to create a wide circle at the center of the courtyard where a quaint set of benches were positioned across from one another on either side. Under any other circumstances she may have been persuaded to find it beautiful if not for the large pair of wooden posts arranged near the center of the circle, a flat, sturdy board linking the two posts together at the top, creating a support for the heavy piece of rope tied around the middle, hanging low in a perfectly rounded noose. Was that for her? Did they intend to kill her so soon? No questions. No pomp or circumstance. Just a swift execution to get it over and done with. In a way she was offended. Without an audience, she couldn’t make the most of her final words to warn the people of the Emperor’s treachery. Not that they didn’t already know. He didn’t try to conceal the evil deeds he did – or rather commanded others to do for him.
When the soldiers finally came to stop at the center of the courtyard Kaori thought her lungs might burst from the strain she placed on them. Between the cuff at her neck and the stabbing pain in her ribs, she couldn’t remember the last time it hurt so much to breathe. The sensation was torture. She couldn’t stand up straight, slouched forward to try and ease the tension. It would all be over soon. She just had to persevere a little longer. Peace would come once the noose cut the final breath of air from her body.
More people could be heard entering the garden from the direction where Kaori had come. She had no desire to see who it was. Soldiers, no doubt. Perhaps a few loyal courtiers who wanted to see a good show. Sulel had proven himself a theatrical man. Dramatic. He didn’t like to do anything without an audience. To see the reactions his orders created in those around him. She suspected he would be amongst those who arrived and the last thing she wanted was to see his face. The biggest fraud in Carpaen. Sitting on Therek’s throne. Destroying his father’s legacy. The thought made her ill.
“Kaori!”
Her head snapped upward at the sound of her name, grimacing from the sharp pain the movement caused in her abdomen. “Sivar!” She exhaled, twisting desperately against the soldiers to try and see her brother’s face. He was alive! After all this time of fearing the worst, convinced that Therek’s assurances of Sivar’s safety were nothing more than an attempt to provide false hope. She tried to reach for him, the shackles binding her wrists holding her fast. Her heart ached more painfully than the injury to her ribs, wanting to wrap her arms around her brother and feel him there to prove it wasn’t a dream. But the joy she experienced at seeing him was short-lived as she watched several guards bring Sivar forward, leading him past Kaori toward the ominous rope dangling from the wooden beam overhead.
What were they doing? That noose was intended for her. She wasn’t comfortable seeing her brother standing there. Bound by manacles. Bruises darkening the skin of his face, down his neck, spreading out over the surface of his shoulders and chest where the fabric of his shirt was torn to mere tatters, dried blood staining what was left of the material. He looked weak next to the soldiers, barely able to stand on his own without their strong hands holding him in place. Angered by the injuries inflicted upon her brother, Kaori renewed her efforts to break away from the men that held her, their grip tightening to prevent her from getting free. They were too strong. In her weakened state, she knew it was useless to waste the energy she exerted while fighting against the men but she couldn’t stand idly by and watch while Sivar was placed on trial for deeds he committed only to help her.
As her energy waned, a hard push on the back of her neck sent Kaori down hard onto her knees, only then becoming aware that the soldiers had taken a similar stance. She knew what it indicated. Sulel was coming. He was the only person who evoked behavior indicative of such respect. Kaori was sickened to think that she was being forced to demonstrate the same esteem. Sulel wasn’t worthy of the regard bestowed upon him. “Kneel before your Emperor, wench,” a voice hissed into her ear, increasing the pressure on her neck.
Wrinkling her nose in disdain, Kaori intentionally fought against the hand which held her down, teeth gritted from the effort it took to stop herself from being forced face-first onto the cobblestone. “He is not my Emperor,” she scoffed, pressing upward with one final burst of strength. Instantly she was pushed back down, another pair of strong hands adding to the pressure already applied to her head.
Bowed forward, Kaori wasn’t able to see the faces of the men who arrived. There was more than one. She could tell by the number of steps upon the walkway, counting to herself. Two. Three. Four. A fifth pair of feet could be heard, softer than the rest, barely audible over the commotion mingled with the songs of the birds in the trees. Feminine. Graceful. Lingering behind the others to stand a short distance away as one of the men broke the silence in obvious discontent. Straining her eyes, Kaori longed to see the man who spoke, recognizing the familiar ache in her chest at the sound of his voice.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Come now, Losuva,” Sulel’s words rang loudly through the courtyard, filled with his usual arrogance. “I told you Deliao promised a good show. Today’s festivities were arranged with your interests in mind.”
