The Obsidian Empire

Chapter 12: Baptism Of Fire

Day two of the Baptism of Fire. Llwell cautiously glances around as he makes his way through the hall of the Magisterium, heading towards the main chamber where the trial takes place, seeing that the hallways are mostly empty which tells him all he needs to know about how he slept in. The building feels different somehow, but he can't place what it is. He's been a little on-edge all morning, but he told himself to suck it up and make it through the day, so that's what he's going to do. The sooner they can get through this trial, the sooner they can all go home.

He stops outside of the main doors that are open a crack and before entering, he takes a deep breath, straightens his back and clutches his right hand at his side. He fights how badly it's been hurting all morning with a few more deep breaths, calming his mind and body enough to continue into the main hall.

Most of the crowd has already gathered and are scattered around talking amongst themselves. At the table at the front of the room are Rosanhi, Sillavanna and Dumaine already seated and ready for the trial to begin, and beside Dumaine is an open seat for Llwell.

The elf walks forward, curiously glancing around the room until he sees that the magisters have yet to gather on the rise which must be why everyone is keeping themselves busy with idle conversation while they wait. Odd that despite sleeping in, the magisters seem to be the ones who are truly late to the council.

Llwell slips into the chair next to Dumaine and keeps his posture straight, but while he has a moment before the trial starts, he lowers his voice and leans over to speak over the mage's shoulder. "Sorry I'm late," he says and Dumaine shows him a quick smile.

"Is everything alright?" he asks curiously, sparing Llwell's gloved right hand a glance before meeting his eyes again. Llwell is reminded of the burning Siphon and once again regrets not having gotten a chance to ask Etho to dull the pain for him. He makes a note in his mind to not forget to ask the boy for help tonight.

Llwell nods as well and pulls his hand closer to himself to tuck under the table. "Yeah. I just..." he pauses to look around the room with careful eyes before leaning a bit closer and bringing his voice to a whisper that only the mage can hear. "I was going to ask you the same thing. Where were you this morning?"

He wasn't exactly upset when he woke up alone since he knows the stakes surrounding interactions like the one they had last night. He would have understood if Dumaine needed to be somewhere in a hurry, but some clarity would have been nice.

Dumaine cocks a curious brow and eyes him in question, but before he can respond, Sillavanna groans from his other side which catches Llwell's attention to see her slumped back in her chair with her arms crossed. "How much longer do we have to wait?" the Paladin huffs and glances back over her shoulder to cast an irritated glare across the crowded room. "The trial should have started by now."

Rosanhi's gaze darts from her companions to the restless assembly, her eyes narrowing into slits as she scans the room's expanse, then returns her sharp focus to the stage where the magisters should be gathered, but instead it stands empty. "Something isn't right. It's not like magisters to delay the Baptism of Fire without warning or explanation," she says.

Dumaine turns his focus off of Llwell, making the elf sit straight in his seat with a small huff at not receiving a response but he sets the thought aside to focus on the more pressing issues.

The mage looks over at Rosanhi with a sharp nod. "You're right. But what—"

He stops himself as a sudden shift in the atmosphere signals the arrival of Magister Galarius atop the stage. The room falls into an abrupt hush in anticipation as they await answers as to what's holding up the council.