Chapter 255: Unpleasantness

Chapter 255: Unpleasantness

Tala was able to mostly pull herself back together by the time that they reached the main audience hall, where Sanguis sat in his chair, listening to reports and directing the after-battle clean up.

From the snatches Tala had heard and processed on the relatively short walk, the two attacking Houses had been driven back with massive casualties. The House of Blood had lost some soldiers, but far fewer than the Houses of the Rising Sun and Acidic Tide.

When the group loosely surrounding Tala entered the audience chamber, a hush fell over those present.

Sanguis stood, meeting his Eskaus gaze. Pillar Be-thric?

Dead, it looked like a Pillar of the House of the Acidic Tide managed to plant a working within his flesh before she was overcome.

The Pillar of the House of Blood cursed. Why is her mouth bound?

Tala, for her part, sat in a chair that was off to one side, without being out of the way. She moved carefully, being sure not to make sudden movements as well as allowing the guards and others to keep a healthy distance as she took her seat.

She felt exhausted, and she just wanted to be alone in her grief.

Mostly, though, she just felt numb.

Sanguiss eyes flicked to Tala. As he took in the large gap left around her, they widened.

Pallaun nodded. Her collar was triggered, though the pieces have evidence of both void and acidic magics throughout their structure. My belief is that that shouldnt have been enough to trigger the device.

Sanguis growled. But you said the Acidic Tide Pillar is dead?

His Eskau nodded. Her Eskau as well.

Thats something at least. He huffed a laugh. More than something. That makes six Eskau and Pillars of those two Houses lost, and we only lost one.

Meallain growled.

Sanguis held up his hands. Be-thric was a loss, and a frustrating one at that. His death hurts our House incredibly, but our two brazen adversaries have paid a phenomenally high price for their attack.

That seemed to mollify the elf, if just barely.

Clear the room, save Eskau, adjuncts, and myself.

Everyone else departed, and the doors were closed after them.

Sanguis had four adjuncts with him at the moment. That was either the privilege or burden of being head Pillar for this city. He had more to manage, so he had more adjuncts to help with the management.

Gallof was there as well, and Thron stayed as befit his station.

All told, there were ten of them remaining in the room, including Tala.

Sanguis returned to his seat. First, we address the unpleasantness in the room.

Thron and Gallof stepped forward and knelt, speaking as one, in a clearly ceremonial fashion. We swore our lives in service of a Pillar of the House of Blood, and he has passed to the next world. Our service is at an end.

Talas eyes widened. What?

She felt an odd moment of disjointment as she waited for agreement that would never come.

Tears returned to her eyes. Oh, Alat. Im so, so sorry. If Id been faster

Meallain glanced her way, eyes softening slightly before she refocused on the Pillar.

Sanguis grimaced. By right, tradition, and law, you are each given a choice: Simple, quick death to bring honor to your family within the House of Blood and to elevate their position, or exile for yourself and your family.

Gallof spoke first. I choose death, that my kith and kin would be allowed to serve and rise through the House of Blood.

Sanguis nodded. Let it be so. Once the other matters are settled, it will be done. Your service was honorable; may you depart our House with honor.

Thank you, Pillar Sanguis.

The Pillar turned to Thron. And you?

Ive no family in the House of Blood, Pillar. I am grateful to the House of Blood and would part ways without enmity.

Tala blinked. He was a slave, and if he had never served Be-thric and me, hed have remained a slave to Gallof. This is an absolute win for him.

She hesitated, considering, the slow gears of her unenhanced mind struggling to continue the thought. Though his position as adjunct was arguably better than whatever hell have after exile.

Yet again, she felt the odd sinking feeling of expecting a familiar voice to chime in, before remembering that that voice was gone. Alat is gone

Tala had hope that she could get Alat back soon, but that didnt fill the void that was present in the moment, nor quell the fear that she would die before Alat could be restored.

Sanguis nodded once again. Your service was honorable; may you depart our House with honor.

Gallof looked to Thron and smiled consolingly. Thank you for your service, my friend.

Thron smiled sadly in return. Thank you for pulling me from the mines.

There was a moment of silence before Sanguis sighed and looked to Pallaun. Now, my Eskau, what is to be done with Eskau Tali?

The obsidian man frowned. That depends on the circumstances of Be-thrics demise, my Pillar.

Thron cleared his throat. Begging your pardon, Eskau, Pillar.

Sanguis raised an imperious eyebrow. Yes?

As I am still an adjunct to an Eskau of the House of Blood until this matter is settled, I wish to speak.

I will listen.

I see no advantage to the House of Blood in determining Eskau Talis accountability or innocence in the death of her Pillar.

