The barbarian king killed the boy’s father in the throne room. Afterwards he summoned Dear Sunshine to come before him.
“They tell me you have a dragon behind your eyes,”

the barbarian said.

Dear Sunshine did not reply.

“They say you killed your siblings.”

Still, Dear Sunshine said nothing.

“But, you see, dragons don’t slit throats. People do.”

“Yes,” the boy said.

“Was it you that left the city gates open?” the barbarian asked.

“No,” the boy said.

“Your mother is a bit of a monster, I think,” the barbarian said.

“She is my mother,” the boy said simply.