One of Us

I

     Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows of the throne room bathing the gathered officials and their smiling wives in a golden haze. The choir sang an ethereal tune as the princess, resplendent in a white lace gown, floated down the aisle towards the smiling groom. The jewels on her crown captured the light and sent it dancing around the room. When she reached the steps leading to the dais, the groom offered his arm and they advanced to stand before the Bishop. He instructed them to join hands and began.

     "My lords and ladies, honored guests, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. It is an honorable estate, set forth by God in His holy scriptures since the first man and the first woman walked the earth. Therefore; it is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. If there is any man here who can show just cause why these two persons may not be lawfully joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."

     The Bishop paused and looked over his glasses at the silent group clustered in the cathedral.

     Suddenly the double doors at the back burst open, banging against the wall and echoing through the room. A few of the ladies screamed as everyone turned in their seats to see who dared burst in on the Crown Princess's wedding. A man in a black mask stood in the doorway sword drawn.

     "Rowena! He's going to kill you!" the intruder yelled

     Princess Rowena dropped her husband-to-be's hands and recoiled from him.

     The groom was aghast, "Rowena! I would never-"

     "You poisoned the wedding chalice!" The man shouted as he advanced down the aisle. A few guards hastened to intercept him as several others ran to investigate the chalice.

     Two more flanked the livid groom who sputtered "What do you think you're doing? Don't you know who I am? I didn't poison anything"

     "Captain?" Rowena questioned, her voice a little shaky.

     The captain turned to her and nodded, "He speaks the truth, your highness, there is poison here."

     Rowena turned back to her now struggling groom, "Walter, why?" she asked in disbelief.

     "His name isn't Walter" The stranger claimed, "His real name is Ailiard von Berustian, nephew of King Dusan of Radavia."

     The whole room took a collective gasp and Rowena stumbled back.

     "And who are you?" challenged Marcus the captain of the guard, "How do you know all this?"

     The stranger pulled off his mask to reveal a face that everyone immediately recognized, despite the many bruises and cuts.

     "My name is Hawksley. I'm here to turn myself in."

     There were about 5 seconds of shocked silence as everyone in the room froze. Then Hawksley was swarmed with guards who disarmed him and bound his hands behind his back. The room was cleared and secured as the princess sunk into her throne aghast, staring at the famous Hawksley, deadly assassin of the ruthless King Dusan of Radavia, enemy of all that was good, right and true.

     But all she could see was a young man who had once been called Yossi.

     A young man who had once been her best friend.