Tipping the Scale

The Resistance (2/2)

Warchief's look of momentary surprise quickly shifted into laughter.

"I should have expected such a reaction from you. I almost feel like I should be offended. Is it that unimaginable, that I helped you out of the kindness of my heart?"

Lidea stared at him, wondering if he expected her to answer such a stupid question. As he just silently stared back, that ridiculous grin still plastered on his face, she concluded that he did. Rolling her eyes at his behavior, she relented.

"If you did, then that would mean that you were a reckless idiot. You brought everyone here in danger through that stunt. The king's guard will be hunting us down as we speak and they will not give up any time soon. Are you sure that your camp is hidden enough to be safe?"

Lidea knew that his merriness was just a façade, as she could see how he analyzed her response. She felt like he was testing her yet again, just as he had done in that prison cell. Though the reason why still eluded her.

"Well, you wouldn't be the first to call me reckless or stupid."

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to hold it before releasing it slowly. Refusing to be further aggravated by his answers, or rather non-answers.

"Look, we both know that you had a reason. Now, I don't know if there is any point in you acting as if you didn't or if you just enjoy irritating the people around you. I suggest that you explain your motivations to me, and we can have a discussion, instead of going in circles like this."

For the first time, the smile fell from his face and Lidea thought to see a glimpse of the real leader of the resistance. A solemn man that was burdened by the weight of the many lives he was responsible for. He turned himself away from her, choosing to stare at the curtain wall as he leaned his elbows onto his knees.

"I had thought to give you more time to recover, before discussing my reasons. Obviously, I underestimated your tenacity. You aren't going to rest unless I give you a clear answer, are you?"

A deep sigh marked his rhetorical question as he straightened his back.

"I decided to save you, as we need you to win."

His words lingered in her ears but they failed to make any sense. She had no talent for magic and although she might be handy with a sword, there were many better than her. By no means, could she play a role important enough to justify him taking such a risk. She was just a scarred woman with a tarnished name, who was responsible for the death of hundreds.

"You still don't realize your own value."

Lidea looked up to see that he had turned himself to her. His smile had returned but it was neither nonchalant nor mocking. Instead, his expression expressed a sad sort of understanding.

"I am not the one to undersell myself, but I just do not see in what way I can be of help to you now."

"I said it before. You are a symbol, Lidea. People might not have risked themselves to protect you, but you earned the respect of many by doing what you did."

Remembering the cheering of the crowd for her execution, she wondered if he didn't overestimate her influence on the people.

"Maybe, but even so, what use is a symbol that nobody wants to fight for? Also, I thought that the resistance didn't fight?"

Warchief stood up, apparently too agitated to stay seated any longer. Her eyes followed him as he started pacing in the small space next to her bed.

"It is true that we only supported people by funneling them out of the country, but we can't afford to keep a passive stance anymore. Morto is planning to go to war."

The statement piqued Lidea's interest as it confirmed her suspicions. In her mind, she cursed Morto for being spineless. Those fanatics of the church might believe that their 'god' will make victory inevitable, still, he should have known better. It will only make the people suffer.

"Isn't that a good thing for you? Lynoës stands no chance against countries that didn't give up on magic."

Warchief stopped pacing as he regarded her. The worry that she saw on his face, was surprising. He couldn't honestly believe that their army was a threat to others. As if their shields and swords would stand any chance against fire canons, storms of lightning, or any of the other things that magic holders were said to be able to do. Maybe they would even be using magical beasts?

As much as she never would want to face a magical army, the idea of seeing their military capabilities excited her.

"I am not so sure of that. Magic is rare south of the Deadlands. It is not like most countries would have an army full of wizards to stand against them. Lynoës was one of the few exceptions, probably because the Dragon Order attracted many magic holders to settle here. After the destruction of Hûldral, it was the only order left that offered magic education to those who weren't potential dragon-riders."

For the first time, Lidea apprehended how little she knew about the world. As part of the nobility, she had always considered herself to be well-educated. Even though she had stopped at fourteen. She had only lost a year of her normal education, as most noble ladies started their bridal classes at fifteen. But none of her tutors had ever mentioned these facts to her.

According to them, the dragon order had been an army base consisting of a couple of platoons of dragon-riding knights. They had left Lynoës when her parents were still children, as they wanted more power than the royal family would agree to. None of them had ever mentioned that it was an academy of sorts, as how Warchief described it.

They had never discussed Hûldral either. The only reason Lidea was even familiar with the name was due to her father's bedside stories. In those, it was a country inhabited by mythical beings which created magic in all its forms. Never would she have expected it to be a real place.

She wondered if her father had known more about it, or if the erasure of their history had started long before the ban on magic took place.

Warchief didn't seem to have picked up on her inner revelations. Instead, he was pacing again while he continued his monologue.

"Also, the Pleberien faith has already spread to some of them. I wouldn't be surprised if their leaders chose to just adopt the faith and avoid the conflict overall. Too scared that their normal population would rebel if they try and protect a privileged and small minority within the country. They all saw what happened in Lynoës."

Lidea thought back to Morto. How he dealt with the situation and the decisions he made, would become an example for other countries. His ruthlessness in tackling magic had returned relative peace to the country. But, there was no denying that Lynoës was in decline.

A sense of dread settled within her chest, as the reality of what Warchief was describing became clear to her. She had always thought of the church as a plague on Lynoës, but she never considered that it would leave the country's borders. If he was correct, then the whole south from the Neridean Ocean to the Deadlands would be under their thumb. Where would people escape to then? To North of the Deadlands? She had never heard of anyone making the trip successfully.

"You appear to understand my concerns now. The magic world can't ignore the situation anymore. We have to gather ourselves and fight, or everyone in the south could lose their lives."

