Chapter 13
(Revised edition)
Michael was seething. Understandably so, as he was standing in front of James Primrose, the Grand Judge of the Solar Sword. By some extension, he was also a leader of the Unity.
Next to him were presumably the other Grand Leaders of the Unity, Lillian Primrose, and Silver Goll. Lillian, as Grand Researcher of the Lunar Lance, had kept the Eclipse from gaining the edge technologically for the longest time. Silver, as Grand Strategist of the Oathsworn, always negated any progress that the Eclipse had made.
There was one person absent, however, being the Grand Warden of the O.C.S., Cassiel Goll. Instead, walking up to the seat of the Grand Warden was Chrysanthemum. She was the General of the O.C.S. after all.
The people currently sitting in front of them were the biggest antithesis to the Eclipse. One day, Michael had hoped to encounter them, whether in combat, or when the war was over. Meeting them like this wasn’t what he had intended.
Being caught by the Unity was also something that he did not intend. The situation was made worse by the fact that Harmony, Maya, and Steven were there as well. Then again, it might have been a good thing.
Michael didn’t know what he would have done if they weren’t there.With how angry he was he might have gone and attacked them, even with the guards here. Or he would take other rash actions, which in all likelihood would end up getting him killed. Yet, to Michael, dying would be worth it for the chance to take down even one of the Grand Leaders.
James stared down at Michael, an unfathomable weight behind his eyes. They also seemed to pierce directly through Michael, reading him as though he were a book. This made Michael even more angry.
The display of anger didn’t seem to bother James. He shifted his gaze between all four of their group. Then, without a word, he stood.
“Welcome to the Hall of Resplendance, the capital of the Unity, as well as the Solar Sword,” James greeted, “I apologize if your conditions have been unfavorable.”
Michael didn’t know what to think about this situation. Kindness wasn’t what he was expecting from James. Then again, he didn’t know what to expect at all.
“I need to set some ground work before we begin properly talking,” James began, “first, you are now guests of the Unity. We will ensure that you are treated properly, despite technically being prisoners. Second, the only reason that we are offering this is because the Grand Warden, Cassiel Goll, has ordered us to.”
Taking a pause, James looked between all of them again. The weight behind his eyes was still there, but his gaze no longer pierced through them. Instead it was replaced by a curiosity.
Judging by what Michael could see, Silver looked tired, as though she hadn’t gotten sleep for at least two days. Lillian, on the other hand, had a vitriolic look. For what Michael wasn’t sure.
Chrys cleared her throat to get James’s attention. She looked somewhat perturbed.
“As acting Warden, I still believe that we need to treat them with caution,” Chrys announced, “from the uniforms that they are wearing, as well as from what we’ve seen, they are of the Ecliptic Academy.”
“The Ecliptic Academy is the most advanced school, barring higher education, within the Eclipse,” Chrys informed the Grand Leaders, “according to records, as well as documents we scoured, those standing before us are the most capable of their class.”
“Right now, I believe the best course of action would be to, at the very least, imprison them so we can keep an eye on them,” Chrys concluded.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
“I second this,” Lillian said, speaking up for the first time, “they can earn their keep later. Though I will make the point that we shouldn’t do anything more than hold them.”
“Noted, but the last time I checked this is still my court, and my word is final on this matter,” James said, then turned back to Michael and the others, “my verdict is, you will be held as guests. Granted you will be put under observation.”
“Then, later on, as well as noting that you are accomplished within the Ecliptic Academy, you will be given a chance to prove yourselves,” James continued, “that chance to prove yourselves will be overseen by Chrysanthemum, General of the O.C.S.”
James picked up what appeared to be a glaive. He slammed it into the ground. What resulted was a loud boom that could be heard throughout the court. It didn’t hurt Michael’s ears, but he could feel the energy reverberating through his body.
“The court will now hear from those part of the trail. Should I hear a convincing argument the verdict might change” James looked down at them expectantly.
As much as Michael wanted to say something, he figured that it would be best to keep quiet. He was quite heated at the moment, and any words that came out of his mouth would likely make the situation worse. It was best to leave it to the others… for now anyway.
“We would like the court to know that we were chased out of the Eclipse,” Maya jumped in, taking the lead of the conversation, “when you retrieved us, we were in the middle of trying to escape.”
Raising an eyebrow, James turned to the rest of the group, “is this true?”
The first one to try and confirm what Maya had said was Harmony. Though she wasn’t the best at coming up with formal speech, and when it came to stressful situations, her speech could often fall apart. Michael had learned this from the time that she was in Speech and Debate.
“We’re…” Harmony stuttered and struggled to find the right words, “yes, we were chased… by our instructor as well as a large group of soldiers.”
While she was talking, Harmony sounded uncertain. This distracted Michael from his anger towards the Grand Leaders, instead making him annoyed at his sister. She could have let Steven talk first, and in the meanwhile she could have come up with what she was going to say.
“Our instructor, Caleb, came to secure us as, apparently, we had overheard something that we were not supposed to,” Michael jumped in, covering for Harmony.
Something that Michael said grabbed James’s attention, “what is Caleb’s last name?”
“His last name is Johnson,” Michael replied, “I fail to see why that is important information.”
There was a pause. James looked lost in thought for a moment. Then he finally returned to the conversation.
“I haven’t heard from you,” James said to Steven, “what’s your view in all of this?”
Steven shifted uncomfortably. He seemed nervous. Michael hadn’t seen him like this before. Normally, even in stressful situations, he was chipper and upbeat.
“I can vouch that what my friends are saying is true,” Steven said simply.
Nodding, James turned and said something to Chrys. Michael couldn’t hear what he said, but she nodded and turned back to the group.
James took a few moments and looked at them, as though contemplating something. Michael wondered what he was thinking about.
“My verdict remains the same,” James said slowly, “before I turn you back over to General Chrys, I would like you to introduce yourselves. And yes, I do already know your names.”
Everyone took turns introducing themselves. When Michael and Harmony’s last name, Hollow, was brought up, the three Grand Leaders shared a look of intrigue.
They were then handed back over to Chrys, who brought them out the side doors again. Four guards were alongside them the entire time, making sure that they didn’t wander off.
“There are a few rooms here that you’ll be staying for the night,” Chrys explained, “they’re set up with a common room, which you will not be allowed out of until someone retrieves you.”
They continued down the hall for a while longer before Harmony spoke to Michael.
“What do you think that tomorrow holds?” Harmony asked, “I’m worried that we won’t make it out of this.”
Michael didn’t have any calming words that he could offer. The only thing that he could bring to the table was the truth.
“I don’t know, but we need to be ready,” Michael said, looking forward.
Whatever tomorrow brought, they would need to be prepared.
