Page 26 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
“We do not know what being possessed by the Behemoth means, what it does to the other Dragon Spirits,” Valerius told them.“They could have been so weakened that they had no choice.Iolaire’s nature could have saved it from that fate.It seems to me that this time we do not let those poor Dragon Spirits be left alone after the fight.We find a way to help them after we defeat the Behemoth.”
Caden had looked at his lover with such happiness then. Valerius was always impressive because of his strength, but now he was showing more than that.He was demonstrating leadership and valor, just like his name.
“I suppose, if we must,” Illarion snorted.“We cannot let them succor our enemy, that is for sure.”
“It is a sacred duty that we help others of our kind,” Anwar answered as he straightened up, looking noble and valorous too.
“While I agree that the Behemoth must be bested and the Dragon Spirits saved,” Esme said, “we must also deal with the inequalities that have led us here. The Behemoth took advantage of what we’ve let fester.”
“People are either weak or strong! They are adaptable or not!We cannot help them be what is not in their nature.”Illarion shook his head.“You merely set up discontent for those who have earned their places versus those who have been given them because they are too inept to live.”
“Far be it from me toagreewith Illarion, but I do not think lifting up the weak is the way to go.” Mei’s voice though was milder than it had been about this subject.
“Not everyone who isn’t on top is weak, Mei,” Caden said.
“You will argue that they had great obstacles to overcome.Anyone of us could tell you of obstacles, Caden.”Mei gestured to the assembled group.“Every single woman in here rose up during a time when women were thought no more than chattel.We certainly weren’t looked at as leaders, warriors, scholars, or advisors.And none of the men here was a noble.They were peasants’ sons who became sell swords in order to have a few coins in their pockets and wineskins filled to the brim to drink a plenty.We were nothing and no one until we made ourselves into something more.”
“In a way though when prejudice was in the open it was easier to attack it,” Esme pointed out.“Now, most people espouse the right things, but they don’t necessarily feel them.”
“Getting a job, a loan, an education… there are many more unseen barriers that push people back who don’t have privilege,” Jahara agreed.
“But what are we talking about here?Jobs, loans and schools?”Mei shook her head.“In the past, it was whether one wouldliveor not. The people of this age arespoiled.They do not know what true hardship is.”
Jahara lifted her eyebrows.“The walls before could just beseen.Now they are invisible, but they are just as strong as they ever have been, Mei. We should be glad that life is not so brutal that it is kill or be killed, but with that richness and depth comes a danger of some people being left out whether it be because of their sex, race, religion, orientation… whatever it is.To single people out this way forlessin life is arbitrary and ridiculous.It also breeds despair and rage.”
“In the past, at least, we could simply kill people and put their heads on spikes if they foolishly looked down upon us,” Illarion muttered. “That stopped the prejudice.”
Tez laughed.“You still do that, Illarion! And it’s not working!”
“People need to have hope,” Caden said simply and his forehead creased. He thought of Rose and Landry and all of the angry people who joined Humans First or the Faith.“I know that sounds all crunchy granola, but it's true.”
“I think it’s true as well,” Tez agreed with him with a nod.“You hold people down, they’re going to rise up.”
Caden bit his inner cheek as he tried to explain what he meant, “If you think that nothing you do will improve things, if you look around and all you see is injustice and no way to address it…” He lifted his shoulders.“People who fall into that kind of despair feel they have nothing to lose.Why try to improve society when it doesn’t want you, doesn’t value you, doesn’t see you, even?When it treats you like you’re nothing?”
“Is it that bad, Caden?”Kaila asked.
Jahara was watching him closely.
“Not for me.Even before all this, I had a family who supported me and I wasn’t accosted for going down the street.I was pretty lucky even if I didn’t feel like I had many prospects,” Caden admitted.“But for other people?Fora lotof people?Yeah, I think it is like that.We want to show them they matter.Humans and Shifters.That every person is needed.That we can move forward.That we understand that change must come.”
Illarion rolled his eyes.“You sound like a bleeding heart!People have to learn if they want something they have to take it!And if they are not strong enough to do that, then their lot in life is what it is! The meek will not inherit the Earth!Nor should they.If there is a God or a Great Spirit as the Faith says then there is a reason some people are stronger than others.”
“Yeah, but maybe that reason is for them to protect others who aren’t as strong,” Caden pointed out.
Illarion looked amused in a dark way.“All right, King Caden, you can be the leader of the weak.Their protector! See how long you last that way.See how much they care about you back.”
“The oppressed are always eager oppressors, Caden.”Mei shrugged.“I wish it were not true, but if you’ve ever seen a revolution--ever seen people who finally got a taste of power--then you’d know.There are no virtuous victims.”
“That is sosad, Mei!”Kaila’s expression was scrunched.“To see the world like that.Most people just want to be happy. Shouldn’t we try to help them reach that goal?”
“While these arguments have merit, we still do not have any idea where to find the Behemoth or its bonded human,” Valerius said as he slung an arm around Caden’s shoulders.“And while I agree we must do something to improve society, until Behemoth is gone our actions will be muted in the extreme.”
“I am going to work with Marban and Chione,” Esme stated as she fussed with her dress.“I think between the three of us, we’ll be able to find out what the underworld knows. Maybe your friend, Landry, will be of some use in this.”
Caden’s heart lurched.“Landry… she’s with Humans First and they’re likely with the Behemoth!”
“Yes, and maybe she can tell us where they are,” Esme agreed.She gave him a sad smile.“I hope everything works out for that young woman.”
