This was the first time Faiz had been inside the tavern, but he was certain this wasn't how it usually looked like. Chairs were lined up at the back of the room and the tables were decked on top of each other in one corner. The counters were empty, with nothing that implied that food or drink was ever served there. The only thing that made this place seem like it was one of merriment and not morose were the beautiful little hanging lamps spread at equal intervals throughout the room, just a few inches below the low ceiling.
In the centre of the tavern was a chair, which looked much like all the others in the room, but Faiz felt heavy in the chest just looking at it. That chair was for him. The supposed bringer of justice.
Some workers had piled into the tavern to watch, and the guards were making sure to keep them away from the centre of the room. Many others had gathered outside, and were pushing past each other to peek through the windows, trying to get a glimpse of what was going on inside. Above all the whispers and the chatter, Faiz heard the deafening sound of a drum. He placed a hand on his chest to calm down his racing heart, although he was aware that doing so never helped.
He looked at the chairs at the back of the room. On the right corner sat two workers with their hands tied. Guards stood on either side of them, spears in hand. One of the workers, a girl, was petite with copper hair and thin arms which were wrapped in strips of cloth to help heal whatever injury was underneath. One of her legs was also bound in a similar manner, except the dressing was thicker, more layered. Raazan was right. The girl was hurt. Badly. She was staring ahead of her with no expression on her face, appearing to be lost in thought.
On her left sat a copper-haired giant with anger all over his face. He had his fists closed tight, and Faiz had a feeling the man was doing all he could to not break free from the bonds that held him and destroy everything in the tavern. Faiz wouldn't blame him if he did. The giant was hurt too, but his wounds had not been tended to. This must be the brother that attacked Bidod, Faiz noted. Aside from the copper hair, Faiz saw no similarity between the two that would testify that they were siblings.
On the other end sat the two workers that had come to him for help. They were still bleeding, wounds unattended. They'd refused to get looked at by the healers before heading to the tavern, and Faiz hadn't insisted. He didn't have the courage to insist. The boy, Vihr, sat with his head down and his arms folded in silent prayer. Faiz's eyes then moved to Raazan and the drums got louder, his heart beating faster. She was staring straight at him, her face a mixture of regret, hurt and frustration. She'd come to him for help and all he had offered so far were bleak promises. Promises he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep. What even was his 'utmost'?
Standing on the right to Faiz's chair was Bidod, with his head held high and a smirk he didn't even bother concealing. He was sporting some injuries too, but they were well tended to. Faiz wished he could summon a strong gust of wind that would carry this burden on humanity far away to the point of no return. If there was such a point. Knowing Bidod, he could crawl back from the other side of the world just to make Faiz's life difficult. He could? No, he would.
Trying not to faint, Faiz sat down on his chair. Immediately the workers could be heard hushing each other and within a couple of moments, there was almost no sound in the tavern. Except for the drum, of course. All eyes were on him. Expectant gazes seemed to pierce into him. Now Faiz wished the gust of wind would carry him away instead of Bidod.
Drawing in a shaky breath and praying to the heavens that what left his lips would be coherent words and not a cry for help, he spoke. "Let the hearing commence."
The guards at the back pulled the copper-haired workers to their feet and led them to the centre of the room, stopping on Faiz's left. The copper-haired man glared at Bidod and the supervisor stumbled back slightly. Faiz did not want to be on the receiving end of that look.
Bidod straightened and pushed his shoulders back in a feeble attempt to look intimidating, and spoke. "Sire, the two workers you see standing before you are nothing but common thieves and criminals. This girl here was caught stealing a silver bracelet, by none other than myself." He pushed his shoulders further back and Faiz couldn't help but wonder if he'd hear an audible snap soon. "And this insolent little thing attacked me with a shovel when I found her with the stolen item. A shovel! On the back of my head! It could've been fatal, Sire. I beseech you, take it for what it was, an attempt to kill."
"You rat. You filthy, lowly, disgusting piece of-" Raazan stood up and was pulled back down by Vihr. He put a finger to his lips and looked like he was begging her to stop talking. Faiz smiled at him in silent thanks. He rolled his eyes in response, and looked away.
