The Society was now worried. Genuine fear could be heard in their voices. Concern was blatant on their expressions as they debated with one another. Even Tosh, the man who had gone inward and become unresponsive was sitting upright and attentive. He had not spoken, but his eyes were hard and wandering around. He knew what was going on around him, for likely the first time in decades.

A stark contrast to the conversation and general demeanor during our last few voting sessions.

“Is this master here? In Lumen? How long has such a predator been here, amongst these walls? Why have none of us sensed them? Why has no one noticed? We’ve been living within the territory of such a monster? This whole time?” Herra asked the group.

“Vim, please, you have to save them. To be eaten by our own…” Magdalena shook her head, tears in her eyes. She was nearly begging me. If I didn’t say something they’d vote to send me out there right now, no matter the cost.

Her request hadn’t been the first, after all. Most had the same desire. Most were thinking the same thing.

They no longer feared for their own selves, but for the innocent ones suffering under that predator’s rule.

I could not blame them for wanting to help them. After all, most of the ones here had similar pasts. Merit especially. Yet for as much as they pitied Fly and the rest of her people, I wasn’t willing to rush out to face their supposed master on the battlefield just yet.

If I did so I might have to go through Fly and the other innocent ones first, as to get to their master. Since they would only see me as another threat. And in my experience, people chose the evil they knew and understood over the one they didn’t.

So I could not let the Society vote in such a way that forced my hand.

I couldn’t allow that. Not yet.

Standing slowly, I ignored Renn’s hard gaze. She had sat next to me, which had drawn eyes, but luckily no one had said anything. People were too concerned over the real issue; they had no time to tease myself or Renn about how she was acting… and how I was allowing her to do so. Right now all anyone cared about were the, supposed, poor souls living under tyranny.

“I will help them. If and when I can. But as you all know, and a few here even remember from their own experiences during similar scenarios, I cannot force them into the Society. Until this master of theirs actually threatens us, or until Fly or one of the others accept the invitation to join the Society, I cannot help them. I will not force my will, or any of your wills, upon anyone if they don’t wish it,” I told them.

Although I had spoken calmly, and smoothly, I noticed several who had listened flinch… as if I had shouted or yelled.

The ones who had were those who could remember the results of my belief in free-will. Several here had lost friends and family because of it.

Most here had known those who had done so. They had not only known those who denied the Societies invitation, but had watched the result of it too.

They had chosen to deny my invitation. They had chosen to side against the Society.

They chose to become the enemies of the Society, instead.

Those here still remembered. They remembered choosing the Society. Choosing to join us, and to stop bowing to the old lords they had served like slaves. Their friends and family who had chosen not to join the Society… well…

They lost. Just like the lords they had bowed to.

“But Vim…” Renn started to say something, but Brandy shook her head and stood up from her nearby seat.

“He’s correct, Renn. That is his role. It is why we chose him as our protector. He’s the Societies Protector, not theirs. It is our job to convince them to join us and to place them under his protection,” Brandy said, and sat back down.

Many nodded in agreement, even though they scowled as they did so.

“But they’re potential members right? Isn’t that why you stopped pursuing them the other day Vim? Because you saw them as members already?” Renn argued. Her ears had perked up a little, matching her fiery tone. She was genuinely upset at me.

“Right now they’re not, Renn. They have the potential to become our allies, maybe even our friends. But at the same time, right now, they also have the potential to be our end. They have as much chance as choosing us as they do choosing to feed us to their master. Anyone in their position would do so, to stave off their own demise,” Lawrence said as he read a book. It looked like a ledger. A very old one. One too old to be important or needing his attention at the moment… which meant he was looking for something. Had he possibly remembered something? If he found something important he’d let me know, so I decided to let it be for now.

“Ah…” Renn opened her mouth to argue with him, but seemed unable to find the words. Her face scrunched up, and her ears lowered and curled a little, as if suddenly hurt.

“I’d like to avoid giving them the opportunity in feeding any of us to this master,” Wynn said.

“Well duh?” Liina said.

“Vim’s stopped me from being eaten before, I have no fear of such a thing happening. He’ll not let it happen this time either. I do, however, fear this predator eating those poor individuals out of anger or fear. If this master of theirs realizes that Vim is here; and knows him or can judge his strength this master like many before could devour, and kill those they can’t, and run,” Reatti said from beside her brother.

Brom nodded. “My sister’s right. He killed that Pulti, a tragic loss… but she had survived long enough to be taken back. Then of course he also damaged the hands of the other man. Any predator that sees that will know that Vim is strong,” he said.

“A tragic loss indeed… Why, Vim, did you hit her so harshly? Usually you make a point to not put such force into your first confrontations with such individuals,” Gerald asked me.

I nodded. “Pulti’s death was a heavy price to pay for my ignorance. I… had both assumed her to be stronger than she was, and was also upset. They had been intruding closer and closer, like a hunter does when sneaking up on unsuspecting prey… So I acted harshly and quickly. Yet, that is no excuse. I have no true excuses; the results should have been avoided. Yet they hadn’t been,” I admitted.

