James Islington

For Sonja.

Without your enthusiasm, love, and support,

this would never have been possible

CHAIN YOUR ANGER IN THE dark, my mother used to tell me, and it will only thrive.

Hate is its own violence, my prince. Your only choice is whether to let it hurt them, or you.”

Victims can still be enemies.”

In trying to become God, they created Him

There are those who see what should be, and complain that they do not get their due. And then there are those who see what is, and figure out how to use it to their advantage. Or at the least, overcome it.”

“Wait. I need to know. If this works. If… somehow in the future, the Hierarchy really does collapse in on itself.” I stare down over the fires. “Are you going to destroy the Aurora Columnae?”
For the first time, Relucia looks surprised.
“I don’t even know if that’s possible,” she says gently. Like a parent explaining a simple concept to a slow child. “And only the Princeps know where they all are. So… no. We’ll wait for the right moment, wait until the Hierarchy is ready to crumble, and then strike. Remove our oppressors. Start again.”
My fists clench. It’s the answer I expected.
“That’s the problem with people, though, isn’t it? They always think that other people are the problem.” Quiet. Angry. “You want to remove the Princeps? The senators? You’ll just become them, sooner or later. If all you’re trying to do is change who’s in control, then you don’t really want to change anything.” I finish in a forceful, low growl. Letting her hear my disgust.

The decision may have been made by the few, Diago, but it’s the Will of the many that killed your family.”

For friends, lost

RANK

RECEIVES WILL FROM:

1. PRINCEPS

40,320 PEOPLE

2. DIMIDIUS

20,160 PEOPLE

3. TERTIUS

6,720 PEOPLE

4. QUARTUS

1,680 PEOPLE

5. QUINTUS

336 PEOPLE

6. SEXTUS

56 PEOPLE

7. SEPTIMUS

8 PEOPLE

8. OCTAVUS

NONE