Like Light and Dark (by Miriam & Erich) – 14

Crystalline took a moment to consider Dimir’s suggestion. Revealing a dark secret that was already there? Something hideous that had happened and deserved to be revealed to the world? Or at least, to the father of the four human princes… Something let her hesitate. She was not convinced that this was the right approach.

“Dimir, Master of Eyes… what are these secrets about? What did they do? How come that the King has not found out?”, Crystalline asked, brimming with curiosity. She genuinely wanted to know.

The pale elf leaned back and intertwined his fingers, searching for the best way to explain. Crystalline was waiting patiently for his response. “King Antonio el Rojo, the current ruler of Rojo, is a very gentle, kind-hearted and forgiving man, who loves his sons deeply and would do anything for them. Unfortunately, this leads to his tendency to overlook evidence for the misdeeds of his older sons. He simply cannot imagine that his own, beloved sons, his own blood, would be capable of committing such atrocities! But as our Eyes and Ears have brought to light, all three brothers are guilty of abuse, slavery and gruesome massacres among their own common folk. If King Antonio only saw and finally believed the truth, he would instantly change his mind about the line of succession. Dalmiro, with a character more akin to his father’s, a more sensible, generous and innocent soul, would be the better successor to the throne!”

“Thank you, Dimir. I have reached a better understanding of the situation now, thanks to you. However, doing what you proposed could come with a cost. Imagine, if we do not manage to convince King Antonio that we are speaking the truth with him, we might in turn kindle his anger and he might turn against us, perceiving us as cruel defamers! And his sons would hate us. That is what we need to keep in mind if we want to make a good choice!” Crystalline paused, letting it all flow through her mind’s eye with the intention to come up with a great solution. She breathed in and out, deeply, and listened to her heart. No, she did not really want to interfere with the Rojo family and accidentally awaken the King’s fury. At the same time, it was clear, that Primabella was becoming an increasingly bigger threat to her beloved Valley Queendom. They had to do something.

“Crystalline! Don’t worry, my Queen!”, Dimir laughed harshly. “Nobody ever will find out that it is our team of Ears and Eyes which supports the revelation of additional hard evidence against the Rojo brothers! You saw my shadow elf agent appear from nothing and disappear into the void again… I can absolutely assure you – we stay hidden. We have means to cover all of our traces. We are like a transparent hand that rewrites the fate of this world. If you wish…”

“How? How do you do that?”, Crystalline demanded to know. She still did not fully trust her Master of Eyes and was yet unwilling to let go of control completely.

“Haha! Look at my parchment again…”