Page 66 of I Ran Away to Evil #3
A Menace to Society
Gerda
“Is that your official statement on the matter, Miss Gerda?” Grand Duchess Calisto asked.
I was standing in front of the Continental Council, having just explained my part in the wedding attack and the interrogation.
I’d politely refused to use my powers to read the future for the council; I had a residual headache from using them this morning that made me less than charitable, and I didn’t want to set a precedent.
Besides, there wasn’t much to say.
Carter Watercress, the Guardian of Death, was going to hold a wake for Menlomin, king of the unicorns, later this week. If I played my cards right, I could get one of the season two’s treasures during the tragedy: a unicorn’s horn.
I hated looking in on Carter. More than anyone else, his personality and mine were the least compatible.
If his scenario wasn’t literally titled “The Treasure for Death,” I’d have skipped.
But I was an avid treasure hunter who couldn’t resist completing a season without at least trying for a hundred percent completion.
The second one was actually the easiest. Guild Master Warren Jones, the Arbiter of Shadow, was as laid-back as they came. He was the epitome of sloth, and using [Oracle] on him just made me unnaturally chill afterward.
In Warren’s, he decided to officially retire and run away while Their Royal Highness Rowen was distracted in North Sumbria.
His demon contract ended on the solstice, and now that he was free, there wasn’t much to stop him leaving …
excepting, perhaps, his accidental lover, the Assistant Guild Master Gemma.
I was rooting for Gemma every step of the way.
After downing a mana potion, taking a relaxing bath, and preparing myself for the worst, I’d decided to watch a third oracle.
The last thing it’d revealed still left me with a grip on my heart.
It was me.
Specifically, it was me at this council meeting, and Henrietta’s thoughts. The Dark Lady was standing in the far back, closest to the door. My power only allowed me to assume her future for the four and a half minutes, and it’d revealed the end to my trial.
One that I’d decided wasn’t nearly impressive enough.
“Yes, Your Grace … though before I finish my statement, I have a question.” I drew a deep breath and looked over the room.
The official council members were the highest-level elite from each nation, but any elite was welcome to attend.
And apparently, Madame Potts was interesting enough that we had a crowd.
The official council members sat, while others stood behind.
“As my hidden identity is now revealed to all and my status as an elite has been confirmed, I have been dealing with my first run of assassination attempts,” I began, trying to find the right words to explain my dilemma. In the pause left for breath, Master Thomas cut in.
“As soon as you reached level sixty, you were no longer protected under the council treaty. You are as fair game a target as any of us here. No sense whining about it now.”
Yes, that Master Thomas. He had shown up at council this morning as if he hadn’t been one of many working behind the scenes to ruin the Summer Solstice Festival.
Grand Duchess Calisto’s eyebrow had twitched almost imperceptibly when he walked in …
and I was impressed that she’d managed to keep civil.
I was not so courteous.
“Master Thomas,” I retorted, deciding now would be the perfect place to finally speak my mind, on behalf of myself, Henrietta, and all. In front of our peers. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but you have the social graces of an alligator dog.”
The mage’s mouth dropped open. Just because Thomas was integral to the plot didn’t mean I had to be nice to him. My words solicited a variety of responses around the room ranging from shock to amusement.
I continued. “ Of course I expect assassins and intrigue as befits my station. Your inability to put two nonmagical thoughts together is astonishing; I have never met another so void of humor, humility, and basic common sense.”
I tried to hide the joy in my voice as I unloaded on the man. Julian, standing behind his mother, bit his lips hard enough to bleed, while Witch Agatha slapped Wizard Lorthar on the shoulder in unbridled delight.
“You dare speak to me this way—” Thomas slammed to his feet, knocking over his chair. There were no direct attacks allowed during council meetings, but that did not include aura. Magical pressure erupted from the mage, hitting me with the force of his rage.
“Stating the obvious will get you nowhere fast. I’m on trial, and sworn to speak the truth.
” Unfortunately for him, I was a few levels higher than he was, and had a handy [Mental Resistance] perk.
I shrugged. “What I was going to say before being so rudely interrupted is that I don’t know what to do with the bodies after each attack. ”
The mage stared at me like I’d grown another head.
To clarify, I added, “Do the assassin guilds have a return policy? Do I just leave them on the road? Is it my job to Revive their guild members and forward them the potion bill?”
“Sit down, Thomas.” Wizard Lorthar ran a hand over his shoulder, defrosting the ice that had formed from Witch Agatha’s blow.
“You know that there are no challenges allowed in the council room. And I will remind you, for Miss Gerda’s sake, that our laws state you must wait one rest period following the meeting before you are allowed to issue any duels. ”
Thomas looked like he was going to argue, but then, he was under the full weight of Lorthar’s aura.
It was brutal enough to make Thomas flinch.
Even if the wizard wasn’t one of the highest-level elite on the continent, Lorthar was the largest exporter of magical ingredients in Valaria, and held a treasure trove large enough to rival a dragon’s.
Anyone who didn’t pay him respect could only live with regret.
Thomas cursed and picked up his chair. He sat and glared at me.
If looks could unalive.
Lorthar turned his attention to everyone in the room.
