Soulforge Legacy Series

Xander didn’t say a word; instead shrugging as if this whole situation didn’t bother him. If I was the one up there, facing off against these beings, I would likely be blabbering and begging for leniency.

“Let the record show that Kai Ravenwood shrugged in response to the question.” The neutral voice said before continuing. “Kai Ravenwood, you have been accused of crossing into the Kingdom’s Protected Zone with a level outside of the specified limits without permission. This is in clear violation of Empire Decree D dash three ninety-seven dash B and Defense Provision thirty-two of Article Five of the Paradox-Earth Charter. How do you plead?”

“Guilty.” I don’t know what I expected, but a full agreement with them was not it. Not that he sounded remorseful in the least.

“Are there any on the Council that would like to add anything before the verdict is rendered?”

“I would,” a ghostly apparition faded into view at one of the few empty tables. The shift made me wonder if there were others hiding in this room.

“The Council recognizes Caspirian Lox.” The formality they were giving this was much different than all of the previous topics. There had to be more going on here than what I could see and hear.

“Kai’s unexpected departure resulted in the discovery and dispatch of a demon who had been…” The voice faded to the point that I couldn’t make it out. I must have been the only one who couldn’t hear the speaker because the rest of the group acted as though they had no issues hearing the ghost. A few shifted about uncomfortably, while others looked ready to explode.

Finally, one person spoke up. “That is true. Without him, we would have no idea that the barrier protecting the Empire and enforcing the borders had fallen.”

When no one else made a move to speak up, the neutral voice returned. “Is there any other Council member who would like to add anything before the verdict is rendered?” This time, no one spoke up. “While the usual punishment for such a crime would be either a sentence in the mines or mandatory service on the front lines, I think everyone here would agree that the information you provided is worth some leniency.”

Most of the room nodded in agreement, even if a few looked a bit annoyed at having to do so. “Thus, I think the charges should be rendered null and void so long as the accused helps the Council investigate the capital and the fallen barrier for free.” The neutral voice emphasized the last part. “All those in favor, say aye.” Ayes filled the chamber. “All those opposed, say nay.”

“Nay!” The cloying voice from earlier called out. Clearly making his opposition known. While everyone took note of his opinion, the Council moved on, the verdict reached by near unanimous consent.

“Kai,” a deep booming voice that reverberated off the walls called. “You are to report here in an hour’s time to discuss the particulars of your upcoming mission.” A soft whack sound filled the chamber. It was only thanks to various courtroom dramas that I even had an idea of what it was. I didn’t even think they were used in real courts. “Trill.”

As Xander made his way back toward me, I had to wonder if that really was it. According to the punishment the Councilor had laid out, I would have thought the charges were serious. But then they turned around and practically gave him a slap on the wrist. And only one of them complained about the change.

The woman’s voice pulled me out of my mind. “Kyren Vulpier. Here to answer a summons after violating Section 91.5 B of Article 91.”

At her announcement, cold sweat started to build up on my neck. I wanted to hide. To run. To escape the line of sight for all of these people, even as their eyes seemed to bore their way into me.

Sadly, that wasn’t an option. I had to step forward. To see what they wanted and what all of this was about. All while I hoped and prayed – no, begged the gods that this group would go easy on me.

Even as I stepped up to the podium, one of the Councilors made their voice heard. “You have been brought in front of this Council so that we may ascertain the reason for your visit as well as to clarify why you were unable to follow the law.”

“If I may.” Xander tried to cut in, only to be cut off by the same voice. “You may not.”

After a moment, I heard Xander take a step back. This time, another Councilor spoke. “According to city records, you entered the city well past the one hundred and twenty hours allotted. Is that correct?”

“Yes, but…”

“And you have had the ability to travel through the city without obstruction, correct?”

“Mostly, but if you would…”

“Yes or no answers only please.” The constant interruptions were already getting on my nerves. “Has anyone restricted your travel through the city since you arrived?”

“No.” I bit off what I wanted to say.

“Have you met with an Oracle?”

“No.”

“Have you looked for an Oracle?”

“No.”

“Did you reach out to any official to ask about possible meetings or extensions?”

“No.”

“Enough of this.” One of the men let out a rumbling growl. “For what reason were you unable to follow the law?”

I wanted to point out the fact that I didn’t know such a law existed, but I doubted that excuse would get me anywhere. Especially as ignorance has never been a valid excuse. Though there was one aspect of what happened that might help me here. Though I would have to make sure to frame the situation, as I was fairly sure someone here would take advantage of any issues or openings.

“Unfortunately, I cannot answer yes or no to that question.” My voice was deferential as I tried to smooth the way forward. At the wave of a single hand, I moved on. “Just before I came to this grand city, I was in one of the starter towns. It was there that I ended up in a battle for my life against a demon.”

