When Heroes Die

“The Proceran take on negotiations is to kill one of your own citizens, slam their mangled body on the negotiating table, then demand that your interlocutor pays you reparations.”

— Prokopia Lekapene, first and only Hierarch of the Free Cities

If you hadn’t challenged Laurence’s presence here, then maybe the other princes would be less confident and wouldn’t have risked speaking out against her. At least a quarter of the blame falls on you if Laurence decides to strike. Convincing the Highest Assembly to vote with me was hard enough before I had this added pressure. Before I could have lived with failure, now none of us can afford it at all.

“The assembly recognizes the Princess of Valencis,” the white haired man intoned.

I glanced up towards the short, aged figure on the dappled horse to my left. Despite holding a sword in one hand, it was clear she was at ease. There was a… looseness to her. She was not yet poised to strike.

She’s going to attack if this motion fails to pass, and I don’t think I can convince her otherwise. I’m half certain she’s going to attack even if it does pass. Just vote the thing through and rescind it later if it's such a problem, you idiot rulers. You’re making my job of keeping you alive so much harder. It’s not just my plan that falls through if Laurence swings her blade, many of you will die as well. It's much harder to protect you than to fight her, and I don’t think I can stop her before she’s killed at least half the room.

“You have stated that you do not wish to rule over us, and yet you attempt to pass a motion that would guarantee you the right to do so. If the only princes who rule over the principate are the ones who do so with your approval, then authority resides within your palms.”

I turned my attention to the dark haired woman in the yellow sundress. The tanned skin of her face was smooth and despite the harshness of her spoken words, her face looked serene.

This nonsense again. I’m so sick of this argument when it’s not true.

“Does the Augur rule over the Principate?” I challenged.

Cordelia stiffened at the mention of her cousin. Her eyes narrowing on me.

“I fail to see the relevance of the First Prince’s cousin to the argument I have raised.”

“Does the Augur rule over the Principate?”

“She does not,” Princess Leonor answered, her lips pressed into a line.

“I’ve known many prognosticators in my time. She is not the first, she probably won’t be the last. The strong ones all have one thing in common. They can control every aspect of your life should they wish to do so. Does that make the Augur the ruler of the principate? It is likely that she can manipulate everything that all of us will do. Is this entire sequence of events already predetermined at her will?”

“The Augur having the capacity to do as much does not make her the ruler of the nation. Furthermore, while the outcome of this debate may already be predetermined, there is no purpose in acting as if it is. We can only proceed as if our choices matter, because the question is meaningless if they do not.”

“I’m less likely to influence policy in Procer than the Augur is.”

“Agnes Hasenbach is not presently within the Chamber of Assembly attempting to dictate policy.”

The Princess of Valencis took her seat once more. It appeared that for now she was satisfied. I wasn’t.

“Her absence here is meaningless, for her cousin bears her torch. Having the capacity to mete out justice doesn’t make me the ruler of this nation. The Augur is arguably more capable in that regard.”

“The assembly recognizes the Prince of Rhenia.”

“It is not a question of capacity but one of legitimacy. It is the act of recognition that delineates the difference between a usurper and an ordained leader.”

“My proposal doesn’t allow me to declare laws. It doesn’t allow me to choose rulers. It doesn’t allow me to set levies, or order people around. It doesn’t even allow me to decide what is a crime and what isn’t. Doing any of the above would be a violation of those laws, except in the case of House of Light holdings. All it does is it allows me and other heroes to both determine guilt according to existing laws, and mete out justice if the laws are broken.”

“When who lives and dies is determined by Heaven’s Chosen, then they are the ones who decide who wears the crown. The difference between kingmakers and rulers is no difference at all,” Cordelia’s voice was hard. “None of your arguments repudiate this underlying truth. Your failure to recognize as much only indicates that should you come into possession of such power, you would be unfit to wield it.”

I feel like we are just arguing in circles.

Cordelia sat back down once more.

The horse near the door snorted. I tensed.

“Recognizing our authority changes nothing, you scheming snakes. Do you think your laws protect you? If I decide that death is your due, then none of them will stop me from cutting you down,” Laurence barked out.

I exhaled.

“The assembly recognizes the Prince of Brus.”

“You slew another of the Chosen in the middle of a cathedral in the sight of thousands. If you care so much for the proper application of justice, then why did you not drag him before the law to be judged?”

“I’m arguing for giving the chosen the right to mete out justice. Taking the Reformist to task would fall within my line of duties were this motion to pass.”

“What crimes was the man guilty of?” Prince Frederic challenged.

