NOVEL WEB Chapter 304: Verdict
"What would it say to the other nations we've fought against as the right of passage for our kids? You think they'll take the news with a warm heart? With a laugh to commend our actions? Don't be silly."
"The aggressive Tidecallers letting outsiders go unpunished will only send a single message. We're weak."
His eyes roved around his fellow elders, taking in their expressions. They could see what he was talking about. He was slowly swaying them to his side.
"We've waged wars against these nations, Shai. And if we show even a hint of weakness here, they'll exploit it. They'll come in their numbers, hoping to wipe us out all at once."
"This isn't a fairytale, my fellow elders. It's a nightmare. And I hope you treat it as such or it would spell the doom of our civilization."
Silence filled the room as he finished his speech. The elders were processing his words, and he watched with inner glee as the hesitation in the room grew.
The High Elder shifted, her gaze meeting Korrin's, their eyes sending a message of understanding between them. She stepped forward then, her presence commanding the room's attention.
"There are those who would use this as an opportunity to strike against us." She added, her voice firm.
"They have watched us closely. If we show mercy here, we risk opening ourselves to attacks from those who wish to destroy our society once and for all."
"The nations to the north. The mercenaries to the east. Even the sea dragons of the Mare Dulce. They could see this as a chance to break our resolve. To weaken the Tidecallers. And if they come all at once, even if we survive, we may never recover."
The murmurs among the elders grew louder, their voices overlapping, each elder weighing the arguments.
Korrin nodded slightly, letting the words of the High Elder sink in. Then, he continued, striking while the iron was still hot.
"We have already seen the signs." He said, his voice rising slightly, though still calm.
"The outsider leader, Ren, already views us as weak. Think upon his words. He believes that whatever happens, he will go unpunished. Is that what we want our enemies to feel about us? Confidence?"
"If we allow these outsiders to walk free, to continue to act as they please, we send a message. A message that the Tidecallers no longer hold sway, even in their own home. That we are willing to bend to the will of outsiders."
"How does that look to the other nations? How does it look to our enemies who are waiting for a slip up?"
A pause.
The room was filled with tension as each elder contemplated the path before them. This was it. The crossroads. Will the Water Trees of Patino gain their sacrifices? Or would Korrin be forced to find another way?
The High Elder moved forward again, her voice sharp.
"If we allow this to happen," she continued, "we will be seen as weak. And the world will not respect us. If we let this go unpunished, we risk everything we have built. The security of our people, the sanctity of our laws. This is bigger than one group of outsiders."
The remaining dissenters in the room exchanged glances, their thoughts no longer as firm as they once were. A few shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
The High Elder observed, her eyes narrowing slightly. The room was slowly shifting, the balance tipping in favor of Korrin's argument.
"If the outsiders are allowed to leave Patino unpunished," Korrin spoke, "we will have failed not only in the eyes of those we've fought, but in the eyes of our ancestors. We will have shown weakness where we cannot afford it."
One by one, the hesitant elders began to nod, their expressions darkening with reluctant understanding.
It wasn't easy to accept the harshness of Korrin's words, but there was truth in them.
The High Elder stood once again, looking over the council. She knew the decision had been made. The deliberations had reached their end.
"Then, the verdict is clear." The High Elder said, her voice filled with finality. "We know what we have to do."
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Time seemed to stretch endlessly as the group waited for the elders to deliberate on their charges.
Finally, the doors to the room opened, and the priest in charge of matters such as these stepped out.
"The council has made their decision." He said.
They followed him back inside.
Immediately he stepped in, Ren could tell that the verdict would not be favourable for them. Some of the elders, including Korrin, had a dark satisfaction in their eyes. And others, couldn't meet the eyes of the group.
Guilt and satisfaction in the same room. Ren nodded to himself. He'd have to use his hidden card after all.
The High Elder stood again.
"We have deliberated." She said, her tone sharper than before. "The charge levied against you outsiders is of kidnapping and endangering a child."
"It has been decided that the previous trial has laid down the facts of this matter before us. Zuzu, daughter of Ram, was found guilty of taking part in battle as a child, and that has confirmed that fighting the Deep was in fact, a war."
Ren remained calm, his gaze fixed on the High Elder as he waited for the hammer to fall.
"And this means that for the charge against the outsiders," the High Elder continued, voice cold, "you have all been found guilty of breaching the law. Your presence in Patino was unauthorized, and you made decisions that made a mockery of the law of our people."
"Fuck." Thorn swore under his breath. "Seems like they mean business."
"We acknowledge that you have done great by slaying the Deep. However," as she spoke, her voice kept growing even more solemn, "it is important to show that your actions have consequences."
"And for the good of the people, and to set an example, this is your verdict."
"Before we hear the verdict, can I say one or two words?" Ren spoke up, interrupting the High Elder.
Silence filled the room and the High Elder stared at Ren with narrowed eyes. After a few seconds, she nodded. "You may speak."
"I said that I shall speak the truth. Well, here it is." He looked up, meeting the eyes of Elder Korrin.
"Your ancestor, Shing, is alive. And I know where to find him."