Jaspen

"So it's been decided," said my father. "You, Jaspen ap Ginfried, will be exiled from the Shemesh tribe and will be stripped of all titles. You will no longer be the prince or my son."

I could tell he did this unwillingly. The tribal elders and his two advisers had pushed for me to be exiled. As they said this, the royal necklace was being removed from my throat and the weight of what was happening was hitting me with full force. I was a wanderer… I would be alone and never allowed back to the lands of my birth.

"You are allowed to take your horse, but never return to this tribe. You are an outcast for the remainder of your days."

"I ask to be exiled with the boy," came Hassan's voice behind me. "He will need guidance and help."

My father stroked his mustache looking at Hassan intently. I willed myself not to look back at him. What was he thinking? He was an honored general. One of the finest in ages and he was going to throw it all away for a nobody- for an outcast. Why?

"Is this your wish?" he asked.

"It would be what Sari would want," he said in a hushed tone. My father's eyes welled with a slight amount of emotion.

Please, I thought. Don't let him do this.Don't let him throw away hislife for me. "General Hassan, do you understand the magnitude of what you are asking of me?"

Hassan took a moment to think. "Aye, I do, my king."

"That you will lose all honor, titles, and have your name blotted from all records and never be allowed to return?"

"Aye."

My father locked eyes on Hassan.

"The Shemesh tribe will mourn your loss," he whispered. "Hassan ap Threck, you are stripped of all titles and banned-"

"No!" I shouted. "No! Hassan is not allowed to throw his life away for me!"

"- and are never to return to this tribe," said my father glaring down at me sadly. "You are to leave by nightfall."

****

What I took with me was barely anything- my heavy battle axe, two changes of clothes, and my knife. As I turned to leave, my mother embraced me- my father's wife.

"I'm sorry that the fates have been so cruel," she whispered. I felt dampness from her tears.

"I am touched by Ander, perhaps he has a bigger role for me to play than just being a king someday."

Truthfully, I wasn't sure of my words and it seemed she could tell, but she pulled back, running one hand gently through my hair.

"I wish you the best then, Jaspen."

I embraced her and stepped out of my tent to see that Hassan had already brought my horse here from the stable and sat on his mount patiently waiting for me. I mounted and rode towards the edge of the village. Before I urged my mount to go faster, I allowed myself one more look at the Shemesh tribe.

"I'm sorry, Neo," I whispered into the wind before catching up to Hassan.