The Heavens Shall Fall

Back in the Hollow Song, in one of the halls only accessible to the elders, Elder Thane stood straight while giving his report, for the second time since he returned. First, he did so privately with Grand Elder Yan, and now, officially, with the elders overseeing the issue he brought forward. At that moment, across from him sat two elders of the Disciplinary Wing.

The one on the left was Elder Caelis Orr, a thin, gray-haired, and dry-eyed elder with a serious-looking, wrinkled face. Being a disciplinary elder meant he had full authority to enforce the law not only within the sect but also outside it, on any land belonging to the Hollow Song. More than that, he was Thane's superior and senior, as he was the one who also inducted Thane into the Disciplinary Wing about eighty years ago.

Beside him sat Elder Kaerin Mo, a very broad-shouldered woman with copper-colored skin and close-cropped black hair. She was even bigger than Thane, not to mention having more scars all around her hands and fingers. As for her position, the region she oversaw was exactly where the Stormglass Pavilion stood.

However, they were not the decision-makers today, because at the head of the table sat a third figure, an elder who outranked them all. He was the High Elder, responsible for managing the Disciplinary Wing itself: Koh Khuuman.

He looked young, younger than Thane. However, even while sitting, he was tall, with a narrow face and black hair, though from certain angles it seemed to take on a brown and gold hue along the edges. His nose was just as sharp as his face, while his fingers that were tapping on the table looked longer than they should. Giving him even more of a sharp angle were his eyes, which he rarely blinked. They glowed in the room's light, looking amber-colored, staring at Thane like a bird of prey. Which was actually the truth. High Elder Khuuman had been born a hawk demon, raised inside the sect, and he rose through the ranks naturally, sitting where he did now all thanks to his own achievements.

“Caelis,” the High Elder spoke up after Thane finished his report, "What did you find after interrogating the fugitive?"

"He was questioned separately by three elders specializing in interrogation, including myself. What we found is free of any type of memory-altering spells. He truly believes what he told us.”

“Belief is not fact... That we can do nothing with.” Khuuman muttered, steepling his long fingers, his eyes moving over to Caelis.

“No, High Elder, it is not, but we can be sure that he was not put under any memory modification. Whatever he saw and experienced was factually true for him.”

"It still could be a grand illusion that he experienced, planting those feelings in him. That we can't confirm; thus, we can't rule it out either." Elder Kaerin took over just then. “However, what I can also confirm is that there were no signs of compulsion planted into him. His fear, the hatred toward Elder Corvin Hale, and the sorrow he feels for Elder Logan Whalfur are genuine.”

“Could he have deceived the tests?” Khuuman asked, even though everyone present knew that someone at Vael's level couldn't do that.

“If he was modified by someone close to stepping into the Third Circle,” Elder Caelis said matter-of-factly, which of course was unlikely, as that would put the person on par with their own Sect Master. “But that is doubtful. At his level, in his condition, against three elders? No, deceiving our methods is simply not possible.”

“Nothing is impossible,” Khuuman added, without flinching. “We have our enemies; never underestimate any of them.”

"If I may," Thane spoke up, and after Khuuman nodded, he continued, “Our enemies wouldn't waste such efforts on a subordinate sect like the Pavilion. That is simply too costly an investment for a throwaway bait, even if we bite.”

“I concur,” Kaerin agreed. “This event may indeed be the work of outside forces, but I don't think they would go as far as to involve someone at that level... They could have put the entire Pavilion under control instead, not just letting loose one Head Disciple with fake memories.”

"Mhm," Khuuman hummed as he looked toward Thane. “Give me your assessment.”

"Yes," Thane straightened, cupping his hands. “Vael is guilty of some of his official charges, so he would or could be dangerous to allow to run loose in our territory. However, I believe him to be loyal to his original sect and cause. He is honest about it and has a kind of honor we can respect and expect him to keep. He was raised well.”

“Interesting,” Khuuman muttered while his eyes moved to the documents on the table. "For the crime of killing an elder of his own, we will keep him inside the sect. Make sure one of ours is always watching him; put one of the Core Disciples on the job. He is not to leave the sect's grounds."

"Yes." They all answered at once, knowing it meant the High Elder was interested in the conspiracy playing out within their borders, and probably thinking about how to use Vael to uncover what was going on.

