I stand before the Council. Alone. By choice. I left Star and Crile out of this. If anyone has to be hanged for this – it shall be me. I listen to the blabbering mouths. I haven’t heard anything so far that I haven’t anticipated.

  “You had no right to mobilize any of the forces!”

  “And I didn’t. I left your precious lambs out of it. Is it my fault that the Tamers volunteered by their own accord?” I hold my head high and my hands behind my back. You do not intimidate me in the slightest. I stand calm and tall. Bring it. I was not grilled back home to be shaking in my boots now. I can handle you lot in a political attack in my sleep. I lock my expression in an unimpressed gaze, staring past them all and into the distance.

  “THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE!”

  “Then what is, exactly?” I harden my stare. “The fact that I managed to solve a problem or the fact that you did not receive any credit for my hard work. As far as I have seen so far – you never had any intention of solving anything. All you have been doing this entire time is drag your feet and evade taking any action.”

  “YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE HERE!”

  I ram my foot down with a slam loud enough to echo for a mere second.

  “Oh but I am. In case you forgot I and my teammates were elected by the Tamers to be the ones in charge of the Poacher Task Force. Since you lot, decided that Dragons are not valuable enough to merit your attention or your actions, you left the problem and the position to do anything about it – in my hands. By doing so – you indirectly assigned me in charge whether you want to admit that right now or not. Your collective neglect and your collective arrogance has led to this. I simply finished what I started.”

  “WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE COMPLETE AND UTTER ANNIHILATION OF THE POACHER BASE!”

  “THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE SURVIVOR LEFT!”

  “Oh. That. You’re welcome.” I bow my head lightly.

  “INSOLENCE! HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN YOURSELF!”

  “Fire is a dangerous thing. So are Dragons. Especially the ones that have been imprisoned and tortured. I did not initiate anything, but if a few Dragons went berserk and caused a fire that got out of control – well.” I shrug my shoulders.

  “You miserable, arrogant.” Dicata spews at me. One of the so-called advisors for Old Man Bell, but more like a leech than anything. I ignore him and continue.

  “As you are aware, or if not, allow me to enlighten you – over the years, our investigation has shown us one crucial thing – Poachers were not simply someone who had people and money. They were someone who had Power. We may have eliminated the immediate threat that the Poachers posed, however, our investigation is still ongoing. We intent to uncover whoever it was that had the Power to set their accomplices free from our grasp once captured.” I notice Barrabus flinch with the corner of my eye.

  “At the moment we cannot rule out the possibility that their chain of command does not reach here.” I put pressure on that last word.

  “Therefore. As far as I am concerned – nobody here has proven themselves not to be involved in the Killings of the Dragons. In my eyes – all of you here are nothing more than a security risk. That is precisely why I deliberately chose to act outside of your knowledge.”

  Crile and I stand outside of the Great Hall where Zarri endures the Council’s rage. We were told to stay put, but... We can hear the voices yelling.

  “Come on.” Crile turns around.

  “Wha! Where are you going! We need to stay here.”

  “The hell we do.” Crile whispers, walks around the first corner, takes a vial out and guzzles down the potion.

  “We’re going in.” He tells me, giving me his hand. I know exactly what he means and for the first time I don’t want to argue. I take his hand and he pulls us into the Shadows. I hold my breath and a light tug on my arm tells me we have emerged again. I look around. We’re right behind the throne, where Old Man Bell sits. Crile has his back to the high chair, my back to his chest, with his arm around my waist and another one on my mouth. Somehow it hits me. I take his palm and move it down from my face.

  “You’ve done this before, haven’t you!” I hiss. “You stalk her!”

  “No duh. Took you long enough.”

  “You creep!”

