Chapter 68 — An Unexpected Turn

Though mentally exhausted from her ordeal, Ria had to remind herself to breathe as the elders began their deliberation about Amilee’s punishment. Thankfully, Jarrel had returned to stand protectively nearby, and the metallic smell of dried blood together with his fearsome appearance kept at bay any villagers with thoughts of bothering her. The witnesses had made plenty of room for him when he greeted Harvin and eased behind the rope.

“If you would lead the deliberations, Priest Dohan,” Lord Vorshan prompted.

Priest Dohan stepped forward, projecting his voice and turning in a slow circle to address the entirety of the gathered villagers as he spoke, “The Great Farmer, though his love of all living things allows him to be tolerant of the wolves that would prey on his flock, sometimes a wolf becomes so greedy and lost to the thrill of the hunt that the wolf serves no purpose but its own. Killing for the thrill, reveling in the fear caused. While He is temperate in driving off the wolves that only ate to fill their stomach, the lost wolves He does not allow to return to the woods.

“While Amilee Clearwell may have lost her way, she is not a lost wolf. Though some of you may be angry at what she has done, though some of you may have lost a cherished companion, we should all remember to show restraint and give mercy to those who would accept it. Following wrong with wrong only seeds the fields with bitterness and resentment.

“I would remind my fellow elders and those gathered here, that Amilee Clearwell, though guilty, is but a sapling, still growing and yet to show the fruit she will produce. For us, here, to cut short her growth now when she has yet to prove herself irredeemable is to substitute our will for Hemse’s.”

Priest Dohan paused to let his words breathe, and once more leveled his gaze across the crowd. “Rather than bitterness, I would argue that a bitter medicine is what is needed here—though not so bitter that the medicine be spat out and its good lost. The punishment to be met out is not for our benefit, but Amilee’s—that she would seek a future where she can still become a valued and productive member of the flock. With that in mind, let us consider her punishment.”

While Amilee was initially looking petulant as the Priest Dohan began speaking, by the time he had finished, she was staring at the priest with surprise, and her father nodded his thanks to Priest Dohan. Ria could only guess that perhaps Amilee thought a priest of Hemse would have been the first to condemn her to death for her acts?

As Priest Dohan returned to his seat, Elder Harron stood and began speaking, his tone matching the weight of his words. “Though I am reluctant to further Sir Marshen’s pain in this matter, I feel compelled to speak plainly. As a hunter, I am well acquainted with wolves, and whether a wolf or lost wolf, the girl is clear as day a black-hearted wolf presenting herself as a wounded lamb. Facing disappointment and failure, rather than trust Master Marlow to help her, she turned to forbidden means to gain power, knowingly wronging others in the process. Even now, she chooses to blame another and is only remorseful that she is being punished—not for her choices. I fear that sending Amilee Clearwell out into the world, branded, angry, and without a firm mentor or a path forward is setting the stage for a future tragedy, one that we can prevent from happening here and now.”

Keira gripped the rope and was doing her best to restrain herself as she heard Elder Harron’s harsh words. As much as Ria was sure Keira disagreed with the elder, Amilee’s defiant glare in response to the elder all but confirmed the elder’s words as true.

“If you’re saying she should be put to death, then let us not beat around the bush as you hunters are fond to do out in the woods,” Elder Alstin bluntly challenged. “I for one don’t see the point in forcing the girl to undergo lashing or such if she faces the axe—or hopefully not fire at the stake. So, let’s decide that first. There’s no sense in pointlessly torturing the girl or making Bastach or any of the brave boys that guard our fair village be tasked with flaying the skin off a screaming young lady if it serves little useful purpose.”

The color drained from Amilee’s mother, and she swayed dangerously before being steadied by her husband. A quick glance showed Keira not in much better shape, and Ria positioned herself closer in case she needed to support her friend. Even Elder Emmer seemed to blanch and look uncomfortable at Elder Alstin’s words.

“If we can’t find an acceptable alternative, yes, that is exactly what I'm suggesting,” Elder Harron confirmed. “What other options do we have? Is she likely to accept the lash as penance? How many strikes would it take for her to honestly have remorse? No, unless a firm hand can be found to guide her future—and clearly Master Marlow is inadequate for the task—until then, you will not get my vote for anything else.”

“And even if such a person were available, I would rather she not remain in this village. Though setting her loose to tarnish our village’s name through her existence as a known necromancer is not particularly desirable either,” Elder Alstin grumbled. “But to put her to death over such a limited harm when she has no prior crimes or even unbecoming behavior? That is surely too much.”

Elder Emmer rose. “Regardless of what is decided here, the outlands will not abide a necromancer residing in the village. It’s bad enough that Vorshan’s Hills has decided to host a witch.”

