The poll has now ended and I'm on a roll today! This chapter is dedicated to GlassyTheRosePen who have not only been helping me out for the last few chapters, but also regarding the overall plot for this fic! You go girl!
Enjoy the chapter!
The silence was suffocating, almost deafening in the Cathedral as Olba kneeled before the High Council, his head bowed in respect for his Divine Superiors.
"High Priest Olba Meyer, we have heard some rather interesting rumors about you lately."
Olba swallowed heavily, closing his eyes for a moment to prepare for the incoming storm of arguments that soon would echo within the House of God.
"I confess that I may have acted outside the interest of the Church regarding the recent spotting of Satan on the Eastern Island of Ente Isla, esteemed High Council, but it has only been to make sure that no inhabitants of the Island would be subjugated to the wretched Magic the demons possess," Olba answered, his voice even and controlled despite the nervousness that currently ruled his mind, "I did not mean to disrespect your authority."
"If I am not mistaken, Olba, you were the one who gave Isaac Gustavus possession of the Lance of Divinity, or is this merely one of these… rumors that we've heard circulating you," one of the council members sneered, his face hidden by the hood he was wearing.
"You even refrained from telling the Council when you took off to the Eastern Island with the young Lady Emilia," the council-member continued, causing distinct murmurs to sound from the gathered Priests and High Priests.
"Olba allowed the Lance to be possessed by Isaac?"
"I always thought that something was horribly wrong with him?"
"Isaac was slain at the hands of the Devil, how do you think his family will react if they hear that another Priest was responsible for his death?"
"Because of you, Olba," the council-member continued, "Many men, fellow Priests even, lost their lives! Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Olba gritted his teeth, his teeth biting into the soft insides of his cheeks as he tried to refrain from screaming curses at those above him in power.
This wasn't how his return to the Capitol was supposed to go! He was supposed to be given permission to take entire Divisions of soldiers to the Eastern Isle and use those soldiers to comb the Isle thoroughly for Satan and that idiotic woman who had decided to aid him in recovery.
Olba's eyes widened immediately, a plan forming in the depths of his mind.
Noah! Of course, that damn, young woman was the answer! If he could find proof that spoke of her associating with demons, he would no longer be seen as an untrustworthy High Priest who had taken a few liberties regarding powers he normally had no control over.
"I do, esteemed High Council," Olba said, breaking the tense silence that had followed the accusations, "I do have something to say…"
He waited a few moments, clearing his throat before raising his head, meeting the gaze of the council-member who had spoken earlier straight on.
"I realize that allowing the Lace of Divinity into the hands of Isaac Gustavus was inexcusable, and neither will I seek forgiveness for it, because I know that you, esteemed council, will never forgive my selfish actions," Olba breathed, noticing how the rest of the Priests and High Priests sitting on the sidelines of the Cathedral were shooting him dirty looks beneath their large hoods.
"You are stalling for time, Olba Meyer, time that you do not have," the council-member growled, his voice taking a harsh edge as he glared down at Olba from his ornate chair, "You have misused the power given to you by God and this High Council in order to gain more power as if you were a gluttonous pig."
"If you have read the messages I sent to the Doctrinal Correction Council, or the Inquisition, you would know that the reason I've requested large numbers of soldiers to the Eastern Isle. Satan is on the loose there and he is not alone," Olba said, making sure that his voice was slightly clearer at the end of his bold sentence.
Hiding a smug grin, Olba listened in satisfaction as distinct murmurs broke out once again.
"Silence!" the council-member yelled, his voice booming inside the Cathedral, "Explain yourself Olba! Do not try to tell me that you believe this… this mere girl to be collaborating with Satan! She is a normal human, what could she possibly do to aid Satan in his quest to take over all of Ente Isla?"
"This 'mere girl' as you called her has apparently been able to stop the Holy Magic from spreading with no use of Magic, esteemed council," Olba said sternly, "If that does not raise questions with you force me to see you as fools."
Immediately the Cathedral erupted in an explosion of yells, accusations and curses flowing freely through the air, as well as shocking more than half of the Priests and High Priests within the House of God.
"Silence!" the council-member roared, his voice making the commotion die out almost instantly, before he fixed his eyes at Olba, "What is the meaning of these words, Olba? Are you betraying the Order of the Church?!"
"No," Olba said calmly, "I am merely stating the facts as they are presented, esteemed council. This healer, Noah, is able to contain Divine Magic with only the help from herbs found in every commoner's garden. When the burnt remains of her former hut was searched, I have been informed that several enchanted objects have been found."
"You are talking about witchery then?" the council-member asked, his voice laced with suspicion as he glared at the adamant High Priest.
"Yes."
"…very well, Olba. Bring these so-called 'enchanted objects' to the High Council and we will evaluate the situation," the council-member said, waving his hand to dismiss the meeting before he turned to face his fellow members of the High Council.
There was much to discuss.
…
…
Chapter 10: The Third Day, Plans in the Making
…
…
The moon's silvery light lit up parts of the forest through the thick layer of leaves, coating the ground and tree trunks in a pale light.
The only spot of warmth, of life, came from a small campfire where six soldiers sat huddled together for heat.
"Damn, nights are cold here on the Eastern Isle," one of the soldiers muttered, running a hand through his dirty blond hair before shuddering involuntarily, causing a few laughs to sound from his comrades.
"Well, Captain Liam, the Summers here on the Eastern Isle is rather known to be cold as Hell," the man beside him drawled, rubbing his hands together to generate a little warmth into his cold digits.
