As Lord Narias left the chamber, Colonel Crawford and his guard turned, following them. The two pools of shadow on the chamber floor the chancellor had cast disappeared. Turning, the chancellor spoke to Alec and Wystria, who both left the chamber following the Lord. The noise in the chamber rose as the tension of all those who had been watching the scene unfold escaped them. Zigferd stood and moved to where Isavil and Fasvil were now talking. The chancellor turned to Darwinial, and as the chamber doors were closed by the guard, a horn-blast filled the chamber again.
Silence fell as the chancellor made his way back to the podium. Taking his seat, the chancellor took a deep breath before addressing them all.
"I apologise for this disturbance. The behaviour of Lord Narias is being communicated to the elven kingdom as we speak. Isavil and Zigferd, please both go with Darwinial. You will remain in Astaria while this issue is concluded."
SJ didn't know what Astaria was and frowned, looking at Zigferd and Isavil as they both stood and followed Darwinial from the chamber.
"Dear All. We will break for a long lunch. Let us return at 16:00 to continue our discussions."
As the chancellor stepped from the podium again, the conversations began. Several in the chamber showed their fury at the interruption caused by the elven lord. Others were concerned about the fallout from what had happened. SJ remained seated, unsure of what she should do. She wanted to find Zigferd and Isavil, but knew she shouldn't. She didn't understand the wider political dynamics of Amathera. Fasvil approached SJ, where she sat as most of the left.
"SJ. Are you ok?"
She didn't feel ok, feeling powerless and uncertain.
"Not really. What is going to happen?"
"I am unsure, but Narias has crossed a line that no one has dared in over a century in this chamber. It is the city's heart and sacred. To interfere in the chamber's proceedings when in session will have far-reaching repercussions. Even the emperor of Luxoria would not cross the bounds of a sanctuary."
"Where have they gone?"
"The Astaria is the central church. Wystria is the high priestess, and where I am also guessing her worship will also be. Even a pompous elven lord wouldn't dare cross the sacred bounds of a church. The Gods would not look on it kindly if they did."
SJ had seen the church from the tower but never visited it. It was more a cathedral in its appearance than a church, positioned in the inner city walls in a large open garden.
"Should we not go to them?"
"No. Let the chancellor perform his duties. Threatening a council member in the chamber is unheard of, and our oaths mean the city handles their protection and resolution now."
"I didn't know the chancellor was a warlock?"
"I have only ever seen him reveal his class once before," Fasvil said with a smile, nodding his head. "Come, let's eat. I still wished to discuss the trade aspects with you."
Following Fasvil, they went to eat in the dining hall. The conversation buzzed with guessed verdicts and outcomes. Constant interruptions in the dining hall made it difficult for them to focus, so they moved to the gardens and sat down to discuss the proposed trade considerations. SJ was glad of the distraction that Fasvil brought her. She believed they both needed it, considering what had happened. After agreeing on the terms of a base trial period, SJ confirmed she would be the contact for the trial negotiations on behalf of the fishing rights.
'I wish I knew what was going on?' SJ thought.
"You can go to the Astaria. Nothing is stopping you. I am sure Zigferd would welcome your support."
'You're right. I can't just wait to find out what is happening. I need to know.' Although Fasvil had said to leave them under the city's protection, SJ couldn't sit back and do nothing. The elven lord had threatened a member of her family. As SJ was making her way from the dining hall, the kobold who worked on the front desk approached her.
"Ambassador, there is a message for Mayor Zigferd that was left at the desk. I know he is otherwise engaged currently. Would you accept it?"
"Of course," SJ replied, taking the scroll.
SJ walked to the side of the hall before breaking the scroll seal and reading the message.
'In the city at Bartholemew Square. Bring the trainee.'
"Damn," SJ cursed, getting several looks from others in the foyer. Blushing, SJ rolled the message up and dropped it in her inventory.
'I better get Cristy,' she thought.
Walking to the desk, she asked Jay to be contacted. Several minutes later, she had climbed into the cart, and Jay was spurring the cart towards her house to collect Cristy before heading to Bartholemew Square. Arriving at the house, she found Cristy talking to Yawnee and Lurtew, telling them all about the wedding and what had happened. Both stood in the garage, listening intently to her as she described everything.
"Hi, SJ," Cristy said, noticing her approach. "I am just telling aunt and uncle about last night."
"I heard," SJ smiled. "I have been messaged."
"Already?" Cristy said.
"Yes. We need to go now."
"But I haven't told aunt and uncle yet," Cristy turned and looked at them both.
"What's going on?" Yawnee asked.
Several more minutes passed as Cristy explained to them she would travel to the conclave to be considered for class training. Yawnee was upset, not wanting her to leave, but Lurtew eventually calmed her enough that she had survived long enough in Killic without their interference. He was sure that SJ wouldn't let her go if she didn't think it would be safe. SJ neither confirmed nor denied that comment, not understanding how safe she would be.
