A Way of Honor (Champions of the Crystal Book 2)

Chapter 7.3

Two silent guards led them up a flight of stairs to a pair of massive doors, knocked twice, then opened them. Mara hesitated for just a moment, then swept through the doors with all the dignity she could muster. Tirqwin followed, and Sabrina and Scotty walked together behind him.

They found themselves in a great hall with vaulted ceilings so tall they were mostly lost in shadow. At the far end was a dais with high panelling, behind which Imari sat in the center. Other Council members, heads of the Miahn councils, sat to her right and left. They all looked down at the arrivals in varying degrees of astonishment and consternation.

"I have come," Mara said, her voice ringing clearly in the room's perfect acoustics, "to answer for my actions."

"It is true then," Imari said, her voice flat with weariness and despair.

Mara took a deep breath. "It is true that, in an attempt to save the life of a man who had saved mine, I accidentally initiated a permanent link with him. I do not regret that action. It was the right thing to do at the time, and I would do it again. I might add that our link has been instrumental in saving us at various times since."

"We must know how that happened. It is a grave matter, a contravention of the rules by which Miahns are and have always been educated. I submit that this is a matter for the Council of Shardon to investigate," said a man to Imari's left.

"It is a question of ethics," said a woman to Imari's left. "Therefore it falls into the jurisdiction of the Council of Arinne."

"No," Imari said, holding up a hand. "This affects all aspects of Miahn life and Realm affairs. It is a matter for this Council."

"Perhaps we should call a Convocation?" another councilor asked.

"No," Imari said. "We do not have enough surviving members to muster a quorum. And this should be kept as private as possible until we have reached a decision. The Council of Trême holds jurisdiction. I think our Guardian will agree with that."

"Yes," Mara said. "That is why I am here. I am Guardian, and I recognize that I am bound to the service of all Miahns. I am here to explain myself to you as representatives of the Miahn race. First I would like to tell you all how the link came about, and then, if you wish, I will conduct you all to Giandrah so that you may verify my story with the Great Crystal."

"It will be quicker if we adjourn to Giandrah immediately," Imari said. "We will see the truth for ourselves there, without explanations."

"Very well," Mara said. "With your permission, Councilors?"

They nodded. Mara raised her hand, and a moment later they were all standing in a large, roughly circular cavern. At its center was a jagged cluster of crystal taller than any of them that lit the room with its dazzling inner glow.

"The Great Crystal," Sabrina breathed. Her skin tingled with the sense of its power, even at a distance.

"They should not be here!" Imari exclaimed, looking indignantly at Tirqwin and the Devons. "They have no place here, at the heart of Miahn power!"

"They have a right to be here as participants in the events that bring us here," Mara replied. "If you deny that right, you must then acknowledge their complete lack of responsibility."

Sabrina and Scotty held their breath as Imari struggled with herself, choosing between tolerating their presence and relinquishing the right to blame them. It was a clever ploy on Mara's part, and they could feel Tirqwin's grin hanging in the air even though they were standing behind him.

"Very well," Imari said, almost spitting the words out. "They may remain."

Mara exchanged glances with Tirqwin. Sabrina couldn't tell whether they had just won or lost.