"What monstrous thing!", gasped Camilla, "Shoot a target down from Leo's brilliant little head? No no! You can not mean such a thing! May the gods forbid! Father would never allow such a thing!"

But king Garon ignored her concerns and replied, "Bowman, you are to shoot a target from my impudent sons head! I do desire and command it so. Hit it at the first or your head will pay the forfeit!"

I thought that perhaps this was yet another test, to see if I would dare to aim at a prince and replied in the way I thought was expected of me.

"Level my bow at the Lord's head?! At the man whom I have sworn to protect?! No," I declared, "rather let me die!"

But the darkness and sternness in the king's voice made it clear that he was serious, "You must shoot, or else both of you will be executed for refusing obedience to your king!"

The king seemed not only willing, but eager, to risk his childs death in such a cruel way. I had heard of infanticide, but this was a deranged order born from an unhealthy mind. To doom his own heir in a game of fate. What madness!

The mad king addressed his son in a mocking tone "How now, my son, so discreet upon a sudden. Are you not a visionary? A wanderer from the paths of other men? You love the excitement of difficult, unheard-of tasks. Have I not now given you a task of special daring? Another man might pause and hesitate, but you my son, you dash at it, heart and soul, at once. Is that not so?"

Leos face was bone-white.

Elise stepped forward and dared to interrupt, "Oh father, you're joking around again. Look at my poor big brother Leo. Look how pale he is. He has no sense of humor, I told you. We had our fun with him. Didn't we all laugh? Now call it off, will you?"

"Who tells you that I'm joking?", answered the king, "Iago, give my son the target."

Iagos hand swiveled through the air, and through lilac fog, a red vegetable appeared. Gracefully, it floated through the room until Leo grabbed it out of the air.

"A tomato," Leo said, with a quiet voice; soberly, "Of all things a goddamn tomato. There are only few things smaller than that. I don't see the fun of it. I guess I really lack a sense of humor."

"Children, make room," Iago commanded, "And let the bowman take his distance—just eighty paces—as the custom is. Not an inch more or less! It was Lord Leo's boast, that at a hundred he could hit his man. Now, archer, to your task, and look you miss not!"

It was clear that crown prince Xander had no intention of making room. He, who all the while had been standing in a state of violent tension, and had with difficulty restrained himself, advanced with a purposeful stride and straight back. His hand intimidatingly resting on the handle of his sheathed sword.

"Down, Leo, on your knees!" he scowled at his younger brother, "Beg father to spare your life! Father, let this suffice you! It is inhuman to ask this of him. Already, he has suffered tenfold death with this suggestion. He'll send the archer away and take on a retainer of your choosing. He'll know better in the future; he will remember this lesson of yours. He is a bright young man after all! Be calm, I beg of you! Father, we bow to your authority, but let justice yield to mercy here!"

"Peace!" Iago hissed, "till your counsel's asked for!"

"Father, you will not urge this matter further. You will not. It was surely but a test. You've gained your object. Rigor pushed too far is sure to miss its aim, however good, as snaps the bow that's all too straightly bent!"

"Silence, big brother!" Leo hushed with shaky voice, "You only exasperate his rage! It is alright. I will take the punishment. Let him proceed!"

"I will speak! I dare! I reverence my king and father; but acts like these will make your name abhorred. Please! Don't sanction this cruelly!"

"Ha! You grow bold, I think!", said Iago, his smirk growing ever wider, "You heard Lord Leo. We will proceed."

The king might release him of the shot, if Lord Leo would fall to his knees now. I had no doubts about that. But I knew that the king would do anything but send me away. I would be killed.

And I feared that Leo would cave in and beg for forgiveness. Cursing myself for trusting someone so blindly after I had just been taught that trust could quickly end in death.

A betrayal can make you think about all the other betrayals and let downs waiting for you.

I felt myself tightening up, bracing. The more Xander spoke, the more certain I became that Leo would denounce me.

"NO," bellowed Xander, "I won't allow it! I have been numb to all the oppressions I was doomed to see. I've closed my eyes that they might not behold them. Bade my rebellious, swelling heart be still, and pent its struggles down within my breast. But to be silent longer were to be a traitor to my family and country both."

"Audacious boy," Iago cursed at him, "this language to the king?"

"Big brother Xander," Leo pleaded, "Please don't waste your breath. Please, I beg you to remain silent on this."

Trust is a confusing thing, it seems so simple, but when you try to pin it down it can be elusive. Muscles remain tight, anticipating anything, constantly aware. For both of us that initial tension existed so much of the time. We spend so much time watching and calculating. Trying to predict. Reading signals in each other, ready for anything to change suddenly. Preparing to be disappointed. So much energy spent.

