Chapter One Hundred- Eighteen

Chapter One Hundred- Eighteen
The fairies transform Londrell’s small side office into a neutral interview chamber - soft glowing lights, a floating orb, and a single chair facing three fairies perched on a hovering platform. One by one, the envoy members were escorted inside. Varyn goes first, to show everyone that they mean no harm.
Each interview lasted between an hour and a half to nearly three hours, depending on how cooperative - or evasive - the person was. The fairies asked a variety of simple core questions, like, name, race, how long have you served under Londrell? Why did you join, mundane questions, while slipping in more pointed questions like, what do you fear, what do you hide, what would you sacrifice for your beliefs, and what would you destroy for them?
The fairies magic recorded intent, not just words. Some people didn’t realize it, but some did, and tried to hide. Some hid for reasons that had nothing to do with treason. And some.. Well, some were exactly what Titania feared. Lets begin with Varyn’s interview, so that he can go back in and show the others there was nothing to fear.
Varyn steps into the small office, posture straight, hands clasped behind his back. The room was warm, lit by floating orbs of soft gold. The fairies hovered above a low table, wings shimmering like sunlight on water. One of them gestured to the single chair, “Please sit, Varyn.” He inclined his head respectfully and took the seat. 
The fairies exchanged a glance - they already liked him. The second fairy begins, “For the record, state your name and race?” Varryn answers, “Varyn.. High Fae. Second-in-command to Londrell.” His voice was calm, steady, without hesitation.
The next question from the third fairy, “How long have you served under Londrell?” Varyn blinks, “Since before his grandfather's passing. Nearly a century.” The fairies nodded, recording everything.
The first fairy throws out, “Why did you join Londrell?” Varyn din’t flinch, “Because he was the only one willing to challenge the stagnation of the Council. Because he saw fractures in our world before anyone else did, and because he believed our people deserved better. Although at first he was blinded by his grandfather's hatred of mixing species.”
The fairies felt the truth of his words, and his intent is true. The second fairy asks, “What do you hope to accomplish at the summit?” Varyn leaned forward slightly, “Understanding. Clarity. A path forward that does not end in blood.” The fairies exchange a look - impressed, while asking a follow-up, “And if peace is not possible?” Varyn’s jaw tightened, “Then we prepare for war. But we do not seek it.”
Vee, (the first fairy) asks, “What is your belief about unity between species?” Varyn exhales slowly, “It is difficult, imperfect, messy. But inevitable. The world is changing. We must change with it.” Thistle, (the second fairy) pushes, “And the prophecy?” A shadow crosses his features, “I believe it has been twisted. Used as a weapon. I believe Avery is not the threat we were taught she was.” 
The fairies wings fluttered - this was important. Steele, (the third fairy), then floats down to just on the tip of Varyn’s nose, and looks him in the eye for these next questions, “What do you fear, Varyn?” This line of questioning surprises Varyn, “I fear that Londrell’s people will betray him. That the extremists will act before he can change course. That the summit will become a battlefield.” The fairies expression softened, and ask, “What are you hiding?”
Varyn’s eyes lower, “That I have doubted him. That I have questioned the path we were on. That I feared he was becoming the man his grandfather wanted him to be.” He looks up again, “But he is not that man.”
The fairies nod - they had sensed this already. Thistle asks, “Do you trust Londrell?” Varyn doesn’t blink, “With my life.” Steele, flies back up to the platform, “Do you trust the Council?” Varyn, “No, But I trust their desire to survive.” Vee say’s, “And Avery?” A long pause. Then- “I trust her intentions. And I trust that she does not want our world to fail.”
The fairies whispered amongst themselves, wings brushing softly, for a few min, then Vee turns to him, “Your intentions are clear, you seek peace, and you fear the same shadows we do. You have passed our questioning.” Steele, then drops down on Varyn’s shoulder, “You are trustworthy, and we are telling you these things because of that. For the rest of the interviews we will keep our findings to ourselves, and when we are done we will give you and Londrell the reports.”
Varyn nods, “Then we are aligned.” Vee then smiles, the first show of emotion, “You may go. Thank you for your honesty.” Varyn rises from the chair, and bows slightly, then leaves the room with the same calm dignity he entered with. He walks back to the conference room, with his normal stoic look, “Finished, finally….. See they are not here to hurt us.”