Before the Council, part 1

You bow deeply to the Council and say, "Thank you, Councillors, for granting this audience."

Fionn looks past you at Brighid. "You may leave now, Brighid. The Council did not summon you and this is not an open session."

The Paladin steps up to your side and lifts her chin defiantly. "I will not. I invoke the right of Companionship. By law and tradition, no judgment may be passed on my Companion without my presence, and you may not bar me from giving him counsel or refuse to hear me on matters concerning him."

None of the Council so much as twitches at Brighid's announcement. Word travels fast, you guess; she did tell one of the guards that you were her Companion when she carried you into the village this morning. Fionn continues, "Very well. Aidan Lostlorn, there are three matters which this Council must consider tonight. First, your very presence here, in light of your circumstances, is cause for grave concern. Second, you claim to have important information for us on Bannagh Macht; we will hear this. Third, there is the matter of your trespass on our lands." You nod, having expected all of this.

"Ailis, if you would please?" Brighid's mother nods and her hands begin to glow golden-white as she gestures and traces intricate patterns in the air. A moment later, you and Brighid are surrounded by a soft golden aura.

Eilwen speaks up, her voice stern, "Know that you have been placed under a ritual of truth. Speak as you will, but any falsehoods will be revealed to all who watch. Consider your words well, for deceit will not be viewed favorably by this Council. Now then, Aidan, you claim to have been inside Bannagh Macht and returned with valuable information. We will hear what you claim to have found, but first, we must determine how exactly it is that you stand before us."

Ailis picks up the narrative, "None saw you enter the lost city, but I do know that the talisman you wore which allowed you to pass through the wards was destroyed long before your Quest was modified to allow you to leave. Tell us, then, how you managed to escape from Bannagh Macht."

Brighid lays her hand on your shoulder and bends down to speak very quietly in your ear, "Go ahead and tell them the truth about your revival, just do not say why. They cannot compel an answer from you on that as it has not been made a matter of inquiry."

You breathe in deeply and then let it out slowly. You are not looking forward to this. "Honorable Councillors, you gave me a Quest and I followed your directives to the best of my ability. After I convinced Brighid to return and warn you all, I went down into the city. As soon as I was past the wards, I destroyed the talisman I had been given by melting it and pulling it apart into several pieces. I made my way through the outskirts; I was detected by forces present there, but managed to evade them and make my way inside the hill around which Bannagh Macht is built. I followed a tunnel into the hill until I came upon a chamber covered in vines. I tried to burn the vines away but--" Your mind recoils from the memory. You try to **** yourself to speak, to remember, "There was a creature there, a humanoid. It-- it--"

You dangle helplessly in the air, arms and legs spread far apart by living ropes of dried-out leather. More come and seize you front and back. One wraps tightly around your neck and tries to push its way into your mouth. Another is worming its way up the leg of your pants. A malevolent, melodic voice calls out to you and the ropes tighten and pull. Pressure mounts as you are pulled in every direction at once, then pain begins to build, and you open your mouth to scream--