A long rectangular table stretched across the center of the council chamber, its surface polished to a near mirror sheen, wide enough for a dozen people to sit along each side. At the far end of the room stood a raised platform, not high enough to separate but enough to command attention. Upon it a lectern stood for those who wished to address the gathering, framed by curtains of deep color that pooled on the floor. Behind that space was a mural depicting a lamb and a lion grazing together in peace.

  When Cian and Keegan walked in, Patriarch Griff was standing behind the lectern, whilst everyone else was seated at the long table. The two boys took the seats next to Bomin, and they turned their attention to Patriarch Griff. Seeing that everyone important was in attendance, the patrarich nodded once before speaking.

  “Domino Adeola is dead. He was murdered, along with the entirety of his clan.”

  Cian jumped in his seat, startled by the sudden uproar Patriarch Griff’s words had caused. “When did this occur?” Matriarch Regina questioned. The woman had stood up, her hands splayed on the table as she looked at Patriarch Griff with a heated intensity. Cian peered at the others around him and noted the various looks of shock, except for his uncle, the sons of Davar—obviously, and the leaders of Marmor. He could understand the significance behind Mr. Adeola’s death because he was attributed as the cause of the Ethospar War.

  History records that Domino Adeola was sent to live in the town of Orochi, a port town on the continent of Begonia—it was a decision intended to help reform his attitude by having him work under his aunt, who owned a shipwright establishment. The Adeola Clan was said to be a haughty bunch, but even Domino’s lack of aspiration and entitlement was too much for them. His parents hoped to teach their son that their wealth must be maintained, and that, to do so, some work was necessary. He toiled as his aunt’s clerk, maintaining the woman’s ledger and ensuring customers paid in full. Domino was immersed in his new life for a month when, as he was in the market, purchasing quills and ink, he crossed the path of Mina Neos.

  The Neos Clan was headed by Neos and his wife Ophelia, who had settled in Orochi during their youth. Neos was said to be a man of strong morals at work and a doting husband. Ophelia was a kindred spirit to her husband, and together they gained notoriety within the town. Orochi was initially a small port town with a population of fewer than 200, but Neos had a keen mind for trade, and through gentle guidance, the town began to prosper and grow.

  In gratitude, the townspeople came together behind Neos and established his name, anointing him as a clan leader. Although the Neos Clan was not truly formed until Ophelia gave birth to her first son, and after she had eight more children, seven sons and one daughter. Their sons grew, married, and started families of their own, but their daughter, whom they named Mina, was the youngest of the siblings and still not of age to marry, although she was in a courtship with a boy named Karun Esper.

  Domino was thirty, and Mina was seventeen, when he entered the shop that sold paper, writing tools, and other such supplies. He had opened the shop’s door at the same time Mina was leaving, and she bumped into him by accident. It was when she looked up, intending to apologize, that Domino became captivated. Domino’s aunt said he had come home describing a girl of uncommon beauty. Fine, softened angles, high cheekbones tapering into a slender jaw, and skin light, sun-warmed, and smooth. The perfect visage of his future wife.

  Taboos and tribal laws were of no consequence to Domino Adeola—his family were people of a selfish nature, and whatever they set their eyes upon, they would have it. Domino went about courting Mina’s favor, but she was swift to rebuff his advances and loudly voiced her courtship with Karun. This did not perturb Domino in the slightest, and his incessant wooing brought him into confrontation with Karun, as the boy wanted to defend the honor of the girl he loved. When that yielded no results, Neos became involved, and behind him were his sons. As warm and inviting as Neos could be, he was also a fierce man.

  Amity Sea Snakes inhabited the waters surrounding the port of Orochi. They are serpents that are accustomed to people, often leading fishermen to swarms of fish, or they can pull small boats that have become stranded. The people of Orochi love the creatures, but they bring with them Eris Eels, a smaller relative of Abaia Eels, and the predator of Amity Sea Snakes. Neos was known for fending off Eris Eels, showing no fear as he fought back the beasts, the few times he ventured out with the other fishermen. His strength was what he passed down to his sons; they, too, showed fearlessness and were also protective of their family. Domino was weaker than an eel, so he took Neos’ warning to heart and left Mina alone, or so it appeared.

  Unbeknownst to Mina and her family, Domino began stalking the girl, and his aunt was privy to his doings but never spoke to him about ceasing his strange obsession. All she did was warn him not to get caught, and Domino remained quiet for four years.

