Consequences pt 2

Jardin wiped the blood from his face and glared up at his enemy. "You'll pay for that."

Flamian stared down at him, his gaze cold. "We'll see who pays the price. You have much to pay for."

Baldwin looked down at the boy he had come to think of as a son. "Flamian, have you any idea what you are doing?"

Flamian stared the Council straight in their eyes as he took the center floor. "Of course. I have watched from the shadows, ever since Kaylandra rejected me. She told me to leave, and I did. I left the world of light to dwell in the shadows, and I learned much that you don't know. Such as Jardin's abuse of his power. Will the Council recognize my challenge?"

Baldwin frowned. "The Council has already reached its verdict and has concluded his innocence. However, your words do hold power. You have named him an Oathbreaker, and that name is not used lightly." His frowned deepened. "You have placed the Council into a very precarious predicament. If we allow your challenge, we acknowledge the fact that he may be guilty, but if we do not allow your challenge, and moreover the claim you have made, we put your honor in jeopardy."

At this moment, Caldrin stepped forward. "This is an outrage!! How dare you even suggest that the Council has erred! This is nothing more than your selfish desires!"

Flamian turned to him. "You have completely misunderstood me. It is not that I believe that the Council has erred, nor is it even about my own desires. This is about the honor of one whom I hold dear!" He shouted. The room fell silent. "It is true that I confessed to her my heart. It is true that she demanded me to leave. And I did. Why? Because it was never about me. It was about her! It was always about her."

Kayla stood next to her father, tears streaking down her cheeks. Even though she had scorned him, torn him down, he still stood by her. He still protected her. He still loved her. He continued, "I have nothing left in this world. Nothing that I can rightfully claim as my own. My entire clan was wiped out before my eyes. My home, destroyed. No possessions. No wealth. Nothing but the clothes I am wearing and the sword strapped to my back. In short, I am a nobody. But I'll be damned before I allow this Oathbreaker to betray the one person who means anything to me!"

The Council began to whisper amongst themselves, and it wasn't long before Baldwin was handed a slip of paper. His frown vanished and he stared down at Flamian. "The Council withdraws its previous verdict."

"What?!" Caldrin exclaimed. "How can you do this?! How can you just accept the word of this...this...outcast?!"

The Council stiffened. Baldwin glared down at the nobleman. "May I remind you, sir, that the so called 'outcast' has been recognized as a Gifted. And furthermore, it has come to my attention that the king has verified that his daughter was indeed caught in the company of your son under very suspicious circumstances, as well as being in the presence of several other ladies all from prominent houses here in the capital. Several witnesses have come forward and are all willing to testify against your son. Therefore, the Council recognizes Flamian's challenge. The Challenge will take place in one weeks time. Jardin, as the Challenged, it is your right to set the terms of the challenge."

Jardin sneered at Flamian. "Anything goes."

Baldwin's face was sincere, but Flamian held his gaze, fury burning in them. "What say you, Flamian? Do you agree to the terms?" Baldwin asked.

Flame turned to the Council. "I agree." Baldwin nodded. "So be it then. This Council is adjourned."

Aldric and his family approached family. "You don't have to go through with this."

Flame looked at Kayla, who avoided his gaze. "Yes, I do."

She refused to look at him. "Why? After all I did to you..." A finger to her lips halted any more words, and her chin was lifted up.

"We were all deceived by him. Not just you. I admit that I didn't like him at first, and I was jealous of him. But when you rejected me...that was when I learned his true nature." Flame looked into her eyes before looking away. "I should have warned you earlier. You shouldn't have found out that way."

Aldric looked at him with concern. "Are you sure that you can win?"

Flamian held his gaze. "Losing isn't an option. I will fight, and since his terms are 'anything goes', I will not hold anything back. I've wanted to knock him down the social ladder for a very long time, and now that I've the chance, I will not let it go by. No matter what he throws at me, he will regret accepting the challenge."

Kayla's arms suddenly wrapped around him, and he felt the moisture soaking through his shoulder. "Please, be careful. Please." she cried. His arms wrapped around her.

"I will." he whispered. Aldric clasped his shoulder. "Since it's our honor you are uplifting, it is only fitting that you stay with us. We have more than enough room."

Flamian nodded. "Thank you." They left the building with their heads held high.