Kaehl lifted a hand, feeling the wetness on his face. His eyes looked at the red on his fingers and then to the ground, staring in horror at the man slumped on the ground, bleeding out from having his throat sliced open. His hands shook, eyes wide as they slowly looked up at the man who had just murdered the person closest to him.
“That’s the price he had to pay for your insolence, little brother.” The man before him was dressed in fancy armour, a dripping red sword in his hand and a satisfied grin on his face.
“You… you killed… you killed him!” The words came out harshly as if it was painful to have them leave his mouth. “I- I was the one! Not him! And you just-”
“Killed him, yes, you already said that little brother-”
“Don’t call me that!” he snarled, hand grabbing the sword at his waist. “He was more a brother to me than you ever were! And you killed him!” Eyes stinging with tears, he pulled his sword from its sheath, pointing it at the man who simply sighed and shook his head.
“Men, it seems my little brother is having a temper tantrum. Teach him a lesson and throw him out of the camp for the night.” A laugh filled the air. “A night of freezing in the desert cold will teach him.”
“Damn you!” It was all he managed to say before a fist slammed into his face.
“Don’t be shy to use your blades, men. Sometimes we all need a few points and tips to help us learn. But don’t kill him… death is too good for a person like him. And of course, Father would be displeased.”
It was a mercy when Kaehl was finally knocked unconscious.
*
All he could feel was pain. It wasn’t stinging or sudden, just a continuous throbbing feeling that made him want to throw up and curl up into a ball… which he couldn’t. Any attempt to move his body increased the pain, causing more than whimpers to leave his mouth.
“Shh… stay still.”
He didn’t need to hear those words to follow them through. His body was already punishing him for attempting to move. He let himself relax as much as he could, and soon enough his breaths came more steadily than they had before. His eyes were still closed but he could hear and smell at least. If he strained hard enough, he could hear the sound of something flapping in the wind in the distance, whilst near him was the sound of something pressing, no, grinding against something else. His nose twitched as he tried to identify the scent. It was strong yet not in an unpleasant way. Leaves perhaps?
His curiosity led him to open his eyes, and he found himself looking up at… he wasn’t quite sure. It was dark, the only source of light coming from somewhere he would have to lift his head to see. He didn’t want to endure any more pain, at least not right away. The one thing that was obvious was that he was alive, so that was good. He opened his mouth to ask where he was, but he didn’t get a chance.
“I was hoping you’d stay asleep a little while longer.” The voice seemed closer now; there was a shuffling sound and then footsteps as someone came near. Instinctively he cringed, fearful.
“Don’t hurt me…” His voice was raspy from lack of use.
“I wouldn’t have saved you if I was going to hurt you.” The area seemed to brighten as a candle came into view along with the one holding it. It was then set on the ground next to where he lay. His eyes moved from the flickering flame to the woman who had been holding the source of light.
“Who are you?”
“The one who saved you, but I’m guessing it’s my name you want.” She leaned a little closer so that he could see her properly. She was unfamiliar, that much he knew. Even in this little light he could tell her skin was darker than his, as were her eyes and hair. There was her accent as well; even though he could understand what she was saying, the way she said words sounded different, though not unpleasant. She didn’t seem dangerous, which gave him a little relief. “I’m Rayna. Who are you?”
“I’m-” He wanted to continue but stopped himself. He knew who he was and he knew where he came from. What if this woman returned him to the people he had escaped from? “It’s not… important.” He shifted his eyes so that he was looking at the candlelight once more.
For her part, the woman did nothing more than shrug and shake her head. “Very well, it’s your choice… I’ll call you Serwil then.”
“What’s that?”
Her mouth twitched, eyes crinkling. “It’s not important,” was the reply, voice a little teasing though it returned to normal when she continued to speak. “You were a wreck when I found you; you’d be dead if I hadn’t dragged you in here. Bleeding has stopped and you actually seem better even if you feel like you’re dying.” She reached back for something; when her hand returned the now named Serwil could see a bowl in her hand.
“What’s-”
“A salve,” was the reply. “I’ve been using it on your wounds for the last two days-”
“I’ve been here two days?”
Rayna nodded patiently. “Yes, so you really don’t have to worry about me sending you off on your own. No one passes through here much.” There was a half-smile on her face. “It’s why I stay here. Now hush, I need to put this on your wounds before it dries out and loses its potency.”
It was hard for him to relax, at least until he felt the salve being applied to the wound on his cheekbone. There was a bit of a sting but it was quickly replaced by a cooling feeling instead. It was the touch that surprised Serwil, however. He couldn’t remember being treated so carefully before. It made him feel both happy and stupid.
“Have you done this before?” Now that his voice was no longer too raspy, he felt the need to talk, to communicate, to figure out where he was and whether he was truly safe. “You seem quite good at it… the pain seems to be leaving me.”
“For the moment it is.” Rayna paused in her ministrations, looking at Serwil as she spoke. “Later I will give you a pain numbing tea.”
