While they were going down the stairs, they noticed two very confused-looking guards sitting at the small guard post that was established at the entrance to the floor. SJ noticed two tankards on the table where they sat, wondering if Carlito had drugged them. Reaching the ground floor, the increased guard presence was still obvious and anyone attempting to enter the tower with sleeves was being turned away. The security difference was obvious compared to her first day of just walking into the tower.
The dining hall was busy and on entering, many turned to look at SJ and Zigferd. She could feel the scrutiny of their gaze as they walked towards a table to sit. A serving elf with black hair walked towards them at the table and SJ's heart leapt in her chest. The elf smiled politely and asked what they would like for breakfast.
"Could I have a full hogling breakfast please?" Zigferd asked.
"Of course, and for yourself?" the elf said.
SJ locked eyes with the elf's, before she glanced at the white towel draped over her forearm and the tray she carried. Shifting in her seat nervously, knowing exactly who was serving them, she requested a pot of coffee. Zigferd paid no attention, none the wiser, as he reached for a freshly baked roll that each of the tables had in baskets. There was a buffet table laid out in the centre of the hall and SJ, even after their recent discussion, wasn't willing to chance food from the kitchen.
"The brashness of the dragonling is astounding," Dave said.
'I'm not surprised, after what they just did upstairs,' SJ thought.
"I'm grabbing some of the buffet," SJ said as she headed over to the table.
The wide table held many selections of meats, fruit and other items of food which SJ didn't recognise. Selecting various items, she filled a plate and was returning to the table when a large, imposing figure of an orc blocked her path.
He snarled, curling his lip as he looked down at her and said, "So you are the reason for the problems."
Not expecting a confrontation, the sudden comment took SJ aback. She knew she was to blame, but it wasn't exactly her fault. "I would be grateful if you would please let me by."
"You should leave the tower and not come back. Your kind aren't welcome here."
After the previous evening's conversations with those at Otherlisar's, she hadn't spoken to all the guests, but those she had had shown sympathy towards what had happened.
"Do you mind stepping out of my way, please?" SJ asked politely.
"I said your kind aren't welcome here," he snarled.
Several at nearby tables had turned to watch the interaction.
"I would like to eat my breakfast in peace. If you don't mind."
The orc growled and swung his hand down at her plate, catching the edge of it and making her spill the contents onto the hall's floor. Not flinching, SJ took a slow breath. Inside, she was furious, but she couldn't allow herself to react. She was supposed to be an ambassador now, and she was also a sworn council member.
SJ turned away from the orc and walked back towards the buffet table. "Don't you turn your back on me," he growled, grabbing her shoulder. At that moment, a bolt of blue light streaked across the dining hall. It flew over SJ's shoulder, missing her by inches, and struck the orc in his chest. The orc froze in place, his arm outstretched. Looking towards where the bolt had originated, she saw Alec the Archmage wearing sleeveless red robes walk over. She had never heard him speak before, and his voice cut across the hall as he did.
"Who is he with?" his voice was commanding and void of emotion. Turning to look at the orc, SJ saw it was frozen as a statue, the orc's eyes still moving, showing visible panic in them. Noticing that Zigferd was on his way over. A half-orc rose from a nearby table and hurried to where SJ stood as Alec reached them.
"Sir, I am so sorry. He is the newly assigned major of Prosii," the half-orc said, looking ashamed.
Alec raised an eyebrow at the comment. "And you are Tobius, if I remember rightly the trade envoy for Prosii?"
"I am, sir."
"What is his name?"
"Caref, sir."
Alec turned to look at Caref, staring into his fear stricken gaze. "Well, Caref. You were to be sworn in today. I can let you know that you have just forfeit your right of entry to the council. Guards, please escort Caref to his room to gather his belongings and then ensure that he leaves the tower."
Two guards headed over.
"Sir, please," Tobius pleaded. "We only arrived this morning. Our journey was delayed."
"At least that explains why the scriers didn't pick up on his hatred yesterday. Tobius. You know the council rules. No one may lay hands on another within the tower walls. Especially an accepted councillor over one who has not yet taken the oath. I suggest you explain the tower's etiquette to him on your journey home."
