Judgement
"High Bound Doya, you have been arraigned before this assembly on charges of defiance and neglect of office. How do you answer these charges?"
Ascend Seraphine's authority radiated through the hall.
I kept my gaze fixed on Doya, though his eyes never once met mine.
"Let me begin by stating that I left my office only for a cause vital to this Sanctum and the Temple," he replied, his voice steady, unwavering.
"But you do not deny that prior notice of your absence was never given," she pressed.
"My reasons for not seeking permission were rooted in the certainty that such approval would never have been granted."
A ripple moved faintly through the hall.
"So you confess that you intentionally neglected your office and chose not to inform those above you?"
He remained silent.
"High Bound Doya," she continued, sharper now, "do you admit that you left your post with no intention of notifying the dignitaries above you?"
"It was never my intention to defy authority," he answered at last. "But I acted on impulse for a cause far greater than myself."
The words echoed longer than they should have.
Watching the course of this trial unfold, watching each answer corner him further, was suffocating. I wanted to rise. To speak. To tell them he was not reckless, not careless, not dishonourable.
But the Sanctum was merciless with its laws. Intent did not outweigh obedience.
As Ascend Seraphine continued her measured assault, the other Ascend remained silent.
My eyes drifted to Ascend Kaelric.
He was the only one who could shift the tide.
After a short while, Ascend Seraphine and the other Ascend leaned toward one another, deliberating in hushed tones, their voices too low to decipher.
Then she straightened.
"The Ascend have reached a conclusion."
The hall stilled.
"A judgement."
A murmur swelled instantly.
My heart skipped.
She lifted her hand and silence fell once more.
"High Bound Doya," she continued, her gaze fixed on him, "you are hereby commanded to relinquish your office as High Bound."
A visible ripple moved through the assembly.
Doya did not react.
"You will be granted shelter within Harrowfen District here in the Temple," she went on evenly. "However, you will no longer retain the privileges, authority, or benefits afforded to a High Bound."
The words struck like measured blows.
"You are expelled from the Sanctum grounds."
My heart stopped.
Expelled?
For neglect of office?
This was no mere reprimand. This was erasure.
"You will surrender your robe," she declared, "and from this day forward, you shall not be recognised as High Bound."
The hall erupted.
Whispers collided. Disbelief cracked through the air like splintering wood.
Why had I been summoned here to witness this?
Doya stood unmoving.
There was no shame, no anger, no regret.
He looked as though he had expected nothing less.
The great doors opened.
The sound cut through the hall like a blade.
Guards entered, approaching the dock and stopped before him.
For a fraction of a moment, I thought he might speak. Maybe resist or look at me.
He did none of it.
He stepped down without protest.
And they took him away.
My chest caved inward.
This was all my fault.
If I had not called for him… if I had not needed him… he would still stand robed among them.
Instead, he walked stripped of title. Stripped of honour.
Stripped because of me.
"We shall convene again shortly to address the remaining matters before us," Ascend Seraphine announced.
Her voice sounded distant, as though I were hearing it through water.
"This assembly is dismissed."
The hall stirred back to life.
I remained seated.
Frozen.
I had not realised when the hall emptied. When the last pair of footsteps faded beyond the great doors.
The silence pressed in on me.
Slowly, I rose.
But instead of returning to my chambers, my feet carried me down the eastern corridor, to the chambers reserved for Doya within the Sanctum grounds.
I did not knock. I pushed the door open and entered.
He stood at the large oak table, scattered with scrolls and sealed documents. The High Bound's seal lay beside them. My eyes caught the urn placed carefully at the edge of the table, perhaps the very one Kumbuye had spoken of. It was my first time beholding it.
He had already begun putting his life away.
Then his eyes met mine.
A quiet breath left him. "You should not be here." His voice was stern.
"Why did you come for me," I asked, my throat tightening, "if you knew this would happen?"
He did not answer. He simply folded another garment, ignoring my question entirely.
I stepped closer, until I could feel the heat radiating from him. The moment my fingers brushed his arm, his body stiffened.
"Doya…" I muttered, my voice trembling. "You shouldn't have come for me. All this… it's happening because of me."
He turned toward the bedside, his movements calm and deliberate. "It's not your fault," he said softly.
"But it is," I whispered, watching him move. "I had no idea this would happen. I could have managed… even with Kumbuye out there with me." My voice cracked. "I'm so sorry. I'm… really, really sorry. You've lost your title because of me, something you worked so hard for. I don't know how to make this right… please, please forgive me, Doya."
I was rambling, my chest tight with guilt.
"I said it's not your fault!" His voice rose, trembling with frustration and desperation. "None of this is your fault. Do not — do not blame yourself for my destiny!"
"Well, I do not believe it's your destiny to lose your rank… to be exiled from the Sanctum Grounds," I pressed, my words spilling faster than I could control them.
He moved quickly, closing the space between us. "Dana," he said, his voice raw and urgent, "everything I do… it is for you. Everything. Even if you hadn't called for me, I could have come after you." His hands cupped my face, strong yet gentle, and his gaze pierced mine. "I cannot control what I feel for you," he admitted, his voice breaking. "I…"
His words faltered, caught in the weight of everything between us. His eyes glimmered with sincerity, pain, and longing, and for a moment the world outside this room ceased to exist.
I leaned in and pressed my lips to his, closing my eyes on instinct.
He responded immediately.
His hands moved slowly to my waist, pulling me closer, grounding me against him. My fingers threaded into his soft, silky hair. A thrill shot through my body.
His lips parted slightly against mine, brushing softly before he leaned in more. His hands found my collarbone, tilting my head gently to the side as he traced kisses along the line. I shivered into him, melting against his warmth. A short moan slipped from my lips as he groaned softly.
