Chapter 8: Ancient Elven Words

That evening, at dinner, Galen set a thick book in front of me next to a plate of pork jerky, fresh fruit, and bread. He had been with me most of the day. Someone else had to have prepared this, along with bringing clothes and salves to my room, but I never saw any hint of anyone else.

While the salves helped, I now possessed knots on several areas of my body, more than a couple on my face.

I gazed down at the book. The Elements of Righteous Monarcy by Contigus. An elven tome of some sort.

“Do you know this?” he asked.

I shook my head, taking a bite of jerky.

“Contigus was the First Administrator of King Natalus, thousands of years ago,” he said. “In those days, First Administrators were more than simple administrators. Apart from the King and Queen, they were the most important and powerful elves in the Kryan Kingdom. He was wise and educated, beyond most elves in our history.”

I chewed a bite and swallowed. “So this was before Tanicus, before the Empire.”

“Yes,” Galen said. “Much before. Natalus was a good king, not corrupt like the latter monarchs. Contigus wrote this as a series of articles on different topics, gathering the greatest wisdom of the world in his day. This, then, has become a standard and classic for our people, for any people, truly.”

I frowned.

Galen opened the book and turned to page 354. The title on the top of the page – Power and Compassion.

“Read this while you eat,” Galen said.

I did. The words of common were older and more sophisticated than I was used to, but I could understand most meaning by context if I had to move past a certain term unfamiliar to me.

We finished the meal, Galen barely eating while I consumed the large plate of food like a bosaur after being driven over the Liorian mountains.

I looked up from the article.

Galen waved over at me. “Explain to me Contigus’ argument for the balance between Power and Compassion for the monarch.”

“Well, as far as I understand, Contigus argues that the monarch holds power for the express purpose of showing compassion, of helping those in need, protecting the innocent. Never to further the power of the monarchy, whether by conquest or any power over others.”

Galen’s gaze turned distant. “Continue.”

I cocked my head. “In fact, he seems to think that freedom of the individual must be the default. If the monarch must have a flaw, it is to give the citizenry too much freedom. And power for violence must be a last resort, reserved for a select, evil few, and still never without regard for the possibility of redemption. Otherwise, the monarch designed to be the hero becomes the evil he seeks to fight.” I cleared my throat. “That is what he says, as far as I can tell.”

The ancient elf nodded. “Well done. You have summarized Contigus’ argument succinctly. You are sure you haven’t read that before?”

I shook my head. “Never even heard of this book.” Which was true.

“Impressive,” Galen said. “Now, what do you think of the argument?”

Swallowing, I said, “Um, what do you mean?”

“Simple question. You’ve read the argument. Do you agree or disagree?”

I didn’t move during a hesitation. “I guess it depends on how you define evil.”

Galen’s brow creased. “In what way?”

“If you define evil, as Contigus does, as any breaking of the rights of the individual, then I would agree.”