“According to Ryul, thekukhein the north has calmed down for now. You know, they seem to come and go in cycles. Perhaps we can gather some of those men and bring them back to help with the madness.”
Ryul, I remember him from Antalis. He was constantly skulking in the shadows. I thought it was to hide the scar on his face and now I realize, he is Ereon’s man. While he may report to the King, I would bet my last coin that he is more loyal to Ereon.
Atlas turns from Ereon and I can hear the breath Carnaxa releases as if she’s been holding it for too long. I need to be alone with her, to see if I can help her remember. I need to talk to her, to hold her. The scuffing of the King’s chair as he moves it out of the way draws me from my thoughts.
“Perhaps. But first there are some things we need to do today. I didn’t call you all here for just this.” He opens a second door and past him is a whipping post and beyond it, a crowd has gathered. “There are some things that need to be handled, starting withBêlitSiphonie.”
twenty
Carnaxa
King Atlas doesn’t even look towards us as he continues, “Women are not permitted at theplal ryow.When she was removed she argued and then when she was under guard she physically struck two members of thePrel.”
My thigh begins to hurt again at the mention of theplal ryow, even though Ereon just applied more paste before we came here. But it’s the flaring rage at how he addresses Siphonie that has me fisting my hands at my side. The King goes on, “I was also recently told that before that, she assaultedSacheAtaiun.”
Thylas starts to open his mouth but Rhenor beats him to it. “My wife meant no harm, I assure you. She was worried for her cousin as the culture of Shaston differs greatly from where she grew up.”
“That may be true, as you also spoke out during the ceremony before being removed. You quickly gained your composure.” Atlas still holds the door to the whipping post open and sighs. “But it is still against our laws for any woman to strike a man of any status. Come and let’s get this over with. Six lashes and she will remember where she is and understand her place here.”
“Forgive me, King Atlas,” Thylas begins, his face paler than before, “surely you do not think I would allow a member of the royal family from Antalis to be flogged by you or your men.BêlitSiphonie is with child, she is also King Clennom’s niece, so it would be considered an act of war against Antalis if you harm her.”
My fingers now tremble at the thought of a flogging, especially for Siphonie. With what Ereon said earlier, I must be silent, speaking up would only make things worse.
Because you aren’t important here.
Atlas nods atSacheAtaiun,who grabs Siphonie’s arm and starts hauling her through the small space. She screams and fights against him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she is placed in front of the King. I start to walk towards her on instinct, but Ereon grabs my forearm and pulls me back. I pull my arms away from him but he shakes his head again.
“Father,” Ereon speaks from beside me, “it is true that in Antalis, to hit a woman with child is the highest of crimes, aside from rape. Clennom may view this as an act of war.”
“Clennom has enough disorder currently in his kingdom at the moment to worry about what is happening here in mine, but I’m maintaining what is written in our agreement. It is stated that Carnaxa and her entourage will be safe — and she will be, she’ll just learn her place. And Ambassador” — the King turns his cruel eyes to Thylas — “you will exact the punishment onBêlit Siphonie, since as you say, you are King Clennom’s representative. It would be his duty here in Shaston to dole out the lashings, but he isn’t here.”
All color leaves Thylas’ face at the pronouncement. His eyes blink rapidly and he licks his lips nervously. My eyes can’t focus on anyone in the room, instead dancing from one person to the next. There is nothing I can do.
Rhenor runs up to where Siphonie stands. “I’ll take her lashings. Let her go. She is my wife, my responsibility, and I will take them. I have no other heirs but the one she carries. I would hate to jeopardize it.” His words sound almost heartless, but I know he’s trying to find something that Atlas will understand to change his mind and help Siph.
Siphonie’s knees fall to the floor with a crunch. Thylas just stands shaking his head. “No. No one is getting whipped. We will figure out something else. King Atlas, tell us what you need.”
The King grabs the whip from his side and throws it at Thylas’ feet. “While I normally don’t accept exchanges, I’ll allowBêlRhenor to take the punishment. I did not realize it was your first, considering your age. So I need you, Ambassador, to do your duty.”
“He will.” Rhenor looks to Thylas. Rhenor picks up the whip at Thylas’ feet and hands it to him, forcing his hands to wrap around it before returning his attention to the King. “He will do what’s required of him or I will permit you, King Atlas orSacheAtaiun, to deliver the punishment.”
Thylas nods faintly.SacheAtaiun removes his hands from Siphonie, who is still on the floor and grabs Rhenor by the biceps. We all follow King Atlas out to the whipping post in the center of a raised platform which is also covered by tarps to protect from the sun’s rays.
Standing beside Siphonie, we both struggle not to tremble. Our hands tangle together as we watch Rhenor strip off his shirt. The crowd gathers beyond the platform and begins to shout and yell in excitement for the cruel practices still held in this kingdom.
I stare at those in the crowd. Some are fully clothed, protected from the sun, but it’s those who aren’t that catch my attention. Women, men, and even children are covered in burns and scars from previous burns. They dart about trying to find shadows extended from the buildings to lessen their wounds. An odorous fog begins to slightly emanate from the crowd and the stench of it all is overwhelming. Looking around, I wonder what is causing the fog and think it must be dust, when I realize it’s coming from people’s skin. It’s smoke. They are being burned. Nausea builds inside my stomach and I lean back from it all. Tears threaten to spill at the cruel treatment these people must endure. Something to change once we can.
I cough and cover my mouth. Siphonie remains steadfast looking at her husband, her hand now grazing against the shell in her chest. Rhenor breathes slowly as he approaches us. His chest, covered in light red and blonde hair, shows the scars he’s received over the years. He reaches up and pulls Siphonie’s hood down a little further before wrapping his hands behind her neck and pulling her close.
“I love you. I’ll survive this, mylilæ.Don’t cry. I’d bear the pain of a hundred lashes if it meant keeping you safe from just one.”
She shakes her head. “To protect your heir?”
“No, because I cannot survive a day without the light your smile provides.” He kisses her deeply and she grabs onto his collar as if she can stop what’s about to happen.
They might not have chosen each other, but they have found love and for that I want to smile. I look away, giving them as much privacy as I can right now. I find Ereon as he stands behind his father, his eyes searching the horizon, but he makes no move to speak and anger builds inside me.
Rhenor turns to me, the look on his face solemn. “Princess, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stop what happened to you afterNle Shom. Maybe this will be a punishment of sorts for not being able to protect you.”
