Trash: Chapter 95 Sal The Pig (Patreon)

Chapter 95

Sal The Pig

I could only pause and look around, trying to figure out why everything was going as it was. If this was all a frame job on Sal, then why lock us in here? Unless this was meant as a way to get us all to confess to the general’s view of events. If that was the case then, what did that mean for Sal?

Perhaps seeing our tension, the old man, the orchestrator of this farce spoke.

“I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this might cause for House Bloom,” the old man spoke, as he did, I could hear his voice booming to the outside. “While you all were exceptional in taking down the Death Eater that managed to make it inside, we now need to find the source for how such a monster got here, in the first place.”

“Gasps,” everyone seemed to let out sounds, but there was a wider panic in Johny’s tone that caused me to look back at him directly. While he quickly regained composure of his features and seemed to appear stoic, there was a second where complete and utter fear plagued his face. Seeing him, I paused and wondered just how frightened of these physically manifested ghosts he was.

“Got it,” however, my attention was soon diverted back up to the rafters where a few of the light members began clicking more of the expensive lenses into place. From there, they clicked them on and focused their lights on the pile of wounded operators. Once again, those that had apparently housed Death Eaters popped to life instantly. This time, not one, but three more people from the pile were identified. Identified and pulled out, their wounds were not fully healed.

“And there we have it, a conspiracy of monsters hiding in plain sight, using their power and authority to hide the fact that they were trying to create an assassination attempt against the Empire. I hereby charge Sal and his co-conspirators as pigs.” The general spoke. As he did, the guards that had been manning the lights worked quickly. Six of the lighting crew working in two person teams helped escort the three people with clearly visible soul markings across the catwalk, down the back stairs, to ropes that were set up and tied to their hands. In this way, they were all lowered down, hoisted just like Sal was, by their hands high over their heads, where they had the bright lights of the arena shining on them. Shining, and showing their past misdeeds for all to see.

Once the third member from the catwalk was lowered down into position, the team that had barricaded off all the doors nodded as one and went about immediately removing their barricades and letting Imperial soldiers through. There was chaos for a moment as imperial soldiers looked on angrily at first and went to inspect everyone.

People who were in charge came forward and first spoke to the person on the ground who had been leading and orchestrating the coordinated sealing off of the arena from the outside world. Then they pointed up to the old man, a person who claimed to have ties with Lucia. A person who Sal instantly recognized and seemed frightened by.

At first, it seemed like there would be an issue, as no one liked being locked out, but it wasn’t until everyone looked up and saw Sal and the three conspirators hanging for all to see under the now modified lights of the arena that any arguments that could be made were muted.

Even the injured people, civilians and extra lighting assistants that just happened to work for Sal were healed by those very same healing grenades. Then allowed to leave.

“Come on,” Markan stated, placing a hand on my shoulder and directing us down out of the ring. I was almost at a loss for how to get down with my hands still holding my blade, but fortunately Mr. Yi took the blade and guided us.

It was only once I was at the edge that I looked back and saw Lucia, Luna, Kam and the two fighters all looking confused.

“What about them?” I asked.

Seeing that I was insistent, Markan, gave a slight knowing smirk, before turning to the group and speaking loudly and authoritatively.

“Oh behalf of General Bloom herself, the Bloom Household offers you all sanctuary while you attempt to understand what has happened, and while we verify if this is the legendary General Brack, or an imposter.” As Markan spoke, everyone seemed to relax slightly.

“I gladly accept the rite of sanctuary offered by the Bloom Household, as offered by General Bloom herself, and vow to forever be grateful and respectful of House Bloom, the General, and any of her chosen descendants.” Kam was the first to speak, seeming to offer a sacred oath of some kind. I had read about these, but I had never seen one done in person before. There was a certain weight and power behind the words. I was reminded of the energy that bound Madame Bloom to me, and myself to Madame Bloom. At first there was an open link between the two of us, where we both owed favors for the other. However, it is only now that I realize my binding chains to Madame Bloom are gone. Though we are still bound as she still owes me one more Skill, a Skill she seems in no hurry to force upon me.

“I gladly accept the rite of sanctuary off–”“I gladly accept the rite of sanctuary offered—"

Then before I realized it everyone else all began making the same oaths. Lucia and Luna both ran over and began speaking the same words that Kam had but were cut off by a loud shout by the imposing man.

