Even If The Gods Deny Us
“Come, Evan,” Randy said lowly when they were all given time to leave the trial to regroup once Tyson and his cohorts had been sentenced. No one said it out loud but many suspected that Brett was needing the time to compose himself for the upcoming interrogations and also to keep himself as fair and impartial as possible in light of what they had done to his brother and Prince Cody, and Evan, an innocent soldier who had been dragged into the fray to protect his commander. Needless to say that mentality was having Evan hailed as a hero as soon as people could try and approach him… try being the operative word since Randy’s poisonous glare was usually enough to send people scurrying away in fear, only a small number seemingly unaffected by his death glare to brave getting so much as a word, smile or fleeting touch of Evan.
“Where are we going?” Evan looked confused and not altogether too thrilled about the prospect of moving considering how long and how much effort it had taken to get him into the room in the first place.
“Your bandages need changing. I’d do them here but--”
Evan’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicious, “But nothing-you just want to carry me around don’t you?” Randy’s ensuing silence was the only confirmation that Evan needed and he sighed before casting a glance around the room. “Look Randy, almost everyone has gone, if you so want to you can change my bandages here.” He glanced across at the guards milling around and added, “I’m sure that we’ll be returned to peaceful privacy should someone attempt to bother us.”
The thought of Evan undressing, even to his waist, before so many people bothered Randy a great deal, but at the same he wasn’t looking to subjecting Evan to the fanfare of a situation they had had getting him into the room in the first place more than he had to… and since Evan refused to let himself be carried, even by Randy, there really wasn’t a lot of options left to him.
Muttering something about, “Stubborn minxes,” Randy then knelt down at Evan’s seated level. The small satchel that he had been carrying around all morning made sense when he pulled several cloth bandages out and some ointment that smelled pleasant enough but burned like hell on his stab-wound even though he had been stitched up a while up to that point.
Struggling to sit up a bit more Evan then undid the top of his toga and then slid it down enough to reveal his wound.
“Good great Zeus!” came the curse and Evan jumped, cheeks flushing as he realised that Cody and Ted had drawn over to them, the young men staring at Evan’s wound. It didn’t look half as bad as it had when it was open in its entirety, but it was still far from alright. The outside of the wound was a livid red, black and purple, with a little bit of yellow here and there where it was beginning to heal up.
“Your Highnesses,” Evan managed as levelly as possible, placing a hand on Randy’s shoulder when the man tensed; sometimes he was so silly with his territorial behaviour; Evan didn’t have eyes for anyone but him, and even if he had in that particular moment in time he was hardly in a position to do anything about it. Well, actually, if he had an interest in anyone other than Randy then he probably would never have been in this predicament in the first place… but he still couldn’t bring himself to regret what he’d done.
“Does it hurt?” Cody looked pale and Evan bizarrely felt sorry for him; he couldn’t recall Cody looking so ill even after his own ordeal.
“It’s only really the bruising that hurts-”
Randy snorted softly and began applying the ointment to Evan’s wound over and around the stitches.
Evan couldn’t help but whine in the back of his throat, biting his bottom lip hard as tears sprang to his eyes. No man present thought him in any way weak for the fact that it seemed like he might shed tears for the pain; most of them didn’t doubt that they would be taking it far worse had they been in Evan’s situation.
Ted’s brow furrowed, his own bruising standing out stark and livid, but even it seemed like nothing in the face of what Evan had been left with. Still, his life and no loss of organ was definitely not something that he should turn his nose up at, “How long does the doctor think it will take to heal fully?” he asked curiously. He had had his own stab-wound before of equal ferocity, yes, but he had been so gone by fever and the trauma or everything that had happened to him up to and after receiving the wound that he could barely remember anything of the weeks and months that followed as he began to heal.
By this stage Randy was applying clean bandages to the wound and then reapplying the strong cloth binding that Justin had consented to over the top. Neither Randy not Justin had been too thrilled by the idea as there was a chance it wouldn’t offer anywhere near close to the support that he’d need, but thus far it seemed to be holding.
“Some months yet,” Evan laughed ruefully, “I guess it’s a good job I don’t have to travel anywhere anytime soon.”
“Even if I was intending to go home I’m not sure I could leave knowing you were in such a state, Evan.”
“Your Highness-”
Cody placed his hand on Evan’s shoulder and smiled softly, “I know I’ve said it before but thank you. Ted and I, and Brett… A lot of people owe you their thanks, Evan.”
Evan went bright red, lowering his eyes, “Please-” he really didn’t think he’d done anything that heroic and yet everyone seemed determined to make it such. In truth what he had done was react on spur of the moment selfishness; his own injury was inconsequential as long as Randy was unharmed, and if that meant that a dangerous man also lost his life as a consequence then that was just unfortunate wasn’t it?
“Cody’s right, Evan, and we’ll be honoured to have you stay in our kingdom should you so desire.”
The talk was admittedly a pleasant reprieve from the tension; everyone knew that the hardest part was still yet to come, and depending on how proceedings went they could still be there for quite a few days’ time before any kind of conclusion was reached. Yes, people were demanding their justice, but if their king didn’t deliver justice the right way they would be unhappy… and if Brett delivered justice in a way that he didn’t really agree with for the sake of keeping the people happy then his conscience would never let him rest.