Once Cristy had gathered her belongings from her room, she hugged both Yawnee and Lurtew, saying she would be back as soon as possible. Tears flowed as they waved Cristy off. Their niece's visit from Killic changed both their lives forever.
SJ checked her display. She had time with the delayed restart of the council session and the extended break that the chancellor had called. This means they wouldn't finish council business until late that evening.
Bartholomew Square was in District 2. It was an open square surrounded by bars and inns, with a small park in the middle. The area looked quite prosperous for the outer city. The bars were busy as always, and tables were positioned outside, allowing for extra seating. Not knowing what this Reay looked like, SJ was at a loss. She had never asked Zigferd for a description.
'I don't know who she is,' SJ thought.
"I can't help, sorry. There are several lycans in the square, and I couldn't say," Dave replied. SJ, imagining him, shrugging.
"There she is," Cristy said.
"What?!" SJ said.
"The lady that has come to collect me."
"How do you know?"
"I just do," Cristy said, jumping down from the cart. SJ climbed down as Cristy grabbed her backpack from the cart and pulled it on her shoulder. "Thanks, Jay, for all your help. I will see you soon."
Jay reached down and ruffled Cristy on her head. "Make sure you come and see me when you get back."
"I will. I promise," Cristy reached up, hugging him.
Cristy's behaviour was so mature that SJ felt a pang of pride in her chest. She had grown so much in such a short time.
"Right, let's go," Cristy said as she strode across the square towards where a female dressed in leather armour sat with a tankard. Her armour was grey and green.
"Level 43," Dave said.
The woman Cristy approached didn't look very old, but SJ wasn't surprised, given how lycans seemed to age or the many races in Amathera.
"Hello," Cristy said, reaching the table where she sat.
The woman turned and looked at Cristy, raising an eyebrow, then looked at SJ.
"You sensed me, didn't you?" the woman said.
"I just knew," Cristy shrugged.
"Reay, and you must be Cristy," Reay said, standing.
"I am and this is SJ."
Reay nodded towards SJ. "A fae."
There was no malice in Reay's comment, as SJ replied. "I am."
"Is Zigferd not joining us?"
"He can't. He is currently dealing with a problem," SJ said.
"That's a shame. Cristy, SJ, please sit so we can talk." As SJ and Cristy sat, Reay explained the circumstances of the proposal. If Cristy successfully completed the trial, then she may be granted the opportunity to become a beast warden. It was possible to complete the trial and still be rejected, so there were no guarantees. The trial would be challenging and both physically and mentally arduous. Explaining that the first two weeks were pure physical training and then the second two weeks would be more skills-based testing. They discovered that most beast wardens only ever got their first familiar on reaching level 5 when the specialisation opened. Cristy would begin the training under a strange premise that Reay had never known before, already having a companion she could communicate with.
"Do I need to collect Patch?" Cristy asked.
"No. You will be assigned a familiar to take care of during your trial. You will live with them during this period."
"I have been away from Patch for so long now," Cristy sighed. "I was hoping he would be with me."
"From what Zigferd says, you have an uncanny affinity with your familiar."
"He isn't my familiar. He is my family," Cristy corrected Reay.
Reay looked at Cristy with a subtle smile. "All our familiars feel like family in the end."
"Where is your familiar?" Cristy asked.
"She waits outside the city. She will join us on the trip. Have you brought everything with you? We should leave soon, so it isn't too late when we arrive at the conclave?"
"Yes. I am packed and ready to go."
"Actually, could you give me a few minutes?" SJ asked.
Cristy looked at SJ, frowning. "What's up?"
"I will be back in a moment." SJ had been looking around the square as they had sat there and stood heading straight over to a shop just down a side street visible from where they sat. A few minutes later, she returned. SJ took a small box from her inventory and handed it to Cristy. "Here, keep it safe."
Cristy opened the box, and eyes grew wide in amazement. "Is this what I think it is?"
"Yes. I have the pair. If you need me for anything, you can contact me."
Cristy removed the smooth stone from the box. A single small blue gem sat in its centre. Placing the stone back in the box, Cristy closed the lid and moved it to her inventory.
"I will," Cristy promised.
"She won't be able to use that very often, just so you know," Reay said.
"Why not?" Cristy asked.
"You will see when we get there, but there will be opportunities," Reay said, standing. "Let's go then."
Cristy moved round the table, throwing her arms around SJ. SJ gripped her tightly, pulling her into her. She was sure she had grown another inch in their time in Asterfal. Tears welled in her eyes as she kissed Cristy on the top of her head.
"Thank you, SJ. When you get home, look after Patch for me, and tell aunt and uncle not to worry," Cristy said, trying to hold back tears.
"I will, and stay in touch when you can. I love you," SJ said, the comment making her tears flow.
"I love you too," Cristy said, wiping her eyes, as she turned away and walked off with Reay.
