So I had to make amends. Because this was where I belonged. This was where I would be for the foreseeable future— where my story began. With these people, as my friends.
And for your friends, sometimes you had to make a compromise. Bonds were forged in making concessions. No one will ever fully agree with you. And that was fine.
I did not want to be a terrorist. But I was fretting over nothing— fearing over nonexistent moral ramifications. The truth was: I was being indecisive.
I was scared of making a choice; to think and act for myself made me afraid. I was too used to my mother guiding me by hand. I was still mentally in chains, despite being free.
But I was free. I had been for a while. I reached up and touched my face. This mark meant nothing if people did not acknowledge it. My footsteps echoed off the wooden walls, as I made my way down the short flight of stairs.
The dungeon was a separate building to the rest of the fort. A wooden structure alongside one of the walls. It was not like a castle dungeon; this was a place to hold people trying to cross the border illegally.
So I made my decision now. I decided to live back when I was a slave, and now, I had a way to live free. I had people to help me in reaching that simple goal. I was not going to betray them. And I was going to help them if they needed it.
There was no moral descent; I was doing what I believed was right. For myself, and for those around me. It had to be right.
I reached the bottom, and found a door. I heard noises coming from the inside. But I paid it no mind. I pushed the door open, and I saw...
Victor stood over a young woman, his clothes hanging loosely off him, and—
I screamed. But it was probably a normal occurrence for me by now.
Chapter 36: Compromise
I was disgusted. Angry. Disappointed.
I felt my fingers twitch as the young man called after me.
"—listen to me, Melas! They are slavers. Monsters! The same people that hurt you!"
His voice was desperate. Pleading. I whirled around and snapped back at him.
"You’re the monster here! How can you do such a thing?!"
Victor stopped midstep; he raised both arms placatingly, as if trying to calm me down. And then he proceeded to speak in a tone that only made me more mad— as if I was being unreasonable.
"It’s justice, Melas," he said emphatically. "These people are evil— I’m only doing what’s right! Believe me."
Was he serious? To say such a thing with a straight face— to believe it was true? I could only gawk at the absurdity of it all. And he seemed to have noticed it.
Where the young man’s expression was previously frantic— in a panicked state— his face twisted into a scowl; as if he were faced with an affront.
"Don’t give me that look. I was doing what’s right, Melas. You told me, didn’t you? You wanted revenge. This is par for the course— I was helping you do just that, Melas."
"I... I never said such a thing! I never wanted you to rape—" I cut myself off. I jabbed one finger in his direction, and stared at him in revulsion. "What is wrong with you?!"
His brows snapped together as he frowned. "Well, I do apologize for trying to help you, Melas. Perhaps if you made yourself clearer, I would not have misconstrued your intentions."
"What?!" I nearly shouted the question.
Victor raised his voice as he replied, clearly showing his fury at the situation.
"Don’t give me that. You heard what I said. I was trying to help you— don’t pretend you did not hear that!"
"Wh— what?" I repeated myself. "Why are you the one getting mad here?!" I sputtered out.
"Because I was only considering your interests, Melas. But if you dislike my assistance, I will refrain from aiding you in the future as both your teacher, and as your friend. Now if you’ll excuse me, I will be taking my leave now."
The young man spun around, and stormed off. I just watched his back as he disappeared behind a door; my mind was still processing what he just said.
"...what?"
This time, I didn't even have the energy to shout.
"Did you know?"
I stormed into the room and glared at Gerritt. The Orc looked up in surprise. "Melas, did something happen—"
I interrupted him.
"Don’t play stupid!" I marched up to him, and pointed vaguely behind me. "Did you know about Victor? W-what he… he’s… doing— did!" I stumbled over my words as I grit my teeth; a surge of disgust came over me as I remembered what I saw.
I expected the Dark Commander to deny it. To pretend like he did not know. To treat me like a stupid kid, and send me on my way. But his response surprised me.
"...yes," he answered honestly, and I was not sure how to feel about that. His eyes met mine, and he bowed his head. "So you found out. I’m sorry you had to see that."
"I— sorry? Don’t apologize to me! Apologize to that poor woman who had to be…" I trailed off, then narrowed my eyes. "Don’t tell me you also…" I left the words unsaid.
For a moment, I did not breathe. I could feel my heart pounding hard in my chest, as I waited for what felt like forever for his reply. Gerritt shook his head.
"Rest assured, Melas. I would never participate in
