The council had been gathered by Lakin before Punali and Ronte had reached the village. By the time they entered the town hall, Zenit’s Church had already started their speech. Alexei stood in front of the expectant crowd, the leaders of each craft were seated in a circle with the elders listening from the stage at the back of the auditorium. Punali and Ronte entered cutting off the inspired man.
─… you all know that what I’m saying is true. Ether is the root of all evil and that family is at the center of it feeding the weeds that grow in our town.─ Lakin proclaimed.
─Your town?! Where were you when the drought hit the town? When Oscar lost his hand? When Jenty married Amilsa?─ Ronte spoke and a row of people parted to let him pass. ─Actually, where were you last year? Since when did we start hearings without the interested parties present?
The crowd began to argue, some for Ronte’s family and others against. However, not a single person dared get in the way of the man walking to the center of the circle. Even Lakin stood aside when the man took the stand.
─I had no idea I was walking into a trial if I’d known I’d brought my representative.─ Ronte changed when he spoke to the people. He became more passionate and resolute. ─But I see you’ve already chosen a prosecutor, a bad choice if you ask me.
Lakin's face contorted to the man’s finger pointed at his face. There were booes and neis from the crowd, among them Alexei was the loudest, even jumping while he put his hands together in front of his mouth to make the sound louder. The leaders sat with their faces down in shame, while the elders were noticeably relieved by the presence of the man.
─This is no trial, just exercising my right as a citizen to express my opinion about a terrifying occurrence.─ Lakin stood forward picking up the courage he had let fall when Ronte entered.
─That might be, however, in this town we are used to holding hearings when the involved parties are present, not before. But you wouldn’t know since you barely integrated into the community and have done nothing else other than, impose your own beliefs without even trying to understand our traditions.─ More than half of those present nodded subconsciously, even some of the leaders followed.
─We have not gathered to listen to your accusations of what I should or shouldn’t have done. We are here because we need to know what you did to make the tower explode!─ The fickle crowd concurred with lakin.
─I’ve done nothing of what you say, the tower did vanish and I was present, but I owe you no explanations. So if I am to give my testimony I request that this council conducts itself in proper manner and sends this man with the rest of the audience.─ Ronte acted offended.
─Well...─Started one of the elders.
─If it’s true that you come here as a witness in good faith, where is your beast? He should be here to confirm what you say.─ Lakin interrupted the old man.
─Let’s leave one thing clear: Jakul is not a beast, he is not my employee, he is a member of my family and will be treated with such respect. In second place, Jakul refuses to leave the property because of what you and your goons did to him the last time he was in town.─ Ronte had a hard time containing his rage, a spark crackled in his fist.
Suddenly the audience erupted in shouts, the room became divided into two factions, half defending Ronte’s family and the other half standing by Larkin’s words. The mood quickly turned sour with each side escalating rather quickly.
─Enough!─ Shouted Punali from the back. ─It’s true that Jakul is not here, but if the council allows I would like to present what I saw.
Punali had at least as much pull as her husband, the whole crowd became silent.
─We will allow it. Lakin we ask that you take a place with the rest of the attendees, this is not the time nor the moment for a debate.─ Said the same elder that was interrupted earlier.
With heavy steps Lakin walked back to the crowd, slowly, provoking his followers to challenge the authority of the council. Even so, no one dared give out more than an occasional boo. The leaders stood up and discussed amongst themselves without paying attention to Punali or Ronte. The married couple looked at each other complicitly ensuring that they understood each other. Meanwhile, Lakin murmured to the crowd.
─Well no need to drag this out. Tell us what happened?─ One of the leaders raised his arms to call the attention of the audience.
─It all began yesterday’s night when we got home but Eri wasn’t in her room…
Back at the farm, air stroke the foliage of the near forest, the sound accompanied each member of the family in their tasks. Jarek took a nap under a tree next to the workshops, Eri read the book with care, taking notes and carefully tracing each letter to help her remember, Jakul had just finished maintaining the orchard. Now he walked nervously back to his room, careful not to wake up the little one or to become noticed by the older one up on the balcony of her room. The pull of the rock became more and more intense as his day progressed, however, he resisted it by focusing on his chores. Now that he had finished them there was nothing to stand in the way of the power it held over him.
He closed the door very slowly behind him, then, for the first time since he came to live there, he put on the lock. The guilt was building up, even as he walked toward the rock's resting place, he sighed and took off the cover exposing it. The ovoid shape hadn’t changed, the carvings remained in the same place as they had been when he left, the cold feeling to the touch was still there, and somehow, Jakul felt something different. He carefully carried it over his head, he inspected every single mark but found nothing new. Abruptly the rock pulsated, an energy discharge traveled from his fingers all the way to his chest, almost dropping the rock Jakul juggled it to avoid it hitting the ground.
