Earnest burst into the throne room, nearly cursing. "Stupid Justin and his stupid freaking... I just- ohhh!" The boy stomped.

The king raised his eyebrow on his throne as he watched the display. The boy stomped up the stairs to the throne and sat down on them, practically in a huff.

The boy looked at a shadow on the floor and asked, "Well? Where is Narvis?" He rested his chin on his fist and huffed. "He makes me wait for so long for these stories. I saw him get off the carriage this morning, and it's evening already—you think he could be on time?"

"The nobles are still gathering." The King put his chin on his fist and looked down at his prince. "Do I need to send you to your room like you're eight years old? What is happening with you today?"

The boy hissed a few times and gritted his teeth. "I... I... I don't want to say, father."

"Well, you've graced us all with your outbursts, so you might as well grace those who have already gathered with an explanation. What is your problem?"

Earnest sighed. "Fair enough," the boy said, holding his head in his hands. My friend Justin made fun of Mom while she was in her casket." Tears ran down his face.

" Well, he'll have a hell of a time answering for that," the king growled. "By the way, how old is this friend of yours?"

"He's eight..."

"That's... a bit young." the king said, his rage calming down.

"When I was eight, I could have known better than to talk like that!" Earnest snapped.

"Alright, perhaps. Maybe we can confront his family later. Still, the funeral was months ago, and only now you're talking about this?"

"Well... Justin's sister passed away. Her funeral is this week, and I don't want to go. He doesn't deserve my support after what he said about Mom."

"I see."

"Well... that's how I feel. And... and... and I'm a prince, right? So I have some right to say I don't want to do things, right?"

"Yes, you have some right to do that, my son."

"Then... then I've made my decision. What he did was wrong. He can suffer on his own. Maybe he'll learn better that way."

The king watched the boy. He understood his son's anger; they both loved Queen Izabel so much before she passed away and hearing of her being insulted, even by a child, caused pain in the king's heart as well. But the king also knew it rested on those in power to be examples of magnanimity, not to settle for being merely human.

The nobles and advisers finished gathering as the King continued to ponder whether to pressure his son to be better or leave things be. Didn't the boy have the right to govern his own relations?

Finally, Narvis came and gave his oath, his mystical robe moving as he spread his arms, releasing strange dust as he did.

"Narvis, from whence do you come?" asked the King.

"From traveling near and far." Replied the traveler.

"And why do you travel?"

"To find stories of wisdom from abroad."

"And do you believe you collect these stories in vain?"

Narvis looked at Earnest. "I always seem to find your boy in dower spirits."

"It seems he's having a disagreement with a friend," the king said.

"Former friend," Earnest said.

Narvis cocked his head at this. "Ah, I see. I see. Well, my prince, today I come with another story of the great Lizard King," he waved his arms, and the image of a dark green-skinned man with scaly skin appeared behind him. The man had the head of a Komodo dragon, and a staff was in his hand. "And in this story, it seems the King is a character himself. He and his five adopted sons, who themselves were to go down into legend." The faces of five young boys appeared in the mists. "These boys were all around your age, my prince."

Earnest changed his position on the steps to the throne and leaned in with interest on that last line. "Really?"

Narvis grinned at his young audience's wrapped attention. The story began.

(***)

The Lizard King rode in a chariot pulled by two rhinoceros. Before him walked the krenad soldier, carrying his spear. The King had been out trading spices with the local nation of the Amphibians.

The frog people are known for some of the world's rarest and best-tasting spices. This meant that this caravan was rich and likely to be targeted for theft.

As they all traveled over a sand dune, suddenly, two men emerged, their crossbows aimed at the King.

The Lizard King stood up as his carriage stopped. "What is the meaning of this?!" he demanded.

"I think it's pretty obvious, Your Highness," said the crossbowman on his left. "This is a robbery. I assume the spices are in the back of your carriage, right? My associate will just take those, and then we'll be on our way. No real reason to fight; have your guard there stand down,"

The Main Coon gripped his spear and gritted his teeth, but the King waved him off. "You'll never reach one of them before you are shot down," said the King. The Krenad huffed and dropped his spear. "It's alright, my friend; take a walk... in that direction." The King pointed to the left, his soldier obeying and walking off. He didn't look happy with such a command but remained loyal to his King's orders nonetheless.

