Page 56 of Potions & Pints
“We are bound to listen to the Librarian, Chief, you know that.”
The man quickly bowed his head and stepped back.
“Tis part of our oath,” another added.
“I said to arrest him,” the chieftain argued.
“We will hear what he has to say. The Librarian is afforded that privilege.”
“Thank you,” the Librarian said. “Today I traveled via the portal to the castle in Ozryn. I have learned who was truly behind the assassination of Idrulo and his wife.”
“Who?” someone called from the edge of the crowd.
“It pains me greatly to say this,” the Librarian said. “But it was our chieftain.”
Virtually everyone in the room aside from Tan and the assistant gasped.
“His own father?” Vir blurted out.
Tan resisted the urge to pat Vir on the hand. He could only imagine how grateful Vir was that the terrible curse that had turned him into an orc had not turned his father against him.
“I was trying to avoid getting us dragged into the war,” the chieftain shouted. “It is no business of ours. I sacrificed my son, my beloved Idrulo, to save my people. Wh, some of you in this room would be on your way to certain death right now if I hadn’t.”
“While I do understand you thought you were doing the right thing,” the Librarian said. “There is no justification for ordering the assassination of a member of the royal family. Arrest him.’
“I’m the chieftain, I give the orders. How dare you tell my own men to arrest me?”
The soldiers exchange uneasy glances.
“Well, what are you going to do?” the chieftain asked. “Whom did you swear your loyalty to?”
Tan waited, but none of the soldiers seemed willing to answer the question.
“So arrest him,” the chieftain said, pointing to the Librarian.
“I will remind the soldiers that their oath is to serve the people and uphold the law.”
“They swore loyalty to me!”
“They did,” the Librarian said. “But when forced to choose between you and the law of the land…”
“We choose the law,” one soldier said.
“There must be a standard,” another added, nodding. “We cannot allow one person, not even the highest in the land, to subvert the law.”
“You’re going to arrest me?” the chieftain snarled. “I’d like to see you try.”
There were more glances between the soldiers. They grabbed their spears tighter. The apprehension on their faces was obvious.
“He has no magic,” Tan volunteered.
“What?” one soldier said.
“He is correct,” the Librarian said. “He can do you no harm.”
No one seemed to really believe it and no one moved. Finally, Vir took a step towards the chieftain.
“You stay away from me, orc,”
