Kingdom Born

Chapter 10: The Consequence of Mercy

I could do nothing but clench my teeth and kick at the bed with anger. Karl was somewhere being used like a brothelman and there was nothing I could do about it. Screaming out my fury did nothing but make my throat raw. Misha. It all came back to Misha Righthander and the charity that I had shown her ten years ago. "Goddess damn you for breathing!" I screamed at the ceiling. "And damn me for letting you live."

Memories rushed around me. It was like all the hardships and joy that I had lived through never existed. Since that day ten years ago when I created a dreadful enemy and lost a stalwart friend. I could still feel the sense of betrayal and helplessness as the young man who was new to Sandshore, James Miller, muttered out the name of his rapist. The shattered look on his face was enough to convince even the most stubborn councillor that his spoke the truth.

I wanted to scream out that it couldn't be Misha. But then she had been changing lately, almost the same time as the strange ships were beginning to dock in the harbour. There were a couple of times that she had reeked of bittergrass and she told tasteless, hurtful jokes, but she hadn't changed that much.

The sky was a palette of pink and gold as the hand-picked Garrison guard marched down to the Seahawk and Raven Tavern where Misha was usually found. The tavern was deathly silent when we marched in. There she sat in the middle of the room hunched over a stein of beer. Captain Ironwood marched right up behind Misha with her sword drawn and ready for defiance.

"Misha Righthander, you are accused of rape. Please stand and come with us."

I held my breath as Misha slowly rose and turned toward us. Her face was ripped open and bloody by four diagonal gouges that started near her eye and ended at her mouth. Just like James had said marked the woman who assaulted him. I wanted to die.

"Get moving" The Captain nailed Misha in the side of the head with her sword hilt. No one, not even I, moved to help Misha to her feet. Blood was dripping down her face making her look like a unrecognizable demon.

It seemed like everyone in the village had tried to shove their way into the Council Chambers to watch the trial. Nothing like this had happened in Sandshore in recent memory. The Laws of the Goddess were followed strictly here.

The trial was over so quickly. Misha was dragged before the Council and listened to the charges. She said nothing. She just stood there, staring up at the Judge's podium. "How do you plead?"

Misha said nothing.

I stood at a doorway blocking entrance with a long spear but my mind was focused on my blood sister. Why? Don't let it be true. I wanted to scream, "Don't let it be true," but I said nothing and she said nothing.

James was brought in. The whole building tensed. You could feel the anticipation and dread in the room. James took one look at Misha and began screaming. My neck hair stood on end at his chilling voice. His cry was something almost inhuman with fear and pain.

"Guilty!" The Judge pronounced. "The sentence is banishment for life."

"No!" Misha's voice cut through the babble of the crowd.

The crowd hushed silent again. I strained to see over the heads of about seven rows of spectators. What was going on?

"I won't leave my home." Her voice was firm and resolute.

"Then you contest the judgment of the Council."

"I contest the sentence.”

"Your crime is something so hideous that I can't even bare to look at you. For a woman to prey on a man is beneath disgust. I would sentence you to death if I could."

"Then why don't you?"Misha stood tall, her face mottled with bruises and dried blood.

The crowd's muttering erupted again. People began to push at my spear blockade. I was hard pressed to stand my ground. More guards joined me on either side and pushed the crowd back.

"It is against the Law of the Goddess."

"I will not be turned away from my home. Since you find me guilty you should be able to set aside the Laws. I was born in Sandshore and I will die here."

The High Elder turned to her peers and all twelve councillors stepped back away from the table. The crowd pushed forward again. Much more suspense and there would be a riot in these small chambers.

Minutes stretched into hours. Finally the High Elder returned to her podium.

"By your words you are contesting the judgement of the Council..." Misha opened her mouth but the judge motioned her to silence. "Still you offer no words of defense..."

Misha stood still - a proud figure in the midst of blur.

"So, as my advisors have counselled me on events of the past, the judgement will be based on the outcome of a duel. The Goddess will preserve the honourable - for a woman who did such a crime has no honour. If you are guilty you will be defeated; if you are innocent the Goddess will protect you."

"You will have the choice of the duelling weapons. The Council will choose your opponent."

Misha nodded in agreement, "Swords."

Why? I turned my head back to the pushing mob. Misha had proven herself to be less than passable in the sword drills that all girls were required to learn at school. Her talents lay in merchant work.

"Then we will leave Sword Master Longsword to choose your opponent."

My mother rose from her place in the first row facing the Council. She was still striking -- her red hair was still gleaming through the heavy silver that was changing it to the respectfulness of age. Her ceremonial armour shone in the bright torchlight. She was like a beacon in the crowd.

"Will my choosing be questioned?"

"You are well reasoned. We will accept your decision." The High Elder returned bowing her head respectfully.

"I choose Phara Longsword - First Daughter of the Blade."

