Bane of Gnosis: Chapter 5 – Open-Mindedness and Willful Ignorance

Chapter 5 – Open-Mindedness and Willful Ignorance

By the time Bane and Andreas arrive in the capital of Honestus, it’s been a few days since the civil war started and their guards have since led many assassins away from them. The capital itself is unlike other kingdoms in that it takes sides by splitting the capital as both sides try to work harder and better than the others with few fights happening as people are busy producing the goods that they sell to all kingdoms to get their continued support. Dissimilar from other capitals, this one is comprised of small towns that focus on several fields of work knowledge instead of one large city. Some goods are no longer sold to one group while another may obtain more goods than before now that their side has more support. This is one of the many things that cause fights to erupt in the capital. Bane and Andreas are praised by most of the population with Andreas, in particular, getting the most praise.

“They sure do love you here,” Bane says.

“Commonfolk understand each other. Both Virtus and Honestus were slave workers to the other kingdoms so we were the closest allies because of it,” Andreas explains.

“It’s a genius move really what your brother did. Take away their food and labor and the other kingdoms will have to listen to your demands.”

“Are you actually complimenting my brother?”

“Just that one move of his. Using violence and force is the stupidest thing that he did that ruined everything.”

“Oh, and here I thought we were about to understand each other better.”

“We will in due time.” Bane can hear the sound of a familiar voice in the distance that people are going to. “Driver, get to where the crowd is heading!”

When they get to where the crowd is gathering, Bane’s suspicions are proven true. He sees his brother guarded by his soldiers as he tries to convince the people of Honestus to join him.

“Brother!” Bane says as Andreas and he approaches his brother.

“There you are, traitor! I see that you’ve also brought our father’s killer with you too. I knew it was a mistake that you became king as soon as you started putting in your new policies,” Bane’s brother says.

“You are the one who’s mistaken. Look at what you’ve done. You’ve been splitting kingdoms and families in two because of your hatred for Virtus. I came here to enlist the help of the people of Honestus, but since you are here, I’ll have to bring you to justice here and now.”

“Bring me to justice? For what?”

“For the crimes of; attempted framing of another for your crime, the attempted assassination of me, and willful ignorance. You’ll be lucky to spend the rest of your days in jail for willful ignorance, which is universally the worst crime of all in this land.”

“You’ll have to kill me to bring me in.”

“If that’s how you want to do this…then so be it,” Bane says as he hesitates to take out his sword before Andreas stops him. “What is it?”

“I’ll fight your brother. Family should not be fighting each other to the death.”

“That may be a belief in your kingdom, but it’s not one in mine.”

“I can tell that you don’t want to do this.”

“…fine.”

“Thank you. Can I borrow your shield cape?”

Bane hands Andreas his shield cape.

Andreas then approaches Bane’s brother with his sword drawn as he says, “I will fight you instead.”

“Good. I prefer this actually so I can avenge my father and do what my younger brother was supposed to do.”

The two clash swords and the fight goes similarly to how the fight between Bane and Andreas went, however, with the aid of Bane’s cape shield the odds are in his favor even as Bane’s brother extends his sword to be more like a spear. Eventually, the fight comes to a quick close as Andreas deflects Bane’s brother's attacks to catch him off guard before stabbing him in the chest. With Bane’s cape, Andreas tries to hide the sight of Bane’s brother’s body. The surrounding crowd cheers for Andreas’ victory with some disagreeing and starting fights.

“It’s done,” Andreas says.

“Thank you. I guess this makes us even then,” Bane slightly jokes as he tries to hide his sadness.

Bane then sees the fights in the crowd and gets their attention.

He says, “This is the price of ignorance and assumptions so we shouldn’t be clapping or fighting. Ignorance and assumptions can fill us with hatred and makes us turn on those we love. My father was a man who built bridges to understand his enemies and gave his life for this purpose. Though being able to completely understand and not make assumptions about others sounds like a fantasy, we will make it a reality. Already King Andreas and I are working together, despite the fact that our loved ones killed one another. So, will you stand with us to make a better tomorrow?”

The crowd takes a second to think about it before they cheer for the kings. Word of what happened spreads quickly through all the kingdoms. Bane’s family disowns him and goes into the far reaches of the world away from the other kingdoms as they gather their allies who agree with them to live in their own echo chamber. Meanwhile, Virtus is finally able to be taken seriously by the other kingdoms as they all have talks to foster love and understanding. Though Bane has his methods that might seem rash, unwise, or even deluded, he achieves what most people say to be the unthinkable just like his father.

 

The End