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I'll be posting my story here as well!  If you're interested in it, please feel free to follow my other account: ManuWrites
Thank you if you take the time to read it!

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All Chapters HERE.

CHAPTER 39: RESOLUTIONS

                “Kadem, you were saying?” Gorken prompted her, aware of the prolonged silence weighting on Aldous.
                On her part, Kadem pondered if it would have been wise to reveal what she had sensed in the freckled man. She chose not to desecrate the privacy of his mind by exposing him to his friends. Instead she kept quiet.
                “I was saying…” the silver witch continued, “That I’ll guide your foolish efforts. I can discuss the details of the spell with Plum later, since I’m not fond of wasting my breath. But something you will all understand is the importance of the stone seals. Argent and Arian preferred to cast magic together, but the existence of two stone seals linking their curse to the earth means they were apart when they enforced the spell.” And when they died, too. Kadem was tired of her own self-pity. She couldn’t allow herself to dwell on her brother’s final moments… on the desolate final moments she had sentenced them to endure through her sheer idiocy.
                “So while yes, Plum,” she tilted her head at Malia, “we can break the spell with the information we have… Given that I can’t be in two places at once, you’ll help me out. I shall train you to take care of one of the stone seals. If we properly destroy both links to the earth at the same time, my brothers’ curse will be no more.”
                “…Can you do that?!” Malia pointed at herself, “Will I be able to do it if you train me?”
                “Yes.” Kadem lied, both to Malia and to herself. The princess’ relentless enthusiasm prevented the silver woman from seeing the obvious truth. The belief that all could go well clouded her judgment. It was soothing to be led astray by the brave, and the young, and the ardently hopeful.
                “Before we get too excited,” Kadem said in an attempt to stop Malia’s frantic nodding, “we have the duty to consider the consequences of our actions. Should we fail in our endeavor, that would most likely be our end. The dead don’t get to worry about the future.” She grabbed a cup of the rose tea Lyra had left on the table and sipped, “Should we succeed however, it would be irresponsible not to have a course of action planned. We’re talking about potentially awakening thousands of people who have been living as empty shells their whole life. We don’t know how fallen demons would react to that, we don’t know how immortals might respond, and we have no way of predicting how the newly ‘awakened’ humans will behave. If we simply break the spell and leave the kingdom be, utter chaos will ensue.”
                “We would need a large force to keep order…” Gorken brought a pensive hand to his chin, “but even if I were to deploy every member of the rebellion, we don’t have the numbers to keep peace and protect each and every village… And that’s without considering what may happen to fallen demons if we break the spell… if they go on a violent rampage, and we have to calm down thousands of disconcerted humans while also keeping immortal soldiers at bay… We would require an army and infrastructure that we don’t have.”
                “Even in the best case scenario in which fallen demons simply return to nature,” Hedera added, “How are you going to organize humanity in a functional way? Immortals will still hold power by that point. We would just have a mob of angry humans on our hands.”
                “You ‘awakened humans’ could overwhelm ‘immortals’ numerically, I’m sure.” Licorice said, “But it would amount to a grisly revolt if there is no plan and no leadership. Our roots remember plenty of those; the taste of human fluids seeping through the soil is unpleasant, to say the least. What guarantee is there that you’d like the nation that would form afterwards more than the current order?”
                “Precisely.” Kadem agreed, “There’s no point in breaking the spell if we have no clue how to avoid a bloody outcome for the kingdom at large. I have enough blood on my hands as it is.”
                “…We could ally with the Eirian.” Malia’s suggestion ended the tense lull in the conversation. She couldn’t help picturing Sven and Avah: in place of their corpses, it was the image of ‘what could have been’ had they reached their destination, had they lived with their child in the southern lands of the Eirian. “My mother’s clan is not like the Daimonlance… They may be immortal rulers, but they treat their subjects fairly. They have an army that rivals the Daimonlance, and more generals. I could meet with my aunt and request her help, but… that means that the crown would still be on the head of an ‘immortal’ at the end of it all…”
                “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Bayard said flatly, and then he patted Malia’s shoulder, “We didn’t expect to form a human monarchy out of thin air, if that’s what worries you.”
                “If anything, your mother’s family could be our only hope.” Gorken added, “Do we have any actual chances of gaining their support? They have no reason to be interested in breaking the spell if their power is stable. Why help us?”
                “I can’t make any promises…” Malia ran an anxious hand through her hair, “But I think we have a chance of convincing my aunt Frida. The Eirian have a… particular set of values. They’re not the most pragmatic of monarchs.”
                “You should have more faith in Queen Frida, princess.” Lyra’s sweet voice was firm, “And in your mother as well. The Eirian do not abandon their own. They find no beauty in that, after all. Choose your words carefully, and the southern queen will extend a helping hand.”
                “Personally I trust Blondie’s opinions more than I trust Plum’s,” Kadem shrugged, “so let’s count on the Eirian clan as likely allies. Before we get to that though, there is a favor I would like to ask of you twins.” She unfolded a map on the table, “The letter says the two stone seals are to the north and to the south. I want you to confirm if they are where I think they are: the northernmost and southernmost parts of our island kingdom. Your link to the earth should allow you to check just by being relatively close to them, correct?”
                “Indeed.” Licorice answered.
                “We’ll be there and back before you notice.” Hedera assented proudly.
                “I should return to headquarters while you do that, then.” Gorken said, “If I go on my own it’ll be a quick trip. It’s my duty to inform my men and the Council of Elders of what we’ve learned. We need the rebellion ready for what may come.”
                “I’m not too keen on that idea, boy.” Kadem talked before Malia could voice her own protest, “I don’t want any more humans snooping around my forest, aware of my existence. This is my home.”
                “I won’t reveal your location, or much about you, really.” Gorken reassured her, “I’ll be honest and tell them that you don’t wish to be found. Whether they believe my words or not will be up to them.”
                “They’ll believe you.” Bayard was certain, “But Konrad will consider torturing you to get the information out of you. I wish I was saying it as a joke.”
                “Rose can keep Konrad under control, and she’ll have my back.”
                “…I’ll put my faith in you, boy.” Kadem grabbed a honeyed berry, “Make sure I don’t regret it.”
                Malia didn’t want Gorken to leave on his own, but she had trouble figuring out how to object when she could barely walk; she had no help to offer him. Bayard hadn’t opposed the plan, and Aldous was strangely quiet. She was afraid of selfishly stomping on everyone’s courage with her gripes, even though the idea of separating from Gorken wounded her determination.
                “Calm down, Plum.” Kadem patted her head in an unexpected display of closeness, “You three have things to do here, with me. Aldous and Bayard need to be more proficient at facing non-human foes and magic if we want them to be of any help… And it seems I’ll have to start your training by teaching you how to walk. Gorken’s a big boy, he’ll do just fine on his own.”
                “…I know that.” Malia mumbled. When she turned away from Kadem in embarrassment, her gaze landed on Lyra. The princess discerned in her handmaiden’s expression the resolve to speak a decision that had been blossoming and developing inwardly; she was both excited and scared of hearing what Lyra was about to say. She was overrun by the inexplicable conviction that Lyra would leave her side, grow without her… and she would have no right to complain.
                Before Lyra could speak, however, it was Aldous’ voice that disrupted the moment, “I’ll be leaving too. I can’t be a part of this plan.”
                The group stared at the freckled man, their lack of response an articulation of their lack of understanding.
                “For that matter, I can’t be a part of the rebellion anymore.” Aldous stood up and headed to the door, “Farewell.”