Meallain nodded. I agree, but I would hear his reasoning.

Sanguis looked between them. As you say, go on.

Thron cleared his throat. If she were to be found guilty, the House of Blood would be forced to execute her. That would require a fine be paid to the City Lord, and doing so would show weakness to the other Houses.

Thron paled. Revered Pillar. I do not have the ability to enter or leave the Doman-Imithe.

Of course you do not. We will place the two of you there, and all you must do is survive and be recovered. Items not near a sapient in the Doman-Imithe do not endure long, else we would simply recover them later.

How long would I need to endure in that place?

Threeno, four days to be safe?

I could die in that time.

You could, it is a risk, but we are willing to pay you for that risk.

If I succeed. His tone was flat, clearly not pleased with the proposal.

Of course, no job pays before the work is done.

Thron glanced towards Tala seeming to consider something. Finally, he turned back towards Sanguis, grimacing. II will do this, but I want the right to claim any one item from her Sanctum in addition to all other rewards, and I want assurances that my claim will be uncontested.

He wants the concept sword. Clever.

Sanguis hesitated for only a moment before smiling. Granted.

Hed clearly decided that whatever trinket or treasure Thron wanted, it was a worthy price to pay.

More the fool, him. She felt like giving Thron a congratulatory pat on the back, if his fortune wouldnt come about only after her death.

The dwarf and the Pillar discussed the actual amount and contents of the reward for a short time before they came to an agreement.

One of Sanguiss adjuncts drew up the contract, and the Pillar and Thron each bound their power to the document. Pallaun and Meallain did likewise, acting as witnesses and additional weight behind the agreement.

And so, it is done.

Meallain clapped her hands, blood still splattered across her face and armor. Am I needed?

Only for one last thing. Sanguis gestured and another adjunct came forward. We must all sign and attest to this. I will see that it is delivered to the City Lord.

The Pillar, Eskau, and adjuncts all wove their magic into the simple document.

Then, one of the adjuncts received orders from Sanguis and departed with the paper in hand.

Tala barely caught a glimpse of it as it passed, and only its incredibly simple, large print made her able to see what it said, Eskau Talis collar was triggered, and her body is to be deposited into the Doman-Imithe within the hour.

Simple, to the point, and utterly true.

Clever.

Alat was not there to comment.

Meallain stopped near where Tala sat. I am sorry things are ending this way, Tali. Id have liked to have met you before

Tala frowned in confusion. What?

The elf shook her head. But that was not meant to be. May your soul find peace.

Without another word, the elf departed. Only then did Talas seemingly glacially slow mind provide answers. She was saying that she wished she could have met me before Be-thric mind-wiped me.

Tala had no idea how to process that, not really.

Sanguis was talking again. Pallaun, Thorn, please see it done. Thorn, we will see you again in a few days.

Thron bowed. As you say, Pillar Sanguis. It was an honor to serve.

Pallaun approached Tala. Will you need to be led, or can you follow?

Tala sighed, exhaling a puff through her nose, then she tiredly pointed at the band.

Ahh, yes. That should no longer be needed, but I advise you to only speak when spoken to. Do you understand?

She nodded.

He snapped, and the magics deactivated around the band.

At that moment, a fascinating, and horrifying, thing happened.

Tala felt the authority of the dasgannach reach out through her now direct skin-contact with the steel and seize all the iron with the device in an instant.

That action had no outward consequences, but as the band expanded, opening to fall away, Tala once again heard the screech of intent and instinct translated through her mind.

NO! MINE!

The collar puffed to dust, the carbon, and other elements falling free. The iron being jerked backward to pull hard against her skin, where it melded with the iron paint already covering her.

Everyone in the room froze.

What was that? Sanguis had only seen what happened out of the corner of his eyes.

Pallaun frowned, taking a step back. The dasgannach claimed and retained the iron from within the band of restriction.

The Pillar stood, walking to stand by his Eskau. That should not be possible.

I concur, but these creatures were designed to exceed their own existence and then to die. The obsidian man scratched his chin. We need to get her into the Doman-Imithe, now. If it has mutated somehow, we do not want it loose within our hold.

Wait, wait! Thron caught their attention. I dont want to be near it, if its acting unexpectedly.

Sanguis glared for a brief moment, then sighed. I can understand that, Elder dwarf. If you wish to simply depart, we will not stop you.

Thron hesitated at that, seeming almost to shift from foot to foot, clearly weighing the danger with the suddenly increased potential risk. Finally, he shook his head. No. I will do as you have asked.

It seems that a chance at a concept sword lessens the fear from many potential dangers.

Palluan grunted. Then, we must hurry, before things deviate beyond our understanding once again.