E book 7: Chapter 51: Inquest

Darren clutched the graceful hardwood quarterstaff Victor had purchased for him. It was sturdy and supposedly enchanted to do additional bludgeoning injury, and he discovered it very comforting as he seemed towards the glowing portal on the dais down within the little walled-off cave. He, Edeya, and Lam stood exterior in one among Sojourn’s many parks, ready for the dungeon attendants to name them ahead. Their entry slot was in just some minutes.

Edeya stood close to, additionally clutching her weapon—a nice ivory-colored spear with a gleaming, silvery blade. Victor had given it to her, and when Darren’s eyes had betrayed his jealousy, the large man had shrugged and stated, “Edeya’s been coaching to make use of weapons for years. That workers will swimsuit you properly for now.” Darren had instantly put apart his jealousy; Victor had gone out of his approach to make sure he had one thing stable to swing round and defend with, which was greater than he might ask for. Moreover, it wasn’t his solely reward.

Each he and Edeya wore armored vests constituted of rings of impossibly gentle metallic. If Darren have been again on Earth, he would possibly guess it was aluminum if not for the odd blue tint. The rings have been sewn to supple, pale leather-based, and the clothes have been enchanted to restore and clear themselves. Furthermore, the rings have been extremely sturdy. Victor had demonstrated by tasking Edeya with making an attempt to stab a knife by means of one whereas he held it in his palm. “Shimmersteel,” he whispered, remembering the title of the fabric.

Edeya heard him and smiled. “Snug, huh?” Darren could not deny that she seemed particularly good in her vest. It hugged her slim body, and the blue within the metallic was highlighted by the cobalt Vitality motes that continually drifted down from her dragonfly wings.

“Yeah. It’s nice.” Darren smiled, amazed at how totally different she seemed from the pale, deathly determine she’d been after they first met. Her cheeks have been flushed, her blue eyes shiny with pleasure, and her red-gold hair hung in curly ringlets from the silver half-helm Victor had given her. She’d gone to a number of hassle to look good for his or her first dungeon dive, which Darren discovered each amusing and endearing. It was like dressing as much as work within the sewers. Or was it? He had no concept, in truth.

In keeping with the guidebook Edeya had been studying, the “Grotto” was a cave system, however that didn’t imply there can be rank or disgusting water in it. Actually, she’d identified that a few of the deeper sections have been blocked off by clear, chilly water they’d should swim by means of, assuming they went that far in. Darren wasn’t too positive.

Lam interrupted his ideas, “Present me once more,” she stated, nudging his shoulder. He knew what she meant; she and Edeya had spent various time instructing him to channel his Vitality into his first spell. He’d even gained some Vitality from the System when he discovered it: Arclight Wisp. It was the title of his model of the very fundamental “gentle” spell that the majority new Vitality customers discovered.

Darren held out his palm and constructed the spell sample in his pathway, sending a few of his lightning-attuned Vitality into it. A tiny, buzzing, crackling mote of crimson gentle appeared above his palm, flickering then rising steadier and brighter, virtually like an previous incandescent gentle bulb warming up. It hovered within the air, transferring from side to side because it waited for him to direct it along with his will.

“Good!” Edeya laughed and snatched on the wisp, however it flickered by means of her fingers. “I feel it’s getting brighter.”

Lam nodded and squeezed Darren’s shoulder. “I hope you acquire a stage shortly and be taught a helpful spell immediately. Regardless of the case, even in case you don’t, you’ll acquire some attribute factors and extra Vitality, and we’ll discover a method to educate you some issues if you get out.” She reached out together with her different hand and pulled Edeya shut, greedy her neck within the criminal of her arm. “Stick near Edeya and comply with her lead. She is aware of how you can forged a number of spells.”

“Most require extra Vitality than I’ve now,” Edeya pouted. “However not all!”

“You’ll each be nice. You’re positive you will have each . . .”

“Factor. Sure, Lam! You’ve requested us ten occasions.” Edeya laughed and shortly stretched her neck as much as kiss Lam on the cheek in a stunning present of sweetness and affection. “We’ll be nice. This dungeon is for infants.”

“Effectively . . .” Lam smiled, eyeing Darren meaningfully.

