Aethelos Pain and Blood

Nayb still had his eyes on the cribs when his voice came out low, almost to himself. · “I don’t understand… where does Jonas Dorp fit into this situation?” · Footsteps approached behind him. Jonas Dorp stopped beside Eliana, hands free, no weapon in sight. His smile was calm, almost professorial. · “I am the one ending the terrorist attacks. · Since I joined them, I asked that the movement have purpose. Organization. Direction. · And I agree with that purpose. · The government has too much power. It is untouchable. It has become a tool to manipulate the people — through the Solaris Academy and the press.” · Nayb turned his face, jaw locked. · “Are you saying I am a tool of the government?” · Jonas kept the smile. · “Yes, Nayb Cari. · Tell me something: when you entered the Solaris Academy… to whom did you pledge your honor?” · Nayb frowned, puzzled by the question. The answer came automatic, trained, as if he were still on the day of the ceremony. · “I, Nayb Cari, become a member of Solaris… and I will honor the government and the law.” · Jonas slightly tilted his head. · “There’s your answer. · What I want is for the academies to be independent from the government. · To honor the people. Not the government.” · The silence that followed was heavy. Nayb felt the weight of his own words turning against him. · “But if you want another nation… why do you want that?” · Eliana stepped forward. Her voice came out lower, more human. · “Because we will hardly ever get a nation, Nayb. · But at least… the decentralization of power.” · He looked at the two of them. At the sleeping babies. At Elder Áquila in the distance. At the simple houses of Aldiana. · The soldier inside him still wanted clear orders. · The man inside him could no longer repeat them with the same conviction. · For the first time, the oath he had sworn to Solaris felt like a chain.