Chapter 147: No Matter the Cost

Aseel moved quickly through the street of the Nakhla, behind him were a few enforcers who had followed Mother before the Avenging Sons joined. His steps were quiet, but a fierce determination filled his eyes. Standing opposite a tavern, he counted the number of people he could see inside.’Deal with those men.’He remembered Mother’s words and was happy to fulfill them. They made her sad. They disappointed her. It wasn’t allowed.

Reaching for his waste he pulled out his saber and with his other hand pulled out a large piece of paper. Kicking the door open, the people inside saw the cold executioner of Mother watching them all. Without making a notice he walked forward, his saber reflecting the candlelight. Saladin’s representative saw him and smirked.

"She shows her true colors." He snorted and stood up, some of his men getting up with him, whilst others didn’t. Showing the paper, one word was written in large words.’Traitors.’One of the men stepped forward. "You have betrayed the cause. Betrayed our revered God, and sought peace with the Empire. Those who do not agree shall be spared, those who do not, will die." Aseel threw the paper to the side and reached behind him, clutching the hilt of his dagger.

He watched them all as the Avenging Sons looked at one another. Some didn’t hesitate to stand with their new leader, whilst others remained seated. They had been told about peace and felt betrayed. They would be spitting on their dead commander’s grave if they went to the empire now after they killed him. Aseel waited and after a minute, walked forward approaching the betrayers.

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Whilst Aseel dealt with the traitors, Mother walked into Gregor’s house. Esmond’s people watched her but didn’t make a move. They had their orders. "Gregor." Mother called out softly and walked in seeing the man praying before an icon of Khors. She let him finish taking a seat.

After a few minutes, he stood up with sad eyes. "Joan." Gregor took a seat opposite her and held his head down. Mother saw the conflict in Gregor and couldn’t stay mad. His betrayal wasn’t out of anything other than a desire to protect the people. Still, she needed to know for certain.

"You know I don’t go by that name anymore." Mother said and Gregor tensed up.

"Can we please talk normally? Like we used to." Gregor asked desperately and Mother gave a weak nod.

She curled her hands into a fist and bit her lip. "Gregor." It was a weak voice, telling of her sadness. "Why did you do it? I thought you of all people would stand by me." She grabbed her heart in a theatrical play and looked him in the eyes, "You betrayed me. Him. Everything we have worked for. Why, just tell me why?" Gregor broke eye contact with her and looked at the icon of Khors.

"I didn’t want to." Gregor slummed forward holding his head. "But how many will die if we carry on like this? We have a chance. A real chance. For peace. To achieve our goals without bloodshed." He couldn’t bring himself to question her yet about her lies.

"Why do you trust them?" Mother said angrily. "They have lied, cheated, and persecuted us. It is not even the Empire anymore. The Church has made us second-class citizens everywhere we go. Why do you think it will be different now? I want to save us, free us from Sol, and now we have a chance you turn away."

"I’m sorry," Gregor said meekly. "I just don’t want bloodshed. Khors wouldn’t either. I thought I was ready for it. I was ready to die. But when does it end? How many will die to pave the road?" He looked into her eyes with tears. "I’m a fool, but I want to trust the humanity you preach."

"But they lack it. Sol makes sure of it." Mother reached out and took his hand away from his lap. "You are the most faithful man I know. Why are you blind to it?"

gregor gritted his teeth. "I’m not." He looked at her with a newfound power. "Why did you lie to me? You have been feeding me with lies the whole time and now I do not know who or what to trust. Tell me, Joan. How much of what you have said is truthful?"

Mother was shocked by his question and moved back. "I never di.."

"STOP LYING!" His desperate scream was a shock. He quickly composed himself. "I’m sorry." Once more he spoke in his gentle voice. "Just please, stop lying."

Mother looked at Gregor, her heart tearing in two. The man in front of her was crumbling. The friend she knew was destroyed because of her. "Gregor." With a quiet voice, she called out to him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you." She locked her fingers. "I just didn’t want you to leave. I felt I had to lie. To keep you on board."

"But why? I would have given everything. We have been through the worst of it all. We were saved by Khors together. I watched your boy grow."

"Because you’re a good man." Mother snapped back quickly, "And I am not. But you have to believe me. Everything I did, was for our lord. Every lie, every drop of blood. It was all for our lord." Gregor heard her but didn’t believe it.

"I’m sorry Joan." Gregor sunk in his seat. "I can’t trust you anymore. I loved you for who you were. I saw all of you, no matter how much you tried to hide it. But you stopped being truthful with me. You made me question everything I believe. How do expect me to trust you still?"

"Gregor. Please." Mother begged. "We are so close. Please don’t abandon me." Gregor bit his lip but shook his head.

"I don’t want any more blood. Too many have died." He was a coward. He knew it. "You don’t have to do this anymore. Please. We aren’t giving up with peace. We can make change from the inside." Gregor said desperately, but the cold rejection in Joan’s eyes stung.

"I’m sorry Gregor." Mother stood up. "But I will see my vision, no matter the cost." She turned away from Gregor walking to the door. A painful expression was on her face and she gave one last glance at her old friend. His soft eyes tore at her, but she knew her path. Silently she told herself once more.’No matter the cost.’

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Outside the tavern, numerous Ammary soldiers blocked civilians from seeing the massacre inside. Marcus knelt down next to one of the bodies, the corpse of Saladin’s representative, and shook his head. Each wound was precise and showed the killer’s skill. He looked up from the body at all the other corpses.

’Esmond got his way.’He could only laminate on the Old Snake’s plan and the unwinding of the rebellion. It however made him scared. It was a show. A show that violence was the only way for Mother. Despite his fears, he felt sorry for Mother and her followers as well. Everything was playing how Esmond wanted. They weren’t united anymore. How far had he planned, he didn’t know. He was only a soldier. Someone who followed orders.

"Clean this up." He gave the command to his soldiers, having to rush back to explain his findings.

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"Good," Esmond said hearing Marcu’s breakdown. The man sat alone in his office. It was chilling for Marcus to see how easily he dealt and played with each side of the conflict as if they were chess pieces. It also proved to him why he deserved his nickname. "Mother will likely become desperate soon. Raven is close with his support, so keep the Empress safe until he arrives.

"Of course." Marcus gave a nod. How lucky he was that the man was absolutely loyal to the Empire. If he ever dared to show his fangs towards it, he feared that it would collapse quickly. "Do you need me to do anything else?"

"I have men watching Gregor’s house but have some patrols go around it. I trust their ability but if a large force comes for him, I fear the worst. Make it look natural, as a reaction to the slaughter." Marcus nodded leaving him alone.

Esmond sighed and looked to the roof. Everything was coming ahead. He believed Alfred may not be happy with how it was done after the attempt on Isra’s life, but he knew that it was for the best. Besides he had the support of Isra in it. She would be able to calm him down.

Alone he smiled and reached for the book next to him with his family motto. Opening it he wrote underneath the page labeled Marcus once more.’Loyal. Needs to be kept in the loop to avoid disloyalty.’He crossed out the text above it.

"no matter the sacrifice." He said the words to himself, with a quiet toneless voice.