It's my duty, unpleasant as it may be.
The King gets the last word.
Prisoner before the council, judged and 
found guilty.
Execute the traitor.
It's become the new battle cry. 
We appear to be on the verge of a civil war.
A decision of this magnitude could make or 
break me as their leader.
Alone in the courtyard, jousting with my thoughts, 
beneath a serene, blood-red sky.
She's my mother.
I can set her free or sentence her to die.

We were little kids, my first time on her ship.
It's was all new, I was excited and so was 
she. 
Beaming most of the time.
A proud mom, showing off her baby.
Noticed the way they all looked at her and 
whispered when she wasn't there
Nervous, wary. 
Young as I was then,  I was still old enough 
to feel the hatred and recognize the fear.
Standing on the bridge as the ship began to move,
watching the planet fall backwards.
Took my hand, squeezed it gently. 
Take a good look son, it'll all belong to you someday.
Clueless.
I looked at her, she smiled and looked away.

She ruled with an iron fist. 
If there was a soft spot in her heart, 
It was a space reserved just for me.
My sisters weren't that lucky.
They might as well have been foot soldiers. 
Punished and berated constantly.
Her boy however, could do nothing wrong 
and believe me he tried.
Whatever I wanted, I took.
Plundered and pillaged as she looked 
on with pride.

Warriors in uniform as far as the eyes can see.
My sixteenth birthday. 
Another official ceremony.
On her throne, suited, helmeted, resplendent under 
the harsh summer light.
Son, she said, with an inclusive wave, they hate my guts.
Every last one. 
But on any given day, they'd die for me. 
Without question.
Every last man.
Silly emotions.
Love, hate, fear, they're all the same.
Overrated.
Respect honey, that's what keeps you 
on top of the game.


Never lose sight of the big picture.
Trust your instincts.
Clairvoyance and ruthlessness are the 
trademarks of a great leader.
Repay all debts, swiftly, decisively. 
Real and imagined.
Mercy, she continued, is a dish you serve rarely.
They're my people.
But I'd treat a total stranger, before I serve up any
to them or a member of my family.
How about me ma?
She wasn't going to answer, not today.
I looked at her, she smiled and looked away.

Three years later, I finally got an answer.
Still young and foolish.
Got caught breaking and unbreakable law.
Guilty!
No question.
Other's had been killed for a lot less.
As Queen, it was her decision.
But somehow I knew, even before I saw
the look in her eye.
Banishment.
I'm her boy.
There's no way, she's going to see me die.
There wasn't much left to say.
I looked at her, she smiled and looked away.

Warriors in uniform as far as the eyes can see.
I know what has to be done.
They're like an animal in heat, restless, 
impatient, feverish with anticipation.
Visors down, faces skyward.
Waiting for their King to summon to the "hum" .
It is time.
Walked quickly  to the throne.
Daun, my bodyguard, just a step behind.
The prisoner, restrained, on her knees.
Recognized immediately, the look in my eye.
She knows.
She's my mother.
She's got to die.

There wasn't much left to say.
I looked at her, she smiled and looked away.