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PART FIVE
Aura is perhaps one of the few people Arthur would take orders from - not because he respects her more than others, but because as the goddess and creator of Shaman even he can see that she has some authority over him. Her tone had been one which brooked no argument; indeed, the forcefulness with which she'd relayed the order had surprised him into obeying, if he were to be completely honest. Lilith isn't difficult to locate, but she's difficult to sway from her position; she believes that the best place for her is the battlefield, not some stuffy meeting room, and Arthur whole-heartedly agrees. When he explains the situation, however, she reluctantly (but not without curiosity) leaves her post and follows him back to the gathering, where tensions have built up again. Poppy and Aura are pointedly avoiding each others' eyes and the silence is absolute. As Lilith and Arthur enter, the expression on all faces is mingled apprehension and relief.
Aura beckons Lilith over and gently places her hands on the girl's temples. "This won't hurt," she promises, closing her eyes.
The room holds its breath. After a few moments Aura opens her eyes and withdraws her hands.
"I just checked your DNA," she says quietly. "There's no doubt: you're definitely Mallos' daughter. I can check all of his children, but it would be pointless. We're dealing with Mallos, not Gwythr."
"It's Gwythr's fort." Poppy argues stubbornly. "At the very least Gwythr must have come to Shaman to activate the Shady Labyrinth - and stayed there to keep it active."
"That makes no sense," Aura snaps back. "This isn't a co-conspiracy - I'd have sensed Gwythr's divine presence if he came to Shaman. Gwythr has not been imitating Mallos; for a start I'd know, and for a second, even if he had enough of Mallos' DNA to create a batch of his children, why would he? He wants the loyalty and strength which comes of his own blood, and he still needs to get the other originals' support for doing all this - they wouldn't support him if they saw he'd taken the DNA of another original to experiment around. Furthermore," she raises her voice since Poppy shows signs of interrupting, "this whole plot stinks of Mallos. Gwythr has never wanted to be anywhere other than Earth, but Mallos loves exploring other worlds. Gwythr hates children and supported the ban on originals reproducing, but Mallos has always had a fascination for them and has always resented that he couldn't have any of his own. Gwythr is the Judge of the Star Chamber, Poppy - his righteousness is known to all. He cannot possibly be corrupt."
Poppy doesn't reply, other than to storm out of the room swearing. An uneasy silence follows, in which many glances are exchanged. Finally, Adonis can't take it any more and bursts out, "Oh - come on. Who's more likely to be right, Aura or Poppy?"
That breaks the mood a little. Nimueh giggles weakly and Arthur clears his throat, ready to return to the issue of defending Apeliotes Island. Adonis turns to smile at Aura, but she's staring out of the window with a strange expression on her face, clearly not listening at all.
"Cannot possibly be corrupt," she repeats under her breath, just as a feminine, high-pitched scream tears open the air.
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