[ WP ] Ethics are for those who fear failure and need an honorable reason to retreat

Dalton took a seat, and glanced at the manacled man sitting across from him. Even battered, bloodied, and covered in bruises, the man sat up straight. 
 
 `` Do you remember what they told us during training?'' Dalton asked. 
 
 The man silently glared back. 
 
 `` Of course you do. I still remember when that grey-haired commander stood up and read the codex. One line in particular has stuck with me, all this time:'Ethics are for those who need an honorable reason for failure.' For a long time, I did n't believe it, I thought it cruel and senseless. Did you ever think about it, Tarold?'' 
 
 Silence. 
 
 `` Answer me!'' Dalton hissed. 
 
 `` I used to believe it.'' Tarold responded. 
 
 `` You used to?'' Dalton mocked. 
 
 `` Yes. I once believed in what we were doing, I believed that ethics and morality were for the weak. Then... I saw her, and I knew that I had to choose between honor and morality.'' 
 
 `` Interesting choice. Considering what you did to her.'' 
 
 `` Do n't you understand? That's why I let her go. I cast her out, disowned her, left her and her mother destitute, just so I could protect my'honor.' What kind of a man does that?'' 
 
 `` So you let her escape out of guilt?'' 
 
 `` Not guilt, penance. It does n't undo the damage I've caused, but I hope she understands how sorry I am.'' 
 
 Dalton paused for a second, before continuing, `` I can respect that.'' 
 
 Silence. 
 
 `` I can *respect* your courage, and conviction; that does n't mean I can tolerate them.'' Dalton got up, and began pacing. `` Now that you've said you piece, let me explain to you what your act of penance has cost us. Your daughter is in possession of our only chance of ending this war without further bloodshed. Now, all that power is in the hands of a wildcard. She may use it to bring peace, or she may hand over to the demon lords, and damn us all.'' 
 
 `` I-I didn't-'' 
 
 `` You did n't what? Think?'' Dalton snapped. `` Of course you did n't. This is exactly what the codex was warning about. Ethics, morality, rights and wrongs, call them what you want, they all provide a'good' reason to not do your duty. That's what we were warned against.'' 
 
 Tarold slumped down in the chair. 
 
 `` Which brings us to the question of what to do with you,'' Dalton continued, `` either we can court-martial you, and ship you back home in disgrace, or you can save yourself, and your remaining family, the indignity.'' He placed a small knife on the table. 
 
 Tarold closed his eyes and thought for a few minutes before quietly saying, `` just make sure they're taken care of.'' 
 
 `` I will.''
