Saga of an Outcast; Part II

The second part of Prince Evant's story.

Prince Evant sat staring out into the night. It had been three hours since High King Deandre had made his decision to banish the prince and though the night was late, Evant couldn't sleep. He thought over what was to come, of how he was expected to survive on his own in the wilderness at only eleven years of age. He'd expected his father to be ashamed of him for breaking tradition, but he'd never thought he'd be disowned for it. Was refusing the tradition of marrying a man and two women truly worth it? Was it too late to give in?

The door opened behind him and Evant spun around on the window bench where he sat. Second King Shelton entered and closed the door behind him. He had changed into his gray nightshirt over which he wore a lightweight lavender robe that matched his eyes. His wavy, dark blond hair was tied back out of his face.

"Don't let anyone know I was here," he warned quietly as he walked over to Evant. "I told them I was going to my study."

The prince only nodded. "Father's still upset, isn't he?"

Shelton nodded as well and sat beside him. "And Xiao has taken his side, as usual," he added. "She and Yvona are at odds for once. They'll settle out, though," he assured the prince when he saw his downcast expression. "We've had major disagreements before that we've overcome. We care about each other too much not to."

Evant looked out at the stars again, knowing that of all his three spouses, Shelton loved Xiao the least and could live without her. It didn't matter how he tried to hide that truth, Evant knew it.

"This is greater than an argument over increasing taxes," Evant whispered, "or how to punish criminals. It's your own son tearing all of you apart."

Shelton sighed and was silent a moment, gazing at his hands and watching his wedding band shine in the moonlight. "No one's ever told you of your eldest sibling then," he said at last.

Evant looked back at him. "Wildas?" he asked, confused.

The Second King shook his head. "Her name was Nara," he said, lifting his eyes back to the prince's. "She was born ten months after we'd all been wed. Deandre was so proud the day she was born. All of us were. Then, five years after we'd taken power as the ruling family, when she was thirteen, she told us exactly what you did today. We all took it far worse than we did with you, her being our first born. Immediately she left for the nation of Berk, where she still lives today. I don't want you to go there. Algoma is a far better country than Berk, and that is where I want you to go."

He pulled something out of his robe pocket and pressed it into Evant's hand. The prince examined the object: a lavender-colored stone on a silver chain.

"Wear that," Shelton explained. "It will allow you to contact me whenever you need or wish to. Simply hold the stone and think my name. You'll be able to speak telepathically with me through it. I'll make certain you don't struggle on alone."

Evant fingered the stone and felt tears coming to his eyes. He'd never see any of his family again after the next day. He'd be alone, save for his magical connection to only one of his four parents.

"Will he be angry with you if he finds out?" Evant asked quietly.

Shelton shook his head. "Not once he's come to terms. He loves me, and he'll forgive me."

Evant threw his arms around Shelton and hugged him tightly. "You're the better father," he whispered through his tears.

Shelton held him close. "You may not be my blood, but legally you are still mine and I love you as my own. I need you to promise me that you will not fight Deandre tomorrow when he gives you the Mark of Exile. It is all right for you to cry then, but do it only in tears, not voice."

Evant lifted his head from Shelton's chest. "What is the Mark of Exile?" he asked, his tears ceasing as a new pain choked him.

The Second King shook his head. "I should go, before Xiao goes to check for me in my study," he said in diversion. "Try to sleep, Evant. You'll need your strength."

He rose to his feet and quietly exited the room, leaving the prince alone in the dark with the necklace in his fist. Evant didn't know how he was expected to sleep with this anxiety burning. His mind was too filled with thoughts and fears of what would become of him.

He lay down in bed after putting on the necklace and tried to sleep. It was an uneasy night, and never had his bed felt so uncomfortable. When morning finally came he dressed and waited for someone to come for him. It was Shelton who did. He squeezed Evant's shoulder, then led him to the ceremony hall where the other parents and the eleven other princes and princesses were waiting.

Deandre was standing beside a raised platform. He pointed to it, gazing at his son. Evant walked silently over to it, not looking at anyone.

"Lie down," Deandre commanded. "On your right side."

Evant did as he was told, swallowing hard. Deandre placed one hand on his shoulder. The thin silver blade glinted in the sunlight from the towering windows as it was pulled from the Grand King's robes. Evant felt the sting as the cold tip cut into his flesh. He wanted to cry out, but he remembered Shelton's words from the night before and bit his lip. The tears built in his eyes as the pain pulsed deeper. Deandre cut a twisting design into his face beside his hairline, causing the blood to run down the prince's cheek to his lips and nearly into his eyes.

It seemed to take years for him to finish, but when he did, the Grand King declared, with anger laced in his words, "This is your Mark of Exile. Never shall you return to this nation. Go now."

Tears were still searing in his eyes as the prince rose and walked away. He didn't notice Shelton watching him, his lavender eyes deeply pained. Xiao had her blue eyes locked to the stone floor, and Yvona avoided looking at Evant as tears flowed from her gray eyes. His siblings all looked away from him as well.

A servant had a horse ready for him with all his packs tied to the saddle. Blood still ran down his cheek and neck as he mounted and set out on the one road he knew led to Algoma. Tears nearly blinded him, and only moments after he'd started out, he grasped his necklace and thought of Shelton.

Be strong, the calm voice of the Second King said in his mind. Be strong, Evant.

Evant only nodded silently and released the stone. He was too emotional to put his thoughts together properly. Hopefully, with Shelton's guidance, he would find a better life.

Author's Note

This was written a couple of years ago.

Reviews

[A.D. Wilson]

This story just gets better and better. Now we have a mysterious sister who was also exiled for her beliefs and a young prince who is now an exile. He is quite mature compared to most eleven year olds, but I'm still worried for him.