The Crystal Mountain Read Online Free PDF Page A

frenzied chamber. It would not take much more of the councilors’ antics to make the lonely abode a preferable escape.
    This is what Tyr’s dedication to justice and law inevitably leads to, she thought, grimacing. Blessed Helm, I miss you. Serving as an ever-watching sentinel might be a lonely job to some, but at least it gave me ample opportunity to contemplate my divinations. And compared to this… the angel almost shuddered.
    That’s all in the past now, Eirwyn reminded herself. And you must help in whatever way you can. Countless souls scattered across the planes may depend on your wisdom and foresight.
    Eirwyn returned her attention on the proceedings.
    “In the interests of urgency,” another of the six councilors was saying, having risen to his feet, “there was no time, and we waste more of it here with this foolish debate. We acted in such haste because we must know the right course moving forward. The entire House depends on us making sound, rational decisions. Point of procedure or no, the outcome is inevitable, and you do no one any favors by clinging to rigid codes in these circumstances.”
    “I disagree,” the High Councilor said hotly, “and I further submit to you that you do irreparable damage to this august institution by circumventing time-honored—-and very necessary—practices.”
    He turned to Eirwyn and stared down at her coldly. “It appears I no longer have the authority to incarcerate you for your indiscretions on behalf of Tauran the outcast and against this body. A pardon has been rendered, although on the most flimsy of evidence and in the most inexcusable manner.” The
    High Councilor drew a deep breath before he continued, turning to face his peers again. “Therefore, I will not be a party to it. I remove myself from this seat under protest. I will be reporting directly to Tyr these farcical proceedings at once. And as for you,” he finished, turning back to Eirwyn again, “I still find you guilty of numerous crimes against Tyr’s law and right to rule. You may have escaped justice today, but do not for one moment consider yourself free of guilt!”
    With that final declaration, the solar winked out. A moment later, the other two members of the council who had sided with the High Councilor also vanished, leaving the rest of the court deathly silent.
    Eirwyn blinked and stared around the chamber. Other stunned expressions stared back at her. Has it really come to this? she thought. Have my own actions become so consequential that the High Council itself has fractured? Truly?
    The angel swallowed down her shock and dismay. What have we wrought, Tauran?
    “Well,” the female solar who had been first to argue with the High Councilor said, breaking the strained silence, “it seems we have resolved and closed this matter. You are indeed free to do as you see fit, Eirwyn. I hope, in your wisdom, you will choose to aid us.”
    Eirwyn raised her hands helplessly. “I still know so very little about what has happened,” she said. “What can I offer that you cannot perform ten times more effectively than I?”
    The solar nodded. “In truth, we know not. But the matter is beyond our purview, anyway. We”—the solar gestured at the other five councilors around her—”are but the facilitators of your freedom, at the behest of Erathaol’s emissary, here.” She pointed to Oshiga. “It is the Seer who believes he can
    make use of you. You must parley with him to learn more.”
    The discussion was over. Eirwyn understood that she and her companions had been dismissed. The council, even down three members, had other urgent issues to address.
    Outside the chambers, Eirwyn turned to Viryn. “So my overturned sentence was not initiated by a servant of Tyr?” she asked.
    The solar shook his head. “No,” he admitted. “Though I am sure that your case would have been brought up in short order, regardless. These dark times have compelled the leadership to consider reinstating many who