The seraphim competitor laughed crudely at Cadogan's display, even as the rebounding blade nearly split Cadogan like it had the block. Perhaps it was some small bit of xenophobia directed at the inventor, or perhaps it was his competitive spirit deflating at the scope of Cadogan's invention, but the seraphim that had approached him earlier was not feeling terribly empathetic. In fact, as the current leader in the competition, the human's rise in the ranks was indeed troubling. He had not long before presented to the judges a magical device capable of gathering ambient energies out of the air to maintain flight, albeit slow, for an almost unlimited duration. Although, like many other devices, it required an initial charge of the runes to work, it was the first of any magical device to recharge ITSELF. He truly believed it could revolutionize magical devices, but many revolutionary ideas had come and gone over the years, and even a great idea is doomed to fail without funding. It was for that reason that he had hedged his bets with this particular competition....

Once the dust had cleared and Cadogan properly treated for his injuries, the judges took council to tally scores and determine the winner. It was a scant ten minutes, but from the stands it felt like an eternity. Torva held Hagumi's hand nervously as he hurriedly finished his ale without even realizing it. Even as the judging concluded and the announcer stood up to announce the top 10 contenders, Torva couldn't help but worry that the war-walker's single flaw had ruined the great inventor's chances at winning. 

And yet somehow, through all of the drama, successes... and failures... it came down to Cadogan and one other competitor for the final 2 spots. “In second place, with 210 points....” 

A hushed silence fell across the stadium as the announcer paused for dramatic effect. It had been a great many years since a non-seraphim had placed in the top 5 of the competition, let alone won, and yet there before them stood, or rather wobbled, a man who may very well have broken that trend. Finally, breaking the silence, the announcer shouted with all the energy he could muster. “Cadogan Feraldo!”

Cheers erupted for Cadogan from the patches of Seraphim that had come to root for Cadogan in the latter half of the competition. All across the arena fans shouted congrats and well-meaning praise. “You'll get em next year!” some yelled. Others booed the judges for what they felt was an unfair ruling. Their shouts were ultimately drowned out by the cheers of others, though, as the judges announced the winner of the competition, narrowly beating out Cadogan by 10 points, another newcomer and their new seraphim champion Alonzo Lightfeather. 

Drowned out by the noise of the crowd, Torva could only grit his teeth and clench his fists to keep from lashing out. He was so close! He felt as if they had lost a major battle, having been swept up in the fervor. Glancing over at Hagumi in defeat, his frustration obvious, he was completely oblivious to the fervor taking place beyond the stands at the judge's table, a number of seraphim circled around with a handful of guards and what looked like spectators from the crowd. Slowly but surely, though, more and more seraphim in the crowd began to take notice, and the cheering began to transform into murmurs as the announcer himself sprinted from the center of the arena to the judge's table. “Ladies and gentleman, I ask that you please stay in your seats. It seems as if the judges have a last-minute ruling in regards to the final competition!” the announcer stated, lowing the magical item from his throat to discuss something with the judges in private. 

After an uncomfortable few moments, the announcer returned to the center of the arena with a hurried walk, tension in his step as he moved. “I, uh... it seems there will be a change in the ruling. Upon further examination, it was discovered that one of our competitors brought in fully charged mana crystals and used them to power their device. While magical materials are not inherently banned from the competition, that fact must be disclosed to the judges during the evaluation phase. They have provided an updated score to reflect this new information.” 

Clearing his throat, the announcer took a moment to straighten his back and flex his wings, making sure to return to the presentable state he had taken prior to the post-competition flurry of activity. “Based on the updated scores, we have a new winner. That winner is... Cadogan Feraldo! After over ten years of dominance, the seraphim have once again been bested by another race. Congratulations to Cadogan and humanity for an excellent showing!”

The arena broke out into utter chaos. Cheers, shocked expressions, defeated moans and a flurry of feathers engulfed the crowd at the unexpected news. Although more than a few seraphim were disgruntled at the news, the vast majority were simply thrilled to have been part of such an exciting competition. Many of the other competitors banded together to hoist Cadogan into the air, offering their admiration and contratulations at a job well done.

