An Inescapable Sentence

Grandmother and I rode in a separate carriage from the queen, despite her insistence.

Sir Michael went with her as well, having had a conversation with my grandmother and leaving with a foul expression on his face. He regarded me in our usual manner, but he said nothing, leaving in silence.

Grandmother said nothing as well, which surprised me. She usually spoke to me whenever she was annoyed or had concerns. I felt extremely distraught, but I hid my emotions with a straight face, choosing to think about what Sir Michael had told me.

Like my grandmother, I was no religious fanatic. I found the rumors amusing, but I didn't take them seriously. Why would they even try to open a gateway to another world when we couldn't go a year without conflicting with one another?

What concerned me was the state they found their bodies in. I wanted to believe it had been the work of a crazed killer and the gruesome scene had been exaggerated. But Sir Michael thought it was something more than that. And that worried me the most.

"What did Michael tell you?" Grandmother finally said, breaking the ice. She looked pale, but she did her best to offer me a smile.

"Something about failed rituals north of Kasavia," I shrugged.

"The queen mentioned the same thing," she nodded. "Quite an unfortunate turn of events. But was that all he told you?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Yes, it was. Was there something else?"

She looked at me but looked away just as fast. "Never mind it then."

"Grandmother-"

"It's nothing, Miles. Everything is going to be fine."

'Everything is going to be fine?'

The words sent chills down my spine. Was there something Sir Michael had left out when he was informing me of the panic among people all around the world? Or did it have to do with the king? I had a feeling it was the latter, but I chose not to press her further. I'll try again when we got home.

For the rest of the journey, no one said a word. Since the dream I had in the morning, I had been feeling something terrible was about to happen. It didn't help that all the adults tried to mask the problems with a smile. I guessed they didn't think I was old enough to handle whatever was going on.

We arrived at the town square in just ten minutes, which was a relief to me. I couldn't bear the awkward silence any longer. The carriage man didn't charge us a thing because the queen had paid him off before we left. I slid off the carriage seat and waited for Grandmother to get off as well.

Once she was down, we both headed towards the growing crowd flocking into an ample, open space. In the middle was a large oak tree acting as shade and something for people to climb up to catch better glimpses of the royal family. A few people had already scaled up the tree, cheering as the queen mounted a small stage that had been quickly set up upon hearing the King was on his way.

The wooden structure had already been pre-made, so it had just been carried from the workshop where it had been made. The carpenter refused to leave it in the town square after the first one he made was devoured by termites, which nearly resulted in an accident that would have gotten him killed.

Although he had left the castle earlier than we had, the King was nowhere to be seen. Despite his crazed actions, he was never late to public events such as this one. I assumed he had been held up, but what was so important he didn't put it off till another time?

The crowd whispered in annoyance, all wondering the same thing. One claimed the King was late because his head was halfway up some harlot's ass. Another speculated he had killed his coachman for an unknown reason.

"Come with me, Miles," Grandmother said, ushering me away from the crowd.

She looked as annoyed as everyone else, but I sensed something else beneath her frown. I opened my mouth to question her, sick of the silence, when the crowd burst into action. I turned my head toward the podium to see the King, walking up the steps with two of his guards close behind him. There was one more person as well, but his appearance made me freeze on the spot.

On the stage, beside the royal family and their guards, stood the man who had taken Grandmother and me up to the castle. He looked around the crowd as if searching for something. I wanted to duck my head and hide, but his eyes fell on me, a cynical smile creeping to his lips.

"Miles." Grandmother placed her hands on my shoulders and faced me, blocking the man from my sight. "It's going to be alright."

I stumbled away from her, unable to mask my tears. All of a sudden, I realized what was about to happen. "Alright? You're going to die!"

She gave me a small smile and nodded. "I'm sorry this is happening, my boy. You will have to carry on without me."

"You're the only one I have left!" I yelled, drawing attention to myself immediately. I threw my hands over my mouth, but it was already too late. The King had fixed his eyes on us.

"I was looking for you, Lady Liana," he called, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Why don't you head up here and join me?"

Grandmother gave me a sad look and turned away, heading up the podium in silence. I tried to stop her, but she wrenched my hand away, giving me a look that said she'd handle it herself. I wanted to scream and protest, but the words were stuck in my throat.

Murmurs spread across the crowd as she stood beside the King. They had no idea what was going on, but they were going to find out in a matter of seconds.

"This woman here has spoken ill of me on two accounts," The King started, spreading his arms as he spoke. "This man here," he pointed at the coachman, "witnessed her act of treason and decided to report it to me."

"My love-" the queen tried to cut him off, but a deathly glare from him was all it took to shut her up.

"Imagine if this woman, who holds so much spite towards me yet works under your lovely queen, decides to raise a hand against me someday?" The crowd responded with jeers. "Such an act is punishable by death."

I watched helplessly as the crowd cheered, thirsty for blood. I had seen it all before, but now that Grandmother was the target of their hatred, all the excitement left my body instantly.

These were the people I envied. Emotionally devoid monsters who sat on pedestals so high, nothing else mattered to them. I had aspired to be like them for as long as I could remember, but at this moment, a deep resentment grew in my heart. Resentment so deep, if I had a sword, I would have mindlessly slaughtered every single person if I could.

"But, I am merciful." The King silenced the crowd, then he turned to Grandmother. "If you get on your knees and kiss my feet, I will let you go."

I clenched my fist, staring up at Grandmother with pleading eyes. It was a simple task. But I knew it was something she would never do.

"I'm afraid I cannot bow to a man I do not respect," she said, her head high. "Kill me if you must."

The crowd erupted with anger, yelling slurs I'd only heard whenever we passed pleasure houses. I shrunk backward, wanting to save Grandmother, but at the same time hoping they wouldn't notice me. I'd never felt so useless in my entire life.

"You really are an interesting woman," The King sighed. "Alright. You'll get what you want."

He pulled out his sword and grinned.

"I sentence you to a trial by combat." He levelled his sword at her. "And your opponent will be me."