STORIES
198 - The Truth
2015
Usagi Zyfan Phae Zam Shichi
Wednesday afternoon ...
USAGI:
… Were it not for Syrrah's insistence, I would not give you this
opportunity to explain yourself.
ZYFAN:
I understand.
USAGI:
Let us sit.
USAGI:
… I am listening.
ZYFAN:
It is a little difficult.
USAGI:
I shall start. Isn't it true that you and my husband spent
many nights alone together in his tent?
ZYFAN:
Yes.
USAGI:
According to the laws of marriage, one must ask permission, from the spouse, before indulging in such activities. You are aware of this?
ZYFAN:
Yes, but I did not know Washi had a wife, so I saw no reason to
refuse his ... attentions. Forgive me for saying so - but he never
mentioned your existence to me until the l day he left.
USAGI:
I am to believe that you, the next One, was unaware of my union
to Washi? The union that was responsible for the alliance between
two Clans, both of whom are not allies to yours.
ZYFAN:
I knew very little of anything outside of court life then.
USAGI:
Yet you were drawn to Washi, second son of the Shiehk. You
purposely threw yourself at him because of his position - admit it.
ZYFAN:
I did not throw myself ... Madam, it is not in my nature to ...
to be so aggressive. I was much younger then, it was my
first time inservice with the military and away from home.
USAGI:
How did you meet him?
ZYFAN:
He was one of my commanding officers. I was with the archers.
He was impressed by my accuracy and congratulated me. He
asked for my help in training the others because of it.
ZYFAN:
… I was invited to his tent to discuss ways to better their aim.
ZYFAN:
… Once inside, it all happened very fast.
USAGI:
I can see this. His Clan has no skill for archery. They prefer swords and
knives. He invited you, you say? You talked, dined and he seduced you?
ZYFAN:
He was very … persuasive.
USAGI:
I am aware of my husband's skills. Go on.
ZYFAN:
Before I knew it, I was living with him, but it did not last long …
USAGI:
Continue.
ZYFAN:
I will not go into detail, but will say that the day came when he told me he was meeting you, his wife, elsewhere. He rode off leaving me in disgrace.
That was the first I knew of you. I never would have dishonored you
and put myself in such shameful circumstances had I known.
USAGI:
I believe you.
ZYFAN:
You do?
USAGI:
You are very diplomatic Zyfan. You place blame on your
ignorance rather than on Washi where it belongs.
USAGI:
… I know my husband well. Please accept my apology
for any wrongs I've caused you. I see now what happened.
Meanwhile ...
PHAE:
… Did you know he was the Empress' son?
ZAM:
Yes my dear. Shichi prefers it be kept secret, well up until now that is.
PHAE:
He really is a prince?
ZAM:
That's right my dear.
PHAE:
He could've told me, I would've kept it a secret.
ZAM:
But you see my dear, he gave up that life long ago and doesn't see
himself as a prince. I think he sort of forgot, so-to-speak.
PHAE:
But he knew Washi and Usagi were coming. He could have told me.
ZAM:
I don't think so. You see, he knew his brother-in-law was due
but not his sister. Washi may not have mentioned it at all.
PHAE:
Why was Usagi so mean to him?
ZAM:
Well my dear, they had a falling out long ago.
She's only one of his sisters. He has two more, you know.
SHICHI:
ahem
PHAE:
Shichi. I hope you won't be angry with Zam. He was
only answering my questions.
SHICHI:
I’ll bet.
ZAM:
You know 'Chi, had you let the youngster know who you were
from the start, this whole thing could have been avoided.
ZAM:
… And now that the secret's out of the seashell, there's no stuffing it
back in. I suppose you want me to leave you two to sort it all out?
SHICHI:
That's what I was thinking.
ZAM:
I'm going. Just do a good job of it.
PHAE:
Thank you Zam. Shichi, why didn't you tell me?
SHICHI:
It was another life. I didn't think it'd be an issue. About Usagi, you
have to understand she was raised to command. She's really
fair and honorable. We were inseparable growing up.
Everything changed when I left and she married Washi.
PHAE:
That's what I don't understand. She's of the Sea Clan and
Washi is of the Dessert. How did they ever meet?
SHICHI:
Our two Clans were enemies. Theirs is the political marriage that
changed everything. Usagi met Washi on their wedding day
and neither of them liked the other for a long time.
PHAE:
And you're a prince, the only prince in your Clan.
SHICHI:
Yes, lucky me.
PHAE:
But you are lucky ... to be part of the royal family ...
SHICHI:
... Is to be a political pawn. Yes it's a great honor.
