Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 518
them for what they were but keeping faith that she reasons to
lie, that she would lead them to earthly salvation. In the end,
her written ideology, the philosophy and new morals she had
preached, were all means to an end. That end could never be
reached; Armiger had taught her that. If so, then what mattered
their disappointment, their disillusionment? They would hate
her for leaving them alive, but they would be alive, and a life
lived in bitterness was still better than a death colored by
useless fanaticism.
She entered the audience chamber. Three of her duennas
stood about the room, looking aimless and scared. They rushed
to her when she entered, but said nothing. Their eyes searched
out hers.
"Every enlightened path can turn on itself, and become a
new tyranny," she said. "The process begins the moment you
truly, in your heart, believe in yourself."
"Your highness, are you all right?" Their hands touched
her arms, her dress. Like everyone else, they were coping with
the fear of death by displacing their concerns on her.
"Leave me!" She stepped out of their grasp. "I am as I
have always been."
Before they could answer or follow, she ran across to the
side entrance that led to her apartments. Slamming the door
behind her, she bolted it.
Two more of her maids stood here in the little chamber
where she had met with Lavin. They were staring at her,
openmouthed.
"Go away!" She swept past them.
Ah. The stairs to the roof. This was all too simple,
really. She had done her best, but the majority of people would
simply never understand her. Armiger was right--the only
paths forward for humanity lay in the tyranny of some