by Aleks Canard
Rida wrapped her arms around Trix, never minding the battle-armour.
‘There must be order,’ said Elael. Trix had forgotten he existed. ‘Bailiff, remove this woman from our court. She’s said her piece.’
‘Thank you,’ Trix said, before the bailiff gently took Rida from her.
‘Aw, you’re welcome. My mama always did say that if a person was really sorry, you had to forgive them.’
Rida was led out of the room. Her eyes were glistening. But there was a content smile on her face. Trix’s tears had slowed to a trickle. The blacks of her eyes showed little gold cracks. The closest equivalent to bloodshot a machina could get.
‘Well, we have taken Rida Ordway’s words into account. Now for your reason to appeal. Ms Westwood, what do you have to say for yourself?’
Trix took a couple deep breaths. She wasn’t used to her heart beating erratically. She spoke once she composed herself, and regained her resting pulse.
‘The sorceress known as Faedra de Morland, member of the Guild, seeks an artefact on Zilvia which was banned by the Conclave. I need to reach it before she does so that it may be returned to the Conclave’s private vaults.’
‘And the nature of this artefact?’
Trix debated whether or not she wanted to make this part up. She decided it was better to tell the truth. There was a saying that said a little truth makes a lie go a long way, and damned if it wasn’t right.
‘The artefacts are actually a pair of Uldarian mirrors that are believed to hold the same properties as transfers, only they’re for personal use. Faedra already possesses one mirror and she’s coming for the second.’
Elael: ‘We have all seen what happens when you protect places. There was the palace of Estreser, then the city of Manhattan on Earth. You mean to tell us that the same events will take place here?’
‘No, you assumed they would. I can make sure they won’t if you lift my banishment.’
‘And how can you do that? Need I remind you that being a chooser of the slain does not actually grant you that power, Ms Westwood. You can only choose who dies. Not who may live another day.’
‘I know that because the second mirror is located somewhere in Xifaw Forest’s depths. Any conflict that takes place will happen far from Blor’daeyn, and Duskmere.’
‘Then it does not matter if Faedra de Morland comes for the mirror for she will never survive the dryads.’
‘The mirrors have never been united. Not even the Conclave knows what will happen if they are. The results could be disastrous for Zilvia. And I don’t think you want to anger the Arnums, do you?’
Elael fell silent. Trix could hear the tapping of fingers on screens. Blor’daeyn’s Feudal Lords were conversing. This was an interesting proposition.
‘Unfortunately, we have no way of validating this claim either, Ms Westwood.’
‘Then call the Conclave. I’ll wait. Sorcerer Altayr Van Eldric reported the incident of Faedra de Morland stealing the first mirror hours ago.’
‘And where is Altayr Van Eldric now?’
‘I can’t tell you that for the purpose of our mission.’
‘How convenient.’
‘It doesn’t matter. You don’t need him. Anyone from the Conclave can verify what I’m saying. Once we stop Faedra, I’ll leave.’
‘Strange that the mirror should be in Xifaw Forest when that is where you last saw your parents. Even if the mirror truly is here, how can we be certain you’re not lying about its location, or that you even want to stop Faedra de Morland?’
‘Elael, you know how to be certain. Call the Conclave. You just want to avoid it because you know it will validate my claim. Your position demands you protect Zilvia. And you know that the best way to do that is by letting me handle the sorceress for you.’
Elael became livid. Trix could see it. Not addressing a Feudal Lord as such was one of the highest offences you could commit. Earlier, Trix wouldn’t have dared. But Rida’s forgiveness had alleviated her stress. She would need to see Duskmere again to be fully at peace. But for now, she had found courage.
‘This court will adjourn for nine minutes.’
A bell rang. Zirean courts didn’t use gavels. They deemed them too crude an instrument.
Blor’daeyn’s Feudal Lords exited the room through a door behind the bench. Trix was left exactly where she was. Criminals weren’t allowed a reprieve under normal circumstances. And definitely not when they could level the building and everyone in it. The machina craned her neck to try and see where the officer holding her weapons went.
