The World of Emns 4: The sons of Clipium

Chapter 5: The crossroad

The cold night breeze blew through Fredrick's hair, and made his cloak dance. In the distance below him he could see the torches of the guards on patrol on the outer walls of the castle. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the breeze as he tried to think. More than anything, his mind was a mess.

"Hey, the commander was looking for you."

Fredrick turned to see Diana Melinda, another member of the Fynlone mage squad. Short blonde hair, and a skirt that was far too small were her most defining features. Fredrick suspected her choice of outfit might be to keep the enemy's eyes distracted.

"You can tell him I am here," Fredrick said, turning back. Suddenly, he felt two arms from behind, being put around his waist. He felt stiff and uneasy, not knowing how to respond.

"I'm sorry," Diana whispered in his ear. "Are you actually going to kill her?"

Fredrick took a long deep breath. "That is what our lady asked for."

"And what did you ask for?"

"Me," Fredrick pondered. "I ask for peace and calm. But I believe I have been awakened in the wrong era for that."

"Just know we'll always see you as a friend."

Diana's hands fell away as she shuffled back to the door, disappearing inside the castle.

Fredrick bit his lip in frustration. Could he truly bring himself to kill Adria Denter? He felt like he knew too little and was asked too much. There were too many things that people refused to tell him.

"Ah, there you are," Commander Briander Ruby, looking grey and tired as ever, said as he approached Fredrick on the castle's balcony. "It sure is a clear night, isn't it?"

"It is," Fredrick replied as Briander began to fidget with his pipe. "And it seems word travels fast in this castle."

"How do you mean, my boy?"

"Well," the crystal mage laughed. "Even though I was given my task of eliminating Adria Denter in a closed and secret conversation with our lady, both you and Diana have already come to me to give me words of support."

The commander lit his pipe and took a puff. "And you say it with so much disdain, that it makes me think you don't want to do it at all."

"I just..." It felt so frustrating to be this lost. "I just don't know if it is the right thing to do. Is the lady not innocent? Did we not destroy her town and her daughter for petty reasons? Our lady called it an example of justice to those who wronged us, but that doesn't feel right. Are we really agents of justice, commander?"

Ruby laughed as he blew smoke from his nose. "Is the Fynlone mage squad just and those who rebel and foil us evil? Well, of course. In terms of military power and wealth we are at the top. And the ones at the top are those who decide what's right or wrong."

"You're avoiding answering me with your opinion, sir."

The commander nodded. "Why would I see justice in the murder of innocents? Fredrick, my boy, there are very few crimes where I would believe death is the only option as punishment to give. And from a good number of the criminals I believe would deserve it, a good portion are members of the Fynlone mage squad."

Fredrick narrowed his eyes as he attempted to read the commander's face. Yet it was stoic and calm, like a stone statue that had been sitting alone in a deep forest for ages.

"You really hate the general and Calmet, don't you, Commander Ruby?"

"You can call me Briander."

"Briander, do you think Adria Denter deserves to die?"