The Great Core's Paradox Chapter 65: A Proposal

That thing almost killed us all!

The voice, impassioned and filled with an irate fervor, ripped across the room with its overwhelming volu. Murmurs of agreent followed behind it, so reaching even further to beco outright shouts. The large hall, lit by an abundance of Light Orbs and festooned with finery that nearly made her eyes roll, was filled to the brim. As much as it ever was, at least. Twenty counciln - every single one of them, a rare occurrence - sat in their designated locations, though so had raised themselves from their seats. The Council was in uproar, and Valera was unsurprised.

Not after what had just happened.

Still, she wasnt the only one to raise an objection, few though her allies might have been.

With all due respect, Councilman Port, nobody was injured. The mont that we arrived and began to intervene, the snake stood down. Hardly the deanor of a murderous monster, is it? Captain Wren - Eriks father, as well as the head of Orkens Seekers, pitifully few as they were - responded. She wasnt sure what he really thought, whether he was simply doubling down to support the actions of his subordinates and son, or if he was truly as unworried by what had occurred as he appeared. The mans face was an inscrutable mask, just as it always was, a statuesque picture of focus and determination.

It was that sa focus and determination that had earned him his fa, that had led the Council to provide him with his position in the first place. Though he did not take part in searching for and dispatching Cores himself anymore, the forr rcenary had been an integral part in training up the few Seekers that Orken had, ensuring that they were prepared to face the world outside the boundaries of the null-water that protected them.

Now, that sa focus was twisted and pressed against the irate Councilman, wrapped in a light coating of humor and friendliness.

A very light coating.

The poor Councilman blanched, but soon rallied.

Th-that hardly matters! It may not have attacked us directly, but its actions could have killed us all just as surely as if it had bitten at our throats. The Webweaver colony has long been an essential part of our exports. What do you imagine would happen if they were to have all died, hmm? How would we trade for the food that we need, or for anything else?

As much as she wished that he didnt have a point...he certainly had one. Their slippery little companion had managed to do a number on Orkens economy. While she was sure that it was unintentional, it had hurt.

The Captain was forced to acknowledge that, ducking his head in affirmation of the councilmans words. As powerful and intimidating as his very presence might have been, he was a man of blood and combat - not of logistics and gold. Still, he pushed onwards.

From the knowledge we have of the snakes previous deanor, its very possible that he saw the Webweavers as so sort of threat. He has been observed to be extrely hostile towards monsters. While I agree that this might have been catastrophic, it also highlights sothing that I was already going to propose. He let that sink in for a mont, eting the eyes of the gathered counciln.

Valera chewed her lip lightly, hoping that whatever ca next would be enough to save the little cutie. Whatever they thought, she was still willing to place her faith in his good intentions; after saving her life an untold number of tis, she felt that he had earned at least that.

Regardless of the unfortunate circumstances, I think that there are so positives to take away here. The first is that nobody was hurt. He raised a hand, forestalling another objection from Councilman Port. Physically. There would have been ample opportunity for the beast to attack any number of humans in its course from its last known location to the Webweavers. The fact that it didnt attack any humans, and instead attacked monsters - ta though they might have been - is a good sign.

She found herself nodding alongside Erik, Kala, and - surprisingly enough - Doran, agreeing with what he said. Hopefully that would help to sway the Councils view.

Secondly, the fact that it attacked the Webweavers in the first place could debatably be a positive. I certainly wouldnt expect a monster to understand the concept of dostication. Its more than likely that he simply saw what he thought was a threat and sought to eradicate it. Captain Wren steepled his fingers, leaning slightly against the table before him. Both of these lead towards my proposal - one that may be even more important now than when it was originally proposed. Regardless of intentions, Orken has taken a blow. That will need to be redied. Fortunately, both the problem and the solution have the sa source.

Valeras breath caught as she realized where he was going. Before the Webweaver nests caught on fire, they had been in the midst of discussing this very thing. They had known that it would be difficult to convince the Council of its necessity, but - ironically enough - it had beco more necessary with the most recent troubles.

Before we go further the head of Orkens Seekers turned, gesturing towards Doran with one hand. Doran, if you would give your report on your teams most recent expedition. I think that the Council might find it...enlightening.

Doran quickly acquiesced, launching into a sanitized retelling of their adventure, as well as their new companion. She was relieved to note that he scrubbed out her repeated failures to befriend the little snake in question. It wouldnt have been necessary for the report, and it might have put the claid docility of Orkens newest criminal into question. Also, it would have made it seem like the little guy didnt like Valera.

Which would be wrong. She knew she was the favorite.

Instead, he glossed over much of that, focusing instead on the most important points - the initial encounter, the Ascension, finding the second Core, and so on. When he explained the way that they had been forewarned or protected from every enemy within the Dungeon, the Council beca decidedly more heated.

Even they, safe and sound atop the protective lake of null-water, were well aware of how important sothing like that could be.

There were very few Seekers in Orken, deadly undertaking that it could be, and that showed in their pitiful lack of Cores. So of the more successful settlents didnt need to rely on sothing like a Webweaver colony to get by - their economies were buoyed by the trade created through their captured Cores, along with their ability to defend themselves and any trade routes.

By the ti Doran finished his report, she could already see the image of gold reflected in many of their eyes, and she knew that the hook had been set.

Thank you, Doran. Now, my proposal: the snake will be given the opportunity to work off its debt to Orken. It makes little sense to execute it, if there is sothing to gain by keeping it alive - and, as long as it can be kept from consuming the Cores that we need or damaging Orken's economy further, there is.

The following hour was filled with a fierce discussion of the ideas rits. So, like Councilman Port, were entirely against the idea of the cute little noodles existence, calling for him to be imdiately dropped into the null-water. Others were more reasonable, willing to see the rit of increased safety during Dungeon Expeditions. In the end, those more reasonable voices managed to win out, snagging a close victory via vote.

After that ca the even harder part: rules and regulations. Those were still mostly up in the air, what with how the success of the proposal would still be in question until the first Core was acquired. Her mind blanked as they droned on and on about precedent this and safety that.

She did hear them decide on one thing for sure though, and Valera was sure the little guy was going to hate it.

In the rest of his ti in Orkenhe was going to have to be muzzled.

She really hoped that he didnt bla her for it.