Second Chance

Loopholes

"We have to accept her offer!" Sophie insisted, "Or 1,000 too many innocent people will die."
"Just stop being the hero for once. Think about yourself. What will happen if you die?" Keefe asked.
"It's for the greater good," Sophie argued, "And what harm will come from Honoria staying for a while in a building surrounded by goblins."
"We can't do anything about her if the Council accepts the deal. That would break the treaty," Sandor grumbled.
"ENOUGH! I already said that none of you kids will make the decision. We and the Council will," Mr. Forkle said firmly.
"We will make a decision about what?" a powerful voice asked from the door.
"Honoria stopped by Foxfire today and–" Sophie started.
"She offered us a deal," Mr. Forkle finished, glaring at Sophie.
"What kind of deal?" Councillor Terik asked.
"She said that if we let her go to Foxfire in peace. She will not fight or harm anyone in any way."
"You're sure that is what she said exactly?"
"I am sure."
He pressed his fingers to his temples and transmitted the memory to them.
"And you're sure this isn't a trick?" Emery asked.
"We can never be completely certain but this is what we have."
"Your suggestion?"
"I say we reach out and make OUR terms. Make sure there are no–as humans call it–loopholes to her offer."
"And I say that we accept the deal. This is the best chance we have at stopping the Neverseen. We can wait until they think we are weak, then strike when they least expect it. We can't lose this deal," Sophie reasoned.
"Sophie–"
"Miss Foster has a point though. This may be the only chance we get to defeat them once and for all. The only advantage we have is the element of surprise," Bronte agreed, then muttered to himself, "I can't believe I'm agreeing with her."
"He's right," Alvar said, leaning against the frame of the hallway, then frowned, "Why do people keep forgetting I'm here?"
"I haven't," Fitz snapped, "I trust you as much as I trust Lady Gisela."
He shrugged, "Oh well, I guess you won't need me to convince her. What a shame. I really could've helped."
Alvar started to turn away when Fitz sighed.
"Fine. But don't think for a second that I'm accepting you."
"You know, let me let you in on a little secret. I really don't care about what you think of me. You'll always be the golden, perfect, handsome Vacker that everyone wants to be with. I'll be the one that almost died joining the Neverseen. Don't worry, brother. I'm no competition," Alvar hissed, before vanishing out of sight.
Fitz stared at the spot he was standing at like one of those cartoon characters.
There was an awkward silence, so thick that you could cut it with a knife.
Emery cleared his throat, "Well. See if you can contact her and offer your deal. If she doesn't accept, you will agree with her terms–er–loophole or not."
"And if this turns out to be a huge mistake?" Sophie countered.
"Then we'll deal with it once we come to it. You were never meant to shoulder the burden of decision making. That is why we have a Council and now you have to let us do our jobs," Emery said firmly.
"But Sophie isn't just a normal person," Keefe argued, "She has been through more than any of you have."
"While I don't deny that, I'm sure a council of 12 can just as well make reasonable decisions for the greater good, am I correct, Mr. Sencen?"
Keefe glanced at Sophie to gauge her reaction. Her cheeks turned red, hearing him defend her.
"You got Alvar on our side. That's good enough."
"I would call that on our side. I would call that reluctant cooperation," Fitz grumbled, staring at the spot that Alvar was just at.
Emery sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I don't know why I even bother anymore," he muttered to himself.
—————————————-
The next day at Foxfire, Honoria was seated next to a young Level One and was watching him like he was a meal.
"I think she's getting bolder," Biana noted, "She's not afraid to approach them now."
"I have to admit, she's likable," Sandor mumbled.
When Honoria saw them approaching, she turned to him with sad eyes, "I'm sorry, my dear, I have some accomplices that would like to speak to me if you don't mind."
The boy bounces up on his feet and replied, "Of course, my lady," and gave her a little bow.
She flashed him a Vacker smile as he scurried away.
"My, my, my if it isn't Sophie Ondsinn—oh!—my apologies, Foster, right? I bet you're having deja vu. That smile did look familiar didn't it?" she asked with a sly grin.
Sophie felt a weird feeling hearing Gethen's last name being put after her name.
"Anyways, have you decided on whether or not to accept my deal?" Honoria asked, tapping her red lips.
"We have. We want it on our own terms," Sophie declared.
"Do you? Well I'm afraid that option isn't possible."
"You did mention that you value your education, don't you?"
Honoria leaned into Sophie as if telling her a secret, "Not as much as I care about being in power."
"So you admit that your offer is in your favor."
She leaned back in a relaxing pose that made Sophie's blood boil.
How dare she act like she is supposed to be in control when all she has done is hurt people.
"Of course it is. You would be an idiot not to sway it your way when you have leverage. That's why you always lose. Too much compassion. That's not good, that's a weakness."
"So you would rather we be cold and heartless like you?"
"Oh, I'm not heartless." She let out a little laugh,
"Ohhh, I'm not heartless. Vespera is. I am merely looking out for myself and making sure I make it to my 18th birthday."
"You know what a birthday is," Sophie remarked, mildly surprised.
"I do. After all, I was raised in the Forbidden Cities. I would wager I know more about it than you do."
"We're getting off track," Sophie said, glancing at her group.
"Indeed we are. I noticed that none of your comrades have said anything."
"We don't need to say anything. Sophie knows what side we're on."
"Does she? Because I heard that young Mr. Vacker is starting to rethink his choices."
She beckoned to him.
"Come on. Join us. We'll have so much fun together. And don't think I don't know you are there, Alvar."
Her ice cold eyes flickered towards Alvar's invisible body as if she could see right through his vanishing.
"What were you going to do? Use my ex-boyfriend to try to agree to your terms? I don't think so."
She stood up defiantly and ice blue met with brown.
"This is your last warning and reminder. The next time I see you, you better be ready to accept my terms or consequences will... Rain. Down. On. You."