  “Call me what you wish – I don’t give a damn. This is the only way I know how to protect her. This ain’t fiction, Star. I can’t just magically appear out of thin air whenever she’s in trouble. If I don’t stalk her – I won’t know if she is ever in trouble or not. Watching her like this is the only way I can know if she is safe and mind you – I never really had to show myself to her because she can handle herself. And while we’re already on the topic then you must know that she ain’t the only one I look after.”

  No. UGH! “You disgust me.” I spit out.

  “Yeah well, last time I took my eyes of you – you became someone’s punching back.” Crile glares down on me. I take in air and his hand moves back up on my mouth. I see another eye from the side of the chair. Old Man is glaring at us. I shiver and the eye disappears. Instead – a red shadow leans toward the right side of the chair, covering us a bit more. I exhale and freeze. I’m not worried the Council will know that we are here. I’m more worried that Zarri will know...

  “Therefore. As far as I am concerned – nobody here has proven themselves not to be involved in the Killings of the Dragons. In my eyes – all of you here are nothing more than a security risk. That is precisely why I deliberately chose to act outside of your knowledge.”

  “YOU DARE ACCUSE US!”

  “YOU’LL BE HANGED FOR THIS!”

  “In that case – ANSWER ME – who is to blame for the lack of action and decades of ignoring the pleads and screams for help! Or is it exactly the reason why you choose to keep the Tamers as far away from here as you can! As long as they remain out of your sight – they will continuously remain someone else's problem! That is exactly the main issue with you lot!” I quickly take in more air and.

  “All you care about is dressing up in fancy silk and prance around from corner to corner looking all useless and important! You do not give a single damn about anyone except yourselves! The only better tomorrow you care about is your own! You speak of greater good only so the people do not turn on you! The only reason you need them is to fatten you up! As long as you keep lying to them – you will always remain in control and that is all you need! Because, after all – the Rebirth gives you good 50 years to live the life of luxury and then die comfortably knowing that afterwards – everything will be someone else's problem! The Rebirth is your cover!”

  “SILENCE!”

  “You are not here to sustain Existara! You are here to drain it dry!”

  “ENOUGH!” Old Man roars behind me. BITE ME! So, I don’t exactly have a handle on my temper. Am I wrong though? He knows I am not. But he has to do this and I have to obey.

  Otherwise, I’m just a loose cannon. They need to see who I respect and who I listen to. Right now – I’m just a tool. Everything I, we, have done all this time, any credit we managed to amass – we gave it all to the Old Man, so that the public’s gaze, attention and trust would slowly shift from the Council’s grasp towards the King.

  It’s because Existara has a King in name only that the Council has the perfect excuse not to solve anything during their reign. The people know that the King is merely another word for a Sacrificial Pawn. However. If it’s a King the Troops follow to their deaths for “the greater good” – then nobody can complain. But if they were told that all of them are nothing more than mere sacrifices – then nobody would live here. The colorful charade of Festivals, Games, Carnivals and whatnot are merely distractions for the public to enjoy and forget the actual horrible reality.

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  Most races do not live long enough to do anything about anything anyways. Making it even more of a perfect groundwork for the Miserable and Spiteful Council to do as they please.

  That’s why the cycle keeps repeating. Everyone is using everyone for their own gains. Yes. The system works. But nothing gets solved and done. If this system would be enough then people here wouldn’t be as miserable as they are. It’s not just the Tamers. It is everyone in and outside of Araneum. People fear the Rebirth. They know they can be wiped out so they do not expand. That lessens the economy. Even the Mines, that supply almost two thirds of metals throughout the entire Terra – have people quit and leave right before each Rebirth happens. If the “attack” is carried out successfully – then the workers return.

  Everything stops to a halt a few years before only because there is no exact time when the Rebirth happens. Every 50 years the economy takes a hit and so do the civilians.

  And after every Rebirth people need to start over because they use up their savings to flee.

  All that tells me is that The System – does not work. And as every System it starts and ends with the ones in charge. Alas. Right now I hold my tongue and my head.

  Dicata steps forward. I lock my glare on him.