I could feel the eyes of my sister guards centre in on me. I blanched. Mother knew that Misha and I were bonded by blood. Only the Goddess knew how many times Misha had slept over in our house. "Come forward Daughter Longsword."

I pulled my spear brace back from the crowd, turned and made my way down the narrow stairwell between the crowded seats. Eyes turned into me, but none were so caustic as those of my blood sister.

I bowed to the Council in respect for their age and wisdom, the to my mother as her position as Sword Master was also something worthy of consideration. She leaned forward to return the bow and whispered, "Accept the responsibility."

"She's my sister." I hissed back hurt and angry over being placed in this situation.

"Anyone else will toy with her before putting her to death. Show her some of the love that you hold for her - give her a quick death."

I turned and faced the Council.

"Daughter Longsword, do you accept the responsibility that this position demands of you? Can you perform the Goddess's work without prejudice and to the best of your ability?"

The weight of it was enough to pain my heart. I looked over at Misha. Her face was as pained as I felt. Any other Daughter would want Misha to suffer for the crime she was accused of, whether she did it or not.

"Daughter..."

"I can, High Elder."

Misha turned her face away from me.

I wanted to scream at her, "I did it for you. Please understand." But I said nothing. I couldn't even look at her.

I didn't expect to be led out into the training yard inside the Garrison right from the Council Chambers. The training yard was restricted to the Garrison and Council members. I didn't envy the guards who were on duty to make sure that the civilians didn't get into the compound.
Mother led me into a human ringed circle and handed me a short sword. "Make it quick and clean."

"The High Elder said that the Goddess would protect the innocent..."

She looked across the ring at Misha who was being handed a weapon of her own. "Even if Misha were innocent and the Goddess smiled on her and disarmed you, she wouldn't last a night in the streets. If she took banishment the Guard could have hustled her out and put her on a ship. She could have made herself a new life in a new town. She won't leave. You have no choice."

"I can't kill her."

"You must know that she can't live here now. We gave her the chance to leave," Mother gripped my shoulder with a rough hand. "Do what you must."

The High Elder raised her hands in the dimming day sky. The horizon was fiery red with the fading suns' rays clawing its way back up into the sky in a futile attempt to stay. A hush fell over everyone.

"May the Goddess protect the innocent. Begin."

Misha and I just stood there staring at each other. Her eyes were bright with a fever. I felt sick to my stomach. She screamed and rushed at me sword flailing wildly. Even a first year trainee knew better than that. I brought my sword up to block her blows, then side stepped as she careened by. I could have cut her across the back and ended it there but I couldn't. There was no justice here.

The crowd around us yelled out obscenities at her and encouragements to me. She whirled around and glared at me. "Fight me, damn you!"

She came at me with clumsy attacks, her wrists limp and her force without power. I back stepped away keeping my sword ready.

"Goddess!" She lunged at me dropping her sword and grabbing at my arms with her bare hands. I could have skewered her through her ribcage - just underneath the lower ribs and angled up to pierce the heart. I could have...instead I dropped my blade and wrestled with her to the sand.

"Did you do it?"

Misha closed her hand around my braid and pulled, "If you have to ask you're no sister of mine." She punched me in the bridge of the nose. Pain shot into my head. My eyes watered. She scrambled away. I rolled over in the direction I had dropped my sword. My hands found it and brought it around to face her. The point of it wavered less than a hairs' width away from her exposed neck.

The yard dropped to silence. My eyes still stung but in theory this battle was over. "Don't make me kill you."

"Do what you have to, Phara." Misha tensed her muscles as if she were getting ready to launch another attack.

I raised the blade over her neck then stepped in and kicked her in the face. Her head snapped back and she toppled over backwards on the sand and lay still. I kicked the sword away from her hands then turned to face the High Elder. "I have won."

There was a long silence before the High Elder returned, "The Goddess has been wise."

I wiped the tears from my eyes and knelt on the cool sand. "The Goddess has been merciful as well...Let her be banished."

The High Elder stared down at me. I let the sword fall from my hands to show that I wasn't going to be carrying out the decreed sentence. Sweat tricked down the back of my neck as I waited for the High Elder's response. "So be it."

How could I have been so wrong?


It felt like I lay on the bed for hours -- it was more likely minutes before the heavy door to the chamber swung open again. A grey haired man entered and set Isaac on guard at the door. Hair hung down in my face and I had to flick my head just to see what was happening. The man grabbed my ankles. I tensed up intending to kick him but then I heard the click of a lock. The cuffs fell off my legs. He rolled me onto my chest and released my hands. My arms felt like lead.

"Who are you?"

"No one to be concerned about." He returned, keeping his voice at a whisper.

"What do you want?" I rolled over and sat up, rubbing at my rash red wrists.

"You're a warrior?" He fixed glassy eyes on me. He was blind. "Yes."

"Can you get out of this compound?"

"I have no idea where I am, Elder."

"None of that language here, missy. You know the Golden Palace?"

