“Do you think me a fool, Atlas, starting a war that I knew we couldn’t win, blinded by justice and passion? I hope not. I sincerely hope not. It made sense at the time, after all, not just to me, but to everyone. We all agreed it had to be done, but I guess I was the driving voice behind it all, wasn’t I? I don’t think the others cared as much as I did. They didn’t really have their hearts set on it. If it wasn’t for your support, it may have never even happened. But I think even more than that, it was Feln. Feln’s disagreeance only bolstered my own resolve, and of course, Luradin followed suit…I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently. Do you think they’ll kill him? Feln, I mean. Because even after all that has happened between us, I still don’t wish any harm upon him. And, I’ve been scared about what's going to happen to him now. Maybe they’ll punish him, make an example out of him. Maybe they’ll torture him, slowly drag out his misery until he inevitably dies. Or maybe, they’ll leave him be. Maybe he left early enough to be spared our fate. I hope so. I really do. So, wherever you are, Atlas, I hope you do not resent me. Maybe it wasn’t worth it, the cost we paid, but I promise, it will be one day. I will make sure of it. The day we are reunited, we can fulfill our promise to our comrades together, even if it’s just words at their gravestones, it’ll be more than enough. And, even if it takes a thousand years, no two thousand years sitting here–amidst my greatest failure– for that day to come…I will wait. I promise you. I refuse to let their sacrifices be vain. I will honor the will of my people, and see it through to completion. So don’t keep me waiting, Atlas. It’s not over yet.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

-an excerpt from Ren Incantum