CHAPTER 29 – NO GOOD DEED
The Tribune Prestigent finally finished its verdict, “…guilty.”
The crowd once again gasped in almost perfect unison.
“The deliberation for the sentence was unanimous. It is not execution, it is not imprisonment, and it is most certainly not a fee. The convicted, prince Mitakahn Arkenoir, second son of Theomitus, will be condemned to… exile. He will have until dawn tomorrow to prepare for his departure and must vow never to return to this city or anywhere within the greater kingdom’s limits as long as the ruling still stands, and the case is not overturned. This trial is now adjourned.”
The Courthouse cleared after a rumbling response from the citizens sitting in. Anilithyìstad and Galastad were released from the Courthouse brig and reentered the room. Jericho, Anilithion, and Mortikahn came rushing in from the courthouse’s back doors. Those who missed the verdict were informed of the punishment. Anilithyìstad could not believe Mitakahn was to be exiled, and yet Mitakahn seemed unaffected by the charge.
His indifference was disturbing to all his family members. Little did they know Mitakahn was planning to leave anyway. He had to catch up with Excelsior. But how could he save the kingdom if he couldn’t step foot within its limits? Mitakahn’s mind glimpsed possible solutions while they talked about the atrocious trial around him.
As the lords and ladies of the Pride left, Kara Ventrilles stopped before the prince. “I’m sorry, Prince Mitakahn. This will not stand. We will find a way to bring you back.”
“Thank you, Kara. Please just be prepared for what may come.”
“I will make sure Arunidawa is ready.”
“Then you believe me?”
“House Ventrilles stands with the throne in all its forms.” Kara watched Mitakahn’s expression change after that. “Your brother will return, Mitakahn.”
“Not soon enough.”
Kara, feeling like everything she said made things worse, excused herself, rejoining her family as they left.
Knowing who was to come next, Mitakahn might have stopped Kara from leaving. Demeter walked over with a paper that verified Mitakahn’s exile. He handed it to him, “You can hold onto that little memento, prince.”
Galastad took the paper from Mitakahn, folded it up and stuck it in his breast pocket, all the while staring feverishly at the rotten governor. “I eagerly await the day we see each other again and you beg for me to destroy this paper.”
“Why would I ever do that?”
“The only way you’ll come crawling back will be a matter of life and death.”
“That could be taken as a threat.”
“Then you should walk away.”
Foolish Governor Demeter thought he left with the upper hand. He left the courts with a pompous smile stretched across his face for the whole city to see. He had done his part in destabilizing an already compromised royal house.
Together, the royal family led by Commander Cel’a, accompanied Mitakahn back to the citadel. He walked up the spiraling staircase to begin packing. It was nearly twilight, and he had until dawn to get his belongings together. Mitakahn spent the time he had left with his family, when it became too late in the night he left them asleep in the Citadel and went out to the royal garden where the two family lions dwelled…one…final…time. Mitakahn laid down between them. Maximus slept as Gabriella stared at Mitakahn with her chin resting on his chest. It was heavy on him, but he did not care. Positioned like this, the lioness’ eyes were huge. He looked into them, memorizing each golden strand of her irises surrounding the dark reaches of her pupils. It was like staring into a fallen star. He loved the inherent majesty of lions. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Mitakahn spent the rest of the night petting the hair on the top of Gabriella’s head until he fell asleep. He awoke in the middle of the night in his bed with no idea how he got there. Hopefully, it was just sleep-walking. Mitakahn lit a glow-torch on the wall next to his bed. He used the time awake to finish packing his travel bag. Aside from his camping gear, this would be a bag that could fit on his back containing all of the essential items of his entire life. He found a way to attach the breath-jar to the outside of his pack, and that’s when he came upon the chronicle. Mitakahn opened the book up to the Carbon Terra chapter and started reading before almost immediately falling asleep.
