This week, I return to Aaydan's Tale. It will be in the hands of the publisher by the end of the month.
In this snippet, a glimpse at the complex and flawed man--Deamante. The ruler is viewed as savior by some, an oppressive demon by others.
At a meeting with his security council, he announced a higher level of official intolerance of the Albainns. There are even darker plans in the works, though. Intolerance is not enough. Elimination is the covert focus.
"There are always sympathizers who will view this as an extreme and unnecessary measure.”
The aide said, without a hint of emotion, “If all is managed properly, the blame in the eyes of those same sympathizers will not lie upon your doorstep.”
Deamante dismissed the aide with a flip of his hand, then turned and walked over to the wide windows where he could see glistening red and pink rocks in the midday star-shine.
Harsh decisions were his job, and in reality, nothing about this decision made him feel good, save the one small benefit…the one animal that he could do without.
But, inside of him, well-hidden, a tiny part cried. A tiny part that wondered how it had ever gone so wrong, and if there truly were blood to him—in that face that did not resemble his own in any way."
