#sirik

A soft breeze was blowing through the halls of the Pinnacle, bringing with it a heady scent of flowers and spring water from the Queen’s gardens. Those that were left of their team were spaced throughout the towering pillars that framed the entrance to the council’s chambers.

Feó could recall with stunning clarity the last time he’d been this close to the heart of the council’s power. It had been over 20 years before, when Vii had first brought them all together to present his final lineup for the team.

As it were, there wasn’t much that had changed.

Liis was standing near the edge of the balcony, back to one of the pillars as she looked over the expanse of the capital city. From what he could recall of Vii’s original introduction, she had lived in the city for quite some time. It wasn’t usual for a Wrath aspect, which is why it stood out to him.

Beside her was Sirik, who was speaking softly to her, something about a trip he had taken the other day. He was leaning on the stone ledge, but his interest was on the small braided strand in his hands, not on the view.

The both of them had already presented their testimony before the council. Feó had no idea what they had said, but he could guess just fine.

Matti was in the hall giving her testimony at that moment. Vii had been in with everyone: Feó had barely had a moment to speak with him since he returned and set the whole hall into a frenzy. Ylenia had been excluded from the day’s circus show, as she wasn’t one for testifying. Or talking, really.

Lux was sitting on the floor in the shadow of a pillar, fiddling endlessly with something. It appeared to be some kind of puzzle box or the like, but any time someone had approached him he had hidden it.

Though, speaking of unwanted guests…

Feó swept his eyes over the small group that had formed in the wings of the veranda and drew his lips back in a soundless snarl. Several people flinched back and few retreated from his sight. The proceedings had, unfortunately, drawn quite the crowd. Feó hated being the center of attention, especially for something such as this.

It didn’t help that he was having uncomfortably vivid flashbacks to the last time he’d been dragged here for a trial. Or the months he spent in the tender care of the council, deep in the bowels of some hellish dungeon. His days had been filled with agonizing torture, his nights a sleepless, wracking nightmare.

He could almost see his blood staining the stones from when they had dragged him down the hall, shoulders stripped of skin, split all the way down to the bone.

The doors to the chamber swung open with an ominous crack, effectively dragging him from his thoughts. The lead speaker strode purposefully from the room, tailed by both Vii and Matti.

When his eyes surveyed the area around him, all the spectators fled the scene. Liis and Sirik had turned when the doors open, and now walked over to join the group. Feó pushed himself off the wall where he’d made himself comfortable, and he saw Lux jump up off the ground and dust his pants off.

“Your testimony in the matter of Feó’s continued placement on the team has been most helpful,” the speaker intoned. “We will enter the final round of the proceedings now. As such, the four of you are dismissed.”

“We can wait here,” Liis said calmly, completely unfazed by the thousand yard stare the speaker fixed on her.

“Your continued presence is no longer necessary,” the speaker replied. “Your testimonies have been completed. There is no reason to remain.”

Liis crossed her arms over her chest. “We’ll wait,” she repeated, in that firm tone of voice that she only used when she really wanted to punch someone.

“Feó’s our teammate,” Lux added. “And our friend.” Liis rolled her eyes at that, but the speaker wasn’t paying her any attention. “We’re going to wait until the verdict is given.”

“Very well,” the speaker said deliberately, disapproval thick in his voice. “Feó, Vii, if you will follow me into the chamber, we can conclude today’s trial.”

Feó ignored the others’ eyes heavy on his back as he turned and trailed along into the council’s chambers.

He had only been tried by the council once before, which was somewhat impressive considering how frequently they enjoyed extending their power over overzealous entrepreneurs. Though his last trial hadn’t exactly ended in his favor.

He and Vii stopped in the middle of the room. Before them, the council’s dais rose several stories up, and he could barely make out the vague silhouettes of their shadowed faces.

“Feó of the Greeds,” the speaker took his place on a lowered stage. “We have come here today to vote on appropriate punishment for you, as you stand accused of abusing your position on Team Hell. The evidence of guilt are the written reports detailing your violations and penalties for the past two decades. What say you to these reports?”

“No comment,” Feó called, voice echoing throughout the chamber. There was a murmur of surprise from the assembled council.

“You decline to mount a defense?” the speaker asked in clarification.

“There remains nothing further to be said,” Feó continued. “The rules were set, and I broke them.”

Beside him, Vii remained silent and still as a statue.

“Very well.” The speaker cleared his throat. “The council has reviewed both the reports and the detailed testimonies of your teammates. As a result, we have decided you will not be removed from the team at this time.” Feó wasn’t entirely certain he counted that as a victory. “However, you will be placed under house arrest for forty days, and should you continue to incur strong violations, a more severe punishment may be forthcoming.”

“Forty days,” Feó all but snarled. Vii placed what was meant to be a quelling hand on his arm, and he had to fight every instinct to shake it off.

“We accept the wisdom of the council,” Vii said evenly. “And we thank you for handling this matter with all haste.”

“Dismissed,” the speaker told them, and Vii nearly dragged him from the room.

Outside, Liis and Lux were the only two left. None of the spectators seemed to have waited for the final verdict, which Feó preferred. Liis arched an eyebrow at them in question.

“Feó will remain on the team for now,” Vii said, sounding suddenly exhausted. “He has been placed under house arrest for forty days.”

“That seems excessive,” Liis commented. Her voice was deceptively calm, considering the rigid lines of her body. Her eyes were on Vii.

“At least we still get our buddy.” Lux slung his arm around Feó’s shoulders, and the blonde didn’t even try to suppress his growl. Lux beamed down at him. “What would you do without me here to keep you on your toes?”

“I have some further business to attend to,” Vii cut in. “It would be in your best interest to return to the hall with all haste, Feó.” Before he could reply, Vii strode off down the hall.

“What’s with him?” Lux asked, ignoring Feó’s attempts to shove him off.

“He’s pissy they threw this whole trial together just to spite him,” Liis replied. Feó turned to stare at her blankly. She stared back unblinking.

“Explain.”

“What, you thought this was about you?” She scoffed. “Council’s pissed Vii’s been off doing whatever he wants without their supervision. This,” she gestured to the area at large, “was just a power play to remind him that even though he chose us, they’re the ones with the power to tear this team apart at their leisure.” Lux exhaled, a long and deliberate sound. Feó suddenly felt very small under the weight of his anger.

“You’re telling me this is Vii’s fault.” His voice held no illusion of calm. Liis eyed him warily, rocking back on her heels like she expected a fight.

“It’s over with now,” Feó cut in before she could escalate it further. “If the two of you are quite done, I’d like to get out of here before the council comes up with another reason to yell at me, thanks.”