Chapter 15 - To Sicario or Not To Sicario

"We're the only ones capable of handling Bloom! We've known her the longest, we understand her capabilities better…" Sky argued with the members of the royal council seated before him. An emergency meeting had been called and as many of the heads of the realms were called to attend as possible. "Sending the Sicario after his is a big mistake!" Because his father was in critical condition, Sky was forced to represent the realm of Eraklyon alone. He alone was the only one of the New Company of Light with high enough status who could defend Bloom's case. "They don't know what they're up against?"

"And you do?" called the Queen of Popularis. "You've faced her on three occasions already and she's managed to slip out of your grasp time-and-time again. It's time that action was taken!"

Many members nodded and agreed with the queen. The council would hear none of Sky's arguments. Their minds were made up. The Sicario was to be summoned and commanded to destroy Bloom of Domino before she caused any more harm to the magical universe.

The members of the New Company of light were seated in the audience section of the meeting room. Musa watched the scene before her play out. With every argument made against Sky, with every vote for the Sicario approach, with every guilty look from Bloom's allies her heart dropped and hopes of saving Bloom grew darker.

Musa held her breath as Sky's speech got more heated. "Haven't any of you considered who it is we're talking about here? This is Bloom of Domino! She's saved the magical universe numerous times!" She turned her gaze to the Domino table where Bloom's family sat… quietly. Oritel held an impassive look while Miriam looked troubled. Only Daphne looked angry and prepared to object to the Council's decisions. If only she had the power to do so…

The King of Crystallis finally cut Sky off. "You speak of these great achievements and defend her while your own father lies in the hospital in critical condition? You'd betray your own father like that? Where do your loyalties like, King Sky? Perhaps you and the girl are in cahoots? Or maybe she's got you wrapped around her finger and she's using you…"

Musa reached over and grabbed Riven's hand, hoping to get some form of comfort. Surprisingly enough, Riven squeezed her hand and she felt her fear lessen. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "I don't know what this Sicario is, but hearing them talking about it worries me."

Riven looked at her. "The Sicario are wizard assassins. They're the only individuals in the magical universe allowed to practice necromancy and magic assassination." he looked back toward the arguments. "They've only been used a few times in history. And they've only failed once. Apparently, some were sent after Baltor. But Miriam and Oritel had locked Baltor in the Omega dimension before the Sicario could get even close."

"How do you know all this and I don't?" Musa whispered incredulously.

Riven shrugged. "You hear a lot of rumors on the streets. And apparently Saladin was approached and asked to join one of their guilds. Helia explained a lot to me on the way over."

"Oh."

Her attention was recaptured by booming outcry. "The Council is not going to stand idly by while this overly-glorified monster threatens the realms of the universe!" shouted the King of Isis. Musa shot a glare toward the Isis table, where Diaspro sat feigning an expression of worry.

King Radius was leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling like it was the most interesting thing in the universe. He perked up. " Oh my… did the members of Isis speak? Heaven forbid you don't voice your opinions on Bloom of Domino, considering she did make a complete fool out of your self-absorbed princess."

"And where are your standings on the issue, Radius?!" The King of Isis' eyes were filled with rage. "What will Solaria decide?"

Radius was quiet a moment. Then he sat up and looked serious. "I suppose my mockery is a tad inappropriate at this time. Solaria votes for the Sicario."

Musa felt Stella tense next to her. "No." she whispered.

"Obviously, Eraklyon is against the issue. Tides?" called the King of Isis.

"We're for it." said Teredor calmly.

Musa watched Nabu grab Layla, who was about ready to leap out of her seat. Sky still had the floor, but he was quiet. Obviously there was nothing else he could do.

"What about Domino?"

"We're not voting." Oritel said flatly.

"Daddy!" Daphne grabbed her father's arm, but he ignored her.

"Probably for the best. Zenith…"

One-by-one the realms voted against Bloom. Not a single realm wanted to vote against he summoning of the Sicario. Bloom's fate seemed to be inevitable. Musa buried her face in Riven's shoulder as they called out the final realm to vote. It was Morrcale, so once they voted, the decision would be unanimous, being Domino dropped their vote. "Morrcale?"

The Queen of Morrcale held a bored expression. Then she cast a glance toward Oritel. Musa saw her interest peak the slightest. "Morrcale votes… against the summoning of the Sicario and the termination of Princess Bloom of Domino."

The court practically blew up in response. Every royal and leader was on their feet and arguing, motioning as though the emphasis of their actions would make their opinions better understood. Musa stared at the Queen of the Morrcale realm, who looked smug as she stat there.

"Oh my stars…" Stella stared at the Queen of the Morrcale realm, boggled by what she'd just heard. "…who's that woman? It sure as hell can't be Queen Serel!"

"Enough!" Oritel shouted. The entire council quieted at Oritel's outburst. He glowered at the Queen of the Morrcale realm, but Musa could see a look of relief in his brown eyes. "Without an unanimous decision, the Sicario cannot be summoned."

"So what? Our realms are supposed to wait around until she comes knocking down our front doors?" cried the King of Isis.

A voice called out to answer, but it wasn't the answer anybody in the room had been expecting.

"Why wait?"