The King looked to the thieves as his guard left. "Now for you two. Yes, my cargo is in the back of the carriage. I suppose you are welcome to take what you can get your hands on." The King did not move to fight but did seem fairly angry. The thief on his right kept his bow aimed, and the thief on his left approached the carriage.

The thief on the left threw open the doors to the carriage, and a giant dog slammed into him. Its teeth immediately locked down on his neck as it pushed him to the ground.

While this was happening, a raven shot down from the sky, jamming its beak into the eye of the guard on the right. The crossbow aimed at the King fired, and the King literally caught the bolt with his teeth.

He crushed the wood in his jaws and then spat out the pieces. He walked off his carriage, striding to the man who was in the process of being gruesomely blinded by the raven. "You tried to waste my life. How disappointed you must be to find that your life was a waste," said the King.

The Komodo pulled out his battle mace, raised it, and brought it down on the bandit's head. He then turned back to his carriage.

As the King walked back to his carriage, the Main Coon came running back to him. "Highness I..." the Maine Coon paused, his eyes traveling from the dog tearing apart the carcass of one man to the nearly headless body of the other. "I... I," he swallowed, "I see I'm hardly necessary..."

"I need not protectors for my own sake, but I treasure your company." The King said with a smile. "Now, what have you to report?"

The Maine Coon shook his head and continued. "I found additional thieves in the direction you sent me... but they are mere children. I left them just outside the perimeter of the caravan. They tried to make off with several horses and provisions, but they weren't hard to capture and surrendered quickly."

"Oh? My, what a coincidence; please, show them to me," the King asked politely, cocking his head.

The Main Coon did so with a nod, escorting the King over to an outcropping in the rock. The King looked down behind the rock and saw five young boys, the oldest not older than ten, trying to hide the others behind himself.

Seeing their torn clothes, their filthy and gaunt bodies, and the confusion on their faces, the King felt compassion for them. "There's a good chance they were working with the thieves, your Highness," said the Maine Coon.

"And since when do children this age have control over their circumstances?" The King said, kneeling down to look the youngest in the eyes. "You saw those men. How do you propose they could have resisted and NOT participated in whatever schemes they had in mind? I've no doubt even the oldest was powerless," he looked at the oldest child, "And they threatened the younger ones if you stepped out of line, didn't they, boy?"

The eldest boy looked down at the ground in shame.

The King stood back up. "If we move on and leave them, the younger ones might die before they reach the nearest town," a few of them looked up at him in fear. "Which is out of the question." The King smiled warmly at them. "Soldier, load them all into the back of my carriage."

"Your Highness, we found them among thieves. If they have skills of their own one or more of them could rob you blind."

"I fear this not," the King said. "I have wealth to spare. However, I will not leave children to die when I have the power to save them. Besides, my Kingdom could always use more subjects. Gather them into the carriage."

"Very well, my King," said the Maine Coon, and he hurried all five boys into the carriage.

The King took the five boys back home, past the waterfall, and into the underground.

He went to his servants and made beds and food for the children; however, he did not give them a feast because they would not have been ready for rich food.

Though their blood relations were questionable, the children seemed to think of each other as siblings. Apparently, the children had been born to thieves who barely cared to name them, and the boys actually had grown used to profane ways of being referred to.

The King thus gave them new names.

Paul was ten years old, with brown hair, and the eldest of the boys. He was protective of the others and the strongest of the group.

Simon was nine years old and blonde. He loved playing tricks on the servants or his brothers whenever possible. Still, he felt a strong camaraderie with the other boys, even if he annoyed them.

Peter was also nine and a prude compared to his compatriots. He had hazel hair and seemed to take pride in being the most discerning of his brothers.

Cain was eight with fiery red hair. He was a selfish child who did not behave like Simon when he played tricks. Simon would steal food, water, or toys only to return them, only wanting to provoke a response. However, Cain stole food and ate it or stole toys and kept or destroyed them to attack his brothers.

Finally, Tanner was the youngest of his siblings, at seven, and had raven black hair. Tanner was much like his brother Cain, but his younger age made him far less skilled in manipulation.

