Champion

Chapter 31

I have spoken with Sapphire about what happened, and she said you had already killed three of the attackers before she arrived," Astinus began. "She also explained that she killed the fourth after she had already captured and immobilized him. When I asked if she felt he was still enough of a threat to warrant his death, she told me as long as he was alive he was a threat to everyone."

David nodded in agreement. "That sounds about right," he added his thoughts on the matter. "Those men had already proven they were violently inclined. I can only guess why they chose to come after me, but I imagine it was some combination of revenge and opportunity. If even one were allowed to live, he could have continued to be a threat to those around him."

"But Octavius was fully under her power," Astinus argued. "Sapphire is a very accomplished sorceress, and keeping him contained until I could arrive and take over was well within her power. The man deserved a sentence of lifelong servitude for his crimes, but not death. And certainly not the gruesome end that she chose to give him."

Staring hard at the priest, David worked to organize his thoughts on the matter.

"I agree she went a little over-board in her application of justice," he admitted, "but I disagree that her turning the man over to you was the right call. He was a murderer, and he deserved to die."

Sighing Astinus shook his head. "I know you are still learning of our world," the priest explained, "but all life is precious. All life has value. People make mistakes, and those mistakes must be atoned for, but we do not kill criminals. We sentence them to servitude so that they can make repayment equal to their crimes. Octavius should have spent the remainder of his life in service to this town, repaying all those he had hurt and giving him an opportunity to regain his faith and love for Eros before his death. Now neither of those things can happen."

David was already tired of this conversation. The priest was naïve as hell if he thought that someone like that could ever atone for his actions. There were some things you just couldn't come back from.

"Then it seems we will have to agree to disagree Astinus. Because I think you are wrong, just as you think I am wrong; and I don't see either of us changing our opinions," David told him.

"That is unfortunate," Astinus said, "because you killed five men in the mountains, and three more in this town. That is eight lives you have ended, and I now question whether those actions were necessary. Sapphire has already agreed to the punishment for her crimes, and I had hoped you would understand the need for yours as well."

"What the f**k?" David replied in shock. "What crimes? Is defending yourself a crime in this f****d up world?"

"No, doing what is necessary to defend your life is permitted," Astinus told him, "but killing men when you have other options is not. Did you even try to find a way to spare the lives of those men?"

"Why would I?" David asked. "I was outnumbered. They were trying to kill me. If they hadn't drawn weapons I would have beat them black and blue for f*****g with me, but I wouldn't have killed them. As soon as they tried to kill me it was game on, and there was no way I was going to play nice when it was four to one."

"Exactly." Astinus replied. "You chose to kill them, rather than merely stopping them from killing you. It was that difference of intent that made your actions a crime. Just as I suspect it was within your capabilities to incapacitate those five men who held Laurena, rather than ending their lives.

"You need to realize that our world is not your world. You may be Eros' Champion, but you are still subject to Eros' laws. It is his wish that all life be held as sacred, and penance be paid for any lives taken which need not have been."

David was well and thoroughly pissed. It was like he was back in Mukavia. Once again he was forced to justify defending his own life to some asshole that had been sitting safely back at headquarters while someone was trying to kill him. Well f**k that. He'd had enough of this s**t.

"f**k you pacifist," he seethed. "Next time someone tries to kill me you can come take my place. Then you can try to have a reasoned discourse with them while they run swords through you."

"You truly do not understand why your actions were wrong," Astinus responded calmly. "So I am now certain that your penance is well deserved. Sapphire shall accompany you henceforth, and work with Laurena to teach you Eros' laws. It will be your responsibility to report to a member of the clergy at each town you pass through, in order for them to check on your progress. Once you have proven to a shepherd of the faithful that you understand the wrongness of your actions, you shall be released from your obligations."

David hated the sound of that. Sapphire may be very easy on the eyes, but she was more of a b***h than 'the whore.' He wanted nothing to do with either of their high strung asses.

"f**k that. I don't want either of them in my life."

"Champion, you do not want to refuse this," Astinus explained calmly.

"I really think I do," David replied. "I'm being punished for doing the right thing because you disagree with it from the safety of your little temple. f**k you and your f*****g penance. What are you gonna do about it pacifist?"

"Then you are to leave at once," Astinus said with a heavy heart. "Henceforth you will receive no aid from a member of the clergy, and the faithful will be instructed to shun you. You will be alone in this world, unable to seek aid from anyone until you pay your penance."

David leapt to his feet. This was total bullshit, but he would be damned if he would allow this tree hugger to punish him for doing the right thing. f**k this guy. He didn't need any help.

"No more of you panty-waste assholes telling me how to do s**t? That sounds like heaven to me. Point me toward this Field of Woe and get the hell out of my way," David spat.

"You misunderstand," Astinus told him calmly, standing as well. "No aid means I will not give you directions. No one will. If you want to find the Field of Woe you will have to wander around this land until you stumble across it, for no one will help you now."