Von finally sat on the east side of the room allowing him to see the main entrance and the door to the library. The chair took on the appearance of shimmering crystal which refracted and reflected ambient light in mesmerizing patterns. Elaborate spirals and intricate runes were seamlessly integrated into the crystalline material, tracing the ancient symbols of various magical traditions. The chair seems to resonate with several forces of energy. The seat itself was plush and weightless, as if suspended in the convergence of magical forces. The upholstery, woven from threads of enchanted silk, changed color creating a mesmerizing display of shifting hues while various colored orbs could be seen carved into the back of the chair facing the wall.
Soon thereafter, Alden walked in and took the seat in front of the elemental staff of water, earth, and air. His chair adjusted to the shape of his shell while the carving took on the appearance of swirling arcs of the various elements under his command. "You know, hatchlings, with the exception of utilizing the library within, it's been almost ten years since most of us have been in here. We almost never need to use the council chamber because most issues are able to be discussed over dinner, either in the refectory, in one of our homes, or at one of the inns in town. Even so, the caretaker seems to have kept it dust-free in our absence."
Arriving next was Thain who ran through the archway as a gazelle-like creature and as soon as he met the threshold, immediately changed to his dwarven form. As he entered, the chair in front of a strange brown statue changed into a throne of iron. Smiling, the young dwarf strolled to this uncomfortable-looking throne, gave it a pat on its high shoulder, whispering, "it's been a while, old friend," then dropped into it acting as if it was made of feathers instead of uncomfortable looking iron.
Verdon was the third to arrive after the two children. The seat he chose altered itself to be crafted from ebony with carvings on the sides containing scenes of life, death, and the delicate balance between the two. The upholstery of dark purple-grey leather was embroidered with silver thread forming arcane symbols and glyphs pulsing softly with a faint, otherworldly glow, offering comfort while maintaining an air of sophistication.
Oren and Brook were the next to join. Oren chose to sit to Monica's left causing the chair to alter. It became a work of art constructed from deep, obsidian-like blackened metal, the chair's framework was designed with intricate, swirling patterns resembling dancing flames, giving it an aura of controlled chaos while the backrest of the chair, high and curved, mimicked the shape of flickering flames reaching towards the sky. The metalwork included depictions of stylized fire creatures and swirling infernos, creating an overall impression of controlled elemental fury. Small, concealed vents in the chair allow a subtle, controlled warmth to emanate, giving the seat a comforting temperature without risk of burning. The seat itself was cushioned with luxurious, deep red velvet similar to the color of smoldering embers and the armrests of the chair resembled coiled serpents of flame, their sinuous bodies intertwining in intricate patterns. A brass brazier from across the room ignited with magical flame and moved behind his seat. Oren looked at the chair and brazier before declaring, "No, don't do this. I am only here temporarily. This is not my seat." Disregarding Oren's sour look, the chair took on the subtle flicker of embers while the brazier remained behind the chair.
Brook sat in the seat directly in front of the chamber's entrance. An immediate shift occurred; she found herself across the table seated in the blue stained chair carved with images of rivers and lakes. The chair was placed in front of a small bubbling fountain creating a calming effect throughout the room. Seeing the chair change beneath her, her mouth opened in a quiet, "my goodness. This is amazing."
Alendoria and Poralis were next with the still unconscious form of Eve behind them hovering on a large circular platform which followed behind the two. Reaching the archway, it glowed several colors as they entered, but when the magical disk attempted to follow the two of them, it flashed a menacing crimson color and the disk halted before it could pass the threshold.
Without warning, the entry doors from the outside to the antechamber slammed shut sealing themselves both blocking entry from outside and protecting those within. A piercing alarm sounded throughout the chamber as Alendoria and Poralis were magically swept into the main council chamber. Once the two of them were safely within, the doors from the antechamber to the council room closed. Once this occurred, the walls inside the chamber began glowing as various magical energies started swirling around the room. To Von, hundreds of colors much like those in the grotto were building around the walls and seeping into everything about the room.
