Both of the ogres had the group surrounded. If they tried to make an escape, the ogres were much faster and could easily catch them. Weston’s strength began to falter, and the magic shield started to grow dimmer, fading with intensity as the power began to be worn out.
From the far end of the courtyard, a figure came towards them, which appeared to be an older mage, dressed in a robe that shimmered with a high-intensity energy that lit up the air around. The mage looked across the courtyard to take in the scene of the chaos.
As the figure got closer, Ardwyn could discern some of the features, a middle-aged man, with long black hair, maybe one of the professors or staff, wearing a dark mage robe. The robe swung back in the wind as the mage walked toward them.
The ogres sensing his presence, turned towards the mage and let out a primal roar. The mage raised his hands, palms out, towards the ogres. A force spread through the courtyard slamming into them, with the ogres stumbling back, momentarily stunned and confused by what had just happened. The shock of the force shook the ground around them.
The mage cast another bolt of energy, with the beam hitting the ogres again, and they both fell over under the weight of the force to the ground. The air rumbled with a low sound, similar to thunder.
The ogres seemed to be outmatched. When they got up they were noticeably stunned, acting a lot less aggressively than before, and dazed, as if in a haze of some sort. The force that had hit them seemed powerful enough that now the ogres struggled to even walk, stumbling through the courtyard.
“Back to the depths of the darkness with you!” the mage called and cast another spell that threw the ogres back into the portal. Afterward, the portal shut, dissolving into thin air with a loud zap. The only traces left behind of what had happened were the destroyed courtyard, the overturned tables, and Ardwyn and his group staring with astounded but relieved expressions.
The mage walked up to them. As he stopped his robes settled down on the ground behind him.
“What in the ethereal flame happened here?” the mage asked.
The words broke the silence that fell over the group. Ardwyn felt his heart racing. He wondered how to explain everything. The mage surveyed the destruction around them.
“It seems,” the mage said, “that we have much to discuss.”
Later, the group found themselves in the grand chamber, where the mage had instructed them to meet. The grand chamber was a large hall, nestled high up in one of the towers, above the rest of the structure, with a view out on the great distances surrounding the citadel. Through the view of the chamber’s windows, towered mountains with ice-covered peaks, among an unexplored wilderness that seemed to be as much of a serene view as also a barrier and protection of the citadel from the outside world. The only way to get to the Academy’s citadel it seemed, was to take a perilous journey through the mountains. In essence, the citadel was practically unreachable for mere mortals.
Here up in the grand chamber, the entire group that witnessed the events from earlier, Ardwyn, Myriel, Flynn, and Weston, sat at a long wooden table in the middle of the chamber. Directly seated across from them were ten mages, who presided on the Council of the Mages. There were more unoccupied seats in the room, about twenty in total. It seemed that half of the council had been called at this hour.
Ardwyn recognized, Elara, the professor he had met earlier. The other figure Ardwyn recognized, was the mage who had found them in the courtyard and helped save them from the ogres.
The atmosphere was serene and quiet. The mage who sat in the middle, and who seemed to be the head of the Council of Mages, spoke, his voice deep and resonant, “We are gathered here today to go over the events that transpired earlier, namely the destruction of the Academy’s courtyard, the forbidden opening of a portal, with the consequences of the monstrous creatures that came through, threatening the lives of many, and finally the loss of a life.”
The head mage turned to the mage that had saved them. “Rilex, you have the stand since you are the one who first came across the scene.”
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Rilex stood up to face the room. For the first time, Ardwyn had a chance to get a closer look at Rilex. His long hair was brushed back behind his ears and he had a few days of facial hair growth that had not been trimmed. His appearance seemed somewhat ruffled as if he had not placed much care in how others perceived him. There was a certain tone of detachment in his voice when he spoke.
“Mages of the Council,” he began, “the events that occurred earlier today are unprecedented.” Rilex paused, looked around the room, and then his gaze fell on Ardwyn and his companions. “When I came across them I noticed the portal open, which is where the ogre was able to pass. Weston, a second-year student here at the Academy created a shield that bought the group just enough time to have me aid them in the rescue.”
“How was the portal opened?” the head mage asked.
“I do not know,” Rilex said.
