Flight of the Guilty

[ski_king3 0]

Laethis sat and listened as the various elves gave their speeches, rebuttals and self-proclamations. He heard the Maheral deny his accusations. He heard Ciri'lla explain the twisted nature of anti-magics formation. He heard Taeleh usher him a challenge. And he heard the betrayal of his trusted Orrarir. His trusted friend.

 

So Laethis did all he could do in light of these events. He turned about, hobbling up the steps of the Citadel, returning to his quarters.

 

 

He could not stay in Haelun'or any longer, that much was certain. If the Parir'tiran did not find him guilty, then the government would. He was guilty, after all. Though there would be no evidence, it would not matter. The mali'aheral did not tolerate undesirables, and their unbridled confidence in his guilt would sway any need for evidence. He had played the game, and he had lost.

 

As upset as he was by this outcome, he knew it likely from the beginning. He was resigned to his fate, a new life once more. Yet he could not shake his unease. He was impure, that much was certain, yet was he so much worse than the rest of him.

 

The Maheral might lack his specific transgression, but was his laziness more forgivable? He was entrusted with the task of upholding purity in Haelun'or, yet he neglected his duty so much for so long. There was no progress in that. Surely such an affront to Larihei's will could not be considered pure.

 

And what of Taeleh and his Golden Owl? They had done nothing to bring progress to Haelun'or. Sure, he had challenged each who failed to fulfill their duty, or at least threatened to, and in that he served Haelun'or. But is simple politicking progress? His hunt of malignant creatures was a worthy one, but was it a fulfillment of their Lariheian imperative? No, it was not, and it did not serve to advance Haelun'or. Even ignoring his attempt to slaughter mages, or the accusations brought about the source of the anti-mages' capabilities, Taeleh brought neither progress nor health in the way Larihei demanded.

 

And then there was the traitor to him, perhaps worst of all. Kelthran was once a hunter, an unquestioning agent of violence under his rule. Laethis would argue the actions were for the better of Haelun'or, yet even he regretted the extrajudicial powers he granted them. How could one so willingly capable of violence truly assert their purity over others, when Larihei so clearly held nonviolence in high regard.

 

Yet Laethis was the impure, for he had shared a bed with a tragically cursed creature. He had worked tirelessly to help Haelun'or, and sought to return Haelun'or to its past path. He encouraged the Okarir'tayna as Sohaer to foster use of the labs, and procured many new tomes for the library. Since returning he had done less, though he sought to replace Tilruir'indor with one more suitable, preparing documents for a reopened college, now naught but ash upon his floor. He had worked tirelessly to create the Citadel they stood within, laying brick by brick as Yuln had arranged it. He was not perfect. He had slain an impure mali who sought to bring death to Haelun'or, yet did so without trial or due process. He had brought Haelun'or twice into war, allowing silver blood to stain the fields. Yet he had sought to learn from his mistakes, working to make it so they might not be repeated.

 

He was no pure mali'aheral, for he realized that to ensure the progress of Haelun'or, his purity must be forfeit. Yet were those who criticized him any better? Could the lazy, the misguided, or the violent truly claim themselves pure?

 

Of course they could, for purity is what you make of it. Purity is a lie.

 

When they would inevitably come to retrieve him from his quarters, Laethis would be gone, a window in the upper level of the bell tower shattered. All along the floor, the word "L I E S" would be carved in various places. Aside from a few chests hastily rummaged through, there would be no other trace of the departed Izalith.

 

 

Been real, Haelun'or. One day maybe y'all will miss the least pure Sohaer to ever live ;)

[Rig 17581]

Orchaldir smiles somewhat Savoyardly at hearing of his foe's disappearance. "One down." The young high elf states. "Taeleh to go." 

[- Pastry 931]

"Quite like the platypus to be not only an abhorrent combination of reptile and mammal but nowhere to be found. A proper metaphor for this disgrace and his flight." Ikur remarks snidely in passing when he is unable to find Laethis around.

[DISCOLIQUID 2702]

Tahorran pulls an oiled rag over his longsword, peering at the conversationalists from which he had overheard this news. 

"He's wrong," the young Elf grumbles, sheathing his blade.

"He has to be."

[Tsuyose 3285]

Draoi, hearing of Laethis's abrupt departure, he muttered quietly to himself:

"Purity is naught but a lie."

"And a lie, will always be, a lie."

[GDPR 014 48]

Avenel gave but a thoughtful nod, leaning back in his armchair, bellowing smoke from his pipe as he watched the departure, "Could have seen that coming." His lips quirk, mocking a Savoyard smirk.

Edited December 13, 2015 by ArcanicFable

[VL 298]

"An ugly stain alike to the first Dear Leader finally removed. This is true progression." 

[Wendigo 786]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.