In these situations no one ever really won.
~::~
Brett announced that the rest of the trials would take place the following day and Ted gave an internal sigh of relief, standing with everyone else as Brett left and taking the chance to do the same, Cody accompanying him. Earlier that day he had waited behind to speak with Randy and Evan but he honestly just wanted to get out of there. Neither Evan nor Randy would probably want anyone around while they made their way back to their own room - he had thought that Evan was looking a little wan before they had left and he already knew that the man wanted to wait until everyone else had gone before limping out.
They didn’t leave through the same door as the rest of the court; there was another at the back that was reserved entirely for the royals to use and led to a closer corridor to their quarters. Once they were out of sight and earshot of the rest of the court Brett let out a long sigh. “That was... unpleasant.”
Kaitlyn laid a hand on his arm. “You acquitted yourself very well, love.”
“You did,” added Ted. “But it will be worse tomorrow.”
“It was difficult enough with Tyson,” said Brett. “Knowing his wife as long as we have and that she’ll be devastated. I imagine her family will be very angry and petition her to leave him, or have the marriage declared void.”
“Will you allow that?” asked Kaitlyn, her face showing her concern.
Brett didn’t reply for a moment. “I would have to if Natalya herself were to ask me and I believed she was sincere. And that she were not acting under undue influence.” He shrugged. “I hope it doesn’t come to that. Tyson has been a fool but I know that they truly care for one another.”
He frowned, then made an obvious effort to dismiss his concerns from his mind. “I was glad to see Evan was there. I would like to invite him to eat with us tonight, he and Randy both, but I’m concerned that he will attempt it and it will cause him further setbacks.”
“I would suggest a little more recovery,” said Cody gently. “But then I’m sure he would be glad to.”
Brett managed a smile. “I believe I may not be the best company this evening in any case, I am not happy at the thought of entertaining even those closest to me. I think it may be best for me to retire for the evening...” He grinned suddenly. “And I do have a wedding to plan.”
“You’re down to days rather than weeks now,” said Ted with a smirk.
Kaitlyn made some noise and Brett looked at her curiously. She raised her eyebrows and Brett stared blankly for a moment before comprehension dawned. “I had forgotten. Brett, will you stand with me at the wedding as my best man?”
“It would be my honour.” Ted smiled as he put an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “I’ll be there to remind you of the words.”
“The coronation will follow immediately afterwards.” Brett still looked troubled. “I have been forced to give it much force. Usually our most senior member of the court would crown the king if the old king were not able to, or the highest authority in the court. But that was Damien most recently and he is dead. Before that would have been most likely Paul. Mother has already promised to lay the crown upon Kaitlyn’s head but I wondered. Since you are now the most senior courtier and - well, you are the rightful heir in truth - would you be the one to do that?”
“I seem to have many duties that day.” Ted chuckled a little. “I can think of no better way to cement the future of the kingdom and again, it would be an honour for me.”
“Thank you.” Brett gave a brief glimpse of his old smile before his face grew serious again. “I have requested an extra guard from now until the coronation, certainly during the trial. John has insisted that he is once more able to undertake this duty and I have also given Adam and Christian your safety as their priority. Both of you - but I imagine you’ll mostly be together.”
“You imagine entirely correctly.” Ted patted Brett’s arm. “Rest a while and eat. I shall see you in the morning.”
“I will have food brought to our rooms,” added Kaitlyn. “Would you like me to command the same for yourselves?”
Ted looked slightly uncomfortable. “I would not, but thank you. We shall make arrangements. Good night.”
“Good night,” echoed Brett and Kaitlyn, both seeming a little confused and Cody understood that feeling, giving them his usual cheery grin before following Ted. “Why couldn’t we have had Kaitlyn’s slave send someone up to us?”
“Cody...” Ted didn’t stop but he slowed, reaching for Cody’s hand. “I believe that once Brett is crowned and the wedding is done, I shall petition to him to end slavery.”
Cody blinked. “But who would do the unskilled work?”
“Why can they not do it? But as free men and women. Perhaps that will mean that their roles change only minimally but there is a lot to be said for the inclusion of choice. The former owners may be willing to keep them in their former sleeping quarters or supply new ones, they might work their previous jobs for room and food rather than for money. But they will be given the choice and the opportunity to change, or leave, or receive a wage. And that will mean much to many of them.”
“I have never been a slave and will have to take your word for those things,” said Cody quietly. “Will Brett need persuasion?”
“Not as much now as he could have done, knowing what has happened to me,” said Ted wryly. “It will be contentious of course. I’m sure I will have much opposition.”
“I will stand by you throughout it though.” Cody squeezed Ted’s hand and they exchanged secretive smiles before picking up the pace and making their way back to their own rooms.
~:~
Once more Randy tried to talk Evan out of attending the following days trial and once more Evan refused to give any credence to the arguments he gave - although he did agree that once they were done with he would spend a few days doing very little other than lying around and maybe engaging in conversation and relaxation. Cody had actually turned up that morning without Ted in tow, saying that Ted had gone to organise food and while at something of a loose end Cody had found some slim books that he said he thought would keep Evan busy for a while when he was laid up. Evan thanked him, seeming pleased and Randy managed to hold his tongue until Cody had left before giving Evan a rather amused smile. “Can you read?”