“I think now would be an excellent time for everyone to review their rights and responsibilities as an elite of Valaria. As such, before the next meeting, I expect each country to send a copy of the relevant documents to all registered elite; The Garen Grim Treaty , Feliwyn’s Oath , Lysander’s Legacy , and The Treaty of the Gods . ”
“Well said,” Their Royal Highness broke the awkward silence that had followed Wizard Lorthar’s declaration.
Rowen was in the guise of an old man with black skin and gray hair pulled back at the nape of their neck.
The fox turned a smile on me. “Miss Gerda, to answer your question, it is polite to return the bodies to a guild if you are able, but not necessary. Many do not.”
“Thank you,” I said, bowing. “Then that is all I have to say.”
“Members of the Continental Council,” Grand Duchess Calisto spoke at that moment.
As host, she was the officiant of the meeting.
“As you are aware, Miss Gerda is Madame Potts. She is standing before us today as an elite oracle, one who has dedicated her craft to preventing tragedy and giving free warnings from the shadows. She has done so by Crystal Cast without a permit, the penalty for which is fifty gold coins per infraction to each affected nation.”
King Keith groaned. As an elite of the Dark Enchanted Forest, he was technically responsible for managing me and my misdemeanors.
He’d also neglected to provide me with the appropriate paperwork after my elite registration—a point for Wizard Lorthar—and could easily be forced to pay all of my fines in the event I was unable to.
“How many times have you shared a Madame Potts’s Cast?” Keith sounded like his soul was fleeing his body as he asked.
“I haven’t kept track of every Cast—” I began.
Their Royal Highness cut me off. “I have.”
The fox summoned a parchment that rolled over the table, across the floor, and all the way to my feet.
“It wasn’t consistent; sometimes once a month, and other times twice a week.
I’ve kept a complete record of every single Cast and what was said exactly .
There are two hundred and seven Casts so far. ”
“ Two hundred —” Keith pushed up his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose.
“I would say it is unlike you to prepare this much, Rowen,” Witch Agatha said dryly, knowing the fox. “But why am I not surprised?”
“You don’t appreciate me,” Rowen replied, snapping the roll of parchment. It rolled up again, and he passed it over to Duchess Calisto.
“Two hundred and seven Casts at fifty gold per infraction on seven countries—that is, not including Nilheim—” Calisto started, though Rowen put up a hand to stop her.
“Peldeep chooses to waive our portion of the fee,” Rowen offered, “because we are not a bunch of ungrateful—”
“Now, Rowen, I was going to ask who wanted to waive their charges after I explained,” Duchess Calisto cut them off. Which was unfortunate, because I would’ve loved to hear what insults the fox came up with. “North Sumbria is also abstaining. Anyone else?”
Calisto looked at those representing Servalt, Sumbria, Drendil, Baldorin and the Empire of Sands. When no one spoke, she continued. “Then, the fine at five countries is fifty-one thousand seven hundred and fifty gold pieces.”
King Keith dropped his head into his hands. “Is that all?”
“Servalt and Sumbria have levied charges of defamation and unregistered international espionage against the troll.” Calisto summoned two documents and put them on the table.
“Servalt is asking for fifty gold coins and the immediate capture and restraint of Miss Gerda Jones. Sumbria is asking for five hundred gold and her execution or deliverance into their hands for just punishment.”
No one spoke, though Their Royal Highness shot Master Thomas a look . It wasn’t a nice look. I remained silent.
“All in favor of Servalt’s request?”
Master Thomas and one other person put up their hands. It was an angry-looking elf sitting to the left of Thomas.
“All opposed?” Everyone else raised their hand. Calisto nodded. “All in favor of the fine?”
Everyone’s hands rose again.
Master Thomas frowned. “You can’t tell me the council is releasing the bridge troll? She’s a menace to society!”
“We all are.” Witch Agatha leaned back in her chair, smiling. “Why do you think this council exists?”
“The updated fine is fifty-one thousand eight hundred gold.” Calisto put down one parchment and waved the second. “Now, for Sumbria. All in favor of execution?”
Only Thomas and the elf from earlier raised their hand. Everyone else opposed.
“And all in favor of five hundred gold?” Again, only the two agreed. It was an unreasonable sum.
“Madame Potts has notoriously been critical of Sumbria,” Wizard Lorthar offered up a solution. He laced his hands together on the table. “Why don’t we ask for two hundred gold coins? That would round up the total fine to an even fifty-two thousand.”
Keith choked but held himself professional. Henrietta, seeing her husband in distress, walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. He smiled up at her, tight-lipped.
“All in favor?” Calisto asked, and everyone raised their hands.
“Then, Miss Gerda, on behalf of the Valarian Continental Council, you are charged with multiple counts of treaty violation to the sum of fifty-two thousand gold coins, due by the autumn equinox. You are also expected to cease and desist all unregistered Casts until you have signed a contract with a country to use their system, and to familiarize yourself with the laws regarding your station as an elite of Valaria.”
I smiled up at the duchess. “I understand.”
“Your case is dismissed,” Calisto declared, waving a hand at the room behind her. “You have leave to go or join us. Welcome to the Continental Council, Miss Gerda.”
Thomas was furious and glowering at me now.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” I smiled and added, “If it’s alright, I would settle my accounts now .”
With that, I waved a hand and dropped the entire fee amount at my feet.