That night the king gathered the village and had me come forward to accept the royal necklace after he told a simpler version of my story. It was a golden choker that sat tightly against the prince's neck with a black stone that had colors of blue, red, gold, and silver and had a life of its own it seemed. I couldn't really believe that I was the prince of the Shemesh tribe. I just wanted a simple life. This is what Neo had been born for; I had been an accident. How could I look at being the future king?
The king had me stand in front of him and place the necklace around my neck. In the crowd, I could make out my foster parents, my sister and her husband, and Hassan looking broken, but trying hard not to show it.
"Hail Jaspen ap Ginfried, prince of the Shemesh tribe," said the king after he had clasped the necklace around my neck.
Everyone in the tribe repeated back after the king. After that, as I had requested earlier, there was no party and I went to go move my things out of my old home. As I grabbed the last of my things, Thekros entered.
"I..." he started.
"You will always be my father. You raised me, but the king needs an heir and it was the only reasonable choice."
Thekros nodded and hugged me awkwardly before letting me go. As I was half way back to the palace, Demni and Ishtar stopped me taking my things from my hands.
"I can-" I started.
"We are happy to help," said Ishtar. "Alright, my prince?"
I nodded, letting them carry my things without arguing anymore.In a matter of a day my life had been turned upside down and sideways. How could I ever fill Neo's shoes? He had been born to lead.
They showed me to Neo's old portion of the palace and I was stunned at how large and elaborate it was. My old housing was nothing compared to this. The size of my whole family's home was the size of my new room. My jaw dropped in awe.
"As soon as you are ready, the shaman will put the tattoos of the ruler down your back."
I nodded, stripping out of my shirt.
"Ishtar, will you cut my hair so it is easier for him to do the tattoo?" I asked sitting down on the stool.
He placed my items on the floor and drew his knife cutting my braided hair easily and I felt the back of my scalp where my long hair had just been.
"At least the shaman left your spine untouched with your Scortha marks so that the tattoos of the male royal family can run down."
I looked at my arms and my stomach, seeing the spiraling designs that I had yet to get used to even though they were two years old.
"Aye," I said simply, not knowing what else to say.
"Did you know you were the king's son?" asked Demni.
"Nay. Not till this morning when you kicked me out of bed."
"I guess that will have to stop now, aye?" he said with a chuckle.
I laughed. "Aye you will have to find a new greeting."
It was the first time I had ever heard Demni joke or laugh. I didn't honestly think he had it in him. Ishtar seemed to think the same thing.
After they left, I finished putting my few things away before going out to the throne room and sitting for several hours as I got the six marks of the royal males on my spine. It hurt less than my Scortha tattoos, but then again my Scortha tattoos were laced with magic for protection and durability. I sunk deep into myself, focusing on nothing but my breathing. When it was finally over, Demni and Ishtar took me back to my quarters and helped me bandage them.
I heard a woman clear her throat and I turned to see the queen. I had to keep myself from bowing. We were the same rank now.
"You are dismissed," she said to my two guards and they bowed and left.
I sat on my cot. I didn't know what to call her for she really wasn't my mother. Her dark eyes swept over me and lingered on my face.
"Can I ... can I do anything for you?" I asked worriedly.
She said nothing and I was worried. I had never seen the queen before telling them the news about Neo nor had I ever spoken to her.
I whispered. "Can you see some of his features in my face?"
She looked at me closer.
"Some," she admitted.
I sighed. "I'd trade all of this for everything to go back to normal ... for Neo to be back. To have never been a Scortha and lost two years of my life."
She walked the short distance between us and pulled me against her hugging me. At first I tensed for my foster mother had never been this affectionate at all, but after a brief moment I relaxed.
"You ... you're okay with me even after you learned I was his illegitimate son?"
"Of course," she said. "It wasn't your fault. This way I still have a son after all."
I was surprised. I thought she would take it harder than this. I mean I really was surprised she was alright with claiming me as her son with Neo's passing still fresh in everyone's heart and mind. I hugged her back awkwardly. My family wasn't much for affection. She pulled back.
"Sit on the stool and I'll tend to your tattoos. They are most likely bleeding through the bandaging."
I did as she said and moved, still not sure how to feel about all this. I still felt like I was trapped in some horrible twisted nightmare that had a small silver lining. All I wanted was my only friend and my half-brother back.