[Chapter 52] Silver – Legonas’s Regret

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“Where’s Legonas?” Silver asked. Hope’s instructor had returned for Arther’s funeral. He and Kate were at the guild to track him down.

“At the shooting range.” The lighting sprite replied, zooming off. He certainly spends time there for someone who doesn’t use guns.

The place was empty other than mountainous black man. Just like the day we met him. Insect threats must be seasonal. Silver approached once the gunfire died down, “Sorry to disturb you, but Sars sent us your way. We were hoping to learn about Kara.”

Legonas stiffened, “I admit I’m familiar with her history, but it’s something personal in nature. Rather, I’m disappointed Sars let it slip.”

“Please, there’s a good reason.” Kate entreated. The man frowned as she recounted their tale.

He sighed, “I see… I was unaware that happened. Alright, I recognize you’ve the right to know. Be warned, it’s a lengthy tale.”

“I was born into a military family with a proud history of service. I enlisted when I was of age——”

“Wait, does that mean you’d given up on immortality?” Silver interrupted.

Legonas chuckled, “Not everyone chases that fleeting dream. Many chose fulfillment in service of a cause or ideal. I was one.”

“Besides, many bases are situated in frontier regions, where much of the training takes place. With a little fame, living twice the norm is easily achievable.”

“Anyway, I graduated from Tervalen Military Academy and enrolled as an officer. I enjoyed some success and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. That’s when the Sanrune bridge was proposed.”

“As you might know, the Barsal Empire is a hybrid democracy. Our latest president, Varan Torus, in his hunger to distinguish himself, had set his sights on the Sanrune, the large swath of the Green Hell to our North. He proposed burning it down to build a viaduct, extending our rail network to the Novaren continent. The notion of taming the lethal jungle enthralled him.”

“An issue quickly arose from the fact that there were people living there. It’s not widely known, but the outermost portions of the Green Hell, where the foliage is less than a mile thick, are barely habitable. They offer a lifespan approaching a thousand years to those who survive the diseases and dangers. Varan was able to convince most residents to relocate. However, the giant cat people of the deep Sanrune, the Tayi, refused.”

“Despite the impasse, construction began, and the military was called in to supervise. My battalion was among those deployed. We were equipment with newly developed firearms from the Gala plateau and were anticipating testing their effectiveness.”

“At the beginning, everything went well. The jungle was scorched while we guarded against the horrors which emerged. The only hardship were the bouts of violent illness which kept a quarter of my men incapacitated.”

“Then news reached us that the negotiators sent to the latest talks had been murdered. We were instructed to level the jungle until the Tayi surrendered, which we did.”

“Responding to our redoubled destruction, the Tayi attacked. Nearly all were aura users. Affinity in that area comes with feline features, much like demons are gifted with fire. As defenders of their homeland, they were also granted a powerful blessing, exposing the shortcoming of machine guns. Those few seconds of protection allowed many to get close, and our casualties mounted.”

“That’s when the order came from above. We were to fly directly to their villages and forcibly relocate the Tayi to refugee camps. I commanded several of these raids, and it was surprisingly easy, contrary to my initial expectations. I’d forgotten that this was the Green Hell, and those villages were safe spaces carved out in a sea of death. For those too young or old to fight, there was nowhere to flee. We got everyone.”

“Moral was high in the wake of our success. Only three thousands Tayi were left, all fighters who’d escaped to the jungle. We figured victory was only a matter of time.”

“While it was peaceful for a month, they then assaulted us in suicidal fashion. Both side suffered heavy casualties. Reeling from the onslaught, it wasn’t until the following day that we understood how screwed we were. The Tayi came again, less than half, except this time they were tougher in every way. Despite their reduced number, our losses were barely lower.”

“One of my men theorized that the strange tattoos now adorning the Tayi could be a blood ritual, one where the living inherited the strength of the fallen. To our horror, this was confirmed true.”

“That week was a nightmare. Even with fresh recruits bolstering our ranks, we barely fended them off. Construction halted and we dung in. It was useless. I watched hundreds of my men die.”

“When the Tayi were down to the single digits, the army finally forgot its pride and called in an immortal. The top brass was terrified of how powerful the sole remainder would become. They were determined to kill all eight at once, enlisting Anthem Farran for this purpose.”

“The Tayi were no match, falling one by one. Soon, only Kara was left. That’s when the plan fell apart as her power surged wildly.”

“We’d expected this to an extent, as last survivors receive a boost. However, Kara’s evolution was beyond what we were prepared for. She succeeded in fending off Anthem and retreating unscathed.”

“How strong was she the next day?” Kate asked.

“I can’t say, we didn’t stick around to find out.” Legonas answered. “As soon as she’d escaped, Anthem ordered the pull out. He judged finishing her off would cost far too high a price.”

