"Leave." the High Commander had said. So he did. He walked down the steps and suddenly it hit him. He didn't know where to go. He had five lashes this afternoon. But that was two hours away. He could leave... run away, avoid punishment. But something kicked in from his childhood. It wrang in his ears. Honor. He would stay, and take his punishment. He contined the walk down the stairs.

He came into the big entrance hall. He looked at the ceiling, the beautiful archs and stonework. He smiled and walked out the hall. The warm air fell around him, the breeze went through him. The sun beat down on him. He suddenly felt pensive. What was he to do with his life? He had nowhere to go. Nobody to take care of him. But then, he needed no caring for. He had lived on the streets since he was ten.

He walked around and thought for a good hour. He stood, and walked to the gallows. He sat on the edge of it, awaiting his five lashes. The High Commander was a just person, crazy about it, but just. He saw that, and resepected it. Lucan thought about some things. He owed the High Commander, for not only his mercy, but for what he did for him. He owed, and he would pay.

He finally made a decision. By that time, he saw Bacara, and a group of officers come around the side of the Barracks. Around them were guards, behind them was the High Commander. Lucan jumped down from his perch on the gallows and stood straight. Not really at attention, but in respect. He heard the creak of wood behind him and saw the executioner, which added four more nooses, and four more stools.

He turned to face the others. He watched as the five men were placed on each stool. He was then ordered to take off his shirt. He understood. Every time a man fell from a stool, a lash would be given. Their lives were each lash. A heavy toll... or that was how Lucan was thinking. Probably doing more inner punishment then the High Commander could ever acheive. Effective...

Lucan awaited his punishment, and would watch it all happen.

He was getting too old for this.

While he didn’t LIKE to execute people, he HAD to. Hadrian glared at the five papers. As much as he objected, justice MUST be done. He had no choice in the matter, everything was so political. If he did not execute them, the barracks would think of him as weak. If he did, the barracks would lack five people. It was a shame; three of those were particularly skilled. He’d have to look for people AGAIN, as if the barracks weren’t drained enough.

Hadrian sighed. Complications. He bit his lip and stamped all five with his seal. No choice. Justice must be done. He glanced at the papers again, now with a single blood red mark with a kingfisher, a crown and a scepter. Their blood on his hands.

Someone knocked on the door. Hadrian closed his eyes for a moment. “Enter.”

“Sir. The gallows are ready.”

Hadrian looked up. There was no mercy in his eyes. “Bring out the prisoners.” He said. “Find Lucan Issod if he is not there.”

“Understood.” The door closed.

Hadrian’s hand searched about, and came up with a long leather whip which was further cut into five separate ends and at each end was a barbed hook. Lashes…. Five lashes would be sufficient enough to tear the flesh from his body. He pitied Lucan Issod.

“Hello.” He said to the whip. It’s been a long time since that day…. This whip was used on him too. When he lost Penril. Twenty lashes. He was barely alive after that. He could be gentle, but he couldn’t.

Justice, after all, must be done.

At the gallows, Hadrian watched everything with dead eyes. The whip was in his hands. His sub commander ordered Lucan to take his shirt off, and for the five men to stand on each stool. Hadrian nodded absent-mindedly. He wanted this to be over as soon as possible.

“… by order of the 23rd High Commander Lord Evaristus, Hadrian, the guilty are as follows: Private Reinald Bacara…. “ The executioner recited other names. “… and Lucan Issod to suffer five lashes from the Cat’s Tails.”

“Sir?” His sub commander looked at him. Hadrian gave a nod. The sub commander went to Lucan and bound his hands to two wooden pillars. It would prevent him from moving, and gave him a wooden spool wrapped in leather, shoving it into the man’s mouth sideways. “Bite on it.” The sub commander said. “To prevent you from biting your tongue. It’ll help.” He went away after that, taking his place on the platform.

“Private Reinald Bacara of Olencia.” The executioner bellowed. “One charge of assault and infringement and another of betrayal of the King’s Guard. The punishment is death.” The executioner yanked the stool from Bacara’s feet, leaving him gasping and hanging in the air.

