The Black Feather

Nervina noticed that Forsythe was ageing as they spoke and taking on the appearance of a man who was wrinkled. He hoped that this was not happening to all of them sitting in the hall for so long.

Forsythe spoke further, saying, "Catastrophe unites the lower classes, disasters bring people together, famine redistributes the wealth to those who might better manage it ... some humans are destined to be used, and some are so equipped that they might guide and control them. I am proud of my accomplishments and make ownership of all that I have instigated. Yes, I would do it over again. I work for freedom, and the right for the strong to determine fate and dominate."

Maat said to this, "Then so shall it be."

Of course, Forsythe’s power could not match the Court's, yet by his choosing this, they had all decided.

She then took the black feather and dropped it gently onto the disk at the right. The Court watched on. Looking at the two silver plates - one with the heart and the other with the feather - they just sat there, neither moving up nor down. Nothing happened. Nothing at all.

Had the feather weighed heavier than the sad little heart it might have gone well for him. But it did not - neither moved and that was then very much conclusive.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series