Denouement (Tygaran Alliance, Firemane and Friends)

[Farryn Loragwyn]

"I see," Farryn replied unfazed. She had little faith in the so-called justice system.

"Call me when you're ready," the albino Eldroai closed her eyes. "I wish to rest, you may take your leave until then," she said, dismissing the Priestess despite having no authority to do so.

To some, Farryn may have seemed defiant in her actions, however, this was not the truth. Rather than defiance, the Eldorai in actuality had simply stopped caring. Feeling that everything was beyond her control, she saw little point in conforming to expectations. She had little doubt that she would be found guilty - her mother had poked her oversized nose into this matter after all.

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


"You are taking considerable effort to make me dislike you, girl. That is not a wise move when I am helping decide your fate. I might have let you lie down, but your attitude is too childish to warrant rest. Ergo you shall stand the entire hour - in chains. Use the grace period to think, if you have any care for your fate. If the shade is truly your brother, I feel pity for him being cursed to hold vigil for someone as childish as you," she snapped her fingers and Farryn was grabbed by the guards.


The young woman would be roughly pulled out of bed, forced to stand and shackled with chains that were probably far too heavy for her. They would be attached to the wall. Even if Farryn wanted to, the chains would not let her sit down because they were too short. "Make her stand until the court convenes." With a swirl of her robes, the Abbess departed the room.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Farryn rolled her eyes at the Priestess' words. As far as she was concerned, justice did not exist so the Priestess' words did not faze her.

"Careful! I'm an invalid now. Have some pity and be more gentle. I just lost part of my arm for Ashira's sake!" she snapped at the guards as they stood her up and chained her to the wall.

"Brutes," she muttered under her breath only loud enough for the guards to hear and closed her eyes. She was determined to go to sleep whether they liked it or not.

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

The irony was that while Farryn's distrust of the Eldorai justice system was justified, she was doing her best to dig her own hole. At this rate, there might be no need for her family to intervene, since she was doing their work for them. Unfortunately for her, it was rather unlikely that she'd be able to get any sleep. The chains were very heavy and no effort had been made to make them comfortable.


Moreover, it was the time of the hour where uplifting church music would be played. These traditional Ardarvian sermons were supposed to remind prisoners of their place in things and force self-reflection upon them. It was doubtful that such a lofty goal was accomplished, but it was rather loud. Moreover, the light was very bright and a lamp would be shining right into her eyes.


On occasion, a guard would roughly pull Farryn's ear or give her a slap to force her awake. Eldorai ears were very sensitive. Eventually, a priestess - not the Abbess, but a lesser cleric - would appear in the room, looking grim. "Bring the prisoner to the court room," she spoke seriously.


[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Aeda examined all the information. She came to the conclusion offered by the evidence…which was good because the Grand Seraph had been wanting to deal with the overweening ambitions of Tarissa Cadalthor for some time.

“Good work, Seraph. Continue gathering information and protect your location. Ensure the situation is contained.”
For Aeda that was positively glowing and fulsome praise!

With that done she emerged from the dome and headed straight for the Council chamber. The recess was ending, and Aeda sought out Siobhan Kerrigan. The Grand Seraph was not supposed to enter the chamber for arcane and archaic reasons, but she ignored this and scattered nobles and retainers as she angled for the Countess.

“Countess. News from Seraph Taldir. Where is the Queen?”
“I’m here, Aeda,” Anya said, materialising from the shadows.
“Majesty,” Aeda said with a nod. She gave a copy to the Queen too. “I have a Great Company of loyal Angelii aboard if needed. Your orders.”
Anya’s eyes flicked to Siobhan. “How do you suggest we handle this?”
She perhaps would not expect Siobhan’s suggestion!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Farryn Loragwyn"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Six-O"] (tagging everyone who was involved in the thread because I'm vain! Wrapping up the main plot).


High Council Chambers,
Ashira's Light Station.


"I will direct this personally. Seal the doors. Make sure no one gets out," Siobhan said flatly. In the past, she might have been content to let her Eldorai friends sort this out. But not now. She was angry, deeply hurt and felt insulted. Her personal honour and that of her soldiers had been put into question by parasites. The ringleader was a former ally. An example had to be made. The only thing these scheming vipers respected was power. It was time to remind them who possessed it. So she arose and limped towards the podium. There was a cold fire in her eyes.


