Ten minutes ago Jamie would’ve sworn that he knew everything worth knowing about Eva and Pete. But seeing them here in the Great Hall and knowing they had to be Gifted, made him wonder if the friendship was really a result of chance or if it had been orchestrated all along.
“What are you doing here Eva?” He asked sharply.
She cast her eyes down, uncharacteristically timid, unable to meet his eyes. “I…” she hesitated and looked to Pete for help. As expected, Pete stepped in, pulling her out of a sticky situation.
Pete was ever the diplomat, full of easy smiles and carefully chosen words. The smile was missing today, but the words flowed easily enough.
“I know you have a million questions Jamie, and I promise we’ll answer them. But not right now.” Pete said cautiously. He glanced over Jamie’s shoulder and the sound of footsteps echoing through the Great Hall announced the arrival of more people.
Jamie allowed himself to be pulled into a seat next to Eva. He hoped there would be time for questions later, because he had a lot.
A wooden side door Jamie hadn’t noticed earlier opened, meaning he didn’t have a chance to study the latest arrivals taking their seats next to him. The five High Masters appeared through the side door. He watched as they filed through, quickly summing each one up.
The first was a tall, slim woman, he judged her to be just north of forty. She was blond with a narrow face and tight, thin lips. There was arrogance in her posture – Jamie suspected she was someone who enjoyed power and reveled in her high station. She was wearing a large signet ring on her right hand, surrounded by blood red rubies. Rubies for Fire – the High Master of the Inferno College.
An older African man followed her. He was tall, but his shoulders were starting to stoop with age. His dark-skinned face was appealing – kind and considered. Yellow citrines surrounded his ring – the High Master of the Atmospheric College.
The Oceanic College was next – blue sapphires, deep and enigmatic. A small, dark haired woman, her steps quick and deliberate. It was difficult to form any impression about her, as she possessed the perfect poker face, giving nothing away.
Finally, green emeralds announced the Earth Element. The High Master of the Terra College was stereotypically Asian; he was small with fiercely intelligent eyes. Jamie pegged him to be a man who could make quick decisions and back himself.
The four High Masters took their seats, leaving the central one empty. Finally, the High Master of the Elemental College appeared through the doorway. Jamie recognized him with some surprise as the tall, thin man from the rocky outcrop. His ring was surrounded by rubies rather than the clear diamonds reserved for Elementals.
No Elemental had been born since the Betrayal, a hundred and fifty years ago. In their absence, an Inferno was acting as the High Master to the Elemental College. The most powerful amongst the Council, he was nonetheless a pretender to the throne.
“That’s Marcus.” Eva whispered conspiratorially as the Elemental High Master took his seat, finally providing Jamie with a name. There was something in her voice as she said his name – awe, affection or something he couldn’t quite put a word to. Something he would have to ponder over at a later stage.
Silence fell and Jamie fidgeted uncomfortably – feeling more and more like he was in a courthouse drama, about to face sharp questioning from opposing counsel.
Marcus opened proceedings, his authoritative voice carrying easily despite the vast space.
“I’m sure you all know why we are here – last night we all felt the opening of a Gate through the Veil. This is an action that contravenes the Gifted Charter – an offence punishable by death. However, the circumstances around this event are not only unexpected, but also deeply unusual and the Council will consider the correct action to take. Before we proceed further, I’d like to remind everyone present that a decision taken by the Council is absolute and we do not take this responsibility lightly.
Allyra Warden – the person most likely responsible for the opening of the Gate – has crossed through the Veil into the Between and is therefore unable to speak for herself. We will instead hear information from others before taking our decision. Are there any questions before we begin?”
Marcus paused and allowed his eyes to float over everyone seated before him, but there was only silence in reply.
“Fine, let us begin. I will just start by reminding everyone here the rules surrounding a Council decision. As I said before, any decision taken by this Council is final. Any punishment handed down will be carried out. A majority vote is necessary for any decision. No High Master is allowed to abstain. A vote will occur amongst the four High Masters first. If no majority is reached, then I, as the Elemental High Master will take my vote. Is that understood?”
Jamie clenched his hand into a fist, his knuckles white with the effort of trying not to show any emotion. For the first time in his life, he was forced to confront true fear. He finally understood that fear in its most potent form wasn’t fear over one’s own wellbeing. Instead it was the fear for another – for someone you loved, someone you couldn’t imagine living without.
He was terrified.
Terrified that Allyra might lose her life.
Terrified because her life may come down to Marcus and his unyielding view of the world.
Terrified that he would be helpless to prevent it.
Marcus was speaking again, his voice silky and unhurried. “The rest of you have been called into Council to provide information, to assist us in making the correct decision. Please answer any question posed to you by the Council truthfully.” He nodded, and satisfied
