ARYSARNIA

THEY ARE COMING...

"In view of all these accusations, we find you guilty Spiken Cynthalith son of Orbarion Cynthalith, of treachery against the kingdom. We shall pronounce your verdict after the witness has testified before the court"

The voice of Barsithe brought Spike back from his thoughts of a few days ago, he realised he was still standing in the 'Inferno' as they called the dungeon of the trail. Astinux was brought forward before the owls and examined by Genffaine; he questioned him from all angels on the conduct of Spike at Crysonar and extensively on his relationship with Crysarnia. Something about the chamber forced him to tell the truth, admitting all the near death experiences he had encountered with Crysarnia's magic in the past. Genffaine's carefully crafted words got Astinux to give only answers that will amplify his allegations against Crysarnia.

"She burned up her tent three times huh-let's leave that to mere coincidences and perhaps amateur mistakes. You may have heard she burned up an army of dwarves on the plains of Denigard in a fire covering several miles... Did she ever in confidence, reveal anything dark about her magic and her tendencies to...let's say harm anyone"

"That would be in confidence even if she had told me anything," Astinux snapped at the wizard.

"That means you will not tell us even if she had, let me say-admitted to such inkling"

Astinux bit his lip; the magic in the cave was cruel, and then involuntarily it left his lips. "Yes" he replied.

Spike heaved a sigh.

Spike could see the frustration it brought Astinux to see the effects of his answers, but he could only pass him an assuring glance that he understood his situation.

"Where is the Princess now?" Barsithe took over questioning the soldier.

"Princess?" Astinux asked confused.

"Crysarnia" Genffaine explained.

"I...I do not know" said Astinux.

"Do you remember when and where you last saw her heading?" Genffaine asked.

"No" Astinux replied.

Genffaine smirked at Spike, "Nicely done"

The trial was over and Spiken Cynthalith was pronounced guilty of every allegation, even those that Genffaine had made up just for the fun of it.

"You are now formerly Father Owl, your wings shall be clipped and your staff taken away" said Barsithe "Lay down your staff and release your Feltus; such is the penalty for your treason against the kingdom and the order"

"You are now an ordinary man," Genffaine said.

Spike glared at Genffaine and said, "Spiken Cynthalith is no ordinary man. In the future, do well to keep your cheap hexes away from me"

"Likewise your treacherous self" Genffaine retorted stepping closer to Spike.

"Place your staff on the ground Spiken Cynthalith and we shall escort you to the dungeons to serve your sentence according to the laws of the land," said Barsithe sternly.

"Gladly!" Spike said. Bending down, he hit the ground with the staff causing a little quake to disarray the order; then he twirled until his robes gained extra fabric with which he used to grab Astinux from across the chamber to himself. He then enchanted his chains, shackling the Owls together in a bundle and flew through the portal that led to the dungeons, dragging them with him. When he had made it above the dungeons, he threw the wizards down into the gorge. He swiftly flew into one of the canals opened up on the sides of the prison walls, holding Astinux as tightly as he could. A cluster of spells collided inches away from him breaking the chains that weighed him down. The effect of the blast pushed a cage into the canal that somersaulted after them. At the exit to the canal, where Spike expected some owls to be waiting, he opened up a secret wormhole wherein with Astinux and the tumbling cage, disappeared into it.