A little scared he left it on its stand. He looked at it curiously but dared not touch it again. The more he looked, the stranger it seemed, the more he focused on it, it became more alluring. Again he touched it, however, this time he only placed the tip of his index finger on it. Nothing happened, then at the top part, he placed his whole palm. This time, something did happen, a second discharge went all the way up to his brain. Jakul passed out instantly.
Back in her room, Eri dared not try anything new again, she still couldn’t figure out the exact reason for her previous blunder. She felt frustrated but, at the same time, it prevented her from taking another risk. She read each page twice, took notes, then checked back on the notes and the book at the same time. There was obsesion in her eyes, she knew all too well what it meant. She’d be up till late hours of the night until she could build a perfect rune circle in her mind. A stiff neck reminded her to stand up and walk around, she hated leaving her research, however, it was time to stretch her legs. She walked over to the balcony and looked around to find Jarek peacefully resting by the tree.
─Sometimes I wonder if we are really related. Even so, he is always so peaceful, like nothing bad could ever happen.─ Eri thought out loud.
Out of character, she decided to take a longer break. She went down the stairs, grabbed some bread and cheese. Then, she walked over to her brother, sat down leaving her supplies next to a big old root, without noticing she fell asleep.
Thump, thump, thump, his head pounded in rhythm, Jakul stood up slowly, he blinked twice, there was a light that wasn’t there before. The headache made it hard for him to focus. Covering his eyes with both hands made him feel some relief. He waited, until the pounding slowed. He opened one eye through his fingers. What he found was the rock shining, dimly but the light pulsated to the rhythm of his head. Thump, thump, the giant remained still as if any movement would cause the rock to explode. Moments after he got closer to it, the light became just a tad brighter.
─By the time I got home Eri was back in her room but Ronte had not returned yet.─ Punali concluded her story. ─I was about to go look for them when I heard them come in through the backdoor.
Ronte looked nervous before continuing his part.
─And like I told you before, Jakul and I had no time to look back, we were terrified. However, I cannot express how relieved I was to find out that my daughter was safe.─ As he continued to speak and meshed the truth with the lie he became more relaxed.
For a moment the silence was maintained in unison, not the elders, nor the leaders, or even the audience dared speak. They were all entranced by the couple's narration of the events. Ronte’s heart started to race as the guilt of lying became apparent when he had no choice but to be alone with his thoughts. Nonetheless, he was sure it was the only way to protect his daughter from further scrutiny and his family from the wrath of Zenit’s Church if they were to find out that she was inside when it happened.
─Such a wonderful tale!─ Lakin broke the stillness. ─But that is all it is, a tall tale. How are we to believe that you didn’t know who was in the tower?
As soon as the man finished his accusations the crowd erupted in discussion again. The leaders fell in with their own points of view, the elders tried to regain some civility from the audience, but their tired voices did not reach far.
─Shut up!─ Punali shouted, losing her patience.
This time it took longer, but again the audience quieted down, slowly, but not without a strong effort from Lakin and his people that tried to incite more violence.
─You challenge the word of my husband as if his honesty is in question, in spite of, not holding any evidence against us? Because I have not seen you do anything other than share baseless suppositions.─ Punali glared directly at the man.
─And what evidence do you hold that what you say is true?
─Being the only witness should be enough to prove it!─ Alexei shouted.
─And yet, we do have another testimony.─ Lakin smiled widely and so did Alexei. ─Come forward boy.─ Said Lakin, pushing a young man to take a place in the middle of the circle.
The young man looked tired, anxious, and a little flustered. He took an old patched hat off and held it in front of his chest with both hands.
─Tell us, what did you see?─ Lakin ordered more than asked.
─Hold it there, you don’t get to enforce the power you have over your congregation here.─ Ronte demanded.
─This is true, nonetheless, we should hear the young man.─ Said an elder with a soft voice.
─I was walking over by the cliff when I saw a bright light come out of nowhere, then three people ran to the forest and the tower had vanished completely.─ Said the young man nervously.
─Liar!─ Accused Alexei.
─Now that it works against your own it's valid to shout your opinion.─ The churchman pointed at the twarek.
─I do have evidence that it’s a lie. All of us know it’s a lie. He said that he only saw a giant and one person run to the forest.
Immediately the boy became more nervous, his forehead started flowing with sweat, shaking hands, and a stutter gave him away.
─Where were you, boy?─ Asked Punali next to him.
─I was… em… Well, I was next to the Trint farm.─ The young man could barely speak.
─That’s too far to see a person at night running to the forest.─ Punali insisted. ─What were you doing over there?
─Am nothing. I was just...─ His words became inaudible.
─Stop harassing the boy!─ Lakin was noticeably angry while Alexei’s smile was even wider.
─Punali, please let us conduct the questions.─ Another elder asked kindly. ─Now Galad, tell us what were you doing? We won’t punish you.
─It’s not that. I was...─ His cheeks turned bright red. ─I came from visiting Leonor Trint.
