inside out
⤷ blue lions mission task: recovery ( heavy armor +1 )
Eir's response, a seemingly genuine question, startles Leif a bit but he tries to take the content of it in earnest. “ Are you asking me if we have the right?? ”
It's not the only question the princess has however. The second one is a bit simpler to answer.
“ Well, we need to enter deeper into Faerghus. We're only at the border because it's impossible to get into it without crossing it. It's deeper in that we have reports of unrest and things to fix. ”
After all, that's where the people are. To him, being forced to help fortify the defenses here under the arguments being made...
“ I just feel like we're wasting our time when we could be helping other people!! ”
And yet, here he was, still doing so. If it was what they needed to do to be granted permission further inside, that's one thing, but...
“ Earlier, you asked me who are we to judge them? But I don't think we need to be anyone in particular. Country politics don't affect just one kingdom and its neighbors but everybody. We all live somewhere, don't we? And that place has politics too. ”
Some nations build themselves in the other's image. Look at Agustria, trying to replicate the Grannvale Empire. Look at all the countries that had fractured off of one another but still borrowed their model of governance.
“ So I think you and me both have a right to think about policy even if I might not be from here. If something is accepted one place, then if a person immigrates from there, they'll carry that belief system to elsewhere, or other nations peering in will see it too. They can see people getting away with it and adopt it into their own. ”
It was how hate spread. How prejudice flourished.
“ We'll never know peace so long as even one place in this world suffers. ”
"There are others who are headed deeper in." Eir points out gently. "Why must it be you? Do you not believe that the work here will help those in the heart of the country? The soldiers, this country's people, seem to think it will help. And if it brings them comfort..." She shrugs. "Right now they're scared. They won't listen to reason until they find calm again."
"I apologize that my words upset you, but I do not think I made myself clear... If you'll allow me to clarify? I was not speaking of our ability to judge the soldiers or politics of Faerghus..."
She took a deep breath. "I do not believe it is our place to judge those who are branded as criminal, especially when they come to a new land seeking sanctuary. We cannot control what the soldiers believe, only our own actions. The soldiers acting out of fear may cast harsh judgment upon those they deem unworthy. It does not mean that we have to do the same."
"But I do believe we cannot judge the soldiers too harshly either." She closed her eyes, willing away the image of a towering man ruined by grief and fear. "Fear and grief will make people act upon their worst instincts. I don't think the soldiers are capable of acting rationally on their own right now. In that way, it is a good thing we are here. We are not tied to any one country in this land, we do not carry that same fear with us. "
Eir tosses more wood onto the pile, before adding a comment that would no doubt dig in and splinter.
"Your goal of peace for all is admirable, if foolish. For some, not even death can grant peace. I think it is still a goal worth reaching for if it is any consolation."


















