In Another Era

Chapter 34: Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Trigger warning: Flagellation, public humiliation, and blood.

Kenric felt sick to his stomach.

He could feel the bile rising in his throat as he watched the executioner whip Archie's back again, and then again. He was not a stranger to violence or torture, he had been on both ends of it several times. But nothing had ever made him feel the amount of pain that he was in as he watched Archie get punished.

The sight of blood that had never bothered him was making him hate the color crimson. He wanted to do something, anything to help Archie but he could not. For someone that was considered the strongest warrior across all the kingdoms...he sure was feeling powerless.

With every lashing sound, Kenric's heartbeat grew faster and faster. His chest ached, and his head was beginning to pound. He had to grab hold of the pole that was beside him in order to even stand up straight.

But Archie remained strong. He did not let a single tear escape his eyes as he maintained an emotionless composure. Sure, with every whip that broke the skin on his back, his face scrunched up in pain, but he was human at the end of the day.

Whereas Archie was growing numb as the seconds passed by, Kenric's agony got worse.

Kenric's hand traveled to the handle of his sword, not being able to take it anymore. He could not watch Archie be in pain. He did not deserve it. Kenric had to put a stop to it, no matter what it took. Kenric did not care even if he died trying. He was about to take his sword out of its sheath when someone placed their hand on top of his to stop the prince.

"My prince," Sir Christian said softly. "Do not do what I know you wish to."

"How can I not?" Kenric snapped, keeping his voice low.

"You will be arrested. And Archie will still be punished. This is not going to help anyone," Sir Christian replied.

"What can I do, Christian? I cannot just stand here and watch this. I need to do something..." Kenric's voice was full of hurt.

"You can do something," the knight paused. "You can help Archie heal once this is all over. Whether you like it or not, he is getting punished and there is nothing you can do to stop that. Butonce this is over, he is going to need you more than ever."

Kenric knew that Sir Christian was right. Archie was surrounded by guards, and as one man there was only so much that the prince could do. That too in broad daylight with hundreds of commoners present to watch the spectacle.

Kenric had lost count of the number of lashes that Archie had received, but he had to be halfway there. His body was hanging from the post now, almost lifeless. His eyes were droopy, and it was evident that he was struggling to keep them open. His back was red, painted with blood that was dripping down his legs and onto the platform.

Kenric had seen this before. Archie was losing too much blood.

"Fuck waiting till it is over," Kenric muttered as he grabbed the handle of his sword once again.

The sword was halfway out of its sheath, and Kenric was ready to charge and take down whoever dared to stand in his way. He did not give a damn anymore about his fate, the King could hang him from the same post for all he cared. But he was no longer going to stand by and watch his beloved get punished. He could not risk losing him. Not like this.

"Stop!" An unfamiliar voice yelled. "Stop the punishment this instant!"

Kenric furrowed his brows, as both he and everyone in the square paused to look at the man that was causing the commotion.

"Who are you? And what business do you have stopping the punishment that was ordered by the King?" called out a knight.

The old man made his way through the sea of people, holding a piece of paper in his hand. He looked distraught as he rushed toward the King, almost tripping several times.