The Legend of Ajira
By Madame Ergoth
Chapter 17: Before the Board of Elders
Authors Note: This chapter tells about Kark as he has to attend a hearing before the Board of Immortal Elders (BOIE).
Kark was standing in a vast room. He had only been here once before and yet he knew the place well. A chill ran through him. He was standing in the court of the BOIE, the Board of Immortal Elders. Angels held great responsibility, and if one committed any crime, it was reported immediately to the BOIE, and a hearing was required. Kark had been tried before. He had been charged with revealing his identity to a Mortal. That is, a Mortal he was not assigned to. Ajira was different. The Prophecy assigned Kark to help and protect her.
The vaulted cathedral ceiling rose high above his head and the polished marble floor was so shiny Kark could see his own nervous reflection in it. Kark stared at the high ceiling, wondering. What would happen when the Elders arrived? What would he say? He wondered if he would be required to change back to Angel form, a generic form used by the angels and other creatures when not in contact with the Mortals. Angel form required you to reveal your true self, your real form, even if you had chosen another permanent form. In Kark's case, he had chosen the form of a Khajiit as his Permanent form, being that he did most of his work with that species. But they only did that in severe cases. Then again, what he had done was severe.
Kark's true form was a gigantic winged creature, with a great green scaly tail and long protruding ears. He had pierced them in several places with metal rings. His skin was a pale green color from his head to his waist, and his tail was a slightly darker color. He had flaring deep red eyes set low on his face. A leather cord hung around his neck with a strange amulet. The bronze disk had a cloud, a star, and a lightning bolt engraved upon it. A moonstone accented the star, and a yellow crystal outlined the bolt of lightning. This was Kark's symbol, a mark he had created for himself, for identification purposes, and just to highlight his position as an Angel. It was only visible when he was in Angel form. Actually, Kark wore it constantly and he never took it off, but he did not think Ajira, or anyone else for that matter, really needed to see it. It was personal.
"Step forward, Kark Lazarath." boomed a godly voice from the ceiling. It was the High Elder, Onyx Everton."
Kark slowly walked forward, surprised and a little shocked that he had been called by his full name. Still, it was no matter.
"Earlier today, we received word that you opened an Interworld Portal to the land of Taryngoth. In the presence of a Mortal. Is this correct?"
"Yes, your Honor." mumbled Kark.
"And is it true that you went into a certain shop allegedly named 'Moonsliver Weaponry'?"
"Yes, your Honor."
"Could you tell me why you were in Taryngoth? With a Mortal, no less?"
Kark could not tell if the High Elder was angry or amused. His voice showed no emotion. "I took my Mortal there to buy a weapon. She is the subject of a Prophecy, you see, and…"
"A Prophecy, you say?" yelled the High Elder Onyx. "Are you the one assigned to that Ajira girl?"
"Yes, your Honor. I was the one."
"Well, this changes everything!" said the High Elder with a robust laugh. "But you are still in trouble."
Kark frowned. He had hoped that maybe he would get off the hook.
"We have heard that you shot and killed this shopkeeper, allegedly named Moonsliver."
"But sir," started Kark in protest, "He had the Dakoshian Mark!"
"He didn't," said the Elder in disbelief. "You lie. Dakosh has been gone for centuries! There is no way he could return!"
"He did! He has! Can't you see? He has spies everywhere, already! Dakosh is coming, and only Ajira can stop him!"
"Well then, I should hope you told Ajira about Dakosh and his Mark. She needs to know."
Kark mumbled something incoherent and shuffled his feet.
"What was that?"
Kark mumbled again, like a child in trouble.
"You haven't told her, have you!"
He stammered, "I was getting around to it! I didn't feel like she should have that on her shoulders…"
"When were you planning on telling her?"
"You know, sometime…"
"How dare you! If what you say is true and Dakosh really has returned, then Ajira needs to know what she is getting herself into. There is still time for her to give up the responsibility, you know that? The Prophecy does not bind her to do any of this! It is her own decision! And if she gives up, this world and all the others will be doomed. Yes, you need to comfort Ajira and make sure she does not give up, but she needs to know the facts!
"Well, you have to understand…"
"THERE IS NOTHING TO UNDERSTAND! YOU ARE DISMISSED!" There was a crack of thunder and the room grew silent.
Kark stared at the ground. He should've told her from the start. How could he have been so stupid! The truth, Kark had thought, would only frighten her more than she is already. She would give up for sure if she knew what she was getting herself into. There was nothing left to do but go back to Taryngoth and tell Ajira the truth. He mumbled a word and clapped his paws, and he was off.