The Raven & The Wolf

Chapter Eleven

In the morning, I wait in The Hall, wearing an identically styled dress as yesterday, but colored emerald green instead; the color of my magic. I’ve kept my hair down for the meeting, so I have somewhat of a chance to hide my face. I sit in the middle because I have all of the stars of our clans; the only one currently alive with this honor. Stanya sits next to me. The only star she needs to earn is Yellow. She’s in blue for her magic color as well.

Halthin comes in with all four of the Forest Folk leaders. They’re dressed identical. Brown pants and green shirts. Their heads are bald, and a tree is tattooed on their heads. All of their faces are round and emotionless. Due to the circumstances of this meeting, it’s easy to understand why.

The first one comes to speak. He’s five foot nine and slim as a willow. His eyes are the color of milk. He’s blind. “May I speak to the highest ranking Sheik?” He asks; his smokey voice filling the dead air.

“That is me, Elder Natasha,” I answer, making my voice strong. Gedric’s head snaps to my direction then rolls his eyes. Immediately, the leader’s head turns my way. He bows slightly, unsure what to do.

“There is no need for that formality,” I say, only slightly annoyed. “We are all equal in this room.”

He grins as he straightens. “If I may say, you sound rather young. What is your age?”

I glare at him. Not one of these guys. Halthin turns his head to hide his smirk. “Twenty.”

The man chuckles. “I asked for the highest ranking, not the youngest.”

The room chuckles with his remark. I answer when they fall silent. “And she is speaking. If you prefer the eldest, I shall get Mary for you. Age does not define if we are qualified in this room, only skill.”

His mouth twists. “How long have you been in this position young lady?”

I count back. “Six years?” I look at Stanya. She nods in agreement. “Yeah, six years.”

The visitors look staggered, even Gedric. The board of Elders chuckle while Halthin just grins. I roll my eyes and start doodling on a piece of paper. It’s clear my young opinion will not ring clear in their heads. Mary stomps on my foot so I drop the pen and smile at them like a good little girl.

The blind man still looks to be in disbelief. “She sounds like she’s twelve. What is her magic level?”

“It’s unclear at the moment, but I can assure you that she is qualified.” Mary says quickly. “If you doubt her abilities, then you should check the magic shield that is protecting your clan. For it is her power that is fueling it.” That got them. They all pale as I smirk. That’s right old man. This little girl is the one solely protecting your village.

Mary moves on, more irritated by this conversation than I am. “However, we are not here to discuss ages. We are here to discuss if Gedric is to be killed for murdering his grandfather. We believe that because of his aide towards our second youngest, and highest valued member, he should be granted a pardon for this crime.”

The blind man straightens. ”It is against our laws to kill a fellow member of our clan, even if it was shown in mercy. We sympathize, and truly regret having to follow through with this law. Many of our clansmen have begged for his freedom, but we must follow what is law.”

“But if that is the case, why punish him for what he has done?” I ask. “Clearly his fellow clansman hold no grudge, or need, for vengeance. You even seem reluctant yourself. Surely, if you had been in the place of his grandfather, you would have wanted death as well.”

The blind man hesitates. “It is a law that I must follow what has been laid out before me.”

I grin, catching a scent. “I can see that clearly, but remember his grandfather’s place. There was a growth on his lung that continuously drew life from him. With every breath he grew weaker, and his pain increased. Soon, he wouldn’t have been able to walk. Without a doubt, the anguish that growth had caused would have made him unable to move at all. That he would soil himself in front of others. Rely on his grandson forever. Waiting for his time to come to an end.

“Now, I’m not saying what Gedric did was moral. I believe it was not. But it was an errand of mercy, with the interest of his grandfather at heart. I also believe that the three consecutive times that Gedric has saved my life, has granted him some form of redemption.”

This interests the blind man. “It was your life he had saved?”

Unabashed, I nod. “Yes it was. The first was a surprise attack from Stylus, Ari’s tracker. He beat him upside the head with a rock, knocking him unconscious; while my companion and I were incapacitated for the time being. The second was when Ari was trying to steal my magic; after he had ambushed me with a paralyzing spell. The third was when I was incapacitated with a magic overload; and Ari had found Gedric and I on our way to the city so my life would be spared.”

The blind man’s face falls. Clearly, it upset him that I am not in the least bit ashamed that I needed help. “Being that his actions are a clear and perfect form of redemption, that does not excuse the taking of a life. I sympathize completely, but, begrudgingly, I am still forced by law to have to place a death sentence on his head.”

