Chapter 298: Silent Covenant
“What’s the difference?”
“A magical trance questions not only your mind but your soul’s memories. It will keep family secrets safe, of course, but it will not allow you to lie.” Leona said. “It is quite like a imprint and truly the most unbiased account of events that someone could give.”
He nodded. “Trance, then… I don’t even remember any of the things she mentioned.”
Leona’s eyes narrowed, and she nodded before saying something official sounding and leaning him back.
“You won’t remember anything you tell us, but it will all be recorded and sealed as will the rest of your case. The international court at this level only sees one case and no one leaves until the case is concluded. The entire building is empty, swept and so on.”
“Privacy,” he said numbly.
“Yes.”
He smiled as she started to cast the spell over him. “I rather like the Alliance Council.”
When he surfaced from the trance, the men and women sitting around the room, Achilles , Pallas, and Elios, all looked some version of horrified, murderous, and shocked. Leona’s warm, dark olive skin looked pale. He felt dizzy and a little out of touch. Leona guided him to a different cot to rest, but he didn’t fall asleep.
“We cannot send the boy back to Zarantia, let alone in this state. It would be inhumane!” A woman cried, slamming her hand on the desk. “Those mainland—”
“Madame Kidege, please,” a lilting voice siad. “While we would all like to storm Zarantia and take it by martial force, there is a balance that has to be struck. The Treaty is part of that.”
Madame Kidege scowled and glared at the woman. “If this was your son, I wonder how many people would already be dead.”
“All of them. Painfully,” she said with a ruthless smile. “And I would expect this Council to try me fairly for it as I would not be the least bit apologetic, but that is beside the point.”
The woman sitting in the tallest seat rubbed her head. The two men on either side of her looked troubled. She narrowed her eyes, thinking before her eyes brightened with an idea.
“Healer Leona, if you could give your formal report of Prince Leandros’s state magical state? Specifically a projection of his magical power potential.”
“He is a descendant with very high levels of magic in his blood,” Leona said, and a ripple of shock went through the room. “I’d say comparable to a founder’s descendant.”
Leandros wanted to ask, but he was barely holding on to consciousness.
“We’ll have to look into his lineage then,” the woman in the tallest seat said.
What was her name? He was sure that she had introduced herself, but he couldn’t remember.
“Based on my scans, if he could get proper treatment, he is easily be a good candidate for the Shield Trials. Any Trials, honestly.”
“What sort of treatment?”
“That would be a violation of Prince Leandros’s privacy… However, I can say it is complex, and at the moment, I would advise a full healing ritual by the Great Priest.” She sighed. “Without proper treatment, he still may rise activate his full potential, but it would take centuries.”
“Centuries?” Someone gasped. “Could he live that long?”
“Prince Leandros, are you comfortable with allowing Healer Leona to discuss her findings in greater detail with this body?”
He narrowed his eyes, gathering the strength to sit up and look at the woman. “Why are you all so interested?”
“There are a variety of laws that would prevent Zarantia from being able to formally and contractually bind you for more than five year based on your magical potential. The Islands take precedence in matters of real magic because of Zarantia’s history with magical creatures and religion. As for your health, you have done more for the country of your birth in your short life than many will ever do in a thousand. If your health is hindrered, the Alliance Council will be required to take action to ensure your treatment by keeping you on Ascelpius for as long as necessary.”
“When you say… keep me?”
She chuckled. “It would not be trading one cage for another. While a healer and a guard would be assigned to you. You would have the freedom to study and do as you pleased until you are formally required to serve whatever term is agreed upon.”
He considered it.
“Okay. Thank you for not lying to me.”
“I endeavor to never withhold information from young men… it tends to make them brash and reckless.”
Leandros laughed, bitter and a little self-deprecating.
“You’re right about that… Yes. I’m comfortable to a degree. I don’t want it getting out now or in the future.”
She smiled. “Quite smart of you. Very well, we will hold further questions about your health until this body can set for an establish an Silence Covenant regarding your case.”
“How long will that take?”
“Likely not long at all once the Great Priest and Kyria are available to cast it. We will reconvene then.”
It took a week for them to call him back, but he got to stay on Asclepius during that time. The leader looked exhausted and as if she could use a stiff drink.
“You look terrible,” he said and looked around the room.
Some looked furious. Some looked amused, and others were out right, nodding off in their seats.
“Some of the terms votes were hard won. War was threatened several times and Kyria has raised the Wall of Spears to ensure negotiations aren’t disrupted. Shall we?”
Leandros nodded.
“The Covenant agreed upon for your care is quite complex as it reaches across to much more ancient laws. King Naos was upset to have to yield to the foundational laws of Zarantia in the case, but his own illness has pushed him to agree.” She chuckled. “And there is the matter of the lines that pushed fiercely for your protection, Prince Leandros. You are very beloved by your friends.”
“That’s good…” He didn’t know he had solicitors. Would he get them before this was all over? “I’m glad someone is on my side. I’ll have to thank them one day.”
“We have arranged the creation of the Silence Covenant. It is detailed in the document you shall receive in just a moment. We will recess to give you time to review it before continuing.”
A scroll appeared in front of him, and he took it.
“It may interest you to know that upon preliminary review of your case, Zarantia has no true right to conscript you into any military service ever.”
“What?”
“Forced conscription is only used in times of active war on the mainland, and the islands do not force men to war.” He shook his head. “I can only imagine that your father’s illness and desperation are to blame for his actions…or the Head of the Noble Council’s.”
It was probably Ardas.
They broke for recess, and Leandros read through the entire covenant. Whoever the the esquire were, he owed them a great debt for being so thorough. It would get and keep him out of Zarantia.