“All proper, I get it!” Darren sighed, shaking his head. “Lesh has made it abundantly clear that I’m mainly a new child. Don’t fear, I received’t get in Edeya’s approach.”

Out of the blue, in a strident, clarion voice, one of many attendants referred to as out, “Edeya! Darren! Your timeslot begins now!”

#

Once they have been lastly invited into one of many council’s convention chambers, Victor wasn’t stunned to discover a desk ornately carved from what seemed to him like a single, monumental slab of ivory. Nor was he stunned to seek out chairs suitably giant for himself and Ranish Dar. They sat on one aspect, Victor within the center, Ranish to his proper, and the advocate Ranish had employed on his left.

The advocate was an odd particular person, ostensibly a male, however not exhibiting any such mammalian traits. His flesh and physique have been completely composed of an odd, orange, gelid substance that jiggled and flowed bonelessly in an in depth approximation of a bipedal, humanoid determine. His eyes have been like softly glowing crimson candies, and Victor couldn’t assist considering of him as a Jello man. Much more unusual, he refused to be named, insisting that Victor and Ranish handle him as Advocate. Nonetheless, Ranish stated he was extremely regarded, so Victor went with it.

Nice stained-glass home windows lined the wall behind the council members who have been arrayed reverse the trio. The home windows depicted scenes from nature—birds with shiny plumage, colourful flowers, and different little animals like red-furred foxes bearing a couple of tail alongside completely bizarre, white rabbits. Victor discovered the artistry exhausting to look away from, although the sunshine in his eyes actually put him at a drawback. He thought of that for a second, how these home windows would brightly gentle his face whereas the council members’ faces have been dim within the glare of the noon daylight. Absolutely, it was by design.

Talking of the council members, solely 5 have been in attendance, however Victor supposed that made sense; it was a giant, busy metropolis, and he doubted they might all be bothered by an issue with a single dungeon brought on by a comparatively insignificant new citizen. In fact, the person with the smoke-obscured face, deep in his darkish grey cowl, was in attendance, sitting within the middle. Victor had discovered his title was Lord Roil and that he and Dar shared a centuries-old grudge. To his proper was an avian man with the options of a blackbird. He seemed a lot like a large, bipedal crow that Victor struggled to not stare; the person’s broad, startled-looking yellow hen eyes have been virtually comical as he turned his head left and proper, his beak hanging barely agape.

The advocate had earlier instructed Victor who to anticipate, so he knew who the avian was—Yon, the grasp of Strista Kono, whom Victor had somewhat summarily vanquished from the dungeon. Lord Roil seemed to his left, the place a grandmotherly determine sat, and a sound like hissing steam issued forth. Was it some form of whisper? Victor ignored it and seemed extra carefully on the lady. She might have been human; she had pale flesh, deep wrinkles, and pudgy cheeks beneath curly grey hair held in a bun by lengthy, wood pins. She might have been if not for her unsettling black eyes gleaming with a hidden inside gentle.

To her left was an individual who seemed very very similar to a shiny inexperienced praying mantis carrying yellow silken robes. On the opposite finish, to the correct of the birdman, sat an elf-like fellow—tall, good-looking, with a chiseled jawline, glistening golden hair, and ears that stood out from his head and pointed upward in a much more pronounced method than the Fae woman, Sora’s. Victor had forgotten the names of these final three; he’d solely heard them as soon as from the advocate and had been extra preoccupied along with his protection than memorizing the names of, then, faceless lords and women. He’d simply taken within the scene and gotten a very good take a look at the consuls when the door clicked open and Arona stepped in.

“Apologies, Lord Consuls,” she stated in her whispery, scratchy voice, bowing low.

“Sit,” Lord Roil hissed, and the phrase was laced with energy so absolute that Victor discovered himself making an attempt to take a seat though he already was. He heard Arona hurry to conform, speeding to the seat to his advocate’s left. “You haven’t any illustration, Arona Moonshadow?” the hissing, smoky voice demanded.

Arona ducked her head, her brow practically touching the desk, and stated, “No, Lord Consul. I throw myself upon your mercy.” Victor’s eyebrows shot up at that. Was she being good or silly? Maybe she and her grasp had realized that Victor was the one actually in hassle that day, and she or he was making an attempt to earn favor by showing compliant.

