The Banality of Evil

“I haven’t let you down before, Father.”

“Keep it that way,” he hissed.

He’d known very little of the world into which he was born before today. Up until just a few hours ago, all Arma knew was that his parents were king and queen, and their rule was undisputed. But now, he knew everything.

“My sister,” his father began, “Lilina. That snake of a woman is vying to wrest my rule from me. Make sure she doesn’t see tomorrow. Out of all four of my children, Arma, you are the one who can handle this most…” He paused, seemingly to search for the correct word. “...adequately.”

Anyone else wouldn’t have liked to be called adequate, but for Arma, that was one of the few kind words his father had ever said to him. When he’d left the castle, he was absolutely psyched and pumped to finally fulfill his dad’s wishes. The only issue...as he thought on it more, as he pondered what it was he was going to do...he realized that he was being sent to murder his aunt in cold blood.

When his father had described his rise to power, he seemed to talk of the former king with such...contempt. Hatred, even. Thinking on it more, the story Arma had been told made less and less sense. Father had claimed that the previous king and queen were ambushed and killed by a small group, but...he spoke as if he was there. If he had been there as the king and queen died, why didn’t he step up? Even if they had been overpowered, why didn’t he die, too?

Realization hit Arma like a speeding cart.

There was no rival band that had killed the royals.

His father had killed his own parents--Arma’s grandparents.

That’s what made the pieces fall into place. Of course his sister would try to overthrow him--he didn’t deserve to rule. He feared her and wanted his son to backstab her...like a coward. Heart beating a mile a minute, Arma decided what he needed to do.

Change of plans--Arma needed to warn his aunt about his father. If anyone caught him, he’d surely get killed...but it was the clearest option in his mind.

Arma broke into a mad run, looking everywhere for Lilina.

---

Finding her standing alone in a small grove, he advanced towards her. She had her back to him, but he…couldn’t summon the courage to strike. If he struck right now, he’d be no better than his father. Arma’s eyes shifted, looking at his surroundings. He prayed that no one was watching him, because if they were…he’d have hell to pay. “Lilina!” he barked. “…Mm?” She turned around, looking dead at him. Her eyes narrowed; did she not remember him? “Arma?” “You’re in...you’re in immense danger.” He cut to the chase–he had no choice but to. “My father…Berkut. He told me that I needed to make sure you don’t see tomorrow,” Arma panted. “He’s got eyes everywhere. Please, you have to believe me. I wouldn’t be risking my neck like this if I wasn’t telling the truth-” “Arma. I need you to slow down and just start from the beginning.” “I...I figured everything out. He killed your parents. He...he took over forcefully.” As he spoke, Arma saw her face fall into a sullen look, as if his words forced her to relive everything. “That is exactly what happened.”

“Something snapped in him...I guess, earlier today. He summoned me and told me, in no uncertain terms, to make sure you die. I don’t want to do that...now that I know everything.”

Lili folded her arms, staring into his eyes.

“You are not making this easy on me,” she muttered. “I find myself torn on whether or not to even believe you.”

His heart sank, and he had to fight himself in order to not cry out.

“Please, believe me! I don’t want you to die--you’re the only hope anybody in this kingdom has of stopping this! If any of my siblings were spying on you, then they’ve heard me. They’re going to tell my father, and he’ll be coming to kill me. Why would I risk this if I was coming to tell you a lie?”

She was silent.

“Please,” he begged, hoarsely at this point. A bush rustled behind them, and Arma’s heart sank. “That had to have been one of them. I’m as good as dead, please just say something!”

They both sat for what felt like years until she sighed.

"I believe you, Arma. Now, run. I will pray for your safety."