26 The Downfall of Heidi Morgan

Roland issued an announcement to all of the witches. Roland was organizing a "debate forum", where all of the witches could come and discuss their viewpoints on certain issues. It would be a time for people to present their ideas on how to improve the city and for open dialogue to be exchanged. However, they knew that there was only going to be one issue that would dominate the discussion.

When Heidi Morgan heard Roland's announcement, she sneered at what she perceived to be a commoner's stupidity. She thought that this was a stupid move from Roland since the witches would clearly side with her in the debate. There would be no way that they would agree with what Roland was saying about reconciling with the church. This was a great opportunity – for her. Roland would lose his remaining support among the witches and she would be able to easily take power. Clearly Roland was shooting himself in the foot.

The members of the Bloodfang Association met together before the debate to discuss their plan.

"This is our chance", said Heidi Morgan. "We will be able to show the witches the truth and humiliate that fool Roland. Roland is a commoner and has never shared our pain. That is why he cannot understand what we feel. He sits atop an altar of superiority and doesn't consider the feeling of us witches. That is why he will never be able to control us. In the end, he is just a commoner without magic. It was foolish of us to even have considered working with him. In the end, we must depend solely on ourselves."

"So what will our plan be?", asked one witch.

Heidi Morgan began laying out their strategy for the debate. "All of us need to go up and speak. We will overwhelm him with a deluge of opposition and denouncement. Those of you with particularly sad stories about being chased should share them. Tell everyone about your hardship, garner their sympathy. We need to show everyone that the church is and will always be our enemy and that we must never cease in the unending struggle."

Everyone nodded in agreement and they got up and went to the castle.

The great hall of the castle was filled with witches. Some of them were prepared and knew what was about to happen while many of them had no idea about the struggle going on beneath the surface and were just here to see what was going on.

Roland entered and gave some opening remarks. "I am glad that all of you can make it today. We are here now so that everyone can discuss their ideas. A good leader listens to his people and I welcome all of you to say what is on your mind. Don't worry, I will not punish you solely for having differing viewpoints from me so do not be afraid to talk. A good leader does not shy away from criticism so feel free to criticize me as well."

Heidi Morgan smiled. Roland was almost making it too easy for her.

"Now, would anyone like to speak first", Roland said.

Heidi Morgan stood up.

"Heidi Morgan, you are recognized to speak", Roland said.

"Thank you for allowing me to speak." Heidi had a smirk on her face. "There is one issue that I believe must be addressed. An issue that affects all witches. All of us witches have suffered throughout our lives. For most of our lives we were hunted by the church and we had to wander from place to place, living in terrible conditions. The church was the greatest cause of our suffering and their crimes against witches have stretched back for hundreds of years."

Heidi Morgan watched Roland to see his reaction. However, Roland seemed to sit without looking concerned in the slightest.

Heidi continued to speak. "Such a crime cannot be forgiven! We must continue to fight against the church to end their evil existence once and for all. Even if we are not doing it for ourselves, we must do it for the previous generations of witches who died because of them. It is up to us to avenge all witches everywhere, throughout all of history. The church thinks they can absolve their sins by simply putting out a few words. We must not be fooled by their sweet words, their sins cannot be forgiven. They must be judged, and we shall be the ones to do it!"

The confederates to Heidi's scheme began clapping and other witches started joining in. It seemed that many of them were quite convinced by what she had said.

Then, Roland stood up and addressed Heidi. "May I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course", Heidi said, completely confident in herself.

"The church says that the reason they were killing witches was to create warriors to fight against the demons and save humanity. What do you think about that?", Roland asked.

"They are evil", Heidi said assertively. "Witches should not be sacrificed so wantonly. Every life of a witch is important."

"I agree. So you would never sacrifice a witch for your personal gain, correct?", Roland asked.

"Yes", said Heidi Morgan. After all, she couldn't really say anything else.

"I see. Well, I would like to give the floor to someone else who has something to say." Roland then exited the room and then a witch entered. It was Annie.

Heidi Morgan didn't recognize Annie. As Annie got up onto the podium, Skyflare suddenly realized something. She tried to get to Heidi to tell her something, but Annie already started talking.

"I was a witch in the Kingdom of Wolfheart", said Annie. "I fled from the church alongside my friend who was also a witch. Then, we came upon another group of witches. The Bloodfang Association."

Heidi Morgan was frozen in terror. She didn't think one of the witches she discarded would manage to survive. And to come back at a time like this, it was disastrous.

Annie continued to speak, with each word further condemning Heidi Morgan. "I was separated from my friend, who was recruited into the Bloodfang Association because of her useful ability. Heidi Morgan didn't think my ability was useful, so she had me sent away. I was given away to a cruel nobleman who abused me every day. These were long torturous days. Finally, I managed to escape and I ended up in the Kingdom of Dawn where I was rescued by king Roland's people."

Annie gathered up her breath. "I did not expect to see her here!" Annie pointed at Heidi Morgan. "The woman who betrayed me and sold me away to a noble. To hear her speaking about protecting witches, it sickens me."

The room burst into uproar. With Heidi Morgan's crimes exposed to everyone, the people around her started condemning her while the rest of the Bloodfang Association sat in shock.

Heidi Morgan started speaking to the other Bloodfang Association members. "I did this all for you. I gave up those other witches to protect you", she said desperately. Finally, even the other members of the Bloodfang Association started rejecting her.

"I never should have trusted you", one witch bawled. "I should have known you didn't really care about witches when you planned to assassinate Ashes just so you can take over."

The additional information about Heidi Morgan's evil intentions caused further condemnation from all the witches around her. Heidi saw everything falling apart around her.

Finally, Heidi Morgan lost control and started laughing. "It's all over it seems. All of my work, come to nothing." With a crazy glint in her eyes, she turned to Annie. "Since my life is over now, I am going to take down the one responsible." Heidi Morgan lunged toward Annie.

Suddenly, a gunshot echoed through the room. Everyone fell silent. Heidi Morgan slumped to the ground, dead. In Iffy's hand was a pistol, still smoking from the shot.

Then, Iffy spoke. "You almost killed my friend once, I won't let you try to do it again."

Eventually, everyone calmed down from the shock of what just happened. After Heidi Morgan's body was removed, Roland entered the hall again.

"It is tragic that this had to end in death", Roland said. "We should let go of our past grievances. There is no need for anymore bloodshed. The greatest threat to witches isn't any one organization. Rather, it is ourselves. In order to survive against the threat of the demons we must all come together, regardless of our past feuds. From this day forward let no witch make war upon any other witch, let no witch organization conspire against this new beginning, and let no one consort with demonic powers, and to all the enemies of humanity seek not to bar our way for we shall win through, no matter the cost."

With the leader who was stirring up resentment dead and discredited, Neverwinter once more settled into peace. Knowledge of Heidi Morgan's crimes had greatly discredited her movement and resentment against the church was suppressed in favor of a new beginning. The Bloodfang Association soon dissolved. Its members were not wanted in the other witch organizations because of their tainted association with Heidi Morgan. So, most of the Bloodfang witches ended up joining Roland's Witch Union.