Bidod cleared his throat. "As I was saying before the impudent interruption, this girl almost killed me with a shovel-"
"Oh, for the love of-" Raazan stood up again.
"I warn you girl, let me talk or else-"
"Or what? Will you accuse me of trying to kill you? Are my interruptions too fatal for your fragile pride, supervisor?"
"HOW DARE-"
"Everyone please. Quiet down." Faiz stood up too.
"Throw this insolent worker out." Bidod ordered one of the guards, pointing a crooked finger at Raazan.
"No." Faiz said. "That...that won't be required."
"But Sire-"
Just...please, let the hearing commence..without interruptions?" Faiz looked at Raazan with pleading eyes. She looked at her friends then back at Faiz, huffed and sat back down.
"As I was saying, I managed to confiscate the stolen item despite the act of brutality, Sire, but she managed to escape. When I finally found her and ordered the guards to arrest her, with your permission of course, her brother attacked me. Jumped me like some kind of animal! All the healers and apprentices are witness to this." At the mention of his name, the giant intensified his glare on Bidod, who took another step back. Gulping, he continued. "Your Highness, people with such violent, barbaric tendencies shouldn't be left to roam among the common folk. Furthermore, these acts of insubordination and violence should not be left unpunished." Concluding with that, his brother's former attendant stood with his arms folded and a smug smile on his face.
Faiz knew Bidod expected him to give a verdict in his favour right then and there. A small part of him was tempted to. Daring to do otherwise would be…inviting trouble. Then he looked at the back of the room, where Raazan sat staring at him with an expression that made him feel like she was starting to regret saving him. He looked at the worker girl and her brother, who were being punished for absolutely no reason except that they dared to stand up to Bidod, and he hated himself for even considering declaring them as guilty. But if he didn't…..
Feeling like the walls of the tavern were closing in on him, Faiz decided the best thing to do was to prolong the hearing until he could think of something. "Can I see the…. the item….you know, that was... stolen?"
"But of course, Your Highness." Bidod signaled one of the guards, who brought forward a box and handed it to Faiz. He opened it to find a delicate-looking silver bracelet.
"And...who does this belong to?"
"Bring her in." Bidod ordered the guard to his left, who walked out of the tavern, then entered a minute later with a worker following him, pushing past the crowd. She was tall, about the same height as Raazan, with shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes.
A wave of whispers arose from the crowd at the sight of her. Glances directed at the accused and made Faiz look up out of curiosity. The copper-haired giant had undergone something of a transformation. He was no longer glaring at Bidod, nor were his palms closed into fists. His tense shoulders had relaxed, and he stood there looking at the girl with his head tilted and a look on his face which Faiz couldn't quite read. Disbelief, perhaps? He couldn't be sure.
The guard brought her to a halt before Faiz, and she stood there silently with her head bowed.
"This worker here has claimed ownership of the bracelet." Bidod pointed at her, but she continued to stand there quietly. "We don't have all day, girl. Tell His Highness the truth. Does this bracelet belong to you, or doesn't it?"
She looked up at Faiz with nervous eyes, then glanced to the side where the accused stood. "I…."
"Yes, tell me. Please...don't be scared." Faiz felt like a hypocrite saying that, as the drumming in his chest only got louder.
"Your Highness, I.."
"Speak girl!" Bidod barked. She flinched.
"Calm down, Bidod." Faiz said. "What...what's your name?" He asked the girl.
"Zuma, Your Highness."
"Okay, Zuma. Tell me. Does this belong to you?" He showed her the bracelet.
She glanced to her right before speaking."Yes, Your Highness. This bracelet is mine."
Another wave of whispers, this time louder. Faiz heard a sigh on his left, and he didn't have to look to see who it came from. Bidod smirked. "There you have it."
"However.." Zuma continued and the whispering stopped.
Bidod raised an eyebrow. "What, girl?"
Zuma flinched again, and looked at Faiz. She seemed to have frozen.
"Yes?" Faiz prompted.
She looked at the accused workers again, and this time it wasn't a glance. She continued to stare in that direction for a couple of seconds, as if she was searching for something, and finally drew in a deep breath. "However," she continued, "it wasn't stolen."
