Dealings in the Council of Avalhein - Chapter 6

Dealings in the Council of Avalhein…

Chapter 6

“What is this about betrayal?” demanded Malkknrre as he was forcefully dragged into the center of the chamber. “Were you referring to me? I did no such thing!” he exclaimed. He was glaring with a look that promised death to the councilor that had burst out at him.

“Silence, traitor!” the other Councilor bellowed. “Let the council of Avalhein convene in a Traitor’s Court. Bring forth the interrogation against the one under question. Let the hand of the Mother guide us as we put Malkknrre to the test and condemn him to whichever fate he deserves,” said he in a sonorous voice all the while staring at Malkknrre with cold condemnation.

“Councilor, if Malkknrre is found without fault, you will be exiled for you have called the Traitor’s court on an innocent Ceree,” said one of those gathered. “Are you sure you wish to proceed?”

“Do not worry, brother, I will not fail. I am sure that Malkknrre is guilty of the crime,” said the accuser without break. His gait was pompous and filled with joy as he paced the circumference of the chamber.

“Then I hereby give the blessing to convene in Traitor’s Court for Malkknrre. Let it be known that if found innocent, Councilor Sar’Ha’Varan will cease to exist amongst us for putting a man without fault to the question,” said the councilor that had asked Sar’Ha’Varan whether he would go with his plan or if he would stop.

“I put forward, brothers and sisters in the court that Malkknrre, our leader, has been consorting with the enemy,” said Varan.

“This is prepo--!” Malkknrre was cut off by a sharp gesture from one of the councilwomen.

“Brother, what evidence have you of this betrayal that you claim Malkknrre did?” asked one of the councilwomen in a sweet voice. Malkknrre recognized her as Elder Kimaha.

“I have all the evidence I need. Do we all remember the plan that Malkknrre put forth to the court?” asked Varan. After receiving a few nods, he continued. “He proposed that we lure the Dark One to Avalhein. The Dark One! And to Avalhein! Not to one of our other cities somewhere in Malleithen! No one would even dare propose such a radical plan other than someone who is under the Dark One’s hand!” said Varan, smile touching his lips.

“What have you to say, Malkknrre?” asked Elder Kimaha.

“I proposed that we lure him to Avalhein because this is where our power is located. Here, we can sum up all our magic and throw it at the Dark One and his army before they even get within ten miles of us,” said Malkknrre in a scornful tone directed at Varan.

“The Dark One could very well just bring the city down on our heads before he even leaves his land!” shouted Varan over the din of argument that erupted.

“No, he wouldn’t. If he would, then he would have done so a long time ago,” said Malkknrre slowly. He had to pick his words carefully; else, he was a dead Ceree.

“Then why did you speak with one of his emissaries?” asked Varan. The entire hall quieted. Malkknrre paled. “So, you cannot speak, eh? Traitor?” said Varan tauntingly.

“H-how did you know?” asked Malkknrre, his heart beating faster.

“So you did speak with one of the messengers. That alone is enough to convict you,” said Varan and to Malkknrre’s horror, half the hall agreed. His only salvation was that conviction must be done unanimously.

“You do not understand!” he cried out.

“You spoke with him, and I guess you told him our secrets, eh, Malkknrre?” said Varan with a sneer.

“I did no such thing. He came to negotiate the terms of our surrender and I turned him down. He attacked me, but I overpowered him. I killed him, and then told him to tell his master that we have no intent of doing that,” said Malkknrre. Incredulous stares met his pleading gaze.

“You killed him, and then told him to tell his master your message?” said Varan, even he was incredulous.

“I admit it was not the wisest decision, but he was attacking me!” mumbled Malkknrre. He was met with cold, flat stares. “Fine, if you do not wish to believe me, bring forth the Laudethe.”

“Bold claim Malkknrre; we shall see now if you really are telling… the truth,” said Varan. Two of the councilwomen brought out from a chest in the far side of the room a golden band with three gems set on it. It was the Laudethe. “The three gems will tell us if you are telling the truth, telling what you think is true or telling a lie,” said Varan. The two clasped the band onto Malkknrre’s tail and muttered a few words.

Braids of gold shot out from the ground and bound themselves around Malkknrre’s body. Malkknrre stared straight into Varan’s eyes and said. “I am not an agent of the Dark One.” All of the gems lit up, he was telling the truth.

Varan stared at him with horror; the entire council let out an audible sigh of relief. “The Laudethe has proven innocence. Brother Varan is no longer one of us. He is no longer a Councilor, his name was never written in the books. He was never born, and he doesn’t exist,” said one of the council. “Guards, take away the fraud.”

Varan looked pleadingly at the others, but none looked his way. “The Dark Lord will take you all, I served him well!” he shouted. Councilors watched in horror as he was dragged away.

*** *** *** *** ***

The night was deep and the guards were preparing to bundle Varan into a cart that would take him as far as the horses could before they died of hunger and thirst. All of a sudden, they turned black and became like dust being blown away in the wind.

A woman stepped out from the shadows. “Varan, you have outlived your usefulness to the Dark One. Now, you will serve me.”

“You?!” was the last thing Varan ever said. He screamed in agony as he felt his body being transformed into something else entirely. The darkness crept in around his eyes, and memory faded into nothing.