"We have some suspects in custody," the colonel replied.
Zigferd looked SJ over, seeing the streaks of dried blood that covered her arms, legs, feet, and face. "You look terrible."
"Thanks!" SJ said. "What do you mean, some suspects?"
"The scriers have identified several who have shown animosity towards you of a strong nature. I don't know how they perform their duties precisely. We have arrested those who did, though. Unfortunately, we have identified no one with a dragon tattoo. Are you definite that you saw it?"
Even though SJ hadn't seen the tattoo herself, she was 100% sure Dave would not lie. The revelation of several beings being arrested concerned SJ. "Yes. There was defeinitely a dragon tattoo on his wrist. How many have you arrested, exactly?"
"Nine," Zigferd said.
"Nine!"
"Yes. We have taken nine individuals for further questioning," the colonel said. "I must get back. Zigferd, I assume you will oversee her wellbeing."
"I will."
"Until this is resolved, we will have guards posted on each floor of the tower," the colonel said as he exited the office.
When the door had opened, there was a cacophony of noise flooding the room from the entrance hall. Peering past the colonel before it closed, SJ saw four guards outside the door.
"It's a bit of a mess out there," Zigferd said, seeing the look on SJ's face.
"Never a dull moment," Dave chirped happily.
"Sir, may I go back to the stables?" Jay asked Zigferd.
"I think the colonel wishes you to stay here for now. Thank you for helping SJ." Zigferd took a coin from his inventory and handed it to Jay.
Jay's eyes opened in astonishment at the golden coin. "This is too much."
"Not for helping one of my town, it isn't."
"I did nothing. I only helped her inside."
"And you have kept SJ company and provided a distraction while we concluded the chaos in the tower."
Jay turned the golden coin in his hand, at a loss for words. It was obvious that he rarely handled one.
"Did you see the illithad?"
Zigferd looked at SJ, meeting her gaze. "Yes. Believe me when I say that isn't a pleasant experience."
"I am sorry. This is all because of me," SJ said, looking down, clenching her fists. Feeling angry and hurt by what was happening.
"It's not your fault. It's the system to blame. You are just a pawn, after all."
"Trouble seems to follow me. I thought coming here was supposed to stop this."
"It will stop once you are accepted. The Asterfal oath associated with acceptance in the council is very strong. I think only gods could overrule it," Zigferd said, looking at SJ knowingly.
"And how will that go after the trouble caused? It's unlikely they will want to accept me after the problems I have brought to the tower."
"We will complete your acceptance in private."
Being surprised by the comment, SJ questioned Zigferd's response. "Sorry?"
"The chancellor has already declared that there will be a private ceremony. You are to be accepted later today. He stated in his own words, 'The sooner, the better.'"
"What now? We are stuck in this office."
"I doubt it will take long for the tower to empty now that the scriers have performed their checks."
Looking at her display, it was now 19:00. SJ hadn't realised how long she had been in the office. "I could do with some food."
"We were supposed to be going to Otherlisar's this evening, but after today's incident, I am not sure that is a good idea."
There was a knock on the office door. Zigferd moved to answer it, opening the door to be greeted by a short gnome. The gnome was about half Zigferd's height. She wore white robes of the cleric's order. "Petunia. Is that really you?" Zigferd said.
"I heard you were here," the gnome said, beaming.
"When did you arrive back in Asterfal? The last I heard, you were in Distallinyia."
'What's Distallinyia?' SJ thought.
"The gnome capital," Dave said.
"Just," Petunia said.
"What a chance of luck. I was saddened to hear of your mother's passing." Zigferd's tone changed as he finished the sentence.
"Thank you. She had a good run, 476 isn't bad for us meagre gnomes."
"Come here," Zigferd beamed, scooping the gnome up in his arms and hugging her.
"Put me down, you old fool," Petunia said, still grinning.
Placing her back down, Zigferd couldn't wipe the grin from his face. "How long are you in Asterfal for?"
"I am back permanently now. My siblings are sorting out the family affairs. I have paid my respects as I needed to."
"Are you taking your position back?"
"Not immediately. I have enjoyed some time away from the political side of the church. I may do it once I have settled in again. Anyway, enough about me. I am here to see this young fae of yours. I believe she was due a final regeneration spell."
SJ had forgotten about the next healing she was due in all the happenings. Pushing past Zigferd, Petunia walked up to where SJ sat. "I believe you have had an exciting day based on what the chancellor told me."
"I am not sure I would say 'exciting'," SJ said.
Smiling, the gnome held her hands out. "May I?"
