The next morning, Catriona met up with Mandalee and Shyleen. Shapeshifting into her falcon form, she was able to scout around the town while Shyleen tracked down the Trickster’s scent. Now that there wasn’t a second Trickster confusing the trail, it made things easier by far. Once they found it, Cat was able to work her magic on the plants to cut off escape routes. Shyleen herded it into one of Mandalee’s traps, which, with Catriona’s help, she had adjusted to give off an inaudible vibration that would naturally repel distracted mortals, while still attracting lower planar demons. Once captured, the demon hunter used her clerical magic to Banish the Trickster, robbing it of the energy it would need to return to the mortal realm anytime soon.
Mandalee and Cat made a good team. Their skills complemented each other and their sympathic communication, plus the telepathy between Mandalee and Shyleen, helped them work together as one. They didn't know it at the time, but this was only the beginning for them. Soon, they would be working together regularly as the consequences of Catriona’s actions caught up with her and changed the course of her life.
*****
Cat, Mandalee and Jacob were all together when the message arrived. It was a magical message from the Council of Wizards. Catriona was summoned to stand before them in Conclave.
Renjaf had filed a formal grievance against her, and this was a hearing to determine the degree of culpability and decide on what, if any, punitive action was warranted.
The Council of Wizards recognised no single leader. Instead, it was governed by a Triumvirate composed of the highest-ranking wizard from each of the three orders of magic: White, Black and Red. The White were primarily concerned with the defence and protection of the people of Tempestria, especially from the harmful effects of magic. The Black were mostly interested in the security and protection of magic, arguably from the harmful effects of people, which often manifested in the form of a lust for power. The Red were focussed on promoting the advancement of magical knowledge and encouraging diversity in magic.
Choosing one of the three magical colours was not compulsory, but it was highly recommended as it gave one a voice on the Council and support in cases like the one Cat was now facing.
*****
Renjaf, not being one to leave his tower unnecessarily, had already given the Council his full testimony that backed up his claim that Catriona Redfletching had attacked him, destroyed his home and stolen his property in the form of one book, namely Shifting Stars.
Cat now had the opportunity to give her side of the story. She told the truth, although she did omit anything to do with pretending to be a Trickster, because it wasn’t directly relevant, and Jacob’s help, to protect him from the consequences of her choices.
Throughout the proceedings, the Red robe leader used her magic to cause a pen to write out a complete record without her having to hold it. Every now and again she spared it a glance as if to check it was working correctly, but generally, she was able to leave it to its own devices. Cat hadn’t seen that kind of magic before and tried to distract herself from her own nerves by considering how it might work.
The reactions of the three leaders were in deep contrast to one another. Maia of the White was keen to focus on the ‘unprovoked attack’ on one of her order. Justaria of the Red argued that it was far from ‘unprovoked.’ As for Laethyn of the Black, he wasn’t remotely interested, saying, “If this young druid were a Black robe, we would have dismissed this Conclave and be calling for a counter-claim.”
“Counter-claim? On what grounds?” Maia demanded to know.
“For the obstruction of her growing magical power. As it is, I say we should throw the whole thing out. If we vote, I’m going to rule in her favour, and so are you, Justaria, we both know it, and your vote counts twice, so that’s three. It doesn’t matter how Maia votes, so let’s not waste any more time.”
“I appreciate your position,” Justaria said, smoothly, “but due process must be observed. You cannot presume to know how Maia or I will vote before we have considered all the facts.”
“Thank you, Justaria,” Maia said. “I am pleased to know you are taking this matter seriously.”
“I strive for balance in all things,” Justaria told her colleague. “Especially justice.”
Laethyn was incredulous. “You can’t be serious, Justaria! You won’t guarantee to support one of your own order?” He shook his head in disbelief. “There’s loyalty for you.”
“That’s rich, considering all the in-fighting among those of the Black order!” Maia remarked.
Laethyn ignored her. Instead, to Catriona, he offered, “Don’t forget, you have the right of Realignment.”
This referred to a mage changing their allegiance from one colour to another. It would not be allowed if this were a trial, but during a hearing like this, she did have that right. “I’ve already guaranteed my vote either way because I think this whole thing’s a farce, but if you switch to the Black, my vote will count double, making your worst possible outcome two for and two against.”
In that event, the case would become a trial, leading to a full Council debate. The majority of Black robes would share their leader’s view, so all Cat would need was a majority of Red robes on her side, and it wouldn’t matter what the White robes thought about it. Any punishment would be likely to be no more than a slap on the wrist.
“Thank you for your support, Master Laethyn,” Catriona replied respectfully, “but I’m afraid I am compelled to decline your offer of Realignment.”
“You would gain more power our way,” Laethyn pointed out.
“Power isn’t everything,” Catriona shrugged. “I am perfectly willing to place my confidence in the justice of this Conclave as a member of the Red robes of Balance.”
“Well said,” Justaria approved. “On the other hand, Maia,” she continued, addressing her White robe counterpart, “I think our Black robe colleague raises a valid point. I appreciate that you are seeking compensation for the physical damage done to Renjaf and his property. However, consider for a moment the emotional and spiritual damage done in reverse, and in fact, inflicted first, when all Catriona wanted was to borrow a single book. On that basis, I raise the counter-claim that Laethyn proposes.”
“What!” Maia exclaimed. “I thought you were on my side a moment ago!”
Justaria spread her hands. “Apologies if I gave you that impression; I am simply trying to achieve a balance. Laethyn,” she said to her Black robe colleague, “might I suggest you raise that counter-claim in pursuit of damages against Renjaf on behalf of Catriona?”
With a smile, Laethyn readily agreed, “Anything to poke holes in the White robes’ holier-than-thou attitude. Yes, I hereby officially raise that claim.”