"It's not just that, smartass!" Liam grunted, "I've heard that the climate here is much colder than the Western and Southern Isle for some reason… I don't know why though," he confessed, his own lips twitching as he heard his soldiers grin despite not having the heart to laugh along with them.
"Hey, Captain?"
Liam looked up, his eyes meeting one of his men's, "Yeah, Jack, what is it?"
"H-how do you think that… that all these skirmishes will develop? I mean, sooner or later the demons will grow bolder, more seasoned with our movements, and what if they manage to take over the Isles?" Jack asked, his teeth clattering slightly because of the cold breeze circling beneath the trees.
Liam looked into the campfire, a thoughtful look on his face.
"I don't know, Jack… the Church probably has some sort of contingency plan if the Hero doesn't manage to take down Satan, though I have little doubt to believe that Lady Emilia will be unable to do so," he answered, "She's a beast with that sword of hers."
Grunts of agreement sounded from around the campfire as the soldiers silently tried staying warm, listening to the sounds of the forest.
"I'm worried though… the demons have grown bolder, almost as if they're preparing for something," Liam said curtly, his voice now harsh.
"Preparing for what? They're trapped inside the Eastern Fortress, a mere mile from the nearest coastal village which just so happens to be filled to the brim with soldiers," one of the older men, Roberts, said as he glared at his Captain.
"I wouldn't be so sure about the soldier-part, Roberts," Jack muttered, "What if High Priest Olba won't get support from the High Council? All military-related issues has to go through them, remember?"
"A stupid-ass rule in my book, that's for sure!" Roberts growled, angrily glaring at the darkness around them, "Who the Hell wants to discuss whether or not to use, let's say, a ballista when you're trying to stay alive in a battle? They're playing around with our lives and I hate it!" he continued.
Liam looked at his men bickering softly among themselves, letting out a heavy sigh as he looked into the fire, for a moment seeing imaginary creatures dance among the bright orange flames.
"Hey, brother, don't take High Priest Olba for his word… I'm sure that they've made a mistake regarding Noah," one of the soldiers said, putting a hand on Liam's shoulder.
"I know, Ivan, but it's just… I have known Noah since I've been a freshman in the military! She even cured our folks and the both of us back when that damnable sickness hit the Eastern Isle and now, all of a sudden, I'm being told that she's a witch!" Liam grunted, not meeting his brother's gray eyes.
"They've just made a mistake. We'll find Noah and get her away from Satan, the son of a bitch probably has her under some sort of enchantment," Ivan said calmly, shooting his brother a bright smile.
"Yeah, I hope you're right because if I get the chance I'm going to rip out his spine and shove it up his ass," Liam muttered, twisting his torso to grab the blankets he had stored in his backpack. Silently he held it out towards his brother.
"A'right, men, I'll take the first watch. Go get some shuteye, I'll wake up Roberts around midnight," Ivan said, wrapping the blankets around him as he leaned back against one of the nearby trees.
"Night."
"Stay on yer toes, runt."
"I'm of higher rank than you, Dennis… and older too, don't tell me to stay on my toes!" Ivan laughed, throwing an acorn at the soldier who had said the last remark. Hearing it collide with its intended target, the soldier allowed himself to grin widely for a few moments before he leaned the back of his head against the old oak tree he was sitting under.
'I promise, brother, the Church lies about her, they have to!'
oOo
"Adramelech, what are you doing?"
The giant Minotaur looked up from the large map of Ente Isla, his eyes lazily observing Alciel as the Demon General looked down at him.
"What does it look like, moron; I'm looking at a map."
"I can see that, Adramelech, what I want to know is why you're looking at the strategic map," Alciel said dryly, walking down to look at the map beside his comrade.
"I was looking at our positions, if you must know. The Eastern Isle needs reinforcements or else the humans are going to run us over."
Alciel's eyes narrowed, taking in what his fellow General said as he examined the small onyx figures on the huge map.
"I have already made preparations for myself and a mixed force of lycanthropes and hobgoblins to go to the Eastern Isle. I'll bring Lucifer along, that means that he will be able to search for the Overlord while I deal with the humans," Alciel revealed, a slight smirk resting at the corner of his mouth.
"Y'think that's wise?"
"Do you have another idea? We cannot simply wait for the Overlord to come and save our reputations. Besides, the soldiers are growing restless and are attacking the prisoners from the Centre Isle," Alciel growled, in annoyance.
"Guess you're right. Hey, make sure to bring Lucifer back with you when you're done with the East, would you? That damn idiot and I have some things to talk about," Adramelech grunted, not meeting Alciel's curious gaze.
"Why not tell him now?"
"It's not the time now, Alciel. I may be an Minotaur, but I was given a working brain that could think about more than who to slug on my way to a human village," Adramelech growled, "I need to learn the idiot that I won't always be there to save his hide."
"I take it that you are referring to "that time", are you not?" Alciel asked, his voice slight softer than before.
"You're a quick one when you want to be, Alciel. Now run along and get that Isle under control. Malacoda's been pissy for the last three days about Satan's absence about you're not much better."
Alciel shot Adramelech an annoyed glare before nodded once, turning on his heel to head for the large door leading out of the room.
"Adramelech, I assure you that I will return with Lucifer. And the Overlord, of course," Alciel declared before heading through the door, leaving the Minotaur to his own thoughts.
Adramelech looked at the door, thoughtful expression on his face, before looking back down at the map.
"You better do, Alciel. I'd hate to kill a comrade."
A slightly darker chapter this time and Olba's in trouble with the High Council! Please review!