Songs of Souls

023: Logical Fallacies and Lost Family

- - - > oxx Z•L xxo < - - -

The room hushed. Hirua's words hung in the air, heavy as a battle-axe. Zevas threw back his head and let out a "KHAHAHA-KHAHAHA!", a sound big enough to fill the whole damn fort.

"You trying to pull my beard, lad?" He wiped his eyes, hoping the boy didn't notice the dampness there. "The Tempest of the East? That's who you're claiming as your father?"

"Indeed, Captain," the lad's voice held a quiet composure that surprised him. It was a dignity that seemed out of place for a simple villager. "He is my sire."

"Anyone can make such a claim," he rumbled, leaning forward. The old stories, whispers of the king gone mad... those weren't mere fables, were they? "It's widely known that King Tevis...killed his own son along with many of his subjects twelve years ago. Can you prove this outlandish claim of yours?"

Deynfif stepped forward. "Captain," he began cautiously, "if I may, it's as you say – anyone can make a claim. Why believe rumors over Hirua's word?"

"False Equivalence Fallacy!" Siebea's alto voice cut through the tension. Her finger shot out, a quick jab towards Deynfif that made the lad flinch.

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. The owlet was sharp, he'd give her that. Deynfif had walked right into that one.

Siebea continued on her call. "While it's true anyone can make a claim, that doesn't mean all claims are equally valid." She adjusted the goggles on her neck. "We can't simply dismiss the historical record and widespread knowledge about the prince's death just because Hirua claims otherwise."

She tapped her goggles with a clink. "Hirua needs to provide evidence to support his extraordinary claim, especially given the context." A hush fell over the room, every man turning to look at the owlet.

Deynfif's eyebrows shot up, but the lad recovered quick enough. Cleared his throat, hand fiddling with that scarf of his. "Captain," he began again, "you mentioned it happened twelve years ago. That coincides with the time my elder brother brought Hirua to Eard."

His eyes narrowed. "So, you're saying any child Fifbrith brought there twelve years ago must be the lost prince? What's next, every boy with brown skin will be claiming the throne? That's absurd!" He shot a quick look at Siebea – couldn't help himself, always enjoyed seeing how that sharp mind of hers worked. Already, he could see the wheels turning behind those turquoise eyes of hers. Back to Deynfif he turned.

The desk jumped as Siebea slammed her palm down. "Strawman, Captain!" The owlet's usually bright tone had gone sharp as a hunting hawk's cry. "You're twisting Deynfif's words! He pointed out a specific fact – Hirua's arrival twelve years ago." This time she slammed with her fist. "Instead of addressing that, you've replaced it with a weaker argument – that any child from that time must be the prince – and attacked that instead. That's not what he said, and it avoids dealing with the actual evidence."

He chuckled, shaking his head. Leave it to the owlet to never back down from a good argument, even against him. "Easy there, lieutenant," He winked, enjoying the fire in her eyes. "Wouldn't want you breakin' me desk on top of callin' me out."

His eyes met Deynfif's. "We could not know for sure if it was really the prince of Taikas Fifbrith saved unless your brother was here..." A sigh rumbled deep in his chest as he added, "But Fifbrith is fuel for the Light now. May his soul burn bright." He cleared his throat, the words catching a bit. Best to move on. "Can you lads offer any other proof?"

Deynfif started, "Father might know. We need to ask—" He stopped abruptly, Hirua's hand on his shoulder.

Hirua stepped closer. "Thank you, Deynfif." Then, with a deep breath, he reached into his pocket.