The Silver Isles Kingdom

Chapter 39

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"A few days. That's all it took," Jacque said to Alexis. The people of the cities were rejoicing in their new freedom. Jacque and Alexis found some time to be alone together and stood in a corner to converse. "Less than a week of fighting, and nearly the whole empire is free. Only Veshua's stronghold remains."

Alexis said nothing. Those few days had taken its toll on everyone, especially her. Alexis could no longer feel the way she used to. I have killed... so many. Taken lives. I know it was for survival, and to free these people. But, still, was all this really that necessary? Alexis couldn't keep her thoughts from Jacque who could easily discern them, practically listening to her thoughts. She looked up to him, only to see him smile at her. He was probably the only who could really understand how she felt. Despite all that he had said, he still took lives. But it was his 'kill or be killed' attitude that kept him going, regardless of his own feelings on the matter.

"I know how you feel," Jacque said. It was clear he knew what she was thinking. "But it had to be done. There really was no other way. Those who surrendered knew the outcome of what was going to happen. Those who died also knew the consequences-"

"No! They didn't!" Alexis exclaimed. "I felt their emotions, their feelings. They were overwhelmed with fear and regret, they knew that they died for an un-noble cause. They fought because they feared Veshua more than their own demise!"

Alexis burst into more tears, more so than usual. Jacque understood why she felt so strongly for them the way she did now. She killed many by his side and she showed no signs of stopping for anything. But now she let out all that was bottled up inside of her. Her true feelings about the fighting, the war, taking lives with the trauma and everything else that came with it. She let her feelings out for the first time. Jacque didn't need any discernment ability or mind reading to understand her. He still felt the same way, it just became easier for him to block out any and all negative emotions that would keep him from protecting himself, Alexis, and their homes, as well as the homes of their new allies. It was clear to him that Alexis also didn't want to get involved with the killing from the beginning. Though she hadn't realized all of this before, it was all too clear to both of them now.

"Lexi, I know how you feel. I also felt similar emotions coming from them. You don't know how hard it is for me to fight like this either. Even for those who fought bitterly to the end I didn't feel they deserved it, yet in the end they chose death. For some, it was their way of avoiding more pain and sorrow from the hands of Veshua. Though they could have surrendered just as easily, in their minds death was the better alternative; pride got the better of them, giving them a way out." Even as he said these words, it was hard for Jacque to choke back on his own emotions.

"A way out? Why would they possibly want to forfeit life? Why would they choose death?" Alexis asked through tears.

"I wish I knew. I didn't want to kill them, I gave them more than enough chances to surrender and opening their path to escape and run if they so chose. Most threw themselves at my sword, others allowed themselves to die by lowering their guard. I don't know why but they did."

"This doesn't make me feel any better," Alexis replied, still sobbing. Nothing could take the pain from her.

"Nor does it take my pain away," Jacque replied, "But something inside pushed me on. I don't know why, I even resisted it many times. Yet I still slew them. The pain of taking these lives will never leave. I only pray that the Deity does what he will to them, and to me, for all that has been done by our hands. I feel unworthy to know or even have a close relation as a friend to the Deity, but I somehow still feel him near. It's as if he allows it, only to bring freedom to our people and our allies."