<25 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+> [Theo and Julia] Yordo's mother called out to him. "Are ye' all right, Yordo?"

Yordo nodded, "I'm fine."

Yordo moved to stand with his mother but was stopped by Ordus and Kreldar. He did not resist. Patriarch Karzun walked up to Gurndin, who made another chair appear for the Patriarch to sit on.

The unknown woman walked up to Sylvi and said, "Hello, Sylvi."

"Hello, Lady Dentalia," Sylvi said stiffly.

The woman took a deep breath and sighed. "I had heard that you were told about the relationship that I had with your father and mother. And I do love you, but I understand if you have mixed feelings..."

The woman, apparently named Dentalia, looked hurt and continued. "We can discuss this later. For now, I think that I was requested here by my daughter to assist you both."

Theo nodded. "We heard that you, or rather your ability, would be the easiest way to get to the truth of a matter."

Dentalia nodded, "My class is Truth Binder. And I am high enough level to bind everyone here to the truth, save for the Patriarch and Lord Gurndin. And possibly you, Theo Sorrin."

Theo's eyebrows shot up. "Um, I am not anywhere near as powerful as the Patriarch Karzun or Lord Gurndin; I think you might need to clarify that statement."

Dentalia chuckled. "No, you are not, but that ring."

She gestured at the Ring of Eternal Mourning, "Is something that I think will not allow my power to work properly."

Theo glanced at the ring and then took it off. Placing it in one of the quick access slots of his pouch after taking out his master tool, which he formed into a trowel and slipped into his back pocket. "Is that acceptable?"

He felt a power brush against him, and Dentalia nodded. "Now then, to work, I go."

A skill thrummed with a strange quality of power. It seemed a little insidious to Theo and Julia. But then it settled over everyone here except for Patriarch Karzun and Lord Gurndin.

>Local Message: Skill 'Forced Integrity' is in effect. All users not immune to this effect are unable to tell a lie or a partial truth.

"I don't like this," Julia muttered. Theo nodded and elected to say nothing.

Another thrum of power issued forth from Dentalia, once again sliding off of Patriarch Karzun and Lord Gurndin.

>Local Message: Skill 'Obliged to Answer' is in effect. Those who are asked a direct question by the Skill user are strongly encouraged to answer.

"Now then," Dentalia said, "First of all, let me apologize; I understand that my powers are not generally pleasant to be under the influence of. It is for that reason that I asked Patriarch Karzun to be here. In the event that anything happens to me that may influence my powers, he is capable of ending the skill use rather than letting it twist all of you. But let us get started."

For the next few minutes, Dentalia Karzun-Morrakai asked Theo, Julia, Ordus, Kreldar, Harbek, Yordo, Sylvi, and a couple of the other dwarves what had happened. She then recounted what had happened.

"... and then after having been launched into the storm, Lady Sorrin teleported after him, and then they both returned several hours later. Yordo has been in a cell since then, and Yordo's mother was contacted by Julia via a skill." Dentalia said, "Does that sound accurate so far?"

Everyone nodded. She then turned to Yordo's mother. "Lady Blackshale, did you instruct your son to attempt to kill Lord Sorrin?"

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"I..." Yallara seemed to struggle with something. "No. I told him to get us access to the Deepwell that we learned was here no matter what it took."

"Is that the only reason?" Dentalia asked.

"No..." Yallara was grinding her teeth. "Goddess Hammersring asked me to make sure that we controlled the land."

Dentalia nodded. "Lady Hammersring...

"It's Goddess Hammersring." Lady Hammersring said curtly. Eliciting a snort of sorts from Patriarch Karzun

"Oh, my apologies." Dentalia said, somewhat dismissively, "Please tell me, Lady Hammersring, why did you direct your followers to try and get this land?"

Lady Hammersring seemed to fight herself for a few minutes before the words were torn from her mouth. "I... Wanted a... new temple... and liked the... view."

Theo looked at her incredulously. "Are you fucking kidding me!"

"Lord Sorrin," Dentalia said with a tone of understanding, "please. Hold your comments. Let me finish this."

Theo snapped his mouth shut and nodded, his eyes simmering with cold anger as he watched the self-proclaimed goddess. After a few more questions, it turned out that she had wanted to turn the entire Overlook into one massive temple complex devoted to herself.

