--- Lowan

The commander marched through the stone corridors alone, sword in hand.

His men were still fighting in the outer courtyard, following his order to prioritize the castle's barracks. The number of guards Charsa had dispatched in protection of his mistress and the ones who were holed up outside was still unknown, yet the commander had chosen to enter without any escort. Despite being very tempted to grant that rat the death he deserved, he also needed one last chance to confront Leanna by himself.

Walking at a steady pace, Lowan crossed the path of an enemy soldier who had probably been attracted by the sound of his steps. Before the guard could even reach for his blade, the commander slammed the left fist into his face and stabbed him while he was still stunned. He got rid of seven other people in a similar fashion, without stopping. The last two tried to block his way just outside the main hall, but they weren't remotely on his level. After they had collapsed in a puddle of blood, Lowan was surrounded by silence once again.

It is time. Finally, after so many years, I'm here to do the right thing.

The commander took a deep breath. Using both hands he pushed the wooden doors and headed in.

Chandeliers, lanterns and torches had all been put out and only dim moonlight came from the small windows. It took a couple of seconds for the man's eyes to get used to the shadow, then he noticed a human silhouette on the other side of the room.

Dressed with her finest garments, Leanna was waiting for him. Her hair faintly reflected the lunar glow and her eyes shone like blue gems in the darkness, giving her the look of a pale ghost.

"It took you long enough, brother."

"It's over, the castle will soon be under our control," threatened the commander. "Surrender, and your life shall be spared."

The countess burst into laughter. Lowan couldn't help but thinking that her voice sounded a little creepy.

"My life... After all I've done, you still want to save me!" She chuckled. "Sorry, it's just too absurd to hear. Even at a time like this, you simply won't get rid of your real enemy. Oh, Lowan... You are so, so spineless."

"Thank the Makers for it, Leanna. Our father would hang you by your feet, putting you through so many tortures you would wish to have never been born," he replied, with a cold tone. "He was a tyrant, one of the worst. A despicable man, unable to feel any pity. Still, even at the peak of his insanity, he would have never sold this land to Ekhar... Sister, what have you done?"

The woman shifted into a more serious attitude, yet she kept smiling.

"I did something our father couldn't ever think of, busy as he was in showing that everyone was inferior to him," she said. "I dreamed of a different future for our home. A future where the dogs of the North were our subjects, and no longer a menace. A future where your unbearable presence was a thing of the past and where the people would call me queen."

"Queen of conquered lands, but at what cost?" observed Lowan, moving through the hall without losing sight of his sister. "You told me a part of all this, during our dinner, but to think you would be so ruthless... You violated our pact, betrayed the allies who came here to support you, and worst of all sacrificed the lives of those you had sworn to respect and protect. So much for their beloved queen."

Leanna stood up, and glared at him in rage.

"Behold, the proud and just Lord of Sinen has returned!" she hissed. "I have always hated you, brother, but not because you were our father's precious male heir. What I hated the most was this disgusting self-righteousness. You left your home and the people you clam to love so much for twenty years out of fear for your duty. A fear you can't escape from."

"I did what I thought was right back then, giving you a chance to show that you were more appropriate for this role. Yet you just threw this chance away, using your authority to reach a personal goal with no regard for all the lives you ruined. I can't let you go this time."

"Shut up! You love to blame others from your moral high ground, don't you? Truth is, I have always been your tool. Even if you say you just wanted the best for this land, you took advantage of me and my ambition since the start. Do you really think you are better than me, Lowan? Do you have any idea of how painful it was to be treated like a replacement? To refuse any potential suitor because they saw me as a tool, as well? I bet you've never thought about it."

The commander remained silent, because he couldn't answer to that.

"Both of us gained a lot from our father's death, but you sought more," said the woman. "Love? Acceptance? Redemption? You'll never admit it. Take a look inside you, for a single time. We are of the same kind."

There's no way she can be right. My sister is... Insane.