  “You seem rather confident with your... problem solving abilities... If it is possible to call it that.” He deliberately pauses and mocks me. I wait.

  “However. If it is praise you are after – unfortunately the Council cannot possibly condone a Massacre, no matter the circumstances or the people involved.”

  “Understandably.” I tell him, knowing full well he did not ask nor seek for my agreement. That irritates him, but only for a second.

  “Yes, well, as far as I can see – you seem to be rather displeased with our problem-solving process–”

  “That’s one way of putting it, yes.” I cut in again on purpose.

  “Yes, well, then how about this. How about you show us how we should be handling this situation instead. Properly.”

  I see the looks around the table. I know where this is going. He’s setting me up for something. But what? I don’t know enough... Yet. Fine. If that’s how he wants to play. Let’s play.

  “What do you propose?” I ask nonchalantly.

  “You mentioned that it was our mistake for not taking charge on the Poacher issue, which by default left everything in your capable hands. Now, of course, I cannot speak for all of us;” he gestures to the sides with both of his hands and I find that to be quite ironic, considering that he is speaking for them all – all the damned time.

  “But I, personally;” he presses both of his hands to his chest; “I am very much impressed with your, let’s call them – achievements.” Clever Hypocrite. How quick you are to change your tune from "miserable and arrogant." And on top of that he purposely chooses pressure points to mock me with. He continues.

  “The fact that by a miracle – none of the Tamers were caught in the crossfire between the Poachers and their Dragons shows tremendous commanding abilities, as I am sure it was no easy feat to navigate your comrades to safety unharmed in the midst of such chaos.”

  “You honor me.” I bow my head lightly again. Well, go on. Spit it out. What is it that you are after?

  “Not at all. I am merely stating facts, just as you.” He gestures to me again. “You made a, decent, point earlier – saying how you could not fully trust us. No offence, but isn’t the same applied to you as well? You cannot possibly imagine the fear we felt all this time not knowing if you are not part of some group or organization designed to overthrow our peaceful lives here at Araneum.”

  Ha! That's a load of Bull.

  “However. Recent events have shown us that you indeed can be trusted.” Is that so? “That is why, I believe it is in all of our greatest interest to unite our forces and tackle the major issue together.” He joins his hands into a fist.

  “How about we put you in charge of solving the problem of Rebirth.” Silence. Not a single whisper, sigh or breath. I could not have hoped for a better outcome.

  “Officially, that is, you mean, with the Seal, correct?” I gesture with my open palm toward the King behind me. I see the smile vanish in a heartbeat. Didn’t think I’d be smart enough to ask for that, did you. Let’s see you get out of this one.

  “I am more than glad to approve this. Barrabus! Draw up the contract. I think the public will be put at ease knowing that someone who successfully eradicated the Dragon Poacher Ring is in charge of solving the Rebirth as well.” Old Man steps down from his throne and walks over next to me.

  “They will not! That whole Poacher ordeal almost cost us the City!”

  “Not a single building was ever damaged nor a single civilian was ever killed.” Well now. Barrabus somehow finds his voice. I wonder...

  “Besides. Because of our collaboration with the Tamers and the Handlers;” he hammers in the terminology well; “we have expanded our trade network across the depths of Existara extensively. Even with the limited resources that we have put up. The Trade and Craftsman Guilds have already approached us with dozens of requests to expand even further, all the way to the Royal Docks as well.” FINALLY! ABOUT TIME! I grin.

  “If anything – the incident at the Docks has shown us how crucial it is to have Dragons stationed there full time. Not to mention that Handler applications have flooded within the last 48hours ever since the word got out that the Poachers are no more...” Barrabus finally submits to Dicata’s glare and shuts up. He held out long enough.

  “There you have it.” Old Man takes over. “No reason why we should not use this opportunity to ride the wave further. Perhaps this is exactly what Existara needed all along – someone from the outside to give us a fresh perspective on things.”