“So you have done this before,” he concluded, noting she had not replied that part.
“It wouldn’t make sense if I hadn’t,” she answered, a small chuckle escaping her as she looked away.
Serwil remained quiet after that, his gaze leaving Rayna to look back up. Now that his eyes were getting used to the darkness, the entire area seemed brighter. He could finally tell he was not in any sort of house or even a tent for that matter. The ceiling was quite high and craggy, and now that he actually paid attention, he could feel the ground beneath him was cold and as hard as a rock.
“Where are we?” he asked, breaking the silence when he could no longer feel any new salve being applied on him. It was bothersome, not being able to sit up and actually see who he was talking to. He felt vulnerable- no, he was vulnerable, and he didn’t like it.
He waited for an answer but didn’t receive one. Instead, Rayna stood up, rubbing the remaining salve off her hand before brushing at her clothes. It was hard for Serwil to tell what she was wearing in the dark, but he had a feeling that it was probably nothing like the women where he came from. He opened his mouth to speak again, stopping when she walked away. Well, maybe he should have expected that-
The area was suddenly brighter as if someone had removed a curtain from his eyes. As it was, a curtain had been moved to the side, one that allowed light in what he could now tell was a cave. So that was the swishing sound I had heard earlier…
“I live by myself where no one will bother me.” Rayna’s voice could be heard from the distance. Serwil took in a breath, pressing his hands against the ground and pushing himself so that he was a little elevated. Grunting in pain, he forced his body back so that he now reclined against the hard and uncomfortable cave wall. The effort had him breathing heavily, gasping in fact. He could finally see himself properly however, so it was worth the pain.
It made sense that he had so many cuts and bruises on his body as well as broken and bruised ribs, he suspected. As if those bootlickers would have had any mercy. Seeing the many bandages wrapped around his chest, arms and legs… he could only imagine what his face looked like.
He looked toward the cave entrance, where he saw Rayna was watching him. “You looked worse when I found you,” she offered.
Serwil didn’t feel much better hearing that. “It will take days before I get better.”
“It will,” she agreed, letting the curtain fall back down, where she secured it close with what Serwil supposed were hooks. “But judging by the way you didn’t even tell me your name, you’re running from people. Maybe it’s better for you to stay hidden until you’re not as weak as a kitten.”
“You’re not much for comforting a person, are you?”
“Not really,” Rayna replied, a smile on her face. “Coddling leaves a person weak, and you don’t seem like someone who’s used to that.”
*
It took a good while before all of Serwil’s wounds healed, and nearly a month before he could stand and walk properly. During this time he tried to make himself a little useful, though it was difficult at first. The truth was that despite being good at a great many things like swordplay and archery, he wasn't very good at simpler things like peeling and dicing vegetables.
“I didn't fix you up only to have you bleed to death while peeling a carrot.” The look on Rayna’s face had been one of exasperation that day, and she had promptly sent him away to sort out different piles of herbs.
He had simply brushed it off at that time, though much to Rayna’s amusement, he had kept away from the vegetables since then.
It was like she had fallen into a rhythm of sorts. She hadn’t expected him to be here so long. From what she had grown up with, men were too stubborn for their own good. Most simply wished to be patched up and sent on their way, unless they received some sort of incentive to stay. Serwil was different. He seemed lost in his thoughts most of the time, and when he did talk or answer any of her questions, it was always vaguely. She didn’t know where he was from nor did she know which tribe he belonged to. One thing she did suspect was that he had been born in wealth. His way of speech was much too proper to be of the common folk.
“I’m going out,” she told him one morning. It was still relatively early, but this was the best time to go out and find food.
“I’ll come with you,” Serwil answered groggily, still half asleep.
“And fall over because you aren’t awake yet? You can come tomorrow.”
She left without waiting for him to say anything more. Her heart was beating faster than usual, and she winced when she realized she had been biting on the inside of her lip. Why hadn’t she let him come as well? It was almost as if she was afraid… afraid that he would leave as soon as he stepped outside. Who would wish to stay in a small stuffy cave anyway when there was a whole world to explore?
Why hasn’t he left yet? No, don’t think of that! Her hands clenched and she shook her head. She was being stupid now. So what if he was the first decent man she had met in ages? So what if he was kind and amusing and made no insinuations in her direction? He couldn’t stay, he wouldn’t stay. He didn’t belong here or to her. He probably had a house somewhere, a family, a wife…
Rayna swore out loud, eyes clenching shut. “You’re stupid,” she told herself, hearing the bitterness in her own voice. She had to stop thinking like this and get on with what she was doing. She breathed in and out; her eyes snapped open, ready to focus.
Her cave was located in a craggy mountain range that looked over a savannah on one side and a desert on the other. It was quite normal for caravans to pass by the mountain range as they headed toward the savannah in search of somewhere to stay the night. There was a village there, further than the eyes could see, something of a caravan serai for those weary and in need of rest.
