What is justice? Should you have asked me the question several days ago, I would have said justice would be punishing those who have wronged me. If you were to repeat that question again today, I wouldn’t have an answer for you.

  Several days ago we arrived in Anz? seeking out answers to a question that has been plaguing my mind. After the death of the Diviner, well murder, my mind has been relentlessly restless. I can’t grapple with the fact that one, Herc was born of nobility, and two, that he would murder his own father.

  Based on the knowledge that I have, my instinct was to turn Herc in so that he may serve his time for his crime, Hitha has a differing opinion. As far as she is concerned, we have zero knowledge of how the fire started that eventually led to the death of the Diviner.

  “Surely the gods will punish us for being party to the murder of one of their mouthpieces?” I pleaded with her, trying to get her to see my point.

  “And surely the gods would understand retribution for a lifetime of cruelty, even if the perpetrator was one of their chosen.”

  I could not refute that. I had assumed that only the most benevolent were chosen to act as the voice of the gods, but if what I have learned of Herc’s history proved to be true, then the opposite could be true. I now no longer knew what I believed was true justice, so here I am.

  “And what pray tell could Anz? have that would enlighten you in regards to justice? I just assumed that all nobility had perfect moral judgment and could tell true justice by merely looking at it.” Hitha stares blankly at me, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

  “That’s not helpful.” I return, but she just smiles at me. “There is a gentleman here, if the rumor’s are true, has some gift of justice.”

  “Gift of justice?” She asks, her face holding an expression that I can’t quite read.

  “Yes, a gift of justice.”

  “Wouldn’t justice just merely be to have a good moral compass. To be able to weigh the actions that may be deemed good or evil and then decide the best course of action?”

  “But it’s not that simple.”

  “On the contrary. While there may be no set rules in the universe for what is good or evil, there is great sympathy and empathy and in my opinion true justice is centered around that. Not how it inherently affects you.”

  “What does this have to do with me?” I ask, confused and feeling attacked.

  “Many laws that exist center around the protection of the nobility. Take for instance the destruction of property and land being seen as a crime, but only nobility are able to own property. It is a crime for me to cause harm to you, but the inverse is not true because I am viewed as your property and it is not a criminal act to harm one’s own property. But, is harming me an equal act of evil as me harming you?”

  I have never considered such a thing before, but she is correct. If I were to injure my own servants or slaves, there would be zero repercussions. The same could not be said if she did the same to me, the punishment is life in prison or perhaps even death if the damage is severe enough.

  “Look, I get what you are saying, but I can’t believe the gods would choose a monster to act as their voice. So, until we meet this man, I reserve my judgment.”

  Hitha stares at me for a few seconds before turning away and climbs into the front of carriage with Herc. I’m sure she will understand soon enough.

  ****

  “Please sir, have a seat. Would you like any tea or coffee?” The servant asks as they usher me into the sitting room.

  “Tea would be nice, thank you.” I take a seat on one of the arm chairs and motion for Herc and Hitha to take a seat on two stools off to the side of the room.

  “I’m sorry sir, no servants are allowed in the sitting room. They are to wait in the atrium.”

  “They are my counselors, not servants.” I respond as I look to Hitha who is obviously biting her tongue. She has also grabbed a hold of Herc’s wrist and forces him to keep quiet.

  “As you wish sir. The master and Diviner will be in momentarily.” The butler places tea on the table and exits the sitting room.

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  “Why is a Diviner here?” Herc asks, venom practically dripping from his lips.

  “I’m not sure, I wasn’t informed he would be present.” I was worried. Did they somehow have information on Herc, and by chance, myself? Was this some kind of setup that I was unaware of? The thoughts rushing through my mind made me anxious. Luckily I didn’t have to wait for long.

  Two gentlemen enter the room after just a few short moments. One dressed in a solid black suit, and the other in a modest white outfit with a black cape. The latter was clearly the Diviner, and the other is the man I’m looking to speak with me. His skin held the glow of someone who works in the sun, but his attire and house were far too formal for that.

  I stood as they approached the sofa across from me, but he motioned for me to have a seat.

  “Thank you for seeing me on such a short notice.” I say as I take my seat again. He smiles warmly in return.

  “Of course sir Lucias. I have heard of many good stories about your family, especially the great work they have done with the Diviners. I feel as though I should formally introduce myself. I’m Godrick and this is Alistair, the local Diviner here in Anz?.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I suppose I should just get straight to the point. I’m sure you are aware of the Diviner who has perished by fire back home. After his death, stories have come to light that perhaps he wasn’t the man he claimed to be.”

