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 really are to the king. Flies, pests. In a way they are, but not all.

The man screams as the guards drag him away to get hanged. 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. Unless they drag her out with the rest of her family to witness the awful scene, teaching them a lesson. 

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. Merging with the other desperate screams of past fallen stars. 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. 

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.