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A Soldier's Life - 385 - Swift Justice (edited 5-1-25 +300 words, it is better but still not what people wanted)
🕑 Added 2025-04-30 05:40:06 +0000 UTCChapter 385: Swift Justice
I was allowed to attend to the children as Karina was escorted to her audience with Matron Petra. They would still be in attendance but would not be part of the decision. We all followed the tribal warrior, and Karina picked up her escorts. Upon leaving the Blind Raven fortification, the bright light of midday blinded us. My aether sight immediately negated the temporary blindness for me.
I noticed Blaze and Sylph across the street and gave them a short nod to indicate that everything was fine. I had a reassuring arm on each of the girls as we walked. The citizens all gave us knowing looks, as it appeared in the last hour, word had spread. If Karina could worm out of this, she would not have been well-received among the people. It meant we would all be headed to Gramney soon, and putting this behind us, which I welcomed.
I sent out a few earth pulses and smirked when I detected Lesna and Selene trailing us on either side of the causeway. It felt good to have allies nearby. The clear aqua sky seemed to contrast the purpose of our march. No judgment of death should be handed out on such a beautiful day, but the real world was rarely fair.
The Lunar Light dwelling was similar in layout to the Blind Raven complex, except that it featured soft gray granite, and the glowstones were much brighter in the entry hallway. Some of the murder holes appeared to be blocked over. My earth speak indicated that this structure was much more extensive than the Blind Raven as well, with two sublevels that seemed to be storage and training rooms.
“What are the undertakings of the Blind Raven Tribe?” I asked Matron Lucette, who was behind me.
“They specialize in training caravan guards but also support a number of swordsmiths. Every warrior’s blade was either forged by a smith from the Lunar Light or Frozen Snow tribes.” I frowned, as this probably meant that the Matron had a lot of power.
“Are there many fights among the tribes?” I indicated the arrow slits in the walls. I knew there were racks of crossbows inside the individual cubicles behind each slit from the earth pulse.
“The matrons control their tribes, and we all diligently follow the laws. Two tribes have been—excised in the last hundred years. Cooperation must be maintained above all. Each tribe has freedom, but all are subject to the will of the matron majority,” Lucette said plainly. I had my doubts because it seemed like the Lunar Light Tribe was ready to defend itself, much more so than Blind Raven—like it was expecting an attack.
We climbed the stairs and were led into a spacious room, similar in size to the loom room in the Blind Raven’s structure. This room featured open windows on either side, allowing a steady breeze to flow through. It was not empty. Dozens of men and a few women, who were tribal warriors, lined the walls. Matron Petra had an unusual throne—more of an oversized kitchen chair that she occupied.
Her skin was taut, giving her a skeletal figure, while her gray hair was so thin that she almost appeared bald. She was the only one sitting, with several of her blue-clad warriors flanking her. Karina was ushered forward, warriors holding each arm, to stand before her. Matron Lucette whispered in my ear, “Do not interfere, or it may jeopardize the children.” I squeezed their shoulders reassuringly as they crowded into me. Greed was always a factor, and I figured I could offer some gold or essences for Karina’s freedom.
Karina stood confidently with a straight back and square shoulders as the aged matron studied her. “You are the one who struck down Jurian?” Her voice was dry and cracked as she spoke without emotion. I examined all the faces arrayed against Karina, and it was easy to see that those closest to the matron harbored the most anger toward Karina. Parents or siblings, most likely.
“I defended my companions from adventurers seeking to kidnap us. We have been accused of crimes committed by others and fled to the Shiunyuet for your protection,” Karina answered calmly. She turned to look at Matron Lucette but did not find support there as Lucette remained impassive.
The old woman’s jaw clenched. “You killed the son of my son, in the city where he was born. I do not care what crimes you have been accused of in the past—only the one you are before me today for.” She tried to sound angry but appeared to lack strength.
“A life for a life,” a woman with a tight brown-braided hair to her right muttered. I assumed it was Jurian’s mother by her age.