People talk about trust as something you build. As though it's a structure or a thing. But in truth, it is more about letting go. To trust no one... that doesn't really work.

"Father is right," Leo said, "If I am to trust my retainer with my life I might as well proof it right here. Right now. I'll do it. I'll allow Niles to display his power," he turned to Iago, "Tell me, where am I to stand?"

Iago pointed at Lord Leo, "Guards, bind the young prince to that pillar!"

"Bind me? That will not be necessary. I do not fear an arrow from my retainers hand. I know he could strike a bird upon the wing and he will not miss now."

Before taking his place against the pillar, he came up to me and whispered in a low voice, "I have to trust you. When you are my retainer, I'll quite literally be putting my life in your hands.

You heard what you have to do?"

"What if I miss, milord?"

"Then you'll be the last thing I ever see. So, do us both a favour and don't miss," there was something about his attitude, there was no eagerness to perform, it was like his spirit had left him and all which remained was resignation mixed with dread. Though a hint of reassurance lay in his gaze as well and with a louder voice, so that everyone could hear him he boasted while taking his place against the black pillar.

It was as if all depended on a great show of bravery and subservience, "Quick, Niles, show them what you are made of! He doubts your skill! Shoot then and hit through but to spite him! Now, to the task! Men bear not arms for naught."

He placed the red tomato on his head. At least it was a good visual against the black background.

"This is right, bowman," said Iago gleefully; the man's eye still upon me, "This is your master's privilege. It pleases you to wear bow and arrow. Well, be it so. I will gladly provide the mark."

Slowly, I took an arrow from the quiver, clenching my teeth in suppressed anger. How dare them! How dare them mock my loyalty! Making a spectacle out of a punishment and a punishment so harsh, that it could very easily with a flinch on his part or a misaimed arrow on my part result in death. And all of this to teach obedience.

Someone once told me that an arrow may fly through the air and leave no trace; but an ill thought leaves a trail like a serpent. I'm not easy to forget, nor do I forgive easily. In that way, I am no different than Lord Leo. I allowed the humiliation to fuel my resolve.

With boiling hate, I lifted my bow and aimed. Lord Leo stood perfectly still. Our eyes met. And I saw that his brave attitude had truly been nothing but an act. His eyes were gleaming with fright, mine were glistening with determination. But the more I tried to focus, the blurrier my vision got. The red tomato slipped in and out of my vision. Something swam before my eyes. A tremor of warning raced down my spine, my muscles clenched up.

"Hah! Look at you!" Iago remarked maliciously, "You shake—your hand's unsteady—your knees tremble!"

'This is madness,' I thought, 'At this rate I'll hit him. It's no use.' I lowered my bow.

"Release me from this shot!" I said defeated, "Take my head and my life if you must."

"I do not want your life, archer, but the shot!" interposed the King, "Your talent's universal! Nothing daunts you! Your aim should be true even when there's a life at stake. Now, savior, help my son, save him from your own arrow!"

'By the dusk dragon, he's serious! He'll see this to the end.'

I took a deep breath, allowing my nerves to settle. Clenched and unclenched my right hand, the feeling returned into my fingertips.

I took a second arrow from my quiver and tucked it in my belt. Then, with the first arrow, I aimed. The bowstring brushed against my lip. I felt the tension of the string, how the wood bent beneath my strength.

'The tomato. It's the target. Concentrate on it. Do not look at the man, focus on the target. The target is the thing, and the thing needs to be hit.'

My heart started to pound heavily, I felt my face flush red and hot. The sweat rolled down my brow and burned in my eye.

'Focus... Focus…'

I let go of the bowstring. Shouts of alarm erupted as the other siblings stumbled back. The arrow hit with a "thud'.

Red hit the pillar, dripping down Leo's head.

Leo took a step. Something was wrong. He wavered and staggered, about to fall. Within a second, Xander was by his side before I could even react.

"Has he been struck?", I asked fearfully.

'Failure.'

But then. "The target has been struck!", Xander exclaimed, visibly relieved.

"The tomato's down!", Elise screamed in delight.

Xander waved me off as I drew nearer, "Leo is in shock, that is all."

"Thank the gods! Leo's alive!", Camilla gasped.

Lord Leo righted himself, embarrassed by his involuntary reaction. Though, he looked pale and sickly. I couldn't blame him. I, too, felt sick.

The arrow had skewered the tomato and pinned it to the black pillar behind him. Leo's hair was left dripping with tomato flesh.

Leo had not blinked, he had not flinched. He had remained perfectly still and allowed me the masterful shot.

We did good. We were free.

"By heaven!", Iago exclaimed, "The tomato's a mess. It was a master shot I must admit."

"The shot was good," Xander repeated, his angry eyes settling on Iago, "But curse the one who drove the man to tempt the gods by such a feat!"