Tingles were coursing up and down my arms, stinging me with life. It felt good. "I've heard of it. It's on the highest hill in Coveport."

"You're not from here, are you. Your words have a light accent."

"Sandshore."

He nodded more to himself than anyone else. "Then you're the one, we want. Can you get out of here?"

"Most likely. Fortifications are meant to keep people out, not in."

"Good. Take Isaac with you."

"What?" Both Isaac and I spoke at the same time. Isaac shut the door and crossed over to the blind man. "She'll need a guide and you need to get out of here."

Isaac turned and grabbed at the older man's arm. "You need me. I don't want to leave you."

The man shook Isaac's hold free, "Warrior, take this child with you if you still love the Goddess."
I laid a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "I will. I promise this on my life and service to the Goddess. Where is my husband?"

The man's shoulders slumped. "They took him away not more than an hour ago. He has proven his worth to the High Mistress and she has claimed him as her own. She took him to her house outside of the Palace. I don't know where it is."

I had a hard battle to fight to force aside my frenzy and anger to make way for the calm needed to reason and plan. The words of our wedding promise - to protect from this day forward - battered at my head and heart. I had failed him. "Who's the High Mistress."

"Misha Righthander."

The hard won calm was nearly dropped.

The old man continued, "Take the boy, he grew up in the city and knows his way around."
"Come with us." The boy grabbed onto the man's arm as if he was afraid to let go.

"No...I'm too old and will slow you down. Help her get through the city. You'll remember the blocks. Head for your oldest sister's place, we've heard that she's still been asking about you. You'll be safe there." He pulled off the boy's hand and gestured toward me, "He's too young right now but, I don't want him proving himself to these women."

I agreed with him wholeheartedly, "No man should."

"The night should be heavy on us now. Take care leaving, Captain."

Pausing, I looked back at him, "Come with us."

He shook his head. "Go, as an Elder I tell you to go."

Isaac gestured from the door. I grasped the man's shoulder and then crossed to the room and peered out into the corridor. Apparently they thought chains were enough. There were no guards to be found at all.

An ember exploded behind us in the fireplace and Isaac flinched at the sound. I had no idea what he had been put through but I could assume that it was the same as the men we had rescued from the Badlanders. Was it only a week ago?

I hated the dress that I was strapped into -- it made moving harder and cut into my waist more than I liked. My hands flexed and moved easily to all my commands now that the tingling sensation was gone.

I stepped out into corridor and listened for any noise. Footsteps. I had to push Isaac back into the room. "Someone's coming. Take the Elder across the room."

Isaac scurried forward and lead the blind man across the room to the protection of the mantle. There was no weapon to be found. The footsteps came closer...I crossed the room, grabbed the silver tray Isaac had brought and stepped up behind the door. It sounded like a single person - there would be only one to take out. Armed only with a tray, I was grateful. I would have only surprise to my advantage.

The door creaked open and Sanderson stepped in. This would have to be a quick blow. I didn't doubt that I could best him with swords if it came down to sword play, but the only sword there was the one around his waist. He should have been totally unprepared for my attack. He moved faster than I expected. My throat clenched tight as I only brushed the back of his head. He stumbled forward and I followed changing grips to make my tray into an edged weapon. The tray vibrated in my hands as he blocked the blow with a forearm. His eyes were glazed slightly.

I brought my foot up and caught him in the stomach. My foot got tangled in my long skirts and I nearly toppled over. One handed I brought the tray down hard in a backhand across his face. Sanderson's eyes rolled up into his head, then he flattened out on his back, still. I dropped the tray, drew his boot dagger free, then felt for a pluse. Strong and steady. It would have been easy to take out my frustration Misha on this kingdom man, but he was just a pawn in her game of revenge. I looked longingly at the broadsword he carried, then stood up. It would be of no real use to me here. The weight of it would be a hazard rather than a benefit.

There was not a single shred of remorse in my heart as I looked down at Sanderson's still body. How easy it was to get wrapped up in Misha's lies but then she had always been a better weaver of tales than I. Besides, revenge on innocents was not the way of the Goddess.

"Is he dead?" Isaac looked at me with eyes huge and frighten¬ed. I had been upgraded to the level other women had forced him to obey. I felt sick. Still, I could use it to benefit both of us.

"No, he'll have a headache but he'll be fine. Stay behind me. If there happens to be any fighting fall on the floor and lay there. Don't crawl around because I might step on you. Don't get up unless I tell you. Do you understand?" My tone had easily dropped back into the pattern of Captain of the Guard.

"Yes Mistress."

I flinched at that address. Deliberately, I softened my voice, as if I was calming Kyle after a nightmare, "Phara. Call me Phara."

The grey haired man hugged Isaac tightly then pushed him in my direction. "Go quickly. I'll make sure that the Captain isn't found for a while."

Holding the dagger at my side I slipped out of the room followed by a slip of a shadow into the corridors where my enemies waited.