The room turned to Ardwyn. Noticing this was his moment to speak he said, “I believe the Ethereal Blossoms, a plant I had in my possession, might have resulted in the portal opening.”
A murmur spread throughout the room and some of the mages exchanged comments with each other in hushed tones.
Elara stood up and spoke next. “I believe we must view these events from the perspective of extraordinary circumstances rather than mere recklessness.” She paused and looked around the room, and then her gaze momentarily stopped on Ardwyn. “The catalyst for these events indeed does seem to be the Ethereal Blossoms, as you all might know, a magical flower that carries immense and unpredictable power.”
The head mage nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you, Elara.” He then turned to the rest of the council. “Who else would like to speak on this matter?”
An older mage, with a serious look on his face, with silver hair and cold gray eyes stood up. His voice was coarse as he spoke, “With all due respect, Elara, good intentions do not negate the gravity of what occurred. Our wards were breached, a portal was opened within our walls, and a life was lost. We cannot simply overlook these facts. Carrying in the Ethereal Blossoms into our grounds was an act of great recklessness.”
Another mage, also a serious older man spoke, “This incident could have exposed our entire citadel to untold dangers. We must take decisive action to prevent something like this from ever happening again.”
“Ardwyn,” the head mage turned to him. “Can you explain to the council how you got a hold of these Ethereal Blossoms?”
Ardwyn nodded. He felt the piercing gazes of the entire room on him. He somehow managed to find the confidence to speak bravely on the matter, recounting his entire story from beginning to end in sequence, including mentioning how Mr. Gimble stole the Ethereal Blossoms from his dorm room. After he was done, there was a moment of silence.
“This Mr. Gimble fellow,” the head mage said after a pause. “How long was he with us?”
“For about one year,” another mage answered.
“Was he a mage?” the head mage asked.
“No, he was the dormitory steward.”
“Hmmm,” the head mage thought for a moment. “I see. And why did he take the Ethereal Blossoms from your room in the first place?”
Ardwyn shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Another mage interrupted, “He should not have messed with magic he didn’t understand.”
The head mage spoke conclusively, “Mr. Gimble had no business taking the Ethereal Blossoms, especially without alerting anyone else of the matter. I would like to open up an investigation further into this matter. We can speak to this at a later moment.” He paused, considering something, and then continued, “Well, mages of the council, at least we have seemed to identify the cause of the chaos. To be clear, how certain can we be this is the actual cause behind the portal opening?”
“Fairly certain,” Elara spoke. “When Ardwyn first brought the Ethereal Flowers into my office I sensed the affinity they had to draw mana from the air. The high concentration of mana must have ruptured the very fabric of space, resulting in a tear causing the portal to open.”
Rilex spoke up again, “While the incident was alarming, let us not forget the bravery these students showed in the face of danger.”
The head mage nodded. “Let’s also make sure that we don’t bring the Ethereal Blossoms within the confines of the citadel again. If anyone would like to study them, that’s fine. However, do so far from the citadel within a safe distance, and in a controlled environment until we can understand how these portals are opened as an effect of the Ethereal Blossoms with some sense and reason.”
The rest of the room nodded in agreement.
Straightening out a few papers before him, the head mage asked, “Is there anything else?”
No one responded. Some mages shook their heads.
“So, with that, I adjourn this meeting. If any new developments arise let us know and we can reconvene in the future.”
Ardwyn was one of the last to leave the chamber in case anyone had questions for him. After they had all left he walked down the corridor stairs, alone, reflecting on the events that had occurred earlier.
Something about the Mr. Gimble incident didn’t add up for him. Why did Mr. Gimble take the Ethereal Blossoms from his room? How did Mr. Gimble even know the Ethereal Blossoms were his? He didn’t recall telling Mr. Gimble the blossoms belonged to him. And yet, Mr. Gimble accused him without a shadow of a doubt. This is all your fault! If you hadn’t brought these cursed flowers here… Ardwyn remembered what Mr. Gimble had said. Mr. Gimble must have found out the flowers belonged to him. Maybe someone told him? But who? Flynn and Myriel were with him the entire time.
Ardwyn walked out through the corridor and exited the mage tower. He had a feeling someone or something was watching him. He looked over his shoulder just in case. Not noticing anything unusual he retreated tiredly back to his room.