Mark of the Fool

Chapter 682: The Hall of Roth's Fate

Relief ran through the breakfast crowd as they watched the backs of the annoying Uldarites go through the bakery door. Customers could finally relax, and they did; some were laughing, some murmuring to one another, others were busy thanking Troy, Alex and the mutton-chopped patron for pushing the irritants to use the door. Some made a point of offering the young wizard their sympathies, while others wanted to know all about this Fool business.

Alex answered, satisfying the crowds curiosity while allowing the bakery to return to the normal, busy morning flurry, before he and his family went upstairs to talk about the invading Uldarites.

I cant believe theyre saying those nasty things about you! Living in comfort? Theyre the ones living here in comfort while youre risking everything going back to Thameland to help our people. Selina said.

Bunch of hypocrites! Theresa growled. I wanted to slap the poultice right off that old priestess. Youre a better person than I am, Alex; taking her pain away wouldve been the last thing I would have done to her.

I know, but helping her made her look bad, and thats exactly what I needed," Alex said. Shes probably on her way to city hall to petition them to send me back to Thameland. I cant stop her, but at least I can get more of the public on my side, in spite of her.

Theyareon your side Claygon said. Peoplein the bakerylooked likethey werefather

Hopefully theyll talk and spread positive stuff about me around Generasi, Alex paused, thinking about Councillor Kartika. It wouldve been nice if this had happened a few days agobut some of the councillors send their interns here to pick up breakfast. Maybe, some of them were here and saw what happened then went back to their bosses and colleagues with some juicy gossip to share.

We can always hope, Theresa said grimly. Thatd be one silver lining in this situation. Her death stalker expression was on full display. The more help you can get with city hall, the better; if that priestess goes down there stirring up trouble, if you have people speaking up for you, it can only help you, right? I mean, thank the Traveller for people like Captain Fan-Dor, and Gel-Dor and their crew.

At this point, all we can do is hope, Alex said. Anyway, its time to get you to school, Selina.

His sister frowned, then voiced the words shed held back earlier. Uhmcan I miss school today? I want to go with you.

He shook his head. No, Selina. You shouldnt miss school over this. The young man kneeled down in front of her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Listen, things are going to be okay. No matter what happens, things are going to be okay. What I need you to do for me is to go to school, write your test, and do well. Alright?

But what if you dont come back? Her eyes were filled with fear. I want to come with you. I can argue for you, Alex. I dont want them to send you away!

And I want you to go to school, he said, his hands gently holding her shoulders. Listen, youre one of the strongest people I know, and thats a fact. Its not fair that youve had to be so strong all your life, butjust for todayIm going to ask you to be strong for a little longer, alright? So, please, go to school, do your exam, pay attention to your teachers and I promise, Ill work this out. Its just like when we went through the Cave of the Traveller together. I just need you to be brave like you were back then.

She looked at him for a long, silent moment then nodded, lightly punching him in the chest. You just make sure they let you stay, okay. But, if they dontcome backand say goodbye to me.

Her lip trembled and he wrapped her in a tight hug. I promise Ill do my best, but if thats not enough? I promise Ill come say goodbyeand if I have to leave the city? Ill be back. When the Ravener is destroyed and all of this ends, I swear Ill be back.

Selina simply breathed into his shoulder, fighting tears. Okay. Ill wait for you, no matter what, but please be careful, promise me.

I will. I promise, I will.

###

The sun was bright over Generasi, slowly rising to its noontime peak.

It shone down on a group standing in the centre of the city.

There was Alexander Rothbroad shouldered and long hairedhand in hand, with his fiancee, Theresa Lu. The young couples expressions were grim as they waited in the shadow of Claygons polished four-armed form. Beside them, gripping a satchel of documents, was Professor Julesthe alchemists white bun was wrapped as tight as her face looked.

They stood looking up at the looming structure waiting for them to enter, like dwarves eyeing a titan.

The City Hall of Generasiseat of the ruling council of wizards and its vast bureaucracywas enormous, a monument to the power and advanced state of the City at the Center of Creation. The citys great wealth and majesty was concentrated right here, andto Alexeven more magnificent than Uldars sanctum.

Rising hundreds of feet in the air, the main domecarved from a single slab of marble magically conjuredspread far and wide, covering the distance of an entire city block. Around the dome, standing equidistant to one another, were four hulking square columns where four massive dragon statues looked down on their surroundings. On the column to the north, a four-legged black-scaled, horned dragon sat, its bat-like wings were unfurled. To the east, a short-legged, golden, serpentine monster bearing long whiskers and horns like a crown, looked down. Coiled around the southern column was the form of an elongated legless serpent, feathered wings extending from its back.

The western dragon resembled a great hunting cat with scales of gold, the antlers of an elk, and a long, snaking tail.

Below the dome, the building spread for blocks. Messenger constructs flew to and from small windows in a swarm of shimmering metal, while wizardson sky-gondolas, sky-boats, flying carpets, brooms or simply flying along on their own powerentered the building through a great stone docking bay, protected from the elements by an overhang with a host of gargoyles clinging to its sides.

No gargoyle seemed nearly as fearsome as the majestic dragons guarding the dome.

Though each wyrm differed from the lastfacing a different directionAlex felt as if he was being watched by their stony gaze.

He imagined them springing from their perches, swooping down, clutching him in their claws and carrying him off to do the churchs will in Thameland. He knew that his imagination was running wild, as it often didbut knowing so didnt make it any easier to shake those images.

