enabled the criminal activity of intruders into our realm through both dubious deed and cowardly inaction. In short, I fear that his morality has been compromised, and he has thrown in with these half-fiends he purports to supervise. For what purpose, I do not know, but I fear my friend has turned.'
More murmuring arose, but the High Councilor silenced them quickly. 'Please proceed with your evidence, Micus,' the solar instructed.
Micus nodded. 'Of course. In addition to this questionable explanation of how Tauran and Kael came to find the alu and this new intruder-this cambion-I submit Tauran's insistence of late on debating the merits of Tyr's righteousness in the conflict with Helm.'
A few murmurs of disapproval issued from the Council. Kael wasn't certain whether they were directed at Micus or at what Micus had said.
'Tauran has called into question Tyr's wisdom. I have listened to him say it.'
Kael couldn't stand how Micus was skewing Tauran's words. He stepped forward. 'He only insists that Helm must have very good reasons for his side of the debate, and that we should reserve our judgment until the two gods have settled their feud. Esteemed Councilors, examining every side of an argument with an open mind is a far cry from conspiracy against the House.'
For once, no sound at all issued from within the chamber. All sets of golden eyes had turned to stare coldly at the half-drow, their displeasure plain. But Kael refused to back down. He stared back, waiting for someone, anyone, to challenge the point. In the background, muted thunder rumbled again, and the floor vibrated with it.
'I'm sorry, Councilors, forgive his impudence,' Micus said. 'Kael is as loyal and devout a student as any deva could ask for, but his allegiance calls his neutrality into question. His perspective on this issue wavers from the truth considerably.'
Kael seethed and opened his mouth to argue further, but Tauran placed a restraining hand on the half-drow's arm. When Kael caught his mentor's glance, the angel shook his head almost imperceptibly. You're not helping, was the message. Kael sighed and nodded, and Tauran released his grip.
The High Councilor spoke. 'Your accusations are grave, Micus, and despite his impudence, Kael is correct. Engaging in such debate is not a crime against Tyr's law. I hope you have something more substantial to tell us to back up your claims.'
Micus frowned, and Kael had to clench his jaw to keep from grinning at the angel.
'Of course, High Councilor. What I intend to submit next brings me no joy to share. In fact, it shames me to admit. But I truly want only to ensure that Tauran cannot deceive you-if that is in fact his intention-and to avert his own ruination.' The other angel turned to look directly at his counterpart. His next words were clearly intended for his fellow deva. 'Despite what he must think, I seek only to save him from himself and bring him back into Tyr's embrace. If I am proven incorrect, and Tauran has engaged in no real wrongdoing, then I will beg his-and this Councils-forgiveness.'
A long moment of silence stretched out as the two angels studied one another. Finally, Kael saw Tauran nod, just once, the tiniest bit. An acknowledgment of his continued friendship, the half-drow supposed.
He has more charity than I, Kael thought. I couldn't be quite so generous after such a besmirching.
Micus nodded. 'I overheard a conversation today,' he said, 'between Tauran and a servant of Helm.'
Tauran gasped, and Kael jerked his eyes in the angel's direction. Tauran stared at Micus with a look of both dismay and betrayal. 'You spied on me?'
Micus ignored him. 'As you can see, he does not deny it. Yes, I enlisted the assistance of a lantern archon today, and I heard, with my own ears, Tauran suggest that Tyr's judgment in certain matters pertaining to the membership of the Triad is questionable, and that perhaps he is unfit to dispense a ruling on the matter. Tauran has actually claimed that Helm might be correct in challenging the Maimed One.'
More murmuring issued from the Council, but the High Councilor silenced it with a loud query. 'What say you to these charges, Tauran?'
The angel stepped forward, peering up in the direction of the solar. 'I don't deny it,' he said without a hint of shame or regret. 'I do believe that Tyr's wisdom has failed him.'
The murmuring returned and rose in volume to outright dismay.
'And this,' Tauran continued, 'is why I believe we desperately need the half-fiends' help.' The noise level increased. Tauran raised his hands, asking for patience. 'This destructive argument that roils throughout our home, this bitter feud between beloved Tyr and noble Helm'-more than one solar frowned at that appellation-'is not the conduct suited to two benevolent and wise deities.'
The murmuring grew louder, and one Councilor rose to her feet, incensed at the deva's words. 'You overstep your bounds, Tauran!' she shouted. 'It is not your place to presume to know the wisdom of Tyr!'
'Perhaps,' Tauran countered, raising his own voice to be heard, 'but no one else seems willing to question these events. I believe this crass debate has been contrived, engineered by those who would see the House brought low.'
Even more dissent filled the chamber as the members of the Council all began talking at once. Kael sensed the anger in their demeanors, and it shocked him to see the stoic solars, always inscrutable, exhibiting such passion.
They are frightened, he realized. What could scare a solar? he wondered, growing more uneasy with each passing moment.
A particularly deep and rumbling disturbance shook the chamber. The champion of Torm had to take a step to steady himself as the floor pitched. He saw the much more graceful angels spread their wings to compensate for the undulating foundations. The rumble subsided, and with it, the solars' berating of Tauran.
See? Kael wanted to shout. That's what scares you. You know he speaks the truth.
'I sense some malevolent manipulation behind this'-Tauran paused, waving one hand vaguely around himself-'this furious dispute between them. Whatever their disagreement-and I do not profess to understand the ways of the gods-but whatever their disagreement, it strikes me as unduly vehement and bitter. This is not the behavior of the immortals I have served. Furthermore, our disparaging treatment of Helm's loyal servants is not in keeping with what I know in my heart to be just and fair. The same holds true, I suspect, for you. It is not who we are, Councilors.' The deva scanned the room once, locking gazes with each member of the Council, before he proceeded. 'I witnessed events today that have convinced me that Cyric has a hand in Tyr and Helm's disagreement. I think Vhok and Aliisza were unwittingly caught up in the Liar's machinations, and they can help me find out if I'm right.'
'No!' shouted one of the solars.
'The impertinence!' yelled another.
Kael could not remember a time when he had witnessed the powerful creatures in such emotional disarray. They clearly found the entire prospect of their own god stumbling in his judgment too much to bear. For the first time, he feared what they might do to Tauran to counteract their own uncertainty.
'Blasphemy!' Micus shouted. 'He is unfit for his station! He has fallen in league with fiends and aims to assist them in a foul plot!'
Kael took a single step toward Micus, his face a snarl of hatred. He's been your friend forever! the half-drow thought. How dare you smear his name, you bastard! You don't deserve his friendship.
Micus saw the movement and gestured. 'As you can see,' he said, raising his voice to be heard, 'even his pupil has been tainted. It pains me to see, but what should we expect from the offspring of such dubious stock? Tauran has failed in that effort, too.'
There was more outrage among the Council, but Kael could barely hear it. He was too busy fighting to get past Tauran to reach Micus. He didn't remember drawing his weapon, but somehow the sword was in his hands.
Tauran held Kael by one arm, straining to keep the half-drow from striking the other angel. 'Control yourself!' he shouted. 'You do us no favors by unleashing your wrath!'
Micus stood a few paces back, on the balls of his feet, as though prepared to combat the champion of Torm should he manage to break free from Tauran's grasp. His expression was one of grim regret.
The chamber continued its uproar.
Kael finally relinquished and stared at the floor, shamed. Tauran was right; his own actions were just as much of a betrayal as anything Micus had concocted. 'Forgive me, Tauran,' he murmured.
The deva made a faint gesture of dismissal. We'll speak of it later, was the message.
