Renee Ahdieh

But suffering had changed all that. For it was easy to be good and kind in times of plenty. The trying times were the moments that defined a man.

But which of these two kings was the true villain of this story?

For a story was only as good as its villain.

No. He was not here to wreak revenge.

For revenge was trifling and hollow.

No. He was not here to retrieve his wife.

For his wife was not a thing to be retrieved.

No. He was not here to negotiate a truce.

For a truce suggested he wished to compromise.

The boy-king spurred his black al-Khamsa forward, its hooves kicking up a storm of dust and debris.

He was here to burn something to the ground.