I had the weapons sent back with a courier to my sleeping quarters. Because I was still a lower order angel, I was not allowed to carry any weapons. I still had to wait in the capitol for the trial to finish up. Because of the doubt cast on the trial, the one presiding over the trial. Dominion Mihr charged Virtue Alga with finding more concrete evidence. She tried her best to find it in the cathedral he took residence at. She upturned all the living quarters in the region until Dominion Gagiel scolded her and sent her back. I heard word that they even came to my living quarters. There was nothing to find as I destroyed the note after I finished reading it. Suzie had returned and received her wings, but she made herself scarce. Eventually Alga had to admit defeat and concede. With no evidence, Dominion Mihr dismissed the case and acquitted Arariel. "Due to the suspicious nature of this case, in the name of Justice, I release you from your bonds and declare you not guilty. In recompense for your sufferings, you may also take the Virtue Exam once at your leisure."
That was interesting. When he was released, Ophiel and Usiel ran and hugged him. They were near tears as they looked over him. It was not apparent during the trial, but he had been tortured by Alga. He had wounds all over his body. I realized there and then that I needed to get to the Virtue rank as soon as possible. The humiliation as the only inquisition to fail was reason enough to make us enemies. Arariel comforted them and then looked at me. He said "You did this for me. I did not believe it was possible to escape the wrath of an inquisition. You have delivered me from a fate worse than death. From today onward, I consider you my friend." He then gave did an arcane contract to allow me to summon him at moments of need. Usiel placed his sleeve to his mouth. "He only gives his contract out to his true friends. Even then he only gives it out as an exchange." Ophiel was also pretty shocked at the turn of events. I asked how does one form the contract and he taught me the spell. I was going to use it to get all my friend's contracts together in one go.
Something that I wanted to know was what the Virtue Exam was. "The exams for the second order angels are the same. You must defeat one of the rank you wish to usurp in combat with a witness. If you win and the witness certifies it, you become that rank. The loser must go on a penitent quest to erase the shame. "What use is a allowance to take the Virtue Exam to you then. There's no way a Principality could do it. You would be destroyed." I asked out loud. He said "The fights