With what little strength Kazhan had left, she and Ninhu made their way to their father's quarters. But what they saw upon arrival shattered them.
Mira's mother lay lifeless on the floor. Mira knelt beside her, sobbing uncontrollably.
Ninhu collapsed, screaming. His voice cracked, his mind spiraling into chaos.
Kazhan froze, her body trembling, tears streaming down her face.
"Why, Father?" she cried. "Why her? What did she do to deserve this?"
General Sakone, clutching a mug of beer, looked down at them with cold disdain.
"Who gave this little brat the right to heal you?" he growled. "She deserved this. Let it be a warning to every maid who dares use healing Vinx on you without my permission."
Then he laughed—a cruel, hollow sound.
"That's why you were punished yesterday, Kazhan. Why would you make food for Ninhu without telling me? Foolish. Stupid. Learn your place."
Kazhan's eyes burned with fury.
"He was hungry!" she shouted. "I can't feed my starving younger brother anymore? What's the point of food if we're not allowed to eat it?"
Sakone's face twisted with rage.
"Lock her up," he ordered. "One plate of food and one cup of water per day. Until I say otherwise."
Then he turned to the guards.
"Flog Ninhu. One thousand strokes. Red-hot steel."
Kazhan screamed, "Father, please—no! Let me take his punishm—"
Before she could finish, the guards struck her down. She collapsed, unconscious, and was dragged away to the cell.
Sakone turned to Mira, his voice cold.
"Dispose of the body. Now."
Still crying, Mira whispered, "Yes, my lord."
Ninhu, silent and broken, was dragged away to face his punishment.