Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Justified (02/26/26)
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TITLE: 30 Lashes | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joanna Dietz
03/05/26 -
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Passing through, we hurriedly approached the throne. Halting about five paces from it, the head guard grabbed my shoulder, thrusting me forward. Stumbling, I fell to my knees, right in front of the king himself.
“My king,” the head guard’s voice growled, “This Jairus, the personal manservant of his royal highness, Prince Collin, has been caught trying to embezzle gold from the royal treasury.”
A gasp was heard throughout the room.
I, still on my hands and knees, glanced up at the king.
Just a few years younger than Collin, I had become the prince’s personal attendant when we were both still boys. Now in our late teens, we had almost forgotten who was the prince and who was the servant, loving each other as brothers.
But over the past few years, seeds of rebellion had been secretly growing in my heart. Although my love and loyalty for Collin never wavered, I had started to intentionally disrupt palace life. But all these undertakings had been cleverly cloaked under the guise of “mischief.” Being officially “escorted” to the throne room was becoming a common occurrence. But, for Collin’s sake, I’d be dismissed with only a light penalty. That is, until my next escapade would trigger the fanfare all over again.
And so it was that I was at complete ease as I waited for the king to declare my punishment.
Rising from his throne, the king spoke. “This is indeed a great wrong. This time the boy has not simply committed mischief but a crime!” The king’s voice rang throughout the throne room. “And such a crime must be paid for!”
My head jerked up. My palms began to sweat.
“Your Highness,” I protested, “It was but a prank. I didn’t mean—”
“Is not a crime a crime, no matter how it is disguised?” Thundered the king.
My mouth went dry. Thieves received thirty lashes.
“But you, Jairus,” the king continued, “Are far too wretched to pay for your own crime. Thirty lashes to your back cannot begin to account for all the wrong you’ve done me.”
The king paused.
“Send for Collin.”
A young page scurried to obey the order. No one spoke.
After a few long minutes, Collin appeared. Smiling, he approached the throne. But one look at the king and at me chased all gaiety from his face.
“Oh, Jairus,” was all he said.
“Jairus has been caught attempting to embezzle gold from my treasury,” the king began, addressing Collin. “Our law decrees that a thief receive thirty lashes. But thirty lashes to Jairus cannot right his wrongs. Only a substitute will do.”
Again, the king paused.
“I have chosen you.”
Collin and I both stared at the king. Whip the prince and spare me?!
“Father, I . . .” Collin’s voice was hoarse.
“My dear son, it is my will.”
Collin made no reply. Silently removing his linen shirt, he knelt on the floor
The king unbuckled the heavy leather belt around his waist and, stepping towards me, thrust it into my hand.
“You will whip Collin.”
I froze.
“Jairus!” The king’s voice was louder. “I command you to whip Collin.”
“Your Highness—"
“Whip the prince!”
Trembling, I raised the belt and brought it down on Collin’s bare back.
“Harder!” Cried the king.
“Your Majesty!”
“Obey me!” Demanded the king.
Fearing the wrath of the king, I obeyed.
An anguished groan escaped from the prince’s lips.
“Harder!” Cried the king
I turned towards the king, in terror and disbelief. But again he cried,
“Harder!”
Gritting my teeth, I swung.
“Harder!”
Closing my eyes, I swung with all my might, thrashing the back of my truest friend.
Collin uttered a loud cry.
“Another!” Cried the king
“Another!”
Deep bruises had begun to appear on Collin’s back, but still the king called out--
“Another!”
“Another!”
“Another!”
As I swung for the thirtieth time, Collin collapsed to the floor. Courtiers rushed to his side, hurriedly carrying away the battered prince.
Left alone in the middle of the room, I crumpled into a miserable heap. Hot tears stung my cheeks. I was guilty, but my prince had been the one to suffer. And I was the one who had wounded him!
I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. Drawing me up, the king embraced me. Softly, he whispered, “Now all is right.”
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