Chapter 374 (1/2)
Book 3, Chapter 111 – Remanded to the Temple
Cloudhawk had a long ti the several days he was kept in custody Fro about this whole ordeal that didn't seeht It was like he was on rails, lead by the nose froathered, his objective quickly located, and the 'crisis' averted just in time It was all just too… structured
Cloudhawk had the unco used
First instinct was that the Dark Atoment, and left out a false bomb for them to pilfer However, it was just as likely that the Sanctu a bomb passed the numerous checkpoints and other hurdles was incredibly difficult There were a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong, and only one way it could all go in their favorWas it really worth the risk when they had just one of these weapons?
What'spresent The Crimson One, Wyr to be left in the hands of an underling like Revenant, right? There was no logical explanation
He rong Fro That's why he felt like he was being played
Is this what they wanted fro? But towards what purpose?
Meanwhile Cloudhaas stuck here, helpless, left to lick his wounds and wait for the next act in this sordid play His body's i him plenty of time to brood over circumstances
Today, Caspian had ed to slip away and visited in secret He was drenched in sweat, and anxiety was clear on his face He called out in his sharp, high-pitched voice “Ah my dearest Cloudhawk, your head's really ai block this time”
Cloudhaas tied up like a sacrificial laain He rapped in ancient chains froreat war, used by deerous criminals He didn't knohat sort of powers these chains had, only that once they locked hi his ies
He opened his eyes and stared at the Overseer Words dripped from his lips, thick with irritation “I appreciate that, sissy boy Maybe next tie”
“What good news are you expecting?!” Caspian knelt down before hi for that boht into the city? They're everywhere, inside the city and out Peace officers, guards, military, and no one has found a trace How do you explain that?”
“I' in my assumption But just because Skycloud city wasn't attacked doesn't er Besides, the protofiends we found below the city were real We stumbled on it by mistake and stopped a credible threat before it had tih?”
“Cloudhawk, Boss, let me put it this way What you did will never beyou did under the city never happened But they can't hide the death of thousands of civilians, and someone has to be held accountable for that The city leadershi+p will choose someone to take the fall”
Caspian sed hard and continued
“It doesn't matter what you found, or how many threats you dealt with Compared to the disaster that happened before the eyes of everyone in the city, it doesn't matter You did this as an escaped criminal No one can help you”
Cloudhaardly railed against the bleak words Were they going to put all the blame for this on his head?
They didn't see how strong those protofiends were If they'd been allowed to mature the scope of destruction would far outstrip what happened a few days ago Cloudhawk had saved the city froer they didn't even know existed! Was that a mistake?
“Don't think General Polaris will be able to protect you, either He's in enough trouble as it is, and protecting just his daughter will require a lot of clout” Caspian's face was sad “Honestly… I can't help you You need to fend for yourself”
Cloudhawk's temper flared “Then what the fuck did you come down here for?! To tell me to make peace with my death?”
Caspian shrugged “Since you're here, I can record anything you want the world to know once you're dead We were brothers in ar by the way to hear any news about Gabriel”
Who the hell would call a sissy prick like you a brother?! Cloudhaas preparing a particularly choice string of curses when he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps
The footfalls were gentle, but there was so about them that made the whole Skyden seem to shake When he heard them Caspian's face turned paler than nor itself surrounded by a clowder of cats [1] Cloudhawk could almost hear his teeth chatter as he said, “Te…Templars!”
A group of soldiers in glistening ar man in hishis chin His armor marked him as the second in command of the Templars, titled Seneschal His left hand rested on the Te on his hip, which only added to his heroic and cultured bearing
Caspianwhen the man approached “I am your humble servant, Overseer Caspian Black It is an honor to receive you, acting Grand Prior Mist”
The Te force in all of Skycloud They were few in numbers, but every one of them was a squad unto themselves They operated differently from other military units, and often only dispatched one or two of their nuiven the dubious honor of a whole unit
Most Templars were required to stay within the Tereatest line of defense for the realm and the Temple itself
Several years ago the Tei in their nu completely wiped out It was the worst defeat the Temple suffered in a hundred years
After being removed from his post, the Order's second in coh Phain wasn't the true leader of the Order yet, he was itshonor to the position
Phain presented Caspian with his token “Have this prisoner remanded into the Temple's custody at once”
The acting Grand Prior was forceful and articulate He did not speak with the typical overbearing attitude of a man in power, but his tone indicated that he would not tolerate any question to his authority
Caspian was ht did he have to disobey a direct order from the Grand Prior himself? What's more, this order came directly from the Temple He had no choice but to bow, and order Cloudhawk's transfer to the ones ould determine his fate
Cloudhaas brought out froht Te similar treatment