Chapter 16

There were no lessons at Yang-Sho that day.

The four students who had visited the Forbidden Zone the previous night were now locked in one room. Because Jin-Si turned back, she was treated better, but Master Tessale announced that she would be punished for covering them. The previous day, Seth confessed that the whole idea was his. He wanted to take full responsibility, but that was impossible.

The trial, aimed at determining the penalties, took place in a hall the masters normally used for their meetings. Some students had no idea about their trip present there. They sat concentrated against one wall and watched everything from the very beginning, whispering from time to time. Kalena wondered if they feel sorry for them or if they're in horror, similar to the one she felt when the owner told her to watch another slave being punished.

They lined up in an even row and sat down with their legs bent. Seth glanced at her and tried to smile comfortingly, but instead, a nervous twitch came over his face.

"We're in an unusual situation," Rikken began, "when there is a court judgment on the students, they must first be proved guilty. In your case, the guilt is obvious."

"So we'll go straight to the punishment," Galaspiael looked at Kalena. He wasn't going to let go easily.

"Do you realize that we should throw you out?" Hosh interjected. "Your vice was outrageous. You have failed the trust and hopes placed in you. I was wrong about you, Seth. I thought you were mature, but you showed extreme irresponsibility."

"I know, master," the boy replied quietly and lowered his head contrite. "I'm very sorry."

The man's face softened for a moment, but then he took on a severe look again and began to speak in a low voice with Galaspiael.

"The rules that students are to follow have not been invented to humiliate you. If something is forbidden, there is always a reason for it," Rikken looked at Zarkin, expecting him to say something too. Blonde boy, however, remained silent. Deadly pale, with clenched fists he stared at the floor all the time, looking as if he were thinking about an extremely painful matter.

"Seth, unfortunately, your confession cannot be taken as a mitigating circumstance in this case," Hosh said again. "I think you understand. When we decide on physical punishment, you will also have to undergo it."

"Physical punishment? You can do it?" Jin-Si was close to tears.

"Of course." Galaspiael smiled venomously and looked at Kalena. "Flogging is allowed for exceptional offenses, which can certainly include entering the Forbidden Zone without permission... and what my student did."

So, he was going to do it. She hit his weakest point, and he repaid her. Kalena was glad that they were allowed to sit down because she probably wouldn't be able to stand up straight.

"All of you will be taken away from your current scoreboard positions," Rikken said. "You start from the beginning. You won't be able to make up the loss for the exam."

"I want to ask something," Kalena paused. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down and not to pay attention to disapproving looks she received.

"What's the matter?"

"The penalty will only apply to students, right? If someone would now leave the Association..."

"Stop it!" Zarkin grabbed her hand and pulled her hard. "What are you even thinking about?! Do you want to give up all that you have worked for so hard because you are afraid of punishment?"

Galaspiael laughed aloud, drawing everyone's attention.

"I don't see any obstacles for you to leave if you have the wish. Just pay me back for my time and the money I have wasted on you and you can go wherever you want."

"Are you kidding me?" The girl was on the verge of hysteria.

"I wanted to ask you the same question," the prince came to her and squatted so that their faces were at the same height. "Can't stand ten whips? It's not scary, you'll find that our methods are much milder than those you met before."

"So then whipping?" Aymon asked. Decide Your Majesty, don't tease her.

"Please don't!" Kalena curled up on the ground and began to cry. "I'm sorry! Please forgive me! I apologize for what I said! Please, don't do this to me!"

She couldn't calm down, so she was led out of the room. The sentence came quickly. Jin-Si would only get three strokes, Mizar and Zarkin five, Seth seven. Kalena ten.

They were led to a room where they were to spend the night awaiting punishment.

It was a detention that was supposed to give them remorse and fear. A classic method that Kalena knew well because she was used often in her home, especially against female slaves. The girl has experienced this many times and finally, the moments of waiting became quite pleasant. She learned to control her emotions to hurt herself more.

Kalena began to wonder if life with Galaspiael would look like this until the end. They will only think about how to harm each other, and then he will become a king and will make her life even more difficult. He can even end them, all he has to do is accuse her of some crime and give her a verdict. She once read about a ruler who tortured forced convicts to sign testimonies. Galaspiael surely knew his story too.

*

"It's not fair!" said Seth. "He insisted on beating just to break you. He wanted us to be punished in this way because he knows you're afraid!"

"I also knew how to hurt him and I used it. If you want to look at it from this perspective, there is nothing unfair about his behavior."

"He takes revenge on you. As a master, he should not allow himself to act this way. Did you really think about leaving?"

"I'm still thinking about it." The girl sat down next to her friend and let him embrace her. "But I don't know where could I run. He won't leave me alone, he's really angry. This punishment will be just the beginning."

"I know!" Seth's face beamed. "If you want to leave, then run to Madegald. It's best to go to Yagn-Mao first, and once you're there, ask about Washar. He will help you."

"I have to ask the Righteous Conspiracy to hide me?

"No. Washar is one of my brothers. He is a talented warrior, but he often helps others. I got along with him well and he truly understood the reason for my departure. He would help you get to Madegald and start a new life, especially if you assure him you knew me. The prince's power does not reach that far."

Kalena lay down on her back.

