The Five immediately shot to their feet, and they were not the only ones. All the sorceresses close to the door were up on their feet. Some even had tears in their eyes, Nikai included. There were hushed murmurs, but Meera did not miss the reverent looks this new woman was getting.

Meera looked to Kalrina, and she shrugged.

Her heels tapped against the stone floor, and a dark outline of a robed woman appeared at the door. Meera couldn't see the woman or properly Identify her yet, but she felt the power radiating from her. It was similar to when she stood in Numheia's presence. It was like the woman was a force of nature, and Meera had to resist the urge to drop to a knee.

The woman stepped into the Hall of Judgement.

Every single sorceress was up on her feet. There were so many gasps that it was almost like an echo. Some wept quietly, their tears dripping off their chins. Meera looked to Kalrina. Her eyes were the size of walnuts, and her jaw was wide open. Arvena had backed up a step as if the woman was a ghost. The daughters of Aksha were actually on their knees. All the while, Meera was still confused as to who this woman was.

She had long dark hair that went all the way to her hips. She wore a light green dress with many leaves stitched with golden thread. She wore an earthen-colored shawl on top of that and a diamond tiara on her forehead. Meera had seen a King and a few princes, but this woman exuded royalty.

[Sorceress of Tremors - Level ????]

Meera elbowed the witch. "Who is she?" She whispered, but she might as well have shouted the question in this hushed room.

"Th-This is…" Kalrina began and swallowed.

Meera leaned in. "Is she a ghost?"

The new woman chuckled.

"Have some fucking respect," the Jailor snapped. The fact that she was snapping must mean it was serious. "She is—"

"It's okay, daughter. Let me do my own introductions for Meera and for all the newest sorceresses in the room." The woman stopped before Meera and tilted her head. "I am the one they call Veridiana, the founder of the Sorceresses of Akhessai."

"She is often called the doom of dragons. The bane of Akhessai. The mother of magic. The Sovereign of the sorceresses and many such names," the Orator said reverently, still from her knees.

Meera's jaw dropped. "You're the one that k-killed this thing." Meera waved her hands around.

Veridiana's face showed an ounce of irritation. "This thing was an Archdragon, and yes, it was me who turned her to stone."

How does one even go about doing that?

"Trust me, Meera, I've tried to find the answer many times," Firaan said.

Meera's nostrils flared. "What did I say about reading my mind?"

Firaan shrugged. "I can't help it. You speak so loudly in your mind."

Duinith ignored her and instead focused on her leader. "My Sovereign, we cannot let the accord stand, not for someone like her. She's murdered—"

Veridiana raised a hand. "I know what she has done, and still, I allow it."

Nikai was next to speak. "But—"

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Aksha slammed her hands on the table and stood. "She has given a command, and her words are absolute in these halls." She motioned to the big throne-like seat behind the Five. "Please take your seat, mother, so that we can conclude the proceedings."

This revelation hit Meera like a truck. Her face forgot how to show shock as she stared between mother and daughter. There were similarities, like their eyes, but if she hadn't known that information, Meera would never have made the connection herself.

"Didn't I mention that before?" Kalrina chuckled. "Judging by your expression, I guess not. Seeing your reaction, it was worth not telling you about it." She chuckled some more.

Veridiana smiled brightly for her daughter. "Thank you, but I won't be staying that long. We can proceed."

"Since Veridiana's word is supreme here, I guess I get to choose my death." Kalrina grinned as if she had been given her favorite toy. Something told Meera that maneuvering the Conclave into letting them choose her death was her plan all along. Even she couldn't have guessed that it would be Veridiana herself who would allow it.

"How dare you disrespect the Sovereign?" The Orator thundered.

"Relax, dearie, or you will burst a blood vessel." Kalrina smiled. "You all just gave me the death sentence. Why should I respect the people who want to kill me?"

Veridian snorted. "A fair point."

The Orator's reaction was like Meera's when she discovered that Veridiana was Aksha's mother. Her face sort of malfunctioned at how the Sovereign could take a killer's side. A part of Meera loved it, and she had a feeling the Sovereign did as well. Kalrina was brimming with joy.

"Thank you," she said to Veridiana and turned to the Five. "Now, can I pick my death?"

The Five who were still on their feet slowly sat down, and Duinith begrudgingly nodded.

Meera was wary and expectant of what the witch was about to say, for she seemed far too relaxed for someone who was selecting her method of execution.

"I want a death that you all will remember for a thousand years," Kalrina said. "I want to die…by dragon fire."

To say that everyone was stunned was to say that dragon fire was hot. The hall was so silent that Meera could swear that she heard the ants scurrying about in the corners of the hall.

"Oh, and not the fake one you create, Ergena," Kalrina said, pointing at the last unnamed member of the Five. The youngest looking one. The Sorceress of Flames. "I want the real deal, from the jaws of a dragon."

"You have got to be joking," Orator Aksha said.

"No, baby Aksha, I'm quite serious, and as for my last wish, I want the Champion's sister to be there to witness my demise. This way, you can't cheat me out of my final wish…wishes."

She gave Meera a side-eye glance, and it all fit into place. This was Kalrina's plan. The one she had been working on. In a few minutes, she had made sure the other sorceresses knew what sort of a monster Aksha was, and then she had outmaneuvered the Conclave of Five and put them in a position where they had no choice but to comply with her wishes. Now, they had a direct route out of this place. The sorceresses themselves would carry them out of here and back to Drurith since most of the dragons were back there.

I take the second one back. This was well played.

"You must take us for fools if you think we will agree to this," Duinith seethed, red-faced.

"We wouldn't even be here if I had found you instead of Aksha," Nikai muttered under her breath, but thanks to the Gem of Echoes, Meera caught it.

Firran, who had mostly been quiet throughout the whole ordeal, finally sighed, most likely at what came next from Kalrina.

"So, am I to assume that you all will be going against the Sovereign's wishes," Kalrina said.

That took everyone back aside from Firaan, of course. Veridiana stepped forward. "Both of your wishes will be honored, on my word."

Once again, Duinith stared open-mouthed but got over herself when Kalrina casually said, "Thanks, Veridiana, dear."

Much of the room did not take that well, and Meera could see the killing intent on their faces. Kalrina was pushing it too far, but the Sovereign didn't seem to mind. She simply nodded.

"But Kalrina's execution will have to wait, I'm afraid," Veridiana said. "As I have need of Meera."

That stumped Meera. She could do nothing but stare at the woman that seemed to radiate power.

"Yes, you heard correctly, child," Veridiana said to her. "It's why I've come. I had wished to converse with your brother privately as well, but he was in a hurry. Will you come with me to my chambers?"

Meera stared open-mouthed. She didn't know whether to be afraid for her life or jump at the opportunity. But what could such a woman want with her was the chief question in her mind. The room stared at her expectantly, awaiting her answer.

If she wants to kill me, I doubt there is anywhere I could run that would be safe.

She looked to Kalrina as a last-ditch effort, and the witch gave a slow nod.

Meera looked to the Sovereign and nodded. "I'll go with you."

Veridiana smiled as a mother smiles at her children when they do something right. "That is fabulous. Aksha, please escort Kalrina back to her cell after healing her, of course, and refrain from any unneeded atrocities. She belongs to Lorendor now. He alone will decide her fate." Then she whispered, "As he decides all our fates."

Kalrina nodded to Meera. "Be seeing you, dearie."

Meera returned the nod.

Veridiana put an arm over Meera's shoulder. "Let's go, Meera. There is much we need to talk about."