A haven to most people, it was where Rayna had been exiled from. Her eyes narrowed in the direction before she looked away, focusing instead on the passage between the mountain range and the desert. It wasn’t a very honourable thing to do, but she was used to scavenging and picking up things that passing travellers may have dropped during the night. It made no sense to leave them behind, only to be wasted. At least that’s how she looked at it and justified it for herself.
“Hey- hey there!” Her head jerked in the direction of the voice. Coming toward her was somebody. From the distance it was hard to tell how the person looked, especially since their face was covered, probably due to the cold desert night though it would help in the blistering day sun as well.
“I need some help, water…” Rayna’s hand slipped to her waist, just a little away from her trousers’ pocket, where she always kept a knife.
“Who are you?” she asked tersely. “Show yourself… please.” The nicety was an afterthought.
“Oh… of course.” The person pulled down the cowl they were wearing as well as the scarf covering their face, revealing a rather fair man with brown hair and light coloured eyes. “I don’t mean to disturb you, ma’am, I just want some water. I’ll leave you in peace and carry on…” His voice trailed as he wiped at his brow.
It was a moment before Rayna nodded. “Fine, stay there, I'll bring something for you.” She started backward, keeping an eye on the man... and bumped into someone behind her. Startled, she turned around to see Serwil.
“What're you doing out here?” She was both relieved and annoyed at the same time.
“I felt like it…” He wasn't looking at her, rather at the man behind her. Rayna looked back; her eyes narrowed when she saw the man had a knife in his hand.
“So this is where you've been hiding,” he said, a grin on his face as he started forward. “Did you think you'd just be left off the hook? You're wanted, and there's a pretty price I will get for bringing you back.”
“Rayna, go back in.” The look on Serwil’s face was something she hadn't seen in all the days she had taken care of him.
“Who is he?” She looked back at the man, her hand reaching into her pocket for her knife. “Hey, you! If you want water and food, I'll give it to you. We don't want trouble.”
“Rayna, I don't-”
“Give it to me?” The man's grin widened. “There's no giving. I'll be taking your food, your water, and that man there. Move aside, woman, otherwise you're going to end up dead.”
“Just leave us alone-” Rayna had thought the man was simply bluffing, that he wouldn’t actually go through with what he had said. The sudden sharp pain in her belly told her she had thought wrong. She stumbled back against Serwil, eyes looking down at the knife sticking out of her. Already her tunic was being stained with the red of her blood.
“No!” Serwil’s voice was echoing in her mind as she fell, only to be grabbed and helped down instead. “You bastard!”
“My… pocket…” she gasped. Her hand was still holding on to her knife. She pulled it out and not a moment later she felt it leave her grasp.
“You didn’t have to hurt her,” she heard Serwil say, his voice shaking. “You’re going to regret this. Now die.” There was the sound of someone breaking into a run. Was it Serwil? No, she didn’t think so... A whimper left her as she reached for the knife she had been stabbed with.
Please don’t let me die… Her hand clenched the handle and she pulled upward, a yell escaping her as she yanked it out and let it fall to her side, her now free hand pressing against the escaping blood.
“Rayna?” There was the sound of footsteps nearing her. She blinked as she saw the familiar albeit blurry face. “Oh no, oh no… no, this can’t be happening again!” She felt herself being lifted off the ground. “I need to take care of this… Tell me what to do, Rayna!”
“Wrap… wrap it up,” she managed. “Then… beyond the trees… there’s a village… they have a healer. Take… take me there…”
It was the last place she had ever wanted to see again, but she couldn’t die now. Not when everything was going well for once!
*
“S-Serwil?” He turned instantly, looking down at Rayna. She looked disorientated, as if she had no idea where she was.
“Rayna, you’re awake.” He smiled at her, the relief clear in his voice. It had been two days since she had opened her eyes. His own stung with unshed tears but he let them be, feeling the clenched feeling in his stomach slowly relaxing. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” was her reply. “Where… where are we? What… the man...”
“We’re in a village near the mountain. You told me about it before you passed out…” Serwil reached over, gently touching her hair. “They let me come in, gave us a tent where the healer could come see you. As for the man… he’s not going to bother us anymore. I made sure of it.”
He watched her for any sort of reaction, but it seemed she was still too out of it, her eyes closing once more. He was glad, truth be told. The village chief had not been happy, ready to turn them away. It was only due to the actual healer that they were allowed to stay until she recovered; the old man had refused to send anyone on the brink of death away.
“
You all should be ashamed of yourselves,” he had growled. It seemed most of them did feel a little awkward after that, and the chief had grudgingly given Serwil permission to stay in a tent at the edge of the village. When he’d asked the old healer why the chief hadn’t wanted them here, he had received a rather vague answer about strangers disrupting the balance of the village. It seemed to him that it was something else, however.
There was a shuffling sound outside the tent, followed by a cough. Serwil stood up and walked over to the the flap covering the opening, pulling it back to see the old healer.
“How’s she doing?” he grunted as he stepped in, limping over to the pallet on which Rayna lay.
“She was awake just before you came. She opened her eyes and spoke… she seems tired.”