“A life for a life,” Petra muttered, earnestly. “The father’s to claim.”
A thick-necked man to Petra’s right started to draw a blade. I tensed and was thinking of drawing my blade, but the children occupied both my hands. “Don’t,” Lucette warned, as if reading my mind. “Judgement has been passed.”
Karina turned to us, wide-eyed but not fearful—just regretful. “Get them home. When you get back to Earth, tell my daughters and son what happened to me. Tell them I did not abandon them.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she remained tall, but the sword was swift and merciless.
As Karina’s headless body fell, I was too stunned to react. This was not a trial, just an execution. I don’t think it could have stopped the blade if I had offered them anything, no matter how valuable. This was a parent’s vengeance. At least that is what I told myself. I had failed Karina, Evie, and Lexi.
“You need to decide what to do with the bodies,” Lucette intoned dispassionately behind me, pulling me out of my stunned state. Death was a part of life, but it still stung when it happened to someone I knew. I wrapped my hands around the girls’ eyes and turned their heads toward me. They did not need to see the pool of blood forming. A small mercy was that the head was facing away from us. How much death and sorrow could these children take without being scarred? No, they were definitely already scarred, having lost all three women who had protected them. They didn’t belong in this world.
“Bury them,” I said dully. “Can we leave?”
Matron Lucette studied me, “I have had rooms prepared at the Blind Raven…”
“No. We will return to our inn where my companions are waiting for us.” I said coldly.
“Your companions are outside,” she said knowingly. “No one will stop you from leaving. We can talk more tomorrow.” I just nodded, but I didn’t think that was going to happen. Even though she had inferred this would happen, it still felt like we had been railroaded into coming here.
As Lucette had said, we were not stopped from leaving, and Castile and company were loitering along the street. Blaze cocked his head, not seeing Karina, and I gave a short shake of my head in response. The group formed around the children, but I waited to talk until we returned to the inn.
We mechanically ate a large meal in the room as I explained to the group what had happened, and they were not surprised by the swift justice. The food tasted bland to me, and Evie and Lexi barely ate and had not said a word since. It was probably best they didn’t sit through this, and I took them to their room so they could sleep it off. I even gave each of them half an oblivion pill so they wouldn’t dream—a small mercy.
When I returned to my companions, Castile was also melancholy, even though it seemed she was going to get her wish and mentor the young mages. We discussed plans to leave early the next day and hoped no one would stop us. The main concern was for the children, but no one should know how powerful they were, just that they were otherworlders.
Hopefully, with both Karina and Anika dead, the bounty from Yuetsen would be lifted. We could sort that out when we got back to Gramney safely. After everyone left the room, Castile remained behind, “I can see you are blaming yourself. There was nothing you could have done without making things worse.” She hesitated, “Do you want me to stay?” There was no hidden meaning, she just saw I was tormented, and maybe I could use a friend.
I steeled myself. “No. Get some rest, I have a feeling it is going to be a long day tomorrow.” Castile hesitated and then closed the door behind her.
She was wrong; I had failed. Three of the five Earthers I had tried to save had died. I hadn’t been able to save them. There was some guilt, but now there was also an obligation to Evie and Lexi. There was no way I would be able to get them back to Earth, but I would protect them and show them I was making an effort to get them home to keep them positive. After a few years on Desia, they would be powerful mages and not want to return.
Evie still struggled with her necromancy. I thought perhaps I had some information in my dreamscape library about the Death Sentinels. It was not my first choice, but they might teach her to control her abilities.
I secured the room and entered the dreamscape. I only allowed Oscar to bother me as I summoned all the books about Death Sentinels and Death Hunters to a table. Only three books. That was it. I sighed as I paged through the first one, it was a dungeon reference to one of the two undead dungeons in Desia, and that sometimes Death Sentinels would visit to train and test their recruits—not very useful.
