Re: WESTIAN'S, FALKOR'S AND AUREK'S EXCELLENT CRUSADE
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:52 am
Westian found it difficult to look Farel in the eye, but made an effort. “I cannot be sure, but I strongly suspect the priest planted ideas in my mind” he answered truthfully, but also hoping to deflect the direct nature of the question with a more general answer. “But the words and idea of this plan were my own, not the priest’s”.
A look of deep sadness crossed his face as he looked at the knight once more. “Do you think I would ally with these creatures if there was another way?” he asked softly. “What I have to do, I do not relish. But I will not allow a cataclysm to sweep our lands just because I refuse to act. I would see the world safe, even if I was damned in the process.” His eyes glistened as he spoke. At times even Westian was not sure when he was speaking truthfully and when he was speaking to sway others, and this was one of those times.
“I am sorry that you and Ardur have been forced to come here. You are both good people, and I wish I could see you both safe. And Ardur should not have to see the grubby deals that must sometimes be struck to safeguard our civilisation. It would be better if he could maintain his idealism, and follow your path. We need people like that; otherwise our civilisation is not worth saving. If we all survive this ordeal then I think you should not be afraid to condemn any actions I have taken. And if you can find some chance to escape you should take it – Ardur is your prime responsibility.” He did not mention that if some terrible fate befell the world then Ardur was doomed regardless of how far they ran. Better to take the chance that the listener would make that leap himself; ideas that came from people’s own heads were better accepted than even the most eloquent of arguments.
The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of another leader. As he looked at the group Westian felt he should speak. With his arms folded across his chest he spoke clearly. “I fought side by side with your Trolins. They are strong and brave. They show how powerful the Trolin race is, and convince me that a Trolin army, made up of all the tribes, can easily crush the blackskulls.” He hoped he had balanced the need to placate the new arrival with the need to not play favourites.
A look of deep sadness crossed his face as he looked at the knight once more. “Do you think I would ally with these creatures if there was another way?” he asked softly. “What I have to do, I do not relish. But I will not allow a cataclysm to sweep our lands just because I refuse to act. I would see the world safe, even if I was damned in the process.” His eyes glistened as he spoke. At times even Westian was not sure when he was speaking truthfully and when he was speaking to sway others, and this was one of those times.
“I am sorry that you and Ardur have been forced to come here. You are both good people, and I wish I could see you both safe. And Ardur should not have to see the grubby deals that must sometimes be struck to safeguard our civilisation. It would be better if he could maintain his idealism, and follow your path. We need people like that; otherwise our civilisation is not worth saving. If we all survive this ordeal then I think you should not be afraid to condemn any actions I have taken. And if you can find some chance to escape you should take it – Ardur is your prime responsibility.” He did not mention that if some terrible fate befell the world then Ardur was doomed regardless of how far they ran. Better to take the chance that the listener would make that leap himself; ideas that came from people’s own heads were better accepted than even the most eloquent of arguments.
The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of another leader. As he looked at the group Westian felt he should speak. With his arms folded across his chest he spoke clearly. “I fought side by side with your Trolins. They are strong and brave. They show how powerful the Trolin race is, and convince me that a Trolin army, made up of all the tribes, can easily crush the blackskulls.” He hoped he had balanced the need to placate the new arrival with the need to not play favourites.