One month later.

  Things had changed profusely on the island. Ruth was still grappling with her new position as leader. She was very grateful to Megan for lending a hand, bringing her experience to bear. There was still much to address, even for her. The day to day operations of building the settlement were a massive migraine, and she understood why Elias dragged his feet on the matter for so long.

  She tried her hand at teaching some of the Godshards coming of age their first spells but she quickly ran into problems. When she tried to teach them how to do it via her Benelim Sign Language, they couldn’t do it. They didn’t use the language like she did, thus neither party could find a way that worked. Thankfully, she was able to delegate and Mikel and Ember were willing to take the reins.

  Ruth had gotten letters from Mother but she didn’t have the time to read them or respond. She missed the Golden Wood so much right now, there was something calming about the golden trees and yellow grass, a feeling that just wasn’t the same here. Especially with the outset of fall, the zenith of the colored leaves long passed and the cold emptiness of winter only weeks away. Yet she couldn’t in good faith leave the Godshards behind. She had work to do! She meant to continue her research on the tenuous relationship between Benelim and humans. Ruth lamented the fact she barely had time to do it anymore.

  So, it was one chilly morning she sought to move forward with her study. She barely had time to put on her headdress and cloak before a couple of the workers came to her with complaints. They needed more marble. Ruth sent Mikel, Ember and Shawn to Submersio to get some. Mikel wanted to test out his teleportation spells, so hopefully he’d be back at the end of the day. Jolene and Sheba graciously took over after that, she was confident they could handle things in the interim. She, at long last, had some free time. She couldn’t squander it.

  ………………………

  Ruth was pleased to find Lea in their inn. They seemed like a good place to start for her research today. Lea had always been more tolerant and open minded, which made it easier for her to have a discussion. Not to mention they were one of the few republicans who knew Benelim Sign Language.

  Lea perked up at Ruth’s entrance. “Greetings, Ruth,” they signed. Lea was clearly orally speaking as they signed, as their lips were moving. That was fine, whatever made it easier.

  Ruth smiled as she signed, “Can we talk? I have some questions.”

  Lea paused for a moment and nodded. They shrugged as they took a seat with Ruth at the nearest table. The inn was far from empty, but there should hopefully be no interruptions. “How can I help you?” they signed.

  Ruth was slow to sign back, trying to find the right way of wording it. “Why do humans hate the Benelim so much? I’ve read a lot of the history of the Second Novalim War from the Benelim’s point of view, but records from the human side of things are way more fragmented.”

  Lea frowned. “Indeed,” they signed. “Perhaps we can start there. Do you know why the records are so incomplete?” Ruth shook her head. “The Cradlelands were so devastated, nearly everyone was killed to a man. Whole cities were wiped out. It is said that even Primus only had twelve survivors, which would go on to become the twelve founding families.”

  Ruth tilted her head, “How did the Cradlelands survive?”

  “Something caused the twisted monsters to leave. We don’t know why. It was-”

  Something cut off Lea, a patron with a bitter frown joined them, speaking some type of harsh words. Lea scowled as they got to their feet. Ruth didn’t know what the patron was saying, but Lea translated their replies. “Oh, leave her alone. You’re showing her why the Benelim left us.”

  Ruth tilted her head. The patron was obviously being vitriolic, but there was a feeling deep down that went beyond hatred and bigotry. Was it sadness? Hurt? It was dicey, but this was worth exploring. She would prefer signing but perhaps the other way would be a worthy olive branch. Ruth’s glowing eyes brightened. Greetings.

  The patron turned to Ruth, startled. What devilry is this?

  Ruth gestured for him to sit. Lea looked reluctant to leave her but Ruth nodded. Lea obliged and left. Ruth could still see them keeping an eye. That’s fine. The man nervously sat down, his anger mollified for the moment by the telepathy. What is your name?

  The man blinked. My name is Claudius. This is very disturbing. Must we talk like this?

  I’m deaf, and you don’t know Benelim Sign Language. Ruth’s eyes narrowed. Consider this neutral ground.

