Vox Machina: Blood of the Primal Deities

Chapter 9 Punishment

Following the debacle after the feast, Vox Machina was lead back to the castle. In the throne room, Uriel paced back and forth, while Prince Rafael and Lady Allura stood looking down on the party from the upper platform. Of course Uriel was fuming with rage, while Allura had a stern yet composed expression. Rafael however had a more sympathetic look on his face. 

On the ground Vax was still being held up by Keyleth since he was too weak from what happened before. Lydie stood next to Grog folding her arms frustrated as to what happened. 

"You've ruined our banquet, assault political allies, and risked the security of the realm." Uriel fumed before ordering the guards, "Throw them in irons!"

The guards stepped closer as the party members were all in disbelief at the declaration. Lydie was too weak to intimidate them to back off, however, Grog growls at them daring them to step an inch closer. The party began to argue as Percy looks away, scrunching his face.

"It's been a long evening brother." Rafael tells the sovereign, Uriel turns to him frowning, "Allura and I will see that they are justly punished." he assures him.

He glares at the party then back at Rafael and turns away. "See that you do." 

"Allura, Rafael, something is very wrong with Uriel. He's under the Briarwoods' influence, I can feel it." Vex appealed. 

Allura raised an eyebrow, "That is a considerable accusation. Do you have proof?" 

Rafael glances at Allura, of course she knows better than anyone that he's been put under a charm. She saw it happen, however she wanted to be neutral and not make pick a side.

"No. But I can get it. I just need time and access to..." 

Rafael raised a hand, silencing Vex from explaining further, "Emon owes you a great debt for what you've done, but that does not mean you can disregard the law. Until this is resolved, you are hereby confined to your keep under house arrest." Vox Machina broke out in argument.

"How can you arrest a house?" Grog moans.

"Well it's...." Lydie pauses, she sighs, "I'll explain it later big guy." 

"Thank you, Prince Rafael." Pike bowed.

"I'll convene a formal inquiry at once." Lady Allura spoke up, "Your fate will be determined once we hear the Briarwoods' side of the story."

 As they turned and leave, she mutters, "If they'll even speak to us anymore."

******

Far outside the boarder of Tal'Dorei, the Briarwoods' carriage was racing away as Sylas drove the horses as fast as possible. Anastasija sitting beside him. 

Inside the carriage, Delilah tore through her chest, finding the book missing. She looked in the secret compartment, there aside from the clothes, but nothing to be found.

"Sylas, stop!" she orders.

Sylas pulls on the reins as the horses comes to a complete stop. He and his daughter gets out of the front and walks back into the cabin opening the door to check on a distressed Delilah.

"My book." she yells, "They have my book!"

"A minor inconvenience, my love." Sylas says.

"But that tome contains details of our..."

"It will avail them nothing mother." Anastasija spoke up, "Besides, I have something that you'd like." she conjures up the book in her hand.

Delilah furrowed her brows as Anastasija hands the book to her, "Where did you get this?"