Edge of Extinction war story/Chapter 16

Diviara and Amilara pulled up short, startled by the young Brilhado's signalling of them, and they landed outside of Granemor.

"Grimveil," Diviara stated. "Why have you flagged us down? We are not part of your conflict."

"And I think you know very well, General, that that is not true. You may not take sides in the war, but you cannot avoid the aftermath anymore than I can."

"You know something of what is happening...?" Amilara asked the young Brilhado.

"No, friend. Yet I see the storms as clearly as anyone else and I am skilled enough at my art to have noticed the irregularities. Have you managed to piece together the what yet?"

"My father has a suspicion. That is all. So why have you stopped us?"

"The friar. Your friend. He is in serious trouble: the Paladin Order disassembled him..."

"What!? Cagliari has been hurt? Where is he...?"

"At the edge of Darkovia. I must admit, ashamedly, that at first I tried to use his situation to my advantage... but I have since returned and tried to secure his situation and effect what repairs I could spare. It took me two days rebuilding his jaw alone. But you will need to seek him out as soon as you are able."

"Do you wish to go?" Diviara asked his son. "I can likely handle this on my own."

"You are certain he is secured?"

"I have placed him within the very edges of the maze effect that protects that camp. I likely could not even find him again myself."

"Then no. Cagliari's injuries grieve me, but we have more pressing and immediate troubles. I will seek him after."

"Okay, well then, Grimveil, if there is nothing else, we have other needs to attend to."

"No, General," Grimveil answered Diviara. His choice of the honorific both startled and spoke volumes to Diviara about Grimveil's attitude.

"Good luck, General," Diviara answered. "You will need it."

"I know. And to you as well. Hopefully you need it less. Tell me one thing: why is it that your family has chosen the pathway that it has...? It leads to such ambiguities and uncertainties. Is it not better to make an absolutely firm stand one way or the other? You in particular, Amilara. You find no friends among the necromancers or the paladins with such a muddled course."

"I cannot speak for my father, Grimveil. I can answer only for me. I choose the pathway I do because I believe it to be the only right one."

"But there are evil undead. Even without the involvement of our people or other necromancers. Many among the free-willed undead are likewise evil. Even you have been recorded on the record as acknowledging this."

"That is true; the evil undead, however, have a voice. They have a voice in their own actions and in the actions of the necromancers. They do not require me to speak for them."

"Yet by not speaking on the topic, do you not support them? How can you reconcile that?"

"Because, Grimveil, I take a very simple tack: it is far better for the cause of justice that 10,000 villains go free than even one innocent be caught in the crossfire."

"Interesting... Well, good luck, General, Amilara."

"Good luck, Grimveil."