Magical Soul Parade

Chapter 307: It Begins

"Madoc. Osmund," Finn called out. "It seems your people will have to wait a little longer."

Madoc and Osmund frowned immediately. It was a subconscious reaction, and one that was completely warranted. They had been waiting for years, generations upon generations for this moment. And now, at the final step, they were being told to wait a little longer again.

Madoc was the first to rein in his disappointment, followed quickly by Osmund. Despite how they obviously felt, the two were well experienced individuals. They knew there must be a reason for this. And Finn had only said they would have to wait a little longer. He had not said it was impossible.

What was a little while longer when they had been waiting for so many years? They quickly reoriented their psyche, and Finn noted the change with a pleased nod. He could see their discipline as they straightened their backs and accepted the delay with a stoic resolve that reflected their status as fragment bearers.

"I have promised your people, and I will not renege on my promise. But Casmir, your original fragment bearer," he motioned between Madoc and Osmund, "has done something quite interesting here... something he sees as a failsafe..."

Finn slowly grinned, his expression showing he also had a plan of his own in mind. His eyes flickered with a sharp, green light as he stared at the towering wall of time, seeing in extreme detail, all the hidden intricacies of what Casmir had woven to prevent anyone from leaving or entering without his express permission. It was a masterpiece of spatial and temporal engineering, a cage designed to hold even the most powerful of prisoners... especially ones so personally tied to him.

"Pacify your people. Tell them they will have to wait for at most, a year more. They should take this as a test of their faith and of their mettle. If they cannot handle even this, then perhaps they do not truly want their freedom," Finn said to Madoc and Osmund.

And quickly, they nodded and stepped back to carry out his order. Their movements were crisp, their expressions hardening as they prepared to face the inevitable backlash from their kin.

Finn continued to stare at the Stagnant Sea while they did his bidding. He heard the murmurs rise sharply. The discontent from the crowd of Anaelle gathered far behind him was a tangible wave of frustration. Their disappointment and disgruntlement at being so close to tasting what they’d always wanted, only to be denied at the last second, echoed very clearly to his ears.

And he heard as Osmund and Madoc took control of the situation entirely, barking out orders of reason to their people to see the bigger picture. Their voices carried the weight of authority, cutting through the rising panic and anger with the finality that only leaders could possess.

As the crowd thinned behind Finn, he felt the vibration of footsteps against the sand. A presence drew closer to him with a noticeable hesitation, yet it was persistent.

Cordoza.

The young Anaelle could not help himself. He spoke with a careful voice, asking Finn a question that bothered him greatly:

"Lord Errant."

Finn glanced at him, showing that he had his attention. The boy stood with his shoulders squared, though his hands were clenched tightly at his sides to hide their trembling.

"Am I to also wait behind? As your champion, I believe I should be at your side, helping you slay your enemies!" His voice started out shaky at first, but stabilized with conviction towards the end. The fire in his eyes was bright, reflecting the absolute desire to fulfill the role he had just been granted.

Finn chuckled. He looked at the young, ambitious Anaelle. While he could clearly see the boy was still mostly driven by his curiosity to see the outside world, Finn could actually sense he was being truthful about his words. The young Anaelle truly thought it his responsibility to protect Finn as the champion of the Errant Heretic.

"A champion’s job is not to protect his liege," Finn spoke in a calm, sagely voice. "The day I need your protection is the day you’re doomed. You cannot fight the battles I will fight... especially not after just three days," he smiled and patted Cordoza on his shoulder. The touch was light, but the power radiating from Finn felt like a mountain pressing against the boy’s spirit.

"I appreciate the sentiment, Cordoza. But it is not your role. And you are not even ready. Focus on protecting your people here instead. Both Sage Osmund and Sage Madoc will be coming along with me," he explained. "The island will have no fragment bearer to protect it if anything untoward happens. That responsibility will fall to your shoulder. You will be the highest authority on the island. Do not fail."

With those words, Finn dropped his hand and faced the Stagnant Sea again, signifying that he was done with the discussion.

And tacitly, Cordoza also got the meaning and backed away respectfully, a new conviction in his eyes. One that was a mix of discontent at his current level, a newfound sense of responsibility, and just the weight of Finn’s words overall. He walked back toward the rest of his kin in the distance, his head held high as he internalized his new burden of leadership.

But just as he was about to fully leave, Finn spoke again.

"Oh, and Cordoza," he said in a low, dangerous voice. "Naming you as my Champion is not an automatic pass to get whatever you want. You must prove your worth before you make demands. That is the way. I will pardon your request this time. But there won’t be a next time."

Cordoza immediately bowed deeper, responding with a quick apology, before Finn nodded and gave him a last order: "On your way back to the settlement, remind Vrylla that I expect she knows what to do. She will understand my meaning."

"Yes. Lord Errant."

Soon, Finn was left alone at the shore while the Anaelle retreated to their settlement and reoriented themselves. The shoreline returned to a state of quiet desolation, with only the towering, frozen wall of water to keep him company.

He sighed softly to himself. "Shall I begin now?"