The second tome was only slightly more useful. It discussed whether the Isle of the Dead actually had its own dungeons and if the undead on the island delved those dungeons. A quote in the book from a Death Hunter said, he had set foot on the Isle and that he had delved a dungeon there, but there were no other details. Both references were from the Godok archives.
The final book contained obscure references to Death Hunter tactics used for killing powerful undead. Despite my impressive library in the dreamscape, it was still woefully short when it came to the wonders of Desia. I pulled five books next about the Isle of Dead, thinking there might be clues.
As I searched, I was yanked out of the dreamscape, and was instantly alert. The simple pulley had taken the amulet from my loose grasp. Magebane was immediately in one hand and a simple shield in the other as I got to my feet with a silent roll from the bed. An earth pulse and my aether sight acted in concert as I identified the threat. The outline of the familiar halfling was squeezing silently through a crack in the door.
“Lesna,” I hissed in the dark room. “What are you doing?”
“How do you always—do you even sleep?” She said, jumping in surprise, clearly irritated she hadn’t snuck up on me.
“It has been a very bad day,” I said harshly.
“It is going to get worse. Anika’s body is missing. I just heard one of the tribesmen in the street saying they saw her coming out of the earth!” Lesna sounded a little panicked. “He was drunk, but he said he buried her an hour ago!”
I rumbled to myself, “Evie, what have you done?” It was still a few hours till dawn, but we couldn’t stay any longer. “Wake the others and get the horses ready to ride. We are leaving.” I dressed quickly and pushed into Lexi and Evie’s room, a blue glow stone in my hand. I already knew they were here, and I roused them from their deep sleep. I identified myself and stood over them and asked softly, “Evie, did you use your necromancy on Anika?”
She looked panicked but managed to squeak out, “I’m sorry.” Dragon shit.
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Comments
Adam V
Hm I was surprised she was killed so quickly without giving the mc a chance to bargain. Also, I would have asked to keep Korina's body, and store it to preserve it. Between an 88 healer and 90+ necromancer, it might eventually be possible to ressurect a fresh corpse. I'd guess the ressurection timeline is similar the window for extracting an undiminished essence (Also, I appreciate the irony of seeking refuge in a place because it is so lawful, and dying to those strict laws)
Aspiring Sage
Author, this was great. It was intense and impactful. I do think it could be improved on, and I think you have some good suggestions from your readers to choose from. The biggest areas ripe for minor improvement are one, connecting the readers to the two dead women. Give them more screen time, explain why they want to go back so badly, and why they HAVE to believe in an escape. Maybe just Karina with her 3 kids and wanting to get Evie and Lexi to THEIR parents, while Anika is more of a follower and protector. 2) Eryk needs to wrestle with his concept of 'saving' other people, and with NOT forcing them to do what HE thinks is best. By the end, he comes to the greater realization that in some cases, he does in fact know best, and just has to improve his ability to convince others... an aspect of being a better leader he is weak in. 3) he needs to accept that even if he can't save everyone, he can choose to save some. So he accepts he has to let Renna's fate go, but he wants to take on the duty and burden of saving Evie. Something along those lines. But overall, even as it currently stands, I think this was a great arc, and necessary for the story's progression, and Eryk's progression as a leader of soldiers rather than as just a soldier himself.
Gruesome_Garry
In a setting where a life for a life is justice I would easily see declaring blood on the matron and those that spoke for blood as a (probably unwise) choice that one might make in Erik's shoes. Three dead that are the closest connection to home and family; one dying with misplaced hopes of safety, one dying from an unseen mage, and finally one dying from what would seem an unjust execution. Feels like his reaction is a bit muted, even if he's focused on saving the remaining people.
