The Honor of Beasts

Chapter Two

My father waves the poor man away, sentencing him to death with a gesture so simple, so lazy. As if swatting away a fly. Maybe that's all what the criminals and misfits really are to the king. Flies, pests. In a way they are, but not all.

I watch the screaming man as the guards drag him away to get hanged. He's guilty of theft. He stole a silver bracelet for his little daughter, who had really wanted one. Now the only gift she will receive is the news of her father's death. Except if they drag her out with the rest of her family to witness the awful scene, teaching them a lesson. Such a poor family.

But the real reason the man's sent to the gallows isn't just because of a flimsy bracelet. If it were anyone else they would have just been sent to the dungeons. No, the real reason is because he's a fallen star. One of those strange, magical beings, with unnatural eyes and powers. Abominations.

I get a last glimpse of his dark twinkling eyes filled with hatred, sorrow, and tears, then glance at my father from the corner of my eyes. He seems absolutely bored, for this is just a chore to him. His crowned head is leaning on his left palm, while his other hand is resting on his throne's armrest with his fingernails tapping on the carved metal. Somehow, its unmelodic sound is heard above the whispers and mutters of the noblemen and women present in the massive throne room.

My brother sits on the king's other side, in a dark red throne identical to mine, the color of blood. Demetri too looks bored, apathetic. Is it just a mask he weaves across his face? I wonder for the hundredth time. A mask against the cruel, judging world? Where people like our father sit in opulent dazzling palaces, with all kinds of foods and sweets; while people outside die everyday. With no one to remember them, or other's with people who had relied on them everyday to live, to laugh, to be happy. Or does he truly not care?

I return my gaze forward, trying to fix my own mask of apathy on my face. But I keep hearing the man's screams, scratching my ears, haunting my mind. He shouldn't die. No! He deserves death. He's a fallen star, a threat to everyone. He could possess darkness and you wouldn't even know it. He could kill you. Yes, it's better that he's gone. I keep repeating that, trying to convince myself of the justice in his death.

I'm not even sure if the king listened to what the man was guilty of or his desperate plea. He just keeps waving them away -whenever he sees their black star-lit eyes. Killing the flies and pests to make room for the snarling lions. I lean back, sighing. Who am I in this harsh, brutal world?

There is one more person left for the day, then we move on to the pleas of the people for help, money, or whatever they need. Which my father mostly refuses.

The guards bring in a dirty, young woman. I try not to show my interest as I watch the woman walk confidently toward us; not struggling, with her head raised high, back straight, black hair tumbling around her shoulders. Women rarely come to court to get a judgement, they just came to watch as men did. Or ask for help.

The woman stares everyone in their cold, kohl rimmed eyes, catching the king's last. She stares him down defiantly. It's rude of her, she should bow, show some respect, not the opposite. But she doesn't seem to care, she knows that she's dead either way. I like her immediately; honestly, I like anyone who stands up to my father. However, at the same time envy plays through my mind for the same reason. But still I'm sorry she has to die.

The king raises a brow at her boldness. Everyone quiets down as she finally comes to a stop before us, curious to hear what she's accused of.

The men behind her bring her down to her knees, then one clears his throat and with a loud voice says, "Diana Keller, she-"

"I killed two of your men, your Majesty," she interrupts, her strong voice booming throughout the throne room for everyone to hear. Her lips curling in disgust at the king's title. "And I would kill a hundred more." She raises her head higher.

"Oh my! Such a threat we have here! What shall we do to protect ourselves from such a beast?" The king says, smiling mockingly, making the nobles laugh as they eye the woman with interest. "Now tell me, what did my poor men do to offend you, little beast?"

Diana stares at him for a moment, pouring all her hatred, anger, and aggression into that stare. "You're the one who offends me. A coward sitting on his jeweled throne while his minions rid the world of the creatures he fears."

"Ah...let me guess," The king leans forward, grinning savagely "I have condemned a fallen star you know -maybe love- to the gallows? Well, my dear, know I do that to protect you, to protect all my people." He opens his arms wide, gesturing to everyone around. 

"Well, my dear. If you really want to protect us then jump from one of your gilded spires," she spits at him.

The king just laughs at that, amused. He opens his mouth to reply but doesn't get the chance. The cuffs that were encompassing Diana's wrists fall to the marble ground with a clang and somehow, she now has a small dagger in her hand pointed at my father.

