When a plot has been given poetry, a duel is not enough. A Hate. The holy and sacred declaration of Revenge.
— The Duel
There are circumstances when a duel will not satisfy honor. When an injury is so egregious, simple combat will not heal the wound. An elaborate plan to discredit and dishonor. A beloved friend proves to be a treacherous enemy.
Hate. The Old Tongue. The heart is possessed by a black spirit. Hungry. It can only dine on retribution. To satisfy the Hate, one must undertake Revenge.
This is not analogy or allegory. The ven believe the magic of their blood creates a spirit that swims through their blood, poisoning all it touches. They grow ill. They cannot eat. They cannot sleep. Consumed by Hate, action must be taken. The only action that can cure the sickness.
Revenge. The only cure is the cause.
I have to emphasize again that revenge is something too powerful for trivial use. In his entire life, a ven may declare revenge once. Perhaps twice. But, as the boy who cried wolf has taught us, one who abuses privilege too often finds himself stripped of that privilege. In the five volumes of Shara’s adventures, I found two instances of her declaring Revenge. Granted, we no longer have Volume 4, but Volume 5 makes no reference to revenge in its summation of the tale so far.
A noble who declares Revenge at every slight will find himself cut off from others. Bad form.
To undertake Revenge, a noble must go through the following steps.
THE LETTER
First, he must write a letter describing both “the cause and the cure.” This is ven poetry for
- what caused the revenge, and
- what will bring the revenge to an end.
This is a sorcerous ritual, written in the offended party’s blood. You can find the details of the ritual in the Sorcery chapter.
PERMISSION
Second, he must seek permission from his liege. Written permission. If a noble has no liege, he must find a higher ranked noble from his own House to sign the document. In his own blood. This seals the document.
If a liege refuses to sign the document, Revenge cannot proceed.
ANNOUNCEMENT
To properly declare Revenge, a ven must go to the Senate and do so. As is tradition, a ven must wear something red. A rose, a scarf, a handkerchief. The declaration is read before the members of the Senate (the Law states at least half the members must be present) and the Senate chooses five members to judge the validity of the Revenge. At least three of the five members must vote in the positive to legitimize the Revenge.
If the matter is declared “untrue Revenge,” the issue is over. There is no appeal.
If the matter is declared “true Revenge,” the ritual begins.
- First, the council of five declare how long the Revenge will last. One week, two months, a lifetime. The offended party can ask for a period of time, but it is up to the council of five to decide.
- Second, both parties must spill blood on the document. Yes, this is a public use of sorcery. One of the few instances when sorcery is legal. You’ll find out why in a moment.
- Third, both parties are given one week to prepare. Just seven days.
- Fourth, the Senate announces the Revenge to the general public.
THE PATH OF BLOOD
Now, the Revenge has begun. And what’s so special about that?
Well, to begin with, during the time of Revenge, both parties must identify themselves by wearing red. A red rose, red handkerchief, etc. Just like above.
While the Revenge is active, no laws apply to the two under its shadow. No laws. Robbery, thievery. None.
Nothing must stand in the path of the Hate. Nothing must stand in the way of rightful Revenge.
Anyone who interferes in a Revenge—protecting one of the parties, giving shelter, aid, comfort, whatever—becomes part of the Revenge. They do not gain any of the benefits, but lose any legal recourse from injury that may befall them because of their interference.
In other words, if you meddle in someone else’s business, you lose all legal rights and they gain the right to kill you on sight.
Another detail. While under the shadow of Revenge, neither ven can wear a sword. Daggers. That’s it.
The Revenge continues until the time runs out or one of the two is dead. That brings up a questions I’m sure some will ask. “Can more than two people be involved in a Revenge?”
The answer is no. Two ven. One declaration. That’s it.
If time expires and the Revenge has not been fulfilled, the affair is over. It may never be mentioned again. Done. Finished. Over.
Hold a grudge? Bad form.
Try to use it as leverage? Bad form.
Use it to gain advantage? Bad form.
Once Revenge is over, it is over. Done. Finished. Over.
THE PATRON SAINT OF REVENGE
One more point about Revenge before we move on.
The suaven Ikhalu. The patron saint of Revenge. His temple stands in the capital, just under the shadow of the Senate. His priests wear his robes. Silver masks. Daggers.
A ven who comes to his temple seeks only one thing. Ikhalu’s Blessing for Revenge.
Prostrate before the suaven, begging for his Blessing. Waiting for the call.
Some spend months. Years. Waiting. Just waiting for a whisper.
Only a few hear him. Only the righteous. The desperate are cast away. The desperate become the hopeless.
If granted Ikhalu’s Blessing, no ven can deny the right of Revenge. No ven. No baron, no duke, no count, no senator. No father, no son, no daughter, no husband, no wife.
Wearing Ikhalu’s mark—the black eyes reflecting the Hate that swims in their blood—shows the truth.
“I belong to he who whispered Revenge into me.”
No one dare deny Ikhalu.