“Pascal made multiple attempts to incite the House of Light towards violence against both sorcerers and the state. Many of his speeches were thinly veiled arguments for declaring a Liturgical War, which falls under the treason laws.”

“The law requires all cases of treason to be tried before a Royal Magistrate.”

“Had I apprehended him and brought him before a magistrate, it is likely that he would have used the opportunity to incite a religious war. My actions saved thousands of lives in the process. If anything, it is a clear example of why I should be trusted to give judgement.”

“Do you have any proof of your allegations? Pascal was never judged before a magistrate. Why should any of us take you at your word?”

“What would you have me do, challenge him to a duel?” I asked somewhat sarcastically.

“Duels fall within the bounds of the law and are an honourable means of settling disputes.”

It’s not like that would have done anything. Pascal would have just declined and continued with his vitriolic rant. Wait… why am I even bothering to argue with this kid?

“The purpose of this petition is to evaluate the merits of my proposal, not to cross-examine my past actions,” I challenged.

“The Aspirant is correct in her assertion in this circumstance,” the Master of Orders replied.

The Prince of Brus scowled at the Master of Orders, then turned his attention towards me once again.

“You claim that the Chosen are to be the arbiters of justice, and yet there is strife among you. How are we to trust them as judges when it is evident that heroes cannot trust each other?”

“There have been multiple cases of Royal Magistrates tried for corruption, and even more of Princes either poisoned or hanged. I’m not arguing that heroes are without flaws, or that there will be no internal bickering. I am only arguing that they would be less corruptible than everyone else.”

Frederic Goethal sat down again.

“The assembly recognizes the Prince of Rhenia.”

“Both magistrates and princes receive many years of tutelage before they are deemed eligible for performing their duties. Few of the Chosen are schooled in matters of law. Furthermore, the perspectives of the Chosen are all coloured by their relationship with the heavens. Thus, they cannot be counted as either capable or impartial judges.”

“There is nothing preventing them from developing those skills, and it is one of the stipulations I have placed on their authority to render judgement on the nobility. As it currently stands, not even Royal Magistrates can truly call any of you to account. The accusation of heroes not being able to be impartial is laughable and is one that can be levied against every single person in Creation. We are people just like you are.”

There was a brief lull in the debate. The Highest Assembly talked among themselves for a few moments. I took the opportunity to think.

This is falling apart so fast. I cannot afford to verbally threaten them. It’ll go down in the formal record and stain my reputation. How about… would that work? I can only try. I’ll leave Cordelia for last, since she is the one most likely to ignore the implied threat. She has both the survival instincts and the tenacity of a honey badger.

The Light flowed through me for less than a heartbeat. The prince furthest on the left was struck with a vision of Laurence duelling the Horned Lord, followed by my ironclad belief that she would kill him if the vote did not pass. The man stiffened. The effect was subtle enough that it would not be noticed unless I was called out for wielding the Light in the room.

It was when the effect touched Prince Arnaud that I finally struck gold. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to be helpful or not, but his words assisted me nonetheless.

“The assembly recognizes the Prince of Cantal.”

Laurence tensed beside me.

“My esteemed friends,” the creepy middle-aged man rose to his feet and stroked at his beard. “In the interests of revitalizing this riveting debate, I’ve taken it upon myself to summarize the points raised by the Aspirant and the Saint of Swords so far.”

He paused, straightened out his purple robes and gave everyone a mocking grin.

“The Aspirant’s first pearl of wisdom is truly the most self-evident. We can’t hold heroes accountable for anything should they question our judgement, so why should we even attempt to do so?”

“If you don’t stop your insidious blathering, then I’ll carve you like a stuck pig,” Laurence snarled.

“Why, Laurence my good friend, you wound me,” the man gasped. “I was only moments away from declaring that it would be far more sensible to leave determining guilt in your competent hands than to concern myself with the impossible.”

“Try anything clever, and I’ll end you.”

“Quite right,” he beamed at her. “After all — as the Aspirant alluded to earlier — we already have exceptions for both sorcery and the House of Light, why not declare one or two more? Why, the Gods decide whether we live or die on a whim, and aren’t the Chosen their mortal agents? Their champions, here to intercede in their interests? Best we step aside and recognize our places. After all, it would be hubris to deny them their due. Railing against fate will only see us be smote.”

You’re creepy, and probably evil and likely only speaking out of enlightened self-interest, but for now thank you nonetheless. Even if I’m probably going to end your life later after an investigation is done.

Your point is received. I’d forgotten my audience.

