The Lost Princess

Chapter 5 || Give Him Eternal Rest

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This isn't happening. It can't be. Everyone is looking at the scene unfolding as though it's the only way. This is normal. No, it's not. The gentleman is about to be whipped to death, and no one is saying anything.

The man, Leathan said was the tax collector, rolls up his sleeves menacingly, while walking over to the stand, where a long black whip sits awaiting him. Picking it up and curling his long fingers around the metal grip, he looks to his desensitized audience, and says, "meeting adjourned." Then, he turns on the strung up man. The tax collector brings, the arm that has the whip in it, back, and he begins the three hundred strikes.

The old man hollers loudly, and it's sickening. The pain seeping into my stomach and breaking my heart. I grab hold of Leathan's arm. The audience has already left, even the man's daughter, who was dragged out.

"No, no, no, no," I start mumbling in time with the lashes. Everything, I've ever known is a lie and this man is the proof. This has to stop.

I can't take it any longer. I let go of Leathan, and run towards the stage as fast as I can manage in my dress.

"Arabella!" Leathan calls me, "Stop!"

The tax collector as not realized my presence, and he is getting ready to unleash another whip. I run at him pushing him with as much force as I can muster up. "Enough!" I shout at the tax collector.

"How dare you, intrude on the workings of the King!" The man yells at me.

"I am the workings of the King. I am Princess Arabella the rightful heir to the King, and if you do not untie this man and leave this place this instance, I will have your head," I command with force.

"Oh, the Princess. You mean The Lost Princess. The myth people made to spring hope. Yes, I believe you, dearie," he chuckles, before taking hold of my arm and throwing me towards the gentleman on the whipping post. He moans in pain. His blood, soaking into my dress, I try to avoid his wounds.

"I'm so sorry, sir," I say to the man, as I try to undo his wrist. A whooshing sound flies through the air, and I hold on tightly to the man. My back facing the tax collector with hopes of preventing any more pain to come the old man's way, but nothing touches me. I turn to see Leathan with the whip wrapped tightly around his wrist. He yanks hard and pulls the tax collector down. Leathan throws the whip to the ground, and punches the tax collector in the face, knocking him out in an instant.

"Arabella, I told you to stay by me," Leathan says, turning towards me. He sounds mad, but his eyes are filled with something other than anger: wonder, pride, hope.

I shake my head at him, "Help me, please! I can't get him down." Leathan instantly towers over me and gets the man down.

The man's eyes, meet mine, "Thank you, my dear, for your kindness." He falters on his feet, and slowly lies down.

"What is your name?" I ask quickly.

"Dand, my lady," he strains.

"Please, don't thank me, Dand. This shouldn't have happened in the first place. Now, let us get you some help," I say, but his eyes keep closing, and he looks to be fading.

"It was an honor to meet you, Princess. The future will be a bright one, but I'm afraid, I won't be there to see it," he says, his voice growing weaker with each word.

"Please, do not speak in such ways. If you come with us, we can get you help," I urge, taking his hand in mine.

He smiles, "I am old and very sick. This is my last." His eyes close and open heavily. He smiles once more at me before his eyes close.