And so...The last chapter. I want to thank you reviewers who have followed me throughout this process. I have grown under your tutelage. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Tanya
Chapter 22
Once again, less than twenty-four hours from our last meeting, we were in the council room, facing the stony-faced members. They had great poker faces, I could tell you that. None of them were letting any emotion trespass on their faces. Would that be good or bad for Scott?
Gaspar, looking sombre, rose from his chair. His booming voice echoed throughout the silent room, “We have spent all night debating this case and we have come to a decision, finally. It was not a unanimous one, but in the end, we believe to have made the right one.” His gaze settled on Scott. “Scott Cambridge, rise and hear your sentence.”
My brother immediately rose and I had to clasp my hands together to keep from reaching for Scott, from preventing him from rising. Beside me, our parents weren’t faring any better.
“Scott,” Gaspar said, “Although you did murder dozens of Royal Magicals, we recognise that you did so unwillingly. We are aware that you were coerced by the man whom you thought to be your father. You saved your real family when the time came to choose between Silas and them, and for that we must thank you.” There were several nods from the RM’s sitting behind Gaspar. The big man continued, “You will be marked magically to prevent you from using your draining powers. If you ever try, you will feel an immediate and rather painful jolt go through your nerves that will paralyse you temporarily. The mark will also serve as a tracking device and within seconds of having drained, you will be found.”
Gaspar paused and looked at my parents, Riley and I who had risen without even realising. Gaspar said, “If thoughts of draining enter your mind, you will feel a warning hum in your ears, like static almost. I highly suggest you heed the warning.” Gaspar settled his piercing blue eyes on Scott. “You will also help reconstruct what you have destroyed. The families long to return to their villages and the RM’s to their castles. You will help rebuild, clean, repair anything that needs it.
“In exchange of all this, you will be free. You will have no other restraints than the mark. You may live with whomever you choose, wherever you desire.” Gaspar paused, then added, “In Rydon, naturally. If you fail in any of these rules, then the natural law will prevail.”
He didn’t need to complete his thought. We understood perfectly.
Looking dignified, the council members rose and exited the room. Passing beside us, Sinclair sniffed haughtily and said, “Don’t disappoint us, child.”
I decided to make him the evil mastermind in my next book. He could sue me for libel, for all I cared.
We took turns hugging Scott who was too stunned to speak. I had to wonder if he had really expected to die, here and now. I was glad he didn’t have to.
* * *
Two days have passed since the conclusion of the trial. The mark Scott bore was more like a tattoo and it was simply written ‘Rydon’ in elaborate detail, on the back of his neck.
The man who put the mark on my brother said that it would also make sure he couldn’t be transported to Terra. Not that he had any intention and, really, that settled things for me.
I knew my parents wanted to remain here, in Rydon. And the more I thought about it, the more difficulty I had picturing ‘home’ in Terra. It had been a lonely existence, why go back to it? I could always write here, right? I just had to make sure not to bring anything to life with my writing.
Besides, home was where the heart was, right? Well, my heart was here, with my parents, my brother and Riley. Riley.
Though, it seems to me that his magical abilities should all be taken away as long as he is marked. He 
) You need to have a longer detailed ending. Where will Shanna live? Will Riley live with her? Where will Scott (for the moment) be? Etc.
sniff sniff! It's over 