“Only natural,” was the reply. The old man ignored Serwil thereafter, tending to Rayna. The former hovered about behind the two, though one annoyed look sent him to the other end of the tent where he sat down staring at his hands. All sorts of thoughts were clouding his mind, including the fact that he didn’t know the healer’s name.
It seemed like an eternity when he finally looked up, hearing the sound of protesting joints cracking as the healer got to his feet. “How is she? And uh… may I know your name?”
“She’s getting there,” the healer replied. He smirked slightly at the second question. “Only just thought of asking, huh? Name’s Youmas, but most just call me ‘old man’ or ‘Dada’.” He shrugged his shoulders as he looked back at Rayna. “She called me the same too.”
That statement only incited the curiosity in Serwil; he couldn’t keep himself from commenting. “So, you all do know her.”
“Aye, we do.” Youmas looked around before grumbling about the lack of chairs in the tent. He then sat back down, grunting in pain as he leaned heavily on his hands so that he didn’t fall. “Ahh, there we go.” Sighing, he stretched out his legs, rubbing at the knobbly knees under his trousers.
“I’d offer you a better place to sit but…” Serwil shrugged his shoulders, looking a little concerned for the older man.
“No matter,” Youmas replied, shaking his head. “I’ll be having a word with that idiot Zaini, treating guests this way.”
“We have you to thank for letting us stay.” Serwil sat up straight, resting his hands on his knees as he looked directly at the healer. “I thought she was going to die.”
“She would’ve if I hadn’t step in.” The old man didn’t seem to shy away from telling the truth. “But I wasn’t going to let that happen to her.” His eyes narrowed as he shook his head. “She was one of us not too long ago. Her father… well, he was an old friend of mine. Did me lots of favours before he passed. The least I can to honour him is save his girl’s life.”
Serwil hadn’t expected Youmas to give him such details, but now that he had there was no stopping his questions. “She used to live here? Why did she leave?” He looked to the now closed tent. “From what I’ve seen, it seems nice enough here.”
“It was for a time, until Rayna married Zaini’s son.” The old man’s forehead wrinkled. “Zaini is a good man, a leader… a chief we love and rely on. His son was another matter. Sometimes the fruit of a tree looks sweet but is actually bitter. Of course, no one believed he hurt her... nor did I until she came to me one day, half beaten.” His hands shook, jaw clenching as his teeth gritted against each other. “By this time her father had already passed away. Her mother… well no one quite knew who she was. Her father had simply arrived with her one day, saying she was his daughter. Poor lass had no one anymore. Marriage should have given her a family, a haven. Instead, it was the opposite.”
Serwil’s gaze had turned away from Youmas to Rayna and then to the ground. He felt angry that such a thing had happened to his savior. “She saved me,” he blurted out. “I could have died out there, in the desert. I don’t know how, but she managed to get me to her… to where she stays.”
Youmas raised an eyebrow when Serwil refrained from mentioning where Rayna lived, but he seemed to let it go. “Seems she fixed you up good,” he commented, letting out a breath. “I taught her some of my work. I didn’t know how to stop her husband from beating her… the least I could do was help her deal with the pain.” His jaw clenched once more, head shaking tersely. “I should have done something… should have told Zaini…”
“Where’s he now?” Serwil asked, looking at the old man. “Her husband, I mean?”
“Dead,” Youmas replied, sighing loudly.
“Oh.”
“She killed him,” he added in an offhanded manner, smiling bitterly. “It was bound to happen. It was either him or her, and she chose herself. Just like anyone else would’ve.” Once more he shook his head, seeming saddened by the whole situation. “Chief couldn’t take it. Who could blame him? It was his son. Family’s family, after all.”
“No… I don’t believe that.” Serwil looked at Youmas, eyes dark with feeling. “Good is good and wrong is wrong, no matter who does it. It doesn’t matter whether you share the same blood, whether you're a father or a brother.” His eyes lowered to the ground, glassy as they brimmed with tears that threatened to shed.
“What would you know of that?” The old man didn’t sound like he doubted Serwil, rather it was an honest question.
Serwil simply shook his head. “It’s… it’s not something I like to talk about.”
“Fair enough.” Youmas gave the younger man a sympathetic look before struggling to get back up on his feet.
“Here, let me help you-”
The older man waved off the offered help. “It’d be harder for me and you if I took your help,” he muttered, chuckling a little. “Well, I’ll be back tomorrow morning. If anything happens, send for me.”
As he watched the old man limp away from the tent, Serwil couldn’t help but feel a little enlightened. He wasn’t sure if Rayna would have wanted him to know about her past, but at least now he had a little understanding of why she lived such a secluded life.
He did feel guilty that she didn’t know anything about him. What had happened to him was neither more nor less traumatic than what had happened to her. Sighing softly, he moved closer to where she lay, taking her hand in his after he sat down.
