Chapter 109: Crossing Lines?
Roderic and Arthur soon retreated inside.
For the next several hours, the two remained seated across from each other in Arthur’s study.
Maps covered nearly the entire table between them, small paper reports covering whatever space remained.
One by one, Roderic went over everything he’d already prepared.
Then he shifted to plans he was still preparing for the sake of winning the war.
Neither of them noticed the passage of time.
By the time their conversation finally came to an end, the world outside had turned pitch-black.
Several candles now illuminated the study, their flames gently flickering whenever the wind slipped through the cracks of the windows.
Roderic let out a quiet breath as he leaned back in his chair.
’That should be most of it,’ he thought. ’I only left out a few extreme plans...’
But even those would need to come out later.
Across from him, however, Arthur remained completely silent.
His eyes were now locked onto the map.
A difficult expression appeared on his face as he remembered one of the final parts of Roderic’s plan.
Several seconds ticked by in complete silence.
Finally, Arthur slowly raised his head.
’’This...’’ he started, scratching the back of his head. ’’Roderic... are you certain about this?’’
There was a strange wariness in his eyes, mixed with clear hesitation.
Roderic had already expected a reaction like that.
’It’s only good I left the last few plans out,’ he thought. ’If he’s already hesitating about these...’
His father was a knight through and through, someone most would call a person with honor.
Regardless, Roderic knew he needed to act this out well to push his father in the right direction.
’’About what?’’ he asked.
Arthur stared at him for a moment.
It was as if the man truly questioned whom Roderic had become.
Then he pointed at one specific place on the map.
’’Oh,’’ Roderic said, understanding immediately. ’’That.’’
Arthur nodded once.
’’Some of the things you’re suggesting...’’ he began carefully. ’’They may work. I won’t deny that.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’But some cross lines most wouldn’t dare cross. Even if they win us the war, people won’t forget about how we did it.’’
Roderic stared blankly at him.
Then he shrugged.
’’Is any of it against the kingdom’s laws?’’ he asked.
Arthur’s brows furrowed.
’’No, but—’’
’’Then what’s the problem?’’ Roderic interrupted.
Silence fell between them.
Roderic locked eyes with the hesitant Arthur.
’’They’re coming here to kill us, Father,’’ he said. ’’I’m not going to make their job easier because someone might think badly of how we defend ourselves.’’
Arthur immediately opened his mouth to retort.
But Roderic wasn’t done yet.
’’You think if we lose honorably, they won’t slaughter every single person here?’’
He leaned forward with narrowed eyes.
’’Stop thinking about your own damn honor and start thinking about the people depending on you.’’
His voice only grew colder.
’’The farmers. The women. The children. Every single person expecting you to keep them safe. Do you think they care about how we win the war?’’
Roderic stared directly into his father’s eyes.
’’How many of them are you willing to let die or go through horrendous acts just so people can say The Whitemane Family fought honorably?’’
Arthur opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
For several seconds, the only sound in the room came from the quiet crackling of the candles.
Finally, Arthur let out a deep sigh.
’’Perhaps I’m simply getting too old for this,’’ he said, dragging a hand across his face.
Roderic scoffed.
’’You’re damn right about that.’’
Arthur glanced up, shooting him a look.
’’That wasn’t an invitation for mockery.’’
Yawning widely, Roderic simply waved him off.
’’Just making sure you knew,’’ he replied casually.
Arthur shook his head, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Then his attention returned to the map again.
’’We’ll follow your plan,’’ he stated. ’’So make sure we win.’’
Roderic immediately straightened.
A wide, sinister smile flashed across his face.
’’Oh, there’s no need for you to worry about that,’’ he replied. ’’We will win.’’
With that, he pushed back his chair and stood up.
’’Then I should go check on my most important part of the plan.’’
Arthur’s expression became complicated for a moment.
He knew exactly who Roderic was talking about.
’’Go ahead,’’ he replied hesitantly. ’’Keep me posted on when you’re leaving for the villages as well.’’
Roderic nodded once.
Then he disappeared into the corridor behind him.
...
It was already well into the night by the time Roderic reached the place where Gareth was being held.
Two knights stood outside the entrance.
Both immediately straightened upon seeing him.
’’Young lord.’’
Roderic gave them a small nod and continued forward.
But before he could reach the door, it suddenly swung open.
An elderly man dressed in long white robes stepped outside.
A golden sun had been embroidered across his chest, marking him as a High Priest of the Church.
The moment he spotted Roderic, his already irritated expression worsened.
’’Next time, don’t wait so long,’’ he spat out.
Roderic stopped in his tracks.
’’Good evening to you too, Sir High Priest,’’ he replied casually.
The high priest scowled but ignored his remark.
’’Healing rotten flesh is considerably harder than it looks,’’ he complained. ’’Especially when half the wounds have already started festering.’’
He locked eyes with Roderic.
’’And certainly too difficult for that pathetic charity payment you gave the Church.’’
Roderic nodded seriously.
Pissing off the Church was the last thing he wanted to do, after all.
’’Noted,’’ he replied. ’’It’ll be a better donation next time.’’
The high priest stared at him for a moment longer.
Finally, a small smile crossed his face.
’’Good, good,’’ he said, nodding slowly.
Pointing back at the door behind him, he continued.
’’The boy will live,’’ he said. ’’His worst injuries have been healed, though he’ll never be able to use his arms and legs beyond the basics.’’
Surprise flashed across Roderic’s face for a moment.
That was already far better than he’d expected.
’’Perfect,’’ he said, letting out an incredulous laugh. ’’Oh, you have no idea how good that is!’’
The high priest stared strangely at him.
After a moment, the elderly man just shrugged before walking off.
Roderic paid him no further attention, his gaze already locked on the wooden door.
A large, almost devilish smile appeared on his face as he pushed it open and entered.
’’Ohhhh, Gareth,’’ he shouted teasingly. ’’I’m here now!’’