“Not really,” admitted Evan. “It was never paramount when I was younger and slaves aren’t taught.”
“Ted might have remembered but such a thing would never occur to Cody.” Randy picked up some of the things the prince had brought and thumbed through them with a frown. “Still, I suppose the thought was a nice one. I hope you don’t expect me to read this to you. Words were never a part of my education either.”
“It may be the time for me to learn if I am to be laid up.” Evan smirked a little. “Perhaps Josh would teach me. In any case, we should get to the court before the others, otherwise we will have to fight our way through the crowds and I’m sure that isn’t good for me.”
That was the right way to get Randy moving - he wasn’t known to be punctual but Evan’s welfare was paramount to him and he wasn’t going to risk anyone jostling him. As they waited for the courtroom Evan leaned over so that he could speak to Randy without raising his voice too much. “Do you think that Cody was trying to distract himself?”
“I believe so,” replied Randy gravely. “It’s today he will have to give evidence against these two. I think he will be nervous but I know Cody well enough. He will speak well enough.”
Evan wasn’t entirely sure when he saw Cody enter the room, looking nervous as hell. But it wasn’t as if he could raise concerns or objections and when Brett arrived to call the room to attention, it was far too late.
Curtis was the first on trial that day. As involved as he had been in the scheme that had actually almost come to something he had a lot more reason to be nervous than those who had been tried the day before and while he tried to stand tall and defiant, there was an obvious shadow of fear in his eyes. No one had to tell him how badly this might come out for him.
Evan found himself completely absorbed and not just because he was the one who had come off worse for the conspiracy, if Brock didn’t get counted. Curtis was a strange one. He didn’t seem to have anything to gain or lose depending on who the king was - he had been an up-and-comer in the court of the previous king, the voice of youth, and Brett hadn’t changed that. It was unlikely that Ted would either. He had simply been persuaded by someone who was a father figure to him that what they were doing was for the best and gone along with the plan, not with any enthusiasm but with no qualms or guilt. Cody stood up and told what Curtis had done while he was in their custody but even he seemed a little hesitant. Curtis hadn’t done anything to him other than take him from Brock and to the stable - he had been detached, Cody reported, not really concerned about him. But he hadn’t gone out of his way to take care of Cody either.
“Why is it that Cody can describe himself being kidnapped and sound as if he did all that he could?” Evan found himself asking Randy after Cody had been seated. “Had it been anyone else to be taken with so little fight we would be considered to have merely given in.”
“Things are different for us,” said Randy with a little amusement. “We are able to defend ourselves and are known to be soldiers. We would be expected to struggle to the death if needed to - that’s what you would have done, am I right?”
“Yes.”
“But that’s not the way things are for Cody. Or for Ted. The royals are discouraged from doing anything that might cause them harm. At least they are in our own kingdom - Ted strikes me as having some little knowledge of how to swing a sword, if not much. Cody has never been allowed to learn even that much.”
“In my own tribe, our leader was a fighter. He was expected to be the best fighter.”
“Wasn’t your father the leader?”
Evan shrugged, not really wanting to go into it. The tribe was long gone, his father had upheld his end of the bargain that had been made and given his own child into slavery but it had made no difference. Evan knew that everything had turned out for the best for him in the end but there had been a lot of years between then and now that had not been easy. He would rather have stood by the side of his people and fought until his own death.
Randy got the hint. “The royals in our kingdom are not encouraged to fight and Cody has recalled that. He wouldn’t know how to defend himself and against Brock? Best not to try lest he end the same way as Damien. And the court will be aware of that.”
Evan nodded slowly, letting the subject drop. He had been taught as a child that it was better to fight than to quit, then as a slave he had been retrained to believe that fighting was never, ever to be tolerated from him. As a soldier he was expected to fight back. It was hard enough understanding his own protocols, let alone anyone else’s.
Brett looked troubled, he noted. Evan didn’t know all of what had gone on in the kingdom before they had arrived but he was aware that Curtis had been a member of the court and given that they were of similar ages, it wasn’t unthinkable that he had been an acquaintance of Ted and Brett, even if he hadn’t been a close friend. It put Brett in a difficult position he imagined - but there was the plot and the danger Cody had been in. And Brock could have killed Ted. He would have to put sentiment aside. That didn’t mean that Evan didn’t feel some measure of pity for the king. He didn’t think it was a role he would like, no matter how good the food and the living quarters were.
Curtis said very little to help himself out, other than that the death of Damien had been a mistake, something that Brock had done without their knowledge or permission. Brock had been the one to go out of control and their intention had never been to cause any injury or harm to anyone involved. He didn’t give up Paul though, almost downplaying the role he had in proceedings. It was clear to Evan that Curtis had realised Brock wasn’t about to cause a fuss if they passed everything off on him and had decided to go that route, with the only problem being he wasn’t bright enough to have come up with the plan and then coerced his associates into going along with him. No one was fooled by the veiled references to Brock’s big idea.