Just watching her breathe was a constant boon to him. She was alive, perhaps not well, but she was alive. He had seen one person he had deeply cared for die before his very eyes. The thought that he could have witnessed another such person leave him in a similar way had brought on such a rage upon him that he hadn’t spared any thought, simply grabbing her knife and slaughtering the man.
“I’m glad you’re still here with us, Rayna.” His voice was barely a whisper as he stared down at her hand in his. “That you’re still here with me. Seeing that happen… I still feel this anger, this fear in me.” He squeezed her hand a little. “The thought that I might not have been able to save you, that you would die too…” His head slumped, the tears he had held back for over a month finally knowing no bound.
“I watched him, Rayna… I watched him kill my best friend, a man who was more a brother to me than my own. And I couldn’t do anything…” His spare hand reached up to cover his streaming eyes. “It’s a cruel world… one that punishes the good and spares the evil beings to continue spreading their filth.”
He felt a slight pressure on his hand and quieted, though he didn't uncover his eyes to look at Rayna, feeling too overwhelmed.
“Why… did your… why did he do that?”
It was a good moment before Serwil finally spoke, lowering his hand from his eyes to look at Rayna. “It was my fault.” His voice was low and flat, eyes closing once more as he reached for any strength within him. She deserved to know after bringing him back to life and nearly dying due to him.
“My father… he is the king and I am his second son. My brother was given this country to rule over in his stead while he stays at the castle. My brother…” He hesitated, eyes looking to the ground. “He is not a nice person, Rayna. He has destroyed villages as if it’s a simple game to him. People… they’re not people, they’re his playthings. I don’t know how this happened to him. People can’t simply be evil… I know that much. Perhaps it was the pressure of ruling, or perhaps he had no guidance.
“My word counted as nothing to him. He calls me little brother, but I know he doesn’t truly believe that. I’m only his half brother. Father remarried when his first wife passed away, and so I was born.” He let out a sigh. “I suppose any young boy would hate to see his mother replaced…” His fists clenched. “It was fine as children, but as we grew older, wiser, I could feel it, the resentment, the hatred towards my mother, towards me. When he called me little brother, there was no familial feeling there… only derision”
He stopped, shaking his head, a sad smile on his lips. “For the longest time I wanted to be close to him, like how I would see other siblings playing with one another. Even as a grown man there was something inside me craving for that sort of closeness. I never thought I would get it until I met my friend. His family had returned to the our city after a long time, having served my father elsewhere.” His hand tightened around Rayna’s. “I’m sorry, you’re here injured and hurting, and I’m just talking about silly childish-”
“It’s not silly, Serwil.” The look in Rayna’s eyes was one of understanding, and perhaps something more. “There is nothing else I can do right now. Besides, I want to know.”
He nodded. “It’s only right that you do,” he said softly. “My friend’s name was Ren. He wasn’t a very big or strong man, but he was fast and good with a bow. We would go hunting together quite often. He was a good man, friendly, a little too carefree perhaps… but I loved it. I loved him. My entire life was filled with stiff people and a brother who hated me. Ren was…” He smiled, taking a breath. “He was like the brother I never had. I often told him that, that I wished I had met him before I had.
“ ‘Everything happens for a reason’, that’s what he’d reply.” Serwil’s free hand dug against his knee. “I don’t know that anymore. There had been no reason to kill him… none except that it was the one thing that would tear my heart apart…”
“You don’t have to continue,” Rayna murmured. She knew very well how painful memories felt.
It was tempting to simply stop, but he knew very well that if he did then he wouldn’t be able to finish later on. “When my father sent my brother Kerwin to rule over this country, I was sent with him. Ren was among the soldiers that accompanied my brother. I don’t know what my father was thinking, but Kerwin wasn’t the kind of man who should lead. He showed no mercy, inciting fear in the towns and villages. Ransacking, burning…” His eyes narrowed, forehead wrinkling as he frowned. “It was painful to watch and yet… I didn’t do anything.
“One day though, I couldn’t stop myself, Rayna. He… There was an orphanage not two days walk from here, on the other side of the mountain.” His eyes darkened, reliving that dreadful memory.
*
Children of all ages, young men and women, and the elderly couple who took care of the orphanage, all were on their knees before Kerwin. It was clear from the looks on their faces that they had heard of what he had done to others who had displeased him. Fear was not a pretty thing to see, but who could really blame them?
“Y-Your Highness-” The old master was cut off immediately by Prince Kerwin.
“I was told you haven’t paid your taxes yet.” He smiled down at the old man, looking quite the handsome man. If one wasn’t acquainted with him, they wouldn’t have believed he was the tyrant others claimed he was. “You know it’s your duty to pay your dues. We grant you security, keeping away the bandits and looters of the desert tribes.”
“Your Highness,” started one of the younger men. “We need more time, please. We can barely feed the young here-” He was cut off as well, but it was by Kerwin’s sword, lashing out like a snake and slicing his throat open.
Screams erupted as the young man fell to his knees, clutching at his throat in vain, bright red blood spurting out of the gaping wound and dripping down his hands onto the dusty ground.
