Interlude - Choice

Interlude - Choice

Choice

Selia looked up as they passed through the gates of Consequence, the capital city of the Twilight Melody Sect. It was a large city, obviously expanded recently. The outer walls didnt match what was further in the center. The entrance was made out of wood, in a traditional sect style, wooden pagodas lined the cobbled stone streets while wooden posts loomed above with braziers hung from them. It was a cheaper material, especially here where the territories were mostly forests. Banners flying the colors of the sect hung from tall flagpoles, black and violet, some with trims of gold.

The people watched them go by, some bowed, but not that many.

You see daughter, Kerial brought his hexi mount near hers. The tall legged and horned beast whined as he pulled the reins. They dont even give us the respect we deserve.

Niece, Erdania corrected him from her other side.

Kerial grimaced but didnt respond to her, instead he leaned closer to Selia. They dont understand what Sects are meant to be. They need to be led by someone who is deserving of leadership.

Weve been over this already, the answer is no, Selia told him.

I know that you are fond of that their Sect Head, but cant you see that he is failing his people. All people in the sects have a responsibility dauniece. Honor and obligation.

No matter how many times she tried to explain it, he just wouldnt see it. He didnt understand what obligation really meant, to him it was all about power and rule. He isnt failing anyone. Their sect is She knew that they had issues, that there was a lack of unity in their sect, that they had taken in too many, too fast. They were struggling to feed everyone. It looked like weakness, so she did understand where Kerial was coming from. But Ryun was here, and she was confident that she could just talk to him, make him see and perhaps help him change things. She didnt need to rule the sect to do that.

The sect. What sect? Kerial asked. They let Classers, the Third Iteration, settle in their lands! It undermines everything that sects stand for!

Selia didnt understand, she had some concerns too, but she also knew the Third Iteration more than he did. And she knew that things werent that simple.

Enough, Selia said, raising her voice. There will be no more talk of this.

Leading a sect means following the voice of your people, Kerial added after a few seconds. Sometimes, you have no choice but to act for the good of all.

Before she could retort, he kicked his mount and moved away.

You shouldnt let him say those things, Erdania added once he was far enough away. His words matter to people because he is your blood, and when you dont lead, they look at others who do.

I am no ones leader, Selia said. They followed us here because they didnt want to submit when Zenshuen fell. I dont want to be a Sect Head, I already failed once.

That was not your fault, and you know it, Erdania told her.

Selia shrugged, it didnt matter in the end, it was how she felt. What did matter was that Kerial had been spreading things that she didnt agree with. A part of her wanted to stop him, but that would mean actually leading again, and that was something that she didnt want. She was stuck in this place, somewhere in between, where people looked up at her and expected her leadership, and her not doing anything. She had to talk with Ryun, he had hinted at some things but didnt want to elaborate the last time they met.

Shelter? You gave us hovels and called it shelters. We are part of Zenshuen! It was an insult! To think

Not Zenshuen anymore, you lost your home and came to us for shelter, Anrosh interrupted him. Did you think that you could just insult us to our face, spurn our good will and break rules just because you once were a part of a Great Sect?

You Kerial was visibly trying to contain his anger. Where is your Sect Head? Where is Anatalien Far Solla, I will not be insulted by a child like you!

I am a Sect Leader of Twilight Melody Sect, I am in charge of all things related to the Sect, I lead it, Anrosh stressed. I am who you will deal with. And I would urge you to keep your tongue still, before you say something that wont be able to take back.

Selia knew that would infuriate Kerial, but before he could say anything Anrosh raised her hand, almost as if she was dismissing him. Then she raised her voice.

I have called you here to give you a choice. This will not continue, you will not exploit the good will of the Twilight Melody Sect, you have broken the rules of guests, and as such will either leave our territories to survive on your own, or, she made eye contact with Selia, then turned to look at the Ornns. Or, you will join the Twilight Melody Sect. Accept our rule and be brought in as two new families of the sect.

Selia blinked, she hadnt expected that, but She wondered why it wasnt Ryun who was saying this, why he wasnt here. Why Anatalien wasnt here. It would come a lot better from them. This almost invited

Kerial placed his foot on the first step, glaring up at the throne.

You dare insult us like this? You are a child, you are weak. We know that youve left the sect to search for the people taken prisoner by another sect. And here you are, returned without your people, who would want to be part of a sect led by someone who couldnt even promise their own people safety? Kerial asked, this time looking back at the throne room, at Selia and their people, at the Twilight Melody people behind him. She could see that his words were heard.

He knew more than he had told her. She closed her eyes as she realized, Kerial had spies in the Twilight Melody Sect. He had done more than she had believed. And she knew that Ryun was back, that he had been back for a while now. Oh, you poor idiotsthey didnt know. She saw Kerial look at her with a grin of someone who thought that he was going to win, but he didnt know.

Look here at someone who is fit to lead! Selia Ha Jhan, my daughter, the Spear of Sorrow. We came here, followed her because she can protect us, she has the power to keep danger away, he looked back at the Twilight Melody Sects people. She doesnt want to lead you, she is much too honorable to take a sect from someone she respects, but where is your Sect Head? He died because of his weakness, abandoned you for decades in the hands of this, he waved back at Anrosh. Ignorant child. A raised Immortal, who almost fell in battle to a handful of undead, who had to be saved by a legend returned from the dead! Who failed to retrieve people taken from your lands. Who can barely feed you! Who knows not when to show respect to her betters.

He turned back and glared at Anrosh.

Your daughter, Anrosh started. Doesnt stand next to you, she doesnt speak for herself, should they all just believe your words?

She doesnt need to, Kerial raised his head. She shouldnt sully her hands with trash like you, I am enough. You are unworthy of the titles you hold, you are unworthy of the throne you sit upon, you are not worthy to lead. I Kerial Elhan, Red Rain, I challenge you to a duel.

Selia took a step forward, but the hooded man stepped in front of her.

He is going to kill her, Selia told him. If you wont let me, you need to stop this yourself.

Ryun just smiled. You dont know as much as you think you do.

Selia wanted to say more, but then Anrosh stood and responded.

I accept, she said calmly. To the arena, she waved her hands and everyone moved back letting her walk pass, leading the way.