The Poisoned Crown (SyndiSparklez)

17: Death of a Madman

Death of the Madman

Summary, (BECAUSE ITS BEEN 1 WHOLE YEAR ON CHAPTER 15 & 16):

(Look for bold to skip if desired)

Tucker has fled and been cursed by Mianite to never find rest (*cough* Cain allusion), Sonja is the only reasonable one and has argued Tom isn't the killer and now has been left dealing with the scraps of the town.

Tom was used as a pawn by Jeriah and Jeriah through blood magic manipulation and thorugh Spark's ability to create Taint Abominations destroyed the entire town of Fortdoel save Martha's cottage. He was then charged and found guilty by the town to be a mass murderer—Sonja and Jordan realize to different degrees he was not the one who did it. Tom after a trial where him and Jordan had heated arguments and some hurtful insults were thrown.

Jordan returned to his hometown for peace—and found none. After the first initial day where Tom got them in trouble using his magic in a NO MAGIC/NO GOD town—Tom has been a cause for trouble. After sharing a bed for a night Tom seemingly goes beserk and attacks him after trying to take advantage of him. Dealing with his PTSD and his now sudden occurrence of the powers of Taint, Jordan struggles with trusting anyone and dealing with all his emotions.

Andor who had run into Tom (who had found him using his not so secret magic) and James in the cottage while investigating the mass murder aids the two in rescuing Martha. But Andor got too close—and for other motives Spark kills him.

Helgrind assigned Alister to protect Andor—but all Alister really did was just punish Andor and failed to do any such "protecting"—Helgrind's own parenting attempts failed and thus when Andor leaves he blames himself for Andor's death. And Alister. Thus leading to him ordering Alister's death and receiving his own.

Martha, Andor's Aunt, and a close friend to the family had been aiding Andor in many degrees and knows of his death—as well as Helgrind's.

The Historian doesn't trust Sonja, but had trusted Tucker—too bad that fell through—he's now just manipulating his son directly.

Dianite isn't fond of Jordan—despite bringing him back—he's brought Jordan back for his own purposes before, and still doesn't approve of Tom's disobedience. He's recently contacted Mianite—one of the two instances we've heard of Mianite.

Ianite has died—her last contact being Martha.

Back in Dagrun, after the Taint Attack, Steve, the Fyre Wizards, Mot and Alyssa discuss the future plans.

End of Star-Wars length summary. Chapter below.

...

Tom's feet pounded against the underbrush—a heavy, graceless run, his breath was loud and hot against his own ears. Dark eyes peeled for the dauting figure he had seen—the fleeting glimpse of the soon to be dead-man. Sonja shouted after him, until he teleported further away from her and closer to the figure. She shouldn't follow. It would be unwise. The moment he was an inch away from it—it vanished, like a ghost. Frustrated, Tom looked around.

It was dark—shadows covering the clearing and as he screwed his eyes up, looking for even the vaguely most humanoid figure. Hesitantly, he took a step forward. Another. An ice-cold hand gripped the collar of his shirt, and he was dragged back a foot. Stumbling, Tom faintly heard over the blood rushing through his ears a potion shatter.

Tom was prepared for any number of side effects—poison, confusion—maybe smoke—but he wasn't prepared for falling through the ground. With a curse, he felt a brief moment of seizing panic—his arms flailing and unintentionally he flipped head first, struggling to level himself as ground—first a faint flicker in the void—then quickly, far too quickly, approached. Closer. Closer. Tom braced himself for the impact, the hand, still clenched around his collar vanishing.