Hey, guys! Welcome back to RFL 2: Into the Dark! Gah, I'm so sorry I'm this late...two weeks ago, I had a busy school week, then a Set it Off concert that Saturday (which was AWESOME by the way! My friend and I ran into half the band in Chick-fil-A before the show, it was great XD), so I didn't have time to write this chapter, and then last Wednesday I got sick with a really bad cold that lasted about a week, so I was too sick to function for a while. But...I'm back! So let's get right to reviews, shall we?
Thanks so much to Demi clayton and DassaZelmo737 (That's certainly a lot to binge-read! Hope you enjoyed and continue to enjoy! :) for reviewing!
And with that, on with the chapter!
Chapter 9: Information
Interrogation Regulations
New Iskald Council
Procedure:
- All five councilmembers must be present to observe an interrogation, though only one shall carry it out. The rest should interfere only if they feel that the proper protocol is for any reason being ignored or forgotten.
- Treat the subject civilly, no matter their alleged crime. Force will only inspire resistance, and shall only be used to subdue a subject that violently resists of their own accord.
- Begin with building a basic profile of the subject, consisting of their full name, age, occupation, place of origin, and whatever other information might be considered relevant or useful.
- Ask them calmly about their alleged crime or transgression. Aim to discern their motive, further intentions, and, of course, whether or not they are actually guilty.
- Regardless of the supposed crime's severity, treat all subjects equally. Do not immediately assume guilt, nor ask questions that imply as such. Keeping relations peaceable increases the odds of accurate information.
- Should the subject turn out to be guilty, begin to probe for further information regarding the crime. Be sure to especially focus on the possible existence of accomplices that may not have been caught in order to avoid further action taken by the criminals.
- In the event that the interrogation involves a non-sprite subject that has found the city by some means, slightly different steps are to be taken. Rather than questioning them about a specific crime, ask them about their purpose for being here, whether others know where they have gone, and what they plan to do with the knowledge of this place that they have required. If the subject in question is found to be untrustworthy and dangerous to the city's secrecy, it is wisest to refrain from allowing them to return to the surface.
()()()()
"Name?"
"Simon Basil."
"Age?"
"Twenty-four."
"Occupation?"
"Hunter."
"Place of origin?"
"Tyrlark. A village in Southern Iskald."
Jack watched silently as the interrogation proceeded directly in front of him, nerves growing with every word spoken. With the help of Dr. Fletcher, he had, thankfully, been able to convince Arios to begrudgingly let Simon out of the cell, return his cloak, and take him into a far less dismal interrogation room. He had even managed to acquire permission to sit in the room during the questioning as well, in order to ensure that no harm would befall the unfortunate archer.
Still, he was uneasy. He had learned that the name of the man performing the interrogation was Ferran, one of the "councilmembers" that Arios had earlier mentioned-those that had agreed with his assertion that Simon must be locked away. Jack sincerely hoped that this would not lead to unfair (and possibly fatal) bias against Simon. The other four members of the aforementioned council also appeared to be present, two men (one of them being Dr. Fletcher) and two women, though they sat towards the back of the room, keeping silent as they too observed the interrogation. Jack prayed that the presence of the three that had wanted to treat the archer fairly would counteract any injustice against him.
For the time being, however, there was nothing he could do except sit, wait, and desperately try to collect his thoughts. The boy's head still spun with the whirlwind of numerous shocking events he had experienced in a comparatively short amount of time, so, despite everything, he was somewhat relieved that he had at least gained a chance to slow down and sort through it all.
So… he mused silently with a soft exhale. What have I learned so far…? Firstly, of course, the overarching discovery is that, underneath the sands of the Motorean desert, there lies a whole community of escaped snow sprites...something I never would have thought possible. It's still so...so surreal...to discover that after all this time, I'm not the only one left after all…
Jack shook his head very slightly to clear it, then let his thought process continue elsewhere. Now, from what I've gathered, the people that populate this area are from places south of my old home. The Nightmare King seemingly started his plot in the north and worked his way down, giving the sprites of the southernmost regions time to escape. They likely then regrouped somewhere south of Soluna City, and-most likely acquiring cooling gems or other potions and spells with similar effects-made their way into the desert, where they knew no one would search for them. I highly doubt all of them would have survived the journey...but evidently, enough did to form a small city beneath the sand.
They used magic to tunnel their way down, creating walls out of impenetrable ice in order to keep the sand from caving in and crushing them. Though I can't fill in the blanks regarding the rest of the city without seeing it for myself, I imagine every room and tunnel looks at least relatively similar.
