The Lust of Horns

EROH IX

"Don't let them see you're afraid," I whispered. "They will not fear your people if otherwise … but do not make them fear you, or it'll be your executive."

The guard nudged me and I took a step, clenching my teeth. A few from the crowd gasped while most chuckled. They were as cruel as they were cold. And my brows furrowed. Heart heavy. If I could I'd bury each of them below the earth. 

I marched, keeping my head raised and eyes forward. Shoulder back. Back straight. Chest out. I maybe weak, but I can appear strong. It was the longest part of the walk, marching within the eyes of the enemy. The guard brought me to a podium where everyone in the room could see me. 

I gazed up at the man upon the throne. He was large and pale with a bushy face and head that was white as fresh snow, and an icy, pointed crown on top. His eyes were a cold blue. They shifted at my frame while his brows sagged with a curiosity that made my muscles freeze. I tried to swallow, but the saliva in my mouth had turned to ice. 

Before I said anything, I looked around the crowd, trying to find the blonde girl who'd brought me this burden. She was nowhere to be found in the sea of robes. Too many blonde haired, blue-eyed folk for me to locate her. I stopped when I heard the thunderous voice above me. 

"Are you a LandWalker?" I raised an eyebrow gazing upon the man. A white mist curled around his frame. "Are you one from the surface?"

"I don't understand … we all seem to be landwalkers." I said. "We all have two legs."

"My people are of the sea, not of the soil."

I frowned. "Then why are you living in a cave?"

The King straightened up in his throne and narrowed his eyes. "I am the one who asks the questions …" I nodded. "Are you from the surface?"

"I am …"

"And what do you call your people?"

"Horftz … your, majesty?" I hoped my softened tone would calm the King. "May I ask what they call you?"

He rubbed his beard. "Coralantians. Do you know why you are here?" He lifted the blue, sapphire necklace in his hand and his tone trembled. "This belonged to my daughter Aqule. She was taken from me … do you know how?" 

I looked around the crowd seeing that their faces paled and eyes grew at the question. Should I be honest? Marina told me to lie. To tell them that'd I'd help defeat the Sqek … but she never told me about Elior. Did she kill him to? How can I trust her now? I swallowed and took a deep breath. 

"I know how … she was shot by an arrow … and when she did not die, she was beaten until her eyes shut."

The crowd gasped then a song of whispers erupted in the room. 

"Silence …" The King said. "I said silence!"  The room fell hushed. He glared at me. "Do you know who killed her?"

Every muscle in my body jerked. My mind raced with lies. Who could I blame it on? Who did I like least in my clan? There were a lot of drunkards that caused trouble for my people. Maybe if I gave one of them up I would be spared. It was my only hope … But if I'm to be Lord Horn I cannot give up my people … not even the drunkards, thieves, and murderers.

I rose my chin and projected my voice. "I killed her."

The crowd gasped in anger then held their tongues.

The King sat still, clutching the handles of his chair, gazing upon me. I saw the blue in eyes blacken while his face wrinkled. Nostrils flared. I shrank behind the podium filling my body tingle. I was cold and numb, heart beating hard against my chest.

The King asked, "Why?"

"It was a mistake … I thought she was a fish."

"I was told you saw her surface. You saw that she was a girl, not a fish. Do you deny this?"

"No ..." My lip trembled and I lowered my head. "I saw she was a girl and I fired anyway."

The crowd shouted. "Kill him! Kill the boy who killed the princess!" Their angerned voices rose and echoed to the ceiling. 

"It was a mistake …"

The King raised his hand and the crowd went silent. "What did you do with her body?"

Suddenly, I felt dizzy remembering the sweet taste of her flesh. It took me a minute to find my courage. I looked at him then turned towards the crowd. "What do you do with fish?" I looked back at the King. "We eat them … I'm so sorry …"

The King's mouth dropped.

The crowd were silent only until the words settled. They raised their fists and voices. "Monsters! Kill them all! They're monsters!"

I closed my eyes, shaking my head, trying to keep their voices from piercing my ears. A hot sensation rose from my chest to my throat until it left through my lips like fire. 

"You're the monsters!" I yelled, brows furrowed. "All of you're disgusting, creatures from the abyss. Three years ago my brother came to the Loch and you killed! Why is there no justice for him?"

The King said, "I do not know of these crimes you say."

A man said from the crowd. "He's a liar …"

"A liar and a killed," A woman agreed.

I pointed to each of them then to the King. "I am no liar … nor did I mean to kill your princess … but what am is a Young Horn, soon to be Lord Horn, and I swear to each of you that if harm comes to me your people will be on every platter of my clansmates plate by this time tomorrow!"

The crowd went silent as I glared into the Kings cold, blue eyes.

He stared at me then said, "we do not take kindly to the threats, Young Horn … guards bring him back to his cell … then prepare the execution pool."