‘You’re doing well,’ Myven said, standing behind her. Just out of her peripheral vision. ‘Though not calling Elael by his title was a gross mistake.’
‘Altaeifs take ceremony too seriously.’
‘I am aware far better than you, machina. Then again, I have never witnessed the inside of Estreser’s palace.’
‘Proper royals are even worse.’
‘Business moguls and real estate magnates are who sit before you. They’re lords in title only.’
‘All altaeifs, especially pure breeds, can trace ancestry back to a noble family. It’s only cross breeding that dirties claims to thrones or plots of land.’
‘Ha, pure breeding is a fallacy now. It happens less and less. In a galaxy where we accept so much, younger generations are ignoring etiquette rules of families past. It would surprise me if anyone judging you now is wholly altaeif.’
‘Do you think I have a chance?’
‘Rida’s testimony certainly puts you in good stead. Had she said that no one had forgiven you, Elael would have ended your appeal then and there.’
‘Are you supposed to be talking to me?’
‘I’m in charge. I can talk to whomever I please.’
‘You seem like you’re rooting for my success.’
‘I told you before, I have crippling empathy. When I saw you cry tears so truthful, born of terrible regret, I could no longer detest you. Only terrible captains allow themselves to harbour hatred.’
‘Thank you.’
‘You know, it’s often said that machinas cannot bleed. That you are like vampires for you do not age, then there’s your incredible strength and speed. To draw blood from a machina is said to be more difficult than a stone. I disagree. I remember seeing you on that day. Your shoulder mutilated. Blood congealing around the edges. And I’ve seen other machinas since. They can all bleed. So the challenge is not to draw blood, but to draw tears. Until today, I didn’t know you could cry.’
‘We were desensitised from the beginning.’
‘Being desensitised is a strong set of armour. Tougher than being encased in adamant. Unfortunately, it not only protects from pain, but love too. I hear it makes the heart grow awfully cold.’
‘You’re one of the better police officers with whom I’ve ever dealt.’
‘And you’re one of the worst machinas with whom I’ve ever dealt. But who’s to say that a demon cannot fly back to the heavens?’
‘That would defeat the phrase eternal damnation.’
‘Nothing’s eternal, machina.’ Myven stepped into Trix’s peripheral vision. She saw him look at the Lords’ bench. ‘Though the time before a sentence must feel close.’
Trix thought of the moment she saw Felix behind her in Duskmere, hopelessly watching as her sword carved open his chest. That moment had felt longer. It wasn’t the longest though. Watching plasma rain on the machina academies seemed to stretch on forever.
‘I’ve had one second feel longer than this.’
‘Forever is the only measure of time that may fit in the blink of an eye yet last over a thousand years.’
‘Not a bad way of putting it.’
‘I read it somewhere once. The name you mentioned before, Faedra de Morland. I’ve heard of her. The Guild as well. They’re not actually evil.’
‘You said that the dead don’t wish to be raised. Faedra and her ilk specialise in raising them.’
‘They m
ay not wish to be, but I don’t believe they can be hurt anymore. Better they practice necromancy than combative spells on innocents. But I’m only an officer. The Lords will be more worried by de Morland’s presence on Zilvia.’
‘They don’t want their graveyards to come alive?’
‘You’d better douse that dry sense of humour when Elael returns to pass judgement. If you’ve been travelling with Altayr Van Eldric, you know why they’re worried. Governments all over the galaxy, even Blor’daeyn’s, are anxious that mages will forgo advising and seize power for themselves. Nothing’s stopping them. After all, suetes like me need mages to protect us from magic, for we can’t understand it ourselves. It’s not like science. Magic is much harder for a layman to understand.’
‘Mages are less likely to usurp power for themselves. They’d have a better time controlling their government’s minds. That way no assassination attempts would be made on them.’
‘You speak like you have inside information.’
‘To an extent. Subtlety is a mage’s ultimate weapon.’