They’re greedy, self-interested, slimy, snakes who won’t do anything out of the goodness of their own heart. The only argument any of them care about that has been given is that they’ll die if they don’t follow through with my proposal. Unlike the vote to put me in charge of the House of Light, I haven’t given anyone a selfish reason to approve this idea.

I signalled the Master of Orders.

“The assembly recognizes the Aspirant,” the aged man announced.

“I do not believe that by passing this motion the Highest Assembly would be electing me as leader, but let us assume for a moment that it was in fact the case. The question then becomes what would change as a result. What do I have to offer as a leader of the principate?” I paused, licked my lips.

Princess Leonor gave a derisive snort in the interval.

“I can see what people can dream of,” I stated, then pointed towards Cordelia. “She dreams of duty. Of forging the Principate into a tool that can withstand the Evils to the north. Of making it into a weapon that can endure the test of time. One that will not fracture once she dies.”

I swivelled, changed the focus of my attention and pointed towards Prince Arnaud.

I am being very creative in my statement of your dream, and I hope you appreciate as much. Doing so makes me feel dirty, but Laurence would likely kill you if I didn’t and then this would all collapse.

“He dreams of the thrill of exerting power over others from a safe and secure home.”

Prince Arnaud gave me a sunny smile.

Don’t press your luck. I’m having you investigated the moment that I can.

My finger moved towards Princess Mathilda Greensteel.

“She dreams of the north being at peace at some point in the far future.”

My hand moved over to the Prince of Brus.

“He dreams of honourable battle. The kind of battle that only exists in stories, not in the real world.”

Frederic Goethal only shook his ringed, flaxen hair from side to side and gave me a nasty glare in reply.

I dropped my right hand and raised my left. My thumb jerked towards Laurence.

“She dreams of two things. The first is of being the blade that kills all Evil. The second is of dying in a blaze of glory.”

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see the Saint of Swords give them all a wolfish grin.

A spark of realization seemed to light in many of the princes and princesses eyes.

“I could go on. One by one, I could state the dreams of all of you. I’ve also been deliberately terse in some cases, keeping back some of the more private or sordid details. The point I am making is that I am restrained. I will only act with sufficient proof. I see everyone’s dreams all the time, and I am not holding them all accountable for the things that I learn.”

Please get the message.

“Taylor here is a good sort. A much kinder soul than I am,” Laurence added, tapping on her blade. It gave off an unsettling ring that echoed throughout the entire room. “You should be glad it's her and not I that is doing the judging. I doubt that many of you would survive past the next few hundred heartbeats.”

I turned towards Princess Mathilda, raised my hand and turned it into Light, then returned it to flesh only a moment later.

“You questioned me about succession laws. I’m immortal. I can afford to be both patient and selective.”

“The assembly recognizes the Prince of Neustria.”

“So you intend to set yourself up as the Dead Queen? Another eternal ruler that nobody can escape from?” Her lips settled into a firm line.

“I don’t intend to maintain that authority forever.” I denied. “There are other people who could do the job better and other places that also need my help. Furthermore, my longevity means that the selection process for a successor could be meticulous.”

“We only have your word that you would relinquish power.”

“Then think of the other benefits. I could ensure a stable system for aeons. My education will improve over the passage of time. I’ll become more skilled at what I am doing. That allows for long term planning on a scale that is otherwise impossible.”

“That is merely an argument that it would become harder to unseat you as the years pass us by. How would people contest your authority if they were displeased with your rule?”

“Kid, think,” Laurence interjected. “Taylor wouldn’t just hold the blade at your throat but at the throat of every dim fiddle to the south of you. She’d help keep their scheming in check. She would also be your best weapon against the Dead King.”

Princess Mathilda frowned. Her brow creased.

“I will consider the merits of this,” she nodded at Laurence, then myself.

Princess Mathilda’s green mail clinked as she sat down on her throne.

“The assembly recognizes the Prince of Rhenia.”

Please don’t say anything stupid.

I’d finished seeding the visions between everyone in the room and included Cordelia at the end. If she intended to push against me despite that… She only had herself to blame for whatever happened next.

“You have come before the Highest Assembly and shared many dire proclamations of a tempestuous future to come. Explain the origins of your certainty relating to both ongoing events and the future troubles headed our way,” Cordelia Hasenbach’s eyes bored holes into me from up on the dais her throne was positioned on.

Fuck you, Cordelia. I know what you’re doing, and nobody will be happy about it. Not you, not me, not anyone else. This isn’t a bluff you’re calling. Laurence will strike, and your stupid belief in the power of the Highest Assembly won’t save anyone from the edge of her blade.