"Please," SJ said, taking the gnome's small hands. Petunia chanted quietly until a ball of white light appeared, surrounding their hands. It grew until it had a diameter of a foot before it moved up her arm. As the ball of light worked its way over her body, it passed through her, pausing for a few moments at certain places, and then continued. This spell differed from the one she had cast on her by the cleric earlier that morning. Wherever the spell touched, SJ felt a warmth, like a gentle summer breeze. It was a strange sensation. After it had traversed every part of her body, the ball of light dispersed with a flash.
"There we go. You should be perfectly fine now. I found no lasting effects of the poison in your system."
The dried blood had disappeared, and the spell had left SJ feeling invigorated. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, my dear. Anything for one of Zigferd's brood. He has a habit of getting the pretty girls. Between you and Alice, I think you would give most a run for their money."
Zigferd's cheeks flushed at the comment. "Petunia!"
Petunia just chuckled in response. "So, how is Alice? It has been four years since I left. I have much to catch up on."
"She is well," Zigferd said.
SJ couldn't help but blurt, "She is getting married!"
"Really?!" Petunia said.
Zigferd grumbled under his breath. "Yes. She is getting married."
"What fantastic news. I bet you are thrilled," Petunia said, looking at Zigferd.
Grimacing, Zigferd said, "I suppose I am. I'm still getting used to the idea. You know how many years I have cared for her."
"I do indeed, and you have helped her grow into the beautiful dryad she is."
Zigferd's cheeks went even redder, his embarrassment obvious.
"And who may you be?" Petunia turned to Jay.
SJ noticed the look of awe on his face for the first time. "Jay," he spluttered.
"And you do what?" Petunia asked.
"Your worship. I am just a humble driver. I helped SJ, that is all."
"Your worship?" SJ asked.
"Petunia is one of the highest clerics on the continent. Not that you would think so," Zigferd said.
"You are not too big to end up over my knee, Zigferd Maxwell," Petunia chuckled.
Zigferd laughed heartily. It was the first time in a while SJ had witnessed Zigferd laugh. With all the changes in Killic and everything that had been happening, the atmosphere had been tense, even without realising it.
"Now, that would be something to witness," Jay said.
Petunia gave Jay a wry smile. "He knows better than to cross me. It wouldn't be the first time."
The comment surprised SJ and Jay, and they stared in astonishment at the small gnome.
"I was a boy, the one and only time that ever happened," Zigferd replied, frowning.
SJ tilted her head to one side, looking at Zigferd with a smirk on her face. "Please do tell."
Zigferd's cheeks went crimson, and he coughed. "I think we maybe needed outside now."
"A tale for another time perhaps," Petunia said, winking at SJ, "and you are right. We are needed. The chancellor asked me to bring you to him once I had checked you over."
"Am I free to go now?" Jay asked.
Petunia said, "They asked me to bring everyone in the room, so you must join us."
Jay frowned, then shrugged as he followed them from the office. Guards were present everywhere. The usual six who stood at the double doors had quadrupled in the foyer alone. The colonel said there were guards on every floor as well. Looking at the number of beings in the foyer, the guards made up the majority.
SJ and Jay followed Petunia and Zigferd, who walked across the hall to an area that SJ had not been to before. They followed a sweeping corridor and arrived at an enormous set of double doors, where guards were positioned outside. Petunia paid no attention as she walked past them and pushed the door open. Entering a circular chamber, a desk sat at the other side in front of large arched windows, with the chancellor behind it. In the chamber with the chancellor was Wystria and the mage SJ had seen on the platform who wore red mage robes.
SJ noticed Jay looking around like a startled rabbit at the surroundings. His shoulders seemed hunched, as though frightened.
"Petunia. Thank you for checking on SJ," the chancellor said, standing and walking around his desk. SJ noticed Wystria bow her head towards Petunia.
"No problem at all. I can safely say she is absolutely fine, no residual effects of this morning's attempt at poisoning or from her recent fall."
"Excellent news. SJ, I would like to pass on my sincere apologies for what has happened to you since you arrived in the tower. The happenings today are unheard of. Never have we suffered such deceitful and dire behaviour in the tower's walls. Wystria, Alec, and I will witness the inauguration. With Petunia, Zigferd and ..." the chancellor looked at Jay.
"Jay, sir."
"Jay, as witnesses, the binding to the council will be complete. This will give you full protection rights under the Asterfal agreement." the chancellor turned and looked towards a side door in the chamber SJ hadn't noticed. "Darwinial, are you there?" he called.
The door opened moments later, and the dwarf, who was the master of ceremonies, walked into the chamber. "Chancellor."