‘Subtlety is just another form of lying. Such a ploy would never last. I’ve seen it countless times during interrogations.’
‘Perhaps. A lie isn’t a lie until it’s discovered to be so. But I suppose all things wish to be seen as they really are.’
‘You machinas, you’re certainly interesting.’
‘The first lesson we were taught was that wars were won with brains, not brawn.’
‘Maybe so, but cleverness can’t break a man’s skull.’
Myven returned to his position at the back of the room. Trix awaited Elael’s return.
And this was the easy part. Chances were that the Uldarian mirror lay far past Aefonryr’s borders. And Trix hadn’t been allowed past there even when the dryads favoured her.
Now there was no telling how they’d behave.
7
Elael and the Lords returned nine minutes to the millisecond.
They were hard to read. Though Trix thought she saw one of the male altaeifs smiling. He looked at the machina with a peculiar sense of familiarity. She’d never seen him before.
‘We have taken into account the new information you presented us, as well as the sentiments expressed by Rida Ordway on behalf of Duskmere. Your warning about Faedra de Morland proved to be correct once we called the Conclave. This panel has decided to lift your banishment, Beatrix Westwood. You will be placed on probation from this moment forward provided you obey the rules we stipulate henceforth. Your movement around Blor’daeyn and Duskmere will be monitored personally by Myven Daebas. Should you wish to venture to Agius, he will accompany you there as well. Any violent conduct against a Zilvian citizen will result in your probation being terminated, and your banishment being reinstated, effective immediately. You may only retaliate with appropriate force if someone attacks you. Lethal force is not permitted, save for the apprehension of Faedra de Morland. The Conclave made it clear that you were to use any means necessary to stop her.’
‘Is that all, Lord Elael?’
‘For now, Ms Westwood. Officer Myven, release the machina from her bonds and return her weapons. You are to remain by her side until she enters Xifaw Forest.’
‘Understood, my Lord.’
‘Then, as Blor’daeyn’s High Feudal Lord and Zilvia’s Steward, I adjourn this court. May justice have been served fairly.’
The Lords vacated their bench again. Myven unlocked Trix’s cuffs. The officer holding her weapons returned. She took them back with eager hands. Walking around unarmed felt peculiar.
Myven signalled his officers to take leave. He wasn’t afraid of Trix. To him, seeing a machina cry was like seeing a god bleed. They weren’t so different to everyone else. Only machinas could do a lot more than knock fools out when they were angry.
‘I need to reach Xifaw.’
‘I expected as much. Come, we’ll take a cruiser to the border. I will await your return there.’
‘I was surprised Elael didn’t try to make you accompany me inside.’
‘He knows that I would not survive. And I think I know his reasons for not forbidding you from entering Xifaw.’
‘Elael hopes the dryads will skewer me where I stand?’
‘It would brighten his day without question.’
‘He’s not the first person to wish me dead.’
Myven didn’t respond. He led Trix back into the hallway. The machina noticed that one of Blor’daeyn’s Lords was waiting by a wooden mural depicting Zilvia’s first settlers. He turned around upon hearing Myven’s footsteps.
‘Officer Myven.’
‘Vyanlo Aervuth, my Lord. Bright stars and clear skies.’
‘Easy, Officer. Does my speaking the common tongue not indicate the casualness of this encounter?’
Altaeifs viewed Earthen as a tongue for commoners. They had similar views about other languages, but deemed Earthen as the most plebeian.
‘In that case, I don’t feel the need to feign pleasantness,’ Trix said. ‘We’re going to Xifaw. Perhaps some other time, Vyanlo.’
‘Ms Westwood, that’s no way to treat someone who so fervently fought for your probation.’
‘I’ll send you flowers later, shall I?’
‘Actually, it is I who should be offering you thanks.’
‘That’s funny considering I wasted your time and now you’re wasting mine.’
‘Then by all means, let us talk as we walk.’
Myven walked ahead of Trix and Vyanlo. They’d have to go to ground level to find a cruiser. There was no need to travel with a mobile prison now that Trix was on probation.
