"We can easily conclude that Kalina is not worthy to hold the title of the young leader. She should be removed from her position. She needs to be punished for her misconduct."
Ignoring the third elder, the first elder said. The third elder was someone who had no power in the tribe. If not for being a tier 4 warrior, he couldn't even sit with them. So, why should he respond?
"I agree."
…
"I agree."
Five among the seven elders responded in favour of the first elder. It easily showed how much power he wields in the tribe.
The matriarch closely kept watch of the situation. She didn't try to help her granddaughter.
"Kalina go back to the seats. Before declaring the due punishments, I would like to hear the full story. First elder, I heard that you have been keeping some of our guests under house arrest. Can you please explain why you are doing it?" The matriarch suddenly asked.
At first, the first elder thought she was trying to avoid punishing her granddaughter. And he was about to protest. But when she asked about the 'guest', he was thrilled. If he played the cards well, he could put more blame on the princess's conduct.
"Yes, Matriarch. The guest was kept under house arrest due to my orders. And I had reasons to do that. First, they were in contact with princess Meena and Laya during the attack. I don't think it is a coincidence. They might have approached the princesses to spy on our tribe. How else can the attack happen right when you were away from the tribe, your majesty."
"Second, they both are capable of using space skills. And the attackers were clearly using space skills to summon the beasts."
"Third, They easily defeated a peak tier 3 beast. Something that could only be done by tier 4 warriors. Yet they did that with tier 2 and 3 strength. They are trying to build a relationship with the tribe by making it seem like the princesses were in danger. And it was them that saved the princesses."
"I believe they have something to do with the attack. And possibly something to do with the theft of the blue gem. If not for space skills, we could have easily tracked the location of the Blue gem."
The first elder gave a detailed explanation.
"And to invite someone like that into the tribe as a guest. The princesses have deeply sinned your majesty." He showed a pitiful expression while talking about the sins of the princesses.
The audience who heard it also agreed with his point. They riled up and the hall was engulfed in angry voices and murmurs. With each passing moment, the reputation of the princesses was being thrown into the mud.
Laya, who heard this from the audience seat wanted to climb up the stage and give a good wack to the old geezer. His shamelessness has gone beyond redemption, she thought.
However, she was powerless. Within the tribe, those who had strength were respected and a talentless nobody like her was nothing compared to the elders and tier 4 warriors of the tribe.
"If you would allow me, I would like to question the prisoners in front of you, your majesty." The first elder said grabbing the attention of everyone.
"You may." The matriarch agreed.
Within minutes someone was sent to bring Alex and Taka into the meeting hall. When the guards reached their room, they were stunned to see the prisoners under house arrest having a lavish barbecue party.
They were munching on chicken and beef like no tomorrow while the servants joined them in the feast.
After finalising a partnership with Taka, Alex was enjoying the meal when two guards came to invite them to the meeting hall.
'They were inviting us to talk about the attack.' Alex was sure. There was no possibility that it was something else.
"Okay, Lead the way," Taka said confidently. He never felt threatened by the ice phoenix tribe. His backing was the void fish tribe. Would they dare to mess with him?
'Should I take a bath? Am I looking okay? It's a meeting, right? Should I wear a tie? Would they execute me? Am I going to die, again? Huh, too much thinking, can I take a rain check?' Thoughts in Alex's head popped up like popping popcorn. Nonetheless, he went with guards. Obviously, he can't refuse.
—------------
Fixing his new clothes he got from the ice phoenix tribe. Alex and Taka stood in front of the crowd. And they could feel the poisonous gazes directed at them.
'Given a chance, they will kill me. What's with the thick stench of enmity? Did I do something wrong?'
"Your majesty, This is Sir Taka from the void fish tribe and that is… is the other person."
'Well! I am.'
"Introduce yourself?" The geezer, the first elder ordered Alex. He was belittling Alex and annoyance could be seen in his eyes.
