None planned it that way, but Dhvani's execution was timed perfectly with the first touch of winter. For days the air had thinned to a bitter cold, made only worst by the perpetual Surikh humidity. Now finally it broke into a drizzle that swept miles across the sky. Kiet stood sheltered under the extended eaves of the guardhouse cupping the square, his father seated in front of both him and Khaisan.

Six soldiers escorted Dhvani towards the weeping fig crowning the heart of the square. Five generations of the Ametjas dynasty had watched it grow, now it towered higher even than the palatial ring walls, its branches stretched wide overhead, drooping canopy still sufficiently thick considering the season—still sheltering most of the rain—and from its strongest bough was hung the Weeping Noose, its vivid white jarring against the gloom of grey robes and ossa.

The Obusirjan women watched, foremost amongst the crowd, faces shadowed beneath wide, grey mourning hats. Their children and husbands had at long last arrived to the capital, now they lined the row behind them. How Divya and Eshka decided it prudent to have the children attend was beyond Kiet. Though the oldest had seen already twenty winters, the youngest amongst them was only six. His little face peered up between his mother and aunt's legs, eyes wide as two soldiers trussed Dhvani's arms to her body.

All watched in silence as the executioner prodded her up the stepping blocks, high enough the fall alone would break her neck and still leave her hanging several feet above their heads. Dhvani declined yet again to speak when the executioner asked for her final words. She looked only ahead; a sightless gaze over the crowd, as though even in a noose she were too good for them all.

There was a scrape of wood over stone as the executioner pulled the last block from beneath Dhvani's feet; a loud creak of cord and branches as her weight fell. The weeping fig shuddered, autumn leaves shed upon the gasping crowd.

Eshka's child cried, and soon she, too, with him.

Kiet fought the urge to shift his weight. Suddenly was he reminded of Gyoseong Yeungji, and he found himself studying the white batique adorning Dhvani's swinging form. A more complex pattern, for sure. Far more intricate than the cross-hatches of tartan. Perhaps he should gift the hijeon a piece.

'This entertains you, uncle?' whispered Khaisan beside him.

Kiet wiped the faint smile from his lips. No one was entertained. None bar Djuro, it seemed, who barely contained the satisfaction on his face. Whilst his mother and nieces approached the blocks to collect Dhvani from the Weeping Noose, he instead made his way towards the guardhouse.

'Your Serene Highness.' He bowed low to kiss Judhistir's feet. 'Please accept once again my deepest regrets for the part my House has played in these recent tragedies.'

Already has he now lordship over the Obsidian Fortress, for what more does he lick Judhistir's boots?

The Maha Rama accepted his obeisance with the customary blessing upon Djuro's head. 'We all of us have but lost those dearest to our hearts. It brings me no joy to mete such fate upon your sister.'

'Maharaj Kiet delivered a highly convincing tribunal. As always, My Rama has served only justice.'

'Indeed a powerful orator, is mine own son. Had only half as persuasive a champion spoken on Dhvani's behalf, perhaps she could have been spared from such ultimate justice.'

Kiet bit back a wince. He needed not look at Khaisan; the indignation exuded from him like a hollow void that sucked in and destroyed all warmth. 'You give me far too much credit. It helped greatly that I had the facts on my—'

'Not enough credit, on the contrary. How had I hoped for a demonstration of cultivated discourse—instead we witnessed so imbalanced a counter to all your well-prepared evidence, verily was it a disappointment. Tiresome, almost.'

Why does he insist upon this? All five-and-twenty years now of Khaisan's life, and still Judhistir sees no fault in such needling. It was only a mercy that Persi was absent from observing his son's shaming.

Thankfully Judhistir turned his attention away from Khaisan and towards the man at his feet. 'Please, rise, my good raj. 'Tis ill fortune to o'erlong dwell upon such unpleasant affairs as this. Grief must away with joy be pursued, lest dark spirits fester in our minds and hearts. Thus first shall you be amongst my noble kin to whom I extend mine formal invitations: That when finally this seeding season passes, you shall join us in our blooming season hunt.'

A sign for all the land to see that no ill will rests between the Ametjas and Obusirjan Houses. Why else would Judhistir mention their annual spring hunt, when winter has only just begun?

Djuro rose slowly to his feet, keeping his back at a respectable bend as he deluged the Rama with his gratitude and praises.

Kiet used his sisters' appearance to excuse himself. They had skipped the execution but now came to extend their sympathies to Syuri Omana and her granddaughters. It only occurred to him then that he should probably do the same.

You're the one who put her there. Already he heard Omana's words. But Omana should thank the gods she was not thrown in right next to Dhvani's silver-servant for facilitating their escape.

Arya. That was his name. The circumstances of his death was another matter Kiet had little time to concern himself with. Perhaps once all had settled ...

'Brother.' Kiesja greeted him, and only then he realised he had arrived before the Obusirjan women.

One look at Omana's face and all thought of sympathies evaporated from Kiet's tongue. 'I came here only to say that I took no pleasure in all that's been done. That despite everything, you are all still family and will always be treated as such.'

Divya bowed, but the coldness in her eyes matched even the winter winds. Eshka and Omana showed no such formalities at all.

'The Maha Rama has still set aside a plot in the royal burial grounds for Dhvani's frangipani.'

'She is an Obusirjan,' finally Omana spoke. 'Her tree will be plotted at the Obsidian Fortress. We've no plans of remaining in Kathedra for any longer than it takes to prepare our carriages.'

'Very well. Then I'll see to it that they are ready within the hour.'