"Pardon?" Faiz asked.
"I.." She glanced at Bidod nervously, "I let Laaj borrow it."
"Don't you lie, you-" Bidod growled.
"I'm not." The girl said, turning to him, then turned back to face Faiz. "I'm not lying, Your Highness. I wouldn't lie about a family heirloom. I swear, on the heavens and everything I hold dear, I have no qualms with Laaj possessing my bracelet. In fact, I tried to explain this to the supervisor, but he wouldn't let me finish."
Faiz was astonished. Here was a common worker, a subordinate to Bidod, defying him. And here was he…..
Another sigh was heard from Faiz's left, most probably from the same source, but this time it sounded different. Raazan and Vihr had small smiles on their faces. Faiz looked at the copper-haired siblings, who were looking at Zuma with what could only be gratitude. Or….maybe something more, Faiz thought, as he once again tried to understand exactly what it was that he saw on the giant's face. Something new this time, but just as hard to decipher.
"You dare lie in the presence of-" Bidod made to advance toward her.
"I'm not lying." The girl flinched a little, but stood her ground.
"Quiet, you!" Bidod raised his hand.
"Stop it, Bidod." Faiz was shocked at the quality of command he heard in his voice. He realised he had stood up. Bidod stopped in his tracks, lowering his hand as he stared at Faiz with raised eyebrows.
"The bracelet belongs to her, and I'm inclined to believe any statement she has pertaining to it. I see no reason as to why she would lie about it." Faiz wasn't sure where the courage was coming from. Maybe it was Zuma's daring that had compelled him to speak. Maybe it was the promise he'd made to the amber-eyed worker who'd saved his life. Maybe it was both…...or something else entirely. A mistake he didn't wish to repeat. Whatever it was, Faiz prayed it would stay with him a little longer.
"But, Sire-"
"It appears you misread the situation." Faiz said as he sat back down.
"Yes, but-"
"So tell me, Bidod. What made you think the bracelet was stolen?"
Bidod glared at Zuma, then looked back at Faiz. "Sire, this worker acted suspicious." He pointed at the worker whom Zuma had called Laaj.
"Suspicious how?"
"She wasn't wearing the bracelet, but was holding it in her hand. She tried to run when she saw me."
"And? What did you do?"
"I tried to stop her, Sire."
"How?"
"I chased after her."
"Then?"
"She hit me with a shovel, Sire."
"When you chased after her?"
"Yes."
"And her injuries?"
"Sire?"
"How did she get them, Bidod?"
Bidod looked at Faiz quizzically, as if he wasn't sure why this interaction was even happening. "There was a tussle, Sire."
"A tussle?"
"Yes."
"Then, your injuries...are from your scuffle with her?"
Bidod hesitated. Faiz knew exactly what it was that was making him think twice. As easy as it would be to say yes, Bidod was too much of a chauvinistic slime to admit that a woman could ever gain advantage over him in a fight. Lucky for Faiz, Bidod's pride won over his sense of reason when he said, "No, Sire. It's because of him." He gestured to the giant, who rolled his eyes in response.
"Right. So aside from being hit on the head, you came out of the...tussle...more or less unscathed?"
"I wouldn't say that, Sire. A blow to the head can be-"
"Fatal, yes. So I've...so I've been told. But aside from that? Any other serious injuries?"
"No, Your Highness."
So, you had an advantage over her, I presume?"
"Which is why she took aid of the shovel, Your Highness."
"I thought you said ...I mean, if I'm not wrong….previously you said...she hit you when you chased after her. You didn't… you didn't mention any scuffle then." Faiz knew Bidod hadn't bothered with the details of the story as he was certain the judgement would be passed in his favour, without further questions. He obviously didn't expect Zuma to go against him in her statement, or for Faiz to continue to inquire about everything. A small part of Faiz celebrated as he watched Bidod squirm, a very rare occurrence.
"Did you ask her...if.. if the bracelet belonged to her?" Faiz asked.
"Yes, Sire. The insolent brat didn't answer me."
"Then what did you do?"
"Sire?"
"When she..she didn't respond, what did you do, Bidod?"
"I already told you Sire, I chased after her."
"So she ran?"
"Yes."
