The silver-haired master of choromancy stood and formally announced. "I, archmage of the second rank Alendoria Grovewalker, find the allegations against Eve Trapper to be true, and pronounce her guilty. I will withhold my decision as to the exact punishment until more of her memories have been reviewed."
The blue-haired woman looked up. "The council is missing one member and since the accuser is a high-ranking myalomancer, he cannot sit in. My station is already covered by the elder Alden, however, I, master hydromancer and adept healer Brook Baker, will stand in witness to the crimes committed and provide testimony to whomever you choose to fill the vacant position."
Alden smiled at the woman. "You are talented, and I may not make a decision as I am to be the final deciding vote if it is necessary. I relinquish my seat to Master Baker."
Mistress Chandler stood again. "Hold, grand elder. We have another eligible master present who held the seat for years. Master Oren Moonrise is qualified and once held my position and still should if he would ever give up his hammers and anvils." Once her peace was said, she returned to her chair.
Everyone looked to the master smith who sighed at her words. "Holly, you'll never convince me to take up the mantle of your role. I am comfortable with my hearth, fire, and hammers. For this matter, however, I will accede the seat in lieu of the master myalomancer. Brook, you may keep the ancient one's seat for this trial. Saying this, I, grandmaster pyromancer, grandmaster smith, master of elven xylomancy, master transmuter, skilled in various and minor magics Oren Moonrise, do find Eve Trapper, mistress of myalomancy guilty of assaulting these children twice each. However, as noted by Alendoria, Holly, Verdon, and Thain, prior to punishment, I would like to witness more of her memories. I also hold, as the wronged, Von and Monica have the right to declare reasonable punishment and/or compensation from Eve Trapper."
The blue-haired Brook bowed before Oren. "Thank you, grandmaster. I accept and find Eve Trapper has violated several oaths with these attacks. I find your words for reasonable punishment and/or compensation to the children to be fair. My thought, and this is strictly my thoughts, Master Trapper is beyond the capability for magical rehabilitation as she has always been the one to administer such. Her strength and skill are far too high for anyone, with the possible noted exception of Von," she looked in his direction to see him resting his head on his arms, "in the future to enforce such."
The old tortoise looked at everyone in the room before asking, "Do any of you disapprove of the idea of Monica and Von declaring reasonable, which shall be decided by us, punishment and/or compensation?"
Everyone agreed they should have some say in the matter being as they were the victims, even more so since an overly harsh punishment could be tempered by the various adults and elders in the room.
"Monica, Von, do you have any thoughts yet on the subject?" Alden asked.
Monica looked at Von first. "Since I didn't even know it happened, I need time to think about it. I also don't know what the worst of the things which could have happened to me, so I think I need to find that out first."
The tortoise looked to Stephen. "Since Poralis will need time to prepare himself, could you enlighten Miss Cooper after we break for the evening?"
"Of course, elder," came the reply.
Von responded, "I think I need to sleep on the matter. I am too tired right now to think. Can we talk about it tomorrow? I know I want an apology, but I don't think it will be exactly enough or fair for a few words to be her entire punishment."
"A wise decision, hatchling. Tomorrow we shall continue in the chamber next door. Archmage Poralis, can you keep her frozen in time at least that long?"
"Easily, elder. The weave is already in place it should last several weeks with no attention from anyone. Tomorrow can easily be done."
"Thank you. Tomorrow morning after breakfast—early breakfast," he said looking directly at Thain, "we shall meet in chambers. Let's say, an hour after full daylight?"
Upon their agreement, they began returning to where they had been. Mistress Nerissa in another show of swirling mist, Mistress Chandler in a blaze of flame which disappeared to a dot. Verdon walked out taking his chilly air with it. Thain, having to show off, winked at Von before turning into a large bird and flying through the doorways to the outside.
Sighing, the tortoise said wistfully, "Ahh, the folly of youth...." With a small shake of his head, he continued, "I don't even remember my third century, but I am fairly certain I had a little more decorum than he does." His words brought a smile to Monica and Von as the tortoise pulled his limbs and head into his shell which promptly disappeared from sight.
Poralis looked at the other elf within the room and said, "Lady Alendoria, if you don't mind, could you move her," pointing at Eve, "and me to the storage room connected to my study? I have a spare sofa there on which I can give her a little comfort as she rests." Following this inquiry, the elven master touched the body on the floor, then the temporal master. As she touched them, they too disappeared instantly.
Looking at the children and Oren, "Is there a particular location you have in mind to travel to?"
Von and Monica looked back and forth, "Um, Von, we're broke. I gave the rest of the coins back to Grimdon earlier."
Oren smiled as he said, "Don't worry, I believe the council can afford to put you up for the night. Do you have a place in mind? There are several dorms here in the academy, or if you prefer, one of the inns located in town." He looked to Alendoria to make certain.
Alendoria nodded and reached into the air pulling out two diamapenths, the great big diamond coins with the maps on them, followed by twenty gold circles and four metal objects which looked like watchtowers about a hand in height and half a hand wide made of a very light silver metal with crenelations at the top of the tower. "The towers are symbols of the academy. Anything you cannot afford with the circles can be paid with using the towers. If you show the merchant one of the diamapenths first, they will give you a discount as though you were a resident of Sungrove. If you show them the tower as well, they are likely to give you a deeper discount yet. If it is still unaffordable, you may surrender one tower, and the academy will reimburse the merchant for your purchases. Please do not abuse this privilege, it isn't given out often."
With this admonishment, both Monica and Von nodded in understanding. After all, thought Von, what were they going to do, buy an entire inn? It was just one night. "Yes, ma'am, they declared in unison," from practiced habit.