"I won't go anywhere today. I would have to prepare, take even the most necessary things. I won't miss punishment anyway."

"Does it hurt a lot?"

"What, beatings?"

"Nobody ever hit me, not even by accident. I was always treated as gently as possible," he explained. "I have less than you, and I'm afraid I won't take it. And I'm worried about Jin-Si. I don't know how to comfort her."

"It's usually very painful, but it depends on many things." When I was a slave, my owner beat me often, but if he calmed down before, he had a slightly lighter hand. The tool also plays a big role," Kalena paused seeing that her words did not help. "You are a strong man, you can bear it."

Seth wanted to say something more, but Mizar, Jin-Si, and Mei entered the room. He quickly walked over to the shaky princess and began to talk to her in a whisper.

"Why didn't Zarkin come? He's that slow with eating?" asked Kalena.

"Where should he hurry?" Mizar sat, leaning back against the wall. Rikken probably wanted to talk to him alone.

Zarkin came back a little later. Without a word, he lay down on the sleeping mat in the corner. He chose the one on the edge so that he could turn around and see no one. Mei sat down behind him and began to whisper something, but he didn't respond to her words.

He did not eat anything. Rikken wanted to keep him until he finishes his meal but finally allowed the boy to protest like this. He understood that Zarkin wanted to manifest his anger this way. He knew that this punishment had a different meaning for him and in his heart, he considered it too harsh. However, he could not change it because everyone decided that the students would be punished in the same way.

It was a decision Galaspiael also regretted.

He returned to the empty room and wanted to write something to take his thoughts. He began to develop his new plan; large granaries for rice and wheat. He remembered the great hunger that took place when he was seven years old. The prince had not much more memories from those times, but he remembered his father repeating that he would like to have extra food for the people. That was Galaspiael's goal.

The prince knew how difficult this task would be. The design of durable, suitable for several years to store granaries is one thing, but he also had to think about how to fill them with something later. Unfortunately, after writing the project, he ran out of paper, so he decided to borrow some from Kalena and accidentally found the cards on which she practiced calligraphy before she joined Yagn-Sho. Between them, she put a carefully smoothed paper in which the chocolate he had once offered him was wrapped.

The fact that she had kept them for so long has awakened a wave of remorse inside Galaspiael. All thoughts that accumulated in his head; that Kalena had betrayed him, that he should punish her for her lack of gratitude, they suddenly disappeared with all the desire for revenge.

He pushed aside the pages and buried his face in his hands.

"No… What have I done!" He choked out. "What was I thinking…"

He wanted to beg his ancestors to turn back time, but he knew it was impossible. No one would turn back time for him.

*

Someone's feet drowned out the night silence. Muted warm light filled the room. Mei put down a large mug filled with liquid with strange but pleasant smell; and touched Zarkin's bare shoulder.

"My lord, please wake up. I brought you something."

The boy stretched and turned his head reluctantly.

"I told you I wouldn't eat anything!"

"I respect your decision and I don't intend to force you to eat. This is a drink."

He hesitated, but the smell finally tempted him and reached for his cup.

"I know the taste," he said. "I think it's called the Ao-meng potion. It is given to very weak or sick people because it quickly can bring you strength." He glanced and smiled at the embarrassment on her face. "Are you afraid I'll starve to death?"

"After one day without food, you wouldn't die. I wanted you to gain strength."

"We're not slaves, they can't be too brutal. They certainly can beat without shedding blood."

"Maybe something else can be done? I could talk to your master..."

"Don't do it," he interrupted her, "I want to keep what I have left from my honor. If I can, I would only like to ask you for one thing."

"I'll do whatever you want, my lord."

Zarkin sat down so that he could look her in the eyes.

"Rikken will definitely want to notify my parents. He will write a letter and deliver it to their owner. Please, don't let this happen."

"Your parents are slaves?"

Zarkin clenched his fists so hard it started to hurt.

"They are," he drawled after a moment's silence. "And I was also, as you guessed. To be honest, I'm not interested in what my mother thinks of me, but I don't want my father to find out. I am here thanks to him. He introduced me to Rikken and insisted that he take me there. He taught me to fight, although he knew our owner was against it. If Rikken tells him everything... I don't even want to think about it."

"I noticed a mark on your arm," she admitted, "but I didn't think it would ever be a stigma."

The boy rolled up his sleeve.

"In Velikania it's a sign of those born in captivity," he murmured, running his finger across the scar. "My mother did this to me when I was five years old."

"So I understand why you're talking about her so dryly."

"No," he replied, "that can be justified. She was ordered, she had no choice. However, there was a situation when she could choose. When that bastard started beating me, then he gave her the rod and left. She could stop then and nobody would know." Zarkin broke off and closed his eyes. "Despite that, she finished this punishment, so hard that earlier strokes seemed to be caress. She will always be my mother, whatever she does, but I will never forgive her." He paused and glanced at Mei. She's been watching him for a few moments, with a look of complete shock on her face. "What do you think about it?"

"I feel very sorry for you. I have no idea how but I will try my best to intercept this message," she promised and moved closer to hug him. "And after all, I hope you will continue to be my lord."

"Thank you," he whispered, resting head on her shoulder.

"For what?"

"For staying with me."