Sure it's actually Friday, but we can still celebrate the weekend as part of Thanksgiving. Now, I try to avoid controversial subjects, but this preview I have for my next series will most likely be distasteful to some people. However, I found this necessary as I required a crime that would require the death sentence and so allow for an act of mercy and a chance for redemption. I'm also using this story to help establish how my next novel will differ from Shining. While there will still be battles, I want to work on establishing a fascinating world more and write for the Adventuring Spirits. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this short story.
Short Story (for Legends): One Knight’s Honor
One
day, a farmer brought a knight to the king’s court for justice. The charges
were severe. The knight had raped the farmer’s daughter and the farmer caught
him with the aid of one of the loyal knights. The king asked the knight if the
accusations were true.
The
foolish knight stood up and spoke, “What of it? She was only a peasant girl.”
The
king grew furious over the remark. “The punishment shall be the same as with
any man guilty of this horrible crime. Death.”
The
foolish knight looked up at the sound of his sentence. He then tried to plead
with the king saying, “You will kill one your knights? Those who pledged their
sword to protect this realm?”
The
just king responded, “I have no place for a knight like you at my table. You do
dishonor to the realm. If I were to show leniency to a wicked knight, then the
entire kingdom will be destined for doom. If the warriors who are to protect my
land are evil, what need does another army need attack us? Rank will not save
from the law established long ago. You will die, and all costs resulting from
your action shall be taken from your purse.”
The
farmer looked delighted at this sentence. His faith in the king’s sense of
justice had rewarded him. But then the prince stood up to speak. He had been in
the king’s court that day, listening by his father’s side.
“Father,”
he started, “This man has been condemned. Now let me speak on his behalf.”
These words did not resonate well in the ears of the farmer, but he held his
tongue, for the prince was well respected among the people.
The
prince continued, “Instead of death, I propose an alternative. Death will not
relieve the pain this poor farmer’s family has endured. It is a quick and easy
option, but not a complete restitution. I ask that this knight, after being
stripped of his rank, be placed under the authority of this poor farmer to work
in his home.”
Both
parties looked up in shock and disgust of this proposition, but they allowed
the prince to continue, for he was well regarded among the people.
“Father,
I suggest that this foolish knight serve as the farmer’s slave for a year and a
half’s time. During this period, the good farmer may maintain the right to
execute the fool, but I ask that be held off. Instead, I say that if the
foolish knight shall offend the farmer or his family, torture should come
first. If he dares attack, then his right arm shall be cut off, but still
forced to work the rest of his term. If he continues, then one of his legs as
well. He would then be placed out where the people can see him. They will be
reminded of his title as knight and see what can happen to those who do such
injustice. If he should run, then all the knights in the realm will hunt him
down, for he will be branded of his crime.”
The
descriptions of this torture terrified the knight, and the prince could see it.
The farmer was still reluctant, but considered it nonetheless.
In
conclusion, the prince then spoke, “However, after this foolish knight has
served this sentence, I say give him an opportunity to let him regain his title.
All of this, if it is well with you, my father.”
The
king listened to the request of the prince. The queen whispered in his ear and
the king heeded her counsel. He gave his verdict, “If the farmer accepts this,
then I will grant it. If he does accept, then that proves already he is a far
greater man than this foolish knight.”
There
is no need to express the difficulty of a man, who brought another for justice,
to receive the perpetrator into his home. What father could possibly accept
such a man? He had all the right and intention to demand the previous verdict,
but the prince now addressed him.
“I
acknowledge the pain your family has felt and offer my deepest sympathy, but I
have given this man’s life into your hand. I implore you to bestow mercy. This
act is inexcusable and I will not blame you for having his head now. But what
good will it do you? It is quick and simple, but it will not take away the
pain. He is a human being like yourself and so I implore you to have mercy. His
life is yours to deal with. Please respect it as a human life.”
The
farmer took a breath and thought about it. He could not argue with the prince,
for he still held respect for him. While he could and certainly had been just,
the prince was more known for his care and sympathy toward his people, despite
their deeds.
The
farmer took a look at the prince and then the foolish knight. His hearted ached
at the idea of him being near his daughter, but he heeded the prince’s request
and accepted the terms.
When
the farmer and the knight were gone, the king called his son over and said,
“You know what you have done acts somewhat against what I had said earlier.”
“Father,”
he replied, “What you said is true. If we allow evil to happen in our kingdom,
it will surely fall. But what I saw was potential. A potential for that foolish
knight to make proper amends with the family and gain something he never had.
If we always move to eliminate our subjects with this potential, could we say
our kingdom is good?”
The
time the knight served became an important experience. As soon as he arrived,
the family was enraged until the farmer had explained it all. Even then, the
foolish knight was never unaware of the hatred the family bore toward him. No
word of hatred, though, was as powerful as the fair maiden victim’s silence
toward the knight. No word from her lips. No smile directed toward him. Only a
glare that sank deep into his soul.
Nonetheless, in spite of his
pride, the knight worked. He would complain and faced hardships, but he still
worked. The promise of the opportunity to regain his post kept him going, but
that was not all. As time went by, he saw the maiden’s actions and her kindness
toward others. Soon they learned she was with child, and her good deeds never
ceased.
As
the knight grew accustomed to witnessing the family’s life, he grew to respect
them. His complaints stopped by the third month.
When
the child was born, the family had a mix of joy and sorrow. For since this baby
girl was conceived through rape, they were reminded of the incident. However,
the knight bore their scorn and did not feel any anger towards them. Instead,
as he saw this baby girl, he felt the fatherly instincts. He wished to raise
this daughter of his, protect her with all his might, and see her grow to be
happy. As he felt love for his child, he felt a greater love for her mother.
And so, the knight felt pain inside for having wronged this good maiden.
After
his time of servitude was over, the knight never ceased to work for the family.
They grew accustomed to his presence and their scorn had worn off. He had atoned
by his good deeds and learned humility. The village no longer bore him hatred
either, for he became generous in both gold and action. Soon, the maiden came to love him as well and
they were married properly.
His
story was never hidden from the public. Instead, the knight would tell it
himself as to how he came to respect the people and love his wife and daughter.
In this end, the prince’s hope was fulfilled. The knight had obtained true
honor.
No comments:
Post a Comment