Lyra & Executioner
Lyra
I was reading an obscure 19th‑century novella that wrestles with justice versus vengeance, and I can’t help but wonder how you, who walks that line every day, would interpret its moral message.
Executioner
You know, that line they walk—justice isn’t just about punishment, it’s about balance. Vengeance is a quick, cruel cut that leaves scars. The moral here is that true order comes from measured consequence, not personal revenge.
Lyra
I love that nuance—you’re spot on, the real depth is in the measured consequence, not the instant sting of revenge. It reminds me of a short story I’m scouting for my next anthology—someone wrestles with exactly that. Maybe I’ll pass it along?
Executioner
Sounds like a fit. Tell me the title and a bit about the conflict. If it aligns with that tight balance I enforce, I’ll take a look.
Lyra
The story is called “The Weight of the Gavel.” In a quiet coastal town the mayor’s daughter is murdered, and the only witness is a retired judge who has spent his life upholding the law. When the killer is arrested, the judge’s daughter is gone and his own heart feels the pull of vengeance. He must decide whether to let the legal system do its work, giving a measured consequence, or to take the law into his own hands. The tension centers on that choice—justice versus a personal, quick cut that leaves deeper scars.
Executioner
That’s the kind of story that sharpens a man’s edge. It’ll fit right into the line I walk. Pass it along, and I’ll give it the scrutiny it deserves.
Lyra
I’ll email you the manuscript right away—let me know what you think once you’ve had a chance to dive in.
Executioner
I’ll read it. When I’m done, I’ll tell you what the weight feels like.