Chapter 86 – At the Gates (2)

Dusk was fast approaching as they made their way to the city gates. He hadn’t noticed how long their conversation took until now – from a late breakfast to early dusk.

Aodan hadn’t given them many details – he didn’t know them either. Captain Rianne had simply sent a messenger saying to alert Lord Orlein of a ‘situation’ at the city gates. Worried that they were under attack, Alistair and Midhir rushed across the city, finally arriving at the gates.

The entirety of the city guard seemed to have gathered at the plaza in front of the gates, fully armoured and ready for battle. The gates were closed, but a small gap at head-height allowed them to see and talk to whoever was beyond the gates.

Captain Rianne was standing in front of that small gap, looking outside with a stern expression. “The city gates are closed, turn back – I won’t say it again.” Her voice was cold as ice as she spoke. “Leave.”

Somewhat muffled voices reached his ears as they walked towards her. “We won’t make it back in time!” A woman cried. “The sun is setting, please!” A man begged.

Midhir’s steps slowed down. He furrowed his brows and pressed his lips together, watching Captain Rianne intently.

“Then you better hurry,” she curtly said back. “The gates will remain closed!”

“Captain!” Alistair called out to her.

Startled, her head jerked back as she quickly turned and bowed. “My Lord!” She seemed surprised to see him here. Her gaze landed on Midhir after she straightened her back. Her jaw tightened as their gazes met. “You needn’t come here, you should rest and-“

“What is the ‘situation’ you wanted to inform my father of, Captain?” Alistair cut her off. His fiery gaze turned to the doors. “I hear cries and begging. Explain.”

Captain Rianne raised her chin and rested her hand on the hilt of her sword as she curtly nodded. “There are people at the gates, my lord. They arrived shortly before I sent word, ad have been requesting to be let in the city. I deemed it too dangerous to let unknown people inside – we suffered from attacks only recently, in back-to-back incidents. The gates should remain closed until aid from An’Larion arrives.”

She almost sounded proud. Like she had done something commendable. The cries and begging of the people outside rang in his ears. He glanced at Alistair, who seemed to have paused after hearing Captain Rianne’s words.

“As such, sir, we have been telling them to return. I simply wanted to inform Lord Orlein via sending mirror. I didn’t expect you would come.”

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“Return where?” Midhir asked with a scowl. It was almost dusk. The sun was setting, and if it weren’t for the barrier covering Bareon, they would see the sky dyed crimson.

“Wherever they came from,” Captain Rianne shrugged as if she was stating something obvious.

“I shouldn’t need to remind you that it’s almost dusk. You can’t expect people to travel after nightfall.” He watched her eyes narrow for a split second.

“We can’t risk the safety of Bareon,” she retorted. “My Lord, we have this under control. You should rest after everything you’ve been through.”

Alistair folded his arms, clearly pondering. His gaze darted between Captain Rianne, and the gates.

He couldn’t actually be considering it. Midhir gritted his teeth – he refused to accept it. Grabbing Alistair’s arm, he pulled the noble aside. “Stop listening to her words and listen to what she’s really saying!” He hissed. “Your options are clear – no need to honey the. You either let them come inside, or you leave them out there.” He gestured at the gates with a fire in his eyes. “To be fed to the Old Growth.”

Alistair bit his lips. “I’m well aware of my options, Midhir.” He retorted. “But I must consider the safety of my people first.”

“They are your people too!” Midhir hissed. “People of Eldoria. Travellers and merchants.”

“Or terrorists and cultists, how are we to know?” Alistair averted his gaze. “Bareon lost so much in just these past couple of days. It can’t take too many more losses before people start losing faith in my father.”

“That’s your choice then?” Midhir asked through a tight jaw. “You would choose fear over hope? Guilty until proven innocent is how Bareon will judge the people then, is that it?” He raised his chin. “I won’t allow you to leave my people out these to die, Alistair.” Even if it meant showing the ring, even if it meant losing what freedom of anonymity he had. He couldn’t let those travellers die.

“It’s not that simple-“

“Yes, it is.” Midhir cut him off. “Will you kill innocents to avoid the chance of enemies entering the city?” He pointed at the gates. “Because that’s what she’s doing. She’s killing them. Feeding them to the Old Growth herself, out of fear and terror.” He took a step away from Alistair. “The way I see it, it’s no different than what those cultists do. Are you really any better than them if this is what you decide?”

He felt something warm flow down his eye. He knew it was blood before he even touched it. Seeing Alistair’s face turn pale as a sheet of paper, he chuckled. “Maybe you should send me out there too – I am one of those things you fear after all. Should I go there, Alistair?” He couldn’t help his mocking tone. “Will you have my blood on your hands too?”

The young noble closed his eyes. “No.” He turned away from Midhir, his hesitant steps carried him towards the gates. “Open the gates and let them in!” He shouted.

Midhir crossed his arms, leaned his back against the wall and watched as Captain Rianne protested, only to be shut down by Alistair.

“Their belongings will be checked thoroughly, and their identification will be verified before they can leave the plaza. Now hurry and open the gates!”

He couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He shouldn’t have needed to intervene for this outcome. It should have been clear from the start. Alistair shouldn’t have needed a personal connection to be used so aggressively.

He had a lot to learn. And Midhir wasn’t sure if four years in Solus was going to be enough. Or whether they would even have those four years before Eldoria was thrust into yet another disaster.