Yiamas!

[Ferric Vintas]

Ferric sat very still. Though he wore an amused yet tempered grin upon his face as if watching Farius’s blundering, he was actually carefully considering the outcome. He was free of punishment for now, but Vonstadt had placed a metaphorical axe over his head. Previously, his cases had come before those with much less power. Whatever freak accident had caused this to reach the high inquisitor it was not good for his future prospects. Too much was now at stake. He made a small “tsk” noise under his breath, wondering if the Inquisitor realized that she was doing much as he did. The only difference Ferric could see between their comparably patronizing antagonisms was the legal weight which backed hers. She did not need to jest. She too drew pleasure from making others feel small. He wondered how much more dangerous she was for it. He wondered how far her compulsions went.

He wondered if, were he to explain this to her, she would understand.

“As a matter of fact, Inquisitor,” he said with a straight face, “I do have a slight concern. My surname rather closely resembles that of the family which helps run the city. It may serve less confusion were your rule to use my first name.” He raised a hand and pointed ambiguously to the air, as if those present needed clarification to his suggestion’s location.

He had done his best to restrain himself the entire length of the trial. Had he peered inside earlier and observed upon Vonstadt’s character, he may have gained advantages. It would have been more likely that he would have spoken rashly and further troubled himself. But the trial was over now and anything he could glean from his cruel observation would be wasted, be it positive or negative. As he stared at the Inquisitor, he was again driven to compare her to another. This time it was not himself, but Drayel. There was loss there, deep and personal. Ferric could not discern the cause, but it was a single beautiful scar across the orderly skin she wore. It took great personal effort to silence his comments.

“Rest assured,” He said, sounding uncharacteristically exhausted, “You’ll get no more trouble from me. That night was a mistake I’ve little intention of repeating.” Ferric stood, and moved to leave the room. He made a small bow to the Inquisitor, a testament to his Eyropan heritage and mark of his respect. “With your leave.”

Then he left. He felt the eyes on his back, the judgments which passed and the opinions formed. It was no matter to him. He would forge onwards the only way he knew how: by removing masks.

His eyes misted, but were far from release. He was not to cross that barrier, not yet. He walked the stairs alone as he always had and likely always would. Ignorant to the presence of other guards, he stepped into the cold air and basked in the sun’s rays.

[Odelina Meltzer]

A strong sense of relief washed over her. There was justice after all. There was still hope for Marn City Guard. Had she explicitly told Tasza that she would initiate disciplinary action? Probably not. I also didn't tell him about the sunrise today. I hope he wasn't too terrified. Two weeks of docked pay? That was a smaller punishment than she'd dared to expect.

She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself from laughing as the Inquisitor moved on to Masello. Changers, I want to be her when I grow up!

Vintas spoke some nonsense and excused himself. Lina took a second before following, for while she was anxious to get out of the room, she did not want to share the hallway with him. Eventually she rose, saluted, and left the chamber before anyone else could attach themselves to her company. Sisara would probably be devastated, but Lina doubted there was anything she could have said to make the other woman feel any better, and she certainly did not want to be anywhere near Masello. Besides, she wanted nothing more than to be on her own for a moment. She still felt nauseated, and her head was pounding.

The air outside was almost painfully sunny. She shuddered as the coldness of the cellar left her bones. There would be talk afterwards, there would be grudges, and explanations to the curious who had not been there. But for now, at least, it was over.