The rest of the night was a blur of celebration. Much of the crowd lingered to meet their new champion, and it was not until many hours later that the arena had finally cleared and the cleanup began. The entire party at the arena was invited to join in Cadogan's victory at a private banquet with members of high society, contractors, and a member of the council of the righteous. Many deals and drinks later, as the candles burned low and the last of the barrels of ale had been tapped, the party returned to the mansion to inform the others. There was Neon along with Kayla and Mokk, mulling over strategy for tomorrow's meeting with the council. Their attempts earlier in the day had proved somewhat fruitful, but Neon knew well enough that the words of a politician one day didn't always translate to action the next. Of course they broke into cheers at the news, and even as eyes weighed heavily the party resumed. Looming over the celebration, though, was the imminent reality of tomorrow's council vote. In less than 24 hours, they would know if all their efforts would yield results, or if it had all been for naught. 

Sunrise. The sun was rising in the morning sky. Birds were chirping cheerfully as the morning hustle and bustle had yet to begin. Neon was pantsless. 

Much like the night before, the morning was a blur to the dragonness as she prepared for the council vote, only instead of drinking it was preening and pruning. Servants scuttled around her in a flurry as they prepared the party for a formal meeting with the council. Although the vote would be relatively short, most of the internal debate happening now as they prepared, it would still have all the pomp and circumstance of a full delegation. Among the party, only Neon, Hagumi, Kayla, and Itzal had been granted council, leaving the rest to wait outside the chamber for the results. 

The grand chamber must have been five or six stories high and perfectly round along the edges. It was meant to represent a pillar of justice, one of many in the world. The floor was made of various metals and stone imported from all across Czarina, combined in a mosaic of the continent. Around the mosaic was a phrase in a much older dialect of Seraphim. Roughly translated, it said “I could see, yet I was blind to my faults. I could hear, yet I was deaf to my own words. I could touch, yet I did not feel the suffering of my kin.”

On the opposite end of the main doors into the chamber stood a series of imposing looking pedestals on which the council members sat. Each was equally high, save for the centermost where the high councellor sat and directed the proceedings. Although the chamber was so large there was no echo. It was lit via an enchanted crystal on the roof that dispersed all sunlight evenly to the room, casting no shadows. A large number of enchantments contained the discussion completely to the smooth walls of the chamber, protecting absolutely those inside from outside interference. Every precaution had been taken to ensure that the Council of the Righteous were free to render judgment and decide the future of the seraphim people without fear of their innermost thoughts being scrutinized. 

However, even in these perfect halls things can go amiss. Although the council had gathered, and the party stood before them, they were unable to render a decision, as councellor Vates had yet to arrive. Although he could be occasionally tardy in his old age, it was extremely unusual for him to be missing at such an important gathering. Word had been sent to his office with no reply, and a dispatch had been ordered to check the library and his quarters. Neon counted the seconds as time passes. She hated quite a few things, but chief among them was formal attire, politicians, and excessive politeness, and at the moment she was surrounded by all three. “We apologize once again for Lord Vates' tardiness,” Ardal said, glancing towards the door in anticipation of his arrival.

“Oh, it is most certainly nothing worth apologizing for,” Neon said as politely as possible, “For such an esteemed council such as this, I'm certain he has more pressing matters with which to attend, and we appreciate any time you have already spared in this matter.”

Internally, Neon wanted to vomit, and she could feel the booze from the night before churning in her stomach. The corset she was made to wear made it slightly difficult to breathe, and she felt exposed without her shadows surrounding her, although at least whatever barriers had been placed on the room kept the faint taunting of voices at bay. Hold it in, she thought. Just another hour at most and I can get some fresh air. Just don't puke in the chamber. Behind her, the doors crashed open, as a sweaty and panicked seraphim messenger stumble into the room. “Council! Lord Vates has been murdered, and from the wounds it looks like by a daeva!”

And then Neon vomited.