Erb III
…Erb could hear the words rushing out of the king's lips, but the only words that were playing in his head were his mother’s.
“My Erb and wealth” it read, in her warm and calming tone. “I hear you are doing quite well in the king’s employ. This gladdens my heart. I was worried that you would have a trying time, and that you might be recognized. But people never see what they are not looking for, thankfully. I have held on to this for too long, you are almost 20 now, a full man and strong. You deserve the truth, painful and ugly as it may be. I have always been protected by our people’s belief that there are no bastards. Only children whose fathers are unknown. Because a man must be present for a child to be born. But this belief did not shield me from the slicing words of women at the market or the street. Their subtle suggestions that I was a service woman. This is not about me though.”
Erb wished the letter had stopped there. He wished she just gave her usual update on their farm and their animals, on her business and the new addition to the family because one cousin or the other was always having a baby. But it read on
“This is about you, and your father. I know I forbade you mentioning it and now I think ready or not, I have to bring it up before things go awry for you. I am glad to hear that you and the prince have formed a special bond. I hope it is a strong one. One that will not break or slack when he finds out you are his brother. I wish I could say more but this is all I can manage for now. Hope you write back. Please Erb, know that I love you so much and I am sorry there is so much I have hidden from you. It was for your protection. Write back, my Healing. I love you. - Maman”
Gently coming out of his recollection, he looked up at the King who was going on in disturbing details about how he planned to perform the procedure and have Kosher assist. Erb looked at Kosher on the other side of the room, kneeling in defeat and shame, his anger now gone and replaced with palpable remorse. As though sensing Erb’s gaze, Kosher looked straight at him and mouthed “I have failed you, I am sorry” but to that, Erb just shook his head in disagreement. And Erb whispered, “Thank You.” The throne room became eerily quiet. The King got up and began to descend from his throne, just as his daughters rushed in and went to him. “Father, we heard that a servant told you about Kosher’s little mistake,” Asaneth said.
“But it is not as bad as you think oh” added Asnar.
“Wait sef.” Asaneth said dramatically, “is Dill not supposed to be hung for this? He is a life bound servant betraying the trust of his royal. You cannot be supporting such disloyalty can you father?” she asked with an incredulous pitch while turning from her left to right in search of Dill.
“The both of you should shut up!!” Thundered the king. “In fact, you are all mad. You knew what your brother was doing, what he was aiding and abetting, but you kept quiet ehn? As for Dill, he will pay the price with his life of course, but you all should remember that every servant is finally answerable to me. Life bound or not. That said, Erb’s trial and surgery have been set for dawn tomorrow. You are all dismissed.” He said with a weak wave of his hand. “Caulif, get me a strong keg. These offspring of mine wear me out.”
“Funny you should say that, Father,” said Erb, in a clear and audible voice. Everyone who was already up or on their way out froze in their tracks. The King inclusive, as he was caught mid-air trying to sit on his throne.
“What did you say?” Asked the king in a hoarse voice. There was pin-drop silence, every sharp intake of breath could be heard.
“What did you SAY!!” He roared.
“I said, funny you should say that your offspring wear you out, Father. The 4 of us are also tired of you.” Erb replied with more calm and poise than he had in his entire pinky. No one moved. And after a brief pregnant pause, filled with different thoughts and reactions, Kosher laughed a deep belly laugh.
“Well, it figures! Mother was never the villain was she? You were the bad guy all along. But a woman can not refuse you and go scots free. She must be smeared. She must bear the shame. You disgust me.” Kosher spat.
“Erb?” Asked Asnar in a small voice, like a frightened 5-year-old. “Is it true?” “Ehn?” Asaneth clapped and said “heh heh! Na wa. Wahala be like revelations in the throne room! Ah!” And she chuckled loudly.
Erb got up, dusted his knees gently and after that, he looked up and said " I just got the news too. I have invited my mother over to explain herself. She is most likely waiting for me in the forest. You might want to send a guard or two to get her. We all want to know what happened." With that, he stood tall and regal, like he was aware of his princely status all along. He looked the part, a lot more than Kosher and it was somewhat disconcerting.
Wena was hugging Kosher like her life depended on it, thankful that in all this, no one had brought up their fraudulent act. She hoped it stayed that way because the night was getting longer than anyone anticipated. Asnar and Asaneth were whispering loudly, while Erb stared into space, thinking of so much. What if he had spoken too quickly? What if Maman was just kidding? What if? Even if the truth about what happened in past should be made known, will the king go down without a fight? Will the kingdom descend into chaos on his account? Then his death would be meaningless. Because after a laryngectomy, it was most honourable for a musician to end his life. That was his last act of loyalty to music. But he might be denied that honour too. He wasn't feeling as confident as he looked or sounded minutes ago.
He looked at Kosher & Wena, thankful that come what may, they will restore order and music to the kingdom. Grateful that the songs they had written together would be heard by every living thing in their land in due time. That he would continue to live through his words and compositions. Satisfied that the famine and sickness will eventually fold under the weight of music. For Erb, that was enough. He had caused love to triumph and music to live on long after him. Sad to go, but not unfulfilled. He still had questions. What was Maman hiding? What had actually happened in the beginning? Will knowing make any difference?
The End.
This is the end for real. Thank you for reading all through 💖🤗