“What about the Wolfsong Guild's message?" Caelis spoke up next, "They asked for clarification and sent word that they acted within recognized authority and can't understand why they were denied the chance to finish the mission."

"Tell them," Khuuman said with a smile that looked like a sneer, "that their issue has been settled through Elder Thane’s compensation. If they still want an explanation, I invite them to come to me personally.”

"Understood." The others nodded, smiling to themselves, but quickly wiped it off their faces, as this was still an official hearing, which, as with everything similar, was being recorded.

"Now... How are we to go from here?" Elder Caelis folded his hands, throwing a look towards Kaerin. “All his claims can be valid, but with no proof to back them up. All he provided us with do have some interesting points, especially the notes he stole... They do point towards his version being the truth, but there is nothing tangible. Nothing we can point at and say, this is it.”

“And that is enough for us to investigate properly," Khuuman said with a decisive voice, "Stormglass is responsible for our relay formations in the northwestern border chain. If we get attacked through those mountains and they fail to report it in time, an enemy contingent could penetrate into the mainlands where our main CC mines are."

“Yes,” Elder Caelis agreed strongly. “If they are leaking information to someone, or trying to turn away from us, we need to investigate and punish them accordingly. In a worst-case scenario, we need to find a replacement for the whole sect."

“If they did betray us,” Khuuman agreed with no emotion in his voice, throwing a look at Thane and Kaerin, "You can exterminate them without having to report back to me."

“Understood, High Elder.”

"About that," Elder Kaerin leaned forward. “The current Pavilion Lord’s seals are still in use, and they come back as valid. They already have a replacement for the position; I checked them immediately. My disciples are still combing through previous tithes and their documents, but so far, their filings have been regular for the past three cycles. There were no missed tributes or any irregularities in their reports.”

“Obvious irregularities are for amateurs,” Thane said suddenly, "I have dealt with treacherous bastards a lot, and if they want to succeed, they learn how to mask their steps."

"I wasn't saying they aren't like that," Kaerin nodded at him. “It just means that if they do have something going on, they are careful enough to not alert us.”

"That's why this matter is going to be our current top priority," Khuuman said, his eyes narrowing. “How many disturbances did we have along the border in the past decade?”

"That..." Caelis answered without checking a paper. “Too many. Just a few years ago, Thane had spent a year hunting down such rogue groups within our territory.”

"Gather all the relevant events in the past century," Khuuman ordered sternly. "I will look through everything, but until then, Kaerin, Caelis, send out four elders in incognito to observe and survey the Pavilion and the land under their supervision. Choose people who have never gone to that province to keep their anonymity intact as long as possible."

"It will be done." The two nodded, already running names through their mind, choosing the best candidates.

"Thane," Khuuman continued, "I will send you openly to the Pavilion. You are to visit them, officially inquire about what happened, gather all their statements, and make sure they learn that Vael is alive and currently lives here, inside our sect."

"Yes, High Elder," Thane nodded, "Are you planning to use him as bait?"

"Naturally," Khuuman nodded, “I am curious how desperate they would be... Would they try to assassinate someone here? In our own home? Because if the answer is yes..." He fell silent after that, but then blinked his eyes, changing topics, "The disciple who accepted the asylum request.”

“Siu,” Thane said without thinking.

"No matter," Khuuman waved a hand, as for him, he was just another disciple, "He acted perfectly within reason; no punishments are necessary. That is all! If there are no more questions," He added, standing up, "Then we have work to do."

...

....

......

By the time Siu returned to the sect, and then to the Red Leaf, he wanted nothing more than to sit down in his bathtub and... relax. The mission report had taken longer than expected, and he had to do it right after spending about four hours dropping off the cargo and making sure the old hag there had no chance to deduct anything from their pay. She tried, but failed, as Bortan always managed to point out something favorable, cutting her off from twisting things the other way.

Still, Merra had taken her sweet time with the final checks before bringing them in and signing off on the Companions' form of acknowledgment that everything was in order. Only then could they go to the mission hall, finish everything, and hand in their final reports before everyone went their own way, heading home.