'You won't stay to meet the famed hanjou of Tsunai?'

The women all turned and bowed at Khaisan's appearance. Apparently he, too, had grown tired of Djuro's bootlicking. Or perhaps he'd been so triggered by Judhistir's words, he felt the need to repay Kiet in kind. 'If so, they'll be staying a long time, nephew, and it is prudent to not wait long before planting one's frangipani.'

'Has the Rama made preparations to entertain the Divine Gyok, then?' Jyesta's excitement was palpable; as though having one sister was for her yet insufficient.

'Of course not. The Maha Rama has been preoccupied with thought of his rajini's trial, and—now—execution. This is hardly the time to be speaking of celebrations and entertainment.'

'Surely you cannot rebuke Mahasuri Jyesta her enthusiasm to meeting your future bride.' Khaisan turned to Kiet's youngest sister. 'Besides, I wonder if Maharaj Kiet knows the Rama's mind as well as he thinks.'

What does he insinuate? Kiet tried to find the answer in his sister's face, but found there something else. Something that boiled the blood right into his head.

He stepped reflexively in front of Jyesta and faced Khaisan, so close he stared right down into his granite-grey eyes. 'And what is it that I know not?'

'Eldest—'

'Well, suffice to say, perhaps yours is not the only betrothal the Rama might have on his mind.'

His arm pulsed so violently Kiet had to clench it down. He shot a look at Kiesja, whose own eyes were wide with shock.

'Ah—but you are correct,' continued Khaisan, 'that it is far too early to be speaking of engagements and celebration. There will be time enough for us to discuss things later ... brother.'

   
❖ ❖ ❖
   

'He said he'd allow me to arrange Jyesta's betrothal!' Kiet tore the grey robe off his body and hurled it against the wall. 'One that would be convenient to my position as Provincial Prince! Instead I return home to this?'

'The maharam is goading you, maharaj, and clearly it's working.' Ever the voice of reason. Akai picked the robe off the wooden porch running the length of the bath house, folded it into one of the baskets lining the wall.

The cabin was a small attachment, built around a hot pool that had been dug out in the south-western corner of Kiet's estate and connected to the main building through a shaded walkway. The porch itself led straight into the water: some four feet deep and thrice that across, sheltered from prying eyes by a corner of roofed fences.

'He'd do it,' muttered Kiet. Above all wanted Judhistir only stability for his kingdom. 'It is the only way my father can assuage Khaisan his unfounded fears. The only way to convince him I'll remain in check.'

'There are worse fates than wedding the future Rama, and your sister doesn't seem to mind.'

'My sister knows neither the man my nephew has become, nor the daemon he is further turning into!' Kiet stepped into the water, no longer able to withstand the cold air howling through the trees.

He'll need arrange a meeting with his father before any deals are sealed.

Kiet looked askance at his captain, who stood guarding the porch entrance. 'I require your distractions, Akai, so tell me of your own situation. Are you promised to another?'

A bamboo water rocker in the corner of the garden poured and clunked in the silence that followed.

'I have other priorities at this moment.' Kiet counted four clunks before finally his captain answered. 'And even if I had the time, it's not like I have my eyes set on anyone.'

The door rapped before Kiet could respond, followed by Tika's voice from within the bath house. 'A Master Fadjira has come to see you, maharaj.'

An unfamiliar name to both Kiet and Akai, judging from the frown on his captain's face. 'I recall not any appointments for tonight.'

'He says Maharaj Khaisan sent him,' said Tika through the door. 'To inspect your pet bird?'

The sattwapeut. Kiet sighed, sinking deeper into the water until his head rested upon the stone floor. Where had the creature gone off to, anyway? Likely hunting wood mice again. It had gone from eating insects to fruits to small mammals. Soon it really would be eating like a winged nagha.

'Is it a good idea to have Maharaj Khaisan's man examine your friend?' asked Akai.

'Of course not. Khaisan's an envious, insecure little lordling. He'd sleep not for months were I to be bonded and he without so much as a pet hamster. He likely sends his sattwapeut to prevent such links from ever forming.'

'They can do that?'

'A creature cannot bond if it is dead.'

'Then you—'

'Don't worry about me, or of my little Nagha.' How daft did Khaisan think him? It would be only too easy for the sattwapeut to snuff Nagha out and blame it on the failure of his treatment. How could he be punished, then, when he only had been trying to cure him?

All this for a pet bird. Has truly Khaisan no better scheme to conspire? Was courting his sister not game enough?

'Maharaj?' Tika's voice was small, uncertain.

'I am indisposed. Nagha is not present, besides. Tell the good Master Fadjira that his offer is much appreciated, but unnecessary.'

Kiet sighed into the night. He had gone there to unwind, following the revelation of his sister's secret trysts—and still Khaisan found a way to wheedle into his retreat.

'If nothing is done about him, I'd soon lose my mind,' he muttered once Tika's footsteps had faded away.

'The sattwapeut?'

'The nephew.'

Akai's jaw clenched. It took a moment, and when he spoke, it was so quiet Kiet barely heard him over the swooshing and clunking of the bamboo rocker. 'Well, if there's anything you should ever need of me, maharaj,' came the words, 'your word is my law.'

❖

↝ END CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT ↜

❖

☆ this chapter is dedicated to tcbskh ☆

Video: Hiddensight Meditation Third Eye music
Image: Original artists unknown

If you're wondering what Kiet / Rajini Amarin's estate looks like, wonder no more! I finally gave up keeping track of things in my head and made a quick ground plan. Check it out through the link in the comment or through the "External Link" below!