Chapter 6: Politics
803 Words
Politics, even then with my life as the tool for Ahbi's gain. I heard the gasp of anger, watched as my friend, my father's friend, crossed to stand beside me, facing his mother. Haralthazar scowled up at Ruler, hands clenched at his sides.
"I will not." I felt a moment of thanks, but knew it wasn't my safety he protected, but his own. Everyone had an agenda, didn't they? "I am a friend of the family, Mother. You can't ask me to do this."
"I can," she snapped. "And I'm not asking, Haralthazar. It's time you stepped up and fulfilled your duties as my son. This is your task and I expect you to fulfill it."
Vandelarius's scowl made me almost happy inside. I could at least still find joy in the rage of others, especially one as despicable as him. But it was common knowledge Ahbi always intended for Haralthazar to take Second Seat and I hated she was using me and the mess I'd made to hurt her favored son.
A conscience, Sassafras? Really? Facing death seemed to have changed my priorities somewhat.
I reached for Haralthazar on impulse, though my magic was blocked. Take care of Raneen and his family.
The demon lord twitched, eyes meeting mine a moment. The barest of nods told me he'd heard, even through the shielding keeping my magic hostage.
That much done, perhaps I could die with a portion of my soul unsullied.
"I beg you." Father stepped forward, hands clenched before him, clutching at his robe as tears tracked down his face. Honestly, such a play for power would backfire on him. Father should have known better. "Have mercy, Ruler."
"Absolutely not." Vandelarius sat back, lips peeling back from his teeth as he narrowed his beady eyes. "The boy must be punished for his crime."
Ahbi glared at her Second Seat for a long moment before turning back to Father. "Vandelarius is correct," she said. "He must be punished."
The Second Seat's head jerked to the side, now scowling at Ruler as though some odd shift of understanding had occurred. Punished. But not killed?
What was Ahbi up to?
Spite, clearly, motivated her. I could see it in the way her fingers clenched the arms of her throne, how sparks drifted from the hem of her robe and how she seemed to put up a wall between herself and Vandelarius. More politics. But, perhaps in this case to my advantage?
"There is an alternative," Father said. "Strip him, yes, but banish him instead of taking his life."
Banishment? I almost shouted at Father to shut up. Where would I go? And, without power, how would I survive? He was making things worse, not better. But Ahbi nodded once, slowly, and my fate was sealed.
"To where, Theridialis?" She stared down at him while he rushed forward and bowed. "Not one of our Planes, surely."
"No, Great One," Father said. "To the realm of the humans."
What? This time I cried out, but my protest was lost in the roar of the court. I sagged on my knees, shaking my head. What was he thinking? The humans would kill me. There had been a time when demons were welcomed, but not so now. Just the sight of me would raise their newfound religious wrath. And without an effigy to enter, a statue of my shape and form, I'd be trapped there forever.
Ah, yes. Of course. Since banishment meant exactly that.
Despite the unhappiness of the gathered demons, Ahbi appeared to be considering it. She let them run on, yelling at each other, at Father, shaking their fists while Raneen's parents hugged their damaged son close. But the wheels churned in Ruler, and I knew her well enough to see them turning.
She finally held up one hand, won silence with that simple gesture. "If we were to agree," she said, "Sassafras would have to be in a position of low standing. Unable to regain power or find a place of dominance in their culture."
"Of course," Father said. The traitor. This was part of the experiment, wasn't it? A way to see how far he could push his creation? Despicable. My hatred for him grew in leaps and bounds, as did my sudden resolve to survive-thrive even-no matter what Ahbi wanted.
Father's next words offered no comfort. "The boy will suffer greatly," he said. "And likely die, only in a slower and more painful manner."
Now they were grinning, nodding, these demons who once welcomed me among them, feared me. And I had been one of them.
Better then to be banished than spend one more instant in their presence.
"Very well." Ahbi turned her gaze to Haralthazar. "Strip the boy of his power so we can send him to his punishment."
***
- Writer