Now, at last, Siu pushed open the door to the Red Leaf and stepped inside, Arya and Marly already half-asleep, hanging off him in a barely conscious state. Quillian sat behind the counter, one elbow planted on the wood, coming out of a dozing dream when hearing the front door opening. After recognizing who it was, his eyes popped open behind his skewed glasses, and they were already narrowing before Siu finished entering fully.

That was... not a good sign. Even Arya woke up as his tail brushed Siu’s neck, becoming twice as fluffy.

“Master.”

“I know.” He gulped, just remembering something he totally forgot about.

“Run?”

“Too late for that.”

"Your hands are empty," the old man said at once, and Siu felt his stomach sink.

Ah... The records. Quillian had even given him a list before they left, along with a book to take notes in... He had not merely failed to gather them; he didn't even remember it the moment they were off. First the teleportation, then the road, handling Cinna, arriving at the city, the fight, everything... It just... All happened so quickly he had not even thought about Quillian's request, and now he felt worse than after the fight in that damned alley.

"Senior..." Siu straightened himself up with a deep breath. “I forgot.”

As he said that out loud, the shop became very quiet. Very... quiet.

“You forgot,” Quillian repeated, looking him up and down.

“Yes.”

“You forgot? You forgot! Boy, I gave you a clean list! A simple list! Not even dangerous work! I did not ask you to rob a sect vault, burn down an orphanage, or translate a dead language! I asked for records!”

Siu remained silent, though he couldn't help but wonder why he would burn down an orphanage? His thoughts ended there, though, right when Quillian slapped the counter, making him feel even more shame.

“Records!” Quillian yelled as a stack of papers jumped into the air and ink got spilled everywhere on the counter. Even Marly squeaked, and for the first time, it was crawling under his robes. On his head, Arya’s ears flattened, as she was hiding inside Siu's hair, pulling it onto herself, trying to disappear. "Boy!" Quillian pointed toward his nose, visibly fuming, “I gave you everything! I told you more than once what I'd like you to do, and you didn't even think of it? I don't expect you to think of me while away on an exciting mission, but I thought you knew of your own responsibilities, after you have given your word for something!”

“I know,” Siu said quietly, looking down at the ground, suddenly feeling like he was five years old again.

“No, you clearly do not!” Quillian had stood up by then, one of his glasses slipping farther down on his crooked nose. “You walked beside House Vardek’s head. For the heavens' sake, you had access to a major supplier! You caused such a spectacle that half the city would have talked to you just to say they had spoken to you! And what did you bring me? Nothing!”

Siu hesitated, wanting to tell him that they were ordered to leave but... He couldn't. He opened his mouth, just so Quillian’s eyes sharpened and he closed it back down at once.

"Oh? Don't stop now." The old man snorted, "Let's hear the excuses! Come on, tell me."

"I..." Siu looked up again, licking his parched lips. “I'm sorry. I mean it. I forgot. There is no excuse, Senior. I had time; I could have asked Erhard; I could have taken notes throughout the journey, and I could have at least gathered public notices before we left. I know it now, but that means nothing...”

“Yes,” Quillian said. "It does not."

“I failed. I'm sorry... I will gather my things.” He added, not daring to look into his eyes.

“Yes.” He nodded, but then shook his head vehemently. "The fuck you will! I am not kicking you out, idiot!" He snorted, rolling his eyes, "I'm just scolding you! Anyway, you will make it up for me. You hear?”

"Y-yes!" Siu looked up finally, gulping and even feeling his eyes watering for some reason.

“Don't be so happy about it, boy!” Quillian snorted, but his anger was already subsiding, and he sounded grumpy instead of angry. "You will come with me tomorrow to the sect library. Taking advantage of your fresh memories, you will compare all the road archives and notes, you will find all of those and read them, then compare them with your memory and write the corrections down in the book I gave you.”

"Yes, Senior."

"That's not all!" He continued, raising a finger, "After you are done with that, you will help me with inventory."

"What about the... shop?"

"You will work overtime," He snorted, "And I'm not paying for it! Questions?"

"None." He said, cupping his hands, not arguing.

"Hmph... Thought so. Now go, rest or something." He grunted, waving his hand, sending Siu upstairs, murmuring something while Siu couldn't help but feel like this experience was worse than when the Icecrown Stag almost killed him.

Or when Bren almost broke his back.

Or anything else.