Years went by, and the boys were allowed to live in a home with the Main Coon guard, who protected them and provided for them.

When the boys would ask about the feast of the Lizard King, the Main Coon said that he had only been allowed to eat it a few times in several years, but he couldn't blame them for wanting it. It was the best meal a man could ever eat!

The King heard of their desires and said his feast would not be given for free. They would need to wait for a quest.

In the fifth year, the Lizard King gathered the boys before him in a throne room. "I have a quest for you now. I will give each of you six sheckles of gold. You are each to take them to one of the five great vaults of the Valley of Bronze. Do not give these sheckles to anyone until you arrive. Only I have the authority to ask for them back. Upon the success of this adventure, you will all be allowed to feast."

The boys grinned and were excited for their first adventure with the King's blessing. "My King," Peter piped up before they left. "Do you have any instructions on how we will undertake this journey?"

"Only that it be the five of you going on this journey. Your adoptive father may not accompany you, nor may anyone else. You may take animals and any equipment you can afford or barter for by noon tomorrow."

Cain then complained, "Wait! Tanner and I are too young to have jobs. We can't afford anything."

"Don't worry, we'll share with you two," said Paul. "Just trust me and the rest of your brothers."

"YOU, I trust," Cain said. "But not the others."

"You could choose not to go," the King said with a shrug.

"No, Tanner and I will find a way," Cain said with determination.

"Very well. Depart to prepare and meet outside the waterfall at noon tomorrow." said the King.

(***)

The boys were each given their sheckles and then met up outside the waterfall entrance to their Kingdom.

"We could split up and race all the way there," said Simon. "I bet my new horse will leave you all in the dust!"

Paul shook his head while patting his horse's head, a practical workhorse where Simon had purchased a racing horse.

Peter was already on his mule and calmly looking at his brother. "No, Simon, that would be incredibly foolish, especially as I'm already betting on how long until your horse collapses if it's pushed. In no time, you'll be asking Paul or myself for assistance," he said.

"You guys said you would help us," Cain complained as young Tanner leaned against a large rock and just nodded along with him. "But you all have mounts. You must mean to leave us behind!"

"Brothers!" Paul said, shocked at the accusation. "I don't intend to drive any of our animals very hard, so even if you two were on foot, you wouldn't have to worry about being far behind. However, I got both of you donkeys."

"Donkeys!" Tanner snapped as the two small beasts of burden came through the waterfall. "Why I... why don't YOU ride a donkey, Paul?"

"I'm fifteen. A donkey would have a hard time supporting me." Paul replied nonchalantly.

Peter chuckled, "And besides, you two are surviving on the charity of the rest of us, so you shouldn't be complaining."

"Peter!" Paul scolded.

"Well, it's true," Peter said.

"Not a nice way to put it."

"No!" Cain snapped. "I'm going on my own now! There are three trails to get to the Valley of Bronze after all."

"You're not going anywhere alone!" Paul demanded. "Tanner, you go with him."

"Why? I'm not a babysitter!" Tanner said.

"Oh, for the love of..." Peter said, holding up his own hand to stop himself. "Tanner, you wanna travel alone?"

"No!" Tanner snapped.

"Then stay with Cain," Peter ordered.

"Guys, let's not be like this. We're brothers," Simon tried to reason with them.

"No, we're not," Peter said, rolling his eyes. "Now, Paul and I will take the east road and follow the sun. Cain and Tanner, you two follow the south route. It leads to a T junction. When you get there, go right and just follow the path straight. You won't need directions."

Simon looked at his two youngest siblings and sighed. He knew they were willful children, and he didn't like the chances of them getting hurt alone. "I'll go with them. You and Paul should be fine on your own."

"Don't expect a thankyou parade," Cain said, heading off.

Tanner followed his grumpy brother, and Simon shrugged, easily keeping pace with the diminutive donkeys.

"Do you have to be like that with them?" Paul demanded of Peter.

"What?" Peter asked back. "I chose the easiest path for them. Besides, don't underestimate Simon. If he puts the same mental energy into travel or fighting that he does into his pranks, they'll be fine." Peter pulled out a compass. "Stay by my side, big bro; we'll be feasting in no time."