HappyNoms
I don't mind this mini arc, though I agree it's obvious the adults are being offhand killed off for being inconvenient, and Eryk avoids having to take a moral position of any substance. I think I would have preferred if the arc saw the adults secretly being cleverly manipulative and not really attached to the children (?!, Surprise plot twist, bitches!), and try to abandoned them, or sell/trade them for the adults safety/advantage upon reaching a town/city, pretending to be their caretakers for the first two weeks but actually being manipulative and revealing a coldhearted selfishness, __because this selfishness would then contrast with Eryk's own selfishness__ (now we're talking peak cinema) when he first appeared in world before his subsequent several years of growth. Eryk would have to stake out a moral position with active agency and intervene to oppose the abandoning/sale/trade of the children. The adults might go on their way as exiled, or sold in the children's place or so forth, vs just conveniently killed off in a way that leaves Eryk overtly a pristine bystander.
Kevin
Eryk could put Karina's Body in Dimensional space, the head too. Then after Lexi trains she can heal her. The head lives for ten seconds or more after decapitation. I mean its not like the family would think he could help her after being headless. OH, IDEA. Eryk gets Karina's body into dimensional space just to expedite things. Lexi realizes she can restore her after traveling a while. Anika can still be zombied for a bit, so nobody brings up a funeral for Karina out of awkwardness. Lexi is fueled to train in healing to possibly help her surrogate mother. Success or failure would lead to a great scene. Obviously I want her to live but I think it could work.
Karnnie
Personally I liked the chapter. Eryk was helpless to help and forced to be a "normal person". Eevie on the other hand is being a kid and her emotions guide her instead of her head, something very real ro the way children act. Great Chapter. On a side note, Eryk's "mercenary/Adventurer party" is getting pretty thin, will he be recruiting more members?
Erick Thiemke
thinking te same thing
Erick Thiemke
fine Helena lives
Erick Thiemke
she lives then
Erick Thiemke
Helena lives - I was actually going to kil. her when I wrote the chapter the first time but decided people would be like - see Eryk fucked up, got a friend killed helping strangers
Erick Thiemke
so this is kind of a big spoiler so dont read further if you dont want to. Book 7,8,and 9 are Eryk piecing the World Gate knowledge together. At first it was Eryk trying to go home but everyone was like why would he want to go home? I agreed so needed another reason...help the children go home
Erick Thiemke
yeah maybe a little overboard after book 5 had no deaths. Maybe Lirkin survives in the rewrite, maybe....
Erick Thiemke
Yeah, there was a poll, and the Seraphim subs voted for the POV to be Evie, which is only partly why. I did let Lexi live when I was planning to narrow the cast a bit. I think she will be a good character
Erick Thiemke
ok she lives
Erick Thiemke
It was more about even the tiniest mistake in this world results in death.
Erick Thiemke
no zombie apocalypse planned
Erick Thiemke
edit added where Lexi imprinted a small dimensional space - she can never be stored
Erick Thiemke
ok she lives
Erick Thiemke
ok she lives! edited out
Erick Thiemke
the manticore arc was very straightforward I thought
Erick Thiemke
yeah I might have to note that in an earlier chapter too. felt too suddon
Erick Thiemke
it should feel bad. i want emotion! I will do a better job building them up as likabel people. Book 5 had no death in it so maybe I went a little overboard in this one. Maybe Lirkin lives in the rewrite.
Erick Thiemke
I cant tell from your comment if you like or hate the chapter
William Hewitt
Older societies did not kill all outsiders on sight. Honor has been a thing for multiple millenia. People acting like this should be a cold blooded xianxia(completely insane, unrealistic characters and universes btw) are too high on lit rpg as a genre in general. I love this story BECAUSE it's unpredictable. Like actual life. Nothing is more boring than having each story arc and outcome predetermined by tropes of the genre.