Hadrian swung the whip. The barbed hooks dug deep, leaving behind five separate bloody gouges in Lucan’s back.

“One.” He declared.

Lucan watched as the five men were placed in their designated noose. Each man seemed to be remembering the injustices in their lives. They looked like they finally understood what they had done was wrong and were regretting that they had ever done the deed(s). Lucan watched in silence knowing that his turn was indeed coming up. He stood there uneasy on what was to become of him. He knew he was to be punished in some form, but he did not know what that punishment would be.

“… by order of the 23rd High Commander Lord Evaristus, Hadrian, the guilty are as follows: Private Reinald Bacara…. “ The executioner recited other names. “… and Lucan Issod to suffer five lashes from the Cat’s Tails.”

So this was to be his punishment. He saw the Cat’s Tails now in the High Commander’s right arm. He took a breathe and let it out. He had lived off of the streets of Maloren, received many beatings from local gangs, but the whip in that man’s hands was menacing. Lucan stood there, did not even think trying to get out of his punishment. He had, had enough of running from his life. It was time he faced it head on. And he would do so starting then and there.

Hadrian’s second came over to him and told him to take off his shirt and he did so. His ands were bound to two wooden pillars. Lucan knew now there was no turning back. The man then shoved a wooden spool wrapped in leather into his mouth from the side. “Bite on it.” The man said. “To prevent you from biting your tongue. It’ll help.” He went away after that, and Lucan was left standing there, destined to watch as the men were executed, the signal of each lash.

“Private Reinald Bacara of Olencia.” The executioner bellowed. “One charge of assault and infringement and another of betrayal of the King’s Guard. The punishment is death.” The executioner yanked the stool from Bacara’s feet, leaving him gasping and hanging in the air.

Lucan saw the man fall, saw the man dangle. It was his fault the man was in the situation right now, but the man had it coming to him. Lucan had just been the catalyst of the findings of justice. As the stool had been kicked, Lucan had known the High Commander had started his swig. He knew he would feel the Cat Tail’s any minute now…

The whip as swung, it whistled through the air. The barbed hooks dug deep, leaving behind five separate bloody gouges in Lucan’s back.

Lucan felt the five separate teeth dig into his back. In reaction his jaws clamped down on the leather around the spool. He kept himself from making noise, but he pain as there. Of that there was no doubt. He knew the gouges were deep and he knew that it would take time to heal. But justice was justice, there was no hiding of that fact.

“One.” Hadrian declared.

As the Cat Tail’s were removed from his back it sent another spasm of pain through Lucan’s back. He wondered what he would do after this… would he just ask to be Hadrian’s servant? He did owe him… maybe he would sign up for the guard… they were already short handed, and four more positions were about to be open. With his decision made, Lucan prepared for the final four punishments.

((Short D:))

There was no other alternative. He would be breaking his own moral code if he stopped, but if he continued.... Lucan wasn't looking so well. But... he could not. Would not stop.

The rest of the lashes went by in a daze. When he was done, he lowered the bloodied whip and stared at the blood-splattered ground about Lucan. He must be in pain. Almost out of it, maybe. At least he was alive. For now.

"Alcarin." Hadrian looked over at his second. "Take Lucan to the Infirmary. Staunch the bleeding. When he breaks out of the fever; there will be one, call for me."

"Yes sir." Alcarin saluted and went over to Lucan. While Hadrian left that task to his sub-commander, he himself dismissed the crowd that had formed and went to his office alone. To brood, maybe, and share his sorrows with a jug of spirits.

--

"Fear not, you'll be fine." Alcarin spoke to Lucan as he removed the straps binding the boy to the poles. "A little bit of the fever, but you'll be as right as rain in no time." He was optimistic, he knew, but there was really no other way to support the boy without looking like he favored him.

"Hm. How are you feeling?"

Lucan gritted his teeth every time he felt the barbed wire whip hit his back. He wondered if he would cry out, but held his tongue. He felt his energy draining with the blood that flowed from him, but he was determined to stay conscious. He would not give in, he wanted to impress the High Commander, even if he did not understand why. Lucan remembered the last couple weeks of his recent past.

