The Party of the Gods

Niles looked uncomfortable. “Having a set of rules enforced by lords and their accompanying Conduits should lessen conflicts caused by simple greed.”

Vilaz leaned forward. “But you are uneasy with it.”

“If I am, it is my own problem to deal with it.”

Findly shook his head. “You speak words trained into you, not the ones in your heart.”

“I can’t justify anything else,” Niles said firmly.

“Well, I can justify it,” Vilaz said. “Lockseye’s motives are greed and lust for power. Did you notice how he coveted the subservience of the lords who want him to head this rule-enforcing group?”

“It’s more than that,” Findly said. “He would cause a collapse in society as we know it. The peasants would have no way of bettering themselves if they weren’t allowed to conquer the weak to gain a decent living. Just as in nature, the worthy survive.”

“That’s easy to say, if you’re one of the ‘worthy’,” Niles said.

“Vilaz’s scarred face turned uglier as he growled. “Do you think Lockseye got where he is by following the rules he’s proposing? Now that he’s, let’s face it, richer that anyone else, he wants to make sure he stays that way.”

Niles turned and looked out the window for a long while, sipping his wine. Slowly he turned back. “Lince claimed that people could strive ahead on the merits of goodness and talent instead of brute force if the rules were in place.”

Findly scoffed. “Do you think that would really happen?” He leaned closer. “Your own father believed that channelling Power was dangerous. He believed Lockseye wanted to grab hold of it and use it. That’s just what he’s doing. By brute force, your father had his life and lands taken from him. Your lands. To save your life, you learned the Power, cutting off your avenues for revenge. Now Lockseye wants to use you and your colleagues for this rule‑enforcing system that keeps him at the top.”

Niles stood up suddenly and faced the window. “I know what you want of me,” he said sharply, “and even if I wanted to, I could do nothing to help. You know I may only use my powers for self-defence or the good of society.”

“But it would be,” Vilaz said, slamming down a fist. “That’s what we’ve been saying.”

Niles looked at him shrewdly. “You’ve already tried to get rid of him, haven’t you?”

Findly’s face was blank, and Vilaz registered nervousness. Finally Findly shrugged. “Yes, it was we. He’s too strong, though. That’s why we need your help ‑‑ why society needs your help. Will you?”

Niles shook his head. “I can’t. I just can’t.”

Findly said quietly. “Think about it Master Conduit Niles. Think about it.”