Chapter 31: Chapter Twenty-Nine – The Greater Good

A day after my date with Adelita a messenger arrived to inform us my presence was requested before the Council of Sorcery. They even went out of their way to press the transcript of the summons onto a plate of gold, which seemed like a waste of effort and gold to me.

Eurycelia said that being summoned before the Council was a big deal, and the gold plate was sent to those who received the honor. As far as I could tell, it was the magic version of a trophy. Proof you were good enough to personally receive a pat on the back, or whatever magical equivalent there was.

I had Eurycelia place the gold plate in the library then she, Kyra, and I all left for the Council Halls. It was weird returning to the Council Halls whose splendor had left me speechless before. Now I couldn’t help but compare them to Otrea’s manor and find places that fell short. The floors were not quite as clean, the flowers not quite as vivid.

“Euri, has anyone as powerful as Lady Otrea ever been part of the Council in the past?”

“No,” Eurycelia replied guiding me up a set of stairs. “I believe Otrea is the first human to ever master [Ether Magic], and that is a major key to her power. I don’t believe anyone outside of the True Dragons have ever come close to her level of mastery.”

“And what is [Ether Magic] exactly?”

“[Ether Magic] is the mortal imitation of [Divine Magic]. It is powerful magic that allows for the manipulation of souls, as well as bending raw magic itself. Legends say the Exiled Witch could create armies of artificial spirits, sunder magic itself, and strike down foes with [Heaven’s Lightning]. Of course, the Council has no official record of such events. So I cannot say for certain if she’s really capable, or if we’ve just become so afraid of her we’ve inflated her abilities.”

“From what little I’ve seen I’d never doubt her abilities. Lady Otrea seems to live on a different level.”

“You’re not wrong. I believe only the True Dragons and Gods stand above her, and I would fear for the safety of any dragon that challenges her. I’m not sure if she would win, but I know neither side would truly have the advantage.”

“Below her, who is the most powerful Councilmember?” I asked as we rounded the corner and started up our third set of stairs.

“For raw fighting strength I’d give it to Ferragus. He’s the most elderly member of the council and a master of all elemental magic. Bartham, another council member, is actually Ferragus’s pupil. So he has political strength as well. Bartham would never vote against anything Ferragus has put forward.”

“So Ferragus is the most politically powerful?”

“Yeah, though Colletta is close. She trains and controls the Kingdom’s healers which gives her a lot of clout. Nobody wants to turn on the person reattaching their arm after all. Sadly since she’s a Half-Demon, a lot of people have trouble trusting her.”

“Half-Demon?”

“Demons and Demigods are basically the same thing. The difference is Demons are created artificially, while Demigods are usually born.”

“Then… wouldn’t I?”

“Your situation is different. We can talk about it when we get home. Demons don’t have childhoods, they’re fully formed adult soldiers ready to carry out the orders of the god who created them.”

“Why are they so hard to trust then?”

“It… is rare that a good-natured god has reason to create Demons. Normally they are created by gods who wish to create chaos or cause mischief. Though being a Half-Demon, Colletta simply bears their characteristic solid golden eyes. She’s human beyond that as far as I can tell. I don’t really understand why so many humans struggle to understand the vast differences between a half-demon, and an actual demon. Though I also don’t understand why Lesser Scaleborn are forced to serve High Scaleborn regardless of merit. Society just doesn’t function fairly.”

“It wasn’t fair in my world either,” I sighed. “And all we had was humans.”

We arrived on the fifth floor of the Council Halls and made our way to an ornate set of double doors. There two knights saluted Eurycelia before pulling the doors open and ushering us inside.

The council room was massive, with large beautiful picture windows that allowed one to look out at the city around them. At its center was a polished round table with six chairs, four of which were already occupied.

“How has it felt to be free of the Witch’s chains, little rabbit?” Bartham chuckled as soon as I came into view.

Even though I wasn’t heart and soul dedicated to Otrea, his tone pissed me off a bit. “Even here Lady Otrea continues to impress me with her abilities. Her manor looks as though it never spent a day untended, and the rooms clear themselves of dust. Such impressive magic has spoiled me, I doubt I could ever live without it.”

