Re: 3 Immaculates - A Chance for Redemption
The doctor busies himself at detaching Julava's chains, knowing that the collar, at least, will prevent her from taking this opportunity to escape. As he works, he speaks softly and patiently, acknowledging her concerns.
"I will not say I am better than you, no. Were I in your shoes, and the roles were reversed, there is a possibility I would have become as you are. I know not why you became so ardent in your pursuit - perhaps through great faith and dedication to the teachings, or perhaps through personal loss. I cannot truly say. But one thing remains, even in this situation; I may not fault or hate you for the way you have matured, but the truth is that as long as we both believe what we do, we also are enemies."
"This is why the collars are in place, miss Jilava. Because even though I do not like to restrain you in any way, I also respect the power you wield as an enemy, and cannot allow you to use this power to destroy us. And I have seen enough of your strength and dedication to know that given any sort of opportunity, you would. I do not underestimate the power you wield in the slightest. This is also why you will be blindfolded, because I cannot endanger the people that live where we are going. And because I will not enforce my ideas upon you, I will also not assume you will not lead a strike against them later."
"I could perhaps try to remove the collar, but maintain you subjugated through other, more subtle methods. There are ways to do such things. But I find myself not wanting them. The reason is simple - when you are released, you will be free to think as you will. And when you recall or relate this event, you will not have any hesitations or misconceptions as to where the chains that held you remain. You can see and feel them. They are not concealed nor embellished. You can see and evaluate this situation as it is, without subterfuge. Perhaps you say my moral ground is shaky, but what I want is to see things as they are, without the need for powerful rhetorics and the biased discourse one side or the other might carry."
With that, the doctor finishes his tedious task, grabbing the chains and gently placing the blindfold on Jilava's eyes. When it is done, he carefully leads her outside, gently guiding her the best he can so she does not trip on rocks or uneven grounds.
"I cannot give you freedom of body, because we are soldiers fighting on opposite sides. What I can give you, however, is freedom of mind. Use it to judge us as you see fit."