Page 144 of The King of Koraha
Shyla hadn’t thought her opinion of Najib could get any lower, yet it dropped. Killing an innocent child to extend your own life was the lowest of the low. Najib should have been staked in the sand and cooked. Drowning was too good for him.
“Why did you agree to help Najib? What were you promised?” the King asked Xerxes.
“The five circuits before the old king’s illness worsened, his missions for his elite soldiers were demeaning and degrading—a complete waste of time and resources. I was ready to quit when Najib told me his plans. He promised our assignments would return to doing important work—helping people.”
“And you didn’t stop to consider thatImight also do the same?”
“I did, but he also guaranteed consistency.”
“Consistency?”
Xerxes sighed. “Yes, consistency. Currently, each city handles their problems in different ways. There’s corruption and greed everywhere, and the training of the guards is inconsistent. With all the cities under our influence, we could finally get everything to the same level. Crime would be rare. Vagrants would be assimilated into the general population. No more bribing the high-ranked officials, or favoritism, or all those extra perks for the rich citizens. No more black market. No more bandits and pirates. People would know exactly what to expect if they broke a law. It would be the exact same punishment if they were in Apanji or in Nintri.” Xerxes gestured to Shyla. “It’s considered murder to leave a sun-kissed baby out on the sand in Catronia, but in Zirdai, it’s encouraged. That needs to stop!”
Surprised by Xerxes’ genuine desire to change the world, Shyla’s initial reaction was to agree with him. Their world had many problems. And she hated to admit she was impressed by Xerxes’ passion, his desire to make Koraha a better place to live. Admirable, except his methods were unconscionable.
“We were all frustrated by the old king’s lack of action. However, I’m planning on fixing many of those injustices,” the King said.
“You can try, but you’ll be dealing with all those Water Princes and Princesses that have been doing things their way for circuits. Dealing with corrupt Heliacal Priests and Priestesses. Dealing with guards who won’t want to stop collecting the coins the black-market dealers give them to look the other way. Dealing with entitled rich people who refuse to help anyone but themselves. You can try all you want, but nothing is going to change.” Xerxes sank back on his heels. His posture was one of a tired, defeated soldier. “Not unless you force that change. Najib’s plans limited the amount of force needed. Limited bloodshed.” He glanced at Shyla. “How many people died for Zirdai to be free of those two tyrants? Over two hundred?”
Two hundred and sixty-four. She’d never forget.
“Unfortunately, that was during the old king’s reign. I’m not going to let something like that happen again,” the King said.
“You can try. But without the sunfires, you’ll fail. Nothing will change.”
Xerxes had a bleak view, and while Shyla trusted many things would improve under the King’s leadership, she knew some of those issues would remain.
Utopian societies were pure fiction.
“I’m more optimistic,” the King said. “I agree that there will be failures, but there will also be successes. Free will can be unpredictable, but it’s also more interesting. Not to mention morally correct.” He stepped closer to Xerxes. “I’m curious. In your perfect world, what would you do to a traitor who tried to assassinate the king?”
Xerxes didn’t hesitate. “Drown him. He can’t be trusted and it’ll make other potential assassins hesitate because they’ll know the consequences of failure.”
“I’ll consider it.” The King motioned to his guards. “Take him to the prison.”
“I’d rather die,” Xerxes said, hopping to his feet.
Freeze, Shyla commanded.
“Which is why being confined is a more fitting punishment.” The King studied the big man. “For now. I can always flood your cell with water if you’re too much trouble.”
The guards surrounded Xerxes. They manacled his wrists behind his back but stepped back from him as if afraid he’d try to fight.
“Beast, obey the guards and cooperate with the jailors,” she instructed, freeing him from her earlier command.
The four guards’ postures relaxed slightly. They escorted Xerxes from the office. When they were gone, the King turned to Shyla. “Once he is secured in a cell, please release him from your control.”
“He’ll be a difficult prisoner to keep confined,” Rendor said.
“I’m sure. Even though he deserves it, taking a person’s will is still wrong.”
“At least he had a taste of what he put others through,” Shyla said. “I hope he remembers it.”
“If he proves to be too difficult, perhaps you could remind him,” the King said. “That is, if you were serious about wanting to stay? You were under a great deal of pressure at the time. I’d understand if you’d rather not.”
She couldn’t fault the King for questioning her. His best friend betrayed him, claiming his pledge was invalid because of how young he had been. “I’m afraid, sire, that you’re stuck with us. All of us. The Invisible Sword is at your disposal.”
The King sank into his cushion. “Thank the goddess. We have so much to do. We need to make traveling safe again and find homes for the people squatting in the shelters. But we also need to free those cities still under the sunfire’s influence. And I have to introduce myself to the citizens of Koraha. And—”
