Thankfully the elvenofficials hadn’t written a verbatim script they wished Izzy to recite. They’d come up with a bullet-point list of items for her to touch on as part of her confession. That gave Izzy some leeway in how she communicated to the public, and she used it brilliantly.
She began formally.
“My name is Sa Brown Izzy and I am guilty of conspiring to overthrow the righteous elven authorities of this wonderful land.”
I had to smile as I watched her. Her expression spoke only of submission and remorse, but a fire blazed in her spirit as she spoke. And she’d already chosen some rather on-point words.
…righteous elven authorities… could mean they had the high moral ground, or it could mean they were pompous and hypocritical.
…this wonderful land… showing her love and support for Seial while seeming apologetic.
A good start.
“I am a traitor, guilty of sedition and treason. I hadhoped to abolish the rule of elves and bring equality for all people.” And the way she shook her head after saying this was inspired. It could be seen as apologetic and contrite to those who wished to see her fall, or… it could show her empathy for the plight of the oppressed, garnering her support from those who wished for change. A brilliant double-edged sword of a gesture.
“And now I see the error of my ways. I shouldn’t have even tried. This is not something I could ever have done alone.”
And it was that mostly innocuous little word tacked onto the end of that sentence, which gave it so much power.
Alone.
Izzy admitted she’d tried and failed to overthrow the government, but only because she hadn’t had the support of the people, the masses behind her. And the way she minimized those two syllables meant most people might not notice the word. But for those who did, it suggested that united we could fight the power of the elves.
“I accept my punishment: trial by combat against Princess El Tyrianel Saldrea. I will face her, knowing I’ll find justice and peace. May my fate be an example to all those who might challenge the rule of the elves.”
A single tear fell, tracing Izzy’s cheek.
A stunning finish.
She’d thrown the door wide open for a rebellion, and it was possible none of her captors were even aware of it. She seemed to be accepting her fate, but her words could also be taken another way. She’dfind justiceagainst Saldrea… if she won. And if she did, her fate wouldbe an example to all those who might challenge the rule of elves.
I had to stop myself from applauding.
The authorities, satisfied with her confession, gloated and left.
I had to force myself to wait until I was sure no one would overhear before I quietly congratulated my love.
“That was brilliant!”
A tiny smile crept onto her lips. “You think so? I was so sure the elves were going to see through my ploy, but… they all seemed to think they’d won at the end.”
“It’s because they’ve always been superior. Your subtleties were lost on them because they heard what they wanted to hear, what they always hear. They’re so arrogant, they can’t see or hear anything other than what they expect.”
“How?” Izzy asked baffled. “How can they be so blind, so… dense?”
“When you live for thousands of years, and everyone has always submitted to you and told you what you wanted to hear, it becomes the norm. To them it’s utterly impossible that anyone would even try to rise up against them. And frankly, ithas beenimpossible for so long. Your existence changes all of that, but they can’t see it, probably because they don’t know… who you really are.”
I wouldn’t say she was a royal out loud, even whispering as we were.
“They see a half-blood, who may be strong, but has now learned her place and who they’ll soon be rid of.”
Izzy frowned at that.
“That’s what they see, not what I see. I know you’ll get out of the collar and beat the crap out of Saldrea tomorrow.”
“After the other’s free Myel,” she breathed, some uncertainty creeping back into her voice.
“Yes, of course.”