Damien P
I don't know why Eryk didn't put Karina into his storage space. They'd never have know it was him would they? Just that she disappeared. The argument could be said, a life for a life has already been bbeen paid. As for Helena, why kill her? She aren't mentioned much in the chapters but all the ladies do now kinda make up Fortuna's Chosen again. Someone just needs to mention it. (I think that's the name). Killing Karina gives Eryk 'guardianship' of the girls now as they trust him given he's from Earth as well so I can somewhat understand that, it still feels hollow. There were three adult women at the start. One died as he didn't get there fast enough. He then saves the 4 remaining. Then fights and kills and saves. (No deaths is good. It shows planning and working together works. A second woman dies (can't remember name) and Karina kills in self defence. (If someone grabs you and pulls you around in this setting, given what they've been through, of course weapon out and kill) This feels hollow, we don't really care (readers and I'm assuming) about her, just that she's from Earth too but to kill her that way? Killing off the adult characters from Earth, when Karina should probably stay alive. The girls adore her. 🥺 It feels hollow and I feel sorry for the girls. Her death just doesn't add up in my view.
Mark P
Focus on killing off his enemies not his allies. Frustratingly so many authors revert to this in long series. I'd scrap this entire book starting with Konstantin learning he's a father.
Jonathan Walker
Honestly I hated that she died, especially hearing her talk about her children, that's just horrible and sad.
HenryMorgan
Just a thought, you know how essence collectors are a thing which makes people a resource. If you have no power to back you up but are a rich resource, then you are a target, kinda like winning the lottery, you dont have the tools to defend your wealth, you often become bankrupt or dead. Now the MC is revealing he is an otherworlder to random old ladies, has shackled himself to uncontrollable children, he is now facing a short life, either he is killed for his essence, or, as the child has raised the dead, now death by people looking to contain a future necromantic threat.
Lemes
And there goes the good Samaritan Erick to the zombie island to try to save Evie. It's either that or pack up this retarded girl until he finds a solution to her situation. This whole arc was very frustrating! Seriously, would someone drop everything and risk not only their life but also the lives of their companions and friends just to play the unwanted babysitter for a bunch of hysterical women? Apparently, the MC is going to decide to go to the zombie island, and in this story Raelia and her son will be left out. This good Samaritan syndrome of the MC is already getting annoying.
Andrew G.
This is basically grimdark if you haven’t realized yet. Characters make bad or dubious choices sometimes. Just like in the real world
Austin
What's he supposed to do? Attack all the clans and get his friends killed? He's not all powerful.
Filip
There’s a lot of reacting so far in this book, not a lot of acting. Thanks for the chapter.
Wiggles, Rank C, Level 4
I bet their magic affinity will mostly be necromancy, unless they're devoid of essence like the wights. Essence-stuff leaks out quickly after death on the scale of a minute, so think any basic undead like a zombie either gets its mental and magical "essence profile" rewritten, or gives no essence. But maybe complicated stuff like liches retain other magic affinities.
David Weller
I think the highest level Necromancy spell should be called Death Knight. The spell acts as a resurrection spell. The body is fully regenerated and the soul is restored, but the soul is then chained to the body and an aetheric link is attached to the person who casts it, permanently making them their servant. The spell only offers minor commands and provides the Death Knight with a large amount of autonomy. The body acts almost entirely like a living body except the body regenerated quickly from injuries and leaves a large scar. Body parts can easily be reattached.
Marvin Amann
Don't think it makes sense to kill Helena in this story arc. First, would take away from the death of all three grown up earth women. Killing Helena would put the focus on her as the others are much more emotionally connected with her than the earth women. Also think Helena's Story still has a lot to tell. Think the dynamic of the two legionaries and Selene being allies but not actually loyal to the MC as they have no personal friendship and their own goals other then some feeling of obligation for saving their lives towards the MC is interesting.
Raelik
Go go gadget Death knight! Evie's guardian spell form could manifest as a regenerating undead muhahah. Or a spiritual link.
Medhanie Kidane
I don't think Helena death is necessary. But I think Erik needs a challenger ( his own Professor Moriarty). Just saying!
Lee Powell
Yea yea yea, Eryk gets control of the children by being kinda incompetent, it's rubbing me the wrong way.
Lee Powell
So he just lets her die, how wonderfully convenient.
Silver Beard
Should have stashed them both away in his space after giving them the oblivion pills- their resistance would have been weakest then. No chance of this new BS that puts Eryk and everyone else in danger. Ofc they are going to keep screwing up: they are traumatized children. The only real safety to be had is in Stasis where they can't be emotional.