I felt my lips curl into an involuntary smile at the look of frustration that flashed across Bartham’s features. He mumbled something about magic being ‘wasted’ but I decided not to pay further attention.

“You’ve met us all before, briefly,” Colletta said standing. “Still I think some introductions are in order. I am Colletta, and I have served on the Council of Sorcery for twenty-one years.”

“Yarran,” A stout salt-and-pepper haired man sitting to Colletta’s left began. “I’ve been on the council for forty-three years.”

An elderly man with flowing silver hair to Yarran’s left waved, “Ferragus. I’ve served this council for one-hundred and seventeen years.”

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The eyes of the councilmembers landed on Eurycelia who would be next in line if they kept continuing to the left. She squeaked under their gaze and glanced at me before glancing back. “She already knows who I am.”

“It is a matter of respect that all councilmembers give their introductions before a guest in our chamber. By refusing to do so you are showing your mistress incredible disrespect.” Colletta chastised.

“Ah, forgive me, Lady Bernice.” Eurycelia turned and bowed before me. “I am Eurycelia, I’ve served the council for three years.”

“Bartham. Nine years.”

The room fell silent and all eyes were upon me, which I took as cue for an introduction of my own. “H-Hi, I’m Bernice Edelberg. Due to some craziness I traveled to this world from my own, and I ended up in the care of Lady Otrea.”

“It is wonderful to become reacquainted with you Lady Bernice.” Colletta began. “There have been many stories of otherworlders living among us, though none since the time of Otrea’s exile. You may find it amusing to know that the last recorded otherworlder to live among us also spent her time in Otrea’s care.”

My eyes widened a bit, “that is interesting.”

“Yeah,” Bartham leaned forward placing his elbows on the table. “Otrea treated that girl real nicely. Didn’t even leave a body behind for her family to bury when she was done with her.”

“Her family? Her whole family came here together?”

“In most of our records,” Ferragus began. “Otherworlders have been born to us, as normal members of our society. Once they reach puberty, their memories of another world resurface. Though none have had knowledge diverging so far from our own, as you have. Or rather, if they did have such knowledge they failed to share it before their deaths.”

“All Otherworlders are said to have been born as humans too,” Yarran gazed at my ears. “You’re the first to appear as something else.”

“Ah… Well, I was human in my world.” I said as my cheeks grew warm. “The bunnygirl transformation kind of happened between there and here… somehow.”

“It’s cute,” Colletta gave me a gentle smile. “Now I’d like to speak with you about the plan for training our healers. I’d like to place two of my most talented students into your care. Educate them verbally as best as you can, and then once you feel they are ready…”

Yarran placed a box upon the table, opening it to reveal several sticks of cinnamon. “Have them practice on Eurycelia.”

Eurycelia’s shoulders shook as I gazed at the box absolutely stunned.

Even with magic, this is reckless! They’re going to kill her.

“You can’t be serious.” I mumbled.

“As long as you do your job correctly,” Yarran noted. “Her life won’t be in any danger.”

“As long as I do my job correctly?! If you healers misunderstand what I say, or fail to grasp my instructions it could be the end of Euri’s life!”

“Eurycelia has no right to refuse,” Ferragus replied. “As the junior member of this council, she must obey a ruling vote. All four sitting members have voted their approval for this plan. If you refuse to aid our healers, we will continue forward without you. Which will greatly increase the likelihood of her death. It is in her best interest you don’t decline.”

“We are risking one life to possibly protect thousands.” Colletta spoke softly, as if she was trying to appeal to my compassionate side. “The healers who learn these techniques will gain teams of their own, whom they will train when these situations arise. Those teams will then be dispersed around the kingdom. Over time, there will not be a single healer who does not know how to save someone from an allergic reaction. No one will ever die from this again.”

“It’s fine… Lady Bernice,” Eurycelia whispered taking my hand in hers. “I have faith in you.”

How can you say that when you’re on the verge of tears?!!

“Okay, where are these healers?”

“We will have them travel to your manor this afternoon. Thank you for understanding Lady Bernice.”