Frustration sounded through his words and she vaguely wondered if he had tried to ask for help from the 'magic world' before, but had gotten nowhere.

"I don't want to burst your bubble, but most people will not fight if they aren't under immediate threat. Somehow they always believe that the danger won't come to them."

He stopped pacing and his face broke into a smile once more.

"Very probable, and in that case they deserve the fate coming to them. But, I am not willing to give up without giving it my best shot. At least if I fail, then I can sleep well knowing that I have done what I could. Or I will be dead, and won't have to worry about my consciousness anymore. A win-win situation for me."

The wink accompanying his words, made her shudder. She couldn't understand how he could talk about his death so easily. But then again, she realized that he hadn't sat in a prison cell awaiting his death for a month. After that experience, she was far less inclined to throw around the idea of dying.

"Good on you. And what role do you see me play in all of this?"

Her question seemed to focus Warchief on the matters at hand. He stopped pacing and sat himself down on the bed. His smile had turned to a grin, not dissimilar to that of a merchant wanting to butter up his customer to buy their latest over-expensive product. She narrowed her eyes, preparing to not like whatever he was going to say next.

"I want to overthrow Lynoës and uproot all traces of the Pleberien faith. However, its destruction wouldn't prevent it from coming back. To make sure that it is gone for good, the country must be put together again in a way, as to make it better than before. Someone will need to lead it onto a better path."

"And you think that someone is me?"

Lidea couldn't help her voice going up in unbelief. How could he even suggest that she was capable of leading a country. He didn't know her! Did he even consider if she would want to?

"Think about it. These people will need someone reliable. A countryman that they know and trust. Everyone knows who you are and what the name Valkyrea stands for. Both your father as well as you, have shown them that you would rather die than give up your morality. Those with magic see you as a hero, defending the prosecuted even if it does not benefit you. For those without magic, you are a symbol that they will never be oppressed again. As the power will now finally be in the hands of someone like them.

To further sweeten the deal, you appear to be born with a good head on your shoulders and have military experience. They know that you will be able to defend them in the future. You are the genius teen they all gossiped about. The one that against all odds, kept her men out of the king's hands for six years. A woman who showed them that she could lead as well, if not better, than any man.

Tell me Lidea, who do you think to be better suited for that role."

Lidea couldn't react, too shaken up by the idea. It was crazy. How could he even think to make her into a queen? That aside, he was planning to rip her motherland apart. It was one thing to protect themselves from an invasion, but to go into the country and destroy everything?

Even though the rational part of her brain understood his logic, she couldn't keep her heart from racing. Her face paled as her breathing became unsteady just thinking about the outcomes of such actions.

"How can you even ask such a thing of me? What about my mother and sister? King Morto, prince Valerian? What will happen to them?"

His eyes filled with compassion as he answered her irrational questions calmly.

"I don't know. Maybe your mother and sister will stay safe, but you know as well as me that nobody is completely safe during war. As for the current royalty. They could flee, but I don't think they will."

"I can't do this!"

A brief silence fell in which Lidea could only hear her haggard breathing. Warchief was looking at his hands which he held folded in his lap. Wringing them as he hesitated to respond.

"Lidea, you are in shock, hungry and exhausted. I think it is better to discuss this when you feel better. Still, I will say one thing. Please consider that while you are thinking of how to keep them safe, they all left you to die."

Tears rolled over her cheek and made the burn sting. She was aware of what he was trying to make her understand, but she was not ready to accept that reality yet. Even if they had been willing to kill her, the idea that she would have a hand in their murder horrified her.

"I'm not a queen..."

The words came out as a soft plea, begging him to not force her into that role.

"Not yet."

More tears followed the first and he sighed before turning to her once more.

"Believe me, that I won't force you. If you decide to not be involved, then I will personally help you leave this country after your recovery."

Even through her blurry vision, she could see the sincerity in his eyes. Not feeling as cornered as before, her breathing slowed down to a normal pace.

"Are you okay? Do I need to get Crystal?"

Lidea was tempted to say yes, even if it was only to see her scold Warchief over making her upset. But she would rather not have the healer see her in this state.

"I'm alright. I just need to rest."

He nodded slowly in understanding and stood from the bed. Pulling a clean handkerchief from his pocket to offer it to her. She gladly accepted it and started wiping her tears away.

"Let me grab that broth. I don't want you to fall asleep before you eat or Crystal will murder me."

Lidea smiled slightly as she saw him disappear through the curtains. She could hear the clanking of kitchen utensils while she waited for him to warm the food. She didn't wait long, as he returned almost immediately. Lidea was a bit disappointed by the idea that the soup was going to be cold, but was pleasantly surprised when the plate felt hot to the touch. She didn't think too much about it, too consumed by the thought of shoveling food into her stomach. Warchief looked at her with a raised eyebrow and reminded her a couple of times that she was supposed to eat slowly. Lidea mostly ignored the remarks as she practically inhaled the broth. Even after a five-day fast, her body had no problem consuming that much at a fast rate.

They sat in companionable silence as Lidea mulled about their conversation. Now that she had calmed down and her stomach was pleasantly full. She could feel a bone-deep exhaustion come over her.

Yawning she looked again at Warchief as he took her plate from her.

"Crystal said your name was Warchief... That isn't your real name... right?"

Mischief sparked in his orange eyes as he smiled down at her.

"It is my real name in this camp. Now leave your curiosity for another day and sleep."

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I included the map this time. It is an older one but when I have some time I will edit it, so you can better follow where we are in the story (this is not the whole world, just one continent and the only one of importance to this story).

Thank you for reading :)!