Page 109 of Rise of a Fallen Man

“Was that where you think I might’ve taken a wrong turn?” he asked. “That I somehow should’ve known what obeying herwould lead to? That I should’ve fought her? Would it appease you if I pushed her away, got charged with an assault on a woman, and was executed? None of what has followed would’ve happened then. I would’ve still died a criminal, but not a whore.”

He paused, waiting for a reply from the council, but none came. Lady Wal’s cheeks bloomed with crimson. Lady Etah stared straight ahead over Salas’s shoulder. Others listened, avoiding eye contact with him too.

“I started working in a fun house because my only other option was to freeze to death on the side of a road. Was that the wrong choice to make?” He tilted his head. “Should I have died instead? It looks like this has been my life’s biggest mistake—I chose to live.” He paused, his throat bobbed with a swallow. “It all went only worse from then on. You see, once a man tripped on the moral path laid out for us by society, the only thing he can do is fall. There is no recourse, no atonement, no turning back. No way up.”

He ran a hand through his hair. The gesture appeared to cost him his balance. He swayed sideways. I jerked, ready to help, but the guards steadied him.

“I never blamed anyone for my misfortunes but myself and the cruel fate. But maybe I should have?” There was an accusation in his question. “If the odds are stacked up so high against you, how far can you really make it on your own? Men have so few options in this world—”

“There are good reasons for that,” Lady Etah pointed out.

“I know.” He exhaled a humorless laugh. “Trust me, I was a diligent student as a child and studied the scriptures well. I know all about the ideals every man should aspire to. Only the scriptures stay silent about what happens to those who fail to meet those ideals. You see, a man can only play one role in life. He’s to be a husband and father. There is no occupation for him otherwise.” He ran his gaze over the row of councilors, findingme. “By the grace of Princess Aniri, I got to experience what it’s like to have an honorable occupation that brings people’s admiration instead of their scorn.” He turned to the queen next, speaking to her directly. “The man you’re condemning to death today is the same man you celebrated as a hero who saved the princess. Just a few days ago, you called me ‘special’ and ‘touched by magic.’” A bitter half-smile crossed his lips. “I am still me. But oh, how your opinion about me has changed.”

Mother inhaled deeply, stoically holding his gaze.

“You wanted me to think about my life choices,” Salas addressed the entire room. “I have, and I will continue to think about them for as long or as short as my life may be. But I want to ask you all to think about the choices you give to men and boys in Rorrim. How many of us could’ve had a better life if given a chance? How many boys out there have the potential to be the princess-saving heroes but will end up in fun houses or frozen on the side of a road instead? I’m not asking for leniency for myself,” he concluded. “But I implore you to think of the lives you could still save. What happened to me is happening to others out there, and our laws allow for that to happen.”

When Salas went quiet, I held my breath, waiting for the reaction from the council. A few of the ladies shifted their feet. One or two sniffled softly. Mother seemed contemplative.

Lady Etah pointed her quill at the councilor, who was taking notes of the proceedings.

“This is the kind of rhetoric that can never leave this room.” She gave the councilor a pointed look. The woman nodded and promptly ripped to pieces the last two pages of her notes.

Everything that Salas had said was erased, just like they wanted to erase him from existence too.

Mother lifted a hand in a call to attention.

“I’m willing to consider a life imprisonment instead of the death penalty for this man,” she said. “He might’ve turned outbetter had the state collected him as an orphan after his mother’s death, or maybe if the church intervened in time.”

“Your Majesty,” Salas sighed. “If you think the lives of state wards are any better, you’re sorely mistaken. Mine is just one case of many. A fundamental change is needed to stop and prevent the sufferings of many.”

But his plea fell on deaf ears. Even if they spared his life, he’d be rotting in the dungeon for nothing.

“Your position is noted, Your Majesty.” Lady Etah folded her hands in her lap. “Is the council ready to take a vote?”

Lose his life or lose his freedom. Such were his options. Neither was good enough. Salas deserved better.

“Where are you going, Your Highness?” Lady Etah called after me as I rose from my chair and headed to Salas.

Diplomacy didn’t work.

I reached inside my robe and drew the dagger.

Chapter 29

Salas

“Back off!” Ari pointed a long dagger at the guards.

The queen paled. “Ari? What are you doing?”

“Stay in your seat, Mother,” Ari snapped. “Everyone, stay where you are and listen—”

The Head of the Council rose from her seat.

“Take the prisoner away,” she ordered the guards. “Now.”

A guard shoved against me, sending me back into my chair.

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