Neversfall - Ed Gentry [113]
"Then at least Loraica is avenged," Taennen said. "And your Bascou is dead."
"I wish I could have seen you fight him. I've no doubt I would have been heartbright of your prowess," Jhoqo said.
Taennen roared and charged the man, lashing out with his weapon, again to no avail. Jhoqo stepped to the side but did not return the attack.
"I love you. You are my son."
Taennen kept his weapon ready but nodded and said, "I do not doubt that you do, and I am grateful for the man you helped me become. The man who misses his murdered friend. The man who knows that what you've done is wrong."
Jhoqo cocked his head to the side and asked, "Then you intend to kill me yourself? Would Loraica want that?"
"I do not wish your death, but I understand its necessity now," Taennen said.
A Chondathan man harried by two Maquar stumbled between Taennen and Jhoqo as they spoke. In a flash of brilliant green light, one of the Maquar turned to ash, his sword dropping to the ground with a rattle. The tower glowed and pulsed with the power that it poured down upon its enemies.
Jhoqo's eyes narrowed, ignorant of the interruption. "Tell me why it must be that way."
"Tell me why your former friends and soldiers are dying right now! Tell me why that cursed tower is slaughtering them!" Taennen said.
"It shouldn't be happening this way. They shouldn't be dying. But you have given me no choice, so I ask you the same question," Jhoqo said.
Taennen scowled and said, "We've been dying since we came here!"
Jhoqo nodded. "A few deaths, to bring the rest together. Unity has always been my goal," he said "More than a few died!" Taennen said.
"It became clear to me that I could not sway as many of you as I had hoped. When Bascou's men came, I saw in the faces of our own soldiers that they would never see the light and truth. I knew then that more had to be done," Jhoqo said. "Fear inspires where loyalty cannot. Things needed to escalate."
"Escalate? Listen to yourselfl You sound so… practical about it all," Taennen said.
"It is for the glory and benefit of Estagund that I do what I do now! I had hoped you would understand too."
"So you shut me out of your plans? You kept me in the dark to your true motivations? You killed my best friend? A soldier whom you loved?" Taennen asked. "That does not sound hopeful to me. But now that I see your plan, I owe you thanks. Before we came here, I probably would have followed you blindly down whatever path you chose. But now I can see your depravity and save myself from your fate."
Jhoqo stiffened his posture and said, "You must choose your way as everyone must. The South does not seek unseeing dolts and, as its defender, neither do I. We abound in mindless followers as it is. I wanted you to choose. I wanted to tell you everything. I wanted your help in righting the wrongs. But you are making the wrong choice."
"Then you've not presented me with one at all," Taennen said as he began to circle his opponent.
Jhoqo answered the maneuver by moving as well, his head hanging low. "No. You still have a choice and have had all along."
"Did you give Loraica a choice?" Taennen asked.
"You see the injustices every day, but you choose to do nothing! I am a freedom fighter. I see the inequities and work to right them," Jhoqo said, ignoring the question.
"Freedom fighter? Fighting for the wealthy merchants who pay you to make them more coin illegally?" Taennen said. "For the chakas who can't see past their own purses?"
"For everyone!" Jhoqo shouted. "For everyone, son. Philosophies are murky, messy things, impossible to interpret, but the Adama is very clear on one thing: All is one. Everything is connected. You believe that, I know you do."
Taennen did not respond but lowered his khopesh, even as the screams of dying soldiers rolled in waves through the courtyard. More scorching rays from the tower rained down.
"That's all I'm fighting for. If our people are allowed to trade with Mulhorand, then they make