The Guild's Meeting Room was dimly lit. A bright spotlight shone down on me, making it difficult to make out who was watching. But I counted around 10 other people seated in smaller chairs in a circle around the edge of the room.
It was, I thought, like an arena.
Except they hadn't brought me here to fight.
They'd brought me here to display like a trussed-up chicken.
The Headmaster was dressed in a fancy robe of maroon with intricately stitched stars and crescent moons forming a vague pattern. His hood was pulled down to expose a face a badger might be proud of.
A thick moustache drooped over his upper lip, and his nose was a smidge too long. His hair was thin and grey but hadn't yet receded too high up his forehead.
The throne on which he sat was made of a single piece of granite, though the cushions looked plush and comfortable.
I spat the socks out of my mouth and grimaced at the leftover taste.
"Headmaster," I said, giving only the barest of nods in greeting. I started rummaging through my pockets, which was made more difficult by the clanking manacles about my wrists. "At last. I have a list of grievances here somewhere. I think we ought to start with the most recent, though. These cuffs are appalling. Would it hurt to clean the rust off them before using them? It shows a remarkable lack of attention to the basic upkeep of Guild property."
"Shut up," Colin growled as one of the guards thwacked my liver with his baton.
"He has a point, Colin," someone said from behind and to my left. "Are you neglecting your duties?"
"Not at all, Council Member Jarvin," he said smoothly. "The prisoner is mistaken."
"What?" I lifted my manacled arms. "Just take a look. That's rust, that is! It's making my skin itch."
"I said, shut up!"
Another thud to my liver.
I grunted.
A loud gong shimmered in the air, causing everyone to still.
"Ah," the Headmaster said, smiling broadly. "That'll be the Emperor."
At his words, a holographic projection of a young official-looking man appeared between us. He looked like an overdressed peacock, but that had always been the fashion in the Imperial City.
"Headmaster," the fellow said, not bothering to bow. Or nod. That rudeness was also quite the fashion in the Imperial City. "I bear greetings from the Emperor, who will be with you shortly. He would first like to know if what you wrote is true. You have captured the void mage?"
"I have," the Headmaster replied gleefully. "He's standing right behind you."
The young man didn't glance back at me.
"And he is restrained?"
"We've got him under a Suppression Token," the Headmaster confirmed. "And, to be sure, we've also cuffed him."
The young man was silent for a moment.
I expected he was getting instructions.
Beside me, Enid fiddled with her fingers. She was very nervous.
"It's alright, Enid," I said. "Not to worry. Everything will be sorted out soon."
"That's what I'm afraid of," she muttered back.
"What are your intentions with him?" The young man asked suddenly.
The Headmaster looked flustered by the question. "Pardon?"
"Your intentions. What will you be doing to him?"
"Well… That is… We thought the Emperor might like to take custody of him," the Headmaster said. "Perhaps give him to the Questioners?"
"You've had it now, boy-o," Colin chortled softly in my ear. "Just think about it. Hot irons. Cruel spikes. Hammers and nails. Thumbscrews! You'll be squealing like a pig before morning tea."
"The Questioners?" The young man nodded. "And is the Guild requesting payment for this service?"
"Only what the Emperor deems it worth," the Headmaster said, spreading his hands magnanimously. "We consider this to be our duty to the Empire itself."
"Right," the young man said without even a trace of irony. "The Emperor has advised he will be here shortly. Please hold."
With that, the hologram flickered and disappeared.
"You've been a thorn in our side for a long time, Taran," The Headmaster said. "Three Headmasters died because of you. I resolved not to be the fourth. I've been preparing for you, you see. Since I first took office. These Suppression devices were very expensive but have now proven to be worth it. Wouldn't you say, Council Member Givens?"
"You nearly bankrupted the Guild, Henry," Givens said from somewhere to my right. "I'm still not convinced it was worth the investment. If the Emperor deigns to give us nothing in exchange for him, then we're at a complete loss."
"Replacing the Library's missing volumes will be another expense," another said sullenly.
