The Medallion of Asgar

15.

Reise

Reise was silent, staring down at the defeated woman. She was just giving up, just like that...His expression went from one of curiosity to one of pain and confusion. Never before had he been faced with such a trial: It was his loyalty to his kingdom versus his loyalty to his self. His unwavering loyalty to the King urged him to take her up on her plea. She was an enemy of Asgar, and her crimes warranted death anyway. The least he could do was honor her final request and allow her to keep her dignity. Yet...his own morals, his own values...he could not strike down an unarmed woman. Especially not when she was like this. She was still looking at him - her enemy - with such kindness and speaking to him with such respect. Could he really take her life? And...could someone as gentle as this really have dark motives? Could she really be someone wishing to bring havoc upon the kingdom? According to her, she was the one doing the peacekeeping. But who was he to believe? The words of his King? Or the words of his enemy...?

Reise's jaw set, and he nodded slowly. He replaced the helm on his head, and drew his sword. With his pained expression hidden, he pointed the blade to the woman's throat. "I will honor your request, then. As His Majesty King Jerid's personal warrior, I hereby commence your execution, with the moon bearing witness as justice is served." The knight flinched underneath the helm at the word 'justice'. Was it justice, really? Could killing a woman in cold blood be justice? He bit down on his lip as he raised the sword with both hands, the helm not giving his conflicting emotions away, and -

And - the sword shook slightly as Reise hesitated, looking at the maiden sitting there silently, waiting... -

The knight gasped and dropped to one knee, torn. He couldn't do it to her. His sword swung downwards stabbing into the dirt in front of him, hands clasped tightly over the handle of the weapon. He took a deep breath, silent and still for a moment, before finally he lifted his hands to remove his helmet and toss it aside in frustration. His expression was one of anguish and sorrow as he looked at her. "M-my apologies...I have not the heart to kill you. I am but a selfish knight, unable to honor your wishes and unable to honor my orders for the sake of my own beliefs." He turned his gaze to the ground, once again putting his hands on the sword's handle as he leaned his forehead against his gauntlets.

"I know full well this might be a rouse, some trickery, some cruel deception...and whether you meant it so or not, it has worked. You have won, turned me against my kingdom and forced me to besmirch my own name...but it is worth it." He looked up at her slowly, eyes glassy yet determined. "Go, Mi'lady...for here you have been executed; tumbled into the raging rivers to the east and swept downstream to the ocean, both body and jewel lost to Mother Nature." He bit his lip. What was he saying?! He was aiding an enemy, willing to lie for her. Was he stupid?! If he did so and was found out, he himself would be executed. It was treason.

But he couldn't...he couldn't...