The Union - Chapter 236 Duty

“Do you know why the Council seem to not care about Inkit? I haven’t seen men with burning hands or men that can meld into the shadow here” said Timothy as he looked at the developments from the window of the large empty house overlooking Magistrate Chen’s home. Lucia and most of the royal guards were with him.

“Enlighten me” Lucia smiled. She knew of course, Timothy was sure of that. But it was nice acting like he’s smarter than her from time to time.

With hands tugged from behind and puffed chest Timothy answered, “Because the Republic will soon fall into chaos anyway. There was no need to send someone to make it more chaotic. The Servuses are swimming in corruption and the Magistrates cannot do anything about it. And the Inkish… they call themselves free and equal but that also was a lie. Nobody is truly free. No two person are equal. Such is the world”

“Politics and philosophy” Lucia walked to his side “So can the two of us be called the saviors of the Republic then?”

“Ironic but yes. The idea of the people ruling themselves is a compelling one. It is a good dream and probably would have worked if managed successfully. But it failed here. The people are not ready to rule themselves. A Republic will eat itself from the inside without guidance. It is such a shame that many people can’t see that. They treat the Republic as holy, sacred even. But is it? It is an idea. Ideas fail from time to time when mixed with the reality. The Republic has been failing for decades now. And ironically, a monarchy is the only thing that could save it. We are the saviors of the Republic”

“And yet they want us dead”

Timothy nodded. It was a waste. He hadn’t met Magistrate Bouvin face to face but from what he heard from Magistrate Chen, Bouvin was better than most leaders. Many years ago when Wismar suddenly attacked Canton, Magistrate Bouvin rallied the Inkish to defend Canton. Magistrate Bouvin was said to have won three battles and losing only one which was not even a full rout. If not for the Magistrates valiant deeds in the field, Canton would have fallen under the rule of Wismar already.

Timothy also heard that Magistrate Bouvin’s faction has the least corruption among the five. The Magistrate was strict and efficient and despite his acts, he was somehow charismatic. He could have been a great addition to the leadership of Inkit. Timothy would even bring him to his campaigns against Wismar.

Unfortunately, he and Magistrate Bouvin were on two opposing sides. Sometimes, differences in ideas are so deeply rooted that only the complete eradication of one side is the answer. He understood Magistrate Bouvin’s sentiments. The Republic was holy. It is faultless, a shining idea of fairness. The people must be empowered.

Timothy disagrees though. The Republic was not holy, it was flawed. And although its principles are noble, achieving them would be impossible for now. The people must be empowered, yes. But the people need peace and order more than power. Freedom and equality are nice to have, but life is a better gift.

Timohty sighed, a deep and long one. It was such a waste putting down such a man.

*********

Arrows flied as warning when Bouvin attempted to step forward with his unsheathed sword. The bolts were made of hardwood, sharp and fletched with duck feathers. Superb things, he thought. The Union had good weapons in their arsenal and brave men to wield them. Fighting beside the King in a war against Wismar would have been great. He could imagine being in a battlefield with the famous King of Castonia at his side.

Unfortunately he was born as the Magistrate of Inkit. He was tasked to defend the principles of the Republic until his death. He swore on his ancestors’ blood that he would uphold the virtues of a free and equal people. He was an enemy of the monarchs and here he was, standing with a sword in his and and thousands of the city watch at his back.

He had lost, he knew that much. The city watch were green boys that cannot put a dent on the veterans of the Rooster. It was futile resisting. But he must do it no matter what. Duty trumps all.

He ran towards the line of halberds pointed forward. Most of the city watch had surrendered already. A few joined him though, loyal lads. They will die with him and with the Republic. Their names would remain unsung forever. Nobody would know about their story. It was as if they didn’t existed at all.

Several were hit with bolts. Their bodies curled into death. The survivors resumed their mad dash towards the Castonians.

Bouvin’s sword broke the wind as he thrust it towards the enemies. He didn’t bother aiming nor looking. He was a dead man and a single dead foe wouldn’t change that. His sword thrust was parried away. A knee to the belly put him on the ground.

They are indeed of the Rooster, he thought. They were strong and professionals. But they don’t understand. They don’t understand how important the Republic is. Only he and a few loyal Inkish understood.

And so he rose. With mouth filled with blood he rose to fight again. He held his sword, firmer this time. His next thrust was aimed.

But he failed again, now a fatal failure as his sword struck the wind. A single halberd from the enemy pierced through his armor and into his chest. Pain surged in his body as his blood dripped from his armor. He staggered backward and fell on his butt. The wheezing tone of his breath painted his imminent end. He looked around. Most, if not all of the city watch had laid down their arms. Those who joined him in this mad dash were all dead.

His life had been for the Republic and only for the Republic. His death was also for the Republic. Futile, yes. His death didn’t change a thing, a mere drop in an ocean. But he remained a Magistrate until the end. Such was the life he wanted and such was the end he dreamt of.

Bouvin closed his eyes. The last image he saw was that of the Great Hall. The towering stone columns, the white marble tiles, the stone seats, the empty chamber.

He smiled, fulfilled. Long may the Republic last.

**********

It had ended with the death of Magistrate Bouvin and about forty other Inkish. The casualties were small compared to what Chen had expected. He should be gleeful. He should smile. But the death of a Magistrate was a loss for the Republic no matter how you looked at it.

The sun was rising and soon the Inkish would know what happened here. It was a blunder and it was a sad thing. But it was over and there was nothing more he can do.

Chen sat on the grass near the corpse of Bouvin. Devik and the chained Herberk were just in front of him. Soon, Magistrate Vedur arrived. They were the five Magistrates of Inkit, the servants of the people. Now there were four and nobody could fill the void Magistrate Bouvin left behind.

“May the forefathers bless him with strength” Chen said

“May the ancestors firm his heart” Devik added

“May he find peace, an eternal freedom” Herberk continued

“For he was a Magistrate of Inkit. Magistrate Bouvin was his name. His deeds were many. His courage was known. Now he rest, dead and cold. But his legacy would remembered by us” Vedur finished.

There hadn’t been an unnatural death of a Magistrate ever since the third generation. A long line of capable and true Magistrates had served Inkit. Chen knew about the corruption of the Servuses. He knew how rotten his beloved Republic is. But the Magistrates had been doing everything they could to keep it alive. For all the generations of Magistrates, there had been none that scorned the Republic. As corrupt as the Servuses may be, the Magistrate had all been loyal. Some may call it lucky. Chen calls is duty. They did their duties. Bouvin did his duty too. Blind duty, but still duty no matter what.

Times were changing. Even the loyalty of the Magistrates cannot stop the end of the Republic. In a few days the people would vote. It wasn’t apparent yet which side would win. But whatever may happen, Chen would always do his duty for the Republic as he had for many years.

He balled his hand and hovered it above Magistrate Bouvin’s corpse. It had been a long night and a sad one. They all did their duties. They all defended the Republic in their own ways. And he is proud being a Magistrate of Inkit

“Long live the Republic” Chen said.