Page 39 of Sundered By Fate

"It is true," Aric said. "They tricked me into giving up how we used our wards to fight off their attacks." He risked a look toward Olaya and Davin; Olaya's face was a mask of wry acknowledgment, but Davin glared with pure accusation. "But as they dragged me along on their march past the outer wards, I still did all I could to slow their progression. And ultimately, I was able to escape."

Valerian motioned to the Silver Tower's representatives. "Perhaps Olaya and the Silver Tower can provide more insight into Solarian's person." He turned toward the trio of them seatedtogether. "I understand you know Solarian better than most, and I am sure we can trust your assessment of his character and intent."

Cyrus scowled. "This is a Pureblade investigation, and I am?—"

"Your jurisdiction does not exceed mine as Lord Regent, Inquisitor," Valerian said, an edge creeping into his voice. "These are not charges against the crown, unless you wish to level them as such."

"Aric Solarian is a remarkably talented mage, and has always been one. Ambitious, yes, but never for self-serving purposes." Olaya looked directly at him. "If he says he studied the demons' magic in order to fight them better, then I believe him entirely."

Valerian arched a brow. "But what of the danger inherent in such a task?"

"There is danger in any magic, if it is wielded without caution," Olaya said. "But I believe Aric Solarian can be trusted to use it wisely. I have trained him myself. He has always been a diligent student."

"And yet he turned to these very demons for assistance," Cyrus said. "What makes you so sure he hasn't been corrupted by them? Warped toward their cause?"

Olaya's hands tightened slightly on the edge of the podium, the only sign of her simmering temper. "We are all susceptible to temptation," she said. "But Aric Solarian has proven himself to be a man of great character."

"Great character?" Cyrus smirked. "Consorting with demons hardly seems like the mark of a man of integrity."

"It is because of his integrity that I believe we should hear him out." Olaya's dark eyes swept over the tribunal dais, meeting each member's gaze in turn. "He has seen firsthand what the demons are capable of," she continued. "And he believes he can help us defeat them once and for all." She paused, choosing hernext words carefully. "But if you insist upon dismissing him out of hand without hearing what he has to say—if you make him an enemy—then you risk driving away one of our greatest allies."

Cyrus had no immediate retort.

Lord Valerian nodded, evidently satisfied. "Then let us continue." He faced the assembled observers. "Are there any other accounts of Aric Solarian's actions within the demon realm we should consider?"

"I can speak to that," a voice called, and Ruta stepped forward. She drew herself up, all dignity and warrior's grace. "I owe my life to Aric Solarian."

Aric bowed his head slightly. "You saved your own life, as much as I helped."

Ruta waved him off. "Nonsense. During my time in the demon realm, I was subjected to their cruel games—the hunting of human prey for sport."

A murmur rippled through the audience, but Ruta's voice remained steady.

"Even knowing the risk it posed to himself, Aric went out of his way to rescue me from the demons' grasp." She shifted to face Aric. "He is a valuable ally in our fight against the demons. And whatever he may have suffered while among them, it has only strengthened his resolve."

Aric fought the urge to look away. Ruta had seen him at his darkest moments—had borne witness to his capture and degradation in ways he could never forget. But her testimony brought with it a new kind of weight, a weight that tugged at the threads of his carefully constructed facade.

"He may not be quite the same man who entered the demon lands," Ruta continued, voice softening slightly. "But that does not mean he has been corrupted. If anything, it means he has grown beyond the limits we placed on him."

Davin stepped forward from his seat amongst the Silver Tower's representatives, his expression unreadable. Aric felt his heart lurch painfully in his chest at the sight of him—their shared history, so complicated and unresolved, hung heavy in the air between them.

As Davin took the podium, Aric forced himself to focus. Whatever remained between them had no place here. His future was hanging in the balance, and Davin's words could tip the scales either way.

"I've known Aric Solarian for many years," Davin began, his voice steady and sure. "And while our paths have diverged at times, I have always held him in the highest regard."

Aric's breath caught in his throat, hope fluttering weakly in his chest. But as Davin continued, that hope quickly turned to dread.

"He was a loyal and dedicated member of the Silver Tower all his life," Davin said. "A brilliant mage, with a passion for knowledge and a drive to protect our people at any cost."

Aric closed his eyes, trying to draw warmth from Davin's praise. But he couldn't afford to dwell on it now.

"However," Davin continued, his voice hardening slightly, "I cannot deny that something has changed within him since his return."

Aric sat up straighter. Eyes open once more.

"Whatever torment he may have endured among the demons has left its mark on him," Davin said. "There is an otherness to him now—a darkness that wasn't there before."

He glanced toward Aric, but Aric couldn't bring himself to look back.

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