“So that’s her story…” Silver mumbled. She, by herself, forced Barsal’s army to retreat.

“No,” Legonas shook his head. “It doesn’t end there. Kara began attacking airships.”

“Confidence in Varan Torus collapsed. Despite our losses, not only had he failed to extend our rail network, he’d made Sanrune impassible by air. People were livid. Barsal Farran had to step in.”

“He started by searching for the forcibly relocated Tayi, as representatives of her own people were the best bet to approach the rampaging beast. Unfortunately, the refugee camps were empty. Pressed for answers, Varan’s administration tried stonewalling, but the hero would have none of that. He stormed the capital and tore through the place to uncover the truth.”

Legonas winced, “The Tayi had been dropped off, a mile high, above the deepest Green Hell.” That’s…

“More details emerged. Varan had grown frustrated when it’d become clear that relocating and compensating the Tayi would require astronomical sums. It also would’ve taken years, and the project had already gone over-budget with the first resettlements. The perceived success of his signature venture would be tarnished.”

“Varan, along with the military’s civilian leadership, made a decision. The Tayi were a distinct, isolated, and foreign people, not even speaking the common tongue. He gambled no one would go looking if they went missing.”

“Our envoys went to the last round of negotiations unknowingly carrying explosives. The blast killed hundreds in the Tayi village, so of course they’d attack. My men and I were fighting for a lie the entire time…” Legonas trailed off.

“What did Farran do after this discovery?” Kate asked.

“Oh, he was apoplectic. The incident nearly cost us our democracy. Farran personally massacred president Varan and those involved in his ploy. He came for the military brass next. Everyone ranked lieutenant colonel or higher, who’d participated in Sanrune, was gathered. I remember when he walked in, an incarnation of fury. Some begged. Some argued. Some tried to run. They all perished. I stood by silently, waiting my turn. Eventually I was the only one left. I closed my eyes, accepting the inevitable. Then I heard him walk away.”

“I couldn’t understand it. I called out, asking why. I’ll never forget his words, ’You alone made no attempt to escape punishment. How could I kill the only man here who understood the weight of what he’d done?’”

“After that, I was dishonorably discharged. I left and joined the Adventurers Guild, endeavoring to save others. I poured my heart and soul into reaching the Wall, because one lifetime would never be enough.” The metal wrapping him tightened, bitting into his skin.

“That was a terrible tale, but it doesn’t seem to be your fault…” Kate said tentatively. “I mean, you’d no idea what was happening, right?”

“I knew nothing,” Legonas grimaced. “But I should have. The signs were there. The guards’ dispassionate expressions at the camps. The secrecy surrounding operations. My superiors once cringed when I mentioned efforts to reassure the children. Why didn’t I see the meaning behind this? I court marshaled soldiers for refusing to serve. Why didn’t I listen? After the raids, why didn’t I show curiosity over the fate of the captives?”

The chains dung deeper, drawing blood, “I was a fool, an utter irredeemable fool. I had a childlike faith in our righteousness.” His fists shook. “I never, not once, questioned what we were fighting for…”

“’Thet dora’” Legonas whispered, tears rolling down. “It means ‘everything will be alright’. It’s what I said when I helped round up the children…” He trembled. “So many lives lost… Friends and comrades… All for a bridge.”

He’ll never forgive himself. Long after the world had moved on, Legonas would continue struggling to make amends. Nothing anyone could say would relieve the guilt.

“What happened to Kara?” Silver asked.

Legonas took a deep breath, “After learning the truth, Farran declared not another drop of blood would be spilt in Sanrune. Yet neither could he leave her alone. Kara was rebuffing diplomacy, lashing out at those drawing near. Shipping lanes needed to be reopened. Farran turned to Nero, who sent the Mask of Xarst. The rest is history.”

Kara and Gareth Black had dueled three days. At the conclusion, the necromancer had convinced her to depart.

“Thanks for sharing.” Kate said. “I better understand how Kara ended up who she is. Still, I don’t know if that changes how I feel.” Nicely put.

“Fair enough.” Legonas answered, “but here’s my perspective. Kara herself endured what she put you through. From that torturous war, she was forced to become powerful, and it cost her everything. Later, like you, she was bitter and resentful, but she succeeded in moving past that. Today she travels Enera and has become, in spite of herself, a force for good.”

“I won’t ask you to forgive what you can’t. Nevertheless, I pray you too can move on and use your strength for some greater purpose. You’ve inherited combat skills from the last Tayi. Please don’t let them go to waste.”

Silver and Kate returned in silence. Like me, Kara is broken in some basic way, twisted by her horrendous past. This dulled his anger. I may never forget what she did, but at least it’ll no longer consume me. He’d take Legonas’s advice to heart and focus towards the future.