A Call To Arms

A Call To Arms is the twenty-eighth chapter of Tales of Sheol'gotha:  Shadow of the Abaddon.

Synopsis
The royal guards come in the middle of the night for Sharess who, though expecting what was to come, was not fully expecting of it. Her children follow but are redirected to the throne room's balconies, and upon arriving Oribus states that everyone is present. Fall-un'tir calls for the prince to be brought up, and Hja De-jin emerges with Wiq'tin at her side. Fall-un'tir wastes no time in laying the blame at Valon and Sharess' feet, as well as their entire family by association.

Sharess is quick to turn it around and states Valon's actions as just, citing the actions at Flagstone and the behaviours of Kaltrin and his siblings in feeding Surtur's dark desires. Hja pleads for Abaddon to see reason, but as Abaddon approaches and considers his son he sees only a broken child and crushes the remains beneath his hand. Fall-un'tir blames the death on Sharess directly and he calls for her to acknowledge the fact. She refuses, pointing out that Fall-un'tir himself is guilty of similar crimes, and that he is hypocritical for suggesting Valon deserves death for a crime which is technically lesser than that of Abaddon's - mercy killing or not.

Donovan warns Sharess that she is overstepping her authority, and Hja makes an attempt at attacking her only to be stopped by the guards. She instead sends her children out to kill Valon, turning them from the palace, and Donovan suggests they call the meeting to a close. He escorts Sharess from the throne room and back to her room, warning her of Valon's aspirations and what they will do. She in turn challenges his adherence to the Abaddon and what ramifications it may have, but he departs before such a thing must be discussed. As her children return to their dormitories Sharess acknowledges the time for secrets is over, and that she is willing to answer their questions.

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