Empty Barrels (3)

Since the deal was during the day, Yur and Shui could return to the clan soon after. Though the initial price had been 100 gold, likely due to the quality of the artifact, and maybe along with some ulterior motives, the bag contained two hundred and sixty gold. Subsequent to returning, they thought that they could return to their usual schedule, however the trouble that had started exploded to its peak.

"What?! A trial?!"

When work for the day was over, Bartos called his apprentices and told them about how an elder had left an official document stating that he would be put on trial. In the Heaven clan, any punishment given to normal clansman that did not result in permanent damage could be approved by any elder. However, any punishment that resulted in permanent damage or involved an influential figure had to decided in a trial watched by the entire clan. The only exception to this rule was if either the Patriarch or High elder had hard evidence and wanted to punish someone.

"What for?"

"Apparently treason."

"Huh?!"

Broc looked to be the most upset about this news, even more than Bartos himself. He had been under Bartos' tutelage the longest and was also the one who admired him the most. Rather than the fact that he was going to be put on trial, the fact that he was being accused of treason made him furious. Although Bartos wasn't very loyal to the clan, he would never deviously betray it. Even if he was at odds with the elders, he could simply leave with his family and easily earn a living with his skills. And so Broc was angry at whoever made up the ludicrous claim for insulting Bartos' character. It was simply too much!

While he didn't look like it, Bartos also felt very troubled by the document in his hand. Though the elders were nuisances to him, he didn't expect them to take this matter to such heights.

"For now we'll have to wait and see if they're really serious about this."

"And if they are?" Yur asked.

"...Then we'll decide what to do next."

After their short meeting, Shui went ahead of Bartos for dinner. Along the way, he pondered the situation and wondered what proof they could possibly have against Bartos.

'There has to be something or else they wouldn't have called a trial. Now that it's reached this stage they can't say sorry and expect to get away with it so I'm sure they must have something to go on.'

Though they were probably planning on mixing some lies in the evidence, there had to facts included, so Shui thought hard about what facts could be used against Bartos.

'This started with the harmony series so there might a connection between that and their claim. It can't be just because it's being sold at the auction, there has to be something that can be called suspicious, likely something recent.'

Once his thoughts reached this far, Shui remembered the deal he had completed a few days ago. No one except those involved should have known that he forged a custom artifact for the Glaize clan, so he really didn't want to think that that had something to do with Bartos being charged with treason. However, based on how he saw it, the chances were quite high, especially if it was leaked on purpose.

A few days after he received the document regarding him being put on trial, Nalos visited Bartos early in the morning before his other apprentices had even gotten out of bed. Though Nalos was in his seventies and old enough to be Bartos' father, the two actually had a close relationship. Nalos had been the first to see Bartos' talent and recommended him to Bartos' master and was the one who asked Bartos to work for the clan. Ever since Suiri had gotten pregnant, their relationship had become strained, but Bartos wasn't bothered by Nalos' visit.

The two of them sat around a table, facing each other.

"I must apologize regarding the trouble you've been getting in lately."

"Yeah, well your apology would be better if you could get them to stop."

"Hah, unfortunately this is out of my hands. Too many people are against you."

Though he had expected it, Bartos released a sigh when Nalos made the confirmation.

"Can you tell me who's behind it?"

Bartos looked Nalos in the eye as he asked this question. Nalos hesitated for a few moments before deciding to tell the truth.

"It's that stupid son of mine."

"Lus, huh?"

Bartos was familiar with Lus and his selfishness so he wasn't surprised that he was behind the mess.

"Exactly. I thought he had settled down after his son got accepted into Storm Sky Manor but it seems I was wrong."

Storm Sky Manor sent envoys every five years to Crystal City to accept new disciples. Though the talent of Lus' son couldn't be compared to Nathan, due to his father's high bootlicking skill, the boy was accepted as a disciple three years ago.

"It's not like you don't know how he is. Did you hear what evidence they have against me much?"

"Not specifically. They said it was because you made an artifact for the Glaize clan. Of course I said that wasn't enough since you've sold to many different people, but they say it's more serious than that."

"More serious, huh?"

Nalos looked at Bartos while he furrowed his brows even more.

"Bartos, tell me something. Are you really not the one who made those artifacts?"

"I'm not."

Unlike with the irritating elders, Bartos was straightforward while answering Nalos. After hearing his response, Nalos stared at Bartos for some time before getting up.

"I'll see on the day then. I'll make sure you don't lose your life at least."

"Wait, are you sure you don't want to see him?"

"...I don't know what you're talking about."

As he watched Nalos walk away, a wry smile floated on Bartos' face.

'He's a good Patriarch but he's not very good at being a father or a grandfather.'

Later on in the day when all of his apprentices were present, Bartos told them what he had heard from Nalos. Once they heard that the claims were related to the deal that was made with the Glaize clan, all of them had a good idea as to how they would defame Bartos in the trial.

"I'm sorry Uncle Bartos."

Shui was the one to apologise while bowing his head. Though it wasn't a betrayal, he could easily guess how it would seem with the right, or rather wrong, wording.

"Don't blame yourself. I also agreed to go through with it and they would have found some other reason."

"That's right, if you think like that then I'm in the wrong too."

Bartos and Yur didn't think it was his fault, but Shui couldn't help feeling a bit of responsibility. And Shui wasn't the type to let someone else fix his mistakes, so he already had come up with a plan.

"Maybe but, I still think I should take some responsibility so I came up with a plan."

At first, they thought he would continue to drown in guilt, but the mention of a plan made all of them raise an eyebrow. They knew that Shui was much smarter than his appearance might have suggested, at times he was more observant than them. Since he expected a good idea from Shui, Bartos told him to elaborate.

Since he had heard that Bartos was going to be put on trail, Shui suspected that it had something to do with the custom artifact he made for the Glaize clan. Since knowing whether or not the information was purposefully leaked wouldn't help with the trial, Shui postponed such thoughts.

At this point, he knew that it would be impossible to find evidence of Bartos' loyalty that could satisfy those trying to suppress him. Even if Bartos was the perfect patriot, it still wouldn't be enough. Therefore, rather than trying to prove his loyalty, Shui thought of a way to stop them from opposing Bartos. As long as they realized that they couldn't mess with him then this farce would end, at least temporarily. Luckily, since he had recently been asked the same question by multiple members of the clan, Shui knew the perfect way to give Bartos an imaginary metaphorical umbrella to stay under.

After explaining his plan to them, Shui watched their expressions anxiously.

"What do you think?"

"It's a good idea, but we would still need something to prove that he exists."

Yur was the first to point out the flaw he found in Shui's plan.

"I think so too, which is why I'll need your help Uncle."

"My help?"

"Yeah, we'll make an artifact together."