"No, we aren't," he replied. "You are a traitor. Your actions have put the entire Republic in danger. Not to mention you've angered the men of Ekhar on purpose... Are you mad? What were you planning to do once they had conquered this castle?"

"All I wanted was to build a new kingdom," pointed out Leanna. "And new kingdoms always rise on the ashes of the old ones, just like the Republic came after the Old Crown. I would have been more than happy to enslave the men of the North and have them build our roads."

"You are a monster. To think that you were plotting-"

"Oh, come on," stepped in the countess. "For all these years, I've said what you wanted to hear. And every time, you just preferred to turn away instead of digging deeper into what I was doing. Taxation, corruption... Nothing seemed to alert you. At the end, despite being always outsmarted, everything just fell in your hands at the right moment, as usual. Even now, the fact that you are here is all due to a simple stroke of luck. Will you take the merit, I wonder? Or maybe whoever uncovered my plan will?"

The commander shivered, because that was true. What if Tolwin hadn't heard of her arrangements with the enemy? He was already being cautious at that point, but it was also through that fortuitous chance that he had grown even more careful.

Yells and noises began echoing outside, signaling that his victorious soldiers were approaching.

Our family chat has almost reached its end, and there won't be any more.

"No, you are wrong to call me lucky. You will never know what I went through to become who I am now, Leanna," claimed Lowan. "I fought in accordance with my ideals for decades, spilled blood and buried countless brave companions. You have no ideals. You have no one you can call a companion. That's why-"

"You are pathetic. Always boasting about all the friends you've lost, the enemies you defeated and had mercy for... But ultimately, nothing matters," roared Leanna. "When the last of your allies will be dead because of you, when every opponent will lie beaten at your feet... You'll be alone. With your precious ideals as your only company."

The mercenaries stormed into the room in that moment, surrounding the woman. Despite the loss she still glared at the commander with a defiant eye, just like the old count many years before.

"Our father would be proud of you," said Lowan, turning back. "Take her away."

***

--- Tolwin

It took a couple of days to bring the situation back to normal.

The battle in the castle courtyard had been gruesome and no betrayer had been spared. After breaking through the gate the mercenaries had simply stepped aside, letting their allies pass and take Charsa's forces down. The former bandit had defended the barracks to the last man, but against the vengeful fury of the republicans there was nothing he could do. Somebody said he fell among the first.

Leanna was officially overthrown and her shady plans made known to the commoners. People took to the streets, calling commander Lowan their savior, but the man who was supposed to be the new Lord remained locked inside the fortress and refused to face them for the time being. After taking care of the many wounded Tolwin could finally enjoy a full night of sleep, but now that everything was over he felt dubious about the future.

What's next?

Ekhar's menace was repelled and the treacherous countess pended her final judgment in a cell. Only one thing remained to do.

Will Lowan accept this fate? Will he take the mantle of the Lord, and rule over these lands? Just a few days ago, I would have said yes. But after the victory I'm not so sure anymore. Something must have happened between him and his sister and he won't talk about it.

On the third day after the siege, at last, a meeting took place. Nobles from the surrounding castles and influential people of all kinds were present, even powerful politicians who had rushed there from Rayol when they had heard of the recent events.

As an old friend of the commander and one of the representatives of his company, Tolwin was allowed to participate and joined the assembly in the main hall of Sinen. There he found Palander of the Red Lances, captains Ugrin and Wals, who had both distinguished during the battle of the Rien, along with the highest ranked officers of the republican forces, ten nobles from the neighbouring lands and a whopping six members of the Senate. Many years had passed since the priest had last taken part to a meeting of that same level, and he couldn't say to be missing them. What he knew well, in fact, was that the men of power used those events to put their worst traits on display.

Most of these people haven't even fought on the field. They might have provided support from afar, but I don't think they care about the soldiers they have lost on a personal level. They must be here just to see the new count, and make some business out of it.