"Can you complete the binding rights, please?"
"Sir." the dwarf replied, removing a large circular looking plate from his inventory. Walking forward, he held the plate out in both hands towards SJ. "Place your hand on the emblem."
Looking at the large circular plate, SJ could now see that it was the Asterfal crest that was emblazoned on its surface. Placing her hand on it, Darwinial spoke. "SJ Ambassador for Killic. Do you promise to uphold the beliefs of the Asterfal council and promise to follow its rulings and laws as long as they are fair and voted with due consideration of the council representatives?"
SJ looked at Zigferd, who just nodded. "I do."
Zigferd and the others stomped their feet, just as others had done in the chamber. Jay, not knowing the practice, copied them. SJ was not sure what she had been expecting, but there were no flashing lights or beams of energy or anything else that may have given a sign to the undertaking, as her display triggered.
Appointment: Asterfal Regional Council Representative
Status: Active
Relationship: Ambassador of Killic
Reputation: Neutral
'I wasn't expecting that,' SJ thought.
"City representation holds appointment rights and levels of system influence. Killic, as a town, doesn't sit within the system's appointment requirements." Dave said.
"Excellent. That is done then. You will be announced in the chamber tomorrow when we reconvene, but will not have to take the oath when the others do at the end of the inauguration ceremony. Congratulations and welcome," the chancellor said.
"Thank you for accepting me. I know that I may have brought trouble to your doorstep unwillingly. I am sorry for any problems that I have caused."
"It is not for you to apologise for what has happened. At least now you have the protection of the council. An attack on one member is an attack on all."
"Those in the inauguration are not sworn to the council?" SJ asked.
"No. The binding is completed after the ceremony. Officially, you are the first new council member of the inauguration," the chancellor smiled.
SJ's stomach rumbled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry."
The chancellor smiled, "I hope the remainder of your time in Asterfal is peaceful."
"Thank you."
"We will see you at the ceremony tomorrow. After today's events we have to catch up on the speeches. Petunia, will you be attending tomorrow?"
"I may at some point once I have seen what state my home has been left in. Four years is a long time to be away."
"Everything should have been attended to," Wystria said.
"Thank you dear. I will see you tomorrow at some point. Let's go," Petunia turned, ushering them from the chamber.
"I can't believe I have just been in the chancellor's chamber," Jay said as they walked back down the corridor.
"It is only a room," Petunia said.
"The chancellor's though."
"Zigferd, you mentioned visiting Otherlisar's this evening?"
"Yes. She had arranged a gathering."
"Well, I am hungry after my travels and I know SJ is," she smiled. "Shall we call in?"
Leaving the tower and walking down the steps, the night air was fresh and a cool breeze blew through the city. Stood by the tower doors on wooden signs were the words, 'No sleeves allowed.'
"Looks like they are taking precautions," Dave said.
'Thankfully. I don't fancy being attacked again,' SJ thought.
"Jay. Do you mind taking us?" she said.
"Not at all. Give me a few minutes," Jay replied as he hurried towards the stables.
"I think Jay was a little awestruck," SJ said, as he disappeared.
"I have never understood why. We are all beings. No one being is better than another," Zigferd said.
"It appears my teachings may not have been lost on you after all," Petunia said.
The intrigue of the history between Zigferd and Petunia was too much for SJ to bear. "How long have you known each other?"
Petunia looked at SJ with a twinkle or mirth in her eyes. "Oh. I have known Zigferd since he was a wee cub. He was a ward of the church, his parents were killed during a raid on his village, and he came to live with us at the boarding house."
SJ knew nothing of Zigferd's history. She wasn't even sure how old he was.
"You were what, three or four summers old then?"
"Four," Zigferd smiled.
"That makes it your 150th this year."
"You don't have to remind me," he sighed.
"150!?" SJ stammered in absolute shock.
"He doesn't look his age, does he!" Petunia said.
"I had no idea."
Zigferd rolled his eyes. "I am not that old."
"Don't be so modest. For your kind, you have aged well."
Ages of beings still baffled SJ.
"How old are you, dear?" Petunia asked.
"27 nearly 28," SJ said.
"Oh my. You are so young and have so much to learn of the world."
SJ blushed. Hearing Zigferd's age and not wanting to guess Petunia's, she felt as though she was just a child.
"I do have much to learn," SJ sighed.
"Age is relative," Zigferd said.
"Again, my teachings remain."
"I need my boots," SJ said as she quickly flew up to her room and grabbed them before joining them again as Jay drove the cart round. Climbing into the cart, Petunia began to tell SJ about Zigferd's time at the boarding house.