The comment over SJ, already being accepted, caused a few sat in the hall to mutter and she could feel heat rising in her cheeks. 'Why does everything I do always seem to draw the wrong sort of attention?' she thought.
"Life would be boring otherwise," Dave said.
'An exciting day used to be finding false data entries, and recently I am lucky to go a day without someone or something trying to kill me.'
Dave couldn't help but laugh
"But, sir?" Tobius said.
"There are no buts. If you wish for a mayor of Prosii to be recognised by the council, I suggest you choose one with the temperament to hold the position."
A guard now stood on either side of Caref, gripping his arms. Alec motioned the spell breaking, Caref falling forward, unbalanced by the spell. Zigferd's face was a picture of fury as he approached. as SJ noticed him approach, she stepped around Caref and stopped him.
"No."
"How dare he grab you!" Zigferd fumed.
Alec looked at Zigferd. "Not inside the tower, Zigferd," the warning was subtle but concrete.
Zigferd gave Alec a glancing look before turning on Caref. "Your father would be ashamed," Zigferd spat.
"Zigferd, please." Tobius interjected.
"His father was an amazing orc. Yet, it appears his manners were not passed on to this orcling."
The comment from Zigferd surprised Caref, who easily equalled the orc in height and bulk. "You are Zigferd!" the orc said, surprised.
"I am and you just attacked my ambassador."
The orc's demeanour changed dramatically. "Zigferd. I did not know this fae was yours."
"This fae has a name and a title, whish I suggest you use when you address a member of the council," Zigferd warned.
Caref sputtered a response, "I didn't know the ambassador worked for you."
"And who does it matter who I work for?" SJ asked.
Caref didn't answer.
"Take him away, please," Alec said.
"Sir," the guards replied as they marched Caref from the hall.
"Your position will be announced first this morning. Hopefully that will bring an end to this animosity and stupidity that has befallen the tower these past two days," Alec said.
"Thank you, Alec," Zigferd said.
Nodding in response, Alec turned and walked back to the table he had been sitting at.
"I don't feel like eating now," SJ said.
Walking back to the table, they took their seats. Sitting in front of where SJ had been was a large pot of coffee. SJ looked around the hall with suspicion, not seeing the black-haired elf anywhere. Several kept glancing over to where she sat, making her feel uncomfortable. The smell of the freshly ground coffee was tempting.
"There is a note under it," Dave said.
Sitting under the edge of the coffee pot was indeed a small piece of parchment. SJ lifted the pot and discreetly slipped the small piece of parchment into her palm to keep Zigferd from knowing she had been left with a note. Excusing herself, SJ said she was going to go for a walk in the garden. Entering the garden, several again sat around the stone benches. Finding an empty bench, she took a seat, her last garden visit differing from this. Sitting, she took in her surroundings. The myriad of colours from the flowers and their scent combatted the occasional smell of pipe tobacco that filled the air.
Opening her hand, she slowly unfolded the parchment.
'Meet me at the Black Griffin tonight at 22:00, if you wish to be considered.'
SJ's display triggered.
Quest - Meet Carlito at the Black Griffin
Class quest
"That's unusual. There is normally a description when it is a class quest telling you the aim of what you need to do," Dave said.
'Nothing I ever seem to do seems normal.'
"That is true."
It was approaching 09:00, and the inauguration would start at 09:15, so SJ headed back inside to meet with Zigferd. Entering the council chambers, they made their way to their seats. The council chamber was filled with quiet conversation, and exactly on time, the main doors opened as the horn blew, and the chancellor, Wystria, and Alec walked in. Everyone in the chamber was sleeveless, even the chancellor. Walking to the podium, they took their positions.
The chancellor stood and surveyed the chamber again.
