The Kingdom : A Land for the Exiled and the Rebels

Chapter-1

Merikh (15-Year-Old)

Merikh could feel the rage constantly simmering in him as the snickers grew louder. His lips curled into a snarl, a rush of violent energy flowed through his body. Being an outsider mockery was a daily occurrence in his life for as long as Merikh could remember. The brown hair and brown eyes that he inherited from his family added to his alien status among the Tribe of dark haired and dark eyed Seers, never letting them forget that he was not one of them. For the children it meant he was their enemy, making him the object of their hatred. The elders did not care enough to do anything about it. However, over the last few years his silent acquiescence over the bullying has turned into silent rage and every time any of the boys pushed him around, he imagined inflicting the worst punishment on them and he did, just not when people were watching and especially not when Svajone and Tulay were around.

Today was special for both Svajone and Tulay since Tulay was getting inducted in the tribe. It meant that the people of the tribe were finally accepting them as the members of the community, which was not the case when they came seeking refuge eleven years ago. Svajone has always been considered a betrayer by the people here because she married an outsider and decided to stay with her husband when the Seers were exiled by the command of the King. When she came back asking for refuge they allowed her to stay only because they were fiercely loyal to their own kind, but it never meant that they accepted her or Tulay.

He felt a nudge on his side. "Focus." Svajone whispered pointing towards the middle of the crowd where Svajone kneeled in front of the Chief Oracle as he chanted some imperceptible words. The whispered tittering continued behind them.

"It will all go away now that Tulay has been inducted." Svajone offered, knowing that the words were meaningless. Things might become different for them but not for Merikh he will always be an outsider. It was moments like these that made him hate his brother. If Qenan had not abandoned him, they would still be together and he would not feel as alone as he did.

His thoughts were again interrupted by a sudden disturbance at the back of the crowd. The sound of "Oh no" echoed everywhere. He turned to find the cause of the frenzy but he was at the very front of the crowd and he couldn't see anything through the throng of people gathered in his front. People were craning their necks whispering to each other.

"Stop, step aside!!! What is the cause of such outrage in such auspicious a ceremony." The Chief Oracles voice rang harsh and strong. The crowd parted to give way to him and the three other Heads of the tribe gathered at the front performing Tulay's ceremony. Merikh looked back, Tulay's face has paled, her eyes shut tight, the ceremony being interrupted was seen as a bad premonition by the people and it was going to make their lives all the more difficult. Her muteness has already made her initiation as a Seer difficult, what use was it for having a power of vision if you cannot talk about it.

The Chief Oracle and the three Heads moved purposefully through the crowd, their brows knitted in alarm, with the crowd following their steps, stopping when they stopped at the entrance of the High Temple.

"They are all dead." Someone voiced at the front. The murmurings increased.

"SILENCE!!!" The crowd went quiet at the harsh boom of the Chief Oracle.

"What happened?" Valian asked. He was one of the Elders and Svajone's brother. "Tell me what happened?" He asked again when nothing came after a long silence. Merikh craned his neck trying to see who Valian was talking to. "It's the traders...." The people in front of him whispered. Merikh stiffened. A chilling prescience passed through him.

"The Executioners caught them reading fortunes. They burned them alive at stakes in the city."

A silent grief and panic washed over the crowd. The Seers were banned from ever using their power of vision by the decree of the King. But there were always some men who tried foretelling in secret in order to gain money. Although most of the times the men were caught by the Tribe Elders themselves and punished accordingly but these men were probably at the Capital when the Executioners found them where using the visionary powers was always punishable by death. And it also meant severe consequences for the entire tribe.

"Leave. Go home everyone. The Ceremony is canceled." Valian's voice boomed. The crowd started dispersing except for the families of the dead, whose lamenting cry was growing louder and louder. Merikh could now see the six corpses lined, his steps dragging as Svajone pulled him towards Tulay. His eyes looking at someone within the family of the dead. The boy, one of his biggest, tormentors was sobbing kneeling in what was supposedly his father's body, though it was impossible to know since all of them were badly burnt. He felt sad for him, not happy like he thought he would.

"Tulay." Svajone's voice brought his attention back towards them who were now clutching each other.

What happened? She signed, her face lined with worry. And what about my induction?

"It's canceled. For now, at least." Merikh felt the distress laced in her words. "This shouldn't have happened. Seers caught going against the royal decree, especially in the Capital is going to raise concerns. We can expect an Executioner's visit within a few days and it is going to cause problems for us." Svajone whispered, shoving them towards their house at the very end of the other dwellings by the river. They were exiles within the exiled. Not exactly a part of the tribe.

Why, the soldiers pass from here all the time? Tulay asked, glaring at Merikh. What? He shrugged.

"Not to investigate. If they start asking questions, and probing around, they are bound to reach us."

"And why is that a problem?" He knew why, but couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Merikh we are fugitives. And.... and traitors to the Kingdom, if they find us, they will kill us like they killed everyone else in our family." Svajone stopped at the old crumbling door of their house.

"Go inside. Both of you. I am going to talk to Valian." She said walking backwards.

What did you do? As soon as Svajone turned Tulay pulled Merikh inside their house.

"I don't know what you are talking about Tulay." He fidgeted, Tulay's constant staring was making him nervous.

I saw you. Talking to the soldiers.

"I was just giving them water. They ran out of it."

Do you think I don't know what you have been doing? I know you Merikh. I have known you ever since you were a child. I have seen you grow from the sweet little child to this wicked person who gives way worse than he takes. And now this. Do you even know what you have done? Tulay's hands were moving faster and faster. Her frustration grew. Do you?

"If you see what I do, then you would have also seen what they do to me too. The never-ending mocking, the teasing, the laughter. I don't have one single friend here, Tulay. Not one person to be by my side." He felt a lump in his throat, and tears gathered in his eyes which he wiped away violently.

Tulay's face softened. I know. I know that too Merikh. And that is the only reason I haven't said anything to you till now but what happened today was not right. People died, Merikh.

"I didn't think it through. I was angry that day. Kurush has been following me around, calling names and laughing. His father is one of the men that go to the Capital. I thought when they hear about him telling fortunes, they would go talk to the Head Oracle and he would be punished. I didn't expect the news to reach the Executioners. I didn't want them to die." He broke into tears as soon as he finished his sentence. He was avoiding looking at her.

Tulay sighed heavily. She nudged him and when he looked up she signed.

I don't know what to say or what to do but don't expect me to not tell this to Ma. I am talking to her as soon as she comes back. I hope you are happy with your revenge. Having said that she left, leaving him alone.

Merikh looked up, wiped away his tears. He knew how to deal with Svajone.

"Who said revenge has to make you happy. It just has to be satisfying."