Fly - Goose Girl Retold

Part 4

FOUR

Dirty from long days of travel, Yun knew he could not bathe until he had delivered his report. So he made his weary way to the throne room and prostrated himself at his father's feet.

The petitioner who Yun had interrupted nudged Yun's leg with his foot. "What is the meaning of this? Who is this ruffian?" he demanded.

A country baron who had never been to court before, Yun guessed.

"I am Prince Yun Bataar, your youngest son, Divine Emperor," Yun said. "Please forgive my dishevelled state. I bring news of the battle on our southern borders. Our armies were victorious once more, with numerous enemy slain." He proffered the scroll Chao had given him. "A report from Prince Chao."

"Get up and give it to me," Father said wearily, holding out his hand.

Yun jumped to his feet and ascended the dais to his father's side. "It was a s*******r," Yun said. "I'd be surprised if Chinggis can field a proper army after that, we've killed so many of them. If it were up to me, we'd call off the war here and now. No more fighting."

"And what about their attacks in the south-eastern villages? Baron Dong tells me he has no one left to plant next season's crops, for they are all dead. Chinggis has an army, and they outnumber us. If we stop fighting, their victory is assured, which is why this war will continue as long as I or Chinggis lives. Only a fool would think of stopping." Father eyed Yun darkly. "But you have always been a fool, writing songs and poems when your brothers were learning to rule. Good thing you are the youngest son and you will never be Emperor. If you were to rule in my place, the empire would fall." He laughed, and was echoed a moment later by the rest of the court.

When the empire's army was too busy r****g the women of one village to save their own people, perhaps it deserved to fall.

Yun gritted his teeth, biting back the retort he wanted to make. He'd learned everything his brothers had, and he was far from a fool. Which was why he held his tongue.

"You may return to the army and tell your brothers they have done well, but they need to march for the south-east at once."

Where his brothers would find no sign of Chinggis' army, so they would cross the border to s*******r another village in the name of retribution. And procure more women...

Yun tasted bile in the back of his throat. He had no desire to watch his brothers torment people who had done nothing to deserve it. Better to be a court fool than a dishonourable soldier.

But his father wouldn't want to hear a word against his favourite sons.

"Oh, but I couldn't!" Yun exclaimed in feigned horror. "Not after my first campaign. I must compose an epic poem about our most recent victory while it is still clear in my mind!" He wanted to cringe at how foolish he sounded. Surely his father wouldn't believe...

The Emperor clapped his hands. "That's my boy! After their first battle, your brothers all wanted another one, but you want a poem, and you shall have it! Never let it be said that I don't treasure my sons. You write what you will, and you may perform it when your brothers return victorious." He waved at a nearby servant. "Go with the prince, and make sure my boy has everything he needs."

Yun muttered his thanks and bowed briefly before he fled the court, with the servant close behind.

More than ever, he wanted to vomit. How could he create something that glorified t*****e and s*******r, when he wanted to stop it?

Perhaps he was a fool after all.