Alex, who saw this knew that he was facing a professional ass ****. He had seen many people like this in his life. And not many had an evil aura like this geezer. He exuded unreasonableness from all his words. This is a born bigot. Just like his old boss.
'I like people like this, it means I can shut off my brain and deal with them just the way they deal with me.' A small smile formed on his face. Those who don't know what he thought might see him as a crazy kid smiling while being disrespected. But Alex didn't care.
"People who love me call me 'the other person' and all others call me Meru." Alex introduced himself with a smile.
Some muffled laughs escaped from the audience and the third elder looked down trying to hide his smile.
The quirky words took everyone by surprise. Usually, the first elder was treated with the utmost respect. But now, facing Alex. He was stumped.
Alex was supposed to act servile and beg for forgiveness, yet he was disregarding him. This greatly incensed the first elder.
According to Alex, it didn't matter if people like the first elder is angry or not. They will do everything to attack their opposition. And he was the opposition this time.
If not, why would he treat Taka with respect and him with contempt?
Taka, due to his huge backing could walk sideways in the ice phoenix tribe. But Alex was a nobody. He knew that if someone has to be a scapegoat. He will be the obvious choice.
Grinding his teeth. The first elder looked at Alex and said,
"Thank you for the introduction. And let me explain why we called you to this meeting."
"From the witness testimony, it was said that both of you could use space skills. Is that correct?"
[A/N: I was supposed to write a fantasy novel, not a courtroom drama.]
"Yes." Both of them answered.
"And both of you were in contact with the princesses during the days before the attack."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"So, why did you contact the princesses?" Suddenly the first elder pointed at Alex and asked. The attention of everyone around was promptly directed at Alex.
'Yep! Just as expected. Trying to bury me alive.'
"The princess contacted me to talk about the iron…"
"Not you Sir Taka, We know about that. We want to know why a child from the stone head tribe comes in contact with the princess of the ice phoenix tribe." The first elder interjected while directing attention to Alex again.
"It was a coincidence," Alex said.
But it was not enough to convince the crowd. They began looking at Alex like a spy. Taka was totally ignored from the picture.
"So, you agree that you are from the stone head tribe and that you came in contact with the princess."
"Yes."
"If what you say is correct, explain to me how you can use space skills. What is your spirit guardian?"
"I can't. Because…"
Before Alex could say a word, the first elder interrupted him and said,
"See, your majesty. In everything that occurred in the city, he is the most suspicious of them all. There are even witness testimonies where the youngest princess called him a hidden master. We all know how special she is and she can distinguish people by instinct. Take this into account while we punish this spy."
Twisting his words, Alex was already labelled a spy by the first elder. And he could see that he was about to be a corpse.
"Now tell me, where did you hear the news of the matriarch not being in the city? Was it from the princesses? Where did you hide the blue gem?" The first elder strolled towards Alex while asking. He was releasing the imposing energy of a tier 4 warrior and was trying to oppress Alex into submission.
"Did you store it within a space skill similar to the skill void fish tribe uses? I know an easy to take out everything that was stored by the skill. I just need to kill you." He said menacingly. The tension was clear as day.
The princesses wanted to help. He was their guest, yet a gaze from the matriarch forced them back to their seats.
Taka, who was nearby suddenly said.
"You don't need to do that, no one, not even the tier 4 warrior of our tribe can store an item in our skill for more than a day. Space skills use up a large amount of energy. And if he had any space item, you would have found it easily."
"Are sure? There are people that saw him use his skill continuously for the past couple of days. It speaks to say that his skill is better than that of the void fish tribe. And so, my solution is faster." With a quick hand movement, The first elder attacked Alex. A frozen spike materialised in his hand, about to pierce into his heart of Alex.
Then suddenly, Alex disappeared. Only some smoke remained in the place he stood. Due to his panic, some energy leaked from his body creating smoke where he stood. While he quickly teleported into the farm.
What happened?
Everyone looked around, trying to figure out what happened. Even the first elder was perplexed by it.
But the matriarch who saw the smoke quickly stood up. As if she saw something horrifying, her eyes trembled.