"So she didn't respond, but only ran...from you?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Why?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"Why would she run, if she wasn't...wasn't stealing? What scared her?"
"I wouldn't know, Sire." Bidod said through gritted teeth.
"Right." Faiz drew in a shaky breath. What he was about to do next could prove to be an enormous problem for him in the future. It could? No, it would. Yet, he continued, driven by some strange madness.
"It appears Bidod, that you've...you've mishandled the situation. It is also clear you are missing a few details. Which is why….which is why I think it's only fair that we let the accused shed light on the matter. It'll allow us to..to gain a better understanding of what really transpired. Wouldn't you agree?"
Bidod glared at Faiz. "As you wish, Sire."
Faiz looked at Raazan, and was glad to see she now looked more expectant than disappointed. Yes, he was trying to keep his promise. The guards called Zuma to the side and brought Laaj to the centre and made her face Faiz.
"What's..what's your name?" Faiz asked gently.
"Laaj, Your Grace."
"Okay, Laaj. I'd like to hear from you. What really happened?"
She said nothing, but looked between Faiz and Bidod warily as if trying to figure out if this was some kind of trick.
"Trust me, you have nothing to be scared about. Just...just tell us the truth."
The girl looked back at Raazan and Vihr, then at her brother. Seemingly having gotten the unspoken reassurance from them, she spoke. "I never ran, Your Highness. Not until supervisor Bidod compelled me to. He was...he was brutish and...lecherous. He cornered me, and didn't show mercy even when I was wounded. I hit him with the shovel to stun him momentarily, not to kill, because he'd left me with no other choice, Your Grace."
Faiz sighed. So he had guessed it right. All this happened because Bidod was a primitive, carnal beast.
"Lies! Your Grace, these are all lies!" Bidod shouted, eyes widened.
"That is for me to decide, Bidod." Faiz said.
"But her brother...Aha! Yes! Her brother, Sire. He attacked me in the infirmary. And I have witnesses. Ask any healer or apprentice that was working there this morning, Sire. These workers are barbaric and will accuse anyone of anything to conceal their crimes."
Faiz sighed. "If I recall correctly, Bidod, you came to me to...to ask for...for permission to arrest this worker here, Laaj. Am I correct?"
"Yes, Sire."
"So this hearing...this hearing is really about her."
"But Sire-"
"Whether this man attacked you unprovoked or not can be dealt with later. But right now the primary concern is your misconduct with a worker."
"Sire, I told you, she is lying."
"Regardless, I think everyone here can agree that this girl is not a thief. Nor is she as violent as you made her out to be. Which is why, whether...whether or not you assaulted her with a carnal intent, you're still the one at fault here. And if I'm being honest..I do believe her claim, for I see no reason for her to lie. Moreover, her side of...of the story leaves no room for...for inconsistencies. Unlike yours."
"Sire!" Bidod looked at Faiz with infuriated disbelief, and Faiz did everything he could to not look away.
"She wasn't stealing. Nor has she caused you harm. Aside from your...fatal head blow of course, after which you seem to be functioning just fine. Which anyways, seems like an act of defense than anything else. You on the other hand….you caught her off guard, were brutish in your conduct, as can be understood from her condition, and..and later arrested her for theft without...without proper evidence that she stole. The worker Zuma has stated that you refused to listen to her when...when she tried to clear the matter. With the evidence and the statements I've seen and heard, I...I deem you...unfit as a supervisor. Moreover, the inconsistency in what you've...you've told me so far leads me to believe that...that in some instances, at least, you were lying to me, Bidod."
"Lying? I-"
"When you came to me, and in your earlier statement, you mentioned that she hit you when you found her...her with the item. However, your statement is something entirely different...right now. Is that..is that not lying?"
"Prince Faiz, you-"
"And," Faiz raised his voice to be heard over the chatter that had resumed in the tavern. The guards signalled everyone to be quiet, threatening to send everyone out otherwise. "And, as you..as you rightfully stated, acts of insubordination can't go unpunished."
The chatter got louder, and even the guards couldn't seem to quiet them down. Faiz looked at the back of the room to see Raazan stifle a laugh. Laaj stared at him with wide eyes and her brother was staring at him with narrowed ones.