"I see Director Kerrigan graces us with her presence once more. Have you decided to stop hiding under the Queen's skirts and cease your attempt to pour poison into Her Majesty's ears?" the Duchess of Caladan's voice dripped with scorn. It seemed she'd recovered her fire after being browbeaten by the Queen earlier. "This council desires answers, not excuses. None of the members of this council are susceptible to your charms."


"At least I have charms," Siobhan remarked.


"Do not mock me, human. Why is the Grand Seraph here? It is against the law for her to enter this chamber? Is this an attempt at intimidation?" the Duchess thundered, clearly getting more vexed.


"She's just here for everyone's safety. You see, over the last hour I've realised that...you were right. I made a grave error and did not see the treasonous cabal that has infested our society and stabbed our army in the back. It is still active, plotting sedition...right in this very council," her eyes fell upon Tarissa. "Tarissa, do you have anything to say for yourself?"


"I have no idea what you are talking about, Countess. The only treason in question occured in your army and was committed by your soldiers. You see, honoured matriarchs, do what rhetorical devices Kerrigan resorts to deflect blame from herself? First intimidation via the Grand Seraph, now lies and veiled threats!"


"A few minutes ago, Angelii raided your compound. They unconvered evidence of your treason. There is a cabal of traitors who sowed dissent and plotted a coup. Traitors who would stop at nothing to seize power...perhaps even collaborate with the enemy."


"This is absurd!"


"You are a traitor, Tarissa. You'd set the Matriarchy ablaze to satisfy your lust for power. Good Eldorai died because of you. I made the errors of indulging you for far too long. Fortunately, errors can be corrected. " Suddenly, Siobhan stretched out with her telekinetic power and wrapped it around Tarissa. The Duchess would be unable to move. Slowly, the Countess lifted the noblelady from the floor and pulled her towards her.


"Sisters, defend me. An attack on one peer is an attack upon us all. Your Majesty, can you not see how Kerrigan and her minions are manipulating you? This is a conspiracy to seize power!" Then Siobhan got fed up and silenced her by applying pressure to her throat.


"Violence in the council is forbidden. This is an attack upon the entire nobility! If there is any truth to this, the Duchess deserves a trial by her peers!" one baronness insisted, but Siobhan paid her no mind. Her implacable Force grip did not loosen.


"It is high time for me to put an end to yor sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practive of every vice. You are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government, and would like Kihae murder your Queen and like Illyria betray your Goddess."


Her grip tightened around Tarissa's throat and she began to choke her. The other woman's windpipe closed, denying her the air she needed to speak, and so all that emerged was the sound of choking. The noblewoman gasped, trying in vain to force oxygen into her lungs while her windpipe was being abused by an iron grip.


"Is there a singuel virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? You have no more religion than my Jester; gold is your Goddess: which of you have not bartered your conscience for bribes?"


She loosened her grip and Tarissa collapsed to the ground, clutching her throat. Her lungs gasped and wheezed, greedily drinking in oxygen. "This is a coup. May Ashira...," then lightning shrieked from Siobhan's fingertips. There was a look of abject terror on Tarissa's face. There were screams, spasms, then finally the Duchess was naught but a desiccated husk, dead. "Let her fate serve as a warning to all of you."

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

"OW!," Farryn yelled opening her eyes as someone roughly pulled at her ear to wake her from her false slumber. "I'm injured for Ashira's sake," she frowned before closing her eyes again. She did not want to give that uptight Priestess the satisfaction of her suffering.

"You..." the albino Eldorai unleashed a string of expletives as she was rudely awakened from her pretend sleep a second time and later, a third time and so on until her trial was about to commence.

"Bring the prisoner to the courtroom," a different priestess ordered the guards with a serious tone.

Promptly unchained from the wall, Farryn was escorted to her trial determined to use this as an opportunity to bring Faith's treachery to light.

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
There was a horrible, shocked silence in the aftermath.

Fear, the room stank of it. Everyone was staring down at the mortal remains of Tarissa Cadalthor. No one could say anything, no one wanted the same treatment.

Anya stepped to her high dais and looked down at the assembled crowd.
“Treason will not be tolerated,” she said calmly. One could have heard a pin drop in the room.

On one level Anya was offended by Siobhan’s action…but only because of its lack of subtlety. As for the deed itself? She knew she should feel shocked, angry, outraged. Siobhan had just murdered a peer in the Council Chamber. Not since the slaying of Thomina Beckat had something like this occurred.

And yet Anya felt like a weight had dropped from her shoulder. Now she felt the words welling up in her, a new certainty.

“Majesty, do you not see this attack? The humans are launching a coup to overthrow…” the Duchess of Cadalan began.

