Reborn From the Cosmos

"Our ancestors founded this city with blood, sweat, and tears! They risked their lives to bring down armies of monsters. Their bodies rest beneath our feet. They did this so we, their descendants, the people of Quest, would know safety and prosperity. This is our land, our home. And just as our ancestors did, we must fight for it."

"That's interesting." As we ride toward the camp, an impassioned voice reaches my ears. Detangling myself from Kierra, who went right back to hugging me like a doll once we set off, and lean my head out of the window. A quick drop of a 'film' and the details in the distance sharpen. In front of the front entrance to the camp is a shoddy stage. No, calling it a stage might be too generous. One man standing on stacked crates for a little height doesn't a stage make. It's too sad. How hard would it have been to get an earth caster to raise the ground for him? That way, the group standing around the crates could at least stand with him.

Despite the meagre presentation, the speaker has quite the audience. Dozens of refugees stand before him. I can't quite make out their expressions, so there's no telling how engaged they are. I don't suppose there are many distractions in the camp and a man shouting his lungs out atop rickety wood is definitely novel enough to pique the interest of the bored.

I hope they're not there because they're interested in his words.

"Once, our ancestors were surrounded by monsters. Today, we are surrounded by greedy intentions. And just as walls were built to keep out the beasts, we must build walls around our hearts to keep out the evil intentions of others. Don't be deceived by their so-called mercy. They had given you scraps to eat and pens to sleep in. Who else do they do these things for? Animals. Sheep, pigs, and cows. That is what they see you as, herding you back and forth. What separates us from beasts? The ability to choose our destinies! By taking away this choice, they have taken away your humanity. And that, brothers and sisters, is an insult that cannot stand."

"What's going on?" Alana asks.

"Not sure, sunshine. A new tactic for the rebels? A guy is grandstanding in front of the camp. Some nonsense about the people helping them stripping them of their humanity. Hold on, he's talking again."

"Many of you are divided on who to blame for the state of our home. Some of you blame the Purple Menace and the saints-damned noblewoman that unleashed it. Some of you blame the guild, who thoughtlessly started a war. Some of you blame the Teppin family that are nowhere to be found in our time of need. Some of you blame the Hall and the Harvest Hero, who you expected to raise their privileged asses from their lofty seats and use that power they're so fond of to help. Which of you are right? Who's to blame? Saints as my witness, I'll tell you! It's all those bastards!

"Every one of them had the power to intervene. Every one of them could have said no, we won't let innocent lives be destroyed. Every one of them could have chosen to care about more than their selfish desires and grossly overweight egos. Did they? No! But there is no more person to blame. One more group that deserves your scorn. One more group whose actions could have saved your loved ones. And that's you!"

That took an unexpected turn.

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"You, who let the guilds run rampant for generations. You who scorned the Hall, refusing to send your children to forge connections with masters. You, who did not petition the lord to pass laws to protect yourselves. You who did not talk to you fathers, brothers, and sons in the guilds and tell them to stay their hands. And all of you who laughed at the woman who promised this destruction. In the same breath that you would curse those who selfishly cast you aside, curse yourselves. Curse your past selves that were content to be herded like ignorant sheep and curse your current selves that are content doing the same!"

"This man is crazy," I mutter.

"What? What'd he say?"

"He called them sheep." I can't say that I disagree. I was quick to throw blame on the refugees too. When a person warns you they're going to destroy the city, you should probably evacuate. It's not that they didn't know I could. The guilds, all of them, were challenging me together. If hundreds of casters feel the need to band together and kidnap my loved ones, that's a very obvious clue that I'm powerful enough to deliver on my threat. They simply chose to believe in the mythos of the guilds. Or perhaps in the kingdom's five hundred years of peace.

However, when I berated them, it was meant to hurt. Now, while at peace for a few days, I can admit it might have been too harsh. It's not like I don't know what it means to be powerless. I know what living oppressed can do. How it can twist your thoughts. Paralyze you. I lived most of my life without making any decisions because I thought it didn't matter, that my fate was sealed the moment I was born to the Tome family.

I, more than anyone, can sympathize. But I didn't want to. I didn't want to be their ally or their hero. Sure, I'm coming around to the idea that I might not be completely ambivalent, but they're not going to sing songs about me or build any statues in my honor. No one should expect anything good or righteous from me. I'm too vindictive for that.

This guy is slinging around the same insults to rouse them. It's only rousing their anger. I can make out more details as we draw closer and they aren't happy. Those that aren't walking away are standing with grit teeth and balled fists. Someone's going to knock those crates from underneath him if he doesn't stop.

"Now, in the ruins of our home, is the time to take action. You waste your time building a city that doesn't belong to you, the people. You wake up early and go to bed late building someone else's castle. What guarantee do you have that you can even claim these buildings you break your backs for? Who said that you can live in the houses you're rebuilding? Make a living in the shopfronts you piece together? What do you have? Deeds? Promises? Do you fools think they mean anything?"

His speech is abrasive, but he's making good points. As far as the refugees know, Quest doesn't have a governing body. It's obvious that things are going to change and not necessarily in their favor. It would be smart to organize and, at the very least, advocate for their futures. There's no guarantee anyone will care but no one hears the dog that doesn't bark.

"If you want a future for yourselves, a future for your children, then join us, the Coalition For Quest. We plan to speak to these people that want to take our home and make demands. If they want our help cleaning up their mess, then we need guarantees. Protection. We want the guards to do their jobs. We want the guilds sanctioned. And we want the people involved to take accountability. Detain them. Take whatever treasures they were fighting over for and use them to restore the livelihoods they destroyed. Execute the maniacs that killed women and children without a thought. Justice for Quest!"

Ah. That's going to be a problem.

I'm not the only person who thinks so. A group is exiting the camp, headed by a knight in brilliant gold armor.

I knock on the side of the carriage, catching Gajin's attention, our driver for the day. "Head for the commotion," I tell him before retreating. My lovers look at me with questioning gazes. I smile. "Just my first job as lady of the city."