Chapter 483: Pride and Its Fall

Chapter 482: Pride and Its Fall

Lyria’s POV

Lucian spoke immediately after me.

"I am Duke Lucian Aurelgrave of Eastmere."

"I am Duke Alistair Thorncrest of Highmoor," Duke Thorncrest said.

"I am Corvin Hale, Marquess of the highly esteemed Westreach," Corvin said.

He placed a particular emphasis upon the words highly esteemed, as though he endeavoured to make some point the rest of us had somehow failed to perceive.

"I am Marquess Adrian Silverwyn of Crestfall," Marquess Silverwyn said calmly.

Then Duke Valenridge spoke, his voice quiet and even.

"I am Duke Evander Valenridge of Blackmere."

Jim regarded him for a long moment, startled by hiw words. Yet the Duke in question gave no indication that he noticed or, if he did, that he cared in the least.

Baldwin then spoke, his gaze resting upon Duke Thorncrest. His voice remained that same soft whisper, yet it carried more weight than any raised tone might have done.

"Where exactly is Highmoor, Yer Grace?"

"A considerable distance from here." Duke Thorncrest replied, with a smile "It would require several days perhaps more than a week to reach Highmoor. It is a place well concealed among the hills."

Baldwin nodded slowly.

"I’ve ’eard of Highmoor afore," he admitted. "Everyone ’as, specially seein’ as it’s the oldest dukedom. But I must admit I’ve never known where it lies. An’ I reckon there’s good reason fer that, if it’s that far."

Ursula spoke next, her eyes fixed upon Corvin with open curiosity that bordered upon challenge.

"I’ve ’eard of a good many o’ the other territories," she said, "but never of Westreach. An’ if I may ask, is it actually a rather new marquisate?"

Corvin’s jaw tightened at once. It was plain that the question irritated him.

"It is not new, per se," he replied, a touch of stiffness entering his voice. "We have been a marquisate for a number of years. But compared to the others..." He paused, as though weighing how much he wished to concede. "We were awarded the title some twenty-four years ago."

I noted, privately, that this was the very year of Corvin’s birth. It was curious that I had been close to him for a time during my foolish years, and yet was only now learning such things.

Baldwin leaned forward slightly, still curious.

"Where is it situated?"

"Not far from the capital," Corvin answered, "which is why I was able to visit the palace with some frequency while growing up."

I observed Duke Thorncrest watching Corvin after those words. His expression remained blank, yet I was beginning to understand him better; I felt fairly certain he was endeavouring to piece something together.

"Might we proceed?" Corvin asked. "For I must confess I do not understand why we are introducing ourselves at such length."

I turned to him at once.

"It i-is because the p-people of Gallowshill do n-not know us," I said. "For is it only a-acceptable that the p-people of t-the town should introduce themselves, and n-not ourselves?"

Corvin scoffed immediately.

"It is perfectly natural that they should know who we are. We are nobles, after all."

I regarded him directly, refusing to lower my gaze.

"Just b-because you possess the r-resources to miraculously k-know everyone and every n-noble does n-not mean that everyone e-else does. And I w-will remind you, my lord, you are n-not the one in c-charge here. This is a m-meeting for us all to u-understand what we s-shall be working w-with, so as to p-provide better r-resources and help the t-town. Or p-perhaps you were n-not aware of that?"

Corvin glared at me, but I disregarded him and turned back to Jim, Baldwin, and Ursula.

"Now that the i-introductions are d-done," I said, "m-may we proceed?"

Ursula answered without hesitation.

"Yes, we can. An’ I must say this meetin’ should come ter an end. Fer the town needs no ’elp."

I let out a deep sigh, the weariness of the day settling more heavily upon me.

"I am f-frankly tired o-of all this," I admitted, "for t-today."

Ursula appeared taken aback by the directness of my words.

"There i-is so much pride c-can a-accomplish," I continued, addressing her firmly. "And there is a saying I know w-well: pride goeth b-before a fall. And I m-must say, from what I have l-learned of late, no m-man is an island."

Ursula’s expression hardened.

"The whole town works together," she said. "We ain’t an island."

"You m-misinterpret the meaning," I said. "An i-island need n-not signify a s-s-solitary person. An e-entire people m-may become an i-island in that s-sense: t-those who collectively r-refuse every offer of a-assistance. For after all, d-do not even the strongest among us r-require the h-help of others? W-without support, how can s-strength be s-sustained i-indefinitely? What is s-strength w-without the foundation of shared e-effort?"

"A war," I continued, "is r-rarely won by the prowess of a s-single fighter, but by the c-coordinated labour of m-many: the s-strategist who p-plans, t-those who bear supplies, t-those who tend the w-wounded. V-victory is s-seldom the a-achievement of one a-alone. It is t-the result of m-many hands giving w-what they c-can."

Ursula opened her mouth to reply, but I continued before she could speak.

"And d-do tell, what truly d-differentiates pride f-from s-selfishness?" I asked. "If o-one focuses so i-intently upon the p-p-preservation of one’s o-own pride that all h-help is refused, what becomes of the others in the town w-who stand in genuine need of it? What of those who w-would benefit f-from the aid that is f-freely offered?"

To my surprise, Baldwin chuckled when I had finished. The sound was as low and husky as his speaking voice.

"We’ll take yer ’elp," he said.

Ursula turned upon him at once, plainly prepared to protest. But Baldwin disregarded her and leaned forward instead, his weathered hands resting upon the rough table.

"There’s a whole lot ter be done in this town," he said. "An’ are ye—all o’ ye—ready ter be involved fully? Fer I’ll admit, I’d rather ye all commit yourselves entirely than give up halfway, after raisin’ the hopes of the townspeople."

"I d-do not do things h-halfway," I said calmly.