Michael sat in an ornately carved wooden chair near a fireplace at the back of the room. His boots tapped erratically on the floor as he waited for everyone to arrive. Only five elders, who were of the bloodline to the original monarchs of Adoria, were present for these meetings.
Caedmon sat beside Michael, his face a perfect reflection of his grief. He and his men had arrived nearly an hour before, the three dead among them having been buried in an unmarked grave where they had fallen. Michael had been shocked to see Caedmon arrive back so soon, but was more alarmed at Garren's newfound abilities. It compounded the fears he was already wrestling with after the ordeal with Ariana. He was caught up in his thoughts when Duncan and Jareth entered the room.
"What's happened?" Jareth asked as Michael stood to greet them.
"I will let Caedmon describe the encounter to you."
Caedmon stood, wiping a hand over his forehead. "Garren was waiting for us in the woods when we emerged from Adoria's northernmost border. Before we were even aware of his presence, three of our men were slain. Once we confronted him, Riedar rushed him against my orders and, without touching him in any way or so much as moving a hand, Garren scarred Riedar's face beyond recognition."
"Did you not hear him coming?" Duncan asked. Michael could tell he was trying to put the question delicately, but it offended Caedmon anyway.
"Do you think that I'd have three dead Adorians if we had?" Caedmon approached Duncan. "I'm in no mood for your mouth, Braeden, not tonight, not – "
Duncan placed his hands on Caedmon's shoulders. "Friend, I meant no offense." Caedmon shrugged off Duncan's gesture, and slumped back down into his chair, holding his head up with one hand, the other held across his chest.
Michael closed his eyes, drowning out the voices of the elders as they argued back and forth about what their course of action ought to be. Garren had always been a sage fighter, knowing Michael's next move before he made it.
"Perhaps the time of the Oni has come," Michael offered.
"If you believe this," Jenner asked, "then why did you spare his life when you had the chance to take it from him?"
Michael swallowed hard. He simply couldn't answer that question. "I chose to be merciful to him out of honor. He was pinned to the ground without arms. Hardly the demise I'd intended." Michael rose to pace the outer edges of the room.
"Your hatred of Garren does not change his fate," Jenner said. "It makes no difference what dishonor or accolades he has received from any mortal. The Oni is mentioned as being among the souls – Garren is Ereubinian – he cannot be the Oni, for the soul of his lineage was sold for power. Have you forgotten the history of these things?"
Michael cocked his head sideways. "Have you forgotten the wounds inflicted upon my sister as she slept?"
As Michael said this, Jareth raised his head, having been staring at the floor. "What happened to your sister?"
"Ariana's been seeing visions of Garren. In a dream this afternoon, she was scathed by Moriors, her back ravaged with claw marks. It took Jenner to pull her from its hold on her."
Michael gave his words a moment to sink in before he continued. "Though the realm of man has begun to diminish, we are not free from our duty and obligation to be its steward. Keeping this in mind, we're of no use to them if we place ourselves in peril."
Jenner objected, as Michael had expected. "My Lord, the divide has never failed us. You must have faith in its hold. And while Ariana and Riedar's injuries are cause for concern, they hardly constitute bringing all of Adoria into open warfare with Eidolon."
Michael flexed his wings. "Duncan, are you willing to reunite your men?" He'd hoped to hear his father's closest friend come to his aid, but even Duncan, it seemed, had lost the will.
"I've tired of the human realm. They've done little in response to all that we have lost for their sake. Jenner's right; the divide has never failed us. No matter if Garren is the Oni or not, let Man save himself." Duncan sighed. "The Braeden can't aid you in this, whether you make it a matter of obedience or not."
"The elders," Jenner said, "would do everything allowed by law to prevent such a command. We cannot allow Adoria to wane in the shadow of Eidolon. Lead your own as you see fit, but we will send for our brethren still in Middengard to return home and a mandatory severance between the worlds will be decreed. For all others, we shall leave the permission to cross over to your discretion alone."
Jenner had risen from his seat and now faced Michael, one hand on his shoulder. Michael was stunned and by the look on his face, Jenner knew it. The council had clearly discussed this – without his presence.
Jareth came to Michael's side, looking his own father in the eye. "I'll stand beside you, regardless of Elder rule."
"I'm at the mercy of our Elders. The last thing this kingdom needs is division among its citizens." Michael paused, reining in his disappointment. "We have nothing left to discuss here."
Duncan followed him into the hall. "Don't be angry with me Michael. If you only understood…"
Michael stopped but didn't bother turning around. Regret dripped from Duncan's words, but it made no difference. "When the human realm ceases to exist, I would think your kind would mourn it most, and yet you fail it first. What else is there to understand?"