                They kept staring, immobile, as the young man left the room. And even then, no one spoke.

Description
I'll be posting my story here as well!  If you're interested in it, please feel free to follow my other account: ManuWrites
Thank you if you take the time to read it!

Previous Chapter:
Next Chapter:

All Chapters HERE.

CHAPTER 39: RESOLUTIONS

                “Kadem, you were saying?” Gorken prompted her, aware of the prolonged silence weighting on Aldous.
                On her part, Kadem pondered if it would have been wise to reveal what she had sensed in the freckled man. She chose not to desecrate the privacy of his mind by exposing him to his friends. Instead she kept quiet.
                “I was saying…” the silver witch continued, “That I’ll guide your foolish efforts. I can discuss the details of the spell with Plum later, since I’m not fond of wasting my breath. But something you will all understand is the importance of the stone seals. Argent and Arian preferred to cast magic together, but the existence of two stone seals linking their curse to the earth means they were apart when they enforced the spell.” And when they died, too. Kadem was tired of her own self-pity. She couldn’t allow herself to dwell on her brother’s final moments… on the desolate final moments she had sentenced them to endure through her sheer idiocy.
                “So while yes, Plum,” she tilted her head at Malia, “we can break the spell with the information we have… Given that I can’t be in two places at once, you’ll help me out. I shall train you to take care of one of the stone seals. If we properly destroy both links to the earth at the same time, my brothers’ curse will be no more.”
                “…Can you do that?!” Malia pointed at herself, “Will I be able to do it if you train me?”
                “Yes.” Kadem lied, both to Malia and to herself. The princess’ relentless enthusiasm prevented the silver woman from seeing the obvious truth. The belief that all could go well clouded her judgment. It was soothing to be led astray by the brave, and the young, and the ardently hopeful.
                “Before we get too excited,” Kadem said in an attempt to stop Malia’s frantic nodding, “we have the duty to consider the consequences of our actions. Should we fail in our endeavor, that would most likely be our end. The dead don’t get to worry about the future.” She grabbed a cup of the rose tea Lyra had left on the table and sipped, “Should we succeed however, it would be irresponsible not to have a course of action planned. We’re talking about potentially awakening thousands of people who have been living as empty shells their whole life. We don’t know how fallen demons would react to that, we don’t know how immortals might respond, and we have no way of predicting how the newly ‘awakened’ humans will behave. If we simply break the spell and leave the kingdom be, utter chaos will ensue.”
                “We would need a large force to keep order…” Gorken brought a pensive hand to his chin, “but even if I were to deploy every member of the rebellion, we don’t have the numbers to keep peace and protect each and every village… And that’s without considering what may happen to fallen demons if we break the spell… if they go on a violent rampage, and we have to calm down thousands of disconcerted humans while also keeping immortal soldiers at bay… We would require an army and infrastructure that we don’t have.”
                “Even in the best case scenario in which fallen demons simply return to nature,” Hedera added, “How are you going to organize humanity in a functional way? Immortals will still hold power by that point. We would just have a mob of angry humans on our hands.”
                “You ‘awakened humans’ could overwhelm ‘immortals’ numerically, I’m sure.” Licorice said, “But it would amount to a grisly revolt if there is no plan and no leadership. Our roots remember plenty of those; the taste of human fluids seeping through the soil is unpleasant, to say the least. What guarantee is there that you’d like the nation that would form afterwards more than the current order?”
                “Precisely.” Kadem agreed, “There’s no point in breaking the spell if we have no clue how to avoid a bloody outcome for the kingdom at large. I have enough blood on my hands as it is.”
                “…We could ally with the Eirian.” Malia’s suggestion ended the tense lull in the conversation. She couldn’t help picturing Sven and Avah: in place of their corpses, it was the image of ‘what could have been’ had they reached their destination, had they lived with their child in the southern lands of the Eirian. “My mother’s clan is not like the Daimonlance… They may be immortal rulers, but they treat their subjects fairly. They have an army that rivals the Daimonlance, and more generals. I could meet with my aunt and request her help, but… that means that the crown would still be on the head of an ‘immortal’ at the end of it all…”