“Enough.” It was spoken quietly, but with such a weight that the older woman stuttered into silence.

“A short time ago I was brought proof of a heinous treason perpetrated against the Eldorai people. This treason did not step from our human allies, who have proved nothing but faithful in these dark times. No, it came from within, from one of the oldest and most respected families in the Matriarchy. It seems as though there are those within this state who have not appreciated that unity is strength, and that arcane and ancient views of superiority and destiny cannot be entertained in the new galactic reality.”

“I have tried, how I have tried, to rule our people despite the trials that are upon us. I have tried to rule with the principles of our foremothers and with the influence of the galaxy outside, trying to merge the two. And still I meet resistance from those who will not realise that there is more in heaven and earth than was dreamt of by our ancestors’ philosophies.”

“However, now the stain of rebellion has been cleared I will be moving to restore order and continue our program of making the Eldorai a great and proud people, as well as honouring our deals with our friends and allies. The way forward lies in cooperation with the outsiders, not in mistrust and deceit. It also lies with the enlightenment and advancement of our Tygaran cousins who deserve the bringing of enlightenment just as much as we did. Therefore, measures will be taken to ensure the Matriarchy rules for all its subjects, no matter their gender, race or homeland. I have been working on a series of edicts which will make this a reality, and they will soon be implemented.”

She glanced down at the stiffening corpse.
“The land of the Cadalthors is forfeit, and their title reverts to the crown until such time as I find a new Duchess who will fill that position. Perhaps there is someone among her family who proves to be loyal and faithful, or perhaps not.”

“Regardless, after the fall of Kaeshana we cannot take any chances, make any assumptions. We have been defeated, but not broken, and if we stubbornly seek isolation and cling to the past we will only compound our loss with folly. I will not let that happen. For now, this Council session is adjourned. Go.”

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


In this new age of 'enlightened despotism', secularists saw religious courts as a bit of an anachronism, especially since the atheist demographic was rising. However, they represented tradition and tradition was sacred to many Eldorai.


Though their influence had waned and the days of sectarian purges had come to an end, they were still a powerful force. A trial before an Ardarvian court was both simple and complex. Simple, because many of the legalistic niceties that one took for granted in a human court did not exist.


For instance, the defendant received no lawyer or legal counsel. That made things easier! There was also no jury. They were complex because everything was seen through a religious lense. Moreover, the Church was no more immune to Byzantine intrigue than the Royal Court.


So Farryn was escorted into the imposing, Spartan courtroom. Unlike in a human court, only a few curious onlookers populated the gallery. If the disgraced noblelady took the time, she'd discover the policewoman and the two Angelii who'd arrested her among the witnesses. The soldiers looked a bit nervous, while the policewoman shot her an angry look when she saw her. If Faith and Farryn's mother were not there yet, they'd probably arrive very soon. The wall was dominated by a massive panting showing Ardarvia crushing evildoers beneath her iron throne.


"All rise! The High Court of the Great Goddess Ardarvia, Paragon of Justice and Law, is now in session," a cleric, who seemed to perform the function of a bailiff called, bringing everyone to their feet, after Farryn had been led to her place. Her feet were still shackled, though her arm would be free.



A door opened and the three judges, all of them Ardarvian abbesses, entered. One was Servillia Lakalva, who'd interrogated Farryn earlier. Her face was strangely neutral, but just as stern as ever. There was also an even sterner looking cleric called Artamesia, nicknamed the Judiatrix. She shot Farryn a look of pure disgust and looked like she'd eaten many lemons mixed with vinegear. The third was Vespasia, also called the Holy Sister. She looked the friendliest of the three and an aura of compassion surrounded her.


Servilia looked down upon the courtroom with an expression of utmost...severity. "In the name of the Goddess, I declare this court convened. We are called her to judge allegations of witchcraft, against a woman purporting to be among the highborn. May the Goddess bless these proceedings and punish any with malice or deceit in their heart," her eyes fell upon the defendant. Normally this line would have been followed by a long recitation of stomach-churning punishments that awaited wrongdoers, but things were a bit more...enlightened now!


"Farryn Loragwyn, you stand accused of sedition and witchcraft. How do you plead?" For the time being, the trial was purely about Farryn. If the girl played her cards right, she might be able to change that or humiliate her family. However, that would require a lot of tact and cunning.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]


The Queen had spoken. The strong aroma of fear remained. It permeated the entire chamber. Good. They should fear me, Siobhan thought. "Don't expect the status quo, my Ladies...and Lords," she added the latter with evident reluctance. A few malelings had been forced upon the council, though none of them were particularly important. "Your time of comfort is at an end."


