The Secrets of Saunder by Arielle Hadfield

Author:Arielle Hadfield
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, Historical
ISBN: 9780983352280
Publisher: Arielle Hadfield
Published: 2019-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

For days Liviya had feared what would happen if someone had reported her name. What she should have feared is what would happen if nobody did. Prince Daniel had arrested the entire village and gathered them to be publicly tried. Liviya sat between the king and the prince on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Below, guards erected the lashing beam that would stand until someone spoke or everyone bled. Liviya was certain Prince Daniel would show no mercy.

Michael read the first name from the list. “Jameson of Teel, you are accused of withholding information from the king’s guards. The punishment is ten lashes. Do you wish to speak now?”

A man came to the front, a poor man, like everyone else in the village. His coat was tattered and stained, but he looked determined. “Got no words to say.”

Michael shrugged regrettably and motioned to the hooded guard. He flexed his muscles and uncurled the whip. Liviya looked away. The king dropped his gaze to his knees. The whip landed against the man’s back with ten loud cracks that echoed across the crowd. When it was done, the man faced the crowd. He raised his fist into the air. The people cheered. Liviya’s stomach flipped.

Michael looked back to his list. “Matthew of Teel, you are also accused of withholding information from the king’s guards. Do you wish to speak now?”

The man shook his head.

Prince Daniel gave the order. As the whip fell, the crowd chanted. One. Two. Three. Four. When they reached ten, they cheered again so loudly that nobody heard the next name. A man from the crowd came forward voluntarily.

“I withheld information, but I ain’t ready to speak.”

Michael pointed him to the guards.

The celebrations grew louder. Next, several volunteers came forward and formed a line at the lashing beam.

Michael looked to the prince, seeming to ask the same question Liviya wondered. Did Prince Daniel really intend to whip them all? These people wouldn’t break. Prince Daniel motioned to the guard. In a quick succession, four men received their lashes.

Humphrey hobbled forward next. He had saved her life. Liviya wouldn’t let him be punished. She had to speak. King Josiah placed a firm hand on her knee. Liviya swallowed her words. She hid her eyes, but it was impossible to drown out the sounds.

As the morning sun lifted, the punishments continued to fall until, finally, all the men from the village had received their lashings.

The people cheered again, even louder than before. Michael crumpled his list and threw it behind him. He looked exhausted, like reading those names had required every bit of his energy. Liviya exhaled. The people had won. She had thought that Prince Daniel would be angry, but he just watched. He almost looked amused.

When the applause finally died. Prince Daniel stood up. “Now whip the others.”

Jane passed their daughter to Dmitri and came forward.

“No,” Prince Daniel said. “Whip the children.” He pointed into the crowd. “Start there.”

A hush fell over the crowd. Prince Daniel pointed to a boy about eight.

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