  “If you could please elaborate on that please.” Alistair says, he was obviously skeptical.

  “Rumors have come to light regarding potential abuse of his son. A son that none were aware he even had.” I look to Herc who was staring intently at Alistair whose gaze was fixed on me. I look back to Godrick and the Diviner. “I have also heard tell that you sir Godrick have been gifted by the gods with the ability to see true justice.”

  Godrick lets out a soft chuckle while Alistair doesn’t break his gaze from me. He pours himself another cup of tea, sips it, and just appears to be letting that moment linger a little too long in my opinion.

  “While I was blessed with a gift, it’s not the ability to see true justice. Rather it allows me to enact my own justice. The two unfortunately aren’t quite the same. Thus I have aligned myself with The Ancients lest I stray from my path.”

  I look down at the tea in my hand. As I stare at myself through the dark liquid, I realize that I’m not going to get the answer I am searching for here.

  “Is it possible that the gods chose wrong?” I ask, finally just asking the question that has been running through my mind since the incident.

  “Unfortunately I can’t answer that question for you,” Godrick apologizes. “I know you sought me out with the idea that I could see true justice, but I can’t. I can only see the same thing you see.”

  I nod.

  “I do not think the gods chose wrong.” Alistair began. “I have yet to see them falter, but man can. Diviners act as the voice of the gods. We seek out those who can assist in enacting their will, much like your father. A Diviner is chosen during their formative years, when they are still young men who have much to learn. It is possible that in subsequent years that man falters. It is a rare occurrence, but it has happened before. The Ancients chose those who they deem to be most pure and fit to be their mouthpiece, but people change.”

  I sit for second, contemplating this. It doesn’t answer my question unfortunately, and doesn’t inherently grant me the clarity I came all this way for. I suppose it does offer at least some solace.

  “I think they chose poorly.” Herc spat. Hitha was holding his wrist, but it didn’t matter.

  “Herc.” I chastise him. He looks to me and immediately returns his gaze towards Alistair.

  “The gods chose poorly. At no point in that man’s life was he ever worthy of any gift from any god. I can assure you that.”

  “Herc that is enough.” I stand up, ready to punish him for his petulance.

  “No, it’s quite alright.” Alistair motions for me to sit back down. “I will go out on a limb and guess that you knew this Diviner quite well. A relative perhaps?” Alistair stares Herc down, unblinking. His face slowly starts to turn red, he is holding his breath. I look to Herc who is also unblinking but he doesn’t look nearly as stressed as Alistair.

  “Do not attempt to read my mind, you will not succeed.” Herc stares Alistair down, who finally exhales and takes a deep breath. “It’s not polite to intrude on people’s inner thoughts. As I was saying, they chose poorly.”

  “Well, wasn’t this quite an entertaining afternoon, Alistair, don’t you think?” Godrick turns towards Alistair, forcing his gaze away from Herc.

  “Well, perhaps this gentleman is related to the former Diviner, perhaps he isn’t. I don’t think that information truly matters in the moment. It is clear he has a relationship with him nonetheless, and is allowed to have his opinion. Would you not agree Alistair?” Godrick smiles again at Alistair. He pauses for a second before nodding, almost as though he was forced to do so.

  “If you will excuse me.” Alistair stands and quickly exits the room.

  “I must apologize for him. I do believe the Ancients are doing great work, and the gods truly do guide us, but the Diviners sometimes do forget that they are human themselves. Thus they let their faith cloud their judgment at times.” Godrick shifts his gaze towards Herc. “I’m sure whatever you feel for the former Diviner is valid, and you deserve the right to feel that way.”

  Godrick stands and motions for the butler to return.

  “My butler will see you out. Please excuse me, and thank you again for coming.” Godrick quickly exits the room. I stare at the empty space where the two of them sat just moments ago.

  “I— I am confused. What just occurred.” I am dumbfounded. I don’t know how we ended up here. I am starting to question who this Godrick fellow truly is outside of the rumors that precede him.

  “I do not have an answer for you, but I can say with absolute certainty that this Godrick fellow is extraordinarily powerful. The energy the flows from his is unlike anything I have ever felt before.” Hitha says as she stands and motions for Herc to follow. It’s clear that he was lost in thought.

  I know what I have been told about Herc’s history with the Diviner, no his father. Based on that alone, I would say that his actions were justified. I suppose at the end of the day, I have no reason to not believe his story. It’s clear that he has been pushed to his emotional limit, and for that reason I will choose to believe him. I will chose to believe his actions were just.

  But now, I am curious as to what this Godrick can do. To enact one’s own justice, what exactly does that mean?