Page 19 of Burn Bright
"Somehow I found my feet. I was going to kill this prince, to try and take something away from the king, but Evaron spoke before I had a chance. He convinced his father I was worth more alive. The king called him a coward, but Evaron said killing ones enemies was too easy. But put them on a leash and parade them around at court? Such waspower."
Casimir closed his eyes, his head bowing. "I was so furious I tried to kill him anyway. The guards kicked me unconscious, and when I woke I had this around my neck" —he brushed his fingers against the collar— "and the prince was kneeling beside me on the cell floor trying to pour water down my throat." He gave a humorless laugh. "I didn't trust him at first, but the alternative was to be burned to death by his father. King Euric showed me the bonfire they'd piled in the courtyard the very next day. If I ever tried to harm Evaron again, he'd put me on it and light it up myself, and he smiled. Hewantedme totry."
What a story. I stared at him, aghast. Inheritance laws or not, the idea of healing the king rebelled withinme.
But I couldn't help thinking of myfather.
If we found the firebird, perhaps I could heal himtoo.
My father's life for a tyrant king's? Father always said we had a duty to the forest, and to the people in ourvillage.
"Evaron could have handed me over many times," Casimir said. "I don't fit in at court. And my temper... There are enough puny lordlings there with a grievance against me. But he hasn't. And he won't. And now he's paying for his loyalty by being forced to accede to this quest. If he dies here, then I don't think the king will grieve toomuch."
I stared sightlessly into the trees. I didn't know Euric, but the more I heard of him, the more I wanted to thwart him. "We'll find the firebird," I said firmly. "And Evaron can use its heart to heal the king if he wills it. And I promise I'll do my best to see the prince get out of this forest alive. If he succeeds, then the king can't disinherit him, canhe?"
I'd almost like to see King Euric's face when his son returnedtriumphant.
Casimir tilted his head toward me. "Thankyou."