Some mutters and a number of other nodding heads on the consul’s aspect of the desk confirmed his idea; they have been happy together with her submission. “Then we will start. If it pleases the committee, I’ll communicate for us until one among you has a dissenting opinion on a matter that comes up.” Lord Roil turned his cowled head to the left and proper, guaranteeing all his co-consuls nodded in affirmation. Victor received the impression that this had already been agreed upon earlier than the assembly had begun. He glanced at Ranish Dar, questioning if he ought to react, however the black, stone-fleshed man sat virtually like he was in a trance, his eyes half-shut and the white hearth of his eyes subdued.

The advocate’s plump, jelly-like lips opened, and he spoke in an odd, liquid voice that made Victor wish to clear his throat. “We settle for your appointment as spokesperson, Lord Roil.”

“It was not introduced forth for debate.” For the primary time, Victor noticed a spark of sunshine within the smoky depths of that cowl, and he puzzled if it was one among Lord Roil’s eyes flaring with Vitality. “I’ll now define the costs. Victor Sandoval, pupil of Ranish Dar, you’re accused of inflicting nice injury to the Vault of Valor, leading to a lack of income to the Metropolis of Sojourn and an unquantifiable lack of Vitality and System-generated awards to Arona Moonshadow. How do you plead?”

Listening to that Arona was not summoned as a co-defendant however as a sufferer, Victor virtually misplaced management of his mouth. Actually, he inhaled sharply and would have barked an outraged chuckle if Dar hadn’t bumped him within the ribs with a boulder-sized elbow as a warning.

The advocate was fast to talk, although, forestalling any protest from Victor. “Victor Sandoval just isn’t responsible of any intent to hurt town’s property and, additional, can’t be held chargeable for the System’s judgment with regard to Arona Moonshadow. The System supplied the award it felt she deserved, a single chest, and the System selected to withhold any Vitality positive aspects not solely from Arona however from Victor, as properly. One might argue that now we have a case towards town for failing to supply the promised awards of the competitors.”

“Outrageous!” Yon, the crow-headed man, squawked. Lord Roil held up an extended, flowing sleeve and turned his cowl towards him till he closed his beak and sat again, his feathery arms folded over his chest.

“You’ll attempt to countersue the Council on the grounds that now we have a say within the System’s judgment?”

“For those who suppose Victor can affect the System or must be held chargeable for that exact same judgment, does the logic not stream?” The advocate’s voice was even, however Victor might hear a touch of “gotcha” in his tone.

“There’s a flaw together with your comparability, Advocate,” Roil stated, some wisps of smoke escaping his cowl. Was that due to his breath? Was there a respiratory physique behind all that smoke? “Victor Sandoval prompted the injury. The System withheld Vitality from him and Arona as a result of it used that Vitality to stabilize the injury. Additional, the penalty charged to town for the dungeon’s restore resulted from the injury he prompted. Are you able to not see how he, logically, is the accountable occasion?”

“If we’re going to boil the bone, then allow us to get the marrow out,” the advocate stated, gently and silently tapping the desk with one among his squishy fingers. “Arona and her allies ambushed Victor. If he had not needed to defend himself in a five-versus-one contest, he wouldn’t have needed to make the most of his most damaging powers. Ought to the blame not be lain on the ft of all members in stated battle? Contemplating he was not the aggressor, I really feel it’s beneficiant that Victor can be keen to share one-sixth of the penalty.”

Roil nodded. “This has been thought of, however the injury carried out to the dungeon comes all the way down to poor judgment. Any particular person with good intentions would know that unleashing an earthquake-causing Vitality capability in a dungeon stage made completely of stone and constructed like a cavern with thousand-ton stalactites dotting its ceiling was a poor alternative. Such a transfer was not solely overtly damaging of the dungeon’s framework but additionally self-destructive. Does Lord Dar not agree that his cost must be extra respectful of the council’s property and of himself? Does he suppose it clever that his pupil would throw away his personal well-being for the vainness of delight and the refusal to maintain his damaging instincts in examine?”

