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“I beg the king’s pardon but if I may be so bold?” A familiar snide male voice interrupted the high priestess.
A man with sleek blond hair stepped forward from the group of nobles crowded around closest to the royal dais.
Lord Agravaine Emrys.
I clenched my jaw as I watched him approach. Lord Agravaine was my brother’s closest advisor and could be counted on to have the king’s ear. As he stepped up to address Arthur, there was a small smile playing about his lips as if he found everything taking place secretly amusing.
My brother waved a hand.
“No matter how much Your Highness may wish to be merciful, I beg you not to let a weak-hearted woman sway your sense of justice–” I glanced at Galahad and saw his mouth was grim. How dare Agravaine refer to the high priestess in such a way. “It is an unfortunate fact, but the common people grow more and more bold. Theft becomes more rampant every day in the markets. And, as you yourself have noted, the boy’s...unfortunate lineage...marks him out as being all too easily disposed to deception and trickery. Your guards have confirmed the boy acted as a spy. Therefore, trust your sound judgment, my king. A harsh and swift retribution is the only deterrent these people will understand.”
I watched Merlin’s eyes narrow. She seemed prepared to say more, but Arthur was already nodding as Lord Agravaine stepped modestly back into the crowd. “I thank you, good Lord Agravaine, High Priestess. As always, your wise counsel proves invaluable.”
Merlin nodded respectfully and resumed her place on the throne beside Arthur.
“Two paths have been suggested, but it is the harsher one we must follow today,”my brother continued, fixing his face in a solemn expression. “For the good of the realm, for the good of all of Pendrath, proper justice must be meted out. And it must be done swiftly. Death is the only fitting punishment for such a conniving and miserable creature.”
There were gasps from the crowd and I felt my hands start to shake. We had witnessed cruel punishments before in the Great Hall, but this... This was something both harsher and infinitely more final.
I longed to push my way through the crowd, to run to Arthur and speak up as Merlin had done.
But I knew my brother. I was only too aware of my own precarious position in the court. I knew it would be of no use.
The leader of the group of guards stood looking confused. He hesitated, glancing back and forth between the boy and his king.
“Now, guard.” Arthur’s lips thinned in displeasure. “Your king has spoken. Judgment is to be executed swiftly.”
For a split second, the guard gaped, realizing just what he was being told to do. Then his mouth closed and he nodded.
Beside me I could feel Galahad trembling. I gripped his arm reassuringly but refused to look away.
The guard drew his sword from its scabbard and stepped forward to where the boy sat in resigned silence, his head hanging down.
The blade hissed through the air.
I saw the spray of blood.
Some of the courtiers were standing too close for comfort. Screams of shock and titillation went up as the blood splattered their fine garments.
“Silence,” Arthur bellowed. He rose and gazed down at the boy’s decapitated body lying on the bed of roses and reeds, then nodded and smiled slightly as if it was all exactly as it should be.
He turned and left the dais.
I finally allowed myself to look at my younger brother Kaye’s face, then wished I had not. He was pale and looked as if he might faint. I cursed under my breath and stepped forward, but Galahad grabbed my arm and pointed.
Merlin had risen from her seat again. Moving quickly to Kaye she crouched beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm. Whatever she was saying, her words seemed gentle. I watched Kaye nod and felt a wave of relief.
Of course, Kaye was also a prince of Pendrath and second in line to the throne. It was in Merlin’s best interests to have his favor–and his gratitude. It was in her best interests to know his weaknesses as well.
Still, I was grateful for the gesture of kindness, no matter what the motives were.
“That was...unexpected,” Galahad said from beside me.
I turned to him. He looked as sickened as I felt.
“I thought a severe sentence of some kind, yes. But the boy had already been whipped and...” He trailed off.
“Not death, no,” I said quietly. “Death on a trumped up charge. What purpose could it have served?”