Dentalia turned to Yordo finally. "Young man. Tell me, did you attempt to kill Lord Sorrin?"

"Yes," Yordo said, not even fighting the skill as his head hung. "I did."

"Why?"

Yordo took a deep breath. "I wanted to help my mother continue to maintain her seat. And if she remained in favor with Godde... Lady Hammersring, I thought that would be easier. And we do need water."

"Understood. So you are guilty?" Dentalia asked.

"Yes."

"Lady Blackshale, are you guilty of plotting this murder?"

Yallara seemed to struggle once more before nodding, "No, but I am guilty of encouraging him to 'seek permanent solutions.'"

"And you, Lord and Lady Sorrin." Dentalia said, "What is a just punishment?"

"I want to throw him off a cliff. That is what my heart desires." Theo said through gritted teeth and then took a long, deep breath, "but I am not a murderer."

Julia nodded. "I agree. Part of me wants to see him suffer."

The venom in Julia's voice made Yordo flinch. She continued. "But we both fancy ourselves kind people."

"So I have a suggestion." Theo said, "This is a three-part suggestion, so hold your horses for a moment. Firstly, none of you three, Yordo, Yallara, or Marla, will ever set foot on the Grand Mesa of Summer ever again. Secondly, Yallara will relinquish the seat she was trying to maintain. And finally, Yordo, you will be sentenced to ten deepturns of hard labor. Not here, never here, but on behalf of your clan, you will go and find the most difficult jobs that you can, and you will work them and contemplate what choices you made."

Dentalia nodded, "Yordo, do you think that is fair? We could just let him toss you off the cliff if you want?"

Yordo shook his head. "No, I think that it is fair."

"And what about you, Yallara? Do you think it's fair?"

Yallara let out a deep breath and didn't seem to be fighting at all. "I do. I was growing weary of the politics and doldrums of running a clan."

Dentalia nodded, "And finally, you, Lady Hammersring."

"No, I don't think it's fair!" She shrieked. "And who do you think you are to speak to a Goddess that way?"

"Lady Hammersring," Dentalia said calmly. "Do you have an alternative suggestion then?"

"I suggest they respect their betters and give up their claim to this land. I am a Goddess!" She shrieked once more.

A deep voice that grumbled came from Patriarch Karzun. "No, you are not. Do not think we are unaware of you and the games you play, Marla Hammersring. Claim that title once more without the Authority to do so, and you will be punished."

"Ha!" Marla scoffed, "Authority to do so. What does that even mean?"

"It means," Patriarch Karzun said, standing and taking a breath. Something clicked in reality, and suddenly reality clicked and Patriarch Karzun was radiating light and power. When he spoke, the world trembled, "Authority to do so."

Marla was pale, and as quickly as it had come on, reality clicked once more, and then Patriarch Karzun was sitting back down in his chair. Marla muttered. "I think the proposal by Lord Sorrin is reasonable."

"Very well, all three of you repeat after me," Dentalia said and then led them through a long and binding oath that included thirty-six hours to get off the Grand Mesa of Summer and concluded with a promise to the System to uphold this oath. Power thrummed, and they were all bound.

With a wave, Dentalia ended her skills.

>Local Message: Skills 'Forced Integrity' and 'Obliged to Answer' have been terminated by the User.

The wave of power that had flowed out earlier simply flowed back to Dentalia.

Lady Marla Hammersring suddenly vanished. Leaving Yallara and Yordo Blackshale and a single attendant to gather what was theirs and leave. Ordus sent the other Dwarves that had been in the cells with them.

After watching them leave, Gurndin rose to his feet. "Alright then."

He turned to leave, but Theo stopped him. "Lord Gurndin, Patriarch Karzun, there is something that I would ask your opinion on."

Gurndin grunted and sat back down. Patriarch Karzun nodded as well. Theo opened his Dimensional Storage and picked up the Box of Sorrin. Patriarch Karzun straightened. "Gurndin privacy if you please."

Gurndin, who had also sat up straighter, waved to one of his men, and they summoned that orb of dark energy that still let light in but not out and blocked sound.

"Now then, Lord and Lady Sorrin," Patriarch Karzun said with a smile. "What have you got there?

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