An Unforgiving Land
an excerpt

He ran his fingers through his hair as he walked down the hallway to his father’s study, wondering what the man could possibly want this time, and yet not wanting to know at the same time. The servant man followed timidly – a joke, thought Lyndol, for he’d had no reservations about breaking up the prince’s “tryst”. Then again, he was one of his father’s personal, hand picked male bitches.

Lyndol sighed for what had to be the millionth time in the past month or so. It was late. Whatever his father needed at this time of night, it could not be good.

He knocked on the heavy wooden door; it swung open seemingly of its own accord. Arsendath sat at the desk, but for once, he didn’t have any papers or maps before him. He merely sat there behind the teak desk, hands folded atop its surface in anticipation. “Have a seat.

Once again, Lyndol dragged the old, wooden chair from the corner of the room, set it directly before his father’s desk, and then sat upon it. He leaned back, stretched his legs out before him, and crossed his arms. Neither of the two men spoke for some minutes, choosing instead to engage in a stare down of sorts.

At length, Arsendath spoke. “I understand that you removed the wench from the dungeons.” His voice was completely toneless, save for the hint of mild curiosity.

“I did,” Lyndol confirmed, voice equally emotionless, “but it was my understanding that I would retain ownership of her until her execution. It seems only fair that I get at least some use of her before this most unfortunate circumstance comes to pass.”

“See here, boy,” Arsendath said warningly. “Any funny business – any at all – and I will have you executed for treason alongside her.”

Silence hung in the air after these words, until Lyndol recovered his ability to speak and said, “I am sure that it will please you to hear that we will not be having that problem, then.”

“Immensely,” Arsendath assured his son. “I suppose you will have no problems returning to the front tomorrow, then.”

“Sir?”

“Our men are in need of a strong leader, Lyndol; now, more than ever. I will not hold a single indiscretion against you.”

“You wish me to put your plan into motion, then,” Lyndol replied, trying to keep the panic from rising up in his voice.

“I do,” Arsendath said firmly. “It is time that you shouldered more responsibility. I will not be here forever, and then you will need to step up even more. You need to connect with our people, so that they will come to trust you and realize that you are, in fact Mandolan.”

“I will do my best not to let you down, father,” Lyndol spoke carefully. “Are we finished here?”

“We are. Go enjoy yourself, Lyndol.”