Rebel Fay

Wy

"What is the meaning of this?" Brot'an demanded, as Sgaile moved quickly to join them.

Wy

Magiere barely flinched, but her dark eyes locked on Freth's amber ones. Then she began to shake uncontrollably. Freth watched her with a startled satisfaction.

Wy

The white petals darkened.First to dull yellow, and then ashen tan as they withered. The flower died in Freth's hand, and crumpled petals fell away to float to the ground.

Rumbling grew among the gathering. The shrill voices of the Aruin'nas shouted above all.

"Only an undead could cause this!" Freth cried. "Anasgiah's potency is such that an undead does not have to consume the petals to consume what it offers. For that is what an undead truly feeds upon-life!"

In horror, Wy

His face was tight and hard, but he was caught as unaware as anyone else by this trick Freth played. At the field's far end, Most Aged Father watched with ardent eyes, and the barest smile stretched his shriveled mouth.

Wy

The old one's test challenged Brot'an's-perhaps even canceled it out.

Brot'an motioned Magiere and Wy

"Do not throw another demand upon these proceedings!" Sgaile replied. "No vote has been called. You will hold for deliberation."

The short old one spit one more vicious utterance. Sgaile did not answer, and stood waiting until the Aruin'nas elder settled cross-legged upon the depression's edge.

Freth stalked back to her table as the crowd's rumble settled. She removed three stilettos and a shining garrote wire from her sleeves and belt and dropped them all upon the table.

Most Aged Father did not look at her. His ardent satisfaction remained focused across the clearing upon Magiere.

"Brot'an'duive sought the ancestors' judgment," Freth cried out. "I do so as well. But words and tests will not settle this. I disarm and call for trial by combat. Let the ancestors guide my limbs in the old ways. Let them decide who speaks the truth."

The gathering's murmurs rose into a cacophony. Most Aged Father sat back in his chair, milky eyes glittering.

"Confer!" Brot'an shouted.

Sgaile nodded in discomfort and barely contained his distaste as he looked at Freth.

Brot'an turned to Magiere as Wy

"What's happening?" Leesil asked.

"Old ways," Brot'an sighed."All but forgotten. When a dispute ca

"That is not all she wants," Wy

Either way, Magiere could lose, and she was still shaking.

Magiere's eyes shifted back and forth. "Imight… might control it long enough… still win…"

"No," Leesil snapped. "You're not going out there!"

Magiere was barely able to speak between shudders, and Wy

"Most Aged Father told Freth to do this," Wy

Brot'an turned hard eyes on Wy

"He knows Magiere may not be able to hold back. The instant she succumbs, she will be finished. This has nothing to do with Freth putting the outcome in the hands of her ancestors."

Magiere leaned back, half-sitting on the table's edge, and closed her arms tightly about herself. All Leesil could do was stand before her, holding her steady by the shoulders.

"A vote must still be taken," Brot'an said.

He pushed off the table and headed toward Sgaile. Freth joined them. An unknown anmaglahk came out as well and handed Sgaile two small baskets.

"Let us hope the vote fails," Wy

"A vote on challenge is called!" Sgaile shouted.

It started slowly at first. Wy

Black to decline, and white in favor of combat.

Wy

Brot'an and Freth followed as Sgaile gathered and separated the stones into the two baskets. They returned to the clearing's side, where he poured them into two piles. Both appeared equal. He began counting.

Before he shouted the results, Brot'an already headed back toward Wy

"Trial by combat has been granted," Sgaile called.

Brot'an began pulling stilettos and blades from his wrist sheaths and boots, slapping them on the oak table.

"What are you doing?" Wy

He ignored her and turned to face the field. "I call the right of proxy, as the accused's advocate."

Halfway to her own table, Freth spun about. Even from the distance, Wy

"No!" Most Aged Father screeched. "That would prove nothing! The human is an abomination, and you would challenge your own caste for her sake?"

Wy

Too quick a denial! He is eager for this.

She looked down to find Chap with ears flattened, glaring across the field at Most Aged Father.

For all the old elf's accusations, and his attempt to deny Brot'an, the An-maglahk patriarch appeared to quiver with anticipation. Chap spoke again in Wy

Brot'an's intercession fuels the old one. He sees opportunity… he wants Brot'an to fight.

Most Aged Father tried to stand and failed, slumping into his chair. He lifted his frail face to all those around the clearing.

"Do you see what this thing has wrought? She has poisoned us and driven our own people to violence against each other!"

Brot'an turned to Sgaile. "By law, this is my right."

Sgaile was slow to respond. He said something Wy

Wy

This is no longer just about Magiere, Chap said.

Wy