Chapter 399: The Elect’s Verdict

“STOP!” came the powerful voice from the balcony.

Arden and Aurelia slowly looked up at the center throne in unison.

“There will be no execution today,” Sabina said calmly.

“...As you command, Mother-Elect,” Arden bowed and quietly stepped back and watched from beside the pillar at the corner of the throne room.

Aurelia kept her eyes on the Guardian of the Sylvan for a few seconds longer until she was certain he was no longer a threat, then turned to face the Lunar Elect.

Stryg and Jahn shared a worried glance and lowered their weapons reluctantly.

“You’re sparing them?” Virella, the Silver Mother asked with hope.

“Yes, what is going on, Sabina?” Lumi frowned and turned to her fellow Elect.

Sabina looked down at three Blood Fang goblins from atop her throne on the balcony and tapped her fingers on her armrest in thought. “Word of the arrival of Blood Fang’s First Mother in Evenfall has already begun to spread like wildfire throughout the city. Tensions between the tribes were already high due to the huge influx of tribal warriors that answered our summons. Our guards are already struggling to keep everyone under control. If we execute one of the most admired warrior priestesses of all Sylvan people then we are practically inviting civil unrest and riots. We cannot afford such a debacle at such a crucial time.”

Lykos and Lumi seemed surprised at their fellow Elect’s words, but they nodded reluctantly in agreement.

“So how would you suggest we deal with this criminal?” Lumi pointed an accusing finger at Aurelia.

“We still do not know why Aurelia left us two decades ago,” Sabina said. “I think it is imperative we find out the truth, only then will we be able to make an informed decision and be able to give the people a satisfactory reason for her execution.”

“The Mother-Elect’s words carry wisdom, as usual,” Lykos nodded. “I agree with her assessment.”

“Thank you,” Sabina smiled politely, then turned to Aurelia, “We shall give you 3 days to prepare your reasons as to the abandonment of your sacred duties. We expect to hear every single detail by then.”

“In the meantime, we will focus our efforts on dealing with the tribal unrest within the city. So do your best to stay low and not cause any trouble, understood?” Lykos said.

“Understood, Warrior-Elect,” Aurelia bowed her head.

“The same goes for you two,” Lykos added.

“I understand, Warrior-Elect,” Jahn bowed.

“Sure— I mean, understood, Warrior-Elect,” Stryg hastily bowed his head.

“Excuse me, are you both serious?” Lumi glanced at her colleagues incredulously. “Are we really going to let a criminal and her two accomplices simply walk out of here unpunished?”

“We are not sparing them,” Sabina replied. “Stay your anger and look around you, Shaman-Elect. We are dealing with an unprecedented crisis, the likes of which the Sylvan haven’t found themselves in since the behemoth calamity a century ago.”

Lumi frowned, “Still, we cannot just ignore the betrayal of this First Mother!”

“As you all know a few weeks ago the sacred Mother Moon sent me a vision and warned me about the dangers to come. Yet we still don’t truly understand what those dangers might be,” Sabina said. “It has been many years since the Mother Moon has graced any of us with her presence and words. Do you think she would have spoken to me now if it were something we could easily ignore? Moving forward, we must tread carefully.”

Lumi relented with a nod, “...I understand, but perhaps Aurelia of the Blood Fang has something to do with the dangers to come? After all, why has she come back now of all times? Why don’t we just force her to tell us all she knows? If we let her go now, what's to stop her from running away again?”

“Aurelia is still a Favored of the Moon,” Sabina noted. “If Lunae saw favor in her, then the least we can do is respect our goddess’ decision and give Aurelia a chance to explain her circumstance. Or do you think yourself wiser than the Mother Moon herself? If so, then go ahead, and smite the accused where she stands. Or is that beyond your power?”

Lumi scowled at her words but stayed silent.

“Now, First Mother, tell us why you have come back after all these years,” Sabina commanded.

Aurelia swallowed and cleared her throat, “Actually, I came back to petition aid from the Sylvan tribes.”

“Aid? For what?” Sabina asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Hold on, you are in no position to petition for anything!” Lumi interrupted.

Aurelia furrowed her brow but Jahn spoke first. “As chieftain and First Mother of a recognized tribe, it is our right to stand here and petition the Lunar Elect.”

“Not anymore, you don’t,” Lumi said.

Jahn frowned, confused. “I don’t understand.”

Lumi narrowed her eyes, “While it is true an ordinary First Mother and chieftain have the right to petition to the Lunar Elect, your sister is a First Mother who fled her sacred duties long ago. Not to mention, the Blood Fang is the only tribe to not have been deemed worthy of being blessed with our Mother Moon’s wolves, a failure that lies in its leader, the chieftain. As for your shaman, he dared draw his blade in the throne room, an act that is forbidden, and one whose punishment we have yet to address. You have all been disgraced in the eyes of this tribunal and I motion for their petition to be ignored.”