He remembered meeting Oriana before he left. He wondered if he would ever see her again. The third lash brought him back to the real world. He tightened his grip on the rope binds. His focused on all the things that he regretted in his life, he grew angry. If he was free he probably would have given hell to anyone near him. But he was bound and he took the punishment.

Fourth lash hit his back and as it came out he felt every little bit of the feeling. The pain was fading, he was blocking it out. He became calm. He did not understand what was going on but he did not care. He was calm, he took the last lash and it was over. The men on the gallows were dead and he was just there, bleeding.

"Alcarin." Hadrian looked over at his second. "Take Lucan to the Infirmary. Staunch the bleeding. When he breaks out of the fever; there will be one, call for me."

Lucan heard the words, they echoed through him. He knew very well he would have a fever. It was not the first time he had been badly wounded. Hadrian's second took the bindings off of him. "Fear not, you'll be fine. A little bit of the fever, but you'll be as right as rain in no time." he said to him. Lucan just smiled and said, "I know."

"Hm. How are you feeling?" the second asked Lucan. Lucan took a breath. He stood as straight as he could and started walking, slowly, weakly but he did it. "I'll be better when we get to the infirmary." he said with a smile. "I wouldn't mind getting this buisness over with and behind me. It's time for a new start." he said with another smile.

The second helped him to the infirmary and as soon as the bleeding had stopped and his wounds coagulated and dressed he was aloud to go to the bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow. For the next twelve hours Lucan was in a feverish dreamland. He called out in his hellish sleep, and muttered about his past, not knowing who heard him in his unconscious state. The fever broke and Lucan at last was able to sleep peacefully.

The song of the birds awakened him to the morning air. He opened his eyes and sat up. He saw broth on the table beside him and took it and downed it rather quickly. He looked around and saw nobody. He found his clothes and donned them. He was about to leave the infirmary in his weakened state when someone entered the door behind him. He grunted as he put his shirt on and then turned to hear a familiar voice.

((short x_x))

When he had heard the boy’s fever was broken, he was in the middle of an official visit to a minor lord in the city. As it was official, he was in armor, and without hesitating he gave the responsibility to his sub-commander and took a horse back to the Infirmary. It was not as if he was close, no, he was concerned. When he arrived, he saw that the boy was already up. Hm. Keen, aren’t you?

“You’ve had a fever for two days.” Hadrian spoke. Clad in armor, the man looked more imposing than usual. This armor he was wearing was one of the more recent types; light for its size and easy to move in. His voice reverberated; he was wearing his helmet, the gruesome contours of the headgear making him look demonic. “A record, in my opinion, from the number of lashings you received. You are free to go.” He tilted his head. “Anywhere in Olencia, and if you wish, I will give you a traveling permit to let you in cities without being scrutinized.”

He laid his helmet aside on a nearby table and took out a scroll. “For your weapons.” He said, throwing the scroll to the boy. “You may leave the city, if you wish. The trial cost me good men, irreplaceable for some, but justice has been dealt. I thank you.”

Lucan took in the man before him. The Lord High Commander looked much more the part in his armor. It fit him, described him and defined him. Lucan caught the scroll with a little difficulty but caught it none the less. He saw it was just a release scroll so he could get his weapons back. "Free to go..." he repeated. He thought about it, but he had already promised himself something. He owed Hadrian and he felt, no wanted to pay him back.

"Sir, I have a request." he said as he looked at the man in the eyes. "You lost good men, i'd like to be one of the first to help fill in those who were lost. I would like to help you keep justice... I..." he did not know what else to say. "I want to help..." he added finishing his train of thought. He felt frustrated with himself. "I heal quickly sir, I wont hold anyone back I swear..." he added trying to help his argument further.

He would work hard, he would prove to the man that he could do it, do what ever it took to be the best.

(sorry its short...)

