Politics

The Grand Hall was filled with an eerie glow, with floating torches illuminating carved arcane stone columns. The Council of Sorcerers made for an imposing sight. Lya and Eren walked side by side, the muscles in their shoulders tight like a wound up spring. The weight of all that transpired in the crypt loomed over them, and while their wounds had healed, the burden still remained.

Elric and Arwen walked ahead of them along the corridor towards the main chamber. Arwen's expression gave little away, but the muscles in her jaw and the way her fists were clenched told a different story. Wherever the Council took place in was a different battlefield that required some seriously sharp words to come out unharmed, even more so than with spells.

It was no secret that the Council had utmost authority. The members were already seated across the semicircle and surveyed the newcomers with disdain. The aging Grand Sorcerer was seated in the center, and like the others, possessed a discerning gaze. He raised one eyebrow as a sail to the penetrating glare of the unfamiliar fouls.

"And tell me, was it you who brought them here?, Arwen "— His voice commanded attention as it filled the room. There was an unsettling calmness to it, but his words weighed heavily.

"Indeed, Grand Sorcerer. The youths appear to have undergone some form of a trial, and it is only fair that they be permitted to speak. "— Even as Arwen spoke, her tone did not change, and her posture remained poised.

One of the councilors bearing the title was a man adorned in dark robes by the name Aldric. He inclined his head forward.

" They were found in a forbidden place. We demand to know what they were doing there" — there are rules! We are not savages!

Eren exchanged a glance with Lya, but before he could speak, Arwen stepped forward.

"And why do you demand it? There are no laws preventing two young sorcerers from exploring the forgotten corners of our city."

"Not just any corner. An ancient crypt, where unknown forces stir. This was no mere accident. "— Aldric's smile was cold. — "Who's to say they haven't brought something dangerous within our walls?"

"They brought nothing but their lives and their scars, "— Arwen countered, crossing her arms. — "Interrogating them as if they were criminals only reveals fear. And fear does not suit those who govern this Council. They are just reckless youths: — Lya has been here for mere days, and Eren has always been impulsive. Does the Council truly have nothing better to do than concern itself with the foolishness of two inexperienced sorcerers?"

"Is that an excuse to ignore the dangers they might have unleashed? The Beings of Darkness are drawing closer! Surely, this has their mark all over it! " — Aldric snapped, his accusing gaze fixed on Lya and Eren.

"We all know what is happening! The stars are aligning. The last time this alignment occurred, the Great War began!" — Arwen's voice remained firm. "But we will not lay the blame for this on two fools!"

"Indeed, Grand Sorcerer. The youths appear to have undergone some form of a trial, and it is only fair that they be permitted to speak. "— Even as Arwen spoke, her tone did not change, and her posture remained poised.

One of the councilors bearing the title was a man adorned in dark robes by the name Aldric. He inclined his head forward.

" Arwen, you know more than you are saying. But for now, we will accept your judgment. These two will not be punished… for now. But if there are any further incidents, everyone will bear the consequences. Everyone. Is that clear, Arwen?"

The weight of his final words made Lya shudder. Eren clenched his fists but remained silent.

Arwen inclined her head respectfully.

"A fair ruling, Grand Sorcerer."

The audience had ended, but Arwen knew this was only the beginning of a far more dangerous game.

Once they exited the principal room, she surveyed the area and softly recited an incantation. A gust of wind enveloped them and at that instant everything around them blurred and they were left standing in a small hallway with the walls illuminated and covered in protective runes.

"We are out of danger," unpacked Arwen, the first time she felt relaxed since stepping into the Council chamber. "We are not being overheard here."

Lya looked around, fascinated by the space. Eren, however, leaned against a dark wooden table, crossing his arms.

" That was… intense," — he muttered.

Arwen sighed.

" Welcome to sorcerer politics, Lya. The Council is not just a governing body. It's an arena where every word can seal a fate. And where not everyone in power truly cares about the well-being of our people."

Lya frowned.

"Then… why do they rule?"

" Power. Ambition. Fear, " — Arwen answered simply. — "Some believe in maintaining balance, but others seek to shape the world to their own vision. Aldric is one of those. He doesn't care about justice — only control. And today, you gave him a reason to act."

Eren let out an irritated sigh.

"As if we chose to be attacked by those creatures."

" It doesn't matter what actually happened. What matters is what they can use against you. And right now, there are people within the Council looking for any weakness to justify their future actions."

Lya swallowed hard.

"So… what do we do?"

Arwen met both their gazes, her expression intense.

"You learn to play the game. And more than anything, you trust no one"—except those who prove their loyalty.

Still processing everything, Lya asked,

"Arwen, during the session, you mentioned the planetary alignment. What does it mean?"

Arwen nodded as though she was already anticipating that question. — "Long ago, sorcerers and shifters coexisted peacefully under the rule of two empires whose reign was characterized by intermarriage to maintain on prolonged peace. Each royal union produced a set of twins, one of each gender. One was a Sorcerer and the other a Shifter, both were given thrones for their respective kingdoms. The noble families partook in this cycle making sure that equilibrium was always maintained between the bloodlines." — Eren only furrowed his brows deep in thought. — "And what does that have to do with the alignment of the planets?"— Arwen sighed. — "Significant changes are heralded by planetary alignments. During those periods, it is assumed that the veil between worlds becomes thinner and ancient forces are allowed to meddle with our fate. The most recent one occurred alongside the split of sorcerers and shifters, which resulted in the war that wrecked our lands."— Lya began to shiver uncomfortably.

" Are you saying another alignment is approaching? And that it could mean…?"

Arwen nodded gravely.

"Yes. History could repeat itself, plunging us further into disaster… or restoring what was once lost. I shouldn't tell you this, but… "— she hesitated. — "Back then, it was the Goddess Elyndra who chose the royal spouses. But a family of sorcerers sought power and defied the Goddess. That act of defiance led to our ruin. The Council was formed, and the worship of the Goddess was erased and forbidden."

A heavy silence filled the room. Each of them lost in thought, contemplating what the future might hold.