Invalid Entry
YES! Zombie apocalypse time shitty tribalism’s. Hope you enjoyed your ‘justice’ from what you thought was a position of power. Now watch the undead rend the flesh from your children and loved ones :D. Though fo’real evil… might be a bit of a problem lol.
SilverbladeTE
Actually I like the fact the Earthers brought mayhem down on their heads You can't screw around in another world & culture without consequences! Eryk had to be damn careful and *suffer* to survive it ain't all sunshine & roses
Kingtie
I'd leave Helenia alive, there's plenty of deaths and she's not that important to kill... might take away from these earthers deaths
hasrul naim
Blaze likes Selena bro, not Helena
Doritoscrunch
This feels like it aligns to why the second half of the ark has felt off for me. I would also add that Eric had been pretty practical/rational to date so going to so much trouble for a group he does not know that is so cold to him is very out of character unless it ties in with a larger objective
Andrei Sima
Just caught up with this story arc. I'll throw in my two cents on this otherworlder plotline. So the start of it is pretty good. We are leaving some of the main cast we had behind during book 5 and now we get new people from older arcs. I like this because it uses familiar faces that already have a depth and voices of their own while also introducing a few new characters. This is the best way to handle cast changes for a progression fantasy story. I enjoyed the first part of this arc too, with Eryk taking a very active role in leading a small company. He was doing great and we see all his training put to use! The traveling, camping, fights, all add depth to the characters and world building. But I'm seeing so many issues with this arc that even when reading it in one sitting, it feels boring and sloggish. And it consists of several issues. 1. The Otherworlder characters, I understand they have trauma, they want to go home back to their families no matter what and Eryk is acting shady during their encounters. So is normal for them to act that way. But these characters still feel like NPCS, none of them feel real, credible or interesting. They don't have their own voice or anything. The kids too so far. I would reccomend rewriting the characters and dialogue so they have more depth, and for the reader to get to know them better. Understand them better. Maybe an interlude where we see things from one otherworlder point of view? Anyways from my perspective thede new characters needs some heavy rewrite and dialogue editing to make this arc be top tier. The girls not wanting Eryk to come with them to meet the matron also feels like a cheap excuse to get them in trouble. That's why these need a rewrite at the very least. 2. Erik actions, some of his actions simply doesn't feel like him. For me it feels like they're forced to manufacture drama and tension. But said drama and tension gets resolved within next couple of chapters anyways (referring to Castile keeping things from Eryk), so why when create it? Eryk is an very unsafe environment yet he drinks and challenges random people. I get it he is under a massive amount of stress but this character change is way too abrupt. He is regressing his training that we as reader spent so much time investing in. He was always under massive amount of stress regarding his own survival, so these actions just feel forced. Which worsens the arc as a whole. I like that Eryk is a hypocrite regarding Castile, she has her secrets but he also kept a massive amount of them from her and still has even more. But he has been pretty smart surviving so far. In this arc at times he feels like an entirely different character from book 3-4-5. And that's not really a good thing. His short feud with Castille while foreshadowed, was too short and artificial. His drinking and challenging people is way too out of character. You don't need that challenge fight scene, it doesn't accomplish much narratively and drinking part, can be easily replaced with one of his own oblivion pills or amulet after doing a bit of scouting in the city. Lastly, Helene dying is okay but what does it achieve narratively? While not an important cast member, we and Eryk know of her since start. Her dying should give some meaning or teaching moment for Eryk, push him towards a direction. If you kill her off and Eryk still acts that way then it regresses his character even more. If one of his members died in this journey that he's directly responsable for, would he still drink, challenge people or feud with Castile? Love the story BTW, and while I'm critic of this arc, I can't wait to see how this story will progress!