"Cheer up, my son, rise! Leo has nobly freed himself! Though, a word, bowman!", the King demanded, "A second arrow in your belt! What's the purpose?"

"It is the custom with all archers, my king," I answered all-but-too quick.

"No, I cannot let that answer pass. There was some other motive. I'm sure. Confess the truth. Your life is save, I swear. Wherefore the second arrow?"

"Well, my king, since you have promised not to take my life. I will, without reserve, declare the truth."

I drew the arrow from my belt, and fixed my eyes sternly on Iago. I scowled, "If I had hit the Lord, this second arrow was meant for you! And, be assured, I should not then have missed."

The king had a laughing fit at that. He laughed and laughed and it was by far the most terrible laugh I have ever heard.

"Very well," he said at last, "I approve of your retainer. He is yours to command."

Iago's gaze became dark and foreboding. It spoke of the evil within the man and as I was intent on not forgetting his cruelty, he too seemed to swear to himself to hold me accountable for my impudence and said in a fake good-humoured voice, "Oh, is that a fact? What luck that you are such a good shot! Before I forget, I hope you enjoy every moment in these luxurious grounds as if they might be your last."

And by the gods had I been any braver I would have used the second arrow right then. If there is one thing I regret, then it's that I didn't put an end to Iago. Much senseless suffering could have been avoided that way and I would have earned many a thanks by no small amount of people.

But I lacked the guts. And now it's too late.

Leo and I had bought our freedom with that daring display of skill and after a swift briefing on the siblings tasks for the day were able to leave. Xander remained in the throne room, obligated to talk some things over with the king.

A maid stood outside with a wash bowl filled with steaming water and a cloth, so that Lord Leo could clean the tomato-juice out of his hair. Camilla and Elise swarmed around him.

"Big brother, you looked super cool!" Elise squealed in excitement.

"Indeed," Camilla agreed, "now that everything worked out so well for you, I can say that the whole thing was adorable!"

"Geez, that was not the kind of recognition I was aiming for..." murmured Leo.

"Pardon?" asked Camilla, "What did you say?"

"Nothing, big sister," Leo waved her off, "Just that I agree with you. Niles performed his task to my complete satisfaction."

He approved of me and I knew I had lightened some of the burden he carried. And despite everything, the moment in itself was greater, more triumphant, than my most sanguine dreams.

Trust, I realized, might very well be worth it.

The heavy doors of the throne room were forced open with much vigor.

"Reckless!" the sharp voice of the crown prince snapped us out of the moment, "Absolutely reckless! Leo?!"

Leo stiffened as if he'd been snapped to attention, while Camilla and Elise stepped aside as Xander approached with large steps.

"Have you lost your mind?! To provoke father like that is bad enough, but what if anything would have happened to you? What would you have me do then?!"

"But everything worked out—"

"Even so. It was as much luck as skill that guided your servant's hand!"

"Maybe, but did I not estimate the probability correctly?", Leo smirked.

"Do you even understand what you've done, Leo!? Why did you not talk to me beforehand?"

"There was no time—"

"I want none of your excuses. You've played right into Iago's hands with this. Or was that your plan all along?! Was that act nothing but a ruse?!" Xander's voice was like a lash - not loud, but sharp and with true aim.

Leo recoiled as if he had been struck. Yet he opened his mouth in reply, "Wh-What do you mean by that!?"

"Iago has tried to convince father to draft criminals into the army," Xander explained angrily, "That would be an utter disgrace for the Nohrian military. It would spatter the reputation of our honourable soldiers! No argument can stop that from happening now that you have taken on a thief as your retainer. Tell me, little brother, was that your intention?"

"N-no! NO! Of course not, big brother!"

"Then it's even worse. I could have respected you if you had done this for your own beliefs, but knowing that you allowed yourself to be used as a pawn… I thought you were smarter than this…" every word was drenched in disappointment, "This is a sad day for Nohr, I hope you understand at least that much."

Xander brushed past him and continued his purposeful stride.

"Xander wait!" Leo called out to him, "What's your punishment for speaking up?"

Xander's shoulder sagged miniscule at that, "There is no punishment, little brother. I've been given a task. That is all." And then he left without another word.

Such classic imagery... Obviously inspired by the legend of Wilhelm Tell as well as the play by Schiller. Always wondered why no one did that before. Not even one Leokumi fic has used this yet.

But it's also a nice subversion. In the original play, it's a loving father that is forced to shoot the apple from his beloved sons head by the command of the tyrant. But I guess it sucks to be you if your father is the tyrant. Bad luck.

Also, according to my story, we can now unofficially blame Leo for the existence of Hans. #BlameLeo

Please leave a Kudo or Comment if you liked this.