Chapter 6: Help Me, Helps You
The morning after the meeting with Elowen Verdantia, the kingdom of Sanctora buzzed quietly with controlled chaos. Soldiers moved through the streets in small groups, discreetly summoning mages to the council office in carefully timed batches.
The operation was designed to avoid drawing suspicion from the citizens—after all, no one wanted rumors spreading about why every mage in the kingdom was being called away from their duties.
Inside the council chambers, preparations were underway for what many hoped would be a swift and uneventful process.
Elder Cedric Valois paced nervously near the entrance, muttering under his breath. "batch by batch, they said. 'won't disrupt daily life,' they said. I swear, if this goes on too long, someone's going to notice something's up."
Nearby, Elder Lucien Pendragon rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "oh, stop fretting, Cedric. If anyone asks, we'll just say we're conducting ... oh, I don't know, a census of magical talent or something." Cedric shot her a glare. "a census? Really? You think people won't see right through that?"
Before Lucien could retort, the first group of mages arrived, looking nervous and confused. One young apprentice whispered loudly to another, "do you think we're getting promoted? Or maybe punished?" his friend shrugged.
"either way, I hope there's snacks." Inside the designated chamber, the atmosphere grew tense as each mage stepped forward to face Elowen, Elder Cedric, and Elder Lucien.
The Starlight staff sat prominently on a pedestal at the center of the room, its faint pulsing light casting eerie shadows across the walls. Younger mages approached hesitantly, trembling hands reaching out to touch the staff only for nothing to happen.
Senior mages, however, took the opportunity to bombard Elowen with questions. "what exactly are we testing for here?" one elderly mage demanded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "is it raw power? Skill? Intelligence?" another chimed in, "and how does this contraption even work? It looks like it belongs in a museum!"
Elowen's patience wore thin quickly. She pinched the bridge of her nose, her fingers twitching as though resisting the urge to strangle someone.
"if I wanted a lecture," she snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "I'd have invited my grandmother. Just touch the staff and let it do its job."