Master Rigure stood. “A trained Spirit Mage can help those afflicted by curses and can form beneficial relationships with the spirits of the land. Surely, the outlands would find such help valuable if the barbarians set their shamans and witches to unfriendly purpose?”

“And if she turns the land against us? What then?” Elder Emmer rebutted. “Besides, can’t you make charms and items that can protect us?”

Master Rigure rolled his eyes. “Little that will do for the ones that get the charm too late.”

“It’s not a matter that can be solved with logic, Rigure. The outlanders live simpler lives with simpler values that an Academy-educated city-boy wouldn’t be able to understand,” Elder Emmer stated and motioned toward where Irene had been standing.

Irene and the monster head were both gone.

A loud throat-clearing “Ehem.” came from the shaded platform, where the cloak-wearing blond-haired man whose eyes were no longer gold was standing. “Elders, I may have a solution for you that I’d be eager to offer should you desire to hear it.”

“Who-?” Elder Harron started to ask then checked in Lord Vorshan’s direction.

Lord Vorshan nodded. “I recommend hearing Inquisitor Duelleres’ proposal.”

An Inquisitor! Ria sucked in a sharp breath. The Inquisitor had been using his abilities on her when she was speaking before the elders! Was he there for her? Or had he come to witness the trial?

The crowd that had been silent in anticipation of the punishment Amilee would receive stirred with hushed murmurs.

Jarrel protectively shifted closer, his eyes on the blond-haired man.

The Elders looked at each other and each nodded in turn, with Priest Dohan speaking for the group. “Very well, Inquisitor Duelleres, we will entertain your proposed solution.”

Duelleres stepped down from the platform, boots gleaming as they caught the almost mid-day sun. “It’s simple really. Amilee Clearwell will become Oathbound and be recruited into the Inquisitors.”

Oathbound! The punishment that Ria had avoided mentioning when speaking to the elders! Ria knew about the Oathbound from the fictions she liked to read long before she learned the reality of it from her research on punishments for unlicensed spirit magic: to become permanently bound to a person or organization and lose all autonomy and agency other than what the handler allowed. The Oathbound were invariably portrayed as the Inquisitor’s dogs, always given the most dangerous missions and barely treated as human! It was a terrible fate!

Amilee seemed to think so as well, if the horror on her face was any indication. Her parents, too, for that matter. Oddly, Zoe didn’t look surprised.

“No...” Keira breathed out in dismay. “Why would grandfather want that for Amilee?”

Amilee pushed away from her sister’s embrace, wobbling unsteadily. “You... you knew!”

“Zoe?! Is it true?!” Leriel Clearwell demanded in dismay.

“Amilee, it’s not like that,” Zoe denied. “Lord Vorshan arranged for Inquisitor Duelleres to bring me here in his carriage. How else would I arrive from the capital so quickly?”

“You knew, and you didn’t say anything!” Amilee accused, but she lost all strength, and Zoe caught her as she fell, easing her down to her knees.

“Amilee!” both of Amilee’s parents cried out at their daughter’s collapse.

“It’s the voidstone, isn’t it?” Zoe asked quietly enough that Ria could only assume what was said from the way Zoe’s lips moved and Amilee’s weak nod. “You need to stay calm and concentrate.”

“What does it matter now?!” Amilee hissed.

“It’s not the end, Amilee!” Zoe insisted. “They can teach you, give you a path forward.”

“I’d rather die!” Amilee wailed.

“I’d rather you not,” Inquisitor Duelleres interjected in a carefree voice. “Mages with spirit affinity are quite the rare find, and I did come all the way out here to recruit you. It would be a waste of a trip if I left empty-handed.”

“Bastard!” Amilee wheezed out.

“Tsk, tsk. That’s not the way to thank your savior,” Inquisitor Duelleres chided, ticking his finger back and forth.

“Savior?!” was all the incredulity Amilee was able to force through the visibly worsening weakness, as her head lolled worryingly and her eyelids began to droop.

“Of course!” Inquisitor Duelleres cheerfully agreed. “The deliberations over your punishment didn’t seem to be going particularly well for you, so I thought I’d offer my aid. It’s not often that someone is interesting enough to be recruited into the ranks of the Inquisitors, you know.”

Amilee’s eyes fluttered closed, and her head dropped forward limply.

“Oh… that’s unfortunate. I was just getting to the best part,” Inquisitor Duelleres chuckled.

“Rigure, if you could stabilize Amilee’s condition,” Lord Vorshan instructed.

“Yes, Lord Vorshan.” Master Rigure produced a vial from his pouch.

