Chapter 28 The Fall and Follow-Through #2
“Because the dukedom was granted in light of Lord Finlay’s contributions as a diplomat.
With Lord Tamlin presumably not taking on the role, what reason is there for the title to stay the same?
But I don’t see how this is relevant to what your original ransom request proposed. ” Eric’s words rang with disdain.
Aradia’s foot bobbed in the air. “The point is that your kingdom is struggling to offer witches any stability, yet you continue to make decisions about the role of witches in society without comprehending their true purpose and abilities. That is why either a temple or an independent state should be granted to the covens. Or a disbursement of power with witches having their own representatives like Lobahl where political matters are much more evenly distributed.”
“Separating witches from humankind would inspire a great divide in the people again.”
“Some separation is expected. And that is not a bad thing. In recent years, you and your father have worked to bring about harmony between the two groups. You’ve done it by humanizing witches in the eyes of the common people and by elevating witches with significant power and showing that their abilities are there to serve the humans.
” She paused, her expression neither hostile nor eager.
“The longer you try to push that narrative, the bigger the collapse will be when the truth comes out.”
Eric frowned. “Witches are people. They have the means of controlling the elements, but they feel love and hate; they eat and sleep. They marry humans. Have family with humans.”
“How many humans do you know who can’t allow themselves to get angry or they’ll burn their house down?”
“Two. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Lord Oscar Harris or his wife, Lady Mackenzie. And that’s just on my council,” Eric retorted flatly.
Aradia balked but recovered after a moment’s thought. “Alright. What about a prince who misses his mother and can’t stop causing a torrential downpour that nearly destroys the farmers’ crops for an entire city?”
Anger flared in Eric’s chest, but he battled it back just enough to silently concede… she had a point there.
“You are thinking of how to minimize the world’s awareness of witches, and as a result, you keep trying to put them in boxes that do not fit them.
Your son Antony? He has weather magic, which is phenomenal and powerful.
What if instead of worrying that he’ll drown your city, there was a place he could go, fully supported by others of his kind?
He could learn to safely master his powers without fear of hurting someone else. ”
Whichever way Eric had thought the discussion was going to go, it wasn’t this. “Then the organized witches would be convened under one government, but who would hold them accountable if they started attacking humans? Common people would be powerless.”
“The fact that they were hunted to near extinction here in Daxaria decades ago shows that is not the case. Furthermore, that is not a witch’s purpose.
Again, this is something that you human rulers have not grasped.
” Aradia uncrossed her limbs and leaned her elbow on the council table.
“Witches exist with a holy purpose. They are here to help humans find balance with nature. I think you and your father have managed as well as you can, but we can make this world even better, Your Majesty. We can make a place for witches like your son to master their craft. A land they can call their own. And if they choose to live on Daxarian or Zinferan, or Troivackian land, then they can register with those kingdoms. You would have full awareness of who is coming and going, as would we.”
Eric listened and drummed his fingers on the table.
“I see the merits of your argument. However, years ago, you supported a man by the name of Aidan Helmer. Aidan Helmer didn’t dream of a utopia for witches.
He wanted power, and he even went the extra mile of being a disgusting human being by believing there was a hierarchy to witches based on their power. ”
Aradia’s eyes lowered, and a brief weariness took over her features.
“I lost a friend because of that temporary allegiance.” She lifted her somber gaze to Eric.
“Aidan Helmer was a means to an end. I was stuck in Troivack decades ago, when women were not treated kindly. Additionally, if I had tried to rise in power or implement the changes I’m proposing, my brother would have quashed them. ”
Eric openly expressed his doubt over her words.
“I do not believe that there is a hierarchy to witches and their powers. And you are more than welcome to ensure this as this new land is developed,” Aradia assured calmly.
“You led a rebellion that slaughtered thousands of people in order to bring ancient beasts from the Forest of the Afterlife for you to command.”
“To suppress my brother,” the first witch snapped before she closed her eyes and took a steadying breath.
“Your Majesty. I have always, and at great detriment to myself, worked to bring about peace between humans and witches. It was my brother who did everything he could to destroy that. I was desperate in Troivack. The devil… he has bested me for far too long. Once I succeed here? Once I’ve helped set up a safe place for these kingdoms for my kind? I will happily leave.”
“If what you’re saying is true, why didn’t you try to align with us sooner? If you’re really as well intentioned as you say—”
“There needed to be enough momentum from the covens. Witches needed to understand what I was trying to do, and I needed enough support. I also needed a strong enough defense to stop my brother from interfering.” Aradia suddenly looked the millennium or so that she had lived; she once again slumped back in her seat.
“Your Majesty. You’ve had your own struggles with ruling and battling against the weight of representing your people.
You’ve struggled to protect those you care about—”
“Mostly from you and your brother,” Eric reminded.
Aradia shot him an imperial warning look before continuing.
“I’ve been trying to protect all of humanity and witches since I was put here.
I’ve endured things that broke me. But now, at long last, I have organized with the covens.
I have enough power behind me, and all that is left is to reach an agreement with yourself, and the Zinferan emperor, and to get ahold of my brother.
He and I will go home, and this will all be over. ”
The king remained silent as he turned over her story in his mind.
In a way, it lined up with what they knew.
She still had committed heinous crimes. Crimes that if Eric thought too much about them, he would slip into a storm of all-consuming rage.
However, he also knew that he himself had done abhorrent things in desperate times.
He couldn’t imagine the sins he’d rack up if he had endless lives, and what the first witch was suggesting was the dissolution of the chaos and suffering.
“If we reject this proposal, will you go to war with us?”
An enigmatic half smile climbed Aradia’s face. “I’ve already swayed enough people, and I can tell that you are seeing my point. So if you reject it, I won’t declare war, but it may find its way to you regardless.”
Eric didn’t like her overconfidence, but he also knew she wasn’t exactly wrong. Even so, he had to confirm. “To reiterate. If we reject this, you yourself will not declare war or bring in the ancient beasts.”
Aradia’s expression shuttered. Then she straightened up in her seat. “I will only declare war and involve the ancient beasts if you choose to protect the devil. So, Your Majesty. Do we have an understanding?”