Lord Sutton
and I argued that night. We argued until the sun rose the next
morning. He was unwilling to risk the entire clan vassals by bringing
them here, to an island where, if something happened, they would
have no defense. We argued about how we would have to leave just
as fast as we had come. To stay just one step ahead of those who
would want to charge him with the continuation of the trial against
him. I argued, saying that surely the other golds and silver's
would never let something like that happen, that the coppers,
bronze, and brass's would fight against any such decision. To
which, Lord Sutton answered, "The same way they fought against
the Council when it voted against Cloudkill?"
To that, I
had no answer, and he stayed silent as well. We both watched as
the sun rose, both tired from the voyage here, the battles fought,
and the knowledge that more were to come. It was a long night,
but then again I have spent others which were just as long.
The night
before the final attack on Tal en'Ektele, the city of Fountains,
was such a night. The night before word came of the hatching of
Lord Sutton's son and daughter, that was another such night. The
night that the Council voted against us, when all we knew were
rumors, and vague hints, was such a night. When the night seemed
to stretch on forever, and all hope had flown. This was such a
night. Where all we could do was think in circles, and know that
whatever decision we came to could bring an end to what was left
of our clan.
The day that dawned
brought no new answers to our thoughts. Lord Sutton was against
bringing the clan here, and I had to admit, that I had no better
idea. In the end Lord Sutton left just as the sun was raising
above the horizon. I didn't see him again until an hour before
the deadline set by the council. To this day I don't know where
he went to, but I have an idea. He went to every clan which he
thought could aid him, asking for aid from them, asking for what
he could not show before the Council.
When I saw
him again, just outside the Council chambers, he looked as if
he had not rested since the last night we spent on the Sophie.
He never did speak of what had happened during that trip, or who
he had talked to, where he had gone, but I do know that it was
a very long time before he spoke to some of the other Metallic
and Gem clans.
Even as his
eye betrayed the defeat he knew was coming, he held his head high
as the Platform of Wyrms filed past him into the Council chambers.
Next the members of the Platform of Dominates who had come, filed
past him. The Council chambers were full that day, as we stepped
inside. More then a few of those present had come with the hopes
of seeing clan Cloudkill finally destroyed.
It was not
until we reached the speaking area before the Platform of Wyrms
that I had a chance to talk to Lord Sutton. I had not been idle
these past few days either.
---------------
"Lord
Sutton, of Clan Cloudkill, have you brought members of your clan
before us this day to prove that you do indeed have a clan that
still survives?" So asked Mykell, and so began the Council
session as all those who were present watched Jean Sutton. Waiting
for his response to the question that could spell the end of what
little remained of the once great clan Cloudkill.
Bowing his
head slightly, Jean Sutton stepped forwards. After a moments thought
he raised it again, refolding his wings as he looked at those
who waited for his answer. "I came before this Council believing
that justice would be done, and that a wrong which was done to
my clan could be, in part, reversed. Now I see that none of you
wish to reopen the history of what happened in those days. I came
to see some of you in these last two days, to plead my case, for
nothing. Thus, I will stand before you today, and say that there
is no...." Jean paused as he saw the frantic motioning of
Laureine, waving her pendant as if it were a sword to rally soldiers
about, and pointing towards the main doors to the Council chambers.
At which the silver dragon glanced in that direction, and then
glanced again when he saw what was gathered there. His surprise
was short lived as Mykell prompted him for his answer to the charges
laid regarding his clan. With a glance towards Laureine he prayed
to Io that she had not lost her mind, and turned back to the Council.
"As I
was saying, there is no reason to prolong this any further. Councilors,
Grand Councilors, and Dominates, I present you with the Vassal's
of clan Cloudkill." So saying he raised a claw and pointed
towards the gathering of elves, gnomes, and the occasional dwarf
at the Council entrance. The dozens of sailors who were gathered
there, more or less, bowed in unison as the entire weight of a
few hundred dragon's stares. After a moment one of them, dressed
in his best leather armor, stepped forward and smiled widely to
them all.
"G'deve Lord Sutton, ye
called for us?" Forlik smiled as charmingly as he could.