“Silence!” Kerwin’s order was immediately complied with, some of the younger children and even older ones clasping their hands over their mouths to keep from making a sound. “Excuses… oh dear me. What am I going to do when the future is filled with excuse makers?”
He turned around, a hand to his chin, making a show of contemplating. “Little brother! What do you think I should do with these people?”
Kaehl had been sincerely praying his brother would not ask for his opinion. No good ever came from that. His brother wouldn’t listen to him; this was just an opportunity to show how useless he was. Staying silent would do no good either. There was never a good path to take when Kerwin was involved.
“I…” Kaehl looked at the kneeling people, eyes lingering over the silently crying children. “Give them a week, my Prince. I’m sure they will pay you then.”
Kerwin chuckled. “You ask for mercy, little brother? I should have known. Well then… mercy it is.” He tapped at his chin, contemplating some more, and then nodded. “Captain.”
“Yes, Your Highness?” An armoured man stepped forward.
“We must show mercy to these people. Kill them quickly. I want no screaming, we mustn’t scare the horses.”
“What?!” Kaehl looked to Kerwin in disbelief.
Meanwhile, the old man stood up, horror clear on his face. “Your Highness, please!”
“Begging is not pleasant to see.” He turned around just as the captain and his men headed to the people of the orphanage, who in turn tried to run.
“Kerwin, please! This is madness!”
“No,” the prince replied, eyes narrowed as he turned to look at the younger prince. “This is justice. They cannot pay, they speak out of turn, and they expect mercy? They are simply an example I am setting for everyone else.”
“What?” Kaehl spat out. “An example that you’re a cruel, tyrant of a man?”
“Careful, little brother. I don’t like the tone you’re taking with me-”
Kaehl’s fist hit him square in the jaw, causing him to stumble backward.
“You dare hit me?” Kerwin straightened himself, rubbing his face gingerly before speaking. “Men! Grab him!” He smiled coldly. “And bring Ren here as well. I think it’s time my little brother learns a lesson.”
*
Tears were streaming from Rayna’s eyes, watching the man she had come to care about in so much pain. “I’m so sorry, Serwil… I mean, Kaehl-”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m not Kaehl. Not anymore. That name belonged to another man, one who was a prince, the son of a king, the brother of a prince. I’m neither. I reject the thought of being related to that beast of a man, or to a king who would cast a blind eye to his son’s misdeeds.”
He let go of Rayna’s hand, only to reach over and gently wipe the tears from her cheeks. “I’m Serwil, and perhaps I have been Serwil longer than I realized.” His hand moved away from her cheek, only to rest on her hair. “It’s terrible, the way I’ve come to find myself here. There are many regrets I have, many sorrows… but I know now that there’s one bright light before me. You.”
“Serwil…” Rayna looked surprised and a little embarrassed.
“It’s the truth,” he replied, leaning close to her. “You saved my life, you kept me in your home. You had no reason to but you did. For this, I’ll always be in your debt. I’ll always-”
“Serwil.” She had to say it before she lost courage. “I… I think I love you.”
He smiled, resting his forehead lightly against hers. “I know… and I think I love you too.”
*
As always, the sands of times neither hasten nor delay for anyone. It wasn’t long before Rayna could stand once more and move about. She still had to recover though, and Youmas did not wish for her to leave no matter how many times Serwil reassured the old man that he would inform him if anything happened. It seemed as if the healer wished to redeem himself for not having stood up for his friend’s daughter when she had needed him all those days ago.
Rayna wasn’t one to hold a grudge, having known full well that the old man had always wished well for her. “It isn’t his fault,” she had confided to Serwil a fortnight after in being in the village. “I just wish he would understand I’d much rather not be here.”
He, on the other hand, was glad she was somewhere much more comfortable than the cave, where a healer was right at hand. He kept this to himself, however, knowing full well that Rayna would probably sulk from hearing that. Serwil knew why she didn’t want to stay here, but it was no longer the past, and as much as memories were hurtful, they would not kill her like a septic wound might.
Perhaps the person who was most dissatisfied with the arrangement was the chief. Unfortunately, neither Serwil nor Rayna had any warning as to what was about to happen.
*
“Wake up. Wake up!”
Serwil’s eyes shot open and he immediately sat up. He had gone to sleep not more than an hour at most, but even if he had been in deep sleep, that voice would have awoken him. The amount of hate he felt scared him.
Prince Kerwin was standing at the tent entrance, smiling at him. To any stranger, the two looked nearly identical with their long golden hair, green eyes, and fair skin. To Rayna, now awake and on her feet, the difference between the two couldn’t be more pronounced. The prince’s smile was false, his eyes cold.
“Kaehl, my little brother!” Kerwin stepped forward, his arms spread out as if he wished to embrace his brother. Serwil scrambled to his feet, eyes jerking around the room as he tried to find something weapon worthy. “Imagine my surprise when I was told you were mere days from my camp! Do you know how long I have been searching for you?”