Simon, Cain, and Tanner went down their path mostly without issue for the first day. Simon especially kept an eye on little Tanner, but he felt like both of his younger, less disciplined brothers were his responsibility.

During the night, Cain woke up before his two brothers and snuck over to Tanner's tent. He shook his little brother awake but cupped a hand over Tanner's mouth when the boy finally stirred.

"Shhhhh, don't wake the do-gooder." Cain started. Tanner raised an eyebrow at him, not fighting for now. "But think, we're on the shortest path here. If we take Simon's racehorse, you and I can get all the way to the Valley of Bronze and back home before the others even make it to the valley. Maybe there will be a prize for finishing first."

"What about Simon?" Tanner asked. Cain and Tanner were brats, but they still remembered the years before living in the Kingdom, when they all relied on each other in the wilderness.

"He'll be fine. He can ride one of our donkeys. After all, he's not THAT big."

"You sure the two of us combined won't exhaust the horse?"

"We should be fine- c'mon! Don't make me go alone, please?"

Little Tanner finally huffed and got up.

Two hours later, Simon woke up. He came out of his tent, and his eyes went wide. "Tanner... Cain?" The fourteen-year-old spun around several times, looking for his siblings' tents. Eventually, he also noticed his horse was gone, and he was left with the donkeys.

At first, Simon feared his siblings had been taken, but eventually, he realized that story just didn't make sense. Why would someone take their tents as well and leave him to sleep? He had been abandoned.

Simon was one of the oldest of his siblings, but he was still a youth, so being left like this still brought him to tears.

Simon rode out with the two donkeys, longingly looking over the plains for company.

In time, he was attacked by a bandit who grabbed him off one of the donkeys and threw him to the ground. The boy tried to stand his ground and drew a knife. However, the bandit drew out a full-size sword.

"Turn around, hands behind your back," the man growled. The man tied Simon to a tree and stole any valuables the boy had, leaving him bound with nothing but the clothes on his back.

Cain and Tanner rode the horse hard, moving fast but not noticing as the horse was progressively exhausting. After hours of riding, the horse collapsed and trapped Tanner under its fallen body.

Tanner screamed as the bones in his leg right leg were crushed, and he was pinned under the beast. Cain had been thrown off when the horse fell and, luckily, could still move.

Cain was about to set out for the Valley of Bronze alone, but as he got up, he looked at his brother. Cain remembered living in the wilderness together. He remembered Tanner always being his partner in crime, even now that they lived lives of peace. Tanner cried over his leg, and Cain couldn't bear not to help.

He held his arms up and put his hands on his head, starting to feel panic. "Tanner... oh Tanner. Hang in there, little brother! I'll get Paul..." Then, the boy's arms sagged as he came to a realization. "This is all my fault. I pushed you to go with me. I was cruel and rude to everyone..."

Tanner reached out to his brother, eyes pleading to be freed from under the horse.

Cain tightened his fists and set his heart on his new goal. "Hang on. I'm setting this right if it kills me!" He took off running for the trail Paul and Peter were on, eyes filled with tears but mind on task.

A day into travel, Paul and Peter were actually taking things easy, eating and talking as they enjoyed a leisurely pace. Both had paid attention when given instructions and realized there was no value in hurrying, plus Peter had advised Paul that hurrying might make them vulnerable to an ambush.

Eating a little jerky on his workhorse, Paul looked over the horizon in front of himself. He was enjoying the rising sun when he suddenly saw young Cain running towards him and yelling at the top of his lungs.

"What do you suppose is wrong with him?" Peter asked.

"I don't know... I'm gonna see." Paul clicked his teeth and snapped his reigns, riding forward quickly to meet Cain.

Peter twisted his lips as he watched, commenting. "Why is he alone?" Finally, he decided to push his mule to run as well.

Cain finally got to Paul's horse, his body covered in sweat and his lips near sobbing. "Cain!" Paul said, quickly jumping off his horse. "Little brother- stop, rest! Whatever could be worth carrying on like this?" He held his little brother to himself gently.

"We can't stop!" Cain said. "Tanner is trapped under Simon's racehorse! I can't rescue him with just my own hands- please help!"

