Gods and Guardians

Chapter 48: Islanders Divide

Most of Simsee who heard of Nimrod's and Layman's death have also heard about the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Weinisa had already been brought in for interrogations, but Layman's death had slowed the process down. As with many stories, several versions emerged and almost none reflected favourably on the crown.

Some said the warrant was a forgery. Others said it was not. Some said Dasirus sent Nimrod into Meinz. Others said he didn't. Nothing was certain when Dravan and his council entered Simsee. They were greeted not only by the hospitality of the port, but also by versions of these stories. Dravan himself aware of how stories travel decided it was better to talk to Dasirus first. He urged his council not to draw any conclusions until they met with Dasirus and the council of Zainox.

***

Maxis knew he was depressed. He couldn't reconcile himself to the radical power revolution his father was proposing, which would involve deposing Dasirus? This was more than a betrayal of trust. He couldn't betray Kiyanna's love. What future was really there for them if things were to play out this way?

Why must this even happen in his own time? Why couldn't fate be more humane, to let him live the happy peaceful life he envisioned with Kiyanna. Why must the dynamics of the kingdom's issues have to bear on their love? Why couldn't life just be simpler?

What position must he take? There was no middle ground. He was heir to the throne of Kainon. That was something he couldn't wave off just like that. He was the one and only link in the dynasty of Thralls. It was his responsibility. Could he just disappear and put this whole affair behind? He wished he could just see his wife-to-be this once. Perhaps if he discussed it with her...

The law states that a wife-to-be must spend the forty days before her wedding in the house of the husband. During this period, they would not see. Her movements would be confined to the female areas of the house and the husband's would be restricted. She'd be attended to by maids who could be either employed or relatives of the husband. Not her own relatives. She would be taken care of. Everything provided by the man. Then her parents or guardians would come for the wedding ceremony on the fortieth day. They would assess their daughter's wellbeing by any method they chose. If they were satisfied with the man's discharge of his role, then the wedding will hold the following day. If they are not, it won't. That was the primation.

Kiyanna was observing her forty days primation and they have not seen each other since she came to Kainon. He wanted to see her. She was the only one he could talk to now. He didn't think talking to his mother would help at all. She was essentially his father's mouth. She always supported everything her husband said with almost fanatic devotion. He strode into the women's chambers as if under a spell. Then he knocked on Kiyanna's door.

The maids answered and were shocked to see him. Even Kiyanna was. He had broken an ancient custom.

'Kiyanna,' he said pathetically, 'I need to talk to you.'

***

Dasirus sat alone in the darkness of his chambers. Never was grief so deep and so profound, so weighty and so crushing. Even Abigyl's death did not bring sorrow this intense. His grief at the time was borne of loss alone. Now it was a complex entanglement of loss, guilt and betrayal. He had betrayed Nimrod by issuing that warrant. Nimrod died because his father betrayed him. How he must have suffered. How such an innocent soul must have suffered.

Dasirus sighed. He was alone. He preferred loneliness now. And he hated food too. He hated wine with a passion of the deepest dye; he could order Lord Camron killed. He sat in this position all day. When he slept, he saw Nimrod and Abigyl in his dreams. They would not speak with him and they were always running away from him. Nimrod called him a betrayer. In one of his dreams, Nimrod vowed that he'll never see him again before leaving the palace. And to think that Nimrod's body had not been found. It must be true he never wanted to be found again.