Blink of an Eye - a Guild Wars 2 Fanfiction

Chapter 4 - Phlunted

"Is everything okay with you? "

I could sense Zojja's hand grabbing onto my shoulder, while I tried to gather my thoughts. My mind had gone a bit dizzy through the teleporting; the feeling reminding me of the fast accelerating from a roller coaster. Except that it went straight upwards instead.

"Yes... yes, I'm fine. I would say that it was just... a bit strange."

"Don't tell me I didn't warn you", Zojja said with a grin.

As my condition slowly returned back to normal, I looked around. We were in the Arcane Council, a fact that I already knew.

It was a sort of circular room, which was surrounded by golems on every side. Peacemaker golems, I assumed. In the midst of the room stood - or better floated - seven seats made of stone that I thought didn't look comfortable at all. It wasn't surprising to see that no one was sitting on a single one of them. All of the Asura that were present in this room were standing together in small groups near the chairs. If not that, then they seemed to be absorbed in some kind of document. Until now, no one had seemed to recognize our arrival.

Above the middle ring, was a floating hexagonal object which had a bright light emitting from its center. I assumed its purpose was to illuminate the Council, but I wasn't entirely certain.

Zojja stepped forward into the council, and I followed her like a dog to their master. I was nervous, because I had no clue what she was planning. I knew she wouldn't just tell the council my true story; otherwise they would put me straight inside an asuran madhouse. But if she lied too much, they wouldn't believe her either.

"Zojja..." I whispered. "What exactly have you planned for us? Do we have a plan at all?"

"Szallejh. I am simply THE genius! I would hardly drag you along to the Arcane Council if there was no such thing as a plan, now would I?"

"Let's hope for that. What exactly are you going to tell them then?"

"That's simple. We..."

At that moment we were spotted by one of the council members, who approached us with arms wide open. "Aaah, Golemancer Zojja! What a pleasure to see you!"

The Asura was surprisingly ugly. His skin was of a light-grey mottled-looking color, its tone indicating a lack of healthy regime. Its texture was wizened with cracks and canyons stretched across his face. His loose-hanging ears were ripped on their edges, and the eyes looked cold and somehow even evil.

I definitely didn't like this guy.

"Council Member Phlunt! The pleasure is all mine", Zojja purred with a voice sweet as sugar, but everyone could hear that her words were not meant to be honest at all. And it was obvious she wanted Phlunt to hear that too. I intended to ask her later what had once happened between those two.

Phlunt turned to me and raised his eyebrows. "And who is... this?"

"This is my niece, Szallejh. She grew up outside Rata Sum, but more exactly, out in the Shiverpeaks with someone I know very well. But because she couldn't stand the snow anymore, she came to visit us in the jungle instead. And so, we are here now because Szallejh would like to receive citizenship within Rata Sum - to live and work here."

Hmm. Okay, That seems to sound credible. At least I hope so.

"Weeeell, Szallejh", Phlunt began.

I absolutely didn't like the way he pronounced my name. But at least no one had thrown me out of the Arcane Council room, which meant there was still hope left. It also meant Zojja had clearly thought about her plan quite efficiently.