Eventually the court had heard all that they needed and a vote was taken. No one elected to find Curtis innocent of treason. Evan was very surprised when his own injuries were detailed and that he might well have died while rescuing the princes, and slightly embarrassed by the attention - it was his job after all. But that was nothing compared to his surprise when Brett also asked for a vote on whether or not Curtis was guilty of being an accomplice in his attempted murder and his surprise only increased when there were no innocent votes on that topic either. He turned to Randy, wide-eyed, to see his lover was grim over the issue. Which didn’t mean that he was displeased by the verdict either. Evan turned his attention back to the trial, wondering when his life became as important as that of a prince.
Brett exhaled, his face grim as he stood. “Curtis, there is not a man among the court that does not believe you had a large part in the conspiracy against me, the kidnapping of Cody and a plot to gain control of the kingdom by proxy. However, I’m inclined to believe that you were not the mastermind behind all of this. You have shown no ill-will to any man personally while not denying your role. I find it troubling if I’m truthful.”
Curtis gave a slight shake of his head. “The evidence is what it is. Denial would not help me. And I harbour no resentment to anyone in the court. It is merely that I trust neither one of you to do the right thing by the people in this room.”
“What about the people outside of it?”
“What of them? They have been getting along.”
Brett frowned deeply. “Curtis, I do not intend to discuss how I rule the kingdom with you. Concerns should be raised with me in the proper manner, there should be no death, no kidnapping and no plotting involved. And my methods will no longer be any of your concern. Out of respect for your family, who have long been a part of this kingdom, I have elected to spare you death. However, you will live here among us no more. You are hereby banished from this place and you may not return for the entirety of your life.”
There was a muted gasp from the court and for the first time Curtis looked uncertain. “You cannot do that!”
“I believe I can. I could sentence you to hard labour but I believe that would teach you nothing. I could not regain my trust of you and I could not see you serve your time and trust that this would not happen again. I do not want you in my kingdom and as a consequence, you shall leave it. You shall have until this time tomorrow to gather your things, say farewell to those who care for you and remove yourself.”
Curtis started to protest but was manhandled from the room by the two blank-faced soldiers who had led him in. There seemed to be plenty of surprise in the court and Evan couldn’t say he was surprised. He was pretty taken aback himself. He would have thought that the choice would be hard labour versus death, it hadn’t occurred to him there was a third option. But the shame upon the family was at least equalled, Brett didn’t have to put him to death and a life with none of the money or privilege that Curtis was used to was going to be the toughest thing of all for him. He seemed to be resourceful and smart, perhaps he would get by. Perhaps not. They would probably never know if he did.
“It’s risky,” said Randy under his breath.
“I disagree,” said Evan, equally quietly. “I don’t think he would want to gather a force to lead a revolution. I think without undue influence, he may realise that it is not in his best interests.”
“Who’s to say that he won’t meet up with Paul once banished?”
“We have no way of knowing if Paul will be banished or not.”
There wasn’t time for anything else; Brett indicated to the soldier at the door and with very little commotion, Paul was brought in wearing shackles. His head was bowed but Evan could almost see the cogs turning in his mind, trying to work out a way to get out of this. Evan watched him for a moment and then turned his head to glance at Cody. Cody was a little pale but he was trying to hide the anger in his face and doing a relatively good job of it. Ted was staring at the man through narrowed eyes.
“Ev,” said Randy, barely audible. “Do you need to take a break?”
Evan paused a moment. He had been expecting that there would be a break between trials as there had been the previous day, but it seemed that Brett was anxious to get on with it and Evan thought that he could understand. He too just wanted to get it all over with.
“I’ll be fine,” he whispered back. “The sooner this is over, the sooner we can go back and I can rest up for a few days.”
“Weeks,” said Randy.
“Days,” returned Evan with the ghost of a smile on his face.
Brett rose and outlined the charges - similar again to Curtis in that he was accused of treason, conspiracy, kidnapping and assisting in attempted murder. But Brett made it clear that he was the man considered to be the brains of the operation, the one who had put everything together in the first place. Curtis had been misled, Paul had been the leader.
“If I may speak before all of you,” said Paul before anyone had chance to begin. All eyes turned to Brett, who looked a little surprised but gave a nod to allow it.
Paul raised his head, looking around the members of the court. “You have all known me for years. Some of you were my friends, some of you were jealous of me but all of you know that I have always done what was best for the kingdom. I was the one responsible for most of the advice given to King Theodore, including some discussion over the future of his sons. I know their strengths and weaknesses and I know what his highness would have preferred. He would have expected that Theodore would have taken his place with Michael unable to do so. With Theodore returned, he would have expected his eldest living son to do his duty and take the throne. And he would have expected Brett to stand aside and allow it. To allow what has occurred in this kingdom in the last weeks is a travesty and I could not allow it to continue! It was my duty as a loyal subject to restore the balance.”
He stared around the court rather wildly. “Brett has no knowledge of leadership and regardless of what Theodore has been through in the time since his capture, he must assume the throne. Otherwise our kingdom will suffer greatly, more so than it already has. Who among you has not thought that Theodore will assume leadership? Who among you was not relieved that he would?”