After a brief wait Lowan marched through the doors and took his place on the seat that was closer to his father's throne, which now remained free, inviting the others to occupy the rest of the table.

"Revered Senators. My Lords, commanders, captains and companions in arms," he started. "We gathered here today because of the betrayal of my sister, Leanna of Sinen, who plotted with the clans of Ekhar to have these lands invaded. Her plan was to seek the favor of the Senate, and sacrifice her homeland to start a war of conquest. Who knows how many lives would have been lost, had her scheme succeeded."

A noisy murmuring followed his statement.

"I called for his meeting," went on the man. "To give you news about the future government of Sinen, because this castle needs a new count and we can't allow unworthy people to sit on its throne anymore."

He is... Going for it? After all this time, he will leave his past behind...

"If I may," stepped in one of the Lords. "The events of the past two years have left many marks on us, for good or ill. The Republic has been threatened by Ekhar many times, but for one of our nobles to go this far it's completely unprecedented. Despite this you, Lowan of Sinen, took the situation in your hands and led us to victory against the enemy we could see... And the one we couldn't."

"I agree," exclaimed one of the republican officers. "This man gave us hope in the darkest hour, gaining the deepest respect from both me and my subordinates. His skill and courage on the battlefield are exemplary."

"Even if we take into account that he let his sister rule Sinen for so long," said a baron, standing up with a glass in hand. "He handled the situation and reinforced our unity through his leadership. Every lord in this room has already agreed on this. Due to his merit and birthright, that makes him the right person to succeed to countess Leanna, I can safely propose a toast to the rise of the new count, Lord Lowan of Sinen."

A roar of approval filled the hall, and even the senators from Rayol quietly clapped. Tolwin, on the other hand, was the only one who noticed his friend sigh.

"Your words flatter me, noble Lords," he stated. "But I can't accept."

The ruckus instantly stopped, leaving only an unsettling silence in its place.

The priest slowly stood, and said, "Lowan... Lowan, my friend. Think about it. It's time you forget the past. Your father did unspeakable things, that's true, and even your sister... But I'm sure that-"

"And who remained on the edge of this pit, watching?" thundered the commander, slamming his fist on the table. "I was a fool. I believed my sister would change, and let her defy me because I didn't have the guts to take her place. My blindness and cowardice brought these lands on the verge of ruin! Still, all of you are ready to forget my lack of judgment and cheer for me. Is it because of my birthright? Fine by me, I'll gladly give it up. I'm the worst possible ruler Sinen could get. All I want is to be a mercenary."

Lowan addressed his men, with a serious tone. For some reason, the commander of the Red Lances looked very nervous.

"On the day of our arrival Palander told me that he wanted to retire. We already talked through this. He will become the count in my place."

The older captain listened to those words with his mouth open.

"I... It's true, that's what I wanted, but I didn't mean to-"

"You are a soldier, and a leader. The lands of my ancestors will be in good care with you."

"You..." whispered the other man. "I can't say I like this. I thought you would have gotten over it, at the end. Still, your offer is more than I could ever hope for. Very well, I accept."

"Forgive me for giving you this burden, old friend."

"What's the meaning of this, Lowan?" asked one of the senators. "You would give a castle to a mere mercenary?"

"From the last talk with my sister, I understood that sitting on that throne would just turn me into a worse man. It's better if the blood of my family leaves these walls once and for all."

"If you throw this chance away now," went on another politician, "You'll lose your status of a nobleman. Everything that ties you to this place will be gone forever."

It was at that moment that Tolwin realized something.

It's... Just what he wants. To get rid of the past. Yet, I'm not sure this is the right way.

"Lowan," tried the priest. "Are you certain about this?"

"I am," answered the commander. "The people of Sinen will be safer under Palander's guide. Before I sign the papers, however, I'll use my authority to give one last order. One with permanent value."

Everyone in the room looked in his direction, waiting for his words.

"There won't be any execution for Leanna. Let her rot in her cell for the rest of her days. That's all she deserves."