Before the Council, part 3

"I now call a vote on the matter before the Council. This vote will be by simple acclaim; as Councillors, you are oath-bound to vote with only our laws and your conscience as your guide, without regard for the current vote tally. The accused was found on Starchaser lands by members of the tribe; this fact is not in dispute, and so a vote of 'Innocent' may not be cast. The only votes which are allowed are 'Guilty' or 'Not Guilty'. As this is a vote of the full Council on a matter which has been fully considered, none may abstain." The entire proceeding has the air of long-practiced ritual.

"Ailis Silverhair, as Lorekeeper and Councillor over the mages of the tribe, how do you vote?"

"Not Guilty." Her voice rings out, clear and steady and confident.

"Anwn Wolfsister, as Huntmaster and Councillor over the hunters and border patrols, how do you vote?"

"Guilty." No surprise, there.

"Eilwen Brighthearth, as Elder and Councillor over families and children, how do you vote?"

"Guilty." Her voice cracks out like the snap of a whip. Brighid grabs your hand and begins to squeeze tightly, but for some reason you can't really dredge up any concern.

"I, Fionn Ironhide, as Battle Master and Councillor over the tribe's warriors, vote Not Guilty." A small part of you is surprised by that.

"Gerwyn Wanderhoof, as Master Trader and Councillor over affairs dealing with outsiders, how do you vote?"

"Not Guilty." The dwarf centaur gives you a very slight smile as he casts the deciding vote.

"The tally of votes is three Not Guilty to two Guilty. Let it be said that Aidan Lostlorn is not guilty of trespassing on Starchaser tribal lands. So say we all." The last is said by all five Councillors at the same time.

Ailis speaks up. "In my right as Councillor, I submit a new matter to the floor tonight. As Aidan Lostlorn is no longer under accusation of trespass, and in light of his considerable contributions to the tribe, I petition the Council to conduct the Rite of Acceptance on his behalf, and formally make him one of the people he has already fought and died for."

It appears this was expected, as none of the other Councillors visibly react. Fionn, seemingly acting as the Council spokesman tonight, says, "A new matter has been brought before the Council by a fellow Councillor. As second moonrise has not passed yet and all other matters before the Council are completed, we must hear argument on this matter tonight. Councillor Ailis, as you brought this matter before us, you have right of first argument. You may proceed."

Ailis rises to her feet gracefully and begins, "This man may be an outsider by birth, but he has shown through word and deed to be a true friend of our people. He was brought here through no fault of his own and despite enduring repeated hostility and mistrust he has showed us only honor and loyalty in return. We -- this very Council -- sent him on a Quest with assurances that it was within his ability as a Commoner to complete, and he died doing his best to complete that mission.

"Before going to his ****, however, Aidan acted as selflessly as I have ever seen another act. He had at his side a strong and capable Paladin skilled with fire magic who intended to go with him into the city and aid him in his Quest. Instead of accepting her aid, he assessed the situation and sent away the one who would help him so that she could warn the tribe. Then, instead of shirking his duty, he proceeded into the city which he knew would kill him, because that was the Quest we laid before him. Immediately upon entry, he destroyed his only known means of egress because it would be a dagger pointed at the tribe's heart if the enemy discovered it." She glared accusingly around the stage at her fellow Councillors. "We failed him, Councillors, but he has not failed us. Even though **** itself claimed him, he fought his way back with a desire to help us. Even though his Psyche is hanging on by barely a thread, he did his best to give us information which may well save dozens of lives in the near future, lives of those who have shown him no friendship."

Ailis's voice rises in a demanding crescendo. "I say that Aidan has done more to help the tribe than any who are not present in this chamber, and perhaps even some who are, and I do not disclude myself from that statement. I say that although he was born into the body of a human, Aidan Lostlorn is a true centaur of the Starchaser tribe!"

Ailis resumes her seat upon her cushion and Fionn speaks again, his voice grave and stately. "We have heard argument from Councillor Ailis in favor of the proposal. Do any other Councillors wish to be heard before I call the vote?"

Anwn springs to her feet, and Fionn yields the floor to her. "I will admit that I too misjudged this human somewhat. He has indeed shown himself to be honorable and loyal, and although I voted against him in the past I bear him no ill will for the future." She inclines her head towards you and you return the gesture, as it seems the thing to do. "He is not one of us, however! No matter how much good he has done for the tribe, he has not grown up among us, does not know our customs or traditions. Our people are not comfortable in his presence, and although I judge it no fault of his own he draws strife to him. Not four hours ago I caught three young males attacking him just outside the village down by the river, right on the main path. These sentiments will not go away just because we wave our hands and pronounce him a Starchaser. For his own sake and for the harmony of the tribe, I say that we should thank him, help him heal and recover from his ordeal, grant him safe passage through our lands, and point him in the direction of Gilhardt. He does not belong here in the Mistvale Highlands, and we do neither ourselves nor him any favors by trying to make it so."

Anwn lays back down and again Fionn asks for further argument. When none stand, he continues, "I now call a vote on the matter before the Council. This vote will be by simple acclaim; as Councillors, you are oath-bound to vote with only your conscience as your guide, without regard for the current vote tally. This is not a matter of law, so the votes shall be 'Yea' or 'Nay'. As this matter has been raised before the Council only this very night and there is no pressing need to resolve it this session, a vote of 'Abstain' or 'Delay' will also be accepted. If there is no majority among those who vote 'Yea' or 'Nay' and at least one Councillor votes 'Delay', we will table the matter until the next full Council meeting, then consider further arguments and have a final vote at that time.

"Ailis Silverhair, how do you vote?" Fionn begins the calling of the vote.

"Yea."

"Anwn Wolfsister, how do you vote?"

"Nay."

"Eilwen Brighthearth, how do you vote?"

"Delay."

"I, Fionn Ironhide, Abstain."

"Gerwyn Wanderhoof, how do you vote?"