It isn't always with an enemy.
Moments when we face down our own blood...
In the end it is what resides in our personal moral compass that guides us through what, in appearance is a 'no win' situation...
Ethan understood, deeply so, that the product of his life's work was now placed into question
were he to succumb to the unreasonable demands set before him, it saw to benefit only those who would wish him harm
a hard fact to embrace
He pressed on through the airport knowing this trip would be his last.
Wasn't great with family issue
seemed like a colossal waste of time when the parties involved had chosen to play the blame game.
His wife had been slaughtered by werewolves in a foreign country
Ethan's responsibility in this was un adulterated naivety
how was he to have realized the covenants set out by ancestors he had no prior knowledge of?
If nothing else, he'd explain this fact. His sons, more than likely would villianize their fathers quest to obtain the esoteric knowledge
railing against the fact that it cost them their mother
Ethan didn't desire to play the role of negotiator knowing full well of her affair with Blackstone, the illegitimate child she carried
the pain she had caused
Ethan would have to stoically represent himself and pray for the best
'prayer' the thought amused him
how far he had come from the darkness into the light that presently guided his actions
irony believing in one set of values only to have that undermined so utterly complete
At the set appointed time the conversation flowed uneasily
he quietly renounced their ultimatum; that he realized stemmed from immaturity
still he sat and listened with intent
with emotions running terse he felt the less said the better
Ethan explained life as they knew it had expired, they could all quantify their actions or lack there of if they chose to;
in the end, it changed nothing.
His sons glared at him with a deep set hatred
their loss, in their mind, held far more importance than the feelings of a middle aged man.
Father or no' he'd not alter their lives any further
As Ethan meandered off he braced himself for the inevitable; sooner or later these lines crossed would lead to the point of no return
he'd been there himself...he knew better than anyone the cost.
No point in explaining that once one lowered themselves to self righteousness all would turn itself inside out
Ethan simply could not warn, harbor or spare them what was to come next.
His beloved was nearing childbirth
there was little time to covet any negative emotion
he had to stand against things that Ethan hadn't ever conceived he be chosen to do
this, for him, all came down to the procurement of what he had begun to cultivate as a mere child
seeing this through
well, this was the breath in his lungs
His shoulders now relieved of the burden of disapproval held high and broad
The treachery, regardless of what would transpire after the slinged insults
bore no resemblance to him
Inadvertently his blood, his children, had given him the very thing he required to destroy them as they stood.
He grinned.
He smirked.
He began the long trek home.
There were things about Ethan that no one knew...and right now? He threw a battle to win the war.
***********************************************************
Ultimatums are for cowards. It is the adult tantrum thrown to get ones way.
It's getting the final word in an untenable argument.
Like Dr. Phil always says "How's that working for you?"
Bottom line here is for every passage I write I am constantly asked "Is this about me?"
when you assume...
I was given an ultimatum, remove what I wrote or a daughter with drawls her love from her father.
That is when the realization steeps in and you, with immediacy, understand that the love didn't exist, the trust is negligent and the ignorance is ramped.
So in response I say this
it is all fiction.
There may be similarities in situations, circumstance but that is precisely what it is.
My personal views are vested, always have been.
Hope that you're week is a wonderful one, full of excitement not drama
speech that is uplifting
and a comprehension that once you've chosen to hate that which you've targeted will in fact be the tell to your own actions
Thank you Val for the recent edits and kudos on the new job
From my hand to yours,
Sawyer Saint Andrews