"Good morning, all. As you are all aware, there have been some rather unusual happenings with the threat to one of our number. All the nine individuals arrested remain in custody, undergoing further questioning. At this time, we still do not know who hired Carlito." The mention of the assassin's name caused murmuring to start, waiting for a short time to allow quiet to settle again the chancellor continued. "Everyone present should know that once councillor status has been approved, Asterfal will be responsible for your protection."
There were nods from many in response. "Last night, in an unprecedented procedure, we, the council leaders with equivalent witnesses, witnessed and approved the joining of the Ambassador for Killic." This statement caused several to gasp at the announcement. "I know that for many, this may have broken protocol and expectations because of the governing laws of the council. I chose to perform this act as your leader in response to the threat placed in your beloved sanctum. Now that SJ has been affirmed, she is fully under the council's protection. Any further act against her will not be attacking her but attacking what we in Asterfal stand for as a body of authority. An attack on one is an attack on all." The chancellor paused again, surveying the chamber.
"Just this morning, we also had to defer a new member because of their hatred. This behaviour is not appropriate. We rule as one. Race, sex, and beliefs do not enter the council; we are all equal in our rights to vote once confirmed as members. Because of the delays caused yesterday by the attack, I would ask that all those announcing their positions keep their acceptance statements brief. We are behind schedule and still have two days of business to complete after we conclude the ceremony."
SJ felt her cheeks redden, being the focus of the comments.
"Without further ado, Master of Ceremonies, please begin the proceedings."
Stomping filled the chamber after the councillor spoke.
The dwarf SJ now knew as Darwinial walked to the platform as the lead council took their seats.
"Welcome all. As the chancellor says, we have much to get through. First this morning is proclaiming the first and newest accepted member to our council SJ, the Ambassador for Killic."
Zigferd nudged SJ as she sat there frozen. Standing, her hands clammy, she brushed them on her dress and spoke. "Thank you for your kind words of support, chancellor." The chancellor hadn't expected her to mention him and looked at her with a smile, "and also to your lead councillors for their help." Both Alec and Wystria nodded politely. "I have met some of you already, and I hope to meet many more of you over my time as Ambassador for Killic. Thank you."
Stomping began in the chamber as SJ concluded her introduction and took her seat. With no hesitation, Darwinial announced the next new councillor. They introduced fifty-three more members by the time they broke for lunch. The afternoon session would be the swearing of the oath. After the break, they positioned the golden plate that SJ had sworn the oath against centrally in front of the platform when they returned to the chamber.
"Is it over yet?" Dave asked.
'I can see why it takes three days,' SJ thought.
"Also, they reduced speeches."
'Yeah. Listening to some of them the first day was interesting, but most just seemed to like the sound of their own voices.'
"Nearly done. Then we can do some real work."
'Real work?'
"Your class. That quest has me intrigued. I am interested in seeing what Carlito will offer. Class quests can take many forms. There are no specifics apart from that they should progress in difficulty as you complete them."
'Darren said before that they help with skill development, but we really have never discussed them.'
"There hasn't been a need until now. Class quests relate to your specific class, a druid may be to heal a certain number of creatures, etc. As an assassin, yours may be to kill a certain number of targets."
The thought of killing innocent people made SJ feel sick. 'I'm not sure I could do that. You know my feelings about killing.'
"Yes. Yes. Evil only. Unfortunately, the class you chose isn't as forgiving as you."
'I won't kill innocents.'
"Then you may never develop in the assassin class if that is the case. You need to understand that it is just a job. What makes the life of one being more precious than the life of another?"
'What do you mean by that?'
"Why should people target and kill a wyvern for attacking a town when all it's doing is following its instinct of hunting? I have never understood the thought process fully. It does not differ from your reaction when the wolf attacked the doe. It's just an area that doesn't compute for me logically. You decide that the life of one is above the life of another based on your belief. What makes one being more valid than another?"
Dave's philosophical thought was difficult to argue. Even considering sentience as an argument, SJ struggled to consider it in a manner that didn't sound weak.
'If it isn't down to belief, then what should it be down to? Isn't alignment based on belief?'
"Yes. The alignment system can be loosely tied to belief in simplistic terms, but also it relates to the natural behaviours of those to who it pertains."
