The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 368: Facing the Council (2)

Chapter 368: Facing the Council (2)

"Lady Elize?"

"What’s the meaning of this?"

Both Heron and Zero spoke up one after the other. They spoke but the expressions of the other Elders seemed to scream they wished to know too.

The female Elder on the second floor was still too overwhelmed to say anything. But Hex could sense she would erupt shortly. Her face was contorting, giving a variety of expressions, just like a loosened cloth in turbulent weather.

Elize stepped forward with effortless calm and steadiness. The hundreds of eyes on her didn’t bother her a bit.

It could be because most of these eyes seemed to hold respect for her.

’She is one of the strongest people in Wrixia. Makes sense they know her. But none seemed to be afraid to look at her. I can see smiles appearing on the lips of many.’

Hex deduced all these quickly.

"They attacked me. Without even listening to me."

Elize stood in the middle of the crowd and spoke calmly.

"You dare?" The woman on the second floor finally snapped. "Attacking the Council is forbidden. I suggest we use the Authority–"

"Your daughter tried that already." Elize interrupted her, meeting her gaze. She slowly lifted her hand.

The chained mark was something each and every member recognized. Marcella’s mother froze. It seemed as if her eyes could pop out of her skull, the way she stared at Elize’s hand.

"The Authority mark?" Zero mumbled. Alas, the silence of the crowd ensured that everyone present heard him. So, everyone, even those in the back who hadn’t been able to see the mark with clarity or at all, still managed to learn about it.

It remained silent. No one moved.

"Perhaps...we should take this inside," Heron said after a long pause. He seemed shaken to the core. Whatever these people had expected to witness, it hadn’t been Elize with the mark. She wasn’t an Elder. Yet, she had the mark on the back of her hand. None of the people here, especially the Elders, were fools. They already knew what this presented.

"I don’t mind. Old man Tectonic should be on the upper floor. We can discuss things at length in his office," Elize suggested in a tone that made it clear that it wasn’t a suggestion. No one minded though. Not even Marcella’s mother, even though her eyes seemed to stare daggers at Elize. She still had enough sense to keep her mouth shut.

"These people are under my protection. They will remain on the third floor until we are done. I assume they will be looked after with utmost care." Elize pointed at the remaining forces behind her and to Hex. Now, it was his turn to stare dumbfounded.

He had not expected her to protect the Witchkin. The scowl on Jonathan’s face expressed that he didn’t expect her to pull off something like this. But he remained quiet.

...

The group split upon entry. The Elders took Elize and Jonathan with them through the main corridor. Hex and the others were led to a side corridor. The slump of Elders and their guards they had dragged to the city were in a third group.

When they were entering, Hex had seen a group of servants hurry toward them to take care of them. Where they brought them didn’t concern him.

Hex and the woman and girls followed a servant through the side corridor. The unadorned and windowless walls, plain floor and scarcely lit corridor contrasted starkly with the main corridor. In the brief second he had been able to take a look, the main corridor was adorned with gold-encased paintings, soft and well-refined moonstones, and thick carpets. He even noticed windows at the sides giving a view to the outside.

...

"Please make yourself comfortable. I will return with some refreshments and food."

The servant, a young woman with pleasant features and nice dress, said once she brought them into a large room. To Hex’s surprise the room had luxurious furniture, gems to condition the humidity and temperature of the room, and enough space to allow each and every one to move with ample space to spare.

’I expected to be placed in something that looked more like a dungeon than the living room of a high noble. It seems Elize’s identity provides enough privileges to ensure even her posse is taken care of.

He selected his spot beside the sofa that Medina had taken. Ever since his battle against the Lava Bat they had barely communicated. They did exchange glances now and then but refrained from making direct contact.

"What happened?" Medina leaned in and asked after a while. The travel through the air and the almost suffocating pressure of being in the presence of the Elders had exhausted most of these people. Even someone as young and energetic as Jade had dozed off almost as soon as she laid on the soft cushion.

Hex recounted everything in detail. He didn’t skip anything. At first he repeated everything he and Elize had discussed about the little Shadow Serpents, their disappearance, the attack on the Elder, their battle against those two leaders, and the arrival of those other Elders. After a little pause he told the conflict between Elize and those three. The color of his hair and eyes started the conflict – so he believed – but Elize seemed to believe they had targeted her even before laying eyes on him.

During the entire recount he continued to observe Medina but her calm demeanor didn’t change even a little while he talked. She listened with full attention, without interrupting him for even a bit. Once he finished recounting each detail, he awaited her reaction.

"I see."

To his dismay, that was everything she said for a while. He waited but she remained silent and calm. She wasn’t looking at him though. To Hex it seemed like she was analyzing every bit. Just as he was about to press for more out of her, the door slammed open. The noise woke everyone.

The pleasant-featured servant entered, minus her soft smile. She was trembling and nervous. Behind her, a small group of five young men and women entered. All with disgust-filled eyes. A girl with unpleasant features stepped forward and addressed the room – Hex with all his sharp senses didn’t notice her even acknowledging the presence of the people inside, so he assumed she was communicating with the walls.

"We don’t mean any harm. We just want to repay you guys for dragging the Elders of our families back to us."