"And not to mention the Matrix," Givens said. "I doubt we'll be able to afford another for quite some time. It might have been better to have just let him through and have him deal with you as he pleased."
"Not from my point of view," the Headmaster snorted.
"Your salary won't pay for any of our losses even if we took it from you for a thousand years," Jarvin called. "I also think it was a waste of money. A new Headmaster would have been cheaper."
A few mutters of agreement bubbled out of the shrouded chairs around me.
"Are you all so blind?" The Headmaster snarled. "The man is a menace! A monster! What if he decides to take things further than just my position, eh? What if he decides to come for all of you? Then what? I did what I did for the future of the Guild itself."
"Calm down, Henry," Givens said soothingly. "It's just an observation. At the end of the day, we elected to allow you to continue with your plan."
"And it has worked!" The Headmaster's hiss was sharp. "Look! There he stands. In chains!"
"Rusted chains," I corrected with a smile as I lifted my arms to show them off.
Another tap to my liver.
Honestly, it was starting to upset me.
There's only so much brutality a gentleman can endure from an authority figure.
The gong went off again, preventing Colin from giving me a mouthful.
This time, the Emperor himself flickered into existence. His hologram towered over everybody, which made me giggle a little. I'd met the man, and he barely reached my shoulder.
He was dressed in full costume.
Smart suit. Medals lashed across his chest.
A long voluminous cape edged with the fur of some mythical beast.
Gold and jewels wrapped around every finger, and a magnificent crown which held some of the Empire's most expensive gems.
He was immaculate. Handsome. And oozed confidence.
I grudgingly accepted that he looked the part better than I would have.
"Your Imperial Majesty," the Headmaster said, bowing in his chair and gushing a little. "The Guild greets you humbly."
"Thank you, Headmaster," the Emperor said. "I won't beat about the bush. You know why I'm here. I'm not sure I can believe it, though. I have a letter here, signed by you, stating that you have placed the void mage, Taran, under a Suppression Token and have him in your custody?"
"We do, Your Majesty."
The Emperor stood silently for a moment, contemplating the Headmaster's words.
I could see his brain twisting and turning.
"I wish to speak to him."
"He is behind you, Your Majesty."
"Is he?" The Emperor seemed to flinch a little before slowly turning.
As he faced me, I lifted up my arms to show the chains, which made him gulp although he was able to keep his expression completely calm.
That was another point in his favour.
"Taran," he said. "It's been… a long time."
I nodded. "It has, Your Majesty."
"How is your tower?"
"I quite like it," I told him. "I've been renovating."
"Good. Good," he said calmly. I could see his body was quivering. Like he was holding in a lot of emotion. That sort of thing could give you cancer, I'm told. "I want something to be very clear to you, Taran. So, I ask for you to please listen to my words very closely."
"Of course."
"I mean it," he said. "What I'm about to say is the truth. And not one word of it is a lie."
"I understand," I said, not knowing where he was going with this.
He sighed, holding out his palms. "We, that is I, had nothing to do with your capture. The cuffs you wear were sold on the open market, and we had no idea they would be used against you. We had no notification of any actions to be taken against your person and, had we been made aware of any, would have rejected any involvement and advised the Guild against it. No member of my government, nor my council has had any knowledge or communications with the Guild in this matter. I hope this is very clear to you."
"It's a weight off my mind, Your Majesty."
"Excellent. Then I shall leave you to, err, whatever you were doing with the Guild."
"Much appreciated," I said. "For the record, I plan on going directly home after this. I have houseguests I wish to entertain and have no plans to visit the Imperial City."
"I'm glad. Please reach out if you need anything at all."
"Your Majesty is most kind."
The Emperor nodded, still a bit nervous. Spinning on his heel, he let out a sigh as he faced the Headmaster. It was a heavy sigh of relief.
I didn't take much offence.
"We wish good luck to your replacement," he said hastily.
Then he was gone.
The Headmaster shot to his feet. "Wait! Your Majesty!"
"Right," I said, stretching my shoulders. "Now can we discuss my grievances?"