Lykos raised his hand. “I second the motion.”

Sabina nodded, “Motion passed.”

Lumi smiled in triumph, “If there is nothing else, the three of you may leave. We will prepare rooms for you in the keep where you will be confined until your next trial in three days.”

“No, they will not,” Virella shook her head. “The three of them are under my protection and they will be staying with me in the Celestial Shrine.”

“The sleeping quarters of our sacred temple are reserved for priestesses and acolytes, they are not to be defiled by criminals,” Lumi laughed as if Virella’s words were a joke.

The Silver Mother glared at her and spoke in a frigid tone, “Do not dare to presume you command the ability to control my actions nor the way I oversee my temple. You may be the Eyes of the Moon, but I am still the Moon’s high priestess.”

Lumi slowly smiled, though it did not reach her eyes. “...Forgive me, Silver Mother. I meant no disrespect. You may of course run your temple in whatever way you wish, even if it goes against our ways.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Virella smiled coldly.

“How do we fix it?” Stryg spoke up.

Aurelia and Jahn glanced at him in surprise.

“What exactly do you wish to fix, shaman?” Sabina asked curiously.

“How do I make it so that my chieftain and First Mother can petition once more?” Stryg asked.

“There is nothing you can do,” Lumi interrupted with a yawn.

Sabina stared at her pointedly for the interruption and her relaxed posture. Lumi noticed and stood up straight on her throne.

“The Shaman-Elect has a point, there is nothing you can do about this situation, shaman,” Sabina said.

“Now if there is nothing else, you may leave,” Lumi waved them away.

“Pardon me, if I may?” Arden spoke up from the corner of the throne room.

Lumi furrowed her brow, “My chieftain…?”

“The Sylvan Guardian’s voice is always appreciated in this tribunal, you may speak,” Sabina said respectfully.

“Thank you, Mother-Elect.” Arden glanced at Stryg, “I personally encountered this shaman when he arrived at the base of the mountain and fought against him. His skills were quite impressive, especially for one so young.”

“Him? A hybrid?” Lumi frowned.

Sabina stared at Stryg thoughtfully, “Those are high words from you, Guardian.”

“I only mention them now because I believe he and his tribe could prove useful with our ‘forge’ problem,” Arden said.

“Ah, yes… I see,” Sabina muttered.

Lumi smirked, “I think it’s a great idea.”

Lykos stroked his beard, “If nothing else, Jahn and Aurelia are both reliable if the situation becomes dire.”

Stryg glanced up at the three Elects, uncertain of what they were going on about.

Sabina finally nodded. “Very well, shaman. If you truly wish to have your petition heard we will do so, under one condition.”

“Great!” Stryg said excitedly.

“What condition?” Aurelia asked suspiciously.

“After our Mother Moon’s warning, we have begun to amass weapons and armor for the dangers to come,” Sabina explained. “The vast majority of our raw ore comes from our neighboring mountain.”

“Grimstone, home of the frost trolls,” Aurelia recalled.

“Indeed,” Sabina said. “Despite our tumultuous relations over the centuries, the trolls and the Sylvan have managed to retain trade treaties that benefit both parties for many years. Yet in the last few weeks, their ore shipments have completely stopped. We sent an emissary to investigate but she and her guards never returned. And without the trolls’ ore, our city’s forges are severely crippled.”

“What is it you are asking of us?” Aurelia asked warily.

“I want you and your people to go to Grimstone Mountain and find out what has happened to our emissary and the ore, but most importantly ensure that the shipments begin once again. We need that ore. Do that and we shall listen to your petition and perhaps even be lenient in your trial.”

Stryg turned to Aurelia, his eyes filled with hope.

She sighed, “...Very well, when do we leave?”

“The night is almost at an end and you have only just arrived. Rest for a day, then you may go,” Sabina said. “Otley, you will travel with them as our new emissary. I trust you will negotiate our treaties with the trolls to our benefit.”

Otley chuckled shakily, “Mother-Elect, those frost trolls know me. The moment they see me they will not see your emissary, but the Troll Slayer.”

“Then perhaps you should have mentioned First Mother Aurelia in your reports on Blood Fang when you visited them, instead of conveniently omitting her whereabouts.” Sabina looked at him knowingly, “I trust this time you will not make such mistakes.”

Otley bowed sheepishly, “I will ensure to carry out the tribunal’s will without fault. I swear it.”

“Very well. As Voice of the Moon I call this meeting of the Lunar Elect to a close,” Sabina said. She glanced at Aurelia and Stryg pensively, then left the balcony without another word.