The Dark Of The Light ||| (ON HOLD)

Evolution

Vayuvijay stared at Odin. Expecting this all to be a nightmare from which one of his daughters would slap him awake. But it wasn't a nightmare.

"Anakul?" He finally turned his gaze to his nephew. Vayuvijay understood from the pale and despaired look on Anakul's face that the witness was not lying.

"Is it true Anakul?" Vayuvijay asked. Anakul slowly nodded, looking at his feet. He couldn't look his uncle in the eye. Vayuvijay had so much faith in him, his mother had so much faith in him, but Anakul had let everyone down.

"Take Lord Anakul along with them to the Dungeon." Vayuvijay chocked as the words left him. Anakul went quietly with guards. Zen and Cartol struggled as the Dungeon guards dragged them along, cursing Vayuvijay.

"You majesty," Logan said in the same calm voice "Perhaps I have not been able to express my offer. We shall not reveal the sexuality of your nephew if you let us walk free." He gave Vayuvijay a cocky grin. "I know how much you love your nephew. Already you have turned one of your sisters against you by sending her husband to the dungeons, now you shall break the other's heart by sending her son." He feigned concern.

"Lord Logan," Vayuvijay smiled coldly his eyes menacing as ever, "For an emperor, every living soul is his family. Perhaps you aren't aware," Vayuvijay smirked his eyes blazing "that is what makes a man an Emperor, next time you go to bargain, make sure you know your counterpart well."

The Emperor motioned the guards to take them away.

**************
Shivashakti fumed as he paced across Vayuvijay's living quarters.

"You should have taken the bargain." He growled "Do you know the impact this news will have on the people." Spit flew from his mouth. Vayuvijay folded his arms and stared at the table. He felt hollow and lonely. Nobody could understand the distress that raged inside him. Anakul, his beloved, his favorite Anakul. The perfect Anakul, who had never ever lied, was involved in homosexuality. The compassionate, wise, honest Anakul. He thought of the research invitation from Zaidee. How brilliant his future would have been?

Shivashakti's words never reached him. It was a din which his mind didn't register. Vayuvijay hated this responsibility. He hated this choice he was about to make. To sacrifice his beloved nephew for the empire. He was lost in his thought when a sharp knock on the door brought him to reality. As Shivashakti opened the door Shian entered with a young man clad in white.

*****************
"You should have lied mate," Haron lamented.

"I am good at hiding the truth, not at lying." Anakul let out a hollow laugh, as he sat in the small dungeon cell.

"Will the Emperor really send you to imprisonment for life?" Haron asked helplessly.

"If he doesn't, he won't remain Vayuvijay the just." Anakul smiled sadly "You should go Haron, it's late."

"I know how it feels in there," Haron thought about his night in Rajdhani "I am not leaving your side."

*****************************
The Hall of Justice brimmed with curious Zaidenians. The news of the Royal Nephew's sexuality had spread like wild fire. People thronged to see the scandal that awaited.

The Honor of the State, the Chief of state guards, the head of state, and the Sudrapal of the state were seated on the platform of justice. Unlike the Rajdhani, the Hall of Justice here did not have chairs for the Council. Instead a long stone slab stood on four stumps. Alinoy was substituting as since Logan, the master of Merchants stood on trial.

As Anakul and the four merchant were produced Vayuvijay walked up to stand beside his nephew.

"My lords," he pleaded, "I am aware that the power to sentence rests on your able self. However I wanted to bring to your attention the reforms that has been introduced." Vayuvijay presented a  scroll.