Although everyone’s eyes were upon me, not a one was looking at me with anger or accusation. In fact I tried my best to not see, or feel, the looks of genuine pity on their faces.

Renn’s was the worse, somehow. It made me wish she had gotten angry with me instead. Why would she hit me over those human eastern women, and not over the death of one of our own kind? Especially so when I had brought the eastern girls back alive?

“A terrible truth, but the reality is they thought Renn was like their master. What we must consider is that they were willing to draw Renn into battle with them, intentionally. We must question their morality to do such a thing,” Pierre said quickly, standing and sitting back down while still talking.

“They’re desperate for freedom,” Sofia said.

“A poor excuse, all the same. Many of us here had joined the Society as to save ourselves from such oppressors. Did any of us try to sacrifice a member while doing so?” Herra stood as she spoke, and even smirked a little. “I mean really? How could we let someone in whose first act was so violent? To our own people no less?"

Herra slowly sat after sharing her opinion, and she glanced around as she tried to figure out why no one was looking at her. Eventually her eyes fell upon my own, and she tilted her head at me.

She had made the whole room go silent, and didn’t know why.

“A harsh statement, Herra,” Merit whispered, her head hung low. The tiny woman, who had sat near Sofia in the corner, looked far away now… sunken into her chair as if to hide.

The room became a little colder, and Herra flinched.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

She had forgotten. Typical Herra, but all of us knew it had not been done intentionally.

Yet intentionally or not… Merit’s heart had just been broken quite splendidly and harshly.

Renn glanced around, and I hoped she didn’t ask for an explanation. It might cost Renn her friendship with Merit if she did.

Raising a hand, I gestured with a small wave. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Merit blink a soft thank you at me as I drew the room’s attention. “You’re all right to question their motives, and reasons… but before you label them outcast, please give me the chance to correct it. I have a heavy burden of sin weighing upon my shoulders, for killing that poor girl. Who are we to know that she hadn’t been sneaking in to come to me for help? For any of us? We cannot judge them. Not yet. I cannot, and should not, try to sway your votes or opinions but I do have the right to ask you to let me right my own wrongs. I wronged them. Give me the chance to correct that. Give me the chance to let them try. To prove themselves,” I reasoned.

The room stayed quiet after I spoke, but the coldness in the room had faded away.

“Vim does not ask for such requests often. Plus, I don’t believe it is entirely fair to judge Fly and her companions so quickly. After all, if Merit, Renn and the rest’s opinion on Fly is accurate and she is as young as the say… it is very likely the rest are young as well. If those young children have only ever known this master, and no other predator or any other, then it is clear as to why they would have assumed Renn be the same way. After all she mentioned they had not realized Renn could talk. A curious statement,” Jasna half stood, and nodded once she was finished. She sat back down next to Liina, who nodded quickly to agree with her friend.

I nodded, agreeing as well. Jasna had spoken well, especially as one who absolutely despised predators.

“An interesting note, indeed. I must ask, Vim, were you able to smell this supposed master upon any of them?” Lawrence asked me. He looked up from his book as he did, which told me how serious his question was.

“No. Not at all. I’m not entirely sure why… but I have a suspicion towards an answer,” I said.

“Please give it,” he gestured for me to do so.

“I believe they live in the sewers,” I said.

Everyone glanced at each other, and I watched as everyone pondered my words… and a few even whispered to another.

“That would make sense.”

“It would explain why none of us had ever smelled them.”

“The old capital is below us,” Brandy nodded.

“The old capital?” Renn asked.

“Lumen was built from the small vestiges of the remnants of a giant capital. The earth shook, sending the mountains nearby upward and the rest of the lands downward. Making the oceans we see out our windows today,” Gerald explained.

“The Capital of Provinces. Be glad it’s gone. It had been a terrible place,” Brandy said.

Only a few others nodded in agreement. Those who didn’t hadn’t been alive back then, or hadn’t been around this area so hadn’t known it.

“It would explain even Vim not noticing them. He walks the city whenever he visits. If they’re down there… that would explain it well,” Magdalena said.

“And if they demand to be fed… well… This city’s population is ever changing and growing. With all the foreigners lately too, it’d be easy for them to hunt whenever needed,” Gerald said.

“Countless human deaths,” Wynn shook his head, disgusted over the idea.

I tapped the table I had been sitting at, drawing eyes to me. “The vote I ask of all of you is for permission to save Fly, and the rest, if the opportunity presents itself to me. As far as I can tell, this master planned to eat Pulti, the girl I killed… If she hadn’t been eaten before her death, or after, then that means another must be sacrificed. I’d like to avoid that if possible,” I asked the group around me.

“Why eat us when they have so many humans to eat?” Renn asked.

Glancing at her, as to answer her, I found there was no need. Merit was taking a deep breath as to inform her. “Control. Eating your own is to keep the rest in line. To assert dominance and enforce your rule. We do not fear time, and are strong… imprisonment and brutality isn’t that big a deal… but we fear the instinctual terror of being eaten alive. It’s terrifying,” Merit said.

Only Renn stared at Merit as she spoke. The rest were looked elsewhere. Mostly at me.