Judging by the existence of blankets and clothing made of natural fibers, as well as the obvious requirement for food, I would imagine they found some way to bring some livestock and perhaps raise crops down here...impressive for sprites that emanate coldness. Heavy magic was likely used by someone who dabbles in charms and spells other than the standard winter magic we are born with.
As far as I've gathered to this point, the issue of leadership and legal matters has been resolved with the existence of a five-person council consisting of Dr. Darreth Fletcher and four other individuals whom I have only heard referred to as Ferran, Sera, Shiro, and Rayla. However, it seems as though relations within the council are strained due to differing opinions of outsiders...and the way Arios talks combined with how his father responds to him suggests that Arios desires more power than his current station grants, so he uses the two councilmembers that share his views, Ferran and Sera, to get his way. Meanwhile, Dr. Fletcher, Shiro, and Rayla resist him, seeing as he is not part of the council and should therefore not assert as much influence as he is trying to.
Jack sighed silently, bringing a hand to his forehead to rub it in exasperation. It seems I've stepped into quite the civil mess...and I haven't even seen the rest of the sprites in this city yet, so for all I know, they could be divided in much the same way. Which of course, might not bode well for Simon…
Speaking of Simon, I suppose he only was taken down here because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He told me that he was heading to Motoraus a couple of days after my trip began...we traveled the same trail, so he must have found me on his way to Sahran and stopped to try to help. While he was standing over me, the sprites that sensed my power above them must have found us and assumed that he had been the one to attack me, so they captured him and took him down here alongside me.
While he was made a prisoner, I was given to the resident doctor, Darreth Fletcher, to be nursed back to health. He was most likely aided by his timid daughter, Cynthia, while his son, Arios, dealt with Simon. Then, once I woke up, Dr. Fletcher told me about how I had been rescued by my own kind, and explained the existence of the underground-ugh...I still shudder to acknowledge that part of things...still, I mustn't lose myself to fear...I'm fine…-city known as "New Iskald." Soon, after Cynthia entered and brought up her brother, I learned that Simon had been taken prisoner, and that I was to go to him, as he had been asking for me, likely because he recognized that a community of snow sprites would treat one of their own well, and I would be sure to vouch for his innocence with a higher chance of being believed. Then, of course, I went to the cell, protested his harsh treatment, and...here I am, watching him get interrogated about his intentions regarding the newfound knowledge that a snow sprite community still exists here. I think that about covers all that I now know...
Jack frowned. Except...there are some things that I knew before that I have yet to tell the people down here. I told Dr. Fletcher that I've been living in Soluna City for some time now, but I kept getting interrupted before I could tell him everything. None of these people know that I have become a Guardian...and none of them know that the surface world will be more accepting towards them should they return, due to the knowledge about the Nightmare King and his plots becoming rapidly widespread. I have to tell them...otherwise, they might not let Simon or even me go home.
I understand why, of course...they've been hiding for years and are reluctant to risk discovery that they believe could get them killed. I was the same way...it took me weeks to finally stop reaching back for a nonexistent hood to hide my face from the crowds. Even now I know that there are some people who haven't quite been convinced that snow sprites really are not evil beings. But either way...progress has been made, and our race is no longer in imminent danger. Though they may not believe me at first, I must convince them of this…
The young Guardian gulped, shifting nervously in his chair. Otherwise...Simon and I might be trapped down here for a long time…
His thoughts finally somewhat collected in comparison to the wild mess of emotions and questions he had previously been subjected to, Jack took a deep breath and turned his attention back to the interrogation. It seemed as though it had continued going relatively smoothly while his mind had drifted, and, as far as he could tell, Ferran was now attempting to ascertain whether or not Simon had malicious intent towards the sprite he had been found kneeling over (Jack himself, obviously) or any of the others in New Iskald.
"So, Mr. Basil," Ferran was saying, cerulean eyes narrowed into slits as he laced his fingers together on the table in front of him. "What you are saying to me is that, despite being discovered kneeling over the unconscious body of Mr. Frost here with weapons on your person, you did not bear any ill will towards the boy, nor did you injure him in any way?"
Jack noticed that Simon seemed to be becoming increasingly frustrated and impatient as the questioning dragged on, but to his credit, the archer managed to, for the most part, keep himself calm and collected as he answered, "Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying. Jack is an acquaintance of mine; I have no intention of hurting him, nor any others of his kind."
