Benedict watched the smoke billow skywards from the balcony of his chambers. Atomas body had been wrapped in cloth separate from his head and both placed on the pyre which had been lit and now burned furiously.The pyre had been built in the palace square and few people came to watch. The absence of many spectators attested to what Raeme had said. The people’s disappointment regarding ignoring the superstition was voiced by their absence.Benedict questioned whether he had done the wrong thing in ignoring Raeme but then pushed the thought aside. The people would forget soon enough and all would return to normal. They would learn that their superstitions were unfounded. The wind changed direction then and drove the smoke and stench of burning flesh towards Benedict. He cursed as his eyes began to water and the repugnant smell reached his nose. Even now, Atomas seemed to cling to Benedict. He closed the door to his balcony to shut out the smoke and stench. It was too late. The stench li
A knock at Benedict’s chamber door startled him from his reverie where he stood looking at the remains of Atomas funeral pyre.“Come in!” he called.The chamber doors opened and guards entered leading the former Queen Hester. “Your highness. The lady Hester as ordered.”“Thank you,” Benedict replied not removing his gaze from the funeral pyre. When he heard the doors close behind the guards, Benedict turned to face Hester. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t. He had never seen Hester until now. She curtsied and bowed her head in respect. “Your Highness.”Benedict heard no sarcasm or malice in her voice. She showed respect to the man who had killed her husband and taken the kingdom from her family less than a day ago. She was clearly well schooled in politics and matters of the court.He nodded to Hester and crossed to her coming to a halt before her. He looked down at Hester. He had never seen a woman more beautiful in all his life.He held out his hand and she gave him hers. H
Benedict studied Hester. She seemed concerned but he saw little or no sadness on her face at the confirmation of her husband’s death.“Forgive me for prying, but you do not seem too saddened at the passing of Atomas.”Hester looked at Benedict. “It is no secret that our marriage was nothing but a convenience in the end. The love that began it all waned a long time ago when he chose…….,” Hester seemed to search for the correct word,” ……..others, to share his bed. I am saddened by his passing. I loved him and always will. There are things that make us love people and despite their faults we shall always love them for what it is that makes us love them. But I prepared myself for his passing since this morning and distance betwe
Alysin did not speak but rounded the fire and came to sit next to Samnom. She reached out and took his hands in hers. She sat cross legged before him and he assumed the same posture. She closed her eyes and started mouthing words he could not hear. As he watched, her hands began to glow. The glow spread to his hands and then crept up his arms. Sensing his nervousness, Alysin tightened her grip ever so slightly assuring him everything was fine.The glow was accompanied by pleasant warmth and Samnom watched it creep up his arms. It disappeared inside his tunic and he felt the warmth spread over his whole body. The glow emerged from his tunic at his legs and moved down to his feet. Whatever was happening was having a healing effect on him. He felt the pain from the blows he had received receding until it was gone altogether.
Hester’s thoughts wandered to Alexa. She wondered where she was and where she was hiding. Hester doubted that Alexa could have left the city on her own. She had to be hiding in the city and keeping a very low profile. And yet the city had been nothing short of ransacked without her being found. She hoped that resuming her activities would encourage Alexa to return and know that she would be free.Following her disappearance, it had become known that she had a boyfriend outside the palace. The palace guards had descended on his home like vultures. His parents had been brought to the palace. They were old and frail and pleaded innocence. They did not know where Alexa and their son, Peter, had gone.When it had become clear that Benedict did not intend to release them, Hester had pleaded with him for their release. She had pledged her life on her belief of their innocence and Benedict had finally agreed to let them go. She had thought Benedict to be a reasonable man but the experience wit
Benedict brought up the matter of Estor. He had heard of the superstitions regarding the aftermath of a convicted prisoner’s death. He wanted to see it changed.“You refer to Estor my Lord. I am afraid he took his life yesterday. Faced with bankruptcy and ruin he chose to depart this life.”Benedict nodded with disappointment. “What of his family and his assets?”“His wife passed a few years ago. He has two children and they are gone. We do not know where. Perhaps they will present themselves to an orphanage soon. His property has been returned to the Guild’s ownership to dispose of and settle his debts. He was bankrupt accor
“Get out,’ he said flatly. “You must leave. They will come for you and I cannot help you. They will seek retribution. You cannot fight them all. I cannot understand how you did this.” His father had looked for a weapon almost endlessly since he had returned yet he could find none. The only weapon he could see was Samnom’s hands covered in blood which was splattered in his hair, on his face, his clothes and all over the shop. He had never believed his son could do such a thing.“Get out!” he repeated. More urgently now. Louder.Samnom stood and picked up the backpack. “I’m sorry father. I never meant to…&rd
Gelyn entered Benedict’s chambers. She curtsied and bowed her head as the doors were closed behind her.“Come in Lady Gelyn.”Gelyn moved deeper into Benedict’s chambers taking small steps as she tried to measure the mood of King Benedict. She was confused as to the purpose of this meeting. Since Atomas death she had kept a low profile not wishing to be or to become a loose end of Atomas’ legacy. Her summons to appear before King Benedict suggested that she had not succeeded.Gelyn stopped just beyond Benedict’s reach. “Your majesty?”Benedict indicated that Gelyn should be seated. “Please. Have a seat.” He sat opposite Gelyn and took the opportunity to study her as she sat and made herself comfortable.She had a beauty all her own. If one thing could be said about Atomas, he had excellent taste in women. Having seen Hester, he had not been able to understand why Atomas would have wanted another woman. But seeing Gelyn made him understand. Her crystal green eyes shone brightly from a p