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“It’s going well, no?”
“It’s going according to your plans Marfgad. Whether that is a sign of things going well is a question I cannot answer.” Liuar sighed. He and Marfgad sat alone at a big table in the biggest room of the lair that was reserved for planning and strategizing. Liuar was old then, he had fought valiantly for the causes of the order for all of his life, and he was having the first conflict of character to present itself in all of that time. He had always believed in the mission of his family, the Realfen, or Auburn, Order and he had never questioned that their aim to wrest control away from the owners of Hafjeran was the right thing for all Hafjeris. But the kidnapping of Whadgaf Jiris, and her subsequent manipulation put real strain on Liuar’s belief that the Order was morally superior to the ruling class. In his eyes, Whadgaf was just a young girl, like his own daughter Liuell, who was about the same age as Whadgaf. The funny thing about Liuar’s warrior instincts is that he would have had no qualms about making Whadgaf an orphan; he would happily kill both her parents while they slept in lavish comfort in the building that bore their family name. To him, they were the real enemies, the actual owners who did many perverse things in order to maintain their hold on property that allowed them to be the secret members of the Ruling Class and insist on the subjugation of the renters. Sure, Whadgaf was being indoctrinated in that inequality, just like her parents had been, but Liuar felt it unfair to put the balance of their ideological struggle squarely on her shoulders. Marfgad’s hopes to change all of Hafjeris society rested on this one girl.
“I appreciate your loyalty Liuar, but the constant questioning gets annoying.”
Liuar smiled and nodded. “As you know, I believe true loyalty requires honesty.”
“What we are doing to Whadgaf is so horrible that it does not justify the end?”
“If she does not agree with our aims, why force her? We should release her to her family and then wage the war that we have been afraid of losing.” Liuar sighed again thinking about Whadgaf calling him and the order hypocrites and so far removed from the average Hafjeris that they were out of touch. Liuar wondered if his family was just another shadow enemy like the Ruling Class.
“You and your craving for war. You’re just like your brother…” Marfgad started.
“Don’t, Marfgad, please. You don’t need to bring that up. That is the reason that I listen to you even if it doesn’t make sense to me.”
“I truly loved him.” Marfgad said wistfully.
Liuar’s brother, Wielar, was killed during raids that he led against the Dharle family. The Dharle’s are very closely associated with the Hafjeris military and many are members or former members. They are known as the most brutal of the owning families on the planet and they manage their properties with the strict discipline that is known to produce the disciplined soldiers who make up the Hafjeris military. Renters are forcefully removed from homes for violating rules against propriety, and employees of the Dharle family are essentially slaves to the family because leaving employment will mean that they lose their homes and ability to acquire food. This differs from renters in other cities where they generally do not work for their landlords and grocers (the Dharles own all farms and ranches in their district) and are able to keep renting property if they lose a job as long as they can find a new one.
Wielar devised a plan to sabotage the weapons made by the Dharle family that is the source of their great wealth. The Dharle’s are experts in proton gun technology that is used by the Hafjeris Flight and Ground Commands. Wielar was captured during the raid. He was tortured and it was because of his torture that the Ruling Class was able to gain any significant intell on the secretive Auburn Order. Wielar was made an example. His wings were ripped from his body and he was tied to the battlements of the Dharle family stronghold until he died from exposure. Liuar personally retrieved his body despite the danger.
Wielar launched his raid despite Marfgad’s protests. He thought that dismantling the Dharles would lead to a domino effect. Marfgad seemed to know better.
“We all loved him.” Liuar said to Marfgad as they sat discussing their prisoner. Liuar imagined the torture his brother endured at the hands of the Dharles and it made him sick that he had become those monsters. But he hoped that Marfgad was smarter than him.
“We will avenge his death. His sacrifice will be worth it.”
Just as she finished, the two were interrupted.
“Marfgad, dear leader, and Liuar, it is an honor to be in your confidence.”
Both turned to see Frial standing and bowing in reverence.
“Frial, thank you for coming. Have a seat.”
Liuar faked a smile. It’s true, their manipulation of Whadgaf was working very well. Faking Frial’s death at her hands was just another tactic, another lie.
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