Azwrix
I don't want another character death from this arc.. the earthlings died already
Shawn
Killed off enough potentially interesting people for one book ? I also don't think that battle was more deadly than the chimera. The enemy adventures were over confident and reckless. No one getting hurt would have been a unlikely but dying from a bit of fire when Eyrk has potions and Lexi can heal is dumb unless part of her literally gets turned to ash instantly and we haven't seen a single fire mage capable of that yet. No way a mage that strong is some lowly adventure.
Prinny Knight
Don't kill helena, doing my guy blaze dirty like that.
Travis
this whole other people from earth arc has nearly turned me off the story. just something about how it has happened and what is happening keeps annoying me more and more the longer it goes on.
NovaZero
I am actually more irritated with Eryk here - especially with that bit about how greed is a thing. Like.... dumbass, are you trying to get yourself killed? What's to stop them from killing you then robbing you anyway?
PatronTurtle
What essences do undead have? Do they retain any of their host's if they are resurrectes recently?
Andrew G.
I think it makes sense for someone to have died in the battle. Three mages and all. But that said, I feel like killing off Helena introduces a whole can of worms with how Slyph needs to be reacting to it and people to her. But now I’m thinking it, it would give Eryk a reason to be supremely frustrated with Katrina and her stupid plan, and want to just wash his hands of it… until they get themselves killed of course. Cause I was totally confused at Eryk’s reasoning for letting this obvious stupid plan play out in the first place. But I see what you’re setting up now, and that’s a really interesting set of circumstances for our MC to navigate. Look forward to seeing how it plays out. Oh and I started World Sphere today, already almost done with the first book, so obv really enjoying it
Austin
I think changing it to Helena dying wouldn't make sense. The way the other chapters are written would have to be significantly changed. I don't see her death not affecting stuff after.
Chachi
bummer he couldn’t collect karina or anikas essences
MagicWafflez
.... ugh. killing helena too? this is feeling like the death arc now. 3 deaths to side characters and an off screen death of a potential side character. sigh. and losing helena, one of his first friends in this world, over obstinate, selfish otherworlders... I feel like I'd have been even *more* mad about all of this leading up to it. I feel like it really *really* changes the whole vibe of the last 10 or so chapters... because *now* eryk literally lost a friend trying to save these selfish bitches and they SPIT on his generosity and advice at EVERY turn. and then they forcefully decide to meet the matron without him and die *anyway*. Helena died because FUCKING EVIE CAN'T STOP RAISING THE FUCKING DEAD. she died so that evie, the biggest fucking problem in this entire arc, could live. and she can't stop ruining everything she touches. at this point. she needs to go in storage and stay there until they have a solution. because she has been out of storage for roughly 24 hours and already, they're on the run again. solely because of her.
Andrew
Thank you!
Theo Tomss
Thanks for the chapter ! I don’t think you need to kill Helena I think the fight was really good and the fact that she was badly injured add a component of danger but there is no need for her to die in that fight in my opinion, maybe later but not there
MagicWafflez
hm... it takes 8 seconds for someone to lose consciousness after being beheaded... could he have stored karina and put her back together later? especially if lexi is so good at healing. sigh. I'd really like to know if evie is having some kind of an uncontrollable urge to make zombies... because if not, I'm going to be a lot more annoyed with her than is probably healthy. has anyone sat her down and explained that EVERY NATION WILL WANT TO KILL HER??? sigh. so much for a leisurely trip back. I feel like they basically *have* to go to the isle of the dead now. anywhere they take evie is going to basically make their group pariahs forever after. It'd be one thing if she could be trusted to stop fucking raising the dead, but clearly she can't. I'm annoyed with our past decisions. why did we want evie's perspective? she's the most complicated person to keep alive, damn it.
Jeff Kollada
I think going forward Eryk and party need to be mindful of how they treat the girls. With them losing all three women I don't see them being separated very easily if at all. Also, it would make sense Helena died with the burns she suffered as they were out numbered and partially out matched and would fit the Desian feel
Erick Thiemke
had one of my long drives to NH today and back, and watched the Celtics so got to writing late, but here it is
