From the moment Bryils steps into the hut this morning, I know. The way she carries herself, the way she looks at me, the way she approaches me; all are subtly different from her normal behavior over this past week. Without saying a word, Bryils tells me everything, and I know. I know today is my execution day. "Shaahin..." she addresses me; she seems unsure how to continue. "It's today, isn't it, Bryils-nnm?" She seems relieved that I've been able to figure it out for myself. "Yes." "It's alright. I think I'm ready." ** Shaahin may be ready, but I'm not sure that I am. I've gotten rather used to having this lovely young mare around this past week. She's always so unfailingly polite and obedient. Even though she's leashed to the hut and unable to even go outside, she's never acted like a prisoner. "That's... that's good, then." I regret saying that immediately, but I felt like I had to say something and couldn't think of anything else. If Shaahin is hurt by my words, she doesn't show it; she's as polite as always. "I brought you some breakfast." "Thank you, Bryils-nnm." "And afterwards, I was thinking you might like to wash up. I know you haven't had a proper bath since you've been here." "That would be very nice, Bryils-nnm. Thank you." "It's tradition, you know. I was talking to Hahaar-shn yesterday, and he was saying..." ** Bryils yammers on as I eat my last meal: a bowl of fruit, a hunk of bread, and some water. I'm not really listening. I suspect that she's only talking so that she doesn't have to think about the fact that I will be dead in a few hours. Personally, I've been thinking of little else for the past week. I finish my meal, and she leaves with the dishes. For a moment I'm alone with my thoughts. It's true what I had told her: I am ready to face my death. I'm not exactly looking forward to it, but I think I'm prepared. I don’t really have an alternative. It's been a long time since I was in control of my own fate. Bryils returns with her filly Kishaen, carrying a tortoise-shell bowl filled with warm water. I've always thought the bathing of the condemned is a pointless tradition, but after a week confined to this hut, it's a welcome gesture. I slip out of my old, stained dress and stand before them naked. ** It's not the first time I've seen Shaahin naked, but once again I'm struck by the beauty of the young mare. It seems a shame that she will never get to live out her full potential. Not for the first time, I have to remind myself that she threw away her life when she committed her crime. Her death will be no one's fault but her own. For a moment, it seems a waste to be doing all this for her. I have to remind myself that this tradition is not solely for Shaahin's benefit. If she's presented well it will reflect very favorably on the honor of this household. Kishaen and I begin to scrub the dark brown hair covering her body. Shaahin washes her own black mane. ** Bryils is talking again. When she opens her mouth, her brain shuts down. I concentrate on getting the grit out of my mane. My mind wanders. I think about my crime. At the time, I didn't think it was a capital offense. I suppose it's my own fault. I didn't grow up here, but I'd lived here long enough to know how all-important honor is to people in this part of the world. I should have known Erseen was lying when she told me I wouldn’t get in trouble. But she outranked me in the hierarchy of my newest household, so I believed her. Bryils is talking about soap. I nod in agreement; it's easier than paying attention. Erseen is dead now. Kwhyto killed her in a fit of rage as soon as he found out what she had done. Sometimes, when I'm sitting alone in the dark of this hut that is my prison, I envy her. She didn't have to wait. Bryils is talking about her colt. Apparently, he's been learning how to catch rabbits, when he's not sneaking in here to poke me when I'm trying to nap. "That's nice, Bryils-nnm." Yhuul is dead, too. Kwhyto killed him in single combat two days after he killed Erseen. They say he died honorably, whatever that means. In my opinion, Yhuul should have known better than to lay down with one of the wives of the best warrior in Ohshheefinnee. And I should have known better than to let him into the household compound after dark, even though I knew what he had come there to do. Bryils is talking about what she'll make for dinner tonight, oblivious to the fact that I won't be able to share it with them, on account of being dead. "It sounds wonderful, Bryils-nnm." My trial was brief. It was my word against Kwhyto's, and it goes without saying that his carried a lot more weight. He said I had brought dishonor upon his house, and that there was no reason to believe that I wouldn't do so again. He said a lot of hurtful things. I was offered no chance to defend myself. He said I didn't deserve to live. The council agreed. The council members drew lots to see who would be responsible for my care and for my execution. Bryils is talking about my new dress. I nod. Wait, what? "...was generous enough to give it to you. We can't have you going out in that ragged old thing you've been wearing." I've always been fond of that dress, but I don't say that. I say, "Thank you, Bryils-nnm." ** Shaahin seems pleased. I hope the gods will forgive me for my little