─I’m going to kill you!─ The voice of a man carried all the way to the front. ─Leonore, that's why you were at the barn yesterday night. You are dead Galad!
Everyone started laughing, while three men held back the old father. Leonore, who was close to him, made her way to the other side of the room. The mood became a lot lighter even though Leonor’s old man didn’t agree with those else present, nor did Lakin as he felt his plans unravel before him.
─Oh shut up Jenk, back in the day you were having this same problem with your wife's father, you didn’t seem to mind it back then.─ An older woman, one of the elders, scolded the man. ─Take him outside. Jenk I don’t want to hear that you touch a hair on this boy’s head or I’ll see to it that you spend a very uncomfortable summer. Now lad, tell us the truth, what happened.
─Well, I saw a huge man running to the forest. He was carrying something, but that was all.
─Why did you lie?
Galad looked at Lakin, the man glared back with intensity, the boy stuttered.
─It, it was… It made the story more interesting, the more I told it the more attention it got.─ Finally, Galad let it out in one breath.
─There you have it! No one can contradict what Ronte saw.─ Alexei said excitedly.
─But the giant was carrying something! He took something from the tower!─ Lakin lost his cool.
─Yes, Jakul was carrying something! My husband, because he was so distraught over losing his daughter.─ Punali interrupted masterfully.
─I demand that the whole family be put on trial!─ The church priest’s face was brimming with vanes about to pop.
─You are no one to make demands here!─ One of the elders answered in an intense exacerbated tone. ─We all know that the wizard that lived there was peculiar and everything about him is a mystery. I don’t see how his tower disappearing is the fault of any of our citizens, Punali and Ronte have graciously accepted to tell us what they experienced. I’m not going to allow you to impose your will here anymore, this matter is concluded.
All the elders nodded in agreement. The leaders looked amongst themselves confused, but at the end, they also nodded. Lakin left frustrated, but not before whispering something to one of his lackeys. As soon as he left the opposing crowd erupted in anger. There were shouts and accusations, punches started flying around and everyone became tied in a knot of confusion. Ronte with some of the leaders took care of the elders, carefully taking them out of the hall, while Punali and Alexei tried to calm people down, but then each received receptively the end of an elbow and the tip of a foot, then they became part of the fight, throwing punches and kicks to whoever dared approach them.
─I can’t recognize my people anymore.─ Shalre, the elder who had shouted at Lakin, said disappointed.
It took the better part of the evening for the fight to cool down, and even after everything returned to a sense of normalcy glares were exchanged between the two newly formed factions.
The giant hadn’t dared move, immobilized by fear of provoking something else or even destroying what was already happening, but also by curiosity. The rock kept pulsating, however, what had started as a quick and steady rhythm had become in sync with Jakul’s own heart. The rock once greyish now had turned to a translucent purple that became brighter on the inside and darker as it reached the outer edge.
All of a sudden the brightness increased and Jakul knew at last that it was not a rock, but instead an egg, but he did not know an egg of what. “Eri!” He thought but quickly dismissed the idea. The girl was the most knowledgeable person he knew and trusted, in spite of this, he felt unsure of sharing his discovery, even with the family.
As he stood there, thinking of what he should do, a thought invaded his mind, it was not formed in any language, instead, it was a feeling, a request of sorts. Jakul got it in an instant, whatever was inside the egg wanted him to protect it. What he felt was pure, untouched by egoism and yet it pleaded with a hint of fear. Without putting too much thought to it Jakul accepted.
Outside Eri woke up to find the cloth, which she had used to bring the bread and cheese, ransacked with crumbs all over the place, including on her clothes. Jarek was nowhere to be found, but Eri knew that the kid had woken up and devoured everything without even considering leaving something for her. She brushed the crumbs off, shrank her shoulders, and prepared for a new mission. It was her obligation as an older sister to make the little munchkin pay. There was no anger in her, only a sense of duty.
Quickly she began to search around the usual places. All those where he knew that he wasn’t allowed, like inside the workshops, over by the stables, inside the caravans, but she had no luck. However, Jarek, was smarter than given credit, the boy had been carefully looking at her sister in the distance, making sure that he was one step ahead of her. As soon as she got even a couple legs close he would change his hiding place, masterfully catching the perfect moment in which he would not be spotted. Even so, they had begun to move closer and closer towards the house. The girl was very careful not to leave any opportunity for her little brother to double back, if anything, she knew the house was an easy place to catch him.
The pulsations had the giant mesmerized. Once more, he tried to communicate with the being inside by sharing feelings or emotions, nonetheless, it refused to answer back anything else. Just before he had given up a figure popped from under him, touched the egg with his little hand, and lifted its head to look at the giant from below.
─Woow, that is a big egg.─ Jarek said innocently. ─What's inside?
─How?!─ The giant shouted in surprise.
─The window.─ Without giving any further explanation.
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