The council slowly dispersed. Siobhan looked down upon Tarissa's slowly coolling corpse. She had been reduced to a husk, an empty shell. Siobhan felt...nothing. "It's a shame, Tar. You had many talents, but you remained a slave to your own pettiness. I'm afraid when you wake up in the Netherworld, you'll realise you were mistaken about a great many things," her tone was laced with contempt.


Then she turned and limped away. Angelii guards picked up the body. As was customary for traitors, Tarissa's remains would be given to the sea. Siobhan did not bother look back. She shot Anya a look as the chamber emptied. Undoubtedly the two would need to have a chat soon. For now, Siobhan was done.

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Tempest"]


I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. These thoughts shot through Askari's mind as she limped across the wrecked corridors of the Cadalthor mansion. Each step was torment for her. She should have been resting, but had predictaby insisted on seeing the place with her own eyes. It rankled her that she had been injured and could not join the final push.


"So this is what it looks like from within," she mumbled to herself. Her eyes took in the expensive artworks, porcelain vases and comfortable looking couches. It all seemed so...wasteful. "I wonder if the sheets are made of silk and the plates of gold. Vanity, vanity, all of this is vanity," she shook her head when she came across a life-sized portrait of the Cadalthor's founder, who'd fought alongside Ariane the Great.


She could not help wonder whether the ancient matriarch would approve of what had become of her illustrious lineage. Her attention was drawn away from the portrait and she walked across the expensive, now very bloodstained carpet, to kneel before the corpse of a zealot. Reaching out with a bruised, shaky hand, she closed the woman's eyes. There was a hole in the body's chest. She figured that a bullet had collapsed the woman's lung and she'd died in a pool of her own blood. A most ghastly death. "May Ashira forgive your sins and take you to a place where there is no war," she prayed quietly.


"Vaena, thank the Goddess you're alright," Askari stiffened when she suddenly heard a very familiar voice call her. She turned around and beheld...one person she did her best avoiding.


"Mother," she said stiffly.


"I was concerned when I heard about Kaeshana. Then that foolish girl Tarissa had to make a mess of things. She's brought misfortune upon our entire house. She's cut off the same cloth as her mother." Amidst the scorched walls and corpses on the floor, Mikela looked terribly out of place in her elegant robes.


"Yes," Vaena spoke mechanically, uncertain of how to respond.


"You have not heard the news, have you? Too busy charging the frontlines. You're hurt, why are you even still in armour?"


"I had my duty." Her mother approached her, perhaps intending to help stabilise the shaking soldier, but Askari waved her off. "What news do you speak of?" Did she really want to know? She was dubious.


"The Queen has disestablished our house. Our lands are forfeit, our titles revert to the Crown. It is all thanks to Tarissa and her childish schemes. To think that we once carried the banner of Ariane the Conqueror and crushed the Arish! She has brought shame upon our house. I curse the day she was born."


"You came here just to...rant about not being a noble?" the words leapt from Askari's lips before she could control herself. "Nobility is not a title. It's something you carry in your heart."


"Do not talk to me like that, girl. Cadalthor blood flows through your veins. You have a responsibility to your family. We can reclaim our former glory and wipe away this stain."


"Cadalthor is not family to me."


Mikela actually looked...close to hurt. "It was Tarissa who opposed legitimising you. My hands were tied as long as she reigned. Now is the moment for a new beginning. You can do better than being a footsoldier."


"It never crossed your mind that maybe I don't want to be part of this...family? That I may be one of these footsoldiers because I want to protect my people, instead of being amongst scheming vipers who care not for the good people of this realm? For all your scorn, I see little difference between you and Tarissa."


"Vaena, stay here...don't be foolish, girl...You are my daughter..."


"Good luck making House Cadalthor great again."

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Led into the courtroom by guards, her legs chained like the criminal she was accused of being, Farryn glanced towards the gallery where those who wrong her sat. The foolish policewoman, the brutal Angelii, Faith, Cecil, and her mother - Cordelia Loragwyn.

Mother... Farryn wanted to call out the cold woman but didn't. Mother is gone. Cordelia Loragwyn is a stranger, she reminded herself and instead returned the policewoman's angry look with a dirty look of her own.