"Wait- don't you have two donkeys?" Peter said as he joined them. "Those easily could have moved a racehorse."

"We're coming either way," said Paul, "But Peter has a point."

"I... pushed Tanner to join me in racing ahead of Simon..." Cain admitted.

"Wait, the racehorse belonged to Simon. You not only abandoned him but stole from him!?" Peter demanded.

"Yes, I did... I was wrong- but please, we can't just leave Tanner. Help!" Cain sobbed.

"Tanner and you are getting what you deserve!" Peter said and spat in the dirt.

"They're our brothers!" Paul snapped at Peter.

"Not by blood, so don't give me that! Simon deserves better than being left alone; he's a joker, sure, but he's a kind soul. I'm riding to find him," Peter said. He clicked his teeth and rode towards the other trail.

"That's fine- but Paul, we have to hurry!" Cain said.

Paul watched after Peter. He hated letting his brothers split up but realized no other choice existed. There was no telling if Simon needed help, and Tanner's life was in danger. Every moment he wasted fighting his stubborn brother Peter could be a moment Tanner didn't have.

Tanner lay under the racehorse, having watched Cain run away. He grew more and more angry, feeling abandoned. "Damn you, Cain! Damn you and... damn me..." He realized Simon must have felt horrible when they left him like they did. "I'm so sorry Simon. You were watching over us- if only you were here now."

He also felt the heartbeat of the horse he and Cain had driven to a breaking point. The animal struggled, but it couldn't rise. Tanner looked at the innocent creature and felt even worse. "I'm so sorry..." he admitted as he petted the creature's main.

The boy had to stay there for a full hour, feeling pain and resentment toward Cain and himself. Eventually, he saw Paul and Cain riding over the hill on Paul's workhorse. He felt such relief at seeing his eldest brother, but he barely looked at Cain.

Tanner realized Cain had only left to get Paul in the first place, but he still hated him for causing all this trouble. When the horse was lifted off him, Tanner hugged Paul tightly but refused to speak to Cain.

The racehorse still lay in the dust, gasping for air.

Paul put Tanner up on his workhorse.

The eldest boy looked up into the sky as he settled Tanner in, watching a blackbird flying overhead. He sighed and shook his head. Paul really wanted that feast, or at least to come back with some kind of success. He lamented returning home looking worse than when they left, with nothing to show for it... but he knew what he needed to do.

"That does it; we're all going back home." He said. "The next step is to find Simon and Peter. Cain, you'll have to walk alongside my ride for now. I need to stay up here for a maximum vantage point, and Tanner is now crippled."

"You sure the King won't be angry with us for failing?" Tanner asked.

Paul looked back over the horizon and sighed. "I don't know. But if he is, I'll take the blame. All of you just stay silent when I talk with him."

"But none of this is your fault, Paul! You've been so good to all of us... blame Cain!" Tanner demanded.

Cain didn't look up at his brothers on the horse. Instead, he tended to the injured racehorse. The teen swallowed, looking at the poor creature. "Paul... do you think we can save it?" he asked.

"You two pushed that animal till it collapsed. The beast lay there for hours until we returned. Even if there was hope, we can't take the creature home." Paul turned and drew his sword. He guided young Cain away from the animal, then stood over the beast of burden. "I'm sorry things have to be this way... Look away, my brothers..."

Peter found Simon only a short time after he set out.

Peter ran to his captive brother and freed him quickly. "What happened?" Peter asked. "What could you have possibly done to deserve being left like this?"

Peter helped Simon sit on the ground and gave him water and food. "Weee, that's so much better," Simon sighed with relief. "I wasn't left like that initially. A bandit tied me up and took the donkeys and money. Don't hold that against Tanner and Cain."

"Oh, I hold them accountable for all of it!" Peter almost yelled. "Had you your horse and still been a band of three, I doubt you would have been attacked. Not to mention that their arguing split us up in the first place. You only came this way to watch them. You were kind to them, and look how they treated you!"

Simon drank more water, then just sat, starting to drift to sleep, still asking, "Where's Paul?"

"Those idiots got themselves in trouble. I voted to leave them to it, but Paul has more of your nature. My bet, everyone will be coming back this way soon. Rest, I'll watch over you." Simon closed his eyes and relaxed, asleep in seconds. "You deserved so much better than this," Peter growled.

