“Is that your official statement on the matter, Miss Gerda?” Grand Duchess Calisto asked.

I was standing in front of the Continental Council, having just explained my part in the wedding attack and the interrogation. I’d politely refused to use my powers to read the future for the Council - I had already used them when I got up this morning, and I didn't want to set a precedence.

Besides, there wasn't much to say.

Carter Watercress, the Guardian of Death, was going to hold the wake for Menlomin, King of the Unicorns this week. If I played my cards right I could get one of the season two's treasures during the tragedy - a unicorn's horn. I'd prepared everything on my part already.

Guild Master Warren Jones, the Arbiter of Shadow, was going to officially retire and run away while Their Royal Highness Rowen was distracted in North Sumbria. His demon contract ended on the Solstice, and now that he was free, there wasn’t much to stop him leaving… excepting perhaps his accidental lover, the Assistant Guild Master Gemma.

I was rooting for Gemma every step of the way.

The last thing [Oracle] revealed still left me with a grip on my heart.

It was me.

Specifically, it was me at this council meeting, and Henrietta’s thoughts. The Dark Lady was standing in the far back, closest the door. My power only allowed me to assume her future for about four and a half minutes, and it revealed an end to my trial that I decided wasn't impressive enough.

“Yes, Your Grace… though before I step down, I have a question.” I drew a deep breath and looked over all of the members of council who were seated before me - and those who’d chosen to attend as observers, standing behind. The council was open to anyone who was high enough level or was representing a country… and apparently Madame Potts was interesting enough that we had a crowd.

The highest level elite sat, while others stood behind.

“As my hidden identity is now revealed to all, and my status as an Elite has been confirmed, I have been dealing with my first run of assassination attempts.” I began, trying to find the right words to explain my dilemma. In the pause left for breath, Master Thomas cut in.

“As soon as you reached level 50, you were no longer protected under the council treaty – you are as fair game a target as any of us here. No sense whining about it now.”

Yes, that Master Thomas. The louse had shown up at Council this morning as if he hadn’t been one of many working behind the scenes to ruin the Summer Solstice Festival. Grand Duchess Calisto’s eyebrow dipped almost imperceptibly when he walked in… and I was impressed that she’d managed to keep civil.

I was not so courteous.

“Master Thomas,” I retorted, deciding that now would be the perfect place to finally speak my mind. On behalf of myself, Henrietta, and all. In front of our peers. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but you have the social graces of a dying fish.”

The mage's mouth dropped open. Just because Thomas was integral to the plot, didn’t mean I had to be nice to him. My words solicited a variety of responses around the room ranging from shock to amusement. Julian had covered his mouth to hide a smile.

“Of course I expect assassins and intrigue as befits my station. Your inability to put two non-magical thoughts together is astonishing; I have never met another so void of humor, humility and basic common sense.” I tried to hide the joy in my voice as I unloaded on the man. Julian, standing behind his mother, bit his lips hard enough to bleed, while Witch Agatha slapped Wizard Lorthar on the shoulder in unbridled delight.

“You dare speak to me this way–” Thomas slammed to his feet, knocking over his chair. There were no direct attacks allowed during council meetings, but that did not include aura. Magical pressure erupted from the mage, hitting me with the force of his rage.

“Stating the oblivious will get you nowhere fast. I’m on trial and sworn to speak the truth.” Unfortunately for him, I was a few levels higher than he was, and had a handy [Mental Resistance] perk. I shrugged. “What I was going to say before being so rudely interrupted, is that I don’t know what to do with the bodies after each attack.”

The mage stared at me like I’d grown another head.

To clarify, I continued, “Do the Assassin Guilds have a return policy? Do I just leave them on the road? Is it my job to [Revive] their guild members and forward them the potion bill?”

“Sit down Thomas.” Wizard Lorthar ran a hand over his shoulder, defrosting the ice that had formed from Witch Agatha’s blow. “You know that there are no challenges allowed in the council room. And I will remind you, for Miss Gerda’s sake, that our laws state you must wait one rest period following the meeting before you are allowed to issue any duels.”

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Thomas looked like he was going to argue, but then he was under the full weight of Lorthar’s aura. It was brutal enough to make Thomas sweat.

Even if the wizard wasnt one of the highest level elite on the continent, Lorthar was the largest exporter of magical ingredients in Valaria - and held a treasure trove large enough to rival a dragons. Anyone who didn't pay him respect could only live with regret.

Thomas cursed and sat, turning his ire on me.

If looks could unalive.

Lorthar turned his attention to everyone in the room. “I think now would be an excellent time for everyone to review their rights and responsibilities as an Elite of Valaria - as such, before the next meeting, I expect each country to send a copy of the relevant documents to all registered Elite; The Garen Grim Treaty, Feliwyn’s Oath, Lysander’s Legacy, and The Treaty of the Gods.”

“Well said,” Their Royal Highness broke the awkward silence that followed Wizard Lorthar’s declaration. Rowen was in the guise of an old man with black skin and grey hair pulled back at the nape of their neck. The fox turned a smile on me. “Miss Gerda, to answer your question, it is polite to return the bodies to a guild, if you are able, but not necessary. Many do not.”