While a few of them scoffed at that, they didn’t interrupt my story. “In the end, I had no choice but to use my SoulStone.” Given that they were all travelers and had some odd features not seen on Earth, I could safely assume they knew what the item did. “Still, even with the boost in power, I was only able to hold him off. It was only because of Xan…I mean, Kai, that I survived that encounter.”

A couple nodded as they probably put together his breaking the rules and his saving me as happening at the same time. Though I did wonder which they thought instigated the other. Not that it mattered here.

“I only came to a couple of hours ago. And before I could do anything else, I needed to get a few things to handle some of the,” I paused for a moment as if in thought about how to phrase the next part. “Changes.”

There, I didn’t tell a lie, yet I also managed to keep the whole orb thing a secret. “While I am sorry to hear that, I am afraid to say that seeing an Oracle should have been your first priority upon awaking.”

“Not so fast Grayson.” The icy voice of the woman who had frozen a man to death cut across the room. “There are some changes that are more impactful than others. I, for one, am interested to know what changes this woman has gone through.”

“None of that matters in the eye of the law.” The nasally voiced Council member cut in. “There are next to no allowances in our laws for the use of transformation as an excuse. In addition to that, Article 91 has the exceptions laid out so that there is no question as to the law and its interpretation.”

He locked his eyes on me. “Do you have a valid certification in any field?”

“No.” I had never been given the opportunity to gain one, as none of the people with the required training had stayed there up until the end.

“I also notice that there is no paperwork specifying a sponsor. Is that correct?”

My eyes glanced at Xander, the shake of his head was subtle. “No.”

“Have you met with a council-appointed official for an exemption?” I didn’t bother to answer this time. I just shook my head. “So, as you can see, Section 91.3 does not apply here.”

“Humor me.” Judging by how pale the man looked, I wondered if there was history between the two. A hand flashed up as he flicked his wrist. She seemed to take that as agreement. “Now, tell me just what was changed.”

“Species and gender.” For some reason, the words came out rough.

“So you not only had to adjust for any species changes,” her voice was clear as she took my words and ran with them. To help me or not, I had no clue. “But you also had to deal with a completely different body. One without any resemblance to your previous form.”

“Yes.”

“Which means that most of your outfits would no longer fit you, correct?”

I could see where she was going with this. “Yes.” It wasn’t a lie. Most of my clothes were back on Earth, and very few of them would fit now.

“I, for one, would like to thank you for taking a bit of time to make sure you were properly dressed before wandering through the city.” She glanced at something in the air next to her before continuing. “As for the requirements of Article 91, I would like to call for the penalties to be waived as her non-compliance was involuntary. On the condition that she visits an Oracle in the next hour, of course.”

Everyone seemed to agree with her. Even the nasally one nodded his head, albeit a bit reluctantly.

“I would like to request an exemption be made here in relation to 91.5 D.” Xander’s voice next to me surprised me.

“This Council has been generous enough to the two of you; do not push it.” A person who had yet to speak cut in.

“I do not request this out of generosity.” He sounded confident as he pushed on. “I do so that we may fulfill the terms set forth by Lady Temara.”

“Are you saying that the Office of Oracle Assignment would purposely take their time so that Kyren is found in breach of the order passed down by this Council?” The voice felt like a blade of ice was pressed against my throat. It felt so cold that it almost burned.

“No, but there are some on this Council that…”

“You best be careful, boy.” This voice was deep and seemed to vibrate the air around me.

He continued, as though he had not been interrupted. “Require each law, agreement, and ruling to be followed to the letter. Even if the spirit is followed.”

“Are you saying we should not follow the law?” The nasally voice returned, and this time he sounded outright pissed. Before I thought he was some small fry, a bookkeeper or something, but given the power that radiated off of him, I had a hard time not ducking behind Xander. “That everything should be judged based upon feelings and outcomes rather than the black and white lines that the law paints for all to see if they so choose?”

“I would do no such thing.” How did Xander sound so calm? “I am merely trying to fulfill the Council’s wishes without placing an undue burden upon any one group. Especially as I know a few Oracles that wouldn’t mind setting aside a few minutes for us to meet with them.”

“And you think we should just let you take her to see one of your friends?” This speaker was one of the few who had yet to talk. While I could tell she was a Beastkin of some kind, I couldn’t tell what. “Let me guess, they will declare that she falls under the other category. All to keep your friend safe.”

“God no.” Xander’s laugh caught a number of them off guard. “Not only would I never ask one of my friends to do that, but I also would never do that to Kyren. Hell,” he shot a look at me. “I am fairly sure she would also kick my ass if I tried, power difference be damned.”

That drew a few chuckles from the Council. After a minute of whispered chatter, the ice woman, Temara, I think was her name, spoke up. “While this is unusual, we are willing to grant you your request. Though, be warned that someone will be checking in on the paperwork and the Oracle.”

Xander bowed a good forty-five degrees. “Thank you.” As he rose, he grabbed my arm and practically ran from the room.