By that night, all five boys had returned to the waterfall and were met by the Maine Coon, who was alarmed to see the condition of the children he had cared for. Like a father, he ran to them, even taking Tanner gently in his arms.

"Maine Coon," Peter said. "Our journey was a disaster, and I'm set to demand justice!"

"Surely, surely. Who is responsible for this attack on you young ones? Little Tanner here looks like his legs are destroyed. I'm not even sure he'll ever walk again- why treat children in such a manner!?" the Main Coon demanded.

"You're holding one of the culprits right now!" Peter snapped. "But he was only following that one." Peter pointed back at Cain. "They caused our group to split, then they abandoned Simon in the wilderness and stole from him, leaving him to be attacked, robbed, and bound to a tree by a bandit."

"I... is this true?" the Maine Coon looked with shock between the two boys.

Tanner pointed at Cain. "He's the one who thought it all up. He tempted me."

Cain just looked at the ground.

"Their actions could have gotten Simon killed, and they're lucky I don't demand blood for blood!" Peter said. "I'll settle for hard labor."

"I can't even do that!" Tanner protested, "I was tempted. None of it was even my idea."

But Cain said nothing, just nodding his head.

"Is this all true?" came a voice. The assembled boys and Krenad turned, seeing the King emerge from the waterfall. "Simon is a citizen of my Kingdom. The price for crimes against his property would be high enough, but these crimes are severe enough that his very life was in jeopardy."

"Your Highness, I take responsibility for the failure of our mission, I-" Paul began, but the King waved him off.

"You're saying you called off the mission? Even when you knew that might go against my will?"

"Yes, Sire," Paul said. "That decision was entirely my doing. I take responsibility for it entirely."

"How is it that Tanner and Cain were able to steal from Simon and leave him to bandits. Shouldn't you and Peter have protected him even if they did leave?"

"Cain insisted on going his own way, and Tanner went along. Simon accompanied them to keep them safe." Paul reported.

The King looked to Simon, who nodded.

"This all demands judgment. Come, the court is already convening."

"How? We only just arrived?" Paul asked.

"My patience is already being tried, no questions, just follow," said the King.

In time, the boys all found themselves standing before a large white judge's bench, their King looking down at them from it.

"You will all bow!" the King demanded. Two large dogs on either side of the bench growled loudly.

Anxious, afraid, and overwhelmed, all the boys bowed except for Tanner, who was being held by the Main Coon. Tanner bowed his head.

"I will question, and you will answer immediately," said the King, banging his gavel.

"First," the King began, "Paul, it has been reported that it was your decision to abandon a request from your King. Is this report true?"

"Your Highness, I believe there was no way to continue without risking-"

"Yes or no?" the King demanded.

Paul hung his head. "Yes, Sire."

"And you are aware there could be grave consequences for such actions?"

"Yes, Sire. I am not ignorant."

The King then looked at Simon. "And you were the one who was most wronged in all of this. You acted in kindness to your younger brothers, and they robbed and abandoned you. Is this true?"

"Yes, Sire," Simon said.

"As you were wronged, you have a say in their punishment. I could have Tanner and Cain banished from the Kingdom on your word. What say you?" The King demanded.

"Sire, I beg you to show them mercy. They are still young, and I don't believe they intended me to be harmed like I was. I choose to believe they did not understand the weight of what they were doing- and besides that, I love them. They are my friends and brothers."

"Cain and Tanner," the King looked up from Simon, glancing at the two young culprits. "Is this assessment of your actions fair or naive?"

"Neither of us thought Simon could get hurt like that- I swear!" Tanner said. "It was Cain's idea!"

"SILENCE!" the King demanded. "I will not have co-conspirators finger-pointing in my courtroom. You will shoulder the blame for what you did and not attempt to shift the blame. Is that understood?"

Tanner went silent, bit his lip, then nodded.

"Cain, you have been accused of masterminding a plot to rob and abandon a citizen of this Kingdom in the wilderness. How do you plea?" the King asked.

Cain lowered his face to the ground. "I'm sorry- I'm guilty- what can I do to compensate for this? My brother's horse even died from my selfish abuses."