“Thank you,” I said, bowing. “Then that is all I have to say.”

“Members of the Continental Council,” Grand Duchess Calisto spoke then. As host, she was the officiant of the meeting. “As you are aware, Miss Gerda is Madame Potts. She is standing before us today as an Elite [Oracle], one who has dedicated her craft to preventing tragedy and giving free warning from the shadows. She has done so by Crystal Cast; without a permit. The penalty for which is subject to 50 Gold Coins per infraction to the affected nation.”

King Keith flinched. As an Elite of the Dark Enchanted Forest, he was technically responsible for managing me and my misdemeanors. He also neglected to provide me with the appropriate paperwork after my Elite registration - a point for Wizard Lorthar - and could easily be forced to pay all of my fines in the event I was unable to.

“How many times have you shared a Madame Potts’ Cast?” Keith sounded like his soul was fleeing his body as he sighed.

“I haven’t kept track of every Cast–” I began.

Their Royal Highness cut me off, “I have.”

The fox summoned a parchment that rolled over the table, across the floor, and all the way to my feet. “It wasn’t consistent; sometimes once a month and other times twice a week. I’ve keep a complete record of every single Cast and what was said exactly. There are 207 Casts so far.”

“Two-hundred–” Keith pushed up his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose.

“I would say it is unlike you to prepare this much, Rowen.” Witch Agatha said dryly, knowing the fox. “But why am I not surprised?”

“You don’t appreciate me,” Rowen said, snapping the roll of parchment. It rolled up again and he passed it over to Duchess Calisto.

“Two-hundred and seven Casts at fifty gold per infraction on seven countries - that is not including Nilheim–” Calisto started, though Rowen put up a hand to stop her.

“Peldeep choses to waive our portion of the fee.” Rowen offered. “Because we are not a bunch of ungrateful–”

“Now Rowen, I was going to ask after the charges were explained.” Duchess Calisto cut them off. Which was unfortunate, because I would’ve loved to hear what insults the fox came up with. "North Sumbria is also abstaining. Anyone else?"

Calisto looked at those representing Servalt, Sumbria, Drendil, Baldorin and the Empire. When no one spoke, she continued. “Then the fine at five countries is fifty-one thousand seven hundred and fifty gold pieces.”

King Keith dropped his head into his hands and asked, “Is that all?”

“Servalt and Sumbria have levied charges of defamation and unregistered international espionage against the troll.” Calisto summoned two documents of her own. “Servalt is asking for fifty gold coins and the immediate capture and restraint of Miss Gerda Jones. Sumbria is asking for five hundred gold and her execution or deliverance into their hands for just punishment.”

No one spoke, though Their Royal Highness shot Master Thomas a look. It wasn’t a nice look. I remained silent.

“All in favour of Servalt’s request?”

Master Thomas and one other person put up their hand. It was an angry looking elf sitting at the end of the table, to the left of Thomas.

“All opposed?” Everyone else raised their hand. Calisto nodded. “All in favour of only the fine?”

Everyone’s hands raised again.

Master Thomas frowned. “You can’t tell me the council is releasing the bridge troll? She’s a menace to society!”

“We all are.” Witch Agatha leaned back in her chair smiling. “Why do you think this council exists?”

“The updated fine is fifty-one thousand eight hundred gold.” Calisto put down one parchment and waved the second. “Now, for Sumbria. All in favour of execution?”

Only Thomas and the elf from earlier raised their hand. Everyone else opposed.

“And all in favour of five hundred gold?” Again, only the two agreed. It was an unreasonable sum.

“Madame Potts has notoriously been critical of Sumbria,” Wizard Lorthar offered up a solution. He leaned forward and laced his hands together on the table. “Why don’t we ask for two hundred gold coins? That would round up the total fine to an even fifty-two thousand.”

Keith choked, but held himself professional. Henrietta, seeing her husband in distress, walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. He smiled up at her, tight lipped.

“All in favour?” Callisto asked, and everyone raised their hands. “Then Miss Gerda, on behalf of the Valarian Continental Council, you are charged with multiple counts of treaty violation to the sum of fifty-two thousand gold coins, due by the Autumn Equinox. Too, you are expected to cease and desist all unregistered Casts until you have signed a contract with each country to use their system, and familiarize yourself with the laws regarding your station as an elite of Valaria.”

I smiled up at the duchess, “I understand.”

“Your case is dismissed.” Calisto said, but then waved a hand at the room behind her. “You have leave to go, or join us. Welcome to the Continental Council, Miss Gerda.”

Thomas was furious, but couldn’t fight the entire council so it looked like he was going to settle with glowering at me now.

And probably sending Servalt assassins later.

“Thank you, Your Grace.” I bowed deeply and then added, “If it's alright, I would settle my accounts now and then I have another appointment."

Then I waved a hand and dropped the entire amount at my feet.