  I don’t get you. You’re a Godshard, yet you act like a Benelim with your hand motions.

  Ruth frowned. See, this is what I don’t understand. Why do you hate the Benelim so much? What have they ever done to you?

  The Benelim betrayed us. They left us to die centuries ago.

  The Benelim had problems of their own. Their forces were similarly decimated by those twisted monsters.

  Claudius folded his arms. Why didn’t they tell us? Why didn’t they check up on us? Most importantly, when the daemons came later, what was their excuse then? Where were the Gods when we needed them? They all abandoned us! My family barely survived. I have only one traceable ancestor because the slaughter was so complete. The daemons killed most of my family, enslaving the few they didn’t murder. Claudius was emotional, his eyes tearing up ever so slightly. Just like with Armanda, beneath the anger and bigotry, he saw sadness and grief. Ruth could see that he was daring to take a chance by opening up. It was commendable.

  He leaned in. Where were your Benelim then? My story echoes countless others. Ask around if you don’t believe me. You can write it off as bigotry all you want, but the holier than thou attitude the Benelim have is sickening. They aren’t any better, yet they lord their superiority over us. How is that fair? Why should they be forgiven when they clearly don’t forgive us? They hate us, they look down on us. Time and time again it seems the Benelim abandon us exactly when we need them the most. We’ve had to work things out on our own. The only salvation coming from the Godshards. Claudius leaned back into his chair. Does that answer your question?

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  Ruth paused for a long moment. It all made sense now, and he had a point. The Benelim called her an outsider. And yet… That is all fair, and I can’t blame you for most of it.

  Claudius’ face softened. The reaction intrigued Ruth. He was clearly expecting something harsher. That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone on the Benelim’s side say that.

  Ruth rolled her eyes, The only side I’m on is the one of peace. I have a counterpoint though, how does any of what you said justify your hatred of my mother?

  The deer?

  Ruth’s glowing eyes brightened. She is still a Benelim, a type known as an Animite. She is just as intelligent and capable as anyone else. You say the Benelim hate you and look down on you, yet here you are acting hateful to my mother. Call her an animal, looking down on her. She has nothing to do with any of the problems you brought up.

  Claudius leaned in, Why do you care so much about the Benelim anyway? To the point where you would defend them over your own species?

  Ruth pointed at herself, I was abandoned by the humans for my deafness. It was the Benelim who were more accepting when humans were not. I would have died if it wasn’t for the ‘deer’, as you put it. Ruth leaned back into her chair. Does that answer your question?

  Claudius’ bitterness was subdued. He had no counter, and simply nodded. He still looked confused and perturbed, however, and the frown returned after the initial shock wore off. Why do you care what I think? You’re a mighty Godshard, you do your own thing anyways. I’m just some plebeian, a “hateful” one, as you’d probably put it.

  Ruth paused for a long moment. I’ve lived in both worlds, here and in the Golden Wood. Do you know what I’ve seen? Claudius shook his head. We aren’t so different. I’ve seen nobility and virtue and a down to earth spirit in both realms. But I’ve also seen hatred, bigotry, people hating and fearing what they don’t understand. The slights that both races have are from things that happened centuries ago. There was a time when both human and Benelim lived together in harmony, like two siblings. I believe such days can return, if we could just let go of the past, both sides!

  Claudius scoffed. Please, your Benelim would never do that.

  Ruth got to her feet. Never say never. I am a Godshard, there is much I can see that normal eyes cannot. Even if I wasn’t, I can read a lot from a person from their body language and their lips, which comes with the territory of being deaf. I can’t and won’t tell people what to do. But if humanity truly respects the Godshards. Ruth shrugged. Perhaps you can think about it? Ruth gave a polite bow. Thank you for your time and for opening up about it. It’s respectable.

  Claudius was speechless, and all he could do was nod. Ruth spared a curt glance around the inn. The place was still, all the patrons were staring straight at her. Ruth fought to hide a grin. They heard everything, their thoughts were open to all to hear. Some were frowning, some were intrigued. Lea almost looked encouraged if their micro expressions were anything to go by. Ruth could see the seeds of hope planted in some of them. Perhaps if she could tend to them, they could grow into trees of change.

