Agonyyyyyy

Thanks Vic! Super short pre-plot write in Zinjiq, and an obligatory Zuhayr is the worst.

~~~

An attempt on his eldest son’s life is no surprise, considering the power that Rahim will gain in just a year’s time.

The young man is stumbling down the hall towards him, hand clutched at his side. There’s a trail of blood behind him, and he’s using the wall for support as the pressure does practically nothing to staunch the steady stream from the wound. Torches lining the wall flicker in the night, and Zuhayr catches a glimpse of glazed eyes filled with pain, not focused on anything. He watches the stubbornness of his heir, not making any move to help, at least not for now. Rahim has yet to catch a glimpse of him, and there’s a cold flicker of hope that this assassination attempt will end up being a success.

Black eyes cast up and down the hall, wheezy breathes louder than the cold wind that flows through the deserted wing of the palace. He tries to take another step forward on legs that tremble in exhaustion, and a frantic grab at the stone is the only thing that keeps Rahim upright. The hand on the wall scrambles higher, grasping one of the torches and holding it up. “Is- anyone-“ He breaks off in a fit of coughing, blood running from the corner of his mouth. “Anyone? Need- help-“

Rahim’s voice fades at his final word, and his knees buckle and collapse. The torch rolls out of his hands, the flame still going as the sharp gasps echo through the palace. With a cold smile, Zuhayr turns his back on his biggest failure, walking away as his heir bleeds out on the cold, stone floor.

Rahim was never meant to be a ruler anyway.