The Capital (4)

Once we had gotten approval from the clinic's mage, I took Caroline to the inn we were staying in. It was a lot of fun to watch her grateful expression turn to stunned amazement when she laid eyes on the inn she was going to be staying in.

Mary had said Rosemary's was a nice place, but I hadn't really understood how nice until I saw it myself.

It was, indeed, top of it's class. Everywhere you looked, furniture, walls, ceilings, floors, everything was top quality, and half was plated with gold. No exaggeration. The ceilings were well over ten feet tall, and the light fixtures made one feel like they had just stepped foot into their favorite fantasy novel. Though I supposed, this was a fantasy world.

The Hessian estate was fancy too, but that was to be expected from a noble household. It was strange seeing a mere inn with such impressive looks.

After Caroline had gotten her fill of gawking, and I checked us in at the front desk, I led her up to the rooms. I wanted Caroline to be comfortable, so I took her to Mary's room, where she could get some rest and maybe take a bath.

But when I opened the door to my sister's room, I started to wonder if I shouldn't just turn back.

Sitting on the corner of Mary's couch, was my dear friend Damien looking desolate and helpless. His eyes resigned to tearful regret, and his body slumped over in a limp position. He was taking my willful rejection even harder than I had expected. He must be really torn. It made me think twice about turning out of the room right away.

Besides, Mary had already seen us. "Hello, brother! Is this Caroline? Damien explained some of the situation, though he won't open his mouth about why he looks so desperate for retribution." Mary just clicked her tongue. Well, she would know soon enough.

"Yes, would you get a warm bath ready? I'll tell the servants to bring a hot meal."

Mary nodded and led the small girl the to the bathroom. I watched them go and thought they really must be near the same age. They both were just little kids.

Damien glanced up at me as I entered the space, but couldn't bring himself to hold eye contact as I sat down across from him. I was feeling rather restless about the whole situation, and couldn't stand the silence.

"I apologize… if I was too harsh with my words. I was shocked, and a little hurt, so I was hasty." I scratched my cheek.

Damien still said nothing, and still refused to look at me, so I continued.

"I understand it must be difficult. You hold a high position that requires you to follow the rules, for the good of your people. But how can you continue to follow rules that condemn an innocent person? Do you not have the power to change such rules as king?" I let my passion on the subject carry me away again, and immediately stopped after realizing I'd raised my voice again.

Damien mumbled something incoherent, and I leaned forward to try and hear him better.

"What'd you say?"

Another mumble.

"Damien, I can't hear you with your head down like that, look at me and-"

But I was cut short, "I'M SORRY!"

I jumped back a little, not expecting such an intense apology. He had shouted it and brought Mary out of the bathroom to check that everything was okay. I told her we were fine and she went back to her task. Then I looked at Damien with my brow furrowed.

"Why are you apologizing?"

I knew why, and was glad to hear it. But I wanted him to explain his actions.

"I thought about it for a really long time master, and I'm sorry, but I just don't see any other way."

"What do you mean?"

"I have to take Caroline to the clan, so she can have a trial with the council."

"Are you serious?!" That was the moment I lost all control, "I thought that after you considered a little more you'd come to your senses and realize how horrible that idea is! You want to let that little girl die all because of what? Some stupid pride? That's what you said isn't it? Your people are a proud race and they can't allow someone of mixed blood to live. What kind of bullshit logic is that anyway?"

I was getting more and more worked up. More carried away by my negative emotions.

"I don't think you understand how disappointed I am in you. I thought you were a person of honor, of dignity. Someone who understood the difference between right and wrong. I can see now that I was wrong."

I stopped then and fixed Damien with a hard, cold glare. I was the perfect image of unforgiving and unmoving resoluteness. But I wavered a bit at what Damien said next.

"I know, master. I am also disappointed in myself. To be honest, I would rather take my life then return Caroline to my home land. But that too, would be violating my mission."

My blood ran cold, "You would kill yourself? Why take such extremes? Why not just ignore her? Pretend you never saw her?"

"I cannot pretend."

I was getting angry again.

"What the hell do you mean you can't pretend? Are you wolves not allowed to lie either? That would sure be privy information to know!" I scoffed.

"You are correct master. My clan has the inability to lie to each other. And they already know of Caroline's existence."

I stopped. I looked at Damien again, examining closely, sure he must be pulling my leg. It must all be some elaborate joke after all. But Damien's face was resigned. He was speaking as if some heavy weight was holding him down from the heart.

"Damien, explain it to me so I can understand."

He sighed.

"It is the same reason Caroline was able to recognize me as the king of demi-humans. All the members of our clan are linked through the energy of nature. We can feel each other's strong emotions across any distance. It is the reason we are unable to lie to each other. One's kin would know immediately from the feeling sent down the bond."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Even so, that still doesn't explain why you can't use your authority to change the rules, or at least bend them a little."

"Master, my clan is not like the human empire. My authority is not absolute. My people respond to my command of their own free will. They trust and value my opinion. But if I were to, for any reason, be deemed unfit, they would no longer be required to serve under me."

Damien was solemn.

"And besides that, try to understand. We can feel each other's every emotion. That means my clan's suffering is my own. Their hatred is my own."

He stopped and started at me deliberately after stating that last sentence.

"You mean…" I started.

"Yes. Even if I am not in agreement with them, I can feel their displeasure towards Caroline's existence. Do you expect me to ignore it? Ignore their feelings of loathing and hatred? As their king, it is my duty to alleviate any and all pain they may experience. Surely, you must understand master. You must know what it is like."

I didn't speak, but I think Damien could tell from the look on my face. I did understand. I would do anything to keep the people I cared about out of harm's way. Even if that meant hurting a total stranger in their place… I had decided to help Caroline because I had the power and ability to do so. But Damien was in a different position. Unlike for me, helping Caroline would put his loved one's in a difficult position. In fact, it would put himself in jeopardy. It cannot be easy. Being constantly aware of so many people through such an intense connection.

"Okay," I said, "I've decided. If we can't fix this with your authority alone. I will bring mine."

Damien looked up at me, "Master?"

"I will convince your people to let Caroline live."

"Let Caroline live? What ever do you mean by that brother?"

Damien and I whipped our heads around to look at Mary, who was standing protectively in front of a shaking Caroline, and smiling a devilish smile.

"Ah Mary, it's not what you think-"

"Then please, dear brother, explain."

Shivers went down my back as I looked into the cold face of my little sister.

This might be the scariest thing I've faced since coming to this world.

Golden spoon, help me out!