He's come a long way from our first face-to-face meeting five months ago, Jack silently acknowledged. Back then, he was ready to shoot me right through the heart because of what I was...granted, I suppose that that was exactly what he did, once the Fearling took control of him, but that's beside the point. I'm...just glad the protective spell on me saved my life…
"Additionally," Simon continued, jolting Jack back out of his wandering thoughts. "As you can see, I'm not exactly in possession of the, ahem, standard amount of limbs a person usually requires...I would think it difficult for me to physically overpower Jack in a desert that holds no trees to hide amongst. I'm an archer, a hunter by trade. I use a combination of my bow and stealth in order to fell my targets. If I had really wanted to hurt Jack, I would have shot him from a distance rather than attempted to get up close and stab his hand."
"Hm…" Ferran mused, studying the young man carefully. "You make an interesting argument, to be sure, but I'm afraid that, unless you can provide solid proof, we must still hold you under suspicion."
Simon's emerald eyes narrowed. His gaze shifted from Ferran, to the councilmembers behind the interrogator, then finally to Jack, sitting off to the side. A sigh escaped the red-haired man's lips as he leaned back in his chair and looked dully at Ferran. "Alright, then," he said. "If you don't believe me, then how about you ask Jack himself?"
Jack stiffened slightly as all eyes in the room landed on him. He quickly straightened up in his seat and cleared his throat, painfully aware of all six expectant gazes directed his way. "He...he's right," he said quickly, looking over at Ferran specifically. "Simon was not the man that attacked me. I was attacked by a Motorean bandit with a grudge against me...Simon merely found me after the fact, just as you all did."
Ferran arched a dark eyebrow. "Then you are also confirming Mr. Basil's claims that you are, in fact, acquaintances? That you do not believe he would ever plot to hurt you?"
Jack nodded firmly. "Yes," he answered. "He is innocent...you can be sure of that. He does not intend to harm me or any of you."
Suddenly, the younger of the two female councilmembers in the back abruptly spoke up. "How can we know that for sure?" she asked sharply, her cobalt eyes narrowed in suspicion. "For all we know, you could be a traitor in league with the human, and you both intend to reveal our secret to the world!"
"Calm yourself, Sera," the other woman, likely Rayla, chided, holding up a hand to silence her companion. "We have no proof of these claims."
"Yes, but we have no proof to the contrary, either," Ferran pointed out. "These two are complete strangers...they could be dangers to us."
Great… Jack though exasperatedly. Now I'm under suspicion as well...this just got a whole lot more difficult…
"Um, actually-" he began aloud, but was quickly drowned out as Sera spoke up again.
"Ferran's right!" she insisted. "We've been hiding under here for over six years, undisturbed by anyone, and then suddenly, we get two newcomers in our midst both in the same day? It's suspicious, to say the least!"
"Hold on, you don't have to-" Jack tried again, but was interrupted once more.
"Has it ever occurred to you that you might simply be letting your paranoia get the best of you?" the remaining councilmember, Shiro, spoke up, arching an eyebrow in Sera's direction. "Immediately assuming guilt is not the way we do things around here, and you know it."
Sera scowled slightly in response. "That's not the point, Shiro! We-!"
"HEY!"
The room quite suddenly went silent as each occupant's attention once more shifted over to Jack, who had stood up and shouted in order to finally be heard. Once he had their attention, however, he allowed himself to sit down once more, lest his tired body decide it wanted to start refusing to support him.
"...listen to me," Jack said, looking around at each of the councilmembers. "I know I have not exactly done anything to prove myself trustworthy to you, but...please hear me out. You need to know...snow sprites don't need to fear for their lives anymore. I've been accepted into society...and I'm sure others would be too."
"...accepted?" Ferran questioned after a long silence. "You expect us to believe that a snow sprite had been accepted in this day and age? After everything that happened six years ago!?"
"I do," Jack said calmly. "Because, well...it's the truth."
"Jack…" Dr. Fletcher began slowly. "Do you...perhaps have proof that society has accepted you…?"
The boy took a deep breath and nodded. I suppose I've got quite a bit of explaining to do… he thought.
"Well," Jack said, raising his eyebrows. "Is my status as a Guardian of Childhood proof enough for you?"
I honestly felt like we needed a chapter where all the crazy revelations and information was finally pulled together. XD Hope you enjoyed, and I'll see you guys next time for Chapter 10!
'Til then, Sapphire316, out.