In search of Justice

Galan stood in strict Military form. He knew he did nothing wrong and he knew Lord Raquil knew that, but at this point no one else did. "General, you have to understand how this looks, and what we face now." Lord Raquil said with a voice lined with empathy and a tone that said he spoke on Galan's side. "You meet with the man whose wife you had a strange relationship with and exchange heated words even threats with the man who wants to go to war with the country you fight for. Then he ends up dead going to testify infront of the international committe about actions of your men." He takes a stand of blond hair from his face and says, "So the best person to find out the truth is you. They've already enforced a partial blockade of Trade City, it won't hold but they are trying to send me a message. I'll be running damage control meeting with world leaders I need you to find the truth."

Galan took the pause as permission to speak, "While its true I exchanged heated words with him I would have never harmed him in cold blood."

"I know, of course I know that. I would not doubt Dragon killed their own man to frame you and start a war."

"Possible, I have considered that myself. The only other option is much more frightening to me. Someone with in Geneva wants this war to start and are moving in the shadows to make it so."

"It has crossed my mind but I dared not think about it. If that is true we face a threat greater than all the demons or warlord the world can produce--ourselves. The corruption of the ideal and the fall of the Isle as we fight ourselves. The truth must be discovered and justice found."

"Yes, my Lord by the Hand of Tyre Justice will be served. I will find you the truth as you command."

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Lucian paced back and forth. His armor made a small soft skreech as his legs passed eachother. He had sworn loyalty and fidelity to Captain Haws. A solider had to obey and honor his superior. He had sworn to execute the will of Zues and to fight battles for those who could not fight themselves. He had murderred combatants and even those who would express their opinion against him. Now Lord Tristan was dead and Geneva was falling to war with Dragon again, he thought he knew why. He did not know what exactly to do. I could tell Galan. That is what he would do if he had to. This was an issue that he had to go even higher. He would speak to Lord Raquel Al-Shatel himself and tell him his suspiousions then the correct thing would be done.

Lucian paced again, this time in the Temple of Light. Lord Raquel's attendents had told him to wait. He had waited all day. The waiting made him think. Even if Lord Haws was behind this, maybe it was the right thing. Maybe he should not be exposed but helped. Dragon was evil, maybe not everyone but there was more shadow in that city than anywhere he had been, on the prime atleast. Captain Haws was his captain, that should speak for something. Lucian sat down as the weight of the decision weighed down on him. Betray my captain or betray the Isle? A paladin should never have to chose. In the end he decided it was foolishness the ethic ideals only seemed at odds with eachother because of his lack of faith. He must trust his leaders. WHo? Galan would not have condoned it, but Galan would not have condoned his actions with Fu Mei and Galan had the weak heart to associate with a forsaken and not cut her down. He was not sure Galan as an example to look to. He stood to leave and then a thought crossed his mind. Lord Raquel just knelt and prayed as a spear was thrust through his chest. The way that man spoke, anyone who listened knew he spoke for the light. Lucian stopped. Lord Raquel would be his example and Lord Raquel would be who he told and left the decision to.

-----

Galan sat cross legged in this temple. It was not really a temple though they called it that. Different people have different beliefs. This was not a temple of faith because the Showgun did not have faith. They believed in some force and power of the mind, some were even blasphemous enough to called the gods imposters. This Master Jeric Windstar was different. He made very clear his loyalty to the Isle, or at least what it stood for, and was repectful of the ways of faith. Master Windstar had invited him to the temple so they could call Lord Tristan's soul back from hell and ask him how he died. Galan was sure the soul was deep in hell by now and thats why it was taking so long. Master Windstart just kept a serene expression and closed eyes. Galan knew many paladins adn priest who woudl lose themselves in prayer, he being one of them so he respected the reverance of the situation though Master Windstar was not really praying. Long seconds drew on to long minutes and time slipped away as silently they sat together.

The silence was broken with a soft voice, "There is no soul to call forward, nothing to speak with. I am sorry General but he must not have died or his soul his detained beyond my reach."

Hell is very deep. The circle of it his crims damned him too would be an abyss. "Thank you Master Windstar my search will continue another way."

----

Morning turned afternoon and afternoon was becoming evening. Lucian realized that he had a meeting already set up with Captain Haws. He decided that if Lord Raquel had not the time to see him yet he would take the iniative and find out what he could on his own. Using magic, he teleported.

Capatain Haws had a pleased smile on his face. He looked out his office window as Lucian was let in and examined the view casually. "Yes, you wished to speak with me. I trust you have retrieved teh letters as ordered."

Lucian bit back his failure and replaced it with anger, "You told me people had the letters that did not. I can not help but think this is to distract me from somethign else."

Turning from the window and taking a commanding stance Captain haws rested a hand on the hilt of his holy sword just above the grandmaster mark. "It is rare for a solider to fail and then accuse his superior of the wrong. The reports we have put those letters in teh hands of the people who we gave you names for. At least one of them already reached teh hands of Dragon snakes. I suggest you be about that mission rather than lecture me. As you can imagine there is a great deal on my mind."

"Like creating a war with Dragon."

"Creating a war? We are at war."

"There maybe evil in Dragon but it is not to use to start war and seal bloodshed upon innocent people."

"We have had this discussion before. And even if you were to convince me, your superior, that I was wrong it would not change the fact that we are at war now. They attacked Trade City harbor early this morning. My unit is being mobilized for a counter ground strike into the City State itself. I would have you come with me but we need those letters found and destroyed, that is even more important."

"This is not who we are."

"We are defenders of the right, We are warriors for righteousness this is exactly who we are." There was a long pause, "What exactly are you accusing me of?"

"We can stop this war if they know the truth. We do not have to become the villan to stop the villans. Your goals are just but your means are beyond the line that a Paladin should go."

"You dare speak to me like that. I tell you what a Paladin is and is not. Do you know nothing of your oathes. Recite to me loyalty. NOW!"

"Sir my loyalty is to what is right. Let me help you stop this."

"Disobeying an order. Several in fact. I thought you were perfect for the Order of LIght Lucian. You showed the determination to do what is necessary several times. You had the thirst for battle that was needed to hunt down and destroy those who would harm us. Yet you quiever her like a girl scared she has walked too far from home and gotten lost. This is what we are meant to be."

"No sir, we are meant to be the standard of truth. A work so great that it will go forward boldly nobly and independently. We fight the fights that need fighting and defend the helpless. That is not what you are doing."

"Well Lucian, my heart is broken. Only a creature of shadow would fight against the holiest of orders. If you are not with me you are..."

Lucian teleported out before the end. Even if he did not hear the floorboard behind him strain under the weight of the fully armored guard planning to assalt him from behind he knew the type of people he was dealing with. He was dealing with people just like himself, and if he was Lord Capatain Haws we would have had him jumped too. He was at Lady Mogaths and would wait there until he could think of a better plan.