"You are sentenced to work as a slave for the next year. Your brother Simon will be, henceforth until the completion of a year, your bond master, whom you will obey without question."

"You are most gracious, my King," Cain said. "That's better than I deserve."

"It is... however..." the King looked at him, then tapped his fingers a few times on the bench. "Because of your contrite spirit, I will lighten the sentence to six months. You may leave the court and report to sentencing. Felix will show you the way."

One of the large dogs walked over to Cain and allowed the boy to follow him out.

"Tanner, you are accused of joining in his conspiracy. Is this correct?"

"It wasn't my..." but Tanner stopped trying to defend himself, knowing it wouldn't go well. "My idea or not, I did what I did."

"Your sentence will be served after your legs heal. It will be a year and six months of service to your brother Simon."

"A year and a half?" Tanner asked.

"You did not show humility for your crimes and attempted to shift blame."

"I always knew I was guilty, though- I never meant to actually deny my guilt." the boy explained.

"I see. So it's not that you thought you should be held innocent, but you thought it was your concern, as a guilty party yourself, to decide punishment and guilt?" the King asked.

"I... when you put it that way..."

"Follow Dargo to sentencing—unless you would like to continue adding to your words and thus your sentence," said the King.

Another large dog allowed the Maine Coon to follow it, carrying Tanner.

The King looked at the remaining boys. "Paul, you watched over my citizens, no matter the cost to yourself. You were even willing to risk my wrath. You preferred their lives and safety to your own. And so- I declare that you will be allowed to join my feast tomorrow- well down thou good and faithful servant."

Paul froze, slowly looking up to see the King smiling down at him.

The King continued. "Simon, you also showed love to your fellow citizens, but moreover, you pled mercy and gave forgiveness when you could have demanded judgment. I prize such things. You may join your brother and me tomorrow. Well done."

The King lifted his hand, "Rise, Paul and Simon, brothers in grace. Leave this place with pride. Know that you have gained the favor of your King." The two boys rose, almost blushing as they did. "You both may go and enjoy the rest of your day... and Simon, be good to your servants."

Simon smiled and nodded at this, his mind running with ideas for pranking his brothers while they were serving him—he had to hold himself back from laughing at the possibilities. Both boys left.

The King finally looked at Peter. "Rise, Peter."

Peter stood up.

"Oh, had you but committed a simple crime like your younger brothers, then I could have sentenced you with them." said the King with a sigh.

"I don't understand."

"You don't?" asked the King. "Did you not say Cain and Tanner should be killed, but you would settle for hard labor? Do you presume to tell me how to administer justice?"

Peter looked down. "N... No, Sire."

"Did you offer comfort to either of your guilty brothers? Did you show sympathy to Tanner for his injuries?"

"No, Sire."

"Did you not say you would have left Tanner to his circumstances had you the choice?"

"How do you know-"

"How I know is not for you to know. Is this charge true? Did you hold the life of your brother, your fellow citizen, in such contempt that you would have left him to a painful death on purpose?"

"I did, Sire."

"And did you do all this with the belief that it was just and that I would approve?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Do you not remember how I found you? Do you not remember how I showed compassion to you even as you and your fellows were stealing from me? Do you hold my forgiveness in contempt or see it as a trifle? Why should I forgive those who refuse to forgive others?"

Peter sighed, finally a tear working its way down his cheek. "I... I'm sorry..."

"You were not even the one wronged out there, and yet you wished death upon your fellow citizen. Not only did you wish it, but you rode off having already judged who was worthy of your care and who was not- is this true?"

"Yes, Sire."

"I forgave you much and gave you much. I showed kindness, and you followed me by turning your heart cold."

"I was angry, my King- please forgive me."

"Only now do you plead forgiveness," the King sighed. But you are young. You did not realize you were wrong. Therefore, you will not be banished. But what sentence did you say would be suitable for theft? You will work in chains in the rock quarry. I declare your five-year late sentence—two years of hard labor for crimes against the King and Country."

The king didn't tell him to follow a dog; instead, he simply walked out from behind the bench and out of the courtroom without looking at the boy again.

Peter stood alone. He stared at the floor. Only now did he understand how Cain had felt.