“You are making a mistake,” I stated.

“If you wish for your proposal to be considered, then you need to substantiate all of your many claims.”

“This line of inquiry does not relate to the proposal up for consideration,” I turned to the Master of Orders.

“The proposal is founded upon the Aspirant’s assertions regarding future chaos to come. It holds no merit without proper justification of that assertion. The query is valid,” he denied.

I did my best not to glare at the man, then returned my attention to Cordelia.

“I travelled north into the Chain of Hunger. There the Gods asked me to give up the stories of my home, so that others may claim them for themselves. Most of the new names stem from my decision to do so.”

“So you claim that all blame for the chaos to come can be laid down at your feet?”

“Would any of you deny the Gods if they made a request of you?”

“It isn’t the Gods, but people that rule Procer. Once again, I ask: are you responsible for the troubles that we face?”

“It was a decision made out of faith.”

“Tell the Highest Assembly what decision you would make should the Gods present you with any further requests while you held power over the rulers of the Principate.”

“The Gods suggested that it would make for a better world, and I can confirm that at least one calamity has been averted that would have destroyed the continent.”

“That is not an answer to my inquiry.”

I can’t deny this. It would be smarter to, but it goes against my beliefs in a way that I’m not comfortable with.

“I’d do what they asked of me.”

“Those words are proof enough that the Aspirant would act on the wishes of the Gods against the best interest of our nation.”

“Doing what’s right is more important than some lines drawn on a map,” Laurence cut in.

“There is much for all of us to consider in light of these revelations,” Cordelia continued. “Why should the Aspirant be entrusted with any further authority when she is responsible for the troubles we are to face? Why should we consider her an adequate ruler when her decisions are always subject to revision at the whims of the Gods?”

“You should listen to her because it’s cleaner than the edge of my blade,” Laurence declared, holding up her sword. “You should listen because the Gods know better than any of you.”

“Don’t Laurence. It’s not worth it.”

She’s ignoring me.

“If the Principate of Procer bowed to every petty would-be tyrant who marched across its borders and demanded we kneel, then we would long be cowed beneath the Praesi boot,” Cordelia retorted.

“You did an admirable job at starting to clean out the rot, girl, but cast your sight beyond these walls towards the nation we live in.”

“You are the one who is blind to the strife this would bring. Another war would break between every principality the very day this motion was passed.”

“Twenty years of bloodshed because this nest of vipers couldn’t keep their hands away from Praesi gold.” Laurence shook her head. “It’s time for us to cauterize old wounds.”

“That boil has already been lanced with a proposal passed less than three hours past.”

“Maybe the Principate was a bastion for good once, but those days are long past.”

“It appears that you have not listened to even a single word that I have said,” Cordelia scowled.

“Better to consign the old order to the fire to make space for a new one.”

Cordelia turned towards the other princes. “There is no surviving for any of you who attempt to pass this proposal. Your own families will hold you to account should you vote in its favour. To do otherwise is to court disaster. They would risk having another wrest control of the Principality out from under them. You can also be assured that your fates will be more gruesome than whatever end Laurence de Montfort threatens with her blade.”

“I don’t have much more to say,” I stated. “Failing to pass this proposal would be a mistake. This is not Praes, or any other villainous nation. You cannot expect to behave like a villain and not have heroes act against you. It doesn’t work that way. You expect for heroes to hold villains to account. You beg for them to save you from Evil, but then complain when they turn their eyes on your misdeeds. Following moral guidance and accepting limitations placed on your power is part of the price of being good.”

“The Prince of Rhenia moves for vote over the motion,” Cordelia stated.

One vote after another was cast. Each one felt like a ball of lead sinking into my stomach.

Princess Clotilde of Aisne gave a pretty speech before voting about wishing she could do otherwise. The same goes for Princess Mathilda of Neustria. Didn’t stop either of them from voting against it. Not a single vote went my way.

“The votes have been tallied, and the outcome has been determined. The motion to-”

“No,” Laurence declared.

The silence was so loud that even the dead could hear it.

“Laurence, don’t.”

I’ll take out her horse first if I have to, then seize them all in balls and float them into the sky. I’m not sure if I can move fast enough to save them, but I know how hard it will be to stop her in a fight.

“I warned them all that this only ends one way.”

I could see the princes and princesses staring towards the broken door. Prince Arnaud — of all people — looked the most at ease with the disaster that was about to unfold.

“It’s not worth it. My plan fails if this comes to blows.”

“You’re a good kid, Taylor.”

“I need legitimacy. Killing them will only damage my cause. You’ll set everyone against both me and the House of Light.”