"All rise! The High Court of the Great Goddess Ardarvia, Paragon of Justice and Law, is now in session," a cleric announced once the albino Eldorai had been led to her position. Though defiant, with little doubt as to the outcome of the trial, Farryn reluctantly obeyed and stood. She needed to be good for now so that she might reveal her sister's treacherous deeds when the opportunity presented itself.

Harbouring little respect for authority, stared daggers at the supposed deciders of her fate. What a tiresome farce, she frowned.

"Not guilty," the albino Eldorai announced apathetically once her charges were read out and she was asked for her plea.

[member="Vaena Askari"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


"Mind your tone, girl. You stand before the Court of the Goddess and your fate stands upon the edge of a knife," Artamesia hissed. She very grumpy, as if she'd been bitten too many sour lemons. That's the way she always looked.


"We will hear the first witness. I call upon Watchwoman Celaena Umemys to take the stand," Vespasia said in a somewhat nicer tone. The 'foolish policewoman' arose from her chair and walked up towards the witness' stand, sitting down.


"Watchwoman, do you swear by the Great Goddess, Paragon of Justice and Bane of the Wicked, to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?" Servillia asked sternly, in a tone that promised very unpleasant consequences to anyone who violated this principle.


"I swear by the Great Goddess, Paragon of Justice and Bane of the Wicked, to tell the truth and nothing but the truth? May I choke on my own tongue should I bear false witness," the policewoman said piously.


"Watchwoman, you were in the grand plaza when the riot took place, is that correct?" the policewoman nodded. "Describe your duties and the events, as detailed as possible. It is correct that you encountered the defendant and tried to arrest her for breaking the peace?"


"It is so, Abbess. We were supposed to prevent the protest from escalating. The protesters turned violent, attacked good citizens. That...witch...this Loragwyn woman, was with them. She ran away when I ordered her to freeze. Then she...summoned this monster. It was like a demon out of Illyria's realm."

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Farryn suppressed a strong desire to roll her eyes as Artamesia spoke. I am showing respect, she thought with a frown and shot a glare at the woman then listened quietly as the first witness was summoned up to give her testimony. She needed to make this less about herself and more about Calix.

"Well first, I am no witch. I have no sciia," Farryn rebutted in a matter-of-factly manner. "And please respect the dead. Calix might be a ghost but he is no monster," she said and shot a glance at Faith's direction. No reaction, she thought disappointed. Well then, I should elicit one.

"If you don't believe me, all you have to do is ask Faith - she killed him after all," the albino Eldorai pointed her slender finger at her sister, her voice full of hate. "Calix," she called for her brother, summoning a witness of her own.

"Farryn," a ghostly apparition that had made its appearance before the court greeted her and turn towards the policewoman. 'Boo' he wanted to say to troll the poor policewoman but resisted the temptation and instead, stared intently at the woman as if he was trying to trigger her traumatic memory of the event.

[member="Vaena Askari"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


Suffice to say the policewoman freaked out when she beheld the shade. "That's it! That's the abomination. It's a daemon, possessing her. Cleanse it!" she shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at the ghost.


Servillia looked...very frosty. "Watchwoman, do compose yourself," she said in a predictably stern tone. "And Farryn, I would advise you not to spread wild accusations in the halls of this court and detract from the matter at hand."


For her part, Vespasia looked curious. "We must determine the authenticitiy of this...shade. If it truly is a benign one, a revenant, and not an abomination, we must question it as we would any witness. We cannot view this case in isolation," she spoke softly.


Artamesia looked like many lemons had died to make her...look even more sour. Indeed, the expression on her face was one of pure disgust. "This is heresy. A violation of the Goddess' sacred laws. In my time, we knew how to deal with heretics. None of this namby-pampy testimony and evidence. In my day, truth was given by the Goddess when the accused had it forced from them with fire and iron. And demons were sent to the abyss through the rite of exorcism."


Clearly those two would always disagree. This made Servillia's vote vital. There was a brief period of silence, broken by occasional murmurs in the crowd, before words left her lips. "Under the precedent in Canon Law, section 344, item 7, 'A manifestation or eidolon, if determined not to be a Dashdae Sharai, can give evidence if its veracity is met by a living person.'" Said precedent had been centuries before when the ghost of a tragically murdered woman had manifested to call out her killer. Many suspected there was a good deal of friction and trickery involved, but it was canon law regardless!


"Through our Sciia, we can determine the manifestation's alignment and the nature of its link to Farryn. I move the motion that the court go into recess and we convene in closed conclave to do thus." Vespasia nodded eagerly, Artamesia muttered darkly about heresy, then reluctantly bowed to consensus.