A Someday Kill

“Then why did he bring that boy?”

“For you to prove yourself,” Shruti said. “Listen to me, Dravi. You must go with Father, you must hunt and fight with the other boys. You must defeat that child, understand? You must prove to your father that you are his son, that you will reign in his stead.”

“I don’t like fighting and hunting.”

“Learn to like it. Now go.”

“Will I have to kill that boy?”

“Someday,” Shruti said. “Now. To bed.”

Rastaban reached out from the pile of furs and found a stone. He slept with it at his side.