Epilogue: A Union Of Two Nations

Princess Saphira was a fierce young spirit in the stuffy old Pheronian palace. As a child she would always get in trouble. And because of that she was always reminded that she was named after Queen Saphira who helped end the war with neighboring Marekia along with Queen Onuka. Saphira hated being compared to the great queen. Ever since she could remember, Pheron and Marekia have been at peace. Now that she was of age, her parents wanted her to marry the Marekian heir. What would happen if she didn't? Would they descend in to war again? She didn't think that she needed to marry some man she didn't know. One day she was in her room talking to her personal manservant Radin.

"Why must I get married?"

"Oh milady you must. We want to ensure the peace continues with Pheron and Marekia."

"But we've been at peace for generations."

"True, but we've also had a war that lasted generations. The people never thought it would end."

"I understand that but I don't want to marry the Marekian prince. I don't even know his name."

"I hear he is very handsome milady."

"But I don't want to marry someone only because he's handsome. I want someone who understands me, handsome or otherwise."

"Sometimes we must make sacrifices milady."

"Oh Radin. If only you had an attraction toward women."

"If I did have an attraction toward women, I would be first to ask you to marry me."

"Thank you Radin."

"No problem milady. My great, great, great grandfather was a servant to Queen Saphira." Radin stood and gave Saphira a kiss on the forehead.

"I must be off milady."

Radin was always so understanding. Not only was he her servant, he was her best friend. Radin would always comfort Saphira. That was until one day Radin disappeared. Saphira would stay up at night wondering what happened to her best friend. She had asked her father, the king to send out a search party. They looked all over and not a sign to be had. Saphira locked herself in her room. Radin was such a sweet soul. She hoped nothing happened to him.

There was a knock at the palace doors one rainy day. A handsome man was standing there. A Marekian man with short raven hair and he had someone in his arms. The Marekian must have been a commoner. They were both soaking wet. The palace guards immediately let him in, though they didn't quite know who he was. The man brought the figure he held to the throne room where the king and queen sat.

"And what is this?" the king asked, more curious than anything.

"Your highness, I believe this young man is one of your servants." The king stood and walked over to the Marekian and looked down at the figure in his arms. He immediately recognized him as Radin.

"Guards!" the king called, "Go get the princess. She would want to know about this."

There was a knock at Saphira's bedchamber. She didn't respond. The knock then came louder.

"Go away!" she shouted. Why would anyone want to bother her? There was another knock and a guard speaking.

"Your majesty."

"What do you want?"

"The king requests you in the throne room."

"Tell him that I don't want to."

"It's about Radin milady."

Saphira found herself rushing down the vast corridors of the palace. Even the guards had a difficult time keeping up with her. She made it to the throne room in no time flat. She saw Radin in a stranger's arms.

"Radin!" she screamed as she went to embrace her best friend as best she could. She pushed his damp white hair out of his eyes and kissed him on the lips in a desperate attempt to wake him up. Tears started to roll down the princess' cheeks.

"Take the boy to the infirmary," the king ordered the guards. One of the guards took a hold of Radin and took his frail body away, Saphira rushing afterwards. The Marekian was about to make his way out when he was stopped by a few guards.

"Guards, arrest this man." Two of the guards moved in on the Marekian. They had a hold of each of his arms. He tried to struggle away.

"But I didn't do anything wrong."

"Take him in for questioning."

"I found him like that."

"Take him to the interrogation room." The guards took the man out of the throne room. He didn't struggle or say a thing.

Down at the infirmary Saphira held Radin's hand close. Radin was still unconscious. He had bruises and cuts all over his body. The healer came in to the small room.

"I'm sorry milady, you must get out of here."

"No. I won't," Saphira said with tears in her eyes.

"But-"

"I can't just leave him. He's my best friend."

"Alright, but you must promise not to get in the way."

"I promise."

Saphira reluctantly let Radin's hand go and went toward another side of the room. The healer took out a dagger from a cloth belt he had. He then proceeded to slice the clothes off of Radin until he was completely nude. It was hard for Saphira to watch. There were just so many bruises spotting his body. The healer put his dagger away once the last item of clothing was deposited on to the ground. He took his hands and gently inspected each wound.

"What happened to him?" Saphira asked.

"I have a suspicion but I'm not sure yet. Could you help me flip him over?"

Saphira came close to Radin. She grabbed a hold of his shoulders. The both of them easily flipped Radin over to his belly. Saphira immediately saw the hand shaped bruises on his hips. What happened? The healer trailed his fingers down Radin's back and down toward his bottom. The healer gently spread the boy's buttocks and took a look. He took a breath and looked away.

"W-what's wrong?" Saphira asked.

"I'm so sorry."

"What?"

"He-"

"Tell me please."

"He's been raped."

"No." Tears threatened to spill down her face once again.

"I'm sorry princess."

"But he's such a good person."

"This kind of thing happens to all kinds of people your highness."

"But not him. He's too good." Saphira started to sob. She shook uncontrollably. The healer took a hold of the princess and tried to console her. They collapsed to the ground.

"Sh princess. I'll take good care of him. I promise."

In the interrogation room, the Marekian man had his wrists tied behind his back. He didn't do anything wrong. Why couldn't they understand that? He sat on the ground waiting for anyone to hear him out. The interrogation room, it once had been rumored to be a torture chamber used specifically by the cruel King Sorian near the end of the war. Legend says that he enjoyed whipping his prisoners. The Marekian sure had hoped that they wouldn't torture him. The door swung open and the king walked in with all the regality in the world. He saw the Marekian on the ground.

"Now, how about you tell me what happened."

"I already told you what happened."

"Tell me what happened from the beginning. Let's start with your name."

"My name is Terran."

"Now, Terran, you seem like a smart young man. How did you come upon the boy?"

"I decided to visit Pheron because I wanted to visit my future wife. I was making my way through the capital city when I heard a noise. The noise brought me to an alley where I found the servant boy huddled in a corner. It suddenly started to rain. I touched him on the shoulder. He flinched away. I assured him that I wouldn't hurt him. He started sobbing so I comforted him. He told me that he was a servant to the palace. I told him that I would bring him here. That was when he passed out. I picked him up in my arms and I made my way here. That's all I know I swear."

"I'm not sure if I can trust you just yet. I must hear this from Radin first. Until then, we must keep you in here."

"But I didn't do anything wrong!"

The king knelt down in front of Terran. He pulled out a piece of cloth from his robes. The cloth made its way in to Terran's mouth. The king tied the gag behind the man's head. Terran shook his head away. He looked up at the king as to ask why he had been gagged.

"You need to start respecting royalty even if they are not from your own country. I won't allow you to speak until you learn that."

Terran grunted and scowled at the king. He'd never been treated that way in his life. The king left the room without another word. Terran wiggled his wrists. He tried to get out of his bindings. The guards sure tied them tight. Terran huffed and lay down. This was going to be a long day.