SJ's smile was the fakest smile she knew she could muster. Panic flooded every inch of her being. She had never experienced the illithid before, and seeing the 'squid head' in front of her scared the living daylights out of her. Feeling the trickle of sweat running down her back, she was glad the others were all standing before her.
'I can't think of Carlito. I can't think of Carlito,' SJ repeated in her thoughts.
"Stop thinking about him, then!" Dave snapped.
SJ told the tale. Desperately trying to focus on the specifics and not alter from her course of the truth of what happened. She embellished nothing, giving the cold, hard truth of everything that had happened. As the tale unfolded, she could feel her temperature rising and beads of sweat forming on her brow. Earquis didn't appear to do anything apart from glancing between Jay, Lurtew, Malaki and herself.
The expression on Malaki was one of terror. He was looking directly at SJ, and his eyes were wide with fear. It was obvious he hadn't expected the introduction of an illithid. Lurtew audibly gasped beside her and dropped to his knees. SJ also noticed Jay grabbing his head. Malaki suddenly closed his eyes, a flash of pain on his face.
SJ continued to tell her tale, not hesitating and staying calm and as focused as she could. She could feel heat around her head, as though it was being heated in the sun, and her cheeks warmed. A bead of sweat ran from her brow between her eyes, tickling her face as it travelled down the side of her nose. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable.
Earquis frowned, looking at her, his tentacles twitching like writhing snakes as he looked at each of them before returning his gaze to SJ. He tilted his head slightly as he gazed at her more intently. SJ met his gaze, calmly continuing her tale, desperately trying to maintain her thoughts.
"It is like watching fireworks," Dave suddenly said.
Trying not to be taken off track by Dave's comment, she attempted to ignore him.
"I can see the attacks on your cerebral cortex, but they aren't able to penetrate. I don't think he can access your thoughts. I have witnessed illithid interrogations before and they weave through a being's brain, digging into every corner, seeking knowledge or secrets. This is nothing like I have ever witnessed." Dave sounded quite amazed.
"...after collecting Jay from Gasgut's, I then asked Jay to take Lurtew home, and I returned to the tower." SJ finished.
Malaki was physically shaking where he sat, and Jay looked as though he was about to be sick. Lurtew was distraught now, curled up on the floor in a ball.
Earquis looked at SJ with what SJ could only describe as a concerned expression.
"Earquis. What are your thoughts?"
"She tells the truth, but there is an issue."
"What issue?" the chancellor asked.
"The other three have confirmed every element of her story, as one of them was present at every point. I am unable to read her thoughts, though."
The shock on the chancellor and the other's faces was a picture to behold.
"You can't read her thoughts?"
Not taking his eyes off SJ, he continued to speak. "No. I can't penetrate her mind. It is impossible. I am the strongest illithid in the city and I have never met a being able to block our process. How do you do it?"
"I did nothing?!" SJ replied, surprised.
"You must have. There is no other explanation why."
"Oooooo," Dave suddenly said.
'What?' SJ asked.
"I think it's because of your brain. It was never changed. You still have your original human brain from Earth, remember?"
"I could feel my head getting warmer and hot. I don't know if that is normal. I have never met one of your race before or experienced it, so I don't know," SJ said.
Jay had knelt now next to Lurtew and was slowly helping the gnoll rise. His face was distraught, and his eyes looked swollen. Jay looked no better with the grimace he still wore.
"How?" Alec asked, frowning at SJ.
"I honestly do not know," SJ said, shocked.
The chancellor looked at her quizzically for several moments before he spoke. "Earquis, you say her story is true?"
"Absolutely. I may not have been able to read her thoughts, but all others corroborated everything she said. The one here," he said, pointing at Malaki, "has lied to you for many years about his involvement. He believed now he was an advisor and no longer a councillor, that he didn't fall under the same remit as a councillor, and believes he can continue to be a promoter now without repercussions."
"Does he now?" the chancellor glared at Malaki.
Wystria bent and spoke to the chancellor. "Yes, that's a good idea. SJ, your friends may now leave. Please remain here if you can."
SJ turned to Jay and Lurtew and nodded to them. "I will see you both later."
Jay supported Lurtew as they walked from the chamber.
Once the chamber door was closed, the chancellor continued. "SJ, you have broken the rules of a council member by competing in the cage fighting scene."
SJ was about to interject when the chancellor held his hand up and continued. "Although you did, it is obvious from the three of us," turning to look at Wystria and Alec, who both nodded. "That you only did this as you state to free a friend from what could have ended in certain death. That level of friendship is something that many would strive for, and it shows a strength of character that I believe many lack in Asterfal."
