present Aaron had honor. It was a dangerous gambit, though. James could kill him with one swipe. The question James had to answer was what he wanted more—revenge or honor? For James, it was a win-win situation. He wouldn’t lose honor by taking revenge—Aaron had submitted himself to him—but his honor would go up if he showed compassion to an honorable adversary. He hoped James was smart enough to conclude Aaron would make a better live ally than dead adversary. Today anyway.

James looked down on Aaron, raised his cula in the air, and then gently placed it on Aaron’s shoulder. “You fought honorably, Aaron. You did not betray me, therefore no forgiveness is necessary.”

The grex tilted their heads back and howled.

Karen Argali

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