“Jason, please start by giving us an overview of the events thus far and an update on Miss Warden’s condition.”
A blond man sitting a few seats down from Jamie stepped forward. His blond hair was dark and his skin pale, making his dark blue eyes stand out. He was tall and graceful, and he walked up confidently.
Jamie’s skin crawled and he shivered involuntarily. There was an aura of danger around this man. It was obvious that he was not someone to be crossed lightly.
“Jason is Marcus’ assistant. Very young for the job, a total kiss-ass and complete prick.” Eva hissed helpfully, with undisguised dislike.
Jason started speaking, his voice quiet and capable, providing an unemotional statement of facts.
“Yesterday at 18:30, the Gate at the Baobab Tree was opened. It was opened without the permission of this Council, against the laws set out by the Gifted Charter, but there was no effort made to hide it.
It reverberated strongly and was felt by the Gifted as far as the Elemental College, more than a thousand kilometers away. It is unclear who opened the Gate and how.
There was a full moon last night. Therefore, it is possible that four of the Gifted came together to open the Gate. However, by the time the Cleaners arrived – only minutes later – the only people found were Allyra Warden, James Thiessen and Robert Thiessen. Allyra Warden had apparently passed through the Gate, across the Veil and into the Between. James and Robert Thiessen were found with her prone body.
James Thiessen is known to this Council as an Inferno and is the son of Juliet Thiessen, also an Inferno. His older brother Robert is not Gifted.
Allyra Warden is the daughter of Samuel Warden, an Inferno. However at her Joining Ceremony seven years ago, she was found not to be Gifted. However, it is now apparent that she is in fact Gifted, having crossed into the Between. It is unclear how she managed to deceive the Source eight years ago.
A team of Cleaners were sent and arrived approximately ten minutes after the opening of the Gate. All three people found were successfully retrieved by the Cleaners and brought back to the Elemental College. Allyra Warden is currently under the care of our medical team.”
Jason paused and looked over at Marcus, “That is a summary of the events of last night. If there are any questions?”
The Earth High Master spoke for the first time, his voice bigger and lower than expected. “Jason – I believe it would be useful if you gave the Council an update regarding Miss Warden’s current status?”
Jamie sat forward in his chair – after all, this answer was the one he was most interested in.
Jason inclined his head slightly towards the Earth High Master. “High Master Zhuang – our medical team is currently looking after Allyra Warden. Since she arrived here, there have been a couple of incidents – a bump to the head, a cut to her left arm. However, the most serious of her injuries has been what appeared to be a suffocation attempt, leaving some severe bruising around her throat. The latest update from the medical team is that they have managed to deal with all incidents and she is currently in a stable condition.”
Jamie heaved a sigh of relief. Allyra was still alive – that was enough for now. It was up to him to do everything he could to make sure she came home.
Marcus glanced at the other members of the Council, but they all shook their heads – there were no further questions for Jason.
Marcus called on the next speaker, “Master Marais, if you please.”
A rather large man stood up, his stomach being his most notable feature. That, combined with his flushed face suggested that he took the South African weekend tradition of beer and braai rather too seriously.
“He’s the History Master here at the Elemental College – just about the most boring person alive. I fall asleep as soon as he opens his mouth. Seriously – money can’t buy you a more effective sleeping aid.”
Jamie was grateful that Eva was keeping up her running commentary. He and Emma had been home-schooled when it came to their Gift, they’d been taught mainly by their mother and at times Sam. His parents had wanted to give them as normal a life as possible and that included not shutting them up in one of the Great Colleges with a hoard of Gifted snobs.
Jamie had always been grateful for his parent’s decision; it meant that he’d been allowed more time with Allyra. But now, not having attended one of the Great Colleges put him at a serious disadvantage, he didn’t know the people involved and certainly didn’t understand the politics at play.
Meanwhile, Marcus was continuing, “Master Marais, I requested your presence today because you are our foremost scholar on the Source and the Gifted Charter. I hope you can provide some clarity regarding Allyra Warden and how she escaped our notice as being Gifted.”
The History Master cleared his throat importantly before starting. “Thank you High Master, this incident is quite interesting and might I add – quite unprecedented. It certainly deserves our attention.”
He cleared his throat again, Jamie raised his eyebrows at Eva – she wasn’t wrong – his droning voice was like a lullaby. But it was important and Jamie forced himself to concentrate.
“I think the best place to start would be a hundred and fifty years ago, with the Betrayal. It’s the event that led to the restriction on the opening of the Gates.”
“Oh God,” Eva hissed, “If he gives us the entire one hundred and fifty year history, I’m going to kill myself.”
Marcus apparently had the same thought and broke in desperately. “Perhaps not as far back as the Betrayal Master Marais. Why don’t we concentrate on the more recent past, specifically how Allyra Warden is Gifted.”
“Right, Allyra Warden.”
