Tuesday Excerpt, "Revenge"

Rander could restrain himself no longer and stood in front of
Linvin. “This is a suicide trip, Linvin. You cannot possibly save
Anvar and return. You are riding head first into death with your
eyes wide open. Can you not see the futility of your endeavor? We
stand here and act like you are going on a trading mission when
you go to certain demise. There must be a better way.”
“If there is one, I have not thought of it,” Linvin sighed. “I hear
your words, and there is logic to be found. But this is Uncle Anvar
we are talking about. How many times did he come through for
us? What about all the times he saved our lives? Think of all the
wisdom he has imparted to us over the years. Remember all the
fights between us he stopped?
“Since the loss of my father so many years ago he has filled that
role as my mentor. He even visited me when I was sent to Valia.
That man means more to me than anyone on Lavacia, and his life
is in my hands. How could I not go? If I must give my life so he
will live, I will do it. Does he mean so little to you that you would
not do the same?”
“You know he is as dear to us as he is to you,” Rander snapped
back. “It may sound strange hearing me saying this, but you have
come to mean just as much to us. In spite of all we did to you and
the way we treated you throughout your life, you gave us another
chance and made us better men in the process. Now we have more
than just a living but also a future. You are important, Linvin. In
some ways, you are more important than Uncle Anvar.
“We depend on him. To lose him would devastate the three of
us. But you, Linvin, you were chosen by the Red Sapphire to make
the difference for this entire world. We would feel the sting of
your loss first. You have told me the gem informed you of dark
times ahead. Evil greater than any the world has seen is coming.
How many people will suffer or die without you to fulfill your
mandate? The free world is depending on you and as much as it
pains me to say it, you are more important to the masses than
Anvar could ever be. You speak of logic. Even if Mandrean comes
after us or our mother as you predicted, our lives are still not worth
losing you. Do not go, Linvin. Your death will help no one as they
will likely kill Uncle Anvar anyway.”
Linvin ran his hand through his hair as he was prone to do when
frustrated. “You know, Anvar once told me a person must look at
themselves in the mirror and like who they see. Your actions
define who you become and your opinion of yourself. Even though
everything you have said is true, how could I look myself in the
mirror and like a man who chose to allow his uncle to be killed
when there was a chance to save him? After that, how could I face
my reflection after the rest of my family was systematically
erased?
“Do you not think I have examined this problem from every
possible angle? If there was another way, I would do it. Until the
situation changes, however, I must go, and I do not have time to
waste.”
“So everyone you were meant to help with the Red Sapphire is
on his own,” Rander remarked bitterly. “We all went on that quest
and suffered so you could throw your life away. Staying here is not
a selfish act. It is the wisest move. Uncle Anvar would say the
same if he were here. Are you so blinded by guilt that you will
walk off a cliff?”
Linvin placed his hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Let me ask
you this, Rander. If Mandrean was holding your mother and
offered the same terms, would you not go?”
“That is not the same thing,” Rander said as he shook Linvin.
“My loss would not impact hundreds of thousands of lives. Your
loss would snuff out the lone beacon on a starless night.”
“It is the same,” Linvin corrected as he pulled away. “You may
not possess my power, but you touch more lives than you can
imagine. We both know you would be on a horse headed north
with all due haste if your mother hung in the balance. That is my
intent as well. Anvar is like a father to me, and I will not forsake
him.”