"Malaki. Your behaviour over the years has been rash and dangerous. You have got away with many things because of your abilities at alchemy, but no more. I can't sit here as a chancellor of Asterfal and allow your behaviour to continue without taking due action. The rumours of your involvement in the fight scene have been banded around the tower for a long time, and yet we all know that several from the chambers attend and turn a blind eye, allowing those to have their entertainment as they wish. Today, you have brought this to a head by accusing a presiding councillor. Which is a position that you have sat in previously, and at any point during that time, someone could have said something similar to you."
"Your decision was a choice, though, for no other reason than financial gain. It wasn't through compassion or reason to save a friend. It was purely through greed. I am therefore stripping you of any rights of power in Asterfal. You will remove all your belongings from the tower and give up your home in the inner circle. You don't deserve the right to stay within the circle because of your continuing actions. We have already received several complaints since the regional councillors arrived about certain behaviours, and her worship also raised concern over actions you have been taking external to the city."
"What? I will not give up my rights to anything. My family has been a part of Asterfal's leadership for centuries. You have no authority to remove me or take my home."
"I AM THE CHANCELLOR," the change in volume and tone surprised SJ. At all times, the chancellor had been calm and controlled. "I DECREE WHAT HAPPENS IN ASTERFAL, NOT YOU." The chancellor's face was thunderous and Malaki physically baulked.
"Wystria, Alec, do you disagree with my judgement."
"I do not," Alec said, shaking his head.
"Nor I," Wystria added.
"As the ruling council of Asterfal, then the decision is final. GUARDS."
At the call, two tower guards entered the chamber and walked to stand on either side of SJ.
The chancellor smiled. "Please escort Malaki Fretun to his offices. Allow him only to remove personal items. Then, he should be escorted to his home and watched while he packs his belongings. I expect him out of the inner city by nightfall."
The guards looked at each other before stepping forward to where Malaki sat, staring at the chancellor in disbelief. Reaching, they grabbed him and lifted him from his seat.
"You can't do this. I have rights. I am a leading member of Asterfal and a noble in society."
"You were," Alec said, smiling.
It was obvious that Alec had no love for Malaki.
"YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE LAST OF THIS," Malaki screamed as he was escorted from the chancellor's office. As the chamber doors closed, his muted voice could be heard screaming as he was dragged down the hallway.
SJ's display triggered.
Commiserations! Malaki Fretun has changed your status to Hated.
"Four jumps in one go. That's impressive," Dave said.
"Earquis. Thank you for your services. As always, you have been a token of truth," the chancellor said.
"Chancellor," Earquis nodded before turning and looking back at SJ. Not being able to read her mind had unsettled the illithid. Turning, he left through the side door.
"Now then, SJ."
SJ was still trying to understand what had just happened. Malaki had not only lost his position but also any power within the city's inner workings.
"Chancellor?" SJ said.
"Please take a seat."
SJ slowly moved forward and took a seat. Alec and Wystria moved from the sides of the chancellor and took seats as well. All three turned to look at SJ. She felt like she should be in her miniature form, as they all stared at her.
"Since you arrived in Asterfal, we have seen some rather disturbing occurrences."
"I can only apologise for what has happened. I meant to bring no trouble to the city," SJ said.
The chancellor raised his hand, signalling her to stop. "The problems have not been of your making. Although from conversations with Zigferd, he said you tended to draw attention."
That comment surprised SJ.
"He also said you are the most loyal friend to any being he has ever met. Your beliefs aren't to be dismissed. I know many who would consider a friendship with yourself as a symbol of hope and strength. The story of what you did for the young gnoll orphan reached the city before you did, and the tales of your valour when the ogre attacked Killic. You may be surprised to know that your name and position were already spoken about in the tower's halls."
Completely taken aback by the revelation that the chancellor of a city the size of Asterfal knew about aspects of her life from Killic blew her mind. She wanted to respond but was lost for words.
"I have also heard a rumour that you are banding some regional members together. It appears that you seem to have an uncanny way of persuasion."
SJ sat with a bemused look on her face. She had never tried to persuade anyone. She had always just been herself, taking things as they came and approaching opportunities for improvement when she saw them. Wystria sat smiling at SJ. What could have ended in her being removed from the regional council had taken a strange and bewildering turn.
"Now, would you like to share your thoughts on the regional approach you are considering?" the chancellor asked, smiling.
When SJ left the chancellor's office, it was late afternoon. The discussions about singular regional representation were of interest. If they only had single points of contact for each main area, it would save the city a vast sum in administration alone. Implementing this would be a challenge, but the chancellor promised he would consider it with the lead councillors for the various departments. She was given the authority to pursue the initial discussion with Fasvil, with the chancellor's backing.
As SJ walked down the hallway from the chancellor's, she couldn't get her head around everything that had happened. They had even discussed the conditions in the outer districts and the issues that she was already aware of from her brief visits. She had been pleased to learn that the chancellor was already aware of several issues being looked into, particularly in District 3. The problem had been that the ruling council or Asterfal had been running the way it had for so long that making any adjustments would take significant time.