"Sir, I have a request." he said as he looked at the man in the eyes. "You lost good men, I'd like to be one of the first to help fill in those who were lost. I would like to help you keep justice... I..." he did not know what else to say. "I want to help..." he added finishing his train of thought. He felt frustrated with himself. "I heal quickly sir, I wont hold anyone back I swear..." he added trying to help his argument further.

Hadrian stared at him. Long and hard. Well, that he didn't expect. A new development then, one he MUST take advantage of. The loss of his troops were great; and a willing volunteer was always a good thing.

"Would you bear any shame to save anyone from the horrors of war?" Hadrian challenged, crossing his arms over his chest. "You would accept shame, hardship, and indignity? You would willingly accept total subjugation in favour of peace?"

This was it. This was the test.

"Would you? Even though your comrades lie dead beside you and all the world seems to shrink and stop as you stare upon their broken corpses?"

"Would you bear any shame to save anyone from the horrors of war? You would accept shame, hardship, and indignity? You would willingly accept total subjugation in favour of peace?" Hadrian asked.

Lucan looked at the man in front of him. Lucan stood straighter and looked deep into the older man's eyes. "I would." he said quietly with all that he had left in him.

"Would you? Even though your comrades lie dead beside you and all the world seems to shrink and stop as you stare upon their broken corpses?" The Lord High Commander challenged.

"Lord High Commander, I would take the nearest blade and swear a blood oath on the very spot of their corpses and swear to their spirits that they did not die in vain, and that I would do all in my power to bring peace. It is what those men would have died for. I would live on in the remembrance of their bravery and honor them by continuing on their dream... of peace. I would, no... I will do everything in my power to bring peace... even if it costs me my life sir."

His little speech over Lucan felt empowered. He felt energy surge through him. The adrenaline of his own promises to the man seemed to give him a new light, a way of life. He took a breath and stood tall. He came to attention like he had seen the men in the square do. "I am your service my Lord High Commander." he said and saluted to the best of his ability in his weakened state.

"Lord High Commander, I would take the nearest blade and swear a blood oath on the very spot of their corpses and swear to their spirits that they did not die in vain, and that I would do all in my power to bring peace. It is what those men would have died for. I would live on in the remembrance of their bravery and honor them by continuing on their dream... of peace. I would, no... I will do everything in my power to bring peace... even if it costs me my life sir."

He took a breath and stood tall. He came to attention like he had seen the men in the square do. "I am your service my Lord High Commander." he said and saluted to the best of his ability in his weakened state.

Hadrian waved a hand. "Stand down." A small smile formed on his lips. "You are not a soldier, yet. There is no need of that. Rest then." He said. "When you are better, enlist in the ranks. I will watch you, and I will expect nothing else than perfection. If you are a good man, I will see to it, and if you are not, I will kill you myself."

He took up his helmet again and put it on. As he turned to leave the room, he spoke. Once more his voice echoed. "And it will be a long time yet before you reach those men's ranks. There is no need to hurry, take your time, and eventually your reward will come to you."

The High Commander turned and left.

"Stand down." A small smile formed on his lips. "You are not a soldier, yet. There is no need of that. Rest then." He said. "When you are better, enlist in the ranks. I will watch you, and I will expect nothing else than perfection. If you are a good man, I will see to it, and if you are not, I will kill you myself." the man said.

Others would have thought the man harsh, but Lucan understood and agreed with the man. Lucan was not worried, he would stay true to his word. He would work harder then anyone else to do what he swore that day. Lucan relaxed a little and nodded.

"And it will be a long time yet before you reach those men's ranks. There is no need to hurry, take your time, and eventually your reward will come to you."

Lucan nodded. He felt a little discouraged but not for long. After the Commander left, so did Lucan. This time for a little adventure, off to see the city at his leisure. He sighed he wanted to get better quickly so he could start as soon as possible, but knew it would be at least a week before he was able to move with any agility at all. He would wait, rest, and heal properly before enlisting. Anything short would be breaking his oath and he would not do that.

Lucan left the infirmary and with a new pride in his step walked from the palace into the city after retrieving his possessions.