Before the warning silenced itself, the staff flew from its rack into Alden's hand while the brazier moved to Oren's side. The six-handed statue behind the dwarf grew to almost eight feet in size before grabbing a mace, sword, flail, spear, and two shield from the niche where it had been. As it acquired these armaments, they grew from tiny replicas to a size custom made for the golem wielding them. From the sides of Verdon's chair, a misty shadow and a skeleton pried themselves from the carvings preparing for battle.
From the magical mirror on the wall, Cordelia, the merwoman was dumped forth to stand directly behind a chair which had shifted. Now made of aged oak and exuding an ancient and timeless quality, the chair was etched with enigmatic symbols and intricate patterns representing the threads of fate. Its backrest was tall and curved resembling an open book suspended in midair while carvings of celestial bodies, intricate constellations, and various esoteric symbols associated with divination decorated the backrest, creating a tableau of cosmic knowledge.
Von, his voice amplified for clarity asked to the chamber, "What happened? It there a way to stop the noise?" As if hearing his question, the room quieted, leaving the swirling energies intact.
The tortoise responded, "Something has triggered the tower's defenses. There is an intruder trying to get inside. Just your inquiry has quieted the alarm."
"It didn't happen until we tried to bring Eve within the tower. Could she be a doppelganger?" inquired Poralis. "If we had a strong enough myalomancer, they could speak with the tower and ask it what set off the defenses."
Alden looked at the chronomancer stating, "Yes, Mistress Chandler should be bringing the best instructors of myalomancy to aid in out reading of Mistress Trapper, but unfortunately, they wouldn't be able to enter at this moment, until the threat is removed from the vicinity of the tower."
Von asked, "Can we ask the tower to let us out to see what the threat is? Since everyone is here, and you are the best of the academy, can't you deal with it?"
Alden sighed, "Unfortunately, no, the tower is made to protect the elders and any inside. This building is the last line of de..."
A resounding voice filled the chamber, "YES," interrupting the archmage. "DO YOU WISH TO EXIT THE TOWER?"
"I seem to have been wrong, hatchling." In response to the chamber's question, he replied, "Yes, we would like to exit the tower to assess the situation."
The other instructors nodded in agreement, hoping the tower would understand or feel their intentions.
Once everyone had agreed they wanted to be able to exit the tower, the doors to the antechamber we unsealed causing a popping feeling in the ears of those within. Once the council chamber doors were unsealed, attention shifted to the antechamber's outer doors, marking the threshold between the confines of the tower and the outside world.
The intricate magical locking mechanisms, intricately crafted for both security and ceremony, responded to the desire of those within the tower. With a profound resonance, the doors parted, revealing the expanse beyond the tower. Sunlight streamed into the antechamber, casting shadows on the polished stone floor providing a view of the disc carrying Eve Trapper to be seen a dozen feet from the archway. Standing off to the side were the master pyromancer Chandler and two women wearing the robes belonging to the myalomancy school.
Seeing those within exiting, the two women were surprised to see the golem and two undead figures leading the group as if ready to go to war. As the escorts stopped just beyond the threshold to the tower, the two women bowed slightly before announcing, "based on your verdict, we are prepared to delve into her memories to determine if there are past transgressions against any others or against any students. However, due to her strength, we need to break the attunement to her amulet before we can begin. Otherwise, she may be able to defend her memories, preventing us to learn anything."
His angular grinning from ear to ear, the tortoise allowed the two in on the secret. "Her focus is her tiara, not her pendant." Tilting his head toward Von, he continued, "This young hatchling was able to discover her secret and by luck or force of will, sent her into a dual feedback loop."
The two women looked at each other for a long moment before shaking their heads as though laughing at a private joke shared only mentally. "Thank you wise elder. Where shall the procedure take place?"
Turning his gaze to the waterfall beyond the testing center, he laid the staff into the lowermost hands of the golem. "There." Pointing with his left hand, the waterfall separated as if the flow was held apart by a giant archway. The water from the pool in front of the waterfall moved to either side allowing a stone walkway to be seen. Below the split cascades of water, the rocks moved out rolling to either side showing a previously unknown opening to appear leading downward. Seeing this cavern appear, all but the tortoise, master Poralis, and Oren gasped in surprise.