Page 68 of Nixx
To begin with, the late Amill, father of Liamm here, was approached some time ago by Nurr for a deal, which, in exchange for his help against vork attacks on the northeastern borders, requested the annexation of borders to his territory.”
“It is true!” replies Nurr. “I have informed Amill that I will no longer help his people against gortachs’ attacks, since these people are his responsibility. However, if they were dependent on my Bastion rather than his, then I would take my role as leader to heart and repel the attacks in question.”
“Except that instead of pushing the gortachs back to your big isolated lands in the northeast, you deliberately push them toward the border, the better to give weight to your odious bargaining!” intervenes Liamm.
“You have no proof of that,” Nurr says indignantly. “Gortachs go where they want to go!”
“However, at the same time as your proposal, we have seen an increase in incidents at the border,” says Liamm.
“It is precisely because the number of incidents has increased that I have decided to stop intervening on behalf of a people who are not my own,” asserts Nurr.
His position stands, even if it is morally unsound. And we have no evidence that he knowingly pushed the gortachs toward the border.
Zakk intervenes again:
“Point one is set aside for now, in the absence of evidence. So, I'll move on to the next point. Some Northern Erians have expressed their doubts about Ivarr's death. His death has conveniently allowed Nurr to become the new leader of the North.”
“Ivarr died, as it can happen to anyone. Someone had to take his place. I was the best person to do it. Besides, nobody in my territory questioned it. I swear by the Winds that I did not kill Ivarr!”
As he surely knows, everyone can see from his aura that he is not lying! But the truth can be more subtle than that.
“Everyone knows that it was not you, but an oncifelis who killed him,” I intervene. “But what everyone doesn't know is how Ivarr, a seasoned warrior, found himself at a disadvantage with this animal. Ivarr would never have deliberately set foot on an uncleared area in the middle of oncifelis' territory.”
“Who knows what's going on in someone's head?” he replies with a shrug.
“Can you then swear by the Winds that you had nothing to do with his death?”
“But is this my trial?” he says, falsely offended.
I note in passing that he refuses to answer my question.
“Let's move on to the next point,” Zakk says. “Several witnesses claim to have seen some northerners, including Fiell here, rousing and pushing the gortachs toward the Middle Lands. This act resulted in the loss of five Erians, the injury of others, and the destruction of much property.”
Fiell's complexion is suddenly pale, while Nurr's aura is blazing with rage. Without controlling himself, he lets out:
“Because you thought I didn't know about your little maneuvers behind my back to take my place? Yes, we pushed the gortachs toward you. Yes, we got them excited to attack you. And it worked perfectly. And those who died were weak. And if you mourn those who died, then you’re weak too! Like Ivarr was, who was content to manage his little territory without making a fuss. And if you’re weak like him, you don't deserve to manage these territories either.”
Satisfied with his tirade, he challenges us with his eyes. Liamm intervenes first, pale with anger.
“Your irresponsible attitude endangered old people, children, temporarily injured people. Amill died, not out of weakness, as you claim, but to protect the people you put in danger, for the sole benefit of your excessive ambitions. You will give me an account for its loss!”
“I wouldn't account for anything. It wasn't me who killed him,” Nurr defends himself.
Zakk then speaks:
“You have driven angry gortachs into our land, causing the death of four of our people. We are in neutral territory. Those people who died were innocent. You will give me an account for their loss!”
“I'll answer you the same way I answered Liamm, I didn't kill them. And besides, you’re not their leader. You can't demand justice on their behalf.”
This son of a vork deserves exemplary punishment. He exudes satisfaction from every pore. He thinks he is untouchable. He did not kill himself, so justice cannot be applied to him.
Nevertheless, I speak up.
“You have put the life of my Companion in danger. She was directly threatened by one of the monsters you sent, while she was trying to save the life of a child, in addition to the son of Ivann of the Eastern Lands. You will report to me the risks you have taken!”
“Your companion? Yes, I have heard of this nonsense indeed. This ersatz female, without wings. Are you really thinking of mixing our race with these filthy creatures? Who are you to ask me to account for this half-animal? You who don't even have the support of your own people? Do you know that the shame of your people has reached the ears of the Northern Bastion? Not only did you welcome her abominations against their advice, but you also made one of them a Companion? Do you really think that anyone will follow you in your madness?”
I rant and rave and am about to rip his face off when Azarr and Zull stand up.
