".. the Rank three died shortly after, adding his number to the seventeen Royal Black Guards he'd already killed..." A slim pale man with a head full of thick dark hair and a nose that could pierce a wineskin read from a scroll parchment that had probably been written an hour prior to Rehny being summoned before the King in his throne room to answer for his crimes against Binoria. The slim man was dressed in a scarlet robe that marked him as a scribe of importance among the red priests. Seven sword edges pointed at Rehny from his position beneath the throne, the highest Ranking Royal Black Guards surrounded him, furious over what he'd done to them.
Rehny didn't give a damn about their fury. What irked him was the fact that they'd left him in his armor for the past two days, the weight of the thing was disconcerting and he wished they'd just get over with it and decapitate him. Also, why did they always have to meet in the throne room? Come to think of it the only other time Rehny had ever seen the King outside the throne room was when riding for battle and during the Nula Anyl. The whole room made Rehny feel bored, it reminded him of the times he'd been summoned early and had had to stand still upon the red carpet and wait for his liege. The aesthetic of the ceiling murals and surrounding white walls lined with enormous windows had faded to a dull throb within Rehny.
"... his interference with the Black Guard led to the escape of the Telinete Rhino and the prisoners.." Rehny fought the urge to scoff. The 'prisoners' had earned their freedom and the whole Kingdom knew it. Rehny glanced at the Black Guard around him and met the grey eyes of the woman who was Rank one. He was glad to see that that the reality check he'd given the Black Guard had led them to resort back to wearing their black leather armor. However, they still showed a hint of ignorance for not cuffing him in chains and allowing him full mobility, trusting fully in their ability to contain him. Didn't they ever learn?
"...the market place is completely ruined and over a thousand Binorians are dead with scores injured under the Commander's incompetence." The scribe concluded, putting his scroll aside and turning his attention to the King upon the red throne. "Taking all this into account, I welcome the Rank one to give testimony."
The woman walked forward and bowed low at the waist before the steps leading up to the throne. Vayin Vigon's face was an unreadable mask, his hands rested on the throne's armrests and he appeared to be like a statue dressed in black silk if it wasn't for the almost imperceptible rise and fall of his chest. "What the Red priest says is a full account of all that had occurred. We seek justice before you great King, that the Commander may face the full consequences of his actions." The Rank One said and bowed once more. She retreated to stand beside Rehny and he spared her a half smile which she out rightly ignored.
"The Commander Rehny of the hundred Legions is hereby recognized by the crown. Step forth and plead your case." The Red priest scribe said. The two Black Guards before Rehny stepped aside with their swords still on him to allow him room to approach the throne. Rehny didn't make an effort to move an inch, he just stood there staring at the carpet. Picture red, picture red, picture red.
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He'd always masked his thoughts before the King. Hiding away the gaping wound in his being. He always obscured the hatred he felt towards all that made him who he was. Rehny lifted his head and met Vayin Vigon's grey eyes. Picture red, picture red, picture red. He'd seen that red hue for the longest time of his life, ever since he'd shown a feat of bravery on the battlefield that had earned him promotion to Commander, ever since he'd taken lives in the name of the Kingdom he'd sworn to serve, ever since he'd lost the love of his life to the man before him.
Picture red, picture red, picture red. Beneath the image of red he imagined what life would have been like if he'd left Binoria with Lamical during the days of their youth. They'd have gone north, to Talisi and raised sheep among the hills. Sure, they'd have been alone, foreigners in a distant land but at least they'd have been alone together. What if they'd gone to the west? He'd only ever seen the Rankf sea once as he charged with the Seventh Legion to remind Remu of their place within the realm. The sea had been stained with blood then but he imagined what it would have been like standing with Lamical on the shore while yellow sunbeams glistened upon the blue expanse.
Lamical. The thought briefly erupted out of the sea of red he'd been picturing and Vayin Vigon leaned forward in his throne, his grey eyes focused on Rehny. "Uhhhm Commander." The scribe said, his gaze moving between Rehny and the King. "If you may please step forward and defend yourself against the accusations made against you as is customary of one standing accused before the crown. The Goddess Meena is fair and just as is her servants, the accused always have a platform to speak for their innocence."
Picture red, picture red, picture red. Rehny complied and stepped forward towards the steps leading to the throne, his eyes never leaving the King. The Lamical of his past was different from the one he knew now. She'd once looked up to him with her blue eyes and stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips before pulling back with a smile. That Lamical would have stormed out of Tabrimas if it meant being close to Rehny within the realm of mortals. Now he recalled how she smirked at him after whispering in her daughter's ear right before Dahli ordered the Black Guard to kill him. Picture red, where had the Lamical I'd known gone to? Picture red.
The Lamical who had loved him was no more. It made him wonder, was there ever truly any love between them? Had it all been in his head? Picture red, Picture red. If there had never been any love, then where did the anguish and the dread stem from? Where did that emptiness come from after the anguish and dread had been muffled by time? Picture red. Suddenly, a sound emerged within Rehny's mind. A sound that was as clear as day. A whistle whose pitch rose to the heights of his conscience and dropped to the depths of his soul.
Rehny stopped picturing red. He raised his head higher at Vayin Vigon, his thoughts unveiled letting forth the flood of all he'd held back. The pain and the hatred screamed from his mind. The loathing and wretchedness that had suffocated him for the better part of his life echoed within the throne room and all of it could be seen by the man whose eyes glowed red upon the red throne. Vayin Vigon abruptly stood up. "All of you leave, except Rehny." The King commanded and his subjects obeyed.