The next day Mitakahn found a place in his pack to stuff the chronicle so he could finally read the Carbon Terra chapter. Mitakahn decided to eat down in the mess hall with the rest of the guards, reminiscent of his brother’s old habits. He enjoyed one last warm meal that was prepared by someone else. He could not be sure how long he would have to wait for such a luxury again. Commander Cel’a, or as her soldiers addressed her, Commander Adora sat down in front of Mitakahn. She just stared at him. Her face was guarded, vacant of all the emotion he knew her to be feeling except for concern.
“My jurisdiction knows no bounds. My imperative is to keep your family safe. I can dispatch a regiment to accompany you indefinitely.”
“You are going to need all the help you can muster here. I will be fine on my own. I have been training for this for years.”
“Mitakahn, please allow me to help you in any way.”
“You are already helping me, don’t you see? I can leave without worry that my mother is in any danger. You are an extension of myself that can remain within the citadel walls, I cannot express how much that means to me. I will be okay out there. This was always my path. I was meant to travel abroad.”
“As you wish, my prince. The royal guard eagerly awaits your return.”
“I will come home. You have my promise. I will do whatever it takes to get back here safely.”
“That is a promise I must insist on holding you to. When the time comes, I will be there to hold the door open for your arrival.”
Cel’a bowed and excused herself to let Mitakahn finish his last meal in peace. He had a lot to think about before leaving the citadel for good. Only his family accompanied him to the city limits.
He stood outside the gates of Zepathorum City. It was another hot morning. The damp grass and murky weather was the type before a storm. But the storm never came, as if it were gathering its fury elsewhere, just waiting to come down upon them. Unfortunately, Mitakahn had to leave, and would not be able to stay and find out for himself whether or not his dreams would come true.
“This is good-bye and good luck, Mitakahn. Go with our love.”
He bid farewell to his mother, “May the next time we see each other be under better circumstances.”
Queen Adyána could not bear it, first she lost her beloved husband, then she let her eldest go without a fight, now she is being forced to say goodbye to her last boy. She did not know what to do. She had to do something for him. Quickly, Adyána searched for a way to help Mitakahn, she yelled out, “Go to your brother in the mountains. It will be just what Axion needs to come home and take his rightful place. After he is king he can abolish your exile.”
“He had his chance to help, mother,” Mitakahn immediately put the idea down, “Now I will go to Epitaph and find a way to save the kingdom, and Axion will have nothing to do with it.” Mitakahn turned ahead.
One more time Mitakahn looked back, “I will not fail you.”
Being an outcast was not really on his mind. He was thinking about his journey and what was to come. He began walking away with his back turned to his family. A moment so mundane in the literal sense but so momentous to Mitakahn for one simple reason. If he didn’t look back again, it might be the last time he ever sees his home.
Anilithyìstad watched his nephew walk away with nothing but the company of his shadow. He could not have this; he was racking his mind to figure out what to do. He looked over at his eldest son. Anilithion was mid-yawn and scratching himself. Anilithyìstad shook his head.
“Wait!” Galastad caught up to Mitakahn, “take this.” He handed him a smooth dagger with a golden handle and a red crimson line going down the back of the blade. “This was your father’s hunting knife…He left it with me the last time I saw him and told me to give it to you when the time is right. I can think of no better time than right now.”
“Thank you, Galastad, thank you for everything.” Mitakahn tucked the knife in under his belt and walked down a small stretch of cobblestones which led to the Epitaph Road.
Anilithyìstad had offered Mitakahn a horse to ease his travels earlier, but he denied it in honor of celebrating the road in human stride like his friend Excelsior did, in honor of his ancestors, the Canine Kingdom.
Soon enough, Mitakahn converged with the Epitaph Road, the sun was now in the blue sky, right in line with the road, green grass was reflecting the sunlight on both sides, and that’s when Mitakahn realized… Back before the trial, when he was meditating to calm his nerves, he pictured this exact scene in his mind. And now, he was here. Fate had led him exactly where it showed him it would. Mitakahn felt good. In all this misfortune and wrongdoing, Mitakahn felt…rejuvenated…on-course.
He was approaching the light at the end of the tunnel, and his old thoughts of cynicism and pessimism were vanishing once again. Mitakahn turned over a new leaf in the wake of his Kingdom’s abandonment. He was more determined than ever.
End of Part Two