Arvium [I.L.S. Beta Game #1]

53: Intentions

Month 1, Day 4, 12:40:00; Arvium, High Council Great Hall

"Aella," a voice called to her, soft and seeming like it was simultaneously next to her and yet so far away. "Aella, wake up."

Garron.

Her eyes flickered open, and she saw Prince cradling her shoulders as a Healer worked near her shoulder.

"There we go," the healer said. "She's coming to."

"There's been a casualty," she heard someone say in low tones somewhere behind her. She gasped as she felt a weight on her leg, and she looked down, seeing Beo resting his head on her leg. "Are you safe, my lady?"

She nodded and smiled softly.

The wolf nudged her, then vanished, leaving behind only wispy smoke.

"Can you stand?" Prince asked.

Aella paused, then looked at her arm, seeing only a pale jagged scar where the arrow had been. She had returned to her avatar's form, the transformation ended since Beo had left. She blinked, feeling tired. But she nodded. "I think so."

She took his hand as he helped her to stand. She glanced around the hall, at the angry voices and the guards stationed at various points in the room.

"Silence," Prince said, raising his voice so the Hall could hear him. The Hall quieted, and he took a deep breath, crossing his arms over his chest.

Aella winced, her head aching with each word he spoke.

"She attacked a player," Nike called out to him, her tone slow and accusatory. She held a dagger in her hands, and she slowly twisted it, examining the blade.

"She has no control" another Council member said.

"Give her a mentor," someone else said. "She has too much power to be left alone."

"Aella," came a voice in her ear. "Do you want me there?"

Prince stepped in front of her, shielding her from the council. "She is a Beta," he said. "She has been in the Game only four days, and she has already killed a Boar and gained a transformation—we should not be criticizing her but applauding her ability."

"Her ability to go where she's not supposed to and make trouble," Nike said.

She took a deep breath, even though her heart was pounding in her chest. "No," she whispered. She stepped past Prince but paused when he placed his hand on her arm.

Quiet chatter filled the air, muted as the players whispered and huddled close to each other. "You are correct," he told the rest of the High Council. "The protocol for such actions, killing or attempting to kill another player is sentencing to the Underworld. But this was a matter of self-defence, and with more training you will be able to control your transformations and avoid another situation such as this one."

He turned to Aella. "We of the High Council caution you to avoid following such actions outside of battles in the future and be assured that this is a formal warning with consequences to follow if you choose to disobey. But in this instance you are found clear of intentional malice, and are clear on the grounds of self-defense. Do I have any objections from the High Council?"

Nike raised her dagger. "Aye—but I will withdraw my opposition if she declares a mentor, here and now."

Prince was silent for a moment, before he nodded. "Wait here," he said.

Aella swallowed as he left her side and made his way up a few steps and onto the platform. He sat down in his chair in the center of the council, next to an empty chair, and he nodded.