Wolfe rolled the scroll closed with a sharp snap that echoed in the tense silence."These charges have been brought before this tribunal with supporting evidence and testimony.We will now hear from witnesses to these crimes."
She returned to her seat, arranging her robes with precise movements.The five instructors exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them before Wolfe spoke again.
"The tribunal calls Einar Frostborne as its first witness."
A ripple of whispers swept through the amphitheater at the name.Thalia's head snapped up, her eyes widening in shock as she scanned the gathered soldiers and students.She hadn't seen Einar since their return to Frostforge—hadn't known he was even present at the academy.
Her fingers dug into Luna's arm."I didn't know they brought Einar back," she hissed, her voice tight with alarm."I haven't seen him at all."
Luna's expression darkened."This isn't good," she murmured, her normally distracted demeanor replaced by sharp focus."Einar has always had it out for Roran."
Einar moved with calculated confidence, his stride measured and unhurried as he approached the dais.His Northern features were set in an expression of solemn duty, though Thalia could see the glint of satisfaction in his pale eyes.
He wore his military uniform with immaculate precision, the fabric pressed to knife-edge creases, the buttons polished to a mirror shine.A medal gleamed on his chest beside his lieutenant's insignia—a recent honor that made Thalia's jaw tighten with resentment.Of course, Einar would have been promoted, would have been decorated, while she and her friends were relegated to inventory duty and patrol rotations.
He took his position before the tribunal, offering a crisp salute that Wolfe acknowledged with a slight nod.
"Lieutenant Frostborne," she said, "you trained alongside the accused during your time at Frostforge Academy.Please share with the tribunal what you observed regarding his use of storm magic."
Einar's stance shifted subtly, his posture becoming more imposing as he addressed the tribunal."During the Isle Warden attack at the end of last term," he began, his voice clear and carrying, "I witnessed Roran Bright using storm magic in a manner indistinguishable from the techniques employed by the attacking Wardens."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing."While others were fighting desperately to repel the invaders, Bright stood amid the chaos, his hands raised to the sky.Lightning answered his call, striking where he directed it.I don’t feel I need to describe this event in further detail, as many of those present today witnessed it firsthand.However, I want to make known that this incident was merely the culmination of suspicious behavior I had observed throughout our years at the academy."
"In our third year, during a training session with Instructor Morrow focused on storm magic countermeasures, I saw Bright struck directly by a bolt of lightning.He claimed that he had merely dodged it, and for some time, I doubted my own perceptions.But months later, in the same class, he demonstrated an ability to communicate with storm spirits.That was when I knew I hadn’t been wrong.”
True, and true.Thalia’s hands clenched in her lap.Einar was weaving his truths like a noose, each fact carefully selected to damn Roran.
“His familiarity with maritime vessels has been evident since our first year," Einar pressed on, his testimony gaining momentum like a gathering storm."He demonstrated knowledge of sailing techniques no Southern merchant's son should possess.His bladework, too, incorporated forms taught nowhere on the mainland—forms I later recognized when studying captured Isle Warden fighters."
Einar turned slightly, addressing not just the tribunal now but the gathered audience as well.His voice took on a note of righteous indignation."The signs were always there, but the academy has become too soft in recent years to act upon them."His gaze swept the tribunal members, his expression softening to one of understanding."That's not your fault, of course.Your hands have been tied by Southern interests."
The crowd stirred at this blatant appeal to Northern prejudice, murmurs growing louder as students and soldiers alike reacted to Einar's implication.Thalia's jaw clenched so tight her teeth ached, rage coursing through her veins like molten metal.Einar wasn't just testifying against Roran—he was using the tribunal as a platform to stoke the divisions that had weakened Frostforge for generations.
Southern interests.This pernicious belief was common among those from the Reaches, who perceived any Southern presence at the academy as an injustice, a capitulation to the whims of the Southern Kingdoms, no matter how strong the Northerners’ advantage in Frostforge’s ruthless environment.Of the academy’s instructors, all were Northern except for Marr.But one Southern instructor, for many of the Northern extremists, was one too many.There was no logic to it, only the brittle, defensive pride of those who feared their dominance was slipping away even as they continued to enjoy its benefits.
Wolfe raised a hand, silencing the murmurs with a single gesture."Thank you, Lieutenant Frostborne.You may step down."
Einar saluted again, his eyes meeting Thalia's briefly as he turned to return to his seat.The corner of his mouth twitched upward in the ghost of a smirk, there and gone so quickly she might have imagined it—except she knew better.This was personal for him, had always been personal, and now he had the audience he'd always wanted for his vendetta.
"The tribunal calls Ashe Redwood," Wolfe announced, her voice cutting through the lingering whispers.
Ashe emerged from behind the same barrier where Roran had been kept.Her friend walked with the straight-backed dignity of her Northern clan, her black hair with its distinctive red streaks gleaming in the sunlight.Unlike Einar, whose every movement had been calculated for effect, Ashe's bearing was genuine, the natural confidence of someone who knew her own mind and spoke her truth.
She took her position before the tribunal, meeting each instructor's gaze directly before offering the traditional Northern salute: right fist pressed to her heart, then extended outward, palm up—an offering of honesty.
"Soldier," Wolfe began, "you were present during the Isle Warden attack at the end of last term.Please describe what you witnessed regarding the accused's actions."
Before Wolfe could ask a more specific question, Ashe spoke with firm clarity."Roran Bright used storm magic during the attack to protect his fellow students," she stated, her voice carrying the weight of absolute conviction."When the attack began, we were scattered in the forest on the fjord’s southern side, completing the last element of the Command Challenge.All squadrons retreated to the water’s edge once we realized what was happening.We were outnumbered and outmatched.If it weren’t for Roran’s use of storm magic to hold the Wardens at bay, there would have been many more casualties.Dozens, or more.”
For the first time since the tribunal began, Thalia felt the energy in the amphitheater shift.Many of the second-year students, who had been present in the fjord during the attack, nodded cautiously in agreement.Even some of the soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, their expressions suggesting they were reconsidering the narrative Einar had presented.
The tribunal members, too, seemed affected by Ashe's testimony.Marr's face had softened slightly, his scarred features thoughtful; Thalia remembered that he had been present for the latter half of the battle.Irongrave leaned forward, her gray brows drawn together in consideration.Even Solberg stroked his white beard with a contemplative expression.
But then Virek leaned forward, his frost-scarred hands splayed on the table before him."Redwood," he said, his voice a cold whisper that somehow carried throughout the amphitheater, "had you witnessed the accused using storm magic prior to this incident?"
Ashe hesitated, a momentary faltering that made Thalia's heart sink.Ashe glanced in her direction, a flash of dismay in her eyes, and Thalia realized the dilemma her friend faced.Ashe was bound by her tribe's strict code of honor—an oath to speak truth before the tribunal was not something she could violate, not even to save Roran.
"During the Storm Chase trial, in our third year, Roran was assigned to a skiff with me and Thalia Greenspire.Once out to sea, we found ourselves cut off from the rest of the regatta and surrounded by Isle Wardens.Roran used storm magic then — once again in defense of Frostforge students.”