Faiz stood up once again. "Quiet, please." After a few moments, the guards finally managed to get everyone to settle down. "For your act of insubordination and...for misconduct and assault with a worker, I believe you are to be dismissed as supervisor. Further, six years of imprisonment would be appropriate."
"Six years! You can't possibly-"
"Do you think," Faiz took a step toward Bidod, even though he felt like his knees would buckle, "that lying to a Prince of Manzarhaal is a matter to be taken lightly?"
Bidod looked like he would launch himself at Faiz at any moment. Ignoring his urge to run, Faiz sat back down and gestured to one of the guards to bring him a parchment and some ink. He wrote down everything that had happened, all the while aware of Bidod's death glare fixed on him. He placed the Royal seal and rolled up the parchment neatly.
"This will be handed to my father, and only him. Please...ensure that...it reaches no one but him." He said, handing the parchment to Tamih, one of the few guards he'd come to trust.
Tamih nodded curtly as he took the parchment. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Bidod stepped towards Faiz and bent down until he was a few inches away from his face. "You're making a mistake, Prince Faiz. If Prince Samee hears of this…" He let that threat hang in the air.
Faiz was glad he was seated, for if he wasn't, he was sure he would have collapsed. He gripped the armrest of his chair firmly as he felt his throat dry up. The guards had positioned themselves closer to Faiz, ready to step in at any moment.
"I'm sure he will hear of it. And I'm also certain that...that he will have you released...by any means possible. But," Faiz stood up, trying his best to look intimidating, "if you ever come back here, you will be making a grave mistake. You are not welcome...back here at the Outskirts. And I don't..I don't care what my brother has to say about that." He gestured at the guards to take him away.
"I suggest you leave for the Palace right away." He said. Four of the guards took Bidod away, and Faiz collapsed back in the chair, now aware of his clammy hands and of his forehead and neck drenched in sweat. Even though the tavern had erupted in chaos, Faiz could hear nothing but the beating of his heart, which he was afraid would jump out of his chest.
He gestured to another guard to come closer so as to be heard over the noise."Please lead the workers out of the tavern. Gently. Release the accused from the bindings, but ask them to stay back. I wish..I wish to have a word with them. Especially the male worker."
"Very well, Sire." The guard conveyed the orders to the others standing there. As they carried out his orders, Faiz leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run into the forests and hide. He wanted to lie down for a couple of days. He felt his hands quivering on the armrests. His throat felt like it was filled with sand. 'If Prince Samee hears of this…' Faiz had declared he didn't care, but was that the truth?
"Sire?" A guard's voice snapped him back to the present. The copper-haired siblings, Raazan and Vihr were lined up before him. Faiz wasn't surprised that the latter two had stayed back as well.
" Thank you for staying back. I wished to speak with you. You...what do they call you?" He looked at the giant.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, he spoke. "Mani."
"Right. Mani...I'm certain what happened with...with Bidod wasn't….it wasn't unprovoked. However, I suggest you be more careful of your actions...next time." Mani nodded but said nothing in response.
"I apologized to all of you for the trouble you've undergone because of my supervisor. I will.." he glanced at Raazan, "I will do my utmost to ensure that it never happens again."
"Please don't apologise, Your Highness. We're grateful for what you've done for us today." Laaj bowed.
"I..I did what...I was supposed to. And I'm glad I was able to." Faiz smiled. "I advise all of you to pay a visit to the infirmary. It's not...it's not wise to leave wounds unattended for long."
"Of course, Your Highness." Vihr nodded. Faiz was glad he no longer looked as annoyed as did a while ago.
"Great. You may leave. Please, take care of yourselves." Faiz said.
"Thank you, Your Grace." Laaj bowed again, and Vihr followed suit. Mani half-bowed hesitantly, muttering an almost incoherent 'thank you'. Raazan said nothing, and the four of them walked towards the door, helping each other stand.
At the door, Raazan halted even after the others had walked out. She turned to face Faiz. "Thank you, Prince Faiz." She said curtly.
Even with her expressionless face and formal tone, Faiz could tell she meant it. Unable to refrain from smiling, he nodded at her.
"Sure."