The chancellor had been nothing like she had assumed he would be, and the conversation had been open and refreshing. He had been willing to listen to her comments and considerations and hoped that some of them might be actioned. Considering the convoluted complexity of the city, nothing would be instant.
'I forgot to mention legalising fights,' she thought as she entered the foyer. She needed something to eat and to find Jay and Lurtew to check on them both. Neither had looked well from the illithid intrusion.
"I think you have achieved more in the past few hours than many have in this city for years," Dave said. SJ swore she could hear pride in his voice.
'Are you proud of what I did?'
"No," Dave lied. "Never."
'If you say so,' she smiled.
Dave tutted.
Reaching the front desk, she asked if Zigferd had been seen yet. No one had seen him, and SJ was getting worried. She hadn't seen him for several hours and assumed he would have been in the chancellor's chamber. Stopping in the dining hall, she grabbed fruit from a table basket before heading outside to find Jay.
Reaching the stables, she discovered Jay was still out, having picked up the cart to drop Lurtew off. The fact he had been in the chancellor's chamber had spread around the stables, and several looked at SJ warily. Feeling paranoid, she left the stable and, walking around the side of a nearby building, shrunk to her miniature form while changing her dress design. Taking off, she headed into the outer ring towards District 3, where Lurtew lived.
Not having flown over the outer city streets in daylight, SJ was amazed at the difference. Daytime brought a different feel to the city. As she flew over the streets, she looked down on the city's day-to-day activities below. She normally wouldn't have chanced flying in daylight, but looking at how closely knit the outer city streets were, for her to be seen, someone would have to be looking straight up.
The hustle and bustle of the streets and the beings moving back and forth made SJ wonder what many of them did for jobs. It was nothing like Killic, and its structure was organised with set locations for everything. Everything in Asterfal seemed to have organically grown. Whether it be a blacksmith on the corner of a street or a flower vendor on another, everything seemed available.
Reaching the street, she recognised where Lurtew lived; she flew over the building and looked down into the yard where she had sat the first evening. They were all in the yard. Swooping down quickly so as not to be noticed, SJ landed, startling Yawnee initially before she grew to her larger form.
"SJ," Cristy said, running to her and hugging her. "Thank you for bringing uncle back."
"I couldn't have done it without Jay's help."
As Cristy stopped hugging SJ, Yawnee stepped forward and replaced her, tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she said.
They had all stopped talking on SJ's arrival, and Jay couldn't resist asking the overarching question.
"What happened?"
"Malaki has been removed from the inner city. He has had all authority taken from him by the chancellor."
Jay stood open-mouthed, staring in disbelief. Eventually, getting his thoughts together. "He lost everything?"
"Yes. Everything. Including his home."
"Wow. I have never heard of any in the inner city being removed before."
"I get the feeling his actions against me were a catalyst and conclusion of many events, and they had just been awaiting an opportunity to remove him. Lurtew, how are you feeling?"
"Much better now. It felt like I had snakes inside my head when that scrier started digging."
"I am so sorry. I didn't know they would do that."
"It wasn't your doing."
"I wanted to see you again because I have a proposition for you. I want your opinion before I confirm."
"What proposition?" Yawnee asked.
"I know you have lived in Asterfal for a long time, but I wanted to see if you wished to come and live in Killic?"
Lurtew frowned and looked at Yawnee. "There are no coopers in Killic. We would have no job or be able to earn an income."
"Are you not both carpenters by trade?"
"In a fashion, I suppose. Carpentry is not our defined profession, though."
"Is cooper your actual profession?"
"Yes," Lurtew said.
"I have another proposal, then. Have you considered moving from District 3?"
"Many times. We can't afford to. Thankfully, now the debt is gone, things will be a little easier, but the rent always seems to increase, and wages never go up in comparison. The city has become so overcrowded."
"If you had somewhere to move to, would you move?"
"We couldn't afford it."
"I am not talking about cost. I am asking if you could move to another district, would you?"
"Yes," Yawnee said.
"Jay. Can we visit your friend?"
"Of course, I can take you."
"Great, then let us see what we can sort out."
"SJ, are you going to look at houses?" Cristy asked.
Smiling at Cristy, she just nodded. Cristy beamed back at her.
"Can I come?"
"Yawnee, Lurtew?"
"Fine by us," Yawnee said.
"Come on then," SJ said.
Leaving Cristy's relatives, Jay drove the cart towards District 11. On reaching the district, the streets here were nowhere near as congested as those in District 3. The buildings were much larger and nicer in appearance.
"So, what's the plan?" Cristy asked.
"I am going to buy a house in Asterfal," SJ said.
"You are going to buy, not rent?"
"I will buy it. I have my reasons."