“Given that there was another group with the opposite intent to yourself, I would say that the court was split roughly in half,” said Brett dryly. “My suitability is not a matter for this court. You claim that you were doing what was best and we shall take that into consideration, unless of course we can prove that you had other reasons to wish Theodore to rule that were not as altruistic as you say.”
Cody smirked. The discussion of their ‘puppet prince’ showed their self interest as far as he was concerned.
“Where are we going?” Evan looked confused and not altogether too thrilled about the prospect of moving considering how long and how much effort it had taken to get him into the room in the first place.
“Your bandages need changing. I’d do them here but--”
Evan’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicious, “But nothing-you just want to carry me around don’t you?” Randy’s ensuing silence was the only confirmation that Evan needed and he sighed before casting a glance around the room. “Look Randy, almost everyone has gone, if you so want to you can change my bandages here.” He glanced across at the guards milling around and added, “I’m sure that we’ll be returned to peaceful privacy should someone attempt to bother us.”
The thought of Evan undressing, even to his waist, before so many people bothered Randy a great deal, but at the same he wasn’t looking to subjecting Evan to the fanfare of a situation they had had getting him into the room in the first place more than he had to… and since Evan refused to let himself be carried, even by Randy, there really wasn’t a lot of options left to him.
Muttering something about, “Stubborn minxes,” Randy then knelt down at Evan’s seated level. The small satchel that he had been carrying around all morning made sense when he pulled several cloth bandages out and some ointment that smelled pleasant enough but burned like hell on his stab-wound even though he had been stitched up a while up to that point.
Struggling to sit up a bit more Evan then undid the top of his toga and then slid it down enough to reveal his wound.
“Good great Zeus!” came the curse and Evan jumped, cheeks flushing as he realised that Cody and Ted had drawn over to them, the young men staring at Evan’s wound. It didn’t look half as bad as it had when it was open in its entirety, but it was still far from alright. The outside of the wound was a livid red, black and purple, with a little bit of yellow here and there where it was beginning to heal up.
“Your Highnesses,” Evan managed as levelly as possible, placing a hand on Randy’s shoulder when the man tensed; sometimes he was so silly with his territorial behaviour; Evan didn’t have eyes for anyone but him, and even if he had in that particular moment in time he was hardly in a position to do anything about it. Well, actually, if he had an interest in anyone other than Randy then he probably would never have been in this predicament in the first place… but he still couldn’t bring himself to regret what he’d done.
“Does it hurt?” Cody looked pale and Evan bizarrely felt sorry for him; he couldn’t recall Cody looking so ill even after his own ordeal.
“It’s only really the bruising that hurts-”
Randy snorted softly and began applying the ointment to Evan’s wound over and around the stitches.
Evan couldn’t help but whine in the back of his throat, biting his bottom lip hard as tears sprang to his eyes. No man present thought him in any way weak for the fact that it seemed like he might shed tears for the pain; most of them didn’t doubt that they would be taking it far worse had they been in Evan’s situation.
Ted’s brow furrowed, his own bruising standing out stark and livid, but even it seemed like nothing in the face of what Evan had been left with. Still, his life and no loss of organ was definitely not something that he should turn his nose up at, “How long does the doctor think it will take to heal fully?” he asked curiously. He had had his own stab-wound before of equal ferocity, yes, but he had been so gone by fever and the trauma or everything that had happened to him up to and after receiving the wound that he could barely remember anything of the weeks and months that followed as he began to heal.
By this stage Randy was applying clean bandages to the wound and then reapplying the strong cloth binding that Justin had consented to over the top. Neither Randy not Justin had been too thrilled by the idea as there was a chance it wouldn’t offer anywhere near close to the support that he’d need, but thus far it seemed to be holding.
“Some months yet,” Evan laughed ruefully, “I guess it’s a good job I don’t have to travel anywhere anytime soon.”
“Even if I was intending to go home I’m not sure I could leave knowing you were in such a state, Evan.”
“Your Highness-”
Cody placed his hand on Evan’s shoulder and smiled softly, “I know I’ve said it before but thank you. Ted and I, and Brett… A lot of people owe you their thanks, Evan.”
Evan went bright red, lowering his eyes, “Please-” he really didn’t think he’d done anything that heroic and yet everyone seemed determined to make it such. In truth what he had done was react on spur of the moment selfishness; his own injury was inconsequential as long as Randy was unharmed, and if that meant that a dangerous man also lost his life as a consequence then that was just unfortunate wasn’t it?
“Cody’s right, Evan, and we’ll be honoured to have you stay in our kingdom should you so desire.”
The talk was admittedly a pleasant reprieve from the tension; everyone knew that the hardest part was still yet to come, and depending on how proceedings went they could still be there for quite a few days’ time before any kind of conclusion was reached. Yes, people were demanding their justice, but if their king didn’t deliver justice the right way they would be unhappy… and if Brett delivered justice in a way that he didn’t really agree with for the sake of keeping the people happy then his conscience would never let him rest.
In these situations no one ever really won.
