Post by luinae on Mar 12, 2011 10:18:38 GMT 10
Title: Blessing
Rating: R
Word Count: 337
Pairing: Jon/Zahir
Round/Fight: 1/A
Summary: Zahir prepares Jon for his execution. Part of a mini-series. Character death. Part of journeycat's "Last Conte" universe.
Zahir has prepared his knightmaster for battle many times.
But never in a thousand years did Zahir think he would be preparing his knightmaster for execution.
No-one thought that Tusaine would have the courage to execute a king, and not the king of Tortall and his entire family. Tusaine, Zahir thought. The name sounded like hatred even in his head. Tusaine who had taken his world; Tusaine that had raped his sister; Tusaine that robbed him of the people he loved.
“Zahir,” the king says, quietly, a reminder of what he is supposed to be doing. So Zahir helps Jon remove his armour, and the jerkin vest, and he folds back the collar on his shirt so there will be no impediment for the axe. Jon is so calm- it almost could have been Zahir preparing his knightmaster for a council meeting back in the palace.
Except for the jeering crowd of invaders, and the wooden floor slick with the blood of Jon’s children.
The king smiles, a little sadly now, and moves away to turn towards the block.
“Your majesty!” Zahir says, unable to let the king go, and he knows that Tusaine won’t care, because this is all a show to them, all a spectacle.
“Yes, Zahir?”
Zahir swallows. “I was wondering, sire, if I could have your blessing. Just- one last time?”
Jon’s face softens, and he says, “Of course.”
So Zahir kneels (and tries to ignore that he’s kneeling in Vania's blood) and Jon places his hand on Zahir’s head and murmurs a few words. And then Jon is moving away, and kissing his wife one last time. Zahir is amazed to see that Thayet isn’t crying. She smiles and kisses the king; brushing a few stray hairs out of his head, like she did for all her dead children.
And then the axe has fallen, and Thayet is left standing alone, splattered with the blood of her husband.
And Zahir is still kneeling in the blood of his knightmaster’s children.
QC by: journeycat
Rating: R
Word Count: 337
Pairing: Jon/Zahir
Round/Fight: 1/A
Summary: Zahir prepares Jon for his execution. Part of a mini-series. Character death. Part of journeycat's "Last Conte" universe.
Zahir has prepared his knightmaster for battle many times.
But never in a thousand years did Zahir think he would be preparing his knightmaster for execution.
No-one thought that Tusaine would have the courage to execute a king, and not the king of Tortall and his entire family. Tusaine, Zahir thought. The name sounded like hatred even in his head. Tusaine who had taken his world; Tusaine that had raped his sister; Tusaine that robbed him of the people he loved.
“Zahir,” the king says, quietly, a reminder of what he is supposed to be doing. So Zahir helps Jon remove his armour, and the jerkin vest, and he folds back the collar on his shirt so there will be no impediment for the axe. Jon is so calm- it almost could have been Zahir preparing his knightmaster for a council meeting back in the palace.
Except for the jeering crowd of invaders, and the wooden floor slick with the blood of Jon’s children.
The king smiles, a little sadly now, and moves away to turn towards the block.
“Your majesty!” Zahir says, unable to let the king go, and he knows that Tusaine won’t care, because this is all a show to them, all a spectacle.
“Yes, Zahir?”
Zahir swallows. “I was wondering, sire, if I could have your blessing. Just- one last time?”
Jon’s face softens, and he says, “Of course.”
So Zahir kneels (and tries to ignore that he’s kneeling in Vania's blood) and Jon places his hand on Zahir’s head and murmurs a few words. And then Jon is moving away, and kissing his wife one last time. Zahir is amazed to see that Thayet isn’t crying. She smiles and kisses the king; brushing a few stray hairs out of his head, like she did for all her dead children.
And then the axe has fallen, and Thayet is left standing alone, splattered with the blood of her husband.
And Zahir is still kneeling in the blood of his knightmaster’s children.
QC by: journeycat