  Nice follow. I smile. Just be careful. They won’t hesitate to remove you too if you piss them off enough.

  “Don’t tell me that this whole business proposal of yours was a joke, Dicata?” Old Man steps forward.

  A desperate grin. “Of course not. Please.” Dicata steps to the side and shows to the table behind him. “I believe we are in need of some ink and paper.”

  “No. Leather Parchment.” Old Man says. He knows that ink and paper would not last. Scratching the Leather in with a heated metal Quill lasts forever. Even the ring used for seals is heated and scorched onto the Parchment. The wax is only used to cool the seal rather than leave a mark. Barrabus rushes to the side room and brings out a clanging tray. He does not do well under pressure, does he. The man walks past me and sets the tray down. Old Man Bell steps up too and looks back at Dicata.

  “I believe you should be the one to draft this, it was your idea, after all.” The King nods to the table. Dicata does not like this one bit, but alas. He cannot possibly refuse the new opportunity to milk some gold. Not with the news Barrabus just shared.

  We listen to the entire meeting while barely breathing. We are now at the part where some kind of a contract is being forged between the Council and Zarri.

  “We’re leaving.” Crile tells me. “Take a breath.”

  “Now? Why?”

  “Gotta get back to where she left us, before she comes out.” Oh. I want to take a look at Zarri, but Crile drags us under. We emerge back where me entered and after a moment of me shaking off the coldness of the Shadow Realm – we return by the doors and wait. A few moments more and Zarri steps out holding a rolled-up piece of Leather.

  “How did it go?” Crile asks and I bite my tongue. As if you don’t know!

  “Better than I wanted. Take a look.” Zarri hands him the page. Crile rolls it out and reads through it.

  “Interesting.” He hands it to me as well. I take it and look it over too. I simply stare at it, pretending I’m reading.

  “What does this mean exactly?” I give the scroll back to Zarri. She nods forward and we follow her as we walk away from the Hall.

  “It means we are in charge of solving the Rebirth and are under direct watch of the Council.” Crile answers after a long minute.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I am not as naive that I honestly believe we can cure this plague overnight.” Zarri tells us.

  “But?” I cut in.

  “But we can try and minimize the damage as much as possible. There’s still a few years left...”

  “Ok, but if we are under their watch – doesn't that mean that they can tie your hands?” I ask.

  “Yes. But I won’t give them the pleasure.”

  “Meaning?” I tumble and Crile catches me with one hand on the steps.

  “Meaning we’re hitting the books.” He tells me.

  “Exactly. We can’t do anything without knowing anything.”

  “There you are!” A voice runs at us as soon as we step outside again.

  “Urdock. Been a while.” Zarri nods.

  “I! Have been!” He catches his breath. “I have been looking everywhere for you!”

  “Calm down. What is it?” Crile hands him a vial. The Balli refuses.

  “How would you like to teach!” He straightens out and grins.

  “Say what now?”

  “There are a few of us that would like to know more about well, um, how you, ya know. I taught them everything you told me so far about Meditation and Mana Control, but it’s not enough. Also, the news got out about how you handled the Poachers and well.”

  “Perfect.” Zarri grins again.

  “Not this again...” Crile pouts, slapping his palm over his face with a back head tilt too.

  “Wait. Don’t tell me.” It clicks to me. “We just finished with the Handlers!” I pout too.

  “Yes. But now we can actually make a dent. Fine. Gather everyone up and.”

  “Wait. We can’t do it anywhere where the Instructors can catch us. They won’t like that.”

  “Of course not.” Crile pouts some more.

  “Fine. Then we’ll look for a spot outside of the City. We’ll let you know.” Zarri tells Urdock.

  “Great! Looking forward to it!” He bows to us quickly and runs off again.

  “Looks like you’re getting your way, after all.” Crile tells Zarri.

  “Don’t I always?” She smiles back to us.