lie. The truth is that Hwasuun wasn't willing to part with her new dress for anything, but she's the only mare in this household Shaahin's size. The selfish little jade didn't relent until I threatened to publicly dishonor her. Shaahin is about as clean as she's going to get, so I send Kishaen to fetch Hwasuun. Hwasuun comes in carrying her -- no, Shaahin's -- new dress, neatly folded. If Shaahin weren't here, I'd beat her for the look on her face. It'll have to wait until later. ** Hwasuun certainly doesn't look generous, no matter what Bryils might say. In fact, she almost looks like she wants to kill me herself. I almost tell Hwasuun she can keep it, but I stop myself. Refusing this household's hospitality would be another breach of honor. Bryils may be annoying, but she's done nothing to me to deserve hurt like that. At Bryils's urging, I put on my new dress. I wish she'd sent Hwasuun out first; the way she's looking at me is making me uncomfortable. I have to admit, it is a very nice dress; much nicer than my old one. It's knee-length and sleeveless, and white in color with pretty green trim at the hem and neck- and arm-holes. There's a slit up the back for my tail; Bryils orders Hwasuun to lace it up for me. I have no doubt it's her way of punishing Hwasuun, although she gets some degree of revenge when she laces it a good deal tighter than I would like. "Thank you, Hwasuun-nnm," I say through gritted teeth. "You're quite welcome, Shaahin. It's yours to keep," she replies with a look that clearly conveys how glad she is that I'm about to die. "Bryils-nnm, may I be excused? I should make sure my colts are ready." ** That arrogant little hack! She just loves to remind me that she's borne Hahaar, our mutual husband, three sons, and I've only borne him one. "Of course, Hwasuun. I can finish up here," is what I say. We'll talk about this later, is what I don't say, but she knows what I mean. "Thank you, Bryils-nnm. Have a nice day, Shaahin." ** I hope I get blood all over this dress. Leave it to Hwasuun to give me something to look forward to. There's also a green rope belt that goes with the dress. Bryils cinches it around my waist, perhaps a little tighter than she intended to. She doesn't say anything about what just happened. Bryils being silent is actually a bit frightening. She must be furious. The final part of the outfit is a pair of cloth bands that go around my ankles; like the dress they're white with green trim. In better circumstances, I might get some sort of metal anklets, but I suppose there's a limit to how much hospitality they're willing to waste on me. I pull them on over my hooves as Bryils begins to brush my mane. She begins to talk again about nothing in particular; I breathe a silent sigh of relief. ** Shaahin really is very pretty. What I wouldn't give for a mane as thick as hers. I complement her on it, but she doesn't reply. I suppose she has other things on her mind. Hahaar will probably be here soon. ** Bryils is still brushing my mane. She probably could have stopped five minutes ago. I pick at my hooves; Kishaen didn't do a very good job cleaning them. A noise makes me look up, and I see that Bryils's husband, the master of the household, is here. Bryils drops her brush and assumes a respectful position. I quickly stand up straight and address him while still retaining a submissive posture: "Good morning, Hahaar-shn." "Your presence is required at the council house, Shaahin. It is time for your execution." Of course my presence is required. It's not like they can execute me if I’m not there. "Yes, Hahaar-shn." He grabs my wrists roughly and binds them behind my back. The rope is cutting into my skin, but complaining won't do me any good. With a knife he cuts through the rope that has leashed me to this hut for this past week. There's still a loop of rope knotted around my ankle, but it seems it's there to stay; Hahaar makes no attempt to remove it. He leads me out of the hut into the sun with Bryils trailing behind us. Most of the household is already assembled, ready to follow us to the council house. The sun is warm on my face, and a soft breeze tickles my ears. It's a beautiful day. Damn it. ** What a gorgeous day it's turned out to be. It's warm with a nice breeze, and such a perfectly cloudless sky. As first wife, it should be my job to round up the rest of the household, but Hwasuun is already working to get everyone into line. By the time I'm able to assert myself over her, there's hardly anything left for me to do. I want to wipe that smug look off her face, but now is neither the time nor the place. Hahaar leads us out of the household gate with Shaahin just in front of him. Did he just...? No, he wouldn't do that. ** Hahaar is right behind me, one hand firmly grasping my wrist. To my surprise, he slips his free hand inside my dress under my tail and fingers my genitals. I'm sure this is not proper behavior. He hisses in my ear, "You know, it'll be a bit of a relief to be rid of you. It's been an awful temptation having you around. All week long I've wanted to give you a good, hard fuck before it was too late, but I've been able to hold strong. I think I'll be fine with just a touch and a fantasy of what might have been." Despite the warm day, I shiver. I always knew there was a reason I