4. Things Get Out Of Hand #3
I cleared my throat. “Wait a minute, Cholerius,” I interrupted with a wave of my hand.
“It’s not what you think. I didn’t do it on purpose.
It was a complete fluke. You see, um, I tried to strike a new prototype, I grabbed the wrong strip by accident and the compound contamination occurred.
One thing led to another. You understand alchemy. There was absolutely no premeditation.”
Cholerius let out a long, long-suffering sigh.
“Well, Elian, that is exactly what I expected. Another one of your wacky accidents. We’ve known each other a very long time, but the law is the law and the rules are rules, even though you seem to misunderstand the fundamental concept of structure and boundaries.
Be it in alchemy, the legal system or market trading. ”
He began tapping the stylus against his ledger again, listing the offences with agonising precision.
“So, to sum it up. We’ve got one unauthorised, illegal summoning charm.
One severe planar space violation with localised destabilisation, pending further assessment.
And one cross-dimensional kidnapping of a high-ranking military dignitary.
” He glanced up at Kill’em. “Do you wish to press charges, commander?”
“‘Charges’?” Kill’em regarded Cholerius with narrowed eyes.
“Abduction charges, yes. Or do you mean to tell me that you travelled here voluntarily?”
Kill’em’s military integrity clearly prevented him from confirming such an outright lie. “No charges,” he gritted out.
“Very well. It doesn’t really change much anyway.
” Cholerius snapped the ledger closed, casting me a look that made my teeth ache.
“I am not going to lie to you, Elian. You’ve got yourself in quite a pickle this time.
The standard protocol for an infraction of this scale requires an immediate stall shutdown, your subsequent arrest for public endangerment and the immediate detainment of your, well…
hostage until his extra-planar identity can be formally verified by the Council. ”
“‘Hostage’?” I croaked, stupefied by this turn of events.
Kill’em’s hand moved towards his hip, fingers curling around the empty air, where his sabre should have been. For the fact that it wasn’t, I sent the goddess a quick dozen thank-yous. “What bloody nonsense is this?”
Before Kill’em resorted to finding his weapon to terminate everyone in sight—and before I could collapse into a full panic attack—a calm, warm presence stepped up from the back of the stall.
“Please. Let me handle this,” Fern muttered to Kill’em.
Unintimidated by Cholerius’ dress of office, his ledger and stylus or the assorted threats of arrest floating in the air, Fern stepped right into his prickly personal space radiating unshakeable ease.
The High Arbiter widened his gaze.
“Cholerius, let’s be reasonable about this,” Fern said softly, his voice gentle and coaxing. “Take a breath before quoting the penal codes to high heaven, all right?”
He extended a steaming earthenware mug, along with a reassuring smile, towards the enforcer, ignoring his stiff demeanour. As he handed over the drink, Fern’s fingers first brushed Cholerius’s sleeve and then straightened the front of his golden silks with a lingering touch.
My jaw went slack.
“Elian is an upstanding citizen and an award-winning alchemist,” Fern continued, keeping his tone even and smooth.
“He isn’t going to run away, nor is he a threat to anyone.
Well, apart from himself, sometimes, perhaps.
” Fern gave a little snort. “But there’s no need for such punitive solutions right now.
Why don’t we all take a step back, eh? How about we wait till tomorrow, giving Elian a fair chance to secure legal counsel and present the Council with a thorough explanation. Huh?”
Fern leaned in just a fraction closer. “You look completely exhausted, Chol. I sense your blood sugar crashing. Drink some of this sweetened chamomile and vanilla-bark brew. It’s perfectly legal, I assure you.”
Cholerius blinked, completely derailed. He looked down at the steaming mug, then up at Fern’s kind, genuine face. His features unfrosted a touch and he took a sip. Then another.
“Well…” Cholerius muttered, clearing his throat and averting his eyes, suddenly flustered by Fern’s intense gaze and proximity.
“Very well. I suppose… given the highly unusual circumstances, we could allow a brief administrative grace period. But tomorrow, I expect all the relevant reports on my desk before the first bell.”
“Of course, of course.” Fern nodded. “You’ll have it all on time. I give you my word.”
Cholerius drained his tea then thrust the mug back into Fern’s hands. After treating me to one final, cold glare, he snapped, “Do try not to set the market on fire.” Then he strutted off, his wide golden sleeves fluttering behind him like a pair of angry little wings.
I didn’t have the faintest idea what had just transpired, and I felt too tired to analyse it. I only took comfort in the fact that Kill’em and I wouldn’t be spending the night in the dungeons, courtesy of the Council.