'Example?'
"Many think ogres as evil. They hold no fear and have no problem killing. It doesn't mean that all are evil, though. Many ogres find their position because of the actions of those around them. They end up being shunned and attacked on sight by many. How many ogres who have been attacked are caused by fear of what is expected rather than what they believe. Bordon was trying to grow his clan. Were his actions any worse than many others before him?"
'There is a saying from back on Earth that trust is earned, not given. If a being builds trust, won't that change how they are perceived?'
"But how can they accomplish it when they experience persecution from the beginning?"
It was the typical catch-22 situation. Predetermined behaviours set precedence, and history had shown one over others.
'I suppose it does not differ from the hate and animosity shown against the fae.'
"My exact point. All you have ever done is help your friends and support them. Just because you are fae, many see you as a problem."
'Does that not mean most fae are chaotic alignment?'
"No. That is where the loose link between alignment and belief comes in. A fae can be lawful yet still cause mischief as they follow their racial trait for mischief, but will do anything for one of their own and many others. It just isn't that simple. Your actions could be lawful, yet you are neutral."
'It's so complex.'
"It is."
As the oaths continued, SJ and Dave discussed the philosophical ideals of class and race. By the time the last oath was taken, SJ was still none the wiser of how it all related, yet had appreciated Dave's argument about her assassin class actions and had considered what she may eventually need to do.
When they entered the dining hall, the tables were all pre-laid with mountains of food. Roast hoglings were the centrepiece on most, with wild fowl of various forms also present. Huge bowls of vegetables and freshly baked bread filled the tables with bottles of wine and large jugs of ale. Zigferd had warned SJ there would be a celebratory feast but hadn't expected the amount of food present. It sickened SJ the amount of food for so few compared to the squalid conditions she had seen in the district.
After picking at food for a while and conversing around the table, SJ gave an excuse to leave. Zigferd asked if she was okay, responding she needed some fresh air. Walking to the desk, she asked for Jay. She had a few hours before needing to meet Carlito at the Black Griffin and wanted to see Cristy.
As they moved through the inner district, SJ changed her dress colour. Her green dress stood out too much in the outer districts. Many people wore plain leather or white drab clothing. She had seen little colour compared to the bright colours those wore at the tower. Once it was a more acceptable plain design and tan-coloured, she felt better.
The streets were busy in the early evening, with the sounds of district life: blacksmith hammering, traders calling, laughing, and shouting from the many inns, and beggars begging. After spending the previous evening at Otherlisar's, there was no comparison to the conditions the poor lived in.
'I am going to help Cristy's aunt and uncle.'
"How?" Dave asked.
'If Cristy is going to visit them more often, I will provide them with a better home.'
"They may not wish it."
'No, but I will make the offer to Cristy. She can discuss with them. They live in such a small home and, from their comments, it seems they are paid so little for the work they do.'
"You keep forgetting that life for many on Amathera isn't easy. There are challenges for many, especially those of the lower class."
'And if I can help, I will.'
"It's your choice. You are rich compared to many who live here."
After seeing the deprived conditions of the outer district areas, SJ couldn't help feeling angry. The waste and opulence of the inner district were ridiculous. As they got nearer to the city's outer walls, the streets became narrower and dirtier. The stench of waste was ever-present.
Even Killic suffered from inequality, but they tried to offset it as best they could. They had plans to rebuild the poorest area of the town with the income from the mithril mine, which would begin once they completed the wall in the valley.
SJ supported getting this passed through the town council as needed. Employment in the town had improved with the building work, with many being able to get labour jobs supporting the expansion. It had already assisted many in improving their living conditions, and after talking to Lythonian, SJ had learned the need for food parcels had dropped substantially. The general improvement was already noticeable. She couldn't understand how Asterfal could ever achieve it. The city's sprawling size and restriction on land meant the only improvement viable for buildings was upwards.
Cristy's aunt answered the door. She looked distraught, tear tracks on her face. "Lurtew is missing," were the only words she managed before collapsing, breaking down in floods of tears.
