Chapter 3: Frederico – Punishment
Frederico and the other twenty boys waited in the Royal Mansion of Beloú’s courtyard. Inside the mansion, doctors looked after King Fulbert of Patire. Outside, veterans made bets on how the king would punish the soldiers from the bridge battle.
‘Beheading.’
‘The left ear of each soldier.’
‘No,’ said a third man, ‘King Fulbert is more fond of right ears.’
‘A finger from the right hand of each boy.’
Frederico squared his shoulders when the mansion’s double doors flung open and Faust came out into the courtyard. Frederico’s brother walked as though the force of his feet made the world turn round. He wore a loose, red kimono and had his sword in hand.
‘I’ve never seen such a fiasco in my life,’ said Faust. ‘Show me your right hand.’
The crestfallen boys queued. Frederico crossed the courtyard toward his brother, and Faust nodded approvingly.
‘Frederico, it is time you enforce punishment yourself.’ Faust offered Frederico his sword.
As opposed to Faust, Frederico was lean, had thin lips, a delicate chin, and lighter hair. He stood in front of Faust, his back to the other boys, and raised his right hand, palm down. Faust, still holding the sword in the air, narrowed his eyes as though the sun was on his face.
‘What is this?’
‘Cut it off,’ said Frederico.
‘Not you.’
‘Cut it off.’
‘Come here.’ Faust pointed to his side.
‘Cut it off.’
Faust’s jaw was set hard.
‘Frederico, you are a Prince of Patire. Your place is here, beside me.’
And Frederico looked right in Faust’s eyes.
‘Cut it off.’
Faust tightened his hold on the sword, turned his back on his brother, and went back inside the Royal Mansion of Beloú with quick, short steps. The courtyard was silent. All eyes were on the little prince, who slowly lowered his hand. The other young soldiers looked around, not quite believing that they still had all their fingers. The veterans began to argue for the wager money.
‘But I got it right,’ said the man who had put his money on fingers.
‘There was no punishment.’
‘I still got it right.’
Frederico hid his hands inside his pockets so no one would see how much they shook. He turned away from the Royal Mansion of Beloú and walked out of the courtyard. His eyes were still blurred by fear so he didn’t see how the other soldiers made way for him, nor did he notice the silence when he walked past the veterans.