“Ah, Rigure, was it?” Inquisitor Duelleres spoke up and held up a set of glyph-etched restraints made with silver and black metals, a gemstone in each cuff catching the light darkly. “If she’s to be coming back with me, might as well swap these on her instead of those primitive manacles you’ve got her in now.”

Rigure bristled, and Priest Dohan objected, “That has yet to be decided!

“It’s the obvious choice, isn’t it?” Elder Emmer rebutted. “The farmers of the outlands don’t want her here. Harron has made clear that he wants her to have a proper mentor, and I’m guessing that this solves Alstin’s concern as well.”

“It does,” Elder Alstin volunteered. “As an Oathbound her future actions would go unquestioned and would not negatively impact Vorshan’s Hills.”

“Well, Horran?” Elder Emmer prompted.

Elder Horran nodded. “It is an adequate solution, provided her family makes restitution to those wronged by Amilee’s actions.”

“Agreed.” Elder Emmer looked back to the merchant elder. “Alstin?”

“Yes. This is fine.”

At a majority having been reached, Keira’s jaw tightened. “All that work and worry we put in and grandfather had this planned out from the start.”

“I oppose this,” Priest Dohan stated and passionately added, “To make someone Oathbound after only one offence and at such a young age?! I can’t approve of it!”

“Nor I,” Rigure added from beside the platform for the accused, where Zoe was carefully offering the contents of Rigure’s vial to her sister’s mouth a dribble at a time. “If an oath is all that’s required. Surely, an oath to the gods and a more usual punishment would be sufficient?”

Elder Emmer looked to the other elders to see if they would change their minds. “The council is decided, Rigure, Priest Dohan.”

“Indeed. It appears that it is,” Priest Dohan admitted with a long sigh. He turned to Lord Vorshan. “My lord, it is the advice of the council of elders that Amilee Clearwell be turned over to the Inquisitors to become Oathbound and that her family be ordered to pay reparations to those wronged by Amilee’s actions.”

Lord Vorshan nodded. “Thank you for your work, Priest Dohan. The council’s advice has been received. Let it be so ordered and recorded: As Amilee Clearwell has shown poor judgement in this matter and chosen to use her illegally obtained knowledge for selfish reasons, thereby demonstrating that she cannot be trusted to act responsibly with the restricted knowledge that she now possesses, she will be turned over to the High Council’s Inquisitors to be made Oathbound. However, because of her youth, the limited nature of her crimes, and the hope that she is yet capable of learning from her mistakes, I as Lord of Vorshan’s Hills and responsible for the citizens of Vorhan’s Hills, of which Amilee Clearwell still is, would ask that her Oath be a Lesser Oath, such that she can still have a chance at a future full of potential should she redeem herself during her probationary period of penance.”

A Lesser Oath? Ria was unclear what the difference was. Her confusion seemed to be shared by the others around her including Keira. Ria craned her neck to look around further, and other than the slight confusion, the gathered villagers seemed subdued and accepting of the ordered punishment.

After giving the crowd a chance to digest the decision, Lord Vorshan addressed his captain, “Captain Bastach, Amilee Clearwell is hereby to be released into the custody of Inquisitor Duelleres.”

“Ah, there’s no rush,” Inquisitor Duelleres interrupted. “It’s a tad late to leave today. It’s fine for her to spend the time with her family until I leave in the morning.”

He tossed the fancy restraints to Captain Bastach.

At Lord Vorshan’s nod, Captain Bastach did as expected, swapping the restraints.

Inquisitor Duelleres turned his back to the gathering and began walking into the gazebo to exit the roped-off area before glancing back in Ria’s direction with a sinister smile. “It’s a shame. I almost managed to come away with two new recruits, but alas, one seems to have gotten away... for now.”

The Inquisitor’s creepy laughter sent chills down Ria’s spine as he nonchalantly returned to Lord Vorshan’s manor.

“With the trial of Amilee Clearwell concluded. The council of elders will now move on to other matters unrelated to the trial. Please approach one at a time to petition myself or the council about your concerns,” Lord Vorshan announced. “Captain Bastach, if you would see to escorting the Clearwell family from the proceedings...”

“Ria! You need to be more careful from now on!” Leon admonished, his eyes fierce.

“Leon’s right,” Jarrel agreed, grimacing and adding, “I can only hope that this has helped you better understand the seriousness of my warnings about ritual magic.”

Ria emphatically nodded. Her experience with the trial had been a rude awakening as to how dangerously careless she had been. “I have access to Master Marlow now and can learn this country’s magic. I will make sure to consult with him and Master Rigure before trying anything new. And I’ll make sure to better learn the laws and expectations of this country.”

Jarrel slowly returned her nod.

“But Jarrel,” Ria abruptly changed tack. “How did you know to come back when you did?”

