In a rush
Of sandalwood
And steel,
He
Caught you
Sucking eggs
In the tall
Summer grass:
"As I
Expected,
Half-breed."

By the flat
Of his blade
He drove you
Out
His look of
Contempt
Became rage
When you bit
Him:
"How dare you?
Half-breed!"

With a lash
Made of light
He beat you
Face-down
Into the dirt-
Unable to
Scream for
The pain:
"Learn
Your place,
Half-breed."

So it went:
You snarling,
Him striking,
Until you
Submitted,
Resenting
His bringing
To heel:
"What are you
Good for,
Half-breed?"

With a kick,
He insisted
You stand.
With another:
To follow
From battle
To battle
As vassal
Or bait:
"Be useful
Half-breed.

Insolence
Years later;
A casual slap-
Leaving you
Bloody-nosed,
Face-down
In the dirt:
"Father had
Appalling taste
In lovers,
Half-breed."

You crawled
Into the night
In search
Of a way
To kill
The weak part
Of yourself,
And stand up
To your
Hated
Half-brother.