Chapter 666 - The Siege pt 11 (1/2)

Alberton and t.i.tus stood in grim silence as they awaited the emissary of the Colony to approach. The elderly woman looked the same as she had before, her expression the same resigned weariness that she had borne the first time they had met.

”I apologise for making you wait,” she greeted them, ”my old bones aren't as nimble as they once were.”

t.i.tus was in no mood for pleasantries.

”My daughter,” he ground out, ”does she still live?”

If Enid was surprised by his coa.r.s.e att.i.tude, she did not show it.

”She is still alive, of course she is. She spent many weeks with us helping the survivors of the Garralosh wave. I personally count her as a friend and would not see her come to harm.”

It was such an infinitesimal change that only Alberton, through his long years working alongside his commander, saw the release of tension in t.i.tus when he learned that Morrelia had not perished during the battle. Ever since his daughter had berserked and charged headfirst into the enemy lines he'd been wound as tight as a void-steel trap.

”What do you desire in exchange for the safe return of the prisoner?” he asked, his voice stiff.

Enid paused.

”You desire a prisoner exchange? Pardon my rudeness, but I do not believe you have captured any of our people…” she left a deliberate gap, ”… alive.”

It was true. On campaign against the monsters, the Legionem Abyssi did not take prisoners. Never had, never would.

”Can you offer a reprieve? Leave the Colony alone for a period of months? The ants would be more than willing to accommodate such an offer,” Enid said.

Alberton grimaced, after even just two months, these ants would have multiplied into the millions. Multiple Legions would need to be deployed, probably even golems and praetorians. Such an expensive campaign would drain them of precious resources at a time when they couldn't afford it. Besides which, the Loremaster glanced at t.i.tus.

”I will not entertain anything that goes counter to my orders,” t.i.tus stated flatly. ”We have come here to exterminate this threat and that is what we intend to do.”

Enid nodded in understanding.

”Although I hate to say it, that doesn't give the Colony much reason to continue to keep your daughter alive though, does it commander?” she pointed out. ”There must be a point at which your duty and your familial affection can intersect, don't you think?”

”You're threatening her life?” Alberton demanded, ”didn't you say moments ago that she was your friend?”

”She IS a friend,” Enid insisted, ”to me and many others in Renewal. But the Colony will make any decisions regarding her safety. They are fighting for their existence because of you. The idea that they would baulk at them killing a prisoner when you slaughter every one of them you get your hands on is laughable.”

Though she tried to hide it, the contempt she felt for their actions seeped into her voice as she spoke.

”You would weigh the lives of monsters against those of humans?” Alberton scoffed. ”And then expect us to do the same?”