Do Tell Us!

"Nearly forty-one periods ago, Oemenon sent word that the seal on Ariel's axis mundi had been broken, and that Alithet was seen crossing through." Estille stood confidently before us, giving their testimony. "It was decided that I was to follow and apprehend Ariel, and so I crossed into his world after him." They went on, recounting our battle and my surrender. "In regard to the integrants' relationship with Ariel... they claimed not to know him. Whether I believe the words of these creatures of the profane, I am unsure, but it is true at least that Ariel was dormant when I arrived, so there could not have been contact between him and his constituents for long. They have shown themselves to be weak in both body and mind as well—they gave in easily, and if we so desire it they will give in again." Estille relaxed their posture, signaling that their account was over.

The judge tapped a long, thin finger on his lectern. "So you suggest that, even if they do swear fealty to Ariel, they could be bent to our command?"

"Yes," Estille replied. "Swayed to our cause, even."

The voice of the five-eyed prison keeper boomed from the stands. "Estille, with all due respect, placing these worms amongst ourselves is preposterous! I have held my tongue thus far, but—"

"Garramat. You are always quick to worry. Did you not—"

"Silence, Estille," said the judge. "Allow him his remark." Estille scowled. Garramat's face was stoic, and his many eyes grew narrower as he puffed out his chest.

"What makes you think they won't turn against us?" he said. "Perhaps they have been connected to that traitorous bastard from their inception, plotting our downfall since they had their first conscious thought! And that 'magic'—it's an unknown. It's appeared innocent enough so far, but we can't know its true power. Would not an art fit for deception be the perfect tool for Ariel's army?"

Estille shook their head. "You overestimate them. They don't have that kind of strategy on their side, nor that kind of power." I felt my expression turn sour at that. Who didn't have good strategy?! Not me, surely. Garramat grumbled but didn't rebut.

Another figure called out from the row behind Garramat. "What was it like? On the other side of the axis, I mean," they said.

Estille sighed. "What does it matter? It was a realm of darkness, primitive and vacant—a mirror of Ariel himself." I felt a litany of questions coming on—questions about Ariel—but I stayed silent.

No one else spoke, either, and so the judge motioned for the next witness, the one called Oemenon, to step forward. He had a heavy build like an experienced smith, and his face was that of a beast, with beady eyes and an elongated snout whose bushy coat evoked the image of a thick, rough beard.

"The axis mundi," he started. "Its sealing stone has stood strong for thousands of cycles, ever since our battle with Ariel came to its unceremonious end. With Ariel's retreat, it seemed that nothing would break the seal, and I grew complacent, believing my work to be done." He paused, taking a deep breath. "While traveling to the Median, I saw it—Alithet, back from its exile. I didn't believe my own eyes. I watched as it vanished into the rift, and then I called upon you all, as you know. Since Estille's return I have worked to repair the seal. For now, Ariel's emanation is sequestered away once more. However..." He fidgeted with his attire and looked at the ground. "However, I have been unable to determine the cause of the seal's destruction. There was a residual energy about the rift not unlike the traces of noumena that flow through our own souls, but it was not the same. I believe... well, I believe it is possible that something broke through the seal from the other side. It is bizarre, I know—how could a world two generations lesser contest our power? I have no explanation to offer, nor any excuse for the evident inadequacy of my handiwork. As the architect and guardian of the sealing stones, I have failed. Brethren, I await your punishment." The room fell silent. I was stunned by Oemenon's remorse; it was a stark contrast to the aggressive assuredness of Estille and Garramat.

"Raise your head," the judge said calmly. "There will be no punishment for you. We all believed the seal was without fault. In the end, you acted swiftly and admirably to recapture Ariel and repair the seal."

"Th-thank you," said Oemenon sheepishly.

"Indeed!" called one of the others. "You are a valued ally. Do not speak so ill of yourself." Throughout the array of seated figures, heads nodded in agreement. Oemenon seemed to be well-liked by all, and I found it refreshing to witness some good-natured camaraderie.

"The integrants!" Garramat shouted, instantly obliterating the fraternal atmosphere. "If the seal was broken from the other side, then surely it was their doing!"