‘You saved me a great deal of money once.’
‘Really.’
‘On Desraxe, when you hunted water wyverns. If it hadn’t been for your efforts, the pumping station would’ve remained abandoned and I would’ve been left out of pocket.’
‘You own Desraxe and X-Ore Corp.’
‘My, you have done your homework.’
‘Actually, that was me,’ Sif said, talking through the speaker on Trix’s comms gauntlet.
‘I didn’t know AI liked to take credit for things.’
‘Then it’s nice to know even a Lord can be surprised,’ said Sif.
‘You’ve thanked me now. You can leave.’
‘I have thanked you for only one of the favours you did me. An employee of mine by the name of Fedir told me that Ayton tried stealing part of your payment.’
‘I meant to tell you myself.’
‘And why ever didn’t you?’
‘I decided I didn’t care.’
‘Well, Ayton was fired swiftly. Fedir is now in command of that entire town. By all accounts, he’s quite enjoying himself.’
‘Wonderful. Consider your thanks received.’
‘Might I trouble you for a word?’
‘You’ve had more than one already.’
‘Then I shall be concise. I understand that stopping sorceresses must by a difficult endeavour.’
‘I doubt that.’
‘Come now. All altaeifs can perform some magic.’
‘Say what you must. But once we reach our cruiser, I’m leaving whether you’re finished or not.’
‘Since you decided not to inform me of Ayton’s attempted thievery, I assume you don’t know what X-Ore Corp does.’
‘You’re involved in mining.’
‘No need to strike a harsh tone, Ms Westwood. Anyone would think that you’re unhappy about your appeal’s result.’
‘I’m unhappy with needless conversation.’
‘How quickly you turn from sobbing girl to seasoned veteran.’
‘I was still a veteran when I was crying, Vyanlo. Don’t forget that.’
‘I wouldn’t dare cross the Demon of Duskmere.’
‘Either you’re smart or you’re a coward.’
‘I’m a businessman.’
‘That explains a lot.’
‘I’m deeply interested in the metal
s that lie in Xifaw. I retrieved one arrowhead from the forest once.’
‘You sent someone to retrieve it, you mean.’
‘Specifics of that kind, machina, bear no relevance to the current situation. The metal is unlike any other. It holds an edge like obsidian but doesn’t shatter. To my expert eye, it appears to be some form of naturally occurring mithril, unless they have a forge somewhere within the trees. Yet overhead scans never show any heat sources.’
‘Get to what you want.’
‘I would reward you handsomely if you could broker a trade agreement for me on behalf of X-Ore Corp. I’m sure you’re well aware of mithril’s rarity. It’s one of the galaxy’s most expensive materials. Favoured by mages and assassins, or so I hear.’
‘The dryads will never agree to a bargain with you.’
‘I’m not so sure. After all, you persuaded Elael Vorlym, and he is not easily swayed.’
‘Rida’s testimony did that.’
‘He’s not as heartless as he would have you believe, yet he was adamant that you would not be walking out of here with any freedom before your appeal began.’
Myven led Trix and Vyanlo out of the elevator. Into the court’s garage. Several standard police cruisers trimmed with zirean purple were waiting to be used. Myven picked the closest one.
‘Do give some thought to my proposal, Ms Westwood. I can assure you that you’d never want for money again.’
‘I don’t want for it now,’ said Trix as she sat in the cruiser’s passenger seat.
Vyanlo was left standing in the garage, thoroughly annoyed but not showing it. He expected the machina to be difficult, but not so intransigent. He wondered whether he was going to do anything about her.
Trix stared out the cruiser’s window. They were driving at street level for a moment before taking off. Thanks to modern technology, most cities had streets that were pedestrian only. There was no need for roads when that majority of vehicles could fly. Smaller towns still had conventional transport. They were exceptions.
The windows were tinted. Nobody could see Trix. She remembered street corners and shopfronts. Not much had changed since she had left except for her. Trix was a totally different person.