Victor knew what was coming subsequent. The advocate and Dar had already ready him for the concession they have been keen to make. Nonetheless, when the advocate spoke up, Victor discovered himself clenching his fists in anger. “Lord Dar agrees that his pupil confirmed poor judgment, however he disagrees that the fault lies completely at his ft. Victor was unaware {that a} dungeon might be completely broken. He comes from a world with few dungeons, and people aren’t managed by residents. They’re naturally occurring System-managed dives. My shopper agrees to pay a portion of the damages however feels the council, in its knowledge, ought to bear the brunt of the expense. It was the council who designed this exercise, and it was the council who didn’t warn the entrants of the dungeon’s fragility.”

To Victor’s shock, Lord Roil’s cowl moved in a sluggish nod. He shifted his focus to Arona and requested, “What say you, Girl Moonshadow?”

Victor checked out her carefully, watching her darkish eyes shift up from the place they stared on the desk. A pink flicker of her tongue on her black-painted lips betrayed some nervousness as she shortly glanced at Victor after which turned again to the consuls. “Lords and Girls of the Council, I search no reparations. I can’t blame this man sitting right here for preventing with every little thing he had. I’m sorry I wasn’t allowed to complete the dungeon, however I acknowledge no malfeasance on his behalf.”

Lord Roil’s cowl shifted to the left, awaiting acknowledgment from the consuls on that aspect. Once they each nodded, he turned to the correct, and when Yon and the elf nodded, he turned to face Victor. “Victor Sandoval, do you want to communicate by yourself behalf earlier than I render the committee’s resolution?”

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Once more, Victor had been instructed on this matter; it was widespread follow for the accused to be given an opportunity to talk, no matter advocacy. Dar had instructed him what to say, and Victor discovered the phrases straightforward sufficient; his delight had retreated within the face of so many highly effective auras. “Lords and Girls of the Council, I merely want to apologize. As my advocate indicated, I had no concept that something I did in that dungeon might injury its construction. I used to be pushed to the purpose of breaking by the challenges supplied, and it didn’t happen to me that I ought to withhold my strongest skills. I ask in your mercy in your resolution.”

As he completed, one thing deep in his chest rebelled, and Victor needed to press his lips collectively in a skinny line to maintain from frowning or growling. He hated being obsequious, and he actually didn’t imply the phrases; he wasn’t really sorry, and he hoped the lip service he gave to the consuls can be sufficient if they might sense his lack of regret. He wouldn’t have agreed to say these issues if the advocate hadn’t assured him that the council would go straightforward on him out of respect for Dar. It hadn’t damage to listen to Arona’s assertion first; she’d been surprisingly cool about the entire thing. Had she identified she wasn’t right here as a defendant? He supposed it made sense.

“Very properly. Hear our judgment: Victor Sandoval, in lieu of imprisonment, fines, and reparations to Arona Moonshadow, you’re charged with finishing three duties for the Council of Sojourn. A majority of the present Consuls should resolve upon every job, and it’s essential to stay dwelling on this metropolis till you’ve completed this penance. Are there any objections?”

If Victor had been greedy coals in his palms, he felt like he’d have made some new diamonds as he listened to the decree. It was all he might do to clench his jaw and refuse the Quinametzin in him the possibility to curse or yell. He’d been hoping to pay some Vitality beads and be carried out with this bullshit, however now he was tied to some nebulous “duties?” As he fumed and tried to make sense of all of it, Dar pushed his chair again and stood. For the primary time, the large spoke, his voice grinding out with unchecked quantity, forcing greater than one of many consuls to flinch. “Very properly. The council is aware of how you can attain me. I’ll obtain the requests for my pupil’s companies and choose whether or not they’re applicable. Do you object?”

“Don’t overstep, Ranish Dar,” Roil hissed. Although his voice was tender, it lower like a knife with the pressure of an aura that blanked Victor’s thoughts and made him immediately overlook what he’d been offended about.

Dar pressed his palms on the ivory desk, leaning ahead into that aura, his eyes all of the sudden blazing like twin suns. “Is it overstepping to look out for the welfare of my pupil? I’ll have a say in these duties, or there shall be a necessity for additional inquests. What say you, Roil?”

The cowled determine confronted the fireplace of Dar’s eyes for a number of lengthy seconds after which nodded. “Very properly. The matter is settled.” Then, he abruptly stood and glided out of the room, slipping by means of a aspect door earlier than the opposite consuls had even managed to face.

