46 Counselling 1 (1/2)
As Eric's footsteps faded away, Lucy sighed. With a flick of her wrist, her communication crystal reappeared in her hand, lying still on her palm. Watching it warily, Lucy tapped her foot impatiently against the floor of the study.
”Come on Alistair, I don't have all day,” Lucy muttered.
As if that was the queue, the crystal lit up.
”The council meeting is in ten minutes. Let me remind you all that this is an extremely important matter and involves topics that could spell the end of Tonbura. Everyone must attend, even you Morningstar,” Alistair's voice echoed from within the crystal.
”Oh, I wouldn't miss this, Crowsea,” Lucy growled.
”No worries, Alistair. We'll all be there.”
Before anyone could react to Lucy's statement, Flen's soothing voice came through to defuse the situation. With the situation temporarily avoided, murmurs of assent from the other council members rang out, affirming their participation in the meeting as Alistair cut the connection.
With a determined look on her face, Lucy flicked her wrist, the crystal disappearing once more as she strode out of the manor. The streets of Tonbura were lively with both players and locals scurrying past, each going about their business in the warm midday sun. Striding forward, Lucy moved with purpose, her mouth set in a determined line as she headed for Flen's hall.
”Ah, sorry!” a player yelped, jumping out of Lucy's way as she strode past. This scene recreated itself several more times as Lucy moved through the streets, players doing their utmost to stay out of the mage's path.
”Afternoon, Lucy!” a woman hoisting a pot of wine called out.
”Good afternoon, Helga. Managing the tavern while Moira's gone?” Lucy asked politely, slowing down to converse with the woman.
”That I am. I'm looking to serve something special tonight, give Moira the night off.”
”Oh? Is that what you've got there?”
”You know it. And I know that you're expected at Flen's. Don't let me delay you,” Helga said kindly, repositioning the pot on her shoulder as she bade Lucy goodbye.
”Be sure to stop by!” Helga called, shuffling off in the other direction.
Finally arriving at Flen's hall, Lucy was met at the door by Maria, coming from the other direction. Nodding to her friend, Lucy pushed open the door, holding it for the priestess as they entered the hall. The other members of the council had already arrived, Alistair, Flen, Tom, and Craig, all seated at the long table that dominated the main room. Only Burgess was conspicuously absent, most likely attending to business matters.
”Lucy, Maria, good for you too arrive,” Moira said pleasantly, poking her head out from the doorway to the kitchen. ”Can I get you anything? Sandwiches? Tea?”
”Tea for me please.”
”I'll have a tea as well.”
”Good of you to finally show up, Alistair. I was beginning to wonder if you'd done us all a favour and fled,” said Lucy, her voice dripping with venom.
”Lucy!” Maria gasped.
Ignoring her friend, Lucy continued.
”Where the hell have you been? For nearly two days I've been hunting for you, and finally, out of the blue, you contacted us this morning to convene a council meeting. You owe us answers, Crowsea. And I intend to get them today.”
”Behave, Morningstar,” Flen said sternly, before turning to Alistair. ”I'm curious though, where have you been the last two days? No one's been able to find you since the award ceremony.”