~::~
Brett announced that the rest of the trials would take place the following day and Ted gave an internal sigh of relief, standing with everyone else as Brett left and taking the chance to do the same, Cody accompanying him. Earlier that day he had waited behind to speak with Randy and Evan but he honestly just wanted to get out of there. Neither Evan nor Randy would probably want anyone around while they made their way back to their own room - he had thought that Evan was looking a little wan before they had left and he already knew that the man wanted to wait until everyone else had gone before limping out.
They didn’t leave through the same door as the rest of the court; there was another at the back that was reserved entirely for the royals to use and led to a closer corridor to their quarters. Once they were out of sight and earshot of the rest of the court Brett let out a long sigh. “That was... unpleasant.”
Kaitlyn laid a hand on his arm. “You acquitted yourself very well, love.”
“You did,” added Ted. “But it will be worse tomorrow.”
“It was difficult enough with Tyson,” said Brett. “Knowing his wife as long as we have and that she’ll be devastated. I imagine her family will be very angry and petition her to leave him, or have the marriage declared void.”
“Will you allow that?” asked Kaitlyn, her face showing her concern.
Brett didn’t reply for a moment. “I would have to if Natalya herself were to ask me and I believed she was sincere. And that she were not acting under undue influence.” He shrugged. “I hope it doesn’t come to that. Tyson has been a fool but I know that they truly care for one another.”
He frowned, then made an obvious effort to dismiss his concerns from his mind. “I was glad to see Evan was there. I would like to invite him to eat with us tonight, he and Randy both, but I’m concerned that he will attempt it and it will cause him further setbacks.”
“I would suggest a little more recovery,” said Cody gently. “But then I’m sure he would be glad to.”
Brett managed a smile. “I believe I may not be the best company this evening in any case, I am not happy at the thought of entertaining even those closest to me. I think it may be best for me to retire for the evening...” He grinned suddenly. “And I do have a wedding to plan.”
“You’re down to days rather than weeks now,” said Ted with a smirk.
Kaitlyn made some noise and Brett looked at her curiously. She raised her eyebrows and Brett stared blankly for a moment before comprehension dawned. “I had forgotten. Brett, will you stand with me at the wedding as my best man?”
“It would be my honour.” Ted smiled as he put an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “I’ll be there to remind you of the words.”
“The coronation will follow immediately afterwards.” Brett still looked troubled. “I have been forced to give it much force. Usually our most senior member of the court would crown the king if the old king were not able to, or the highest authority in the court. But that was Damien most recently and he is dead. Before that would have been most likely Paul. Mother has already promised to lay the crown upon Kaitlyn’s head but I wondered. Since you are now the most senior courtier and - well, you are the rightful heir in truth - would you be the one to do that?”
“I seem to have many duties that day.” Ted chuckled a little. “I can think of no better way to cement the future of the kingdom and again, it would be an honour for me.”
“Thank you.” Brett gave a brief glimpse of his old smile before his face grew serious again. “I have requested an extra guard from now until the coronation, certainly during the trial. John has insisted that he is once more able to undertake this duty and I have also given Adam and Christian your safety as their priority. Both of you - but I imagine you’ll mostly be together.”
“You imagine entirely correctly.” Ted patted Brett’s arm. “Rest a while and eat. I shall see you in the morning.”
“I will have food brought to our rooms,” added Kaitlyn. “Would you like me to command the same for yourselves?”
Ted looked slightly uncomfortable. “I would not, but thank you. We shall make arrangements. Good night.”
“Good night,” echoed Brett and Kaitlyn, both seeming a little confused and Cody understood that feeling, giving them his usual cheery grin before following Ted. “Why couldn’t we have had Kaitlyn’s slave send someone up to us?”
“Cody...” Ted didn’t stop but he slowed, reaching for Cody’s hand. “I believe that once Brett is crowned and the wedding is done, I shall petition to him to end slavery.”
Cody blinked. “But who would do the unskilled work?”
“Why can they not do it? But as free men and women. Perhaps that will mean that their roles change only minimally but there is a lot to be said for the inclusion of choice. The former owners may be willing to keep them in their former sleeping quarters or supply new ones, they might work their previous jobs for room and food rather than for money. But they will be given the choice and the opportunity to change, or leave, or receive a wage. And that will mean much to many of them.”
“I have never been a slave and will have to take your word for those things,” said Cody quietly. “Will Brett need persuasion?”
“Not as much now as he could have done, knowing what has happened to me,” said Ted wryly. “It will be contentious of course. I’m sure I will have much opposition.”
“I will stand by you throughout it though.” Cody squeezed Ted’s hand and they exchanged secretive smiles before picking up the pace and making their way back to their own rooms.
~:~
Once more Randy tried to talk Evan out of attending the following days trial and once more Evan refused to give any credence to the arguments he gave - although he did agree that once they were done with he would spend a few days doing very little other than lying around and maybe engaging in conversation and relaxation. Cody had actually turned up that morning without Ted in tow, saying that Ted had gone to organise food and while at something of a loose end Cody had found some slim books that he said he thought would keep Evan busy for a while when he was laid up. Evan thanked him, seeming pleased and Randy managed to hold his tongue until Cody had left before giving Evan a rather amused smile. “Can you read?”
“Not really,” admitted Evan. “It was never paramount when I was younger and slaves aren’t taught.”