  Ruth’s cool collected demeanor dropped after she exited the inn. She let go a held breath she didn’t know she was holding and she wiped a sheen of sweat from her forehead. It was supremely straining to maintain that kind of telepathy for so long. Even on a good day Ruth hated the concept and with her new found responsibilities it was even more reviled. But it had to be done. Life was about give and take. Hopefully next time, she’ll be able to stick to signs.

  Before she could ruminate more, a commotion got Ruth’s attention. She gasped, it was none other than Mother and Aunt Kathy. They looked frantic, and Ruth rushed to meet them.

  “Mother? What are you doing here?” signed Ruth. “What’s wrong?”

  Mother’s arms were trembling, and Ruth could barely make out the signs. “Maelim! Coming from the south and west! We’ve come to get you out of here!”

  Ruth’s eyes widened. “What?”

  Mother was all but grabbing her arm. “We tried to warn you, but you clearly didn’t read my letters.”

  Aunt Kathy nodded, signing, “Come on! It’s not safe here!”

  As if heralding the crisis, a man on a horse, peppered with arrows, dashed into the forum. He made some kind of exclamation before keeling over dead. Panic soon filled the streets, and plebeians dashed to-and-fro. In the chaos, Ruth didn’t notice Mother pulling her away, and soon they were just outside the town. Ruth shook her head, gently prying Mother’s arm off her.

  “I’m staying,” signed Ruth.

  Mother blinked. “What?” she signed.

  Ruth shook her head,“I’m needed here. This town needs to be evacuated, I can take them to the island.”

  “Are you crazy?” signed Aunt Kathy. “If you stay here, you’re going to die!”

  Ruth frowned, her signs firm and confident. “I have to try! Innocents will die otherwise!”

  “Why do you care?” signed Mother. “They’ve been nothing but hateful and bigoted to me. To us! Even now, I got nasty looks as we were trying to find you!”

  Ruth looked away. She had a point. Yet Claudius’ words echoed, if she left now, she would be proving everything he said was true. She would be abandoning her people just like the Benelim did. She didn’t condone his bigotry, but two wrongs didn’t make a right. She turned back to Mother, “I’m sorry, but I’m staying.”

  Mother’s eyes watered. “You’d pick them over us?”

  Ruth shook her head. “I’m not picking anyone! But I can’t abandon them, Mother. This is why humans hate the Benelim, don’t you see that? This is the cycle! Humans need help, Benelim don’t care, humans act bitter when they show up again, this embitters the Benelim in tow, which has led us to this! A crisis has come and you want me to leave them?”

  Mother was crying as much as an Animite could. She was signing frantically, “Ruth. Please. You’re my baby girl. Are you really going to throw your life away for these people?” Ruth stood her ground. She could tell it devastated them, Mother especially. But she had to follow her heart.

  “I’m ending this cycle! I’m an adult capable of making my own decisions. We’ll meet again once the Maelim have been dealt with. I’ll be fine.”

  Mother was sobbing and Aunt Kathy was ushering her away with an angry glare. “Don’t bother,” she signed, her arms trembling in anger. To see her Aunt Kathy so bitter to her in her body language and micro expressions broke her heart.

  Ruth fought to hold back her tears. Why must everyone be this way? With a pout and a deep breath, Ruth turned back to the town. She would talk to Mother later, right now, she had more pressing matters. As Ruth dashed into the town, she was relieved to see Sheba guiding the townsfolk east. She was flanked by the tribunes and a small group of local legionnaires. Ruth gave an approving nod.

  Ruth turned to the south, and her heart sank as black smoke was billowing up ahead in the distance. The desolation of the city felt minor compared to the spiritual blackness of the Maelim army. Ruth had never encountered Maelim before, and she wished it stayed that way.

  Ruth paled as another thought hit her. Mikel and the others were still over there! Ruth cursed. There was nothing she could do. She had to guide these people to the island first. She just hoped Mikel could take care of himself and get back to them safely.