“Is the call for one’s death that more justified, due to the requested death of another, Councilor?” I ask as my thumbs knock together. I hate losing. It is clear that I am intellectually unmatched with his stubborn, and experienced, mind. He is smarter and wiser. He knows of their laws, and I do not. I am staying afloat by a moth beat.

He hesitates. “The answer to that is clearly no, Elder. However, it is a custom in our culture that a life is traded for taking a life. An eye for an eye as you would see it.”

“But if it is so against your culture to take a life, than surely one must be taken for stealing his life.” I argue back, though I know for a fact it comes out dead even. I’m trying to stall while I think. “Especially because he has given life back three times, that I know of, since the death of his grandfather.”

The Councilors face hardens. “Look, I know that you feel obligated to fight for his life because he has saved yours on multiple occasions. It is clear, though, you do not know our culture, so you do not know our customs; so forgive me for appearing short sighted on this matter. The matter at hand here, is that his fate was sealed the moment he took the knife to his grandfather’s throat.”

“You say ‘he’ instead of his name Councilor.” I say quickly, sensing faulty ground. “Why is that?”

The Councilor has become unsure, not finding the direction I have taken. “That is his gender. Just like yours is female, so you are regarded in terms of she or her.”

“It is not the gender noun that has stalled me sir. It is the fact that you are purposely framing your words around his name.” Sensing a standing ground, I push on. “Does not putting a face to a name make it easier for you to follow through with your orders, Councilor? His name is Gedric. He is a hero in the eyes of many members in our community. He sees mercy and gives it when needed, even if it means forfeiting his own life. Gedric knew the consequences of his actions when he took his grandfather’s life, with his consent. If you ask me, it took a brave man to do what was needed. Stupid and immoral, I will grant you that, but courageous none the less.”

My fingers start tapping together faster. “But you are right on another matter Councilor. May I ask, what your view of this subject is? And what is the custom law that is forcing you into this state? Perhaps we can find a loophole through this law, since you seem to find only discomfort and conflict in issuing your forced decree.”

Immediately they all looked staggered. What did I say? The blind Councilor stares at the direction of my voice for a long time before speaking. “I find my point of view is that I believe in what Gedric had done for his grandfather Elder...”

“Natasha,” I supply.

He grins. “Elder Natasha. But who is to say that it is their right to take a life? That is for none to decide but the fates.”

I nod, “I agree with you Councilor...”

“Malnick.”

I almost laugh. Of course I should meet another stubborn man by this name. “Councilor Malnick. But I also believe in redemption and forgiveness. I also believe that if the Fates think that Gedric should be killed as a form of justice for his grandfather’s death, that they would have made it clear that his death should have been issued. Instead, you now have a Sheik clan, whom you barely acknowledge, fighting for his life, because they wholeheartedly believe his life should be spared.”

Malnick hesitates as he takes in my point of view. “You make an excellent point my dear, but as I have said before, it is not for you to decide, but the Fates.”

“Then what makes you even more qualified than I am to say that he should die instead of spared?” I counter. I really need to learn of someone’s culture before I argue against it. I normally do; however, I do not have that luxury this time. Mainly because I wasn’t planning on this ever happening.

“I’m not saying I am, but I am only pointing out that it is not within your power to decide either.”

“I am not saying it is, Councilor. I am just simply trying to figure out why you believe that you should take his life, when the Fates have made it clear that they do not wish his life to be taken. If they intended for his death, they would have had Stylus kill him when it was within his power and sent another being to spare my life; if it was to be spared at all.”

“You do not know if it was in their design or just dumb luck.”

“You do not know that either Councilor.” I counter. “As that is the design of life. We do not know what is or is not. We do not know what is intended and what is not. Life is a game that is designed for us to question our own beings, and to be put back in place when we are wrong. There is no winning in life if we are to question what if and what is. There is only anger and heartache, if that is what holds you back.

“Open your mind Councilor, and consider what I have said. Do you really want to take the life of this young man? Even when it has been made clear that his life is not in your hands.” I have no idea what I just said, but I really hope it works. I’m on the verge of just calling me an ass and moving on.

It falls silent as Malnick thinks my words through. He steps back, and the other Councilors circle him to discuss the issue I have raised. I’m pretty sure I lost, and I’ve stuck my foot in my mouth more times than I have helped. At least I can say I gave it a shot.