Chapter 10
Decisions made
Adam woke around evening, staring into the sky which was dotted with sparkling stars. The sky also appeared smoky as large clouds of silvery vapor passed overhead, often highlighted by dancing flames that moved in the wind, sparks being carried with it. It took a while for Adam to realize where he was. The tower's complete middle section and top was gone. Wooden planks stuck out the walls covered in a whirling torrent of flame.
Adam stretched then turned his head to the deathly form of Austin.
"Ahh!" Adam shouted with fear as he spotted a burning plank of wood lying across Austin's body, slowly burning him.
He quickly stood and was amazed at how weak he was, dots flickered across his field of vision and he almost collapsed. But he stood firm in knowing that his friend was being burnt alive.
"Austin!" He shouted, bending down to pick up the plank. "Austin !" He now had the wood in his hands, the heat from the fire starting to inflict damage upon him, and lifted it up with the remaining strength he had left in his limbs.
The wood was lifted long ways, pointing vertically into the air, causing the flames to scintillate upward for a moment as the log fell on its side sending a oscillation of sparks into the heavens. Adam pulled Austin away from the fire and set him on his back and started to try and wake him up.
But nothing happened and, as a burst of sparks lighted the night sky, Adam could see that Austin's skin was pale, the color of death.
"NO!" He bellowed, angrily. "Not today!" Adam looked to the sky and closed his eyes, feeling a tsunami of emotions wash over him. Austin was one of his best friends, many of his other compatriots had either left Xeon or died in battles. Trey and Austin were his only true friends with Nolan being more of a father than friend.
Without much more to do Adam put his hand over Austin and screamed, "Waise heill!"
The spell drained all energy left in him, but hopefully it would bring Austin back. Or at least Adam hoped. All his life he took life, he killed, killed, and killed some more. If just this once he could give life… then he would be redeemed and his soul would be in peace.
Later the next day, a group of Xeon soldiers found the bodies of Adam and Austin at the floor of the tower, both without a heartbeat. Being wary of bodies of some sort of creature, they grabbed their comrades and left. Nolan followed the ceremony of soldiers carrying the fallen soldiers to the medical rooms, for he believed there was still hope.
After a few days and several treatments Adam left the quarantine a different person. Having died then being alive again was a complete shock. The magicians offered to remove the memory of his death so he could return to normal, but, with the uttermost respect, he turned it down. He decided to live with what happened so as not to make the same mistake twice.
Before long he was met by Trey who mourned for Austin and celebrated Adam revival, and also requested guidance with the council of Elders for a trial.
"There was a teen soldier we found, from Aroughs mind you, who was found sneaking around the city, still in battle armor and weapons in hand. We don't know much about him for he will not speak about his intentions." Said Trey, Adam usually participated in trials for his undeterred wisdom helped choose the best solutions. Even though it maddened the Elders and almost started a feud once when Adam proclaimed a murderer to be put to life in prison rather than death. The Elders were considered bloodthirsty and often condemned innocent people to death.
"Have you figured out his name?" Adam asked, for if he knew the suspect's name he could then glen more information from him.
"Connor, but that's all he'll tell."
Okay, thought Adam, so Connor is most likely anti-social, looks like he needs a friend. Adam already began formulating a convincing argument.
Adam and Trey were led, by a messenger no older than ten years old. He stared wide eyed at them as he turned down the street.
"Do you think Austin'll be okay?" Asked Trey. He repeatedly tapped his leg with his index finger.
Adam thought a while then said."I don't know, it's hard to tell with all those burn marks and such."
Trey looked to the ground, worry cloaking him in a depressing blanket. He and Austin had been friends ever since they were little toddlers. They grew up and went to school together; they were the best of friends. A friendship that may not last.
Adam had only known Trey and Austin ever since he was six years old. He had been found as a babe, wrapped in swaddling cloth and left just outside the city in a basket weaved out of reeds. No one knew who his family was, so a man named Frederic adopted him. But only two years after, Frederic went to war and never came back. Adam has been on his own since, no provider besides Nolan who took him in and clothed him and taught him all he knew.
They arrived at a stairway when the boy turned to them and said."They want you to meet them in the conference room."
Trey nodded and tossed the boy a silver coin.
The kid plucked the coin out of the air and, with a joyous expression, ran off deeper into the city.