“It was a stunningly timed entrance,” Grandma Fana added her interest, and Grandpa Orlan grunted his agreement.

A wry smile raised the corner of Jarrel’s mouth. “When I heard that a trial was being held for a girl accused of necromancy, I figured you were involved and rushed back as quickly as I could.”

Ria puffed out her cheeks a bit. “You thought I was the one on trial!”

“It was a worry,” Jarrel admitted then flicked her forehead. “And turned out I was right.”

Ria didn’t have a reply for that and was still chastened by her failure to even realize the danger to herself. Her lack of awareness since arriving at Vorshan's Hills had been beyond naïve and reached toward hubris. She had been excited to finally be back among people and eager to start her new life after two months in the wilds, but that hardly excused how big-headed she became after her magic and newfound confidence had brought her a few initial successes.

When Ria returned from being lost in her own thoughts, she noticed that Keira was looking at her. Had Keira said something?

She looked around. The other witnesses had left, working their way through the crowd once the trial was over and the Clearwells had been escorted back to their house, but to Ria’s surprise, Lisa still remained, also appearing lost in thought as new petitioners addressed the council about mundane matters.

Keira saw the direction of Ria’s gaze and nudged her. Ria agreed; there was something that needed to be done before heading home—a small test of character and courage compared to what she had overcome the last few days.

Lisa looked up warily when Ria moved closer by switching places with Keira and then Leon.

"I'm sorry, Lisa. I didn't mean to belittle yours or the others' loss."

The girl’s jaw clenched, and her brows drew together, but after a few moments, she let out a long sigh. "No, it's hard to admit, but you were right.” Lisa turned to look out at the elders and Lord Vorshan, and at the platform where Amilee had been. “I think I was too wrapped up in getting justice for Stripes, but I guess I didn't really think about what it really meant. For Amilee to become Oathbound… it's scary."

Ria nodded.

A small hope had formed in her heart that she’d somehow find a way to repair the misunderstanding and become friends with Amilee, so she, Amilee, and Keira could all attend the academy together. But it wasn’t to be.

False bravado and over-estimating herself wasn’t going to help her when she got to the capital. She needed to work on her ability to build relationships—with humility. And, here with Lisa was as good a place to start as any.

“Um, Lisa, Leon’s sister is planning a tea party,” Ria began. “I know it’s not the best timing, but I’m sure Emily would be happy if you came, and I would be as well.”

Lisa looked at her with surprise for a while then looked away and nodded. “I think it might be nice. When is it?”

“She’s still planning it, but I can send you a letter when we know,” Ria offered.

“I’ll look forward to it.” Lisa agreed. “Guess I’d better head home.”

“Us, as well,” Ria looked to her new family and friends. People that she needed to cherish and not take for granted.

Ria sat in the butcher shop’s back garden, lazily watching the stream flow by. She let her mind wander as she took in the flickering of the afternoon sunlight on the water’s surface.

The events of the past week had left her drained. And on top of everything else, Ranger was ignoring her and had gone inside rather than sun with her.

She still wasn’t sure how to feel about the outcome of the trial. If she wanted to, there was still time to attempt a rescue of Amilee under the cover of darkness—just like she did with Ranger.

A self-deprecating laugh escaped at the thought.

That was probably that twisted Inquisitor’s plan with leaving Amilee overnight at the Clearwell home. He’d get to appear benevolent while tempting any of Amilee’s co-conspirators to engage in stupidity such that they could join her in magic restraints, ready packaged for shipping back to the capital.

A shifting in the shadows and the sudden presence of shadow energy brought Ria back to full alertness. She slowly turned her head to bring the familiar black cat into view as it stepped from the shadows of a slightly overgrown bush.

“No need to worry, young Ria of Shadewood,” the cat whispered. “I’ve come to reward you for keeping your half of the agreement.”

Shadows poured from the cat’s paw then receded to reveal a black horn.

“In anticipation of the trip to the capital, I hunted,” the cat smiled, fangs showing. He motioned with his paw. “In exchange for this horn, now that my contractor will live, I only ask a small change to the agreement: That I can act to defend my contractor’s life and that I can feed on livestock provided for me.”

The horn was obviously magical and would make an excellent material for enchanting. Whether a new brush or wand... The requested changes made sense. “If you avoid killing when unnecessary,” Ria countered.

“Agreed.” The cat stepped back toward the shadows. “May the shadows keep your secrets hidden.”

And with that ominous farewell, the shapeshifter was gone.

Ria again wondered if she had made a mistake dealing with the creature as she picked up the horn and probed it with her energy. It would make an exceptional focus tool for shadow energy. With a sigh, she flopped back onto the grass and tried to discern shapes in the passing clouds.

Not an hour later, a summons arrived from Lord Vorshan.