No Compromise
herliterary & Atem
Lord Corromore always savored a good cup of tea before a momentous occasion. Its slight hint of bitterness and warmth running down his throat soothed his aching head. Yet, the drink was not for the fighting men of the 259th but rather, to help him write a letter — just a simple one — to the head quartermaster only a city away.
Everything was going smoothly until the door creaked open. “I thought I told the guards outside I was not to be disturbed,” Corromore grumbled.
“Well, you did boast during the last moot that we’ll win this war by superseding darkness with light, Father, despite the increasing number of daily casualties. Maybe your guards are already planning a rebellion,” Aveline drawled. The Lord’s only daughter and head of the kingdom’s healer faction leaned on the doorframe.
“And what’s wrong with light, pray tell?” He stood from his chair. “War corrodes the spirit, my child. Thus, we shan’t stoop to their level, no matter how many villages they burn.”
Aveline slammed the door shut with a flick of her wand. “We are running out of time,” she gritted through her teeth. “Do you have the faintest idea what’s happening on the battlefield? How many scathed bodies I’m trying to heal with the magic I have left?”
Corromore’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think me unaware, dear daughter of mine?” He drawled.
“You’re aware, and yet you are not doing enough!” She snarled.
“ENOUGH!” He slammed the desk, suppressed fury exploding out of him. “I’ve tolerated your grievances, Aveline, but I have had enough of your shortsighted pettiness. If you’re upset because I had you sent to the back lines as a healer — ”
“Oh,” Aveline chuckled, bitterness coaxing the echoes of her laughter. “You’ve got it all wrong, Father. Let me clarify things for you.” A pause and then a slam. “I would rather be relegated to the frontier as a dung shoveler rather than die under the whim of a spineless leader!” His daughter’s words sliced through his chest.
“Is that what you think this is?” Lord Corromore seethed. “A ploy to shield my own morality from the horrors of battle at the expense of my people? I am old enough to know war better than you ever will, child, and there are certain lines we never cross.”
Aveline inched closer. “There are certain lines you,” she jabbed a finger, “Won’t cross.”
“What are you insinuating?” Corromore’s eyes were like the eyes of a snake. “You know Ignis de Caelo remains forbidden, no matter what. And I will not make an exception to satisfy you.”
“Right, of course, of course.” Aveline scoffed. “It’s always light that supersedes darkness, right?” She challenged. “That’s your principle, right?!”
A lump slid down his throat — he had reached his breaking point. “You’re so concerned about being seen as some kind of advocate for diplomacy,” she snickered. “Do you really think you’ll come down in history as some kind of hero? Really? With the blood on your hands? For all the lives you’ve sacrificed?”
Corromore felt the pain in his chest spread. He gritted, “Well, what do you want, Aveline? Would you have us go down in history as monsters? As merciless butchers without a shred of humanity? That weapon is an abomination; that’s why I’m having all its scrolls burned.”
Aveline blanched. “W-what?”
Lord Corromore took a sip of tea and handed the sealed envelope to a nearby aide. “Make sure Quartermaster Rahlo receives this letter by tomorrow.” The aide nodded and left the room.
“There you go, Aveline, I’ve just saved our souls. Now, leave,” he said with indifference.
“No, Father,” Aveline shook her head, “You just proved the crown is too heavy for you to carry.”
Aveline left, and Corromore spent the rest of the night ailing his heavy heart. He detached himself to such an extent that he did not notice Aveline escaping the capital on horseback in the dead of night, nor did he hear that his letter never arrived to its recipient. It was only a week later when he received the newspaper, its black and bold lettering weakening the thrum of his heart.
“Fire rained down the capital of Telyran last evening! Sources say a group of wizards and witches in black cloaks invaded the city. There is still no information about the group, only that they call themselves ‘The Resistance’ and are led by a witch named Elvina. Their origins are unknown, except that they incantated the forbidden Ignis de Caelo.”
