Simony

Epilogue

Here, I present you with an epilogue to "Simony." Originally, I didn't think this epilogue melded well with my characterization of Rafal as more sympathetic. His murder of Rhian was supposed to be uncalculated and driven by unrestrained emotion, and it comes across as planned in this, I fear. But, I've changed my mind.

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The Evil intent, the injurious intent, festered in Rafal's heart since Rhian had wounded him with his words at the start of the year. Rhian hadn't paused to see how he'd hurt Rafal. To see how Evil would be useless, futile, lack all purpose to live if everyone was reformed to Good. Did Rhian ever spare a thought as to how he'd affect the other side? And look at his brother. His own brother. A revelation, Rafal thought bitterly. A walking contradiction of the waking world. In other words, for Good, not for Balance like he'd once vowed.

For the sake of the Woods, they'd better not judge by appearances again. Yet, that was how it continued, year after year. The tales became predictable, the bound tomes piling up like stones in his tower.

All the princesses were the same. Vapid but virtuous and beautiful, as beautiful as they were virtuous. It didn't console him to know that all the lovers would become graves in time.

All the villains were the same. Rafal was more than a bit unnerved, but as such was how the tales went: they were as ugly as they were wicked, and they were woefully sore losers. Every new crop of Nevers was worse, more hideous, incompetent, and pitiable than the last. And just as unloveable as he was. Not that any love was worth the effort. Better to teach them they were incapable of love from the beginning.