Therek paused mid-stride, hanging back to stare at Sulel in disbelief. “I thought we agreed there was not enough evidence to justify bringing the Lady Levadis into custody.”
“The General was of a different opinion.”
“Does the General run your Empire now?”
“Watch your tongue, Losuva,” Sulel snapped, turning to step toward Therek angrily. “I brought you here as a friend but one more word in that tone and I’ll have your neck in a noose with the rest of these miscreants.”
Kaori had to bite her tongue to keep from speaking out against Sulel. He had no right to make threats to Therek. Regardless of what the public believed, Sulel knew the truth. He was overstepping his boundaries in the way he talked to the rightful Emperor. Opening her mouth, she thought to speak, the words falling silent before they had a chance to form. Someone was coming closer. Steady. Confident. A stride she knew all too well. Deliao…
“My God, Colston. What happened to your face?” he asked. Calm. Almost amused to see his man bleeding from the nose.
“That Vor’shai whore struck me, General.”
“And you let her?” A gloved hand reached out for Kaori, catching her chin between Deliao’s thumb and index finger, lifting her head to meet his eyes. “The girl is shackled, Colston. What kind of soldier allows himself to be beaten by a woman in chains?”
Holding Deliao’s gaze, Kaori narrowed her eyes. She detested him. More than any other creature on Myatheira, she wanted to see him dead. His counsel corrupted the already dissolute and weak-minded soul that acted as Emperor. “Your man has an issue with keeping his hands to himself.”`
“My man is a soldier of your Emperor. He can put his hands wherever he wants.”
“Sulel is not my Emperor. His men are nothing more than thieves and brigands in uniform.”
Deliao jerked Kaori’s head higher, glaring at her in disapproval. “You are not worthy to speak the Emperor’s name. I should have your tongue cut from that pretty little mouth of yours for the insult.”
“That man is nothing to me.”
“He is the Emperor!”
“He is a spoiled fool.” There was something about knowing she was going to die which made her fearless. Unafraid to tell these men exactly what she thought of them. Worthless blackguards.
It was Sulel who responded, an obvious tremble noticeable in his voice from barely contained rage at Kaori’s aspersion. “Impudent whelp!” he shouted, moving forward to stand at the General’s side, grabbing Kaori’s face from Deliao’s hands to force her eyes upon him. “You will treat me with respect, girl.”
“You persecute my people and slaughter innocents to compensate for the fact that you are not worthy of the throne upon which you wrongfully sit.”
“Kaori…” Therek stepped forward, pausing uncomfortably to glance between Deliao and Sulel’s confused expressions at his outburst. It was unlike him to reference anyone without a proper title. The personal nature of his address caught the attention of every man in the garden. Swallowing hard, he straightened his shoulders, stiff and rigid in his usual manner. “Your Majesty,” he focused his attention on Sulel, casually making his way forward to close the gap between them. “You still have not answered my question in regards to the Lady’s arrest. Why have you brought her here?”
He looked uncomfortable. There was an almost imperceptible waver in the depths of Therek’s eyes that only Kaori could see which belied the outward poise he portrayed. She could sense his unease. The questions he wanted to ask. It was a blow to his confidence seeing her there when he believed her safely in Avishul. She could only imagine what must be going through his head.
“Leverage, Losuva,” Sulel peered at Therek, curious. Intrigued by his friend’s odd reaction to Kaori’s presence. “We need information and she is the key to obtaining it. I simply didn’t expect her to behave like a simpleton. Our last meeting was far more pleasant.”
“With all due respect, Sir – you have since murdered her parents. One can only expect hostility against you from the family,” Therek explained, his hand coming to rest gently on Sulel’s shoulders. Comforting him. No doubt hoping to quell his rising temper toward Kaori while guiding Sulel’s hand away from her face. “Either way, Lady Kaori has done nothing deserving of the restraints the General has placed upon her. She may be more amenable to your requests for assistance if you release her bonds.”
Deliao shook his head vehemently in disagreement. “Your Grace, perhaps I should enlighten you as to how this girl came to be in our custody.” Turning away from Kaori, he cast an accusatory glare in Therek’s direction, the words he wanted to say almost visible in his eyes despite his decision to refrain from pointing fingers. “My men waited outside the Losuva estate for your departure to Eykanua. Once you were gone, we conducted a search of the grounds only to find this little brat running amok through your woods. She insists you held no knowledge of her presence and admitted to entering your residence without authorization. Her detainment is on the charge of trespassing upon the grounds of a respected advisor to the Emperor.”
Shaking his head, Therek lowered his hand away from Sulel’s shoulder, meeting Deliao’s stern gaze, unflinching. “I do not wish to pursue charges against the Lady. She is hereby pardoned.”