I was tense, ready to act the moment that Laurence did anything.

“You’ll do right by everyone.”

She’s not listening to anything I say.

“Don’t do this. There’s always another chance. It doesn’t need to pass now. I can try again with the next ruler.”

“Think. Think of all the blood and suffering that will come because you chose to back down in the face of refusal. They’ll never hear you out. Not these princes or any of the ones that come after.” she shook her head.

“That’s how a villain thinks. We can do better. Killing them isn’t changing anyone else’s mind.”

My eyes remained riveted to Laurence. I couldn’t even afford to blink. I’d only have moments to save people if she decided to act.

“They’ll never appreciate what you’re doing for them until they’re the ones who have to pay the price.”

“They won’t pay anything. New rulers will rise in every principality. There’s going to be chaos, infighting. Maybe even a return to the civil war.”

“There’s always a cost to changing the world, Taylor. For something new to rise from the ashes, there needs to be a fire first.”

The Princess of Valencis climbed to her feet and took one step towards the door.

Laurence’s eyes hardened.

“You won’t be able to fight anywhere else if you do this. No chance to fight against the Kingdom of the Dead. No battle against the Calamities in Praes,” I pleaded.

“There can be no negotiating now with these conniving eels. No putting it off and trying again later. No, this was always going to end one way.”

“You told me that my way was better. Trust me here. You don’t need to do this.”

Laurence shook her head.

“Better to buy a new blade when the old one breaks, then try to piece together the shards.”

Don’t throw away your life for no reason.”

“Bringing an end to these pompous pricks who sow nothing but strife is more than reason enough.”

“I’ll fight you if you do this.”

Please. I don’t want to fight you. Not for them. Not over this.

“What was it you said would happen if I broke into these chambers?”

“You’re making this decision blind to the consequences.”

Her eyes gained a faraway, wistful look as she listened to what I said.

“I always did,” she murmured. “What’s one more time before it all ends?” Her voice hardened, then she turned her attention away from me. “There can be no truce with the enemy.”

I saw her hands start to tighten on her reins.

“Laurence, no!”

She swung.

“Step aside, Taylor.”

I tried to manifest a barrier before the incoming blow. I tried to surround Prince Arnaud in a ball and pull him out of the way. It didn’t help. I was too slow. Both shields shattered, and a red line traced itself across the man’s neck.

A lance of light departed from my fingertips. It was unfortunate, but I couldn’t affect Laurence directly.

“Stop. This is wrong.”

Her blade was suddenly there. The beam of Light was deflected towards the Princess of Valencis before it struck Laurence’s horse. I tried to will it away. My thoughts moved too slow.

“There’s nothing wrong about laying this corpse of a nation to rest.”

The Princess didn’t even have a chance to scream as her head disappeared in the blast.

The eyes of the nobles started to widen, but none of them moved anywhere near as fast as the two of us as we struggled on the Chamber of Assembly’s floor.

Balls of Light manifested around each of the rulers. I raised my hand and the blackened oak roof of the Chamber of Assembly exploded.

“You’re making a mistake. Why would they ever hear us out if we take what we want by force?”

Laurence’s mount began to trot towards the thrones. Three more lances headed her way. She rose her blade to deflect them.

“Better you lead Procer than anyone else.”

I’m going to have to kill her.

All three beams vanished before striking, then a spear of Light rose from beneath the mount and impaled it as the spheres began to rise.

“Laurence de Montfort can walk,” she declared.

The world rippled.

What was that? A command? Did she just order the world to obey her whims? No, that’s not quite it. The moment she spoke, her words became true. True, as if they always had been. A Decree. It was a Decree.

Laurence threw herself off the dying beast.

I tried surrounding her with a sphere. Her arm reached out. The sphere started to close in on her. It shattered against her touch.

She extended her blade.

The spheres passed through the roof. One of the nobles let out a scream.

Nothing moves faster than Light. The Light touches everywhere. All places touched by the Light are one and the same. I’m nothing more than the Light made alive. I am where the Gods need me to be. This fight furthers the cause of Evil. Where do they need me to be?

I felt a pull then. It was faint. Hard for me to even see. Invisible lines reaching out like a web in all directions. One of them tugged at me harder than the rest. I touched myself to it.

I was in front of Laurence. My left hand reached out. I slapped her blade. It shattered against my palm. Broken shards flew through the air. They passed through me. The wounds closed.

Time slowed as the Saint of Swords brought down her arm.

Reality let out a dying wail as it approached.

I tugged on a line.

Then I was somewhere else.