  It was the announcement of Mina’s and Karun’s engagement that spurred the monster of jealousy within Domino’s heart. He had kept to the notion that one day Mina would be his, that their future together would make sense, as someone of his pedigree deserved nothing but the finest woman as his wife. The shattering of his self-delusion caused him to act out, to right the wrongs he saw. On the day Mina was to marry, Domino confronted Mina once more, pleading for her not to make the wrong choice. When she did not repent, he kidnapped her and took her out to sea. Here, only Domino could recount what unfolded. According to the man, he intended to sail away with Mina, take her away from Karun’s influence, and gently coax her to see what a better man he was than her fiancé. Unfortunately for them, they had caught the attention of an Eris Eel, and the creature proceeded to attack their boat. They were thrown into the water, and Domino attempted to help Mina, but the eel thwarted his plans. Domino had to witness the eel swallowing Mina whole, and there was nothing for him to do. The only reason he managed to escape was that an Amity Sea Snake had been nearby, and seeing him in danger, came to his aid. The snake took him back to the port of Orochi, where Domino was swiftly arrested.

  There are two types of trials: minor infractions that could be handled by a town alone, and those larger that the tribes must head as they involve the penalty of death or imprisonment on Horacevalgor. Domino’s trial was the latter. The way tribal trials are held is with a representative of the tribe of Nemesis acting as a judge, a representative of Davar as the court scribe, and three representatives from the tribes overseeing the continent where the crime took place. Heartsease, Halo, and Noctura were asked for a representative each, and they came together to help Pilate of Nemesis sentence Domino.

  Most of the history regarding the trial is locked away, as Davar could only be persuaded to do that much. Cian thinks their teachers were never even supposed to tell them that some unnamed tribes wanted them to strike the trial from the record. Davar refused to comply because it went against their very nature. What Cian was taught was that Neos sought to have Domino executed, or at a minimum, sent to the Rabvech prison on Horacevalgor. The man did not believe Domino's story about the eel and snake, proclaiming that his daughter was murdered by her obsessor. He never got his wish.

  Domino Adeola was returned to his family under the strict condition that he would never be allowed to leave wherever they placed him, as the Adeolas saw it necessary to send Domino far and secret for his protection. The decision came after Domino supposedly repented for his sins and begged for mercy, saying he did not kill Mina, but that his actions inadvertently led to her death, and for that, he was to blame. Yet the man did not wish to die, so pity was given.

  Neos became livid and demanded Domino’s head on a silver platter, as now only his death would be satisfactory. He knew Domino was not repentant, felt no remorse, and would live comfortably where he was stored, believing his life secure. It was as if the man was spitting on Neos’ face, and such injustice could not be tolerated. Neos threatened that if Domino were not given to him, there would be consequences for those protecting such a vile human creature. He was a man of his word.

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  For two years, Neos quieted down, allowing the tribes to believe he had gone back on his thoughts of vengeance and made peace with his daughter’s passing. They did not know it was a ruse, for Neos was preparing for war. He gathered his sons, gathered the men of Orochi, and gathered people of like mind—those also wronged by improper judgment. Countless clans sided with Neos, giving him men, weapons, and supplies. He brought everyone together and, when the time was right, struck a blow against Heartsease, initiating the war that would last five years.

  Heartsease was chosen first because of its lack of military might. During those times, Heartsease kept to their impassive nature, wishing to abide by the will of their founding patriarch, who had seen enough strife to want peace. The only ones versed in martial arts were the men of the Lamb's Guard, so when Neos attacked, the city was thrust into chaos. It was during this siege that the mansion was set alight, and his uncle risked his life to save him. His family was able to escape—at the cost of some of the servants giving their lives to ensure the safety of their patriarch and his family. It would have gotten worse had not Cian’s father triggered the contraption that was to act as Fallen Petal’s counter assault.

  Cian’s father and uncle had never let go of their suspicions against Neos, so in the center of the city, they built what people thought was a large water tower. Instead of water being in the large barrel, it held large quantities of pollen made from the seeds of poppy that had been tampered with. Their idea had been to make a barrel that, if ever destroyed or set alight, would release the pollen into the air and spread over the city. Anyone who inhaled it would find themselves becoming disoriented before succumbing to unconsciousness. The inhaler would not awake until they were given brewed ashwagandha or until the pollen ran its course through the body—a process that could take days.

  Neos’ men had predictably destroyed the tower and released the pollen. Due to shifting winds, the pollen did not spread as was intended, but it did enough to weaken Neos’ forces and cause them to retreat.

  After the debacle, word was sent to the other tribes, and once they joined the fray, it was only a matter of time until the Neos Clan was subjugated. In a final act of defiance, Neos stood alone with a sword in his hand and killed anyone who came near. The final man to challenge him was Patriarch Karna, and he was the one who took Neos’ life.

  The Ethospar War had set a new precedent for how tribal courts were held—Nemesis would then judge more harshly without input from the other tribes. It also set about laws to keep clans in check, ensuring none could easily go against the tribes that ruled, if only to prevent dissent.

  Domino Adeola had been the catalyst, and now he was dead in an era where it mattered least.