“Lucia! You cannot, as the last living heir of the Brack family line I demand that you come with me Lucia to establish your birthright!” A lot of words that seemed to make no sense. I’m guessing there is a lot of drama going on, maybe just a smidge of pageantry for the masses that are watching from the streets.

“Sanctuary has been offered until you can prove yourself to be who you claim to be to the right authorities. Until then, you will overstep your boundaries and declare enmity on House Bloom if you demand these two back.” Markan spoke, his voice booming.

“I cannot allow this; we will take her back by force if needed. . .” the desperate cries of an old man who seemed to have his victory being pulled away from him at the last moment cried out. Then, almost as if on cue, that is when Madame Bloom, flanked by Third Prince Theo Fiammata, and his band of elite guardsmen. Seeing them all together, just as they were this morning at Bloom Park, I can’t help but stare at them in shock and awe. Did she plan this? Could she really see all of this happening?

I remember looking up into the audience and not seeing Madame Bloom, nor third Prince Fiammata. At the time, I thought they were just tired from the festivities, but now I have to wonder if she saw all this happening and had prepared so well in advance.

“You will do no such thing,” the commanding voice of Third Prince Fiammata rang out. “Sanctuary has been offered by the Royal House of Bloom, and I hereby swear to aid House Bloom in their protections. Any attempt to stop or impede the good faith offer of protection by House Bloom will be seen as a direct affront to the Imperial family.”

There seemed to be a stalemate as General Brack still had fire in his posture. Fire that he seemed to war with for a moment, before ultimately clenching his fists and causing that intense rage to be extinguished before it could erupt.

“Very well, I General Brock, last sworn in member of my family line of the country of the once formidable Dunamis empire, accept your actions and will comply with any and all rules and regulations needed to verify my claims.” The old General Brack continued.

With that, Markan gestured towards Kam, Lucia, and Luna to come with him.

“Wait, I gladly accept the rite of sanctuary offered and all that,” the fighter who Johny was set to square off against cried out and ran over to join us. Markan for his part just nodded and gave a handwave.

“Wait, I too gladly accept the rite of sanctuary and all that—” Johny began but was cut off by a sharp flat palm that was universally declares stop right there and do not come any closer.

“All but you, you are the one person I cannot vouch for, as you have been explicitly denied by the General herself,” Markan noted.

“Wait? Why?” A stammering Johny asked as fear and panic seemed to war on his face. For a moment he turned from us to look up at the General who just gave a glare back. A glare that was so intense it could melt ice. Johny opened his mouth to protest, but then I could all but see the moment when all fight left him and he seemed to collapse in on himself.

“I’d suggest you slither your way out of here before too many people ask questions,” Markan said with a giddy smirk. The kind of smirk that states I love your misery. I don’t know what Johny was like in the Bloom household before this point, but judging by the normally lazy Markan’s reaction, I can guess it wasn’t very good.

Johny panicked, dancing from foot to foot, before darting down the ring and up the exit and out into the world. The sight was odd, as he was still in his fighting regalia which consisted of oversized boots, booty shorts and a lot of body oil, which had to be cold once he left the relatively warm arena and exited to the crisp autumn air.

With him gone, the rest of us just made our way out. Markan led the way, followed by me, then Lucia and Luna, with Kam and Mr. Yi taking up the rear.

As we left, the Imperial soldiers seemed to have anticipated us and not only made a path for us to exit, using their bodies to press against the crowd as we were directed to a wagon. But some actually bowed. At first In thought they bowed to everyone, but it was quickly apparent that they all stood straight back up once I passed them. I was at a loss for why, until Markan spoke.

“They seem to already know of your accomplishment, single handedly killing a Death Eater.”

I just nodded, not knowing what to say, and glad I was forced to hide my face behind a veil. Even with my open wound on my side that exposed my right side to the cold air, I was fine. Then as if realizing something great was happening, others in the crowd also bowed their heads in reverence.

It was all surreal, I barely noticed the fact that I was directed to be the first to enter the carriage, nor that it was Luna and Lucia who were the next to enter. Lucia sat across from me, with Luna right by my side, her presence instantly helping to warm the slight draft that my fight destroyed clothes provided.

Then before I knew it, the last person entered, the door closed and we took off. Everyone sat in silence, I could only stare at the floor, my mind in chaos as the events of the last few hours replayed in my mind.

It was only once we were leaving that I saw system messages that had gone unnoticed for so long.

New Skill Possible. . .