didn't like Hahaar, but I've never been able to put my finger on it. He surreptitiously kisses my ear and removes his hand. I hope I'm imagining the bulge under his robe that's pressing into my back, but I know I'm not. I want to be as far away from the stallion as possible. Death is looking better all the time. ** There's already quite a crowd at the village center, but they part to let our household through. There's a group of nomadic traders set up on one side of the center. I'll have to come back later and see what they have to offer. ** Well, this is just great. It was bad enough when I thought I was just going to die in front of the entire village. Now they'll probably turn this into a demonstration of honor and justice for a bunch of foreigners. I feel homesick. The crowd parts before Hahaar and I and the clear space before the council house comes into view. There's a large block of wood sitting there, and a handcart sitting off to one side. One of the elders is holding a large stone axe; it looks very sharp. My knees feel weak and I fight back the urge to throw up. I don't have much longer. ** I stop the household at the edge of the clear space while Hahaar leads Shaahin into the center. Her legs are visibly shaking; the poor dear must be terrified. I remind myself again that she brought this upon herself. "Kneel," Hahaar commands. ** The thought of disobedience never crosses my mind. I drop to my knees in the dust and look up at Hahaar looming over me. "Shaahin, disowned wife of Kwhyto, you have been found guilty of dishonoring your household. For this crime you are to be put to death on this day. Do you have anything to say before your punishment is rendered?" There are lots of things I could say, but I know there's only one right answer. "Thank you, Hahaar-shn and Bryils-nnm, for your hospitality while I was your prisoner." ** Wonderful Shaahin, polite and obedient to the end. She's looking in my direction. I nod to show I accept her thanks. Hahaar takes the axe from one of the elders. ** My heart is pounding. All of my senses feel heightened, as though my body is desperate to make the most of my last few moments of life. The air is thick with the scent of smoldering fragrant grasses that are burned to keep mosquitoes away. There's a bird perched on the peak of the council house, singing loudly. I feel the sun warming my ears and the breeze twisting my mane. Sweat runs down my body and soaks into my dress. I look at the crowd surrounding me, taking in every detail. Some of them, like Bryils and Kishaen, look pitiful; others, like Hwasuun and her sons, seem hungry for my impending death. A small group of the foreign traders have forced their way to the front of the crowd; they seem puzzled and curious more than anything else. There's something familiar about their style of dress. Hahaar forces me to bend over by pressing his hoof into my back. My neck is now lying right across the cruel block. I gulp down the lump in my throat and feel the rough texture of the wood against my skin. Hahaar feels all along the nape of my neck, carefully picking his spot. He removes his hand and I tense up. I clench my eyes shut, ears pricked for any sound. I wait. My nose itches, but with my hands bound behind my back there's nothing I can do. ** Shaahin's eyes are shut, and her tail is swishing nervously. She sniffles once. She doesn't see Hahaar raise the axe above his head. ** I hear the unmistakable swish of an axe cleaving the air. I feel a moment of incredible pain and then nothing. I open my eyes and see hooves and dust. Then there's the sensation of motion and I see brightness. My vision is blurring around the edges. I blink my eyes trying to improve my sight, but everything only grows darker. I close my eyes. My mind goes black. ** Hahaar has excellent aim. Shaahin's neck is cleanly severed in one blow. Her head tumbles into the dust. Shaahin opens her eyes and I gasp involuntarily. Hahaar grabs her head by her mane and lifts it up into the sun for everyone to see. On the ground, her headless body twitches and her black tail flails wildly for a moment before falling still. There are one or two spurts of blood from the stump of her neck, but that is all. To my left, Hwasuun gasps and I soon see why. A urine stain is spreading across Shaahin's dress. Shaahin opens and closes her eyes. Her mouth opens. Blood drips from her severed neck onto the ground. She closes her eyes. To my right, Kishaen falls to her hands and knees and vomits onto the dusty ground. ** EPILOGUE Bryils and Hwasuun had a heated discussion later that day. It ended with Bryils giving Hwasuun a physical beating in full view of her colts. Hwasuun sought sanctuary in Hahaar's hut. Hahaar made fierce, passionate love to Hwasuun that night. Unbeknownst to her, he was pretending she was Shaahin. The next day, and without telling Bryils beforehand, Hahaar sold Kishaen to the nomadic traders, in part because of her dishonorable display at the execution. A week later, Bryils asked the council for a divorce. Shaahin's remains were hauled away in the handcart and unceremoniously dumped in the swamp outside the town. The nomadic traders stole them on their way out of town. ** Author's Notes First draft completed September 16, 2009. Final revision completed September 22, 2009.