                “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Bayard said flatly, and then he patted Malia’s shoulder, “We didn’t expect to form a human monarchy out of thin air, if that’s what worries you.”
                “If anything, your mother’s family could be our only hope.” Gorken added, “Do we have any actual chances of gaining their support? They have no reason to be interested in breaking the spell if their power is stable. Why help us?”
                “I can’t make any promises…” Malia ran an anxious hand through her hair, “But I think we have a chance of convincing my aunt Frida. The Eirian have a… particular set of values. They’re not the most pragmatic of monarchs.”
                “You should have more faith in Queen Frida, princess.” Lyra’s sweet voice was firm, “And in your mother as well. The Eirian do not abandon their own. They find no beauty in that, after all. Choose your words carefully, and the southern queen will extend a helping hand.”
                “Personally I trust Blondie’s opinions more than I trust Plum’s,” Kadem shrugged, “so let’s count on the Eirian clan as likely allies. Before we get to that though, there is a favor I would like to ask of you twins.” She unfolded a map on the table, “The letter says the two stone seals are to the north and to the south. I want you to confirm if they are where I think they are: the northernmost and southernmost parts of our island kingdom. Your link to the earth should allow you to check just by being relatively close to them, correct?”
                “Indeed.” Licorice answered.
                “We’ll be there and back before you notice.” Hedera assented proudly.
                “I should return to headquarters while you do that, then.” Gorken said, “If I go on my own it’ll be a quick trip. It’s my duty to inform my men and the Council of Elders of what we’ve learned. We need the rebellion ready for what may come.”
                “I’m not too keen on that idea, boy.” Kadem talked before Malia could voice her own protest, “I don’t want any more humans snooping around my forest, aware of my existence. This is my home.”
                “I won’t reveal your location, or much about you, really.” Gorken reassured her, “I’ll be honest and tell them that you don’t wish to be found. Whether they believe my words or not will be up to them.”
                “They’ll believe you.” Bayard was certain, “But Konrad will consider torturing you to get the information out of you. I wish I was saying it as a joke.”
                “Rose can keep Konrad under control, and she’ll have my back.”
                “…I’ll put my faith in you, boy.” Kadem grabbed a honeyed berry, “Make sure I don’t regret it.”
                Malia didn’t want Gorken to leave on his own, but she had trouble figuring out how to object when she could barely walk; she had no help to offer him. Bayard hadn’t opposed the plan, and Aldous was strangely quiet. She was afraid of selfishly stomping on everyone’s courage with her gripes, even though the idea of separating from Gorken wounded her determination.
                “Calm down, Plum.” Kadem patted her head in an unexpected display of closeness, “You three have things to do here, with me. Aldous and Bayard need to be more proficient at facing non-human foes and magic if we want them to be of any help… And it seems I’ll have to start your training by teaching you how to walk. Gorken’s a big boy, he’ll do just fine on his own.”
                “…I know that.” Malia mumbled. When she turned away from Kadem in embarrassment, her gaze landed on Lyra. The princess discerned in her handmaiden’s expression the resolve to speak a decision that had been blossoming and developing inwardly; she was both excited and scared of hearing what Lyra was about to say. She was overrun by the inexplicable conviction that Lyra would leave her side, grow without her… and she would have no right to complain.
                Before Lyra could speak, however, it was Aldous’ voice that disrupted the moment, “I’ll be leaving too. I can’t be a part of this plan.”
                The group stared at the freckled man, their lack of response an articulation of their lack of understanding.
                “For that matter, I can’t be a part of the rebellion anymore.” Aldous stood up and headed to the door, “Farewell.”

                They kept staring, immobile, as the young man left the room. And even then, no one spoke.