"Death to the king!" she shouts, then throws the dagger before anyone could stop her. Yes! A buried voice in me screams. Yes! Yes! Yes!

But Demetri swiftly pulls out his sword and shoves it in front of the kings chest, deflecting the flying dagger. It falls to the floor, imbedding itself into the shiny tiles between the kings feet. There's a sharp intake of breath from the king, but otherwise, he remains expressionless. Someone screams, a lot gasp, shocked, their eyes on the swaying dagger. Then silence engulfs the massive room.

The guards jump on the woman, but she darts out of the way, brandishing a new dagger. How did she get them in? Someone must have helped her. She throws it at the nearing guard, and unlike with the king, it hits true this time. Planting itself in his throat. He falls to the floor, clutching his throat, eyes wide.

Then the other guard leaps on Diana from behind, pinning her to the ground. He presses her scowling face to the cold tiles, clutching her wrists with an iron grasp from behind.

"Enough!" Orders the king, face still expressionless. He stands up slowly, and walks toward the struggling woman. "You think you can kill me with a tiny dagger, little beast?"

"I can kill you with my bare hands!" she bares her teeth, glaring angerly at the king.

The king takes the dagger out of his dead guard's throat, stares at it for a moment, then says, "You've now killed three of my men, hanging you won't suffice."  Twirling the b****y dagger between his fingers, he continues, "Well then, let's see if you can truly kill me with this little thing," he nods at the guard, then offers her the dagger. The guard hesitates for a second, then releases her, standing up and taking a step away.

She eyes the king and the dagger warily, then in a blink of an eye jumps to her feet, snatches the dagger, and pushes it forward, toward the kings heart.

But he catches her wrist just a hairs breath from his heart, grinning savagely. She cries out in pain as he tightens his grasp on her wrist until she finally drops the dagger and it clangs to the ground.

The king let's her go, leaning down to pick up the dagger, then offers it to her again. "Let's try that once more, shall we?"

She bares her teeth at him, then grabs the dagger once more. However, this time she takes a step back, studying the arrogant king for a moment. She feigns throwing the dagger at his throat, then sends it hurling toward his leg. The king dodges at the last second, but the dagger manages to scrape his trousers. So fast, almost imperceptible, but there.

The king seems unaffected as he picks up the dagger and offers it to Diana once more. "Last chance. Don't disappoint me, little beast."

She snatches the dagger and backs away, then she throws it at the king's left side, the king dodges to the right but she's there jumping on him. "This is for my brother!" she yells, her face contorted in fury.

The king's hand whips out, grabbing her throat before she can touch him. He raises her above the ground, her legs dangling. All color seeps from her face as the king tightens his grasp, she claws at his squeezing fingers, but to no avail. He holds her farther away as her legs swish back and forth in panic. "Ah, so it's your brother. He died to protect you, to protect us all. How can you not see that?"

He holds her for a couple more seconds then drops her to the ground, she coughs and gasps, trying to suck in as much air as she can. She rubs her throat, which is red with an imprint of the king's hand. My father unsheathes his long sword, approaching her unhurriedly. "And now you shall die for nothing, such a waste." He says condescendingly, shaking his head.

She backs away, fear entering her eyes for the first time since she got here. The king just smirks, then in one speedy move he runs her through with his gleaming sword. She gasps, eyes widening. He pushes his sword farther in and twists, then pulls it out. It comes out dripping deep scarlet. She cries out in pain, as she tries to get away from him. But the king stabs her again.

Her screams seem to echo throughout the silent chamber, then she stops, her eyes never leaving the king. "Th-they...w-will get...y-you," she croaks out, her voice barely heard.

Crouching down next to her, the king leans closer until his mouth caresses her wet cheeks. His lips move, telling her something only she can hear. Then he takes his sword out, wipes it on her dirty dress, and stands up. Her head hits the hard floor, she twitches for a few seconds, then gradually stills.

I shift uncomfortably in my throne, a cold feeling spreading through me. I glance at Demetri to see that his perfect mask is broken, but I think I prefer his apathy to the admiration staining his face. He wants to be like our father, just like I've always known; but still, it makes me want to shudder.

"Clean this mess," my father orders as he makes his way back to his jeweled throne, a few drops of fresh blood splattered on his white and gold tunic.