SJ didn't know how long she stood there with tears rolling down her cheeks after she watched Cristy disappear around a corner. Eventually only broken from her trance when Jay walked over to her.
"Are you ok?"
"I hope she has made the right decision."
"I am sure she will be fine," Jay soothed, placing his hand on SJ's shoulder. "Come on, let's head back. There's no point in you staying here watering the street," Jay chuckled.
SJ lightheartedly punched Jay in his arm, turning and walking back to the cart.
"I am going to miss her," Dave said, sniffing.
SJ didn't respond. Fresh tears flowed as they returned to the tower. Her emotions torn between wanting to just shrink and fly after Cristy and bring her back and the hope she felt at what Cristy may achieve. By the time they reached the tower, SJ had promised she would meet Jay later to visit his favourite restaurant in Asterfal. He had enjoyed the meal in the one that Zigferd had taken them to, but he wanted to introduce SJ to some other orcish dishes. The chatter had helped distract her, and she had stopped crying.
Climbing from the cart, she thanked him and headed inside. She still had time before the session restarted and wanted to find out what was going on with Isavil and Zigferd. Heading through the tower halls, she walked towards the chancellor's office. The chamber doors were open, and several beings were inside. Alec was talking to a group of beings while the chancellor sat with a group of five elves, including Tanias and a human she didn't recognise. The human looked very animated in his gestures.
SJ stood at the door, not sure whether she should enter when Alec spotted her.
"SJ, come in," he called. "Thank you all." Alec said, dismissing the group he had been speaking to. As the beings filed from the chamber, Alec walked over to SJ.
"How are they?" SJ asked.
"They are fine. Petunia and Wystria are with them in the Astaria."
"So what is happening?" SJ looking over to the chancellor and elves.
"The chancellor is discussing Lord Narias and his behaviour in the chamber. He has broken significant rules with his actions, and the elders are ensuring the chancellor knows the kingdom's protocols before contacting them."
"Contacts them?"
"Yes. He will communicate with the king directly."
SJ couldn't imagine talking to a king.
"I know you are concerned, but try not to worry. Lord Narias has shown his true colours with his behaviour and if the king doesn't take the city's comments seriously, then we will go through Luxoria."
"Luxoria?"
"Yes. the man sat with the chancellor is Luxoria's representative."
"Cristian's father?"
"Yes. Grand Knight Hodgson."
"Grand Knight?" SJ frowned.
"Yes. Those who represent the capital are all knights."
Looking at the old man, he didn't look like a knight. Her immediate mental image was full plate armour, handlebar moustache and carrying a huge great sword. Instead, the man wore casual, almost plain-looking clothes and was clean-shaven, with a thick head of grey hair.
"What do you see as the outcome?"
"I expect he will leave the city today all being well, with his tail between his legs, heading back to the elven kingdom."
"What if the elven kingdom rejects the chancellors' comments?"
"Then he will be thrown out of the city and we will remove the rights of an elven ambassador. There hasn't been one in the city for a long time now, so it won't be much loss to them, but it will remove any diplomatic immunity they hold."
"Do all kingdom representatives have immunity?"
"As long as they don't break the rules, yes."
"So, there is a fae one? I had been wondering where Larianco stayed. There is still so much to learn about the city."
Alec smiled kindly. "You seem to be doing well since you arrived."
"YES," Dave suddenly shouted.
SJ almost jumped out of her skin with the eruption of noise in her mind.
"Are you okay?" Alec said. Looking concerned. SJ wasn't sure what reaction she had just made but could feel her head rising, as though she had just ducked from hearing an explosion. Her heart hammering in her chest and feeling her face flush.
"Yes, sorry. Do you mind if I get an update later?"
"Not at all. You know where my office is," Alec said.
"Thank you," SJ said, leaving the chancellor's office.
'What the hell was that about?' SJ thought as she walked out.
"Sorry," Dave apologised, "I got a little over excited. I just broke through one of my code locks."
'Is that all? You almost gave me a heart attack.'
Giggling like a child, Dave continued. "Oh, this is interesting. Ummm, let me see. Nope. Nope. Perhaps...."
'What are you doing?'
"Give me a minute."
SJ did not know what Dave was up to, which concerned her. Her display triggered as she walked down the hall back towards the foyer. The message was a single word.
Accept? Yes/No
'Accept what?'
Silence.
'Dave. Accept what?'
Silence.
Reaching the foyer, SJ walked outside into the gardens, found a bench, and sat down. Her head was reeling with everything happening: Cristy leaving, the threat to Isavil and Zigferd, and now Dave wasn't replying. Looking at the message again, she took a deep breath and accepted yes.
The pain that seared into her brain was intense. Grabbing her head, her eyes scrunched closed, she leaned forward, gritting her teeth and rocking where she sat. The gardens were quiet, otherwise, she would have got some strange looks or beings coming to investigate her unusual behaviour. The pain lessened, and as it did, her display triggered again.
Synchronisation 50%