“Ah, but it is not that easy,” Deliao chuckled, taking note of the insistence in Therek’s tone. “You see, Losuva… she has now assaulted one of my men – the second time such a charge has been brought against her – and has denounced the Emperor as her sovereign. These are high crimes which you do not hold authority to pardon.”
Shoulders drawn back, Therek let his gaze shift to Sulel, brow raised, inquisitive. “Do you plan to condemn her for these supposed crimes without a trial?”
“Trial?” Sulel scoffed. “What need is there for a trial? A soldier is bleeding on my garden and everyone here is witness to her defiance. I am not obligated to provide trial when there is no debate over whether she committed the crimes.”
“Lady Kaori,” Therek turned to face her, the waver in his eyes becoming more noticeable as the conversation progressed. He knew how hardheaded these men could be. It would require a silver tongue to convince them to let her go. “What happened in the prison which provoked you to strike at the General’s man?”
“Losuva, please –”
“Your Majesty, I would like to hear what transpired. She said something about the soldier touching her. Such a claim deserves investigation.”
All eyes were on Kaori. Sulel and Deliao waited impatiently to hear the accusations while Therek urged her to speak, a polite nod indicating his willingness to listen. Although she knew it was futile, Kaori felt compelled to answer. It meant so much to Therek. She could tell by the way his eyes burned into hers, filled with concern. “That man touched me like I was some whore he could take liberties with.”
“Lying wretch!” the soldier shouted, moving forward as if to strike Kaori. Bravely, she straightened her back, chin jutted forward, daring him to hit her. Such a move would be detrimental to the case against him with so many witnesses who could testify to the unwarranted attack. She was an unarmed woman. It was bad form for a soldier to assault someone considered weaker than themselves.
Stepping between the two, Deliao blocked the man from reaching Kaori, clearly angered by the accusation she made. “This is nonsense. The girl will say anything to save her skin.”
Therek’s head cocked to one side, an agitated laugh escaping his lips. “Your men have a tendency to force their company upon women, which can be attested to by many ladies at court. There is no law which gives a soldier permission to violate a prisoner simply for being female.”
“You are mistaken. My men would never have laid a hand on her.”
“Do not take me for a fool, Rilas. You and I both know your men cannot be trusted around a beautiful woman.” Therek’s confidence was returning. Satisfied to see Deliao’s arrogance falter.
Angered by the statement Deliao straightened, mouth agape. “Are you calling me a liar, Losuva?”
A smirk played across Therek’s lips. Pleased to see that he was getting a rise out of the General. “I certainly never accused you of being an honest man.”
“Stop this, both of you!” Sulel’s voice boomed, distracting Therek and Deliao from their heated exchange. “I did not bring you both here to watch you fight over who is the bigger man. We need answers and I will not leave here until we get them.”
Embarrassed, Deliao tugged at the hem of his unifor
m doublet. Clearing his throat, he turned away from Therek, his eyes settled on Sulel, gradually returning to a more relaxed posture. “Your Majesty, I feel the Duke’s attendance will make the proceedings more difficult. It is my recommendation that he be removed before we begin interrogating the suspects.”
Arms folded across his chest, Sulel shook his head. Bold in his actions. It was all a show. He didn’t want the others present to think him incapable of making his own decisions. Kaori could tell by the uncertainty in his expression that he wanted to heed Deliao’s counsel but pride wouldn’t allow him to listen. “Losuva stays,” he announced sternly, making it clear that he wouldn’t be swayed otherwise. “It may be beneficial to keep the Duke around. He is a friend of the prisoners. We may require his assistance in getting them to talk.”
“I have other means of making people talk, Your Majesty…”
“Silence, General,” Sulel commanded. “We have wasted enough time already. Lord Leuzen, come forward. I want you by my side for this.”
Leuzen. Kaori’s heart felt as though it stopped in her chest, blood running cold through her veins to hear the name. Introduced to her by Liurn while in Whitelyn. She could still hear his voice speaking the introduction, recalling it with absolute clarity in her mind. Arcell Leuzen.
There was no doubt who the man was that moved forward at Sulel’s request, chest puffed outward in a show of overly dramatic pride. For a man believed to have been imprisoned for so long, he looked remarkably well. Clean. Well-groomed. More plump than Kaori remembered. The clothes he wore were of the finest make. Emerald damask edged in gold, each button shined to a perfect sheen, reflecting the sun’s light into Kaori’s eyes. Judging by the look of surprise on Therek’s elegant features, he was equally shocked to find Arcell in their company – and not in chains.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 56