“Come,” Dar stated, clapping Victor on the shoulder. Victor began to face, however then Yon opened his beak and squawked.

“What a farse! You have been fortunate this time, Dar.”

Dar turned to treat him as Victor moved to face by his aspect. The opposite consuls had all stopped of their tracks, eyeing the seven-foot, crow-like man and the towering, seething, statuesque Dar. “There was no luck concerned, hen. Communicate to me once more with such an unfettered tongue, and I’ll problem a problem.”

Yon’s beak closed with a click on, and Victor wasn’t alone in his smile as he turned to make a hasty exit. Everybody else began transferring once more, and the advocate broke the silence by saying, “I’ll go to the admin workplace to get this settlement recorded on a authorized decree.”

“Good. You earned your pay, Advocate.” Dar pulled the door open for him, after which Arona stepped ahead.

“I’m sorry I used to be concerned on this, Lord Dar.”

“Nonsense. It wasn’t you or your grasp who put you into that place. I totally blame Roil and the three or 4 others on the Council who maintain numerous grudges towards me. Your phrases right here earned you a favor from me. Use it correctly.”

Arona’s pale, sharp-boned face lit up with undisguised pleasure, and she or he bowed very low. When she straightened, she nodded to Victor and stated, “I’m positive we’ll meet once more.” Then she slipped out the door, and Dar threw an arm over Victor’s shoulders, guiding him out.

“It wasn’t dangerous; three duties requiring my approval—it’s nothing. I’ll make sure the calls for will convey good studying alternatives for you.”

“I suppose.” Victor sighed. “It was exhausting to take a seat there and take all of that. This complete factor seems like a nasty joke.”

“That’s how politics work, Victor. I received some clout together with your efficiency within the dungeon, and my enemies clawed just a little again with this inquest. You’re, sadly, a pawn at this stage of your life. Keep on with me, and I’ll educate you to be a participant.” As they walked by means of the foyer, Dar, apparently in a very good temper, continued to talk loudly, his voice virtually jovial. “It’s time you visited my lake home. There’s somebody there I’d such as you to see; she’ll present a studying alternative for you.”

“Yeah?” Victor was uninterested in surprises, so he pressed for extra particulars, “Who?”

“You understand her—the Fae woman who switched sides on you within the dungeon. Your terror-born alter ego contaminated her with a creeping dread that leaves her damaged. I believed you would possibly wish to learn to take away such an affliction. Did you will have different plans?”

“Nope. My buddies have all gone into one dungeon or one other—properly, all however one, however I’ll meet her later if that’s okay. I wouldn’t thoughts seeing Sora, and, yeah, I wouldn’t wish to consider her coping with some psychological trauma I prompted. Moreover,” Victor grinned and picked up the tempo, heading for the black-lacquered, flying carriage Dar had picked him up in, “she has a cloak I’d attempt to purchase off her.”

“Ah, is that so? Your elusive fifth piece of the set?” Victor might hear the humor in Dar’s voice.

“That’s proper. I received’t, like, refuse to assist her until she provides it to me, however I’d drop some hints afterward. Possibly she’ll be beneficiant.”

Spear Mastery

Fundamental

Bludgeon Mastery

Improved

Axe Mastery

Epic

Grappling

Superior

Sovereign Will

Superior

Titanic Leap

Improved

Aura Veil

Fundamental

Spells:

Iron Berserk

Epic

Inspiration of the Quinametzin

Epic

Channel Spirit

Improved

Enraging Orb

Fundamental

Globe of Perception

Improved

Undertaking Spirit

Improved

Dauntless Radiance

Fundamental

Heroic Coronary heart

Fundamental

Spirit Stroll

Fundamental

Tether Spirit

Fundamental

Harsh Mild of Justice

Improved

The Inevitable Huntsman

Improved

Facet of Terror

Superior

Imbue Spirit

Improved

Honor the Spirits

Improved

Titanic Facet

Fundamental

Alter Self

Improved

Vitality Cost

Fundamental

Banner of the Champion

Fundamental

Wild Totem

Superior

Impart Nightmare

Improved

Guard Ally

Fundamental

Volcanic Fury

Fundamental

Wake the Earth

Fundamental

Roots of the Mountain

Fundamental