Xaigan’s expression was pure confusion. “What does that mean?”
“I am the Noble Protector. The leader of the Fae chosen by Bétea herself. If I wish to call upon the appointed sioskallos of the Vol’Gon era, then it is within my right to do. It is I who will ask the questions this day, Xaigan. Do your best to answer them, or face the consequences.”
Xaigan glanced at Jatzal, and Rorie could not discern what communication passed between the two. Rorie was not sure he cared. If he were Drekkoril, he would strip the entire lot of their titles and force any new sioskallo to earn his trust. Making a mental note to discuss it with his bemollo, Rorie focused his attention on what was already proving to be a contentious meeting.
“We shall begin with the most troublesome issue facing our realm,” Drekkoril announced. “Reports have reached my ears that along with our magic continuing to gray, the very land of our realm is changing. It is imperative that we stop the flow of Fae turning dark to restore any semblance of balance.”
“I do not recall a sioskallo being tasked with reporting to you of changing in magic and land,” Cozisan remarked.
“Would it matter if I tasked any of you with something?” Drekkoril demanded. “Have any of you remained loyal to the title granted to you by the previous Noble Protectors? I hardly think so. I have had no choice but to rely upon the family of Grand Warlock Familiar and Protector Renny D’Vaire to come to me with current information. That is not a failure on my part to respect tradition, but of yours. I refuse to listen to, nor will I tolerate you trying to admonish me for doing whatever it takes to know the full truth of what plagues us. I walked the damn land with my own two feet to see the truth.”
“You have not named a Llaidir Sioskallo; how can you expect us not to question your loyalty?” Xaigan demanded.
“I announced some time ago that I was discontinuing the practice of having a Llaidir Sioskallo. The former Noble Protectors appointed you in a custom of their creation. What our people need is a restoration of our lands and traditions of old. I will not allow their desire to sow chaos and discord to permeate the Fae any longer. I would suggest if you wish to keep your title and find harmony once again that you remember that I am free to rule as I desire,” Drekkoril stated.
“You cannot ignore the will of the people,” Xaigan sputtered.
“Without your illegal and disingenuous campaigning, the Fae would not want a Llaidir Sioskallo, Xaigan. I must warn you that if you intend to stay in this room as a sioskallo, then you need to set the topic to rest…permanently.”
“Protector Roriethiel, are you so willing to set aside the progress spearheaded by your flesh and blood and their bemollos?” Rathani demanded.
“A sioskallo’s only task and the reason for your formation is to aid your Noble Protector,” Rorie said. “My role is similar, though I have the blessing of a deep friendship with our leader should I nurture the fondness between us. To do my job fully, I have delved into the tomes and scrolls in the castle library. Most of the information I have gleaned you were taught in the rich education system created millennia ago by bemollos suited to their roles better than the rulers of the Vol’Gon era. You know as I do that I have a supporting position in our government. My parents made mistakes…a great many of them. So did our former leaders. Drekkoril seeks to right those wrongs, and I will assist him however necessary.”
Midrera’s brows lifted in surprise. “I confess I am both delighted and shocked to hear such words from you, Roriethiel.”
“I am no more perfect than anyone else, but I have developed a deep yearning to grow as a person. I would suggest each of you concentrate on the same task. You help yourself alone by trying to continue the failed policies of the previous regime.”
“If you have finished questioning the Protector, I would appreciate your attention to the graying of our world,” Drekkoril drawled. Rorie tried not to laugh at his exasperation, and Renny had amusement in his eyes too. Drekkoril was trying hard to keep the sioskallos on track so he could get information, but it was of no surprise to Rorie that they weren’t cooperating.
“I was a scholar before my appointment as sioskallo,” Cozisan said. “I did not know it was possible for our world to be anything but light.”
“We can find nothing of it in our library. I believe the only way to stop it is to address the many problems we face. Crime is where we must give our attention first. It must be the many Fae lining up to join the Dark realm after committing heinous acts that is creating this situation. How many rioell setieons are remaining?” Drekkoril asked. When no one volunteered an answer, Drekkoril leaned forward in his ornate chair. “Refuse to respond if you like. If you want to keep your jobs, my questions will have answers. I do not care if I must remain here for days or weeks.”
Rorie had to bite his lip to hold back his humor. Since it was a dream for them, they did not require sleep or food, but he supposed the same could not be said for the worried sioskallos.
“Noble Protector, if there are a handful left, I would find myself surprised,” Rathani offered into the awkward and prolonged silence.
“Were you not functioning as a sioskallo that worked closely with the setieons?” Drekkoril demanded.
“Yes, Noble Protector.”
“Explain why you do not have an accurate count.”
“There are sioskallos in this room taking money from their pockets to pay the setieons not to report to me any longer,” Rathani accused.
“Which sioskallos?”
“Xaigan and Jatzal,” Rathani responded, glaring at the two men in question.
“How dare you make such an unfair accusation?” Xaigan shouted.
“I would not suggest you lie to me. I have ways of ferreting out the truth,” Drekkoril remarked calmly.
“Of course you do,” Jatzal yelled, hopping to his feet. “You have allowed Protector Renny’s family to overrun this castle. How long do they intend to stay, and why have you not considered that the dark sorcerers and undead freaks are responsible for the grayness of our realm?”
Since the D’Vaires could visit but not fully affect the realm, Rorie allowed himself to roll his eyes but kept his mouth shut.
“Jatzal, you are hereby stripped of your title as sioskallo. Remove yourself from the castle or I will have Renny’s family escort you out.”
