Humility

"Magistrix Dayfire, your request is denied."

The sound of the gavel striking its block was drowned out by the uproar and catcalls coming from the Magisters gathered in the meeting chambers. Biara stood alone in the center of the chamber, looking up at the three senior Magisters sitting behind their table, her face turning a shade paler than normal. The wave of sound washing over her was like a death knell to her plans.

"B-but I..." Biara began. The gavel came down again, the three Magisters shouting loudly for order. Slowly the room calmed as the rest of the unruly group of spellcasters managed to control themselves long enough to hear what would be said.

The leader of the three senior Magisters leaned forward, glaring at Biara from across the wooden expanse of the meeting table. "Magistrix Dayfire, did you really think that we would approve your request to have more apprentices assigned to you by this council? Shall we list the many reasons behind our decision to deny approval for this plan?"

Biara shook her head slowly, "No, it's just that I need..."

"Magistrix Dayfire! Enough!" a second of the senior Magisters yelled. He scowled at her as he took a parchment from the table before him, holding it up. "Since you insist on pressing your ill-fated case, let us see exactly why we might have come to such a decision hmmm?"

"That's not really necessa.." Biara muttered.

"Thirty seven council appointed apprentices have died while in your service," the senior Magister began. "Of these, it is believed that at least nine of them have been turned into scourge wraiths, and threaten our efforts in the plaguelands. In addition, on at least seven different occasions, explosions in your spire have disrupted the work of other Magisters in nearby spires by creating magical backlash. This has cost the council no less than eight thousand three hundred and forty-two gold coins in damages."

"But I can explain all of.." Biara said, her face flushing red as laughter erupted in the chamber.

"Finally," the senior Magister continued, ruthlessly driving home the point. "On three separate occasions, an unlawful number of portals have been opened in or around your spire, creating severe damage to the leylines within Silvermoon and requiring intervention from council members in order to repair. This work took time away from other projects which could have been used to benefit this city."

Catcalls came from the Magisters watching the exchange along with raucous laughter.
"Unbelievable!"
"Why do you even entertain her insane requests!"
"Make her pay for the damages!"

Biara glared angrily at the Magister who was speaking, pointing an accusing finger at him, "That's not what you said when warlocks within your OWN spire had conjured enough demons to overrun the city and my House aided you in cleaning up the mess and dispelling the fel magic there! I serve this city as much as the rest of you do!"

"Magistrix Dayfire!" the third of the Magisters glared down at her. "Your contributions to this city are not in question, nor your considerable skill with magic. The incidents repeated here are simply examples of why your request must be denied until you can provide us with more details about the research that you intend to use such resources for!"

Biara bowed her head as the laughter continued from her peers. She looked up slowly after she had composed herself. "I cannot reveal that information at this time Masters."

The lead of the three senior Magisters nodded his head, "Then you understand that we cannot grant your request. Your House already has a large number of apprentices pre-trained by this council. Rumor has it that you have an exceptionally gifted apprentice from amongst the orcs, and one of your other apprentices has attained the rank of Elite status amongst the warlock covens within the city. These are ample resources to continue your work, and, quite frankly, if you need more apprentices you will simply have to train them yourself."

Biara offered a small bow before the three, "I-I understand Masters. I will do as you say then and I humbly withdraw my request at this time."

"There is one other matter Magistrix Dayfire," the second of the seniors said. "Your report about the potential crimes of a Magister within our city limits was...disturbing. If this Magister has assaulted the mind of another spellcaster, or caused her memory to somehow be altered, then he has overstepped his bounds since such actions were not approved by this council. This is not acceptable."

Biara stood quietly, watching the three senior Magisters closely. They nodded at her, all in agreement with the statements made. "You have the council's permission to pursue this further. If you find that this Magister is guilty of the crimes you have indicated that you suspect occurred, then you shall charge him as such. If the elf resists, use whatever force necessary to bring him to justice or end his threat."

Biara bowed and spoke softly, "I understand Masters. However, there is an Archmage of the Kirin Tor who has a personal interest in this. What if he wishes to enact justice in this case?"

The three senior Magisters scowled for a moment before glancing to one another. "In most cases, we would not appreciate a Kirin Tor member disciplining one of our Magisters. However...the nature of the crimes committed are not befitting of one of our order. If this Magister is who he claims to be, and has committed the crimes you've indicated to the point that he has roused the ire of an Archmage, then the Archmage would be within his rights to enact justice in the name of his own order."

Biara frowned slightly, and the leader of the three Magisters made a hand-chopping motion in the air. "There will be no discord between our orders in relation to this matter, do you understand Magistrix Dayfire? If the Archmage wishes to enact justice, you will permit him to do so. If he does not...then your course is clear provided you believe you have gathered sufficient evidence. Do NOT play games with this situation. You could cause the Grand Magister no end of trouble."

Biara sighed and inclined her head, "I would not wish to dishonor the Grand Magister. I will do as you say Masters. Regardless of the outcome, I will file my report with you once it is over."

"Good, see that you do Magistrix Dayfire," the senior Magister said with a wave of his hand. "Your hearing is concluded, you may go now."

Biara bowed again, rather stiffly this time. She turned and walked from the room, her perfume lingering in the air as the three Magisters watched her leave. After she was out of earshot, the lead Magister muttered to his companions, "That woman will be the death of us all one day...or our savior and one of the most powerful amongst us. It depends on how much humility she learns along the way." The comment was met with muttered grunts of confirmation by the other two.

Given the look on Biara's face as she left and the deadly glitter of her wards, the rest of the Magisters in Sunfury Spire wisely refrained from insulting her further as she departed.