  “I don't know the specific date of their deaths,” Patriarch Griff replied. “We found his body in the summer, and by that time, it was considerably decomposed. His family's safety became our next concern, but I had needed to return home, so I sent Ezer of Socius in my stead. He later informed me of the state he found the Adeolas in and presumed them to have been killed some time after Domino.”

  “Why was our tribe not notified of such a discovery?” Grandhusband Baldric questioned. The man held an investigative gleam in his eye. As Nemesis was the enforcer of the law, the tribe's people were predominantly trained as investigators, almost rivaling Davar in the art of sleuthing. A request should have been made to them as was commanded by law. Matriarch Regina removed her hands from the table and placed them on her hips, looking at Patriarch Griff accusingly.

  “This is a deliberate breach of our laws,” Matriarch Isolde said, looking from Griff to the leaders of Marmor. “Worst yet is that Marmor was complicit in your acts. Socius is what you call your band of hands for hire, yes?”

  “We trust those in Socius, and don't make a habit of shadowing them like some mother hen,” Matriarch Vara replied. “Whomever they are under the employment of, is who they defer to, unless under extraneous circumstances. I suppose the culling of a clan would constitute, but as Ezer was under Patriarch Griff, he must have surmised it was enough that a tribal leader knew and trusted Griff’s judgement.”

  “The man's logic was fallible,” Regina retorted. “If there are any members of Neos’ clan that still bear a grudge, we can suspect they will try to wage another war.”

  “We apprehended his sons, the wives of his sons, and their children. We also took the men and women complicit in their acts. They were all supposed to be put to death. Are you suggesting some escaped?” Patriarch Galen questioned. He and Regina stared at one another, his words causing the corner of her mouth to twitch as if she were suppressing a snarl. “You, Julian, Isolde, and I were the ones who oversaw the clan’s imprisonment, but it was my tribe overall who lent the most strength to do so, so don’t you dare imply they were careless.” Matriarch Regina then glanced at Patriarch Julian. “If anything, Adoptore is the one I would never trust to handle runaway criminals.”

  “Mind your tongue.”

  Cian was surprised by the amount of animosity Greatwife Medea’s words held—the woman seeming always composed; meanwhile, her husband seemed to age as he wore an expression Cian could not place.

  A fist hitting the lectern multiple times did enough to silence the escalating argument, and Patriarch Griff’s words sounded exasperated, like a father dealing with children. “As horrendious as the Adeolas’ deaths are, that’s not the most pertinent of discussions—”

  “Could they have been murdered by the same perpetrators who slayed Nathaniel’s tribe and who came after him?” Cian asked before the subject could be changed. He has never been one to shy away from attention, but he could admit it was rather daunting to have the eyes of the tribal leaders on him. “No,” Patriarch Julian replied. “Although I have only just learned about the Adeolas, when Seraphina investigated further into those masked men you encountered, she was able to follow a trail that led to a scrupulous clan. She is dismantling their influence, and had they had any information regarding Domino, my daughter would have found it and told me.”

  It did Cian well to hear that the men seeking to harm Nathaniel would be no more. The child will be able to grow in safety, and Cian thinks he would like to say goodbye to him before leaving the city.

  “What is the name of the people my son and the sons of Heartsease had encountered?” Griff asked.

  “They belonged to the Lygard Clan. A small people known for the transportation of goods, but it would appear they were shifting their focus from goods to people.”

  “And their insignia?”

  “A cat with six tails.”

  “Then I can confirm the murders are not related.”

  “That means you must have proof,” Isolde said. “You have something that can, at the very least, tell you which clan committed such a sin.”

  Patriarch Griff nodded. “We all know of photoplays, yes?” There was a gentle murmur of consensus. “Something akin to photoplays was left at each sight of the murders. I say 'akin' because what I will show you is much more refined than simple, silent black-and-white images, yet man did not make it.”

  Now, an atmosphere of intrigue settled over the room as Patriarch Griff bent down behind the lectern, and when he rose again, he had with him a red, corked pitcher with a crimson handprint on the bulbous part of the body. He removed the cork and, going over to the back wall, he tossed whatever liquid was inside onto the wall. The liquid had the consistency of thick mud and was a rancid-looking color. At first, Cian was perplexed as to why Patriarch Griff had just vandalised the mural, and it seemed Julian was about to voice the same thoughts, but then Cian’s eyes caught the thick liquid moving. It did not drip down the wall; instead, it spread out, like someone spreading a linen canvas, reaching each far corner. When it settled, the color of the liquid began to glow, and from its center a swirling mass of light appeared.

  The light grew brighter and erupted forth like fog, taking the space the of the wall. Then dark shadows began to emerge, formless at first, before shifting to create an image. The shadows melted, leaving behind a colorful picture, and Cian almost believed they were looking through a window. And he was further awed when the image began to move.