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Danilos made him do a double take. The man’s face was red, his eyes squinted in anger. His beard seemed to bristle. Jevran shook his head and seemed to be on the verge of saying something. But Danilos beat him to it. He bounded to his feet.

“You traitor!” With long strides, he came close and struck him.

Varian’s head snapped back. He stiffened, but was actually glad for the slap. It cleared his thoughts, gave him something to concentrate on other than the words he’d last heard from Beno.

The Highlander is dead.

Kerrin was dead. He’d died without seeing his family again. He’d died trying to escape.

“You’re unfit to be called a king’s son.”

“That was uncalled for, Danilos!” Jevran stood. “Sit and don’t speak again until you’re called on.”

Danilos obeyed, but he shot Varian a look so full of venom that Varian flinched. What had happened to the mild-mannered Council member he’d been before? And what had happened to his brother? Jevran was actually defending him?

“I doubt that Varian meant this as treason. He and the Highlander obviously became close friends over the time Varian helped him. I wouldn’t let my close friend die without trying to help him.”

“Nevertheless, it was treason just to conceal the Highlander in the first place,” someone said.

“His name was Kerrin,” Varian said coldly. “He was a person, despite what all of you think, and I’d thank you to remember the dead with some respect.”

As he said it, his eyes filled again with tears. He couldn’t believe Kerrin was dead. What was the last thing they’d spoken to each other?  Godspeed.  It seemed now like God had been working against them, though Varian knew in the back of his mind that this was untrue. There was a reason—but it did nothing to soothe the pain throbbing in his heart, the pain that had quickly overcome his aching shoulder.

“Kerrin’s body will have a decent burial,” Jevran’s voice rose in Varian’s consciousness. “I’ll not have him treated like an animal, Danilos. What’s gotten into you tonight?”

“Sire, pardon me for speaking out strongly. But you know the threat the Highlanders and their overgrown lizards present to us. You know my feelings on this subject. Each and every Lowlander must be made to see the threat!”

“My own father married a Highlander.”

“It was the foolishness of love.”

“Love isn’t foolish,” Jevran said quietly. “I was old enough to remember my father’s love for his second wife. But, we’re getting off subject.”

“I say Varian’s executed in the Highlander’s place,” Danilos said.

Varian gulped. “Why? I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Save treason.”

“Save helping a man who was injured. The world’s a poor place if I’m put to death for that!” Varian felt his Highland accent becoming stronger. For once, he wished he could control it. It was only making Danilos angrier.

“I’m ot going to discuss this in front of my brother,” Jevran said. “It’s not right to execute him, nor is it right to discuss it in front of him. He’s had enough hardship for the day. Beno.”

“Yes sir.”

“Take Varian to his room. No, you need not post guards.”

“But, sir…” Danilos started.

“No! We’re no going to treat him like a criminal.”

Varian nodded. “Thank you.”

Jevran caught his eyes, and smiled faintly. Then Varian turned and walked out of the room. The door had barely closed before Danilos’ shrill voice was raised in protest. Varian’s head started pounding.

“Do you need help, sir?” Beno asked.

“No. I can make it on my own.”

Beno bowed and walked away.Varian sighed. Why does Danilos hate the Highlanders so much?

Varian wobbled and fell against the wall. His shoulder throbbed in protest. He reached back and felt a long, thin gash. It was no longer bleeding, but he probably needed to get it treated.

Kerrin’s gone.

Again, the thought hit him like a heavy miner’s pick. Varian slouched against the wall, breathing hard. He clenched his eyes shut, trying to block out all of the thoughts of Kerrin.  Please God, help me. Help get through this…

“Varian?”

Varian opened his eyes. “Mel? Onna?”

The herbalist’s bright blue eyes were the dimmest he’d ever seen, showing her sorrow. “Varian, I’m so sorry. I heard about Kerrin. And that you were wounded.”

“They don’t know about your part in it, do they, Mel?” 

“I doubt it. Otherwise I’d been in the dungeon right now.” Mel slipped an arm around Varian and helped him stand. “Come on, sir. Let’s get to your room. Onna has stuff to clean our wound.”

“All right…I…”

The hall spun around him. Varian clutched at Mel just as the world went dark and dropped out from under his feet.

 

***

 

He awoke to something soft yet painful running over his back. “Ouch!”

“Oh, hush. This isn’t anything but a scratch, though it did bleed an awful amount,” Onna’s voice came floating down to him. “Just lie still already. If you’re squirming to get up you’ll start to bleed again. Lie still until I have it bandaged, for goodness’ sakes! You’re the squirmiest patient I’ve ever had.”

Varian turned his head to the side. Mel was sitting by his bed, jiggling his foot and chewing his fingernails.

“Hey, I thought I’d told you to stop that,” he said softly.

Mel whipped his hand to his lap and smiled sheepishly. “Glad you’re awake.”

“What happened?”

“You fainted, is what,” Onna said. She rubbed something into his cut that burned like fire.

Varian yelped. “What in the world are you putting on that!”

“Just one of my concoctions. You scared the liver out of us, fainting like that. Don’t ever do it again. It gave my heart such a turn. And where would you be if Onna couldn’t make sleeping pills and all for your little escapades, hmm? There, you can get up.”

Varian gingerly pushed himself up. “Where’s Tikah?”

“In the kitchen,” Mel said. “Brent’s keeping her busy. I think that your brother’s still trying to entertain some nobles or something. Anyway, Brent’s about ready to have an apoplectic fit, trying to get all the food ready.”

The door suddenly slammed open. Jevran came into the room, his face a pale shade of red. “Get out!” he barked at Onna and Mel.

Mel glanced at Varian.

“What do you want, Jevran?” Varian asked

Jevra took a deep, slow breath. Then he shut the door behind him. “I need to talk with you. Privately.”

“Onna and Mel can be trusted.”

“I…oh, fine. You’d probably like to know what the council decided.”

Varian clenched his hands. Jevran had tried to keep his face impassive. Tried to keep his usual brusqueness in his manner. But the corner of his lip was quivering. Not a good sign.

“What?” Varian whispered.

“They’ve decided that you’re a traitor, Varian. That you’re going to die a traitor’s death.”

Varian’s stomach flipped into a tight knot. God, no!

“They can’t do that!” Mel said. He stood up, knocking his chair over. “They don’t have any right!”

“They have plenty of right in their own eyes,” Jevran muttered.

“What, and you’re going to sit and let them do that?” Onna said. “You’re the king! You have some say in the matter. Overrule them or whatever you want. But do it!”

“I can’t.” Jevran’s lips quivered even more. Then he slammed his hand against the door. “I can’t! If they vote unanimously on something, I’m not permitted to overrule them, king or not. Danilos is determined that someone will die—and if not the Highlander, then Varian. ‘He’s better off dead anyway, being half Highlander,’ is what he told me.”

“So what can I do?” Varian whispered.

Jevran faced him, steeled resolve in his eyes. “You do the only thing you can—run.”