“How did you find me?” Serwil’s voice was harsh, not sharing any false pleasantries with the man he hated.
Kerwin laughed, eyes roaming around the tent before resting on Rayna. “The chief of this tribe is an honourable man,” he mentioned, smile widening. “It seems he is rather upset with a certain girl’s return to his village. It didn’t take long for him to realize who you were.” He looked pointedly at Serwil. “Did you think I was just going to forget about you? That man you killed wasn’t the only one I sent out to search for you. Luckily for me, Chief Zaini informed one of my men that someone of your description was here. I thought it was worth investigating personally.”
Serwil was silent, though there was a twitch in his jaw. It was hard to stay still and not simply race forward and attempt to kill the man standing before him, but he couldn’t, not with Rayna there.
The sound of angry yelling could be heard from outside. “It seems some old fool is not happy.” Kerwin smirked, his eyes moving from Rayna to linger on Serwil. “Let’s see what I can do to give him peace, hm?”
It was as if a cold hand had touched his spine. “Kerwin, no, don’t hurt-”
The prince chuckled. Then, he reached out and grabbed Rayna’s arm. “You will come with me, girl. And you too, Serwil.” Without waiting for an answer, he turned around and marched out of the tent, pulling Rayna behind him.
“No! No, don’t hurt her!” In his frantic state Servil rushed forward, stumbling over Rayna’s pallet and falling to his knees. He didn’t wait, immediately getting back to his feet and rushing out of the tent. By then Kerwin had already moved to the side, still holding on tightly to Rayna’s arm. She seemed to be trying to pull herself out of his grasp, though not quite succeeding.
Before them were a few soldiers holding Youmas, the old man’s eyes blazing in anger. “Zaini, you fool!” The chief of the tribe wasn’t there, however. “Not once, but twice you betray your own!”
“Now, now, old man.” Kerwin he looked down at the healer. “That’s no way to talk about your leader. I take offence on his behalf.”
“Then you’re as much a fool as he is!” Youmas glared defiantly at the prince.
“No Youmas, don’t-” Serwil’s warning was too late, however. One of the soldiers holding the old man had already pulled out a knife; it took only Kerwin’s nod for the knife to slice at the old man’s face, leaving open a raw cut.
Rayna screamed, her free hand reaching for the old man. “Dada! No! Don’t kill him!”
“Now, now, don’t play with an old man.” Kerwin smiled at Rayna. “Worry not, my dear, I’m not a cruel man.” He snatched the knife from the soldier with his free hand.
“Rayna” Youmas sputtered, “shade, shade of the-” He was unable to continue whatever he was saying as Kerwin kicked him right in the stomach.
“Kerwin!” Serwil was shocked at the amount of anger in his voice when he yelled his brother’s name. His wet eyes jerked from the prince to Rayna, now on the ground, weeping as she tried to crawl over to the fallen healer. “You will pay!”
The words only just left his mouth when he felt his arms being grabbed from behind by not one but two pairs of hands. He tried to yank himself away, resulting in nothing more than being kicked in the back of his legs, whereafter he fell to his knees.
“Little brother, it pains me that I must punish you again so soon after reuniting.” Despite his words, there was a smile on his face. “Well, it has been a long day and night has already fallen. I believe I require a little food and rest…” His smile widened. “And perhaps a girl. Yes, this one here should do very well. Come along, girl!”
“No, not Rayna, please-”
“Take him away,” Kerwin ordered. “And for goodness’ sake, tie him up this time.”
It was no use. Fight as he might, Serwil wasn’t strong enough to fight the two men holding him along with the rest of Kerwin’s soldiers. “Rayna…” His voice broke as he watched the prince yank her arm, forcing him after her as he walked to tent specially raised for him.
“Up!” He was forcibly brought up to his feet and then pushed forward. There wasn’t really any reason to push him. He was visibly defeated and had no fight left in him…
“Serwil!” The whisper broke him out of his extended state of stupor. He had been tied outside the village to a tree, close enough to see the lanterns flickering but too far to take any comfort from their light.
He looked up, eyes narrowed as they focused on the person talking to him.
No, I’m just dreaming this…
“Focus, Serwil, focus!” Even in a whisper, the sharp voice was familiar.
“Rayna?” Mouth agape, his eyes were now wide as he stared at her. “You’re… he let you-”
“He’s dead,” she muttered, pulling a knife from her pocket. Without another word, she started slicing at his ropes.
“But… how?”
*
She had known there was nothing Serwil could do, not in this situation. Not only that, she couldn’t guarantee that Youmas would be spared if she did anything but follow the prince’s orders. She couldn’t bear the thought of the old man being hurt even worse, killed on her account.
Especially after he had given her the solution.
Rayna knew what Kerwin wanted. Killing her would give Serwil pain, but eventually it would fade. Keeping her and using her like a common slave girl would cause a never ending anger and pain, an ongoing lesson to continuously rub in his little brother’s face.