Our lips met again, faster this time, insistently. We pulled back briefly, breathless, our foreheads pressed together. His eyes were dark, raw, and I saw the restraint he usually carried shattered completely. My fingers traced the plane of his jaw, memorizing every line, every curve, trying to hold him in my hands.
"I—"
As I began to speak, he silenced me with a short, urgent kiss.
"Shh, don't speak," he whispered, breathless. "Not tonight."
Then he kissed me again, slower now, savoring each motion, letting the tension build, letting everything we hadn't said in months pour into a single, desperate moment.
He lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to his bed, his gaze locked on mine. My heart raced, impossible to calm.
With that same unwavering gaze, his hands found the hem of my dress, easing it slowly from my shoulders. His robe slipped from him as he leaned in closer.
He stayed on top of me, pressing me gently against the pillows. His lips trailed down my neck, soft and lingering, suckling briefly on my sweet spot. My breath hitched, a shiver running through me.
"I love you," he groaned, his voice low as he lingered there.
My heart skipped violently at the words. The sensation coursing through me stole my voice. All I could do was let out a loud, involuntary moan. He groaned in response, and the sound sent another thrill through me.
When he finally pulled back, we rested there, catching our breath. At last, I found my voice. "I love you too."
He hugged me tightly, and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
---
The next morning, I turned over and felt a familiar weight beside me. My eyes flew open to find Doya staring at me.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
Thoughts of the night before came rushing back — just him and me. My heart shivered at the memory.
"Indeed. And you?" I asked, trying to steady my voice.
"Ah," he said with a grin, "the best night I've ever had."
He moved to stand, and just then a knock came at his door. Both our eyes darted toward it.
"Stay under the sheets," he whispered.
I buried myself quickly beneath the blankets.
"Come in," he called.
"Good day, High Bound Doya," the attendant said.
"It's just Doya now, remember," he replied. "Are you here to take me to Harrowfen District?"
"No, not yet. Ascend Kaelric would like to meet with you first. He sent me," the attendant explained.
"Very well. Off you go then, let me get prepared," he said.
"You will meet him in his chambers, in private," the attendant clarified.
"Understood," he said. The door closed.
I peeked out from the sheets, my cheeks warming with embarrassment. Last night's closeness had made any formal conversation feel awkward.
"Why would Ascend Kaelric call for you?" I asked quietly.
"I have no idea," he shrugged. Then, leaning closer, he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Dana… you need to go to your chambers now. I'm sorry, but I must prepare to meet with Ascend Kaelric."
"I understand," I replied, rising from the bed and adjusting my dress.
"It must not be known you spent the night here," he added.
A pang struck me — like we were suddenly a secret — but I understood. At such a critical time, discretion was necessary.
"I understand," I repeated, and left quietly. Probably the last time I would see him there, in that room. The weight of that reality settled on me as I walked back to my room.
Not long after I entered, a knock came at my door, startling me before I had a chance to even undress.
"Come," I called.
"Good morning, Dana," the attendant greeted.
"Do you need something?" I asked.
"No, but Ascend Kaelric would like to see you in his chambers as soon as possible."
My mind raced. What could he possibly want with both Doya and me?
"Alright, message received." I watched the attendant bow and leave, the door clicking shut behind her.
I peeled off my dress and stepped into the bath chamber. Not long after my bath, I was ready to meet Kaelric. I left my room and walked toward his chambers. Two guards stood outside his door. I knocked, and a calm voice invited me in.
"Welcome, Dana," Kaelric said, smiling as he gestured for me to sit.
Doya was already there, seated, his eyes locking onto mine with that questioning, unreadable look.
"Good. Now, without delay," Kaelric began, "I have summoned both of you concerning the judgement placed on Doya yesterday."
Doya and I exchanged a glance but said nothing, listening intently.
"It was not a judgement in the traditional sense of the Ascend," Kaelric continued. "To explain further… it is a mission we have prepared for you, Doya."
"Mission?" Doya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. We have reason to suspect that the traitor within our ranks is High Bound Paciver of Harrowfen District," Kaelric clarified. "And we believe he may not act alone. There could be others — Bound who aid him — but we are not certain of their identities."
"So what am I to do at Harrowfen District?" Doya asked.
"To spy on them, of course," Kaelric said. "They hold their meetings there, as they cannot do so openly here in the Sanctum."
"But how can I find where they meet? Harrowfen is… enormous."
"You will have the Sanctum's resources behind you," Kaelric replied. "Any information you need will be provided, but they must not suspect they are being watched. Balshak's plans are unknown, and we need them."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"If you discover anything of importance, report it to Ascend Darveth. He will oversee the intelligence from Harrowfen and brief the rest of us accordingly."
"So the judgement… was never truly about Doya leaving the Temple?" I asked, my gaze flicking toward him.
"No," Kaelric said firmly. "Doya has always been loyal and diligent. If punishment were truly warranted, it would not have been one so cruel as to strip him of his title."
Relief washed over me at those words.
"If luck favours us," Kaelric continued, "they may even recruit you into their society."
Doya's jaw tightened. "That might be the only way to truly spy on them. At least then I would know their plans."
"What if they poison your mind?" I asked quickly, "Balshak has the ability… mind-thralling."
"That will only happen if Doya gives in to their darkness," Kaelric said.
"But if he doesn't," I added, "they may be wary of him."
"Let us hope they do not poison his mind before we uncover their plots," he said. "For now, the Cranium remains well-guarded here in the Sanctum. Our priority is to root out these workers of darkness hiding among us."