Merit was looking down at her hands, which were still. She looked lost in thought… and was so soft spoken it made her look strange. She looked like a young child, and no child would sit like she was now. Looking like someone broken and depressed.

“I see,” Renn whispered.

“If we can save them from such a cruel fate, then of course we should do so. However… I suggest we do not let our broken hearts allow us to endanger our home. We must steel our hearts, if necessary, and allow Vim to do what he must,” Lawrence stood and said.

“Always the cold man, aren’t you Lawrence?” Sofia asked him.

“I have the scars to prove that pity isn’t safe. I only am alive today thanks to Vim’s capabilities. I’ve tried to save those who rejected the Society… I’ll always try to save our people, of course, but I’ll never again lose friends and family recklessly again,” he said calmly.

“Then what do you suggest? To wait and see?” Brandy asked him.

He nodded. “Yes. Once more, I suggest we wait. It won’t be long now. Either this master of theirs will come to confront us, or will run and hide. Or this Fly will return, to ask for help or resume a conversation. If we pursue them, into these sewers as example, all we do is force the point. If we send Vim into the sewers we do so under the flag of war. History can attest to that,” Lawrence said.

“And if the master eats Fly or the rest?” Jasna asked.

“A necessary risk. I believe if we send Vim to the sewers, blood will be all that he returns to us with. Blood and empty eyes,” Lawrence nodded with a huff, and sat back down. He was done giving his opinion.

Merit stood, but did so by standing on her chair. For the first time in a long time, the room looked at her. Watery eyes could be seen, but there were no stains on her cheeks… and no sparks in her hair.

“I believe we should send Vim into the sewers. Vim will be in no hurry to confront them after his accident on the roof. He will be gentle, far more so than he should be even. Vim can be very good at negotiations and explaining the situation. Many here can attest to that,” she said.

She remained standing, waiting for anyone to argue with her.

“Would you send him alone?” Renn asked her.

The Society looked at her, and Merit nodded. “Yes, Renn. Anyone else who would go would only put themselves in danger. Plus those like us, like you and me, are needed here. To defend those who cannot defend themselves,” Merit explained.

Renn frowned but nodded, seemingly agreeing with her.

“Lawrence’s idea isn’t the best, but it is better than sending Vim into the sewers right away. What if Vim kills this master, by forcing the predator in defending not just their territory but their authority? After killing the master, the rest might simply scatter. Running away, in hopes of freedom and not being put under another predator’s thumb… namely Vim’s. Vim could withhold his might, but not against the master. He’d find them. Confront them. The master would step in, and then would die. Before the blood even dried Fly and the rest would run for the hills. Never to be seen again,” Gerald argued.

Renn glanced at me as Gerald spoke, but I ignored the questions on her face.

“Better they flee and live alone, free and safe… then we let them all get eaten while we sit here twiddling our thumbs,” Merit argued back.

Gerald lightly shrugged, not seemingly willing to argue his point further.

“Are we disagreeing to holding our position, or are we simply debating the process in which we confront these people?” Brandy asked everyone.

“I will not vote to send Vim to the sewers. Not yet,” Liina said.

Quickly several others nodded and agreed, and as they did so it became obvious that Merit’s idea had no chance to be accepted.

Merit sighed and nodded, and sat back down. She sunk back into herself, and Sofia who sat next to her reached over to pat her knee in support.

“I’d be willing to send Vim in,” Renn said.

“You were willing to sacrifice yourself the other night. Your vote counts, of course, but I wish it didn’t right now,” Wynn said.

Renn glared at the man with broken horns, and a few people chuckled as they nodded. It seemed most agreed with him.

Brandy stood up once more, and glanced around at everyone. After she intentionally looked into everyone’s eyes, she finally looked at me.

“Those who wish to place a spear into Vim’s hands, raise your hand.”

No one did. Renn fidgeted as she looked around us, at everyone sitting in the room.

“Those who wish to send Vim or a representative to the sewers in hopes of starting a dialogue?” Brandy asked for another vote.

Only Merit and Renn raised their hands.

Merit noticed Renn’s hand, and smiled gently at her.

“And those who vote to wait for them? To give them the first chance? To see if they’ll try to officially ask for help, or attack us?” Brandy asked.

The only people who didn’t raise their hands were Merit, Renn, and Tosh.

And me of course.

“Then so it shall be. We shall wait and see what they do next,” I said.

Brandy nodded. “For the Society."

Everyone stood, except Renn. Her tail spasmed as she hurriedly looked around, watching as everyone stood up.

“For the Society,” they all said in unison.

Renn hurried to stand as everyone started to leave the room. Most left in silence, but a few went to talking amongst themselves. Brom and his sister went to whispering as they headed out the room to the north. Sofia started to ask Merit what she wanted to eat as they left to the south.

Once Renn was standing, she groaned and I noticed the way her ears drooped and her tail lowered nearly to the floor.

“For the Society, Renn,” I told her.

She blinked and looked up at me, and then smiled. She beamed a huge, toothy, grin.

“For the Society, Vim.”