The tent was comfortably furnished for the prince, including a lush bed with cushions along with food and wine set on a table to the side. “Go now,” he ordered his soldiers, giving them a wink. “Have your try at the local foods and wine. Women too.”
Rayna stiffened at his words, and this was noticed by Kerwin. “Only those who aren’t paired, mind you.” He grinned at her. “No one shall call me a separator of man and wife. And you, my dear, I know are not wed. You killed your husband, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “So I was told.” Kerwin chuckled as he finally let her go, reclining on the bed. “I know you won’t run. You look like a smart girl, and smart girls know what happens to those they love when they displease me.” He winked at her before nodding to the table. “Bring me something to drink, girl. We are going to have a long night. Might as well start it with something sweet, at least at the beginning.”
“Yes sir,” Rayna replied, her voice shaking slightly. She walked to the table, her back facing Kerwin as she took hold of a pitcher of wine, carefully pouring it into a goblet.
As she did, she recalled Youmas’ words. Thank you, Dada. Shade of the night was a deadly poison she had learned of when she still lived in the village. It had been a last attempt to help her when she feared her life was in danger due to her husband. She had never used it, her husband having succumbed to a knife instead. All those months it remained in her pocket, safely tucked away in the form of a round pill.
Her one hand reached into her pocket, while the other hand picked up some dates from a tray. As she dropped the pill in the wine, she set the dates in a bowl.
“Per-perhaps Your Highness would like to eat something first?” Rayna turned and walked back to Kerwin, holding both the goblet and the bowl of dates. The pill dissolved quickly, but a little extra time to make sure wouldn’t hurt.
Kerwin raised an eyebrow before reaching out and taking a date. “Yes, lovely, quite fresh. I hate the desert, but I must admit these are quite delightful. As is the date wine made here.” He looked pointedly at the wine, nodding his head. Taking this as her cue, Rayna held the cup out for him to take, lowering her head in a semblance of respect. It was hard not to watch as the prince took a long sip of the wine.
“Mmm, delicious, a little extra spicy I believe.” His grin had a leery air. “Much like the desert girls, I hear.” Saying that, he grabbed Rayna by the arm, yanking her over to him. His hands roamed over her, taking several liberties as his lips pressed against her neck.
Rayna cringed inwardly, eyes shutting in disgust. Not… long…
It felt like hours later though it was not more than a couple of minutes before she heard him begin to cough. His hands remained on her even after he removed his mouth from her, trying to catch his breath.
“More wine?” she asked, turning in his lap, a soft smile on her face.
Kerwin nodded, reaching a hand out for the goblet, but another coughing fit kept him from being able to take hold of his drink.
“Oh dear…” The smile lingered on Rayna’s lips. Her mind was working fast, however. The last thing she needed was someone coming in to check on the prince. She grabbed a cushion from behind him and brought it down on his face. He was already choking; she was simply expediting the inevitable.
*
“I killed him.” Rayna finally cut the ropes tying Serwil to the tree. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters except that we leave here. No one knows what has happened yet, and they won’t know for a while. His men are off drinking and whoring. Come morning and they will know what I’ve done.”
Serwil stood up shakily. “You shouldn’t have had to bear the burden, Rayna. I’m sorry. I failed you twice-”
Rayna placed her hands on either side of his face, eyes dark as they bore into his. “That is all the past, Serwil. Right now… we must leave.” She paused a moment before leaning close, pressing her lips against his in a brief but heartfelt kiss. “I love you Serwil, and the last thing I want is for you to hurt again.”
“I should be the one saying that to you.”
“It doesn’t matter who says what to whom,” Rayna replied, smiling at him. “The feeling will always be mutual. It only matters that we’re alive and together.”
“Youmas…”
Rayna’s lips trembled a little. “He… he’ll understand. It’s better like this, Serwil. They can’t blame him or hurt him for our escape. Come now… please.” She took hold of his hand, leading him away from the trees to the village stables, where both the soldiers’ horses as well as the villagers steeds were housed.
“Kerwin won’t be missing his horse,” Serwil muttered. He instantly recognized his brother’s prized horse, a strong black mare who was docile enough to take the brunt of his whip. “Up you go, Rayna.” He couldn’t help but look over his shoulder more than once, scared that the stable-hand may come, even though it was late enough at night that anyone without nefarious plans would be asleep.
It wasn’t long before he too was on the horse, his arms around Rayna as he held the reins. It had been a while since he rode a horse, but a lifetime’s practice wasn’t shed due to a two-month forced hiatus. He slowly rode the horse to the mountain range, stopping just outside the entrance of Rayna’s cave.
“I wonder if things would have been different if I had simply stayed inside.” He shook his head, letting out a soft breath.
“Your brother would have found us eventually,” Rayna replied, looking back at him.
“Not my brother.” Serwil pressed his forehead against her hair. “Never my brother. I have no family except you.”
Rayna was quiet as she laid her hand over his, squeezing gently. “That is more than fine by me, Serwil,” she finally murmured. Lifting his hand, she pressed her lips against it.
“Let’s go, my love.”