"I... don't know," said Oemenon. "Could they have done it? From Estille's—" Garramat interrupted, insisting that we were trying to trick them and that we were stronger than we let on. I still hoped we could assure them that we weren't a threat, but the fact was the unsealing of the axis was our doing, although how Marigold's magic had been able to defeat such divine sorcery was as much of a mystery to me as it was to Oemenon.

Next, Garramat was called forward, and he ranted on about his suspicions. He was clearly prejudiced against us to an unreasonable degree, but I was reassured to see that many of the others wore a resigned expression that suggested they took his heated words with a grain of salt. He seemed especially wary of Marigold's magic, and he proposed a bunch of ideas for deceitful ways he thought it could be used, to which Marigold objected.

Marigold was not the only one to be accused, though. "This one here—" Garramat started, gesturing to me.

"Godwin," I muttered. I didn't give my name at the start of this thing for nothing!

"This 'Godwin' here," he continued, "he spoke of predestination!" The judge's eyes widened, and I felt sweat beading on my upper lip.

"Predestination?" said the judge. "Godwin. Do tell us: what do you know of predestination?" I shivered. My curiosity—my pure, innocent thirst for knowledge—how many times would it betray me? Why was I being examined so for what had been but an honest question? How was I to know that the mere mention of a basic metaphysical concept would trigger their suspicions!?

"All I know is conjecture," I said. "So, really I do not know anything. When I spoke of it, to Garramat, I was only asking if it was true. I am a truth-seeker, you see. I had hoped that you greater beings could offer some answers to my burning questions about the world, but..." I trailed off. I wanted to say "but I have been disappointed" or something along those lines, but I thought better of it.

The judge tilted his head. "You lie," Garramat growled. "You must lie..."

"My kin, is this not foolish?" said Estille, standing and turning to their compatriots in search of agreement. "Predestination—despite Ariel's treachery, this is one matter on which he shared our position! Surely there is nothing to be learned from this line of inquiry."

"Open your mind, Estille!" Garramat snapped. "That they are in league with Ariel is not the only possibility!"

"You mean, they may be allied with another faction?" said the judge, his shoulders drooping. He looked tired, and I understood him; as the complications in our case grew, it felt as if the hearing might never end.

"It doesn't make sense," said the figure in the stands who had encouraged Oemenon earlier. "They are from Ariel's world. How would they have become allied with anyone else?"

"I don't know! But, how else would such lowly creatures have knowledge of such high concepts!?" said Garramat.

"Shut up!" A tense hush descended upon the courtroom. My mouth fell open in shock, and I slowly faced Marigold. Her pupils were like pinholes, her teeth gritted tight. "All of you, shut up," she repeated more quietly. "We don't know anything about predestination or whatever. We don't know who Ariel is or what he did. We don't know who you are, what this place is, or why you're so convinced we're your enemies. We aren't allied with anyone except ourselves, and we don't know anything!" I was astonished. Yes, Marigold could be rather gruff when she felt insulted, but to have this sort of outburst against a panel of gods... frankly, I was impressed! "Good job, Marigold," I thought—and then, "Oh, Marigold, what have you done?" I was sure that our time had come, and I gave myself over to fate, tilting my chin up to gaze into the sky one last time. Of course, it was obscured by the ceiling. But, it was a magnificent ceiling.

My somber anticipation was cut short by Estille. "There you have it," they said with a smirk. "Their heads are empty. Shall we cease all this dithering? I say we proceed to the integrants' testimonies." I found it disturbing how Estille was so opposed to doing away with us. Of course, I was glad that Garramat was being challenged, but even so, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. What did Estille have planned for us?

"No!" Garramat bellowed. "Are you deaf? This sort of insolence cannot be tolerated!" he said, looking to the judge in desperation.

"Garramat..." said the judge, massaging his bald head. "In any other case, I would agree, but Estille is right. Marigold speaks from the heart. She knows not her position. Let us proceed." Marigold and I shared a look of relief, and Garramat angrily stumbled back up to his seat.