Both Monica and Von smiled at this reminder of home before Monica asked, "can we be sent to the Flooded Haven again? The food was great and the bed soft and comfortable. It was the best inn we've ever seen so far."
Alendoria reached out, "remember, be at the building next door in the morning. Do you remember how to get here? If not, we can send someone to escort you."
"We know the way to Master Moonrise's smithy, and we will follow him if we need to." replied Monica.
With this, the wizard tapped them on the shoulders at the same time and they found themselves again within the inn inside the room with the central fireplace with the beautiful tapestries hanging from the walls. Thistle, the gnome was in his place behind the bar, and the crackling fire was still emitting the relaxing scent of burning hearthwood.
In the still slow atmosphere of the bar area of the inn, a troop of bards is preparing on the stage. for tonight's entertainment. Dressed in colorful and eclectic attire that reflects their artistic flair, the bards are a diverse group, each wielding a different musical instrument.
The apparent leader of the troop, a charismatic half elf with a commanding presence, skillfully strums a lute. Her voice carrying through the air, as she tells the others of tonight's first set. Her lute boasts intricate designs and decorative elements, showcasing the artisan's skill in woodworking. Elaborate carvings of mythical creatures, and scenes from epic tales adorn the instrument. The body of the lute appeared to be made from carefully selected woods, ensuring optimal resonance and tonal quality, while the neck was crafted from a deep aesthetically pleasing wood adorned with intricate ivory inlays to mark the frets.
"Hey, V, isn't that the woman from the bookstore?" Monica asked, pointing toward the leader.
Furrowing his brow, Von wasn't sure. So much had happened today it all blended together in his mind making it so he couldn't remember exactly what the woman had looked like. Having an idea, he touched the hourglass in his pocket and reviewed the scene from the day before. Looking through the memory, he again saw the lovely blonde-haired half elven woman with the same lute slung over her shoulder and golden eyes humming. "Yes, it's the same woman!" He exclaimed, having just discovered a new use for his abilities.
Accompanying the half elf, a gnome pan flutist was polishing her instrument. It appeared to be made from the hollowed bones of some exotic creature. As she blew into it, haunting notes came forth blending harmoniously with the lute-player's tune. A nimble-fingered humanoid cat creature harpist added depth to the performance, her fine claws plucking the strings with precision, while a human with a set of hand drums prepared to set the rhythm of their performance.
The aroma of food reached their nostrils causing their mouths to water reminding them of their purpose here. "Excuse me, Thistle," Monica began. "We would like a room and food again. If a room overlooking the courtyard is available, could we have it tonight, since we tried the amazing room on the balcony last night?" This time, instead of hiding their coins, she carefully showed the diamond-shaped coin and the tower shaped coin while adding two of the circles to her hand.
Seeing the coins in her palm, as Monica attempted to give the gnome the two gold circles, as she had before, his already warm smile widened further as he held up his own hand taking only one of the two coins. Placing it behind the bar, returned five of the square coins and five of the triangular coins with birds on them to Monica's palm. "Yur friends o' the town, an' either students o' the 'cademy or very important guests. Either way, y'll be treated 'sif ya' were students who done a service fur the town. We got two rooms overlookin' the courtyard, you are welcome t' one." With this he handed them a key. "No matter the meal ya' choose, it's covered."
"Thank you," she replied. The two made their way into the main tavern area to the same table where they enjoyed breakfast so many hours ago. As the waitress arrived to take their order, the two of them both decided on the willow tea, which was crafted from locally foraged herbs, infused with the essence of the willows surrounding the city. The waitress arrived a minute later with two ornate goblets filled with this delicious tea whose subtle, herbal notes were both refreshing and relaxing.
"What would the two of you like tonight?" The gnomish woman asked.
Monica and Von again looked at the menu and each other, before Von's eyes opened wide as he suggested, "surprise us. We are quite hungry though." The woman smiled as she walked away.
The bards finished their warm-up and prepared to play starting with a few jokes to gauge the growing crowd. At the same time, their food began to arrive on wooden platters. The first course was featured grilled bread topped with a unique blend of roasted swamp vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms drizzled with a tangy bogberry reduction, adding a touch of sweetness enhancing the earthy flavors.
Soon thereafter the main course appeared. It was a mouthwatering paella prepared with a medley of fresh seafood sourced from the nearby marshlands, including succulent shrimp, tender clams, and flaky fish infused with aromatic spices, and again, the essence of bog herbs, creating a rich and savory flavor profile. This fish was served atop a bed of saffron-infused rice with a refreshing salad of crisp greens harvested from the bog, tossed with edible flowers, watercress, and a zesty lemon-mint dressing. The vibrant colors and textures of the salad providing a delightful contrast to the hearty main course.
The final course consisted of a decadent tart filled with plump bog berries and a velvety custard, all nestled in a golden, flaky crust garnished with a sprinkle of edible gold colored sugar dust, giving it an almost magical sparkle reflecting the inn's mystical surroundings.
While feasting on these delectable delights, they listened to the bardic troop's performance. Its repertoire included a mix of lively tunes inspiring patrons to tap their feet and clap along, jokes and anecdotes, as well as soulful ballads evoking a range of emotions. As they played, a number of patrons danced on the large open area of the floor, swept away by the magical ambiance created by the talented musicians.
Throughout the performance, the bards engaged with the audience, incorporating their tales and experiences into the music. Requests for specific songs were welcomed, adding a personalized touch to the night's entertainment. The troop's infectious enthusiasm and musical prowess turned the inn into a place of joy and celebration, leaving a lasting memory for all who witness their captivating performance.