The Poisoned Crown (SyndiSparklez)

16.5: Duplicity

Author's Note: 

Blame Spark and Jeriah--they messed with the original plot, by entering the story way too early in the beginning and now they're causing trouble. Look at them go--no really, I mean Spark's just murdering everyone and Jeriah's causing everyone--including the author, all types of pain. 

And for that reaosn Trigger Warning: 

-Jeriah's part is disturbing and may give off rape-vibes. 

It will be bolded before that scene and at concerning parts. It's not M and nothing sexual is given, it's just the vibe that's given off. I don't know what anyone's reading triggers and he never says anything outright---it still may be disturbing to some. 

Next chapter is 16.75: Gaslight--and it's going to be a shorter one and will put us back to the events of After the Trial in 15 (which was like a year ago now--how long did it take us to circle back?). It'll be post New Year's Eve!

Chapter 17 will be posted probably 1/3/18 or 1/5/18. 

And then 18, 19 and Ending will probably hit sometime after. Before March hopefully. 

Thank-you for the support and happy holidays!

...16.5: Duplicity

That would not be the last execution today, but it would be the last public one.

That would not be the greatest loss of a magical figure, because there was a true loss happening.

Losses in the metaphorical, physical, scheme of things.

Many things were being executed today, so it seems.

As Dianite's siblings used to tell him as they plunged the dagger into his back—the only way to solve corruption:

Was to permanently end it.

As Alister strode into Helgrind's office to meet with him, he was greeted by the cold, but familiar eyes of Spark. They had already met many times. He and Helgrind had not been speaking when he entered the room, but standing stiffly. Helgrind looked resigned. Furious and heartbroken, but resigned. Spark stood solemn. Expectant. As Alister entered quietly—he closed the door behind him with a solemn thud. Both men turned to look at him.

As the town burned the remains of the astral projection of Tom, sealing it into a grate and forgetting about it, Tom finally let the form drop and greeted the Mind Wizards and Martha with a grim, but victorious smile. He had done it. He had deceived the town (and Jordan) into believing he had died.

"Alister," Spark greeted.

"Martha," Tom said.

"You..." Spark greeted pleasantly, with an upbeat, tone. He inclined his head and lightly fingered a decoration on Helgrind's desk. "Are going to die."

"We're going to get you out of here," Tom smiled at Martha, backed up with a thumbs-up from Xeen.

Alister looked to Helgrind, turning his eyes from Spark, trying not to betray any fear. "My lord, this is highly unreasonable."

Helgrind shook his head, his eyes still red and bleary, but his jaw hardened. "You had one task, and you failed." Alister didn't argue, but he had many tasks—keeping track of Andor was only one. He could not speak of the tasks that were not for Helgrind, nor his personal ones—but it was absurd to assign him all the blame for a troublesome teenager getting himself offed.

"Sir," Alister swallowed. "I am happy to resign, but I am head guard and a respected member of this town. Your punishment does not fit the crime." As he spoke he noticed the taint creeping closer. Spark hadn't moved at all, but Alister could clearly see the violet streaks approaching him. "Sir, you will not be popular if you do this. You will attract misfortune upon yourself. As still—a caring and active advisor—I do not ask my life for only my own safety, but yours."