Chapter 53: We Are Not Under Attack...?
Prince Tyfin shuddered a bit. "The boy should know."
It was the same thing that Demon had spoken, more or less. The prince took on a somber expression before he filled the orc in on the true manner of the restrictions on the human, as well as what he could never be allowed to know of his heritage, that this was part of the conditions required to have Aster spared in the first place.
Crag listened patiently but spoke his disagreement afterward.
"I understand why you had to do what you did, and the fact you managed to have the human spared is perhaps even more unbelievable considering who was on that council... But keeping your allies in the dark is exactly the kind of thing that led our ancestors before us to their near demise.
"I wish to be part of a new order for this world, one that unites us through similarities and our differences. We need to be better for the sake of our people. We need to be better than the King’s before us were... We need the strength of that shield, and we need it unhindered by the shadows of doubt that lies can cast."
Crag stood from his place then, satisfied with where the conversation had ended.
"I will give you three days of rest to ponder your decision, beast prince. Please, enjoy your stay with us as our guests while your soldiers get to relax for a short reprieve. We will continue this when you have decided. Your people should be waking shortly, I am sure they have many questions for their prince... But know this, beast prince..."
The orc spoke lower now, showing respect, but also determination as he finished his words.
"The boy will learn of his roots soon enough. If you choose to keep that information hidden from him, it may be the cause of your own undoing..."