“Ted might have remembered but such a thing would never occur to Cody.” Randy picked up some of the things the prince had brought and thumbed through them with a frown. “Still, I suppose the thought was a nice one. I hope you don’t expect me to read this to you. Words were never a part of my education either.”
“It may be the time for me to learn if I am to be laid up.” Evan smirked a little. “Perhaps Josh would teach me. In any case, we should get to the court before the others, otherwise we will have to fight our way through the crowds and I’m sure that isn’t good for me.”
That was the right way to get Randy moving - he wasn’t known to be punctual but Evan’s welfare was paramount to him and he wasn’t going to risk anyone jostling him. As they waited for the courtroom Evan leaned over so that he could speak to Randy without raising his voice too much. “Do you think that Cody was trying to distract himself?”
“I believe so,” replied Randy gravely. “It’s today he will have to give evidence against these two. I think he will be nervous but I know Cody well enough. He will speak well enough.”
Evan wasn’t entirely sure when he saw Cody enter the room, looking nervous as hell. But it wasn’t as if he could raise concerns or objections and when Brett arrived to call the room to attention, it was far too late.
Curtis was the first on trial that day. As involved as he had been in the scheme that had actually almost come to something he had a lot more reason to be nervous than those who had been tried the day before and while he tried to stand tall and defiant, there was an obvious shadow of fear in his eyes. No one had to tell him how badly this might come out for him.
Evan found himself completely absorbed and not just because he was the one who had come off worse for the conspiracy, if Brock didn’t get counted. Curtis was a strange one. He didn’t seem to have anything to gain or lose depending on who the king was - he had been an up-and-comer in the court of the previous king, the voice of youth, and Brett hadn’t changed that. It was unlikely that Ted would either. He had simply been persuaded by someone who was a father figure to him that what they were doing was for the best and gone along with the plan, not with any enthusiasm but with no qualms or guilt. Cody stood up and told what Curtis had done while he was in their custody but even he seemed a little hesitant. Curtis hadn’t done anything to him other than take him from Brock and to the stable - he had been detached, Cody reported, not really concerned about him. But he hadn’t gone out of his way to take care of Cody either.
“Why is it that Cody can describe himself being kidnapped and sound as if he did all that he could?” Evan found himself asking Randy after Cody had been seated. “Had it been anyone else to be taken with so little fight we would be considered to have merely given in.”
“Things are different for us,” said Randy with a little amusement. “We are able to defend ourselves and are known to be soldiers. We would be expected to struggle to the death if needed to - that’s what you would have done, am I right?”
“Yes.”
“But that’s not the way things are for Cody. Or for Ted. The royals are discouraged from doing anything that might cause them harm. At least they are in our own kingdom - Ted strikes me as having some little knowledge of how to swing a sword, if not much. Cody has never been allowed to learn even that much.”
“In my own tribe, our leader was a fighter. He was expected to be the best fighter.”
“Wasn’t your father the leader?”
Evan shrugged, not really wanting to go into it. The tribe was long gone, his father had upheld his end of the bargain that had been made and given his own child into slavery but it had made no difference. Evan knew that everything had turned out for the best for him in the end but there had been a lot of years between then and now that had not been easy. He would rather have stood by the side of his people and fought until his own death.
Randy got the hint. “The royals in our kingdom are not encouraged to fight and Cody has recalled that. He wouldn’t know how to defend himself and against Brock? Best not to try lest he end the same way as Damien. And the court will be aware of that.”
Evan nodded slowly, letting the subject drop. He had been taught as a child that it was better to fight than to quit, then as a slave he had been retrained to believe that fighting was never, ever to be tolerated from him. As a soldier he was expected to fight back. It was hard enough understanding his own protocols, let alone anyone else’s.
Brett looked troubled, he noted. Evan didn’t know all of what had gone on in the kingdom before they had arrived but he was aware that Curtis had been a member of the court and given that they were of similar ages, it wasn’t unthinkable that he had been an acquaintance of Ted and Brett, even if he hadn’t been a close friend. It put Brett in a difficult position he imagined - but there was the plot and the danger Cody had been in. And Brock could have killed Ted. He would have to put sentiment aside. That didn’t mean that Evan didn’t feel some measure of pity for the king. He didn’t think it was a role he would like, no matter how good the food and the living quarters were.
Curtis said very little to help himself out, other than that the death of Damien had been a mistake, something that Brock had done without their knowledge or permission. Brock had been the one to go out of control and their intention had never been to cause any injury or harm to anyone involved. He didn’t give up Paul though, almost downplaying the role he had in proceedings. It was clear to Evan that Curtis had realised Brock wasn’t about to cause a fuss if they passed everything off on him and had decided to go that route, with the only problem being he wasn’t bright enough to have come up with the plan and then coerced his associates into going along with him. No one was fooled by the veiled references to Brock’s big idea.
Eventually the court had heard all that they needed and a vote was taken. No one elected to find Curtis innocent of treason. Evan was very surprised when his own injuries were detailed and that he might well have died while rescuing the princes, and slightly embarrassed by the attention - it was his job after all. But that was nothing compared to his surprise when Brett also asked for a vote on whether or not Curtis was guilty of being an accomplice in his attempted murder and his surprise only increased when there were no innocent votes on that topic either. He turned to Randy, wide-eyed, to see his lover was grim over the issue. Which didn’t mean that he was displeased by the verdict either. Evan turned his attention back to the trial, wondering when his life became as important as that of a prince.
