The Guardians of Time

Chapter Fourteen: Loyalty

"Summon Maylo. Now!" Stenos's voice carried across his throne room, sending fear trickling down the spine of anyone in the vicinity.

The evil king was seething and he conveyed it well as he looked down at Heathcliffe who was kneeling in a crumpled mess on the floor; the large hole in his shoulder still bleeding and his breathing was heavy; his way of dealing with excruciating pain.

A few moments later, Maylo appeared in the doorway and moved quickly passed the guards. He came to stand next to the man on the floor and when he looked down, recognizing his brother, his heart sank. Something had gone terribly, terribly wrong.

"You wanted to see me, Sire?" Maylo asked, inclining his head.

"Your brother has informed me that you enlisted him to serve me." The king's demeanor was turbulent. He was unreadable and unpredictable; like a thunderstorm. Maylo was growing very tired of dealing with him.

"That's correct, Sire. You wanted me to send Ayden Kromwelle a message. I asked my brother to bring you his child." He paused and Stenos simply eyed him, cocking his head. "I th-thought maybe you would--"

"How dare you?!" The evil man's voice boomed. "Heathcliffe was not worthy for services. There was no reason for him to be called. Do you wish to die, Maylo?"

"N-no, Sire. Of course not." Maylo answered.

"Just because this little skeez is your brother, doesn't give you the right to betray me!" Stenos shouted at Maylo who immediately bowed and kneeled to his brother's level.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but it was never my intention to betray you. I thought my brother could once again earn the trust of his king by proving his loyalty in completing this task." He looked up desperately at the evil man.

"Well, obviously you were both seriously mistaken. You've committed a grievance punishable by death, Maylo; I should kill you wear you cower. I won't forget this." Stenos sneered at him.

Maylo could feel hate boiling in him as he waited for the king to continue. Stenos sat lax in his throne; leaning on an armrest with his left shoulder and playing with the hilt with of his sword with the free right hand. Though he sat, his voice was tall enough that anyone would still find him a fearsome looking being. His dark blue skin was sweating and he bit at his lower black lip with the points of his sharp yellow teeth.

"Please, Your Majesty. I was only trying to repay the debt which I owe you. Don't blame my brother. It wasn't his plan, I--" Heathcliffe spoke softly from the pile he was still laying in.

But Stenos had heard enough. He hated the man when he was living on the Mound and he hated him even more now with his dark skin and pointed teeth. He didn't deserve to bear the mark of his king

"I've heard enough of this incessant whining!" Stenos shouted and was airborne, landing with a loud thud in front of Heathcliffe.

In a flash of movement, the king pulled his dagger free of its holster and slashed out at Maylo, cutting the man's cheek. As Maylo, turned away grabbing at the bleeding wound, he heard Stenos's blade slice through the air. There was the squelching of metal meeting skin and bone. As he turned, Maylo was prepared to attack but was stopped in his tracks by the sharp point of the king's weapon resting against the skin of his throat. He looked over at his brother's horrified face; frozen in time as Heathcliffe's head trembled and then slid free of his shoulders, thudding dully to the floor.

The body remained still on its knees for a moment before falling forward and lying limply on the floor. Maylo's emotions were suddenly rampant. He felt the unmistakable heat of anger; rage against a king whom he no longer wanted to serve; and then sadness for his brother's wife and children.