Adam started down the stairs and past the entrance to the prison chambers and through a polished marble hallway up to a curved stone door, which simultaneously opened revealing the youth soldier, a Xeonian soldier, two men and women, the Council of Elders. But when their eyes fell upon Adam their faces hardened and they grunted complete and utter conniption.
"Adam, Trey, welcome come sit." Said a plump lady, motioning to two stone seats on the opposite side of the council.
Conscious that he was being watched, Adam surveyed the room, and then seated himself in the middle of a swath of empty chairs, so that the Council had to shift their positions to look at him.
The teen soldier, who Austin identified as Connor, knelt against the marbled floor, his reflection staring back at him.
"So," Said Adam as he seated himself, looking between the Elders and Connor. "What's seems to be the problem?"
The plump lady sat up and brushed a strand of hair that got stuck in the thick makeup that coated her face."Hm. Well some say he was sneaky around, plotting to kill people secretly. And… uhm, he says that he was hiding because he was scared and unwilling to fight."
Adam thought then said," So he is an assassin?"
Connor stood from his crouched position and shouted," No! I was just scared, I… hid so I could be safe."
Well duh, isn't that what hiding is for. Thought Adam, bringing a smile to his lips, But what he really said was," And what makes you think we should trust you."
Adam was sure the boy was innocent, but he still needed to look at him when he spoke to be sure.
The fat lady snorted, like a pig, then, in an unlady-like voice, said," We can't trust him, he is our enemy. He charged in our city with the intensions to fight whether he wanted to or not."
Adam laughed," And he chose not to."
The thin man stood, his chair scrapping across the floor, and bellowed," Watch who you're talking to. This is a human lady, not a wild animal!" Then as the man sat he gave a loving look to the female.
They are most likely in love, gag. Adam joked to himself, then, so as not to upset anyone else he apologized." Sorry, my lady, I didn't mean to be rude."
Even though he said it sarcastically, the man smiled with approval.
Trey smiled at Adam's comment and a snicker echoed from where Connor stood.
The lady waved her head, as if to show off her white fuzzy hair. "So what will our decision be? Hold him prisoner or punish him, and then hold him prisoner."
Adam looked over to Connor who stood with his eyes downcast, but Adam could tell that he was on the brink of tears, for what reason Adam didn't know. Then he looked to each of the Elders, they all seemed pretty ecstatic about their decision.
Adam looked to Trey for reassurance. Even though they had no final say in what was to happen, if the Elders were somehow convinced then Connor would be free, but if not…
Adam stood, finally coming up with a sufficient plan.
"Connor, come here." The participants in the room seemed taken aback. "And you too soldier."
The two came forward and stopped in front of Adam, awaiting orders.
Adam looked to Connor, who returned his gaze with sorrowful eyes.
"Release his bindings." Adam commanded the soldier.
The Elders stood, grasping their weapons." Are you mad!?" They all shouted, almost in one breathe.
The soldier looked to the Elders, expecting another command. But when none came he pulled out a set of keys and unlocked Connors chains.
The shackles fell to the ground, sliding across the frictionless marble, with a loud clang. Connor stretched out his wrists and, with a surprised expression, looked to Adam.
"Now!" Adam said, making sure to raise his voice." Everyone in the room, take off you weapons and lay them in the tables center."
The Elders began to protest, but decided against it for they wanted to see what was going to happen. Once all the weapons were in the middle Adam told Connor to go chose whichever one he wanted.
Connor stood still, dumbfounded, until Adam told him again. Then he slid forward and looked over the assortment of daggers, swords, and knives.
Adam stood back awaiting Connors choice. The seconds went by slowly as Connor repeatedly picked up different weapons. Once he chose the plump ladies dagger, who reacted with a sigh of relief when he put it down.
Finally he picked up a curved silver blade with a wired hilt. Adam figured that it was the short mans dagger because he gasped when Connor held it up.
"Okay, now you may do whatever you wish." Adam said, he smiled shyly.
Connor looked around the room, at each individual person, and then with a grunt he put the dagger down.
"No, I'll face my punishment like a man, not run away and kill for the rest of my life. I'm not a coward anymore." Connor meant those words for he set the dagger down, where it was quickly retrieved by its owner, and went over to where his cuffs lied upon the floor.
Adam smiled, Connor had passed his test.
"Congratulations, you have passed. No punishment shall befall you this day." Adam said. He then walked up to the very stunned Connor and clasped his hand on his shoulder.