Brett exhaled, his face grim as he stood. “Curtis, there is not a man among the court that does not believe you had a large part in the conspiracy against me, the kidnapping of Cody and a plot to gain control of the kingdom by proxy. However, I’m inclined to believe that you were not the mastermind behind all of this. You have shown no ill-will to any man personally while not denying your role. I find it troubling if I’m truthful.”
Curtis gave a slight shake of his head. “The evidence is what it is. Denial would not help me. And I harbour no resentment to anyone in the court. It is merely that I trust neither one of you to do the right thing by the people in this room.”
“What about the people outside of it?”
“What of them? They have been getting along.”
Brett frowned deeply. “Curtis, I do not intend to discuss how I rule the kingdom with you. Concerns should be raised with me in the proper manner, there should be no death, no kidnapping and no plotting involved. And my methods will no longer be any of your concern. Out of respect for your family, who have long been a part of this kingdom, I have elected to spare you death. However, you will live here among us no more. You are hereby banished from this place and you may not return for the entirety of your life.”
There was a muted gasp from the court and for the first time Curtis looked uncertain. “You cannot do that!”
“I believe I can. I could sentence you to hard labour but I believe that would teach you nothing. I could not regain my trust of you and I could not see you serve your time and trust that this would not happen again. I do not want you in my kingdom and as a consequence, you shall leave it. You shall have until this time tomorrow to gather your things, say farewell to those who care for you and remove yourself.”
Curtis started to protest but was manhandled from the room by the two blank-faced soldiers who had led him in. There seemed to be plenty of surprise in the court and Evan couldn’t say he was surprised. He was pretty taken aback himself. He would have thought that the choice would be hard labour versus death, it hadn’t occurred to him there was a third option. But the shame upon the family was at least equalled, Brett didn’t have to put him to death and a life with none of the money or privilege that Curtis was used to was going to be the toughest thing of all for him. He seemed to be resourceful and smart, perhaps he would get by. Perhaps not. They would probably never know if he did.
“It’s risky,” said Randy under his breath.
“I disagree,” said Evan, equally quietly. “I don’t think he would want to gather a force to lead a revolution. I think without undue influence, he may realise that it is not in his best interests.”
“Who’s to say that he won’t meet up with Paul once banished?”
“We have no way of knowing if Paul will be banished or not.”
There wasn’t time for anything else; Brett indicated to the soldier at the door and with very little commotion, Paul was brought in wearing shackles. His head was bowed but Evan could almost see the cogs turning in his mind, trying to work out a way to get out of this. Evan watched him for a moment and then turned his head to glance at Cody. Cody was a little pale but he was trying to hide the anger in his face and doing a relatively good job of it. Ted was staring at the man through narrowed eyes.
“Ev,” said Randy, barely audible. “Do you need to take a break?”
Evan paused a moment. He had been expecting that there would be a break between trials as there had been the previous day, but it seemed that Brett was anxious to get on with it and Evan thought that he could understand. He too just wanted to get it all over with.
“I’ll be fine,” he whispered back. “The sooner this is over, the sooner we can go back and I can rest up for a few days.”
“Weeks,” said Randy.
“Days,” returned Evan with the ghost of a smile on his face.
Brett rose and outlined the charges - similar again to Curtis in that he was accused of treason, conspiracy, kidnapping and assisting in attempted murder. But Brett made it clear that he was the man considered to be the brains of the operation, the one who had put everything together in the first place. Curtis had been misled, Paul had been the leader.
“If I may speak before all of you,” said Paul before anyone had chance to begin. All eyes turned to Brett, who looked a little surprised but gave a nod to allow it.
Paul raised his head, looking around the members of the court. “You have all known me for years. Some of you were my friends, some of you were jealous of me but all of you know that I have always done what was best for the kingdom. I was the one responsible for most of the advice given to King Theodore, including some discussion over the future of his sons. I know their strengths and weaknesses and I know what his highness would have preferred. He would have expected that Theodore would have taken his place with Michael unable to do so. With Theodore returned, he would have expected his eldest living son to do his duty and take the throne. And he would have expected Brett to stand aside and allow it. To allow what has occurred in this kingdom in the last weeks is a travesty and I could not allow it to continue! It was my duty as a loyal subject to restore the balance.”
He stared around the court rather wildly. “Brett has no knowledge of leadership and regardless of what Theodore has been through in the time since his capture, he must assume the throne. Otherwise our kingdom will suffer greatly, more so than it already has. Who among you has not thought that Theodore will assume leadership? Who among you was not relieved that he would?”
“Given that there was another group with the opposite intent to yourself, I would say that the court was split roughly in half,” said Brett dryly. “My suitability is not a matter for this court. You claim that you were doing what was best and we shall take that into consideration, unless of course we can prove that you had other reasons to wish Theodore to rule that were not as altruistic as you say.”
Cody smirked. The discussion of their ‘puppet prince’ showed their self interest as far as he was concerned.