Ella’s eyes were itchy and exhausted from so many hours of reading, her sleep neglected in hopes of finding some loophole, some argument that would save her man from his dreadful fate. She had performed yeoman’s work, taking in more Norvalian law in two days than most would learn in a year, thanks to her very pressing motivating factor. And while the extenuating circumstances had led her to frustration after frustration in her quest, there were at least a few interesting discoveries that came of it, though what they meant, exactly, still remained up in the air.
Ella read a passage, paused, and scrolled back.
“Weird. That’s not right. Hang on a minute. Where do I know this from?”
She sat back and closed her eyes, recalling the ancient texts as best she could from memory. Something did not seem right. Something was off, but she couldn’t place it. At least, not yet. One thing seemed clear. There was an anomaly, and if she could just figure out?—
The heavy door abruptly unbolted with a loud clunk and swung open. Two guards working for Totaxxis stood on either side, but the man himself was nowhere to be seen. For once, he was not gloating over her situation.
“At least I don’t have to deal with his smirking face. Small victory, but I’ll take it,” she mumbled, rising to her feet. “Can I just have a few more minutes? I’m in the middle of?—”
“The time is now. You are to come with us.”
Ella thought to argue but knew nothing would come of it. And disobedience might even lead to more punishment for the man who had vouched for her.
“Okay,” she relented. “Coming.”
The men led her from her cell and down the hall. The usual pull of her lover’s presence was absent, she noted. He had already been removed from the dungeon prior to her exit, it seemed. Ella’s mind raced. They wouldn’t do anything to him without her present. That was as much a part of the punishment as the act itself. She just had to make the most of the little remaining time as she could.
Her mind raced, pouring over the laws she’d read, the parts that didn’t quite fit slowly making a picture, but it was still incomplete.
You’ve got time,she told herself.C’mon, El, just walk slowly and figure this out. He’s counting on you.
She did just that, at least as best she could, but the two men ushering her along were escorting her one in front and one behind, so slacking her pace would only work so much before she’d receive a little nudge from the man at her rear.
They took her up to the surface and out into the bright sunlight of what would otherwise have been a beautiful day. The air was warm and fresh, the clouds sparse and fluffy. The perfect kind of thing for an epic hike and equally epic tryst with her lover. But today he would be crying out for entirely different reasons.
Ella followed the lead escort around buildings to the largest courtyard. Normally, it was a delightful place to visit, with expansive gardens adding to the peaceful feel of it. Not so, thistime. All the brothers in the order were present, and in the middle of the semi-circle of dour priests stood two men in front of a large metal X firmly attached to the ground. Slim cables ran from the top of each branch, attached to sturdy shackles. Shackles on the wrists of her man.
Draikis stood tall. Proud, defiant, and shirtless, his body glistening with a faint sheen of sweat, his wrists bound but still at his sides. His eyes met hers, calm and resigned, as if telling her not to worry with just that single glance.
But Ella was worried. She wracked her brain, hoping the answer to their dilemma flitting on the tip of her brain would come into focus. Anything to spare him this torturous abuse.
Elder Soparo rose from his seat with the judge and his staff and faced the assembled priests.
“Brothers, we are gathered today for a sad occasion, but one that serves as a reminder that all of us, no matter who or of what rank, are bound by the same laws that our ancestors and their ancestors before them adhered. Brother Draikis is well-known among the order. But he has gone astray. Violated our trust. Broken his vows. This is incontrovertible. And now he shall endure twenty lashes. So it is written.”
“So it is written,” the crowd repeated.
Soparo turned to Draikis, silent a long moment, assessing the man before him. “Do you repent of your crimes?”
“I am sorry for my transgressions, but not for my love.”
A gasp rumbled through the crowd.
“You feel no remorse?”
“For breaking my vows? Yes. The brotherhood has been my life’s blood for years, and that will never change. But my love? I have no regrets and no apologies for our bond.”
Soparo shook his head, disappointed. “So be it. Prepare him.”
“From the Many, the One,” Draikis said stoically.
A brief glimmer of sadness passed over Elder Soparo. “And From the One, the Many. Begin.”
The cables pulled taut, his arms raised, turning him and exposing his back. Ella felt her heart sink at the sight of him in so vulnerable a state.
“What is that on his back?” she asked, noting a strange substance covering the lines of his runes.
