Always this other

I was startled, although I denied the reason with all my being.

- What was it? What person.

- Nothing. Please forgive the ramblings of one of his majesty's "minions". He will return soon. I promise you that.

- Very well, I finally nodded, resigned and after many curses against this cruel sovereign. But tell me," I continued, looking at the mage with incisive eyes.

- Didn't you care to see all these people suffer and die because of something created by those you serve with such devotion?

The magician thought about it and shrugged.

- I don't know...or rather, it did to us, to me anyway. But when I saw that this person did nothing to stop this strange and powerful evil, I did nothing either. For as you so well noticed and knew, I was loyal to him for better or for worse, until the end.

I shook my head.

- That's no excuse. You are still capable of discerning with heart the good and the bad.

- I can," he conceded, "but I belong to this person even more.