Herewe are Claygon said. If all goes wellyou wont have toworry about leavinganymore father

If all goes well, Professor Jules said solemnly. Ive been considering every possibility I could think of, but I just cant generate a decent hypothesis on how theyll decide.

Theyd better let him stay, Theresas tone mimicked what her hand said as it moved to the hilt of a sword. Or Ill have something to say.

Then youd better not say it with those, Professor Jules looked pointedly at the twinblade. The ruling councils members hold their place by nature of their wisdom, knowledge and popularitymostly. Butmake no mistakethey are also elected for their power; among the twelve members of the ruling council of Generasi, very few are battle mages, but youll find few wizards as potent anywhere, and thats no exaggeration.

As potent as Baelin? Alex asked.

Professor Jules snorted. Theyre not on that mad old goats level of magnitudebut they are powerful enough so the difference between Baelin and them would largely be irrelevant to wizards like us. My point, Miss Lu, is that those swords of yours are basically toothpicks hereeven at your level of skill.

Yes, I know the huntress said, her hand moving from the sword. Its instinct. When I know a fights coming, I dont feel complete without a weapon in my hand. But Ill be saneI wont let anger and worry make me do something stupid.

We know, professor, Alex said. The only weapons well be relying on today are wordsnot spells, or steel.

And well use those words as best we can, Mr. Roth, Professor Jules promised. Now, come, lets get in there before were late.

The interior of city hall was much as Alex remembered.

He looked up.

A ceiling mural of wizards sitting in a circle; facing a centre painted to resemble the sun with the alchemical symbol for mana in the middle, greeted them in the atrium.

Towering walls displayed scenes of triumph from throughout Generasis history, including a mural of Noarc conjuring sheets of rain that ended the drought centuries ago. A host of different languages filled the air.

Though some words in particularspoken in the common tongue by familiar voicescaught his attention the most.

We will pass your petition regarding Mr. Alex Roth through the appropriate channels, a bored sounding clerk was saying, Are all signatures listed beside the corresponding printed names?

Yes, Troy said, standing at the head of a line of staff from the Roth Family Bakery. They were cued in front of a city bureaucrats desk. Well sign twice if we need to.

That will not be necessary, the clerk said. Your documentation is all in order, so it will be processed appropriately. Is there anything else I can help you with

Alex gaped as he and his companions walked through the main hall, his eyes on Troys group standing at the clerks desk. He would have stoppedbut thought better of it, the meeting with the council was scheduled to start soon, being late was not an option.

I cant believe this, he murmured. They came all the way down here on their lunch breakI had no idea.

They must havedecided to help you after what happened withthat priestessClaygon said.

Listen, I swear if you dont give them a raise, I will, Theresa said, with gratitude on her face.

Are you kidding? Ill build personal golems for them if I get through this, Alex said, shocked. I really do have the best staff in the city.

Part of me cant help but view their actions with a degree of cynicismyour staff could also be eager to protect their jobs, after allbut its just as likely that they truly care for you, Mr. Roth, Professor Jules said as they neared a floating platform at the end of the hallway.

On the platformbut off to the sidea uniformed attendant stood erect, with the disciplined bearing of a soldier.

Lets hope their efforts help, the alchemist said, stepping onto the platform and looking at the attendant. Top floor. Council chamber, please.

The woman studied the short alchemist with a calculating eye. Alex noticed a wand sitting in a holster on her hip; powerful magics were emanating from it. Names and appointment time? she asked curtly.

Alex Roth, the young wizard announced himself.

Professor Vernia Jules, Head of the Alchemy Department at the University, the alchemist followed.

Theresa Lu, the huntress said.

Claygon

The city employee quickly drew her wand, andwith a flick of her wristdisplayed an image of the days schedule.

Alex had an idea that schedules werent the only magic it was capable of.

The attendant's eyes snapped back to them. Only Alexander Roth and Professor Vernia Jules are listed here as having a noontime appointment with the council. Anyone accompanying them must wait in the waiting room. No weapons are allowed. Understood?

...Yes

Yes, Theresa said reluctantly.

Good, then we will proceed to the top floor. Professor Jules, Mr. Roth, you are ten minutes and The woman took a timekeeper from her pocket. thirty four seconds early for your meeting, which is preferred. Better early than late. Her tone was harsh. I will take you to the top floor.

Alex was glad they hadnt stopped to talk to Troy and the others. From her tone, it sounded like being late was an act punishable by death.

She pointed her wand at the floating platform, and a humming noise began as it lifted off the ground, hovering in place. Please keep all limbs within the radius of the disk as its moving. Do not attempt to dismount until we have come to a full and complete stop: invisible force walls are erected when the disk is in flight for your safety.

The attendant pointed the wand toward the ceiling and the disk began rising, accelerating as it did.

Entering a stone shaft, it moved upward, rising to the top floors of the building, passing floor after floorhall after hallclimbing hundreds of feet in the air. Just when Alex thought their ascent would never endthe disk began slowing, stopping before a shining pair of sealed brass doors emblazoned with the image of a circle of wizards. Each one held a staff pointing toward a capital letter G centred in the circle.

Without warning, the doors began opening in an eerie silence on their own power.

Behind them, a small army of well-armed wizard-warriors clad in shining plate armour blazing with magic, waited. Some wore glowing swords through their belt loops, and crystal shields on their backs.

Others bore crossbows nocked with bolts of light.

And among them stood two iron golems.

Two iron golems Alex recognised.

Two iron golems hed recently built for the city in Shales Golem Workshop.