“Noted for the record,” Justaria accepted, her pen scribbling the entry onto the page all by itself.
Turning back to Maia, Justaria said, “Do you want me to support your pursuit of damages against Catriona on behalf of Renjaf?”
“Yes, I do,” she affirmed.
“Very well. Now, as Laethyn says, I believe we all know which way both of you will vote in these claims, so that leaves my vote, and of course, in the case against Catriona I get two.”
That was one of the benefits of Council membership. In the case against Renjaf, Maia would be the one with two votes. It was a system intended to prevent collusion between any two leaders.
“Now, it is assumed in these cases that the member with two votes will vote the same way twice, but there is nothing in the rules of the Council that says that must be so. Therefore, I propose to split my vote in the grievance against Catriona, while voting in her favour in the counter-claim.”
That meant there would be two votes ‘for’ and two ‘against’ both claims.
“But that will send both claims out to full Council!” Maia objected.
Justaria nodded her agreement. “Which would be a sad indictment on the three of us if we can’t resolve this simple dispute which has, to my mind, already resolved itself.”
“Agreed,” Laethyn said.
“I don’t believe it’s right to throw out either claim, because I firmly believe there was indeed damage on both sides, but there is a way we could avoid this deadlock.”
“I’m listening,” said Maia.
Justaria explained that she was willing to vote twice to support Renjaf’s claim against Catriona, if Maia would split her vote, instead. Thereby supporting the counterclaim as well.
“As for sentencing,” Justaria continued, “I suggest the following: For destroying Renjaf’s tower, Catriona Redfletching will pay damages by rebuilding it. Which she’s already done.”
The other two nodded their agreement.
“Now, I believe her magical attack on Renjaf was largely in self-defence since he struck first, but his reaction was understandable since she’d just demolished his home. Therefore, she will pay damages in the form of no less than ten days of community service tending his grounds.”
“Which she’s already done,” Maia said, seeing her colleague’s line of thought.
“Finally, in the case of the counter-claim, for extreme emotional distress and failing to provide all reasonable assistance to someone in need, as per White robe policy, I suggest Renjaf pay compensation in the form of precisely one book: the aforementioned Shifting Stars.”
“Which she’s already got,” Laethyn said.
Justaria nodded. “This way, we acknowledge the culpability of both sides, we avoid needlessly wasting the Council’s time and quite frankly,” she added, shooting the others a conspiratorial glance, “we look like we know what we’re doing!”
The other two agreed to her terms, the Triumvirate formally cast their votes, and the sentences were passed. Catriona stood and bowed, respectfully as Maia and Laethyn left the Council chamber, but Justaria remained behind.
“Catriona, please sit,” she said and sat down beside her. “There is one other matter I need to discuss with you, but it needn’t involve the others because it’s a matter of internal Red order discipline. Your druid magic is interesting to me, and I am happy to see you exploring the potential of your abilities, as it is perfectly in line with our desire for diversity in magic. As you so succinctly put it, ‘Power isn’t everything.’ However, with any new magic, there must be rules, and while you haven’t broken the letter of any of them, because they haven’t been written yet, I think you know you broke the spirit of their intent.”
Catriona nodded. She’d been thinking about this, herself, in the cold light of day and reached the same conclusion. “Shapeshifting into the form of another person: Jacob. Essentially impersonating him. It’s identity theft.”
“Yes, it is,” Justaria agreed. “and I’m glad you see that. Now, I’m not going to be too harsh on this occasion, because I suspect you did it with his consent…”
Cat opened her mouth to object – she didn’t want any of this falling on Jacob, it wasn’t fair – but Justaria cut her off.
“Don’t worry about confirming or denying that. This isn’t a hearing; we’re just having a chat, and that was pure speculation on my part. The point is, what you did was a misuse of new magical knowledge and could be seen as a violation of the terms of your membership of our order.”
A tearful Catriona offered no excuse or defence. She didn’t want to lose her membership, nor her voice on the Council. She believed in what the institution stood for and wanted to be a part of that, but Mistress Justaria was right.
“Knowledge is neutral; its application is not,” Cat quoted from the Code of Balance.
“I’m pleased to see you take that lesson to heart,” Justaria said, kindly reaching out and resting a gentle, reassuring hand on Cat’s arm. “As I said, I’m not going to be too harsh with you. You made a mistake, and I can see that you know it. I’m not going to warn you to never do it again, because I’m quite sure you won’t. Therefore, I will not revoke your membership of the Red Robes of Balance…” Catriona’s relief was palpable, but Justaria wasn’t finished. “…but I will be recommending you be expelled from the College of Magic and banned from using its resources in any way. Do you understand?”
Catriona assured her that she did, so Justaria allowed her to leave. Before she reached the exit door, however, Justaria called out her name.
“Officially, this is a punishment,” she said. “Unofficially I believe I’m doing you a favour. I don’t think the College has a clue how to teach you – there's never been a mage like you before – and I also believe you will never find the knowledge you seek without severing your ties to that institution. Their ways are not your ways. Let your instincts and your research guide you, free yourself to follow where they lead, and I predict an exciting future for you, Catriona Redfletching.”
Stunned by this, the only words Cat could find to express herself were, “Thank you!”
They seemed inadequate, but they would have to do.
One day, gentle reader, both would realise just how prophetic Justaria’s words had been.
*****
As you may have gathered, I can use Temporal projection magic to see possible future paths, but I have no need of that to foresee my own Conclave. If that surprises you, it shouldn’t. The Guardians and I may operate outside Time, but that does not mean we can operate outside the law without the modern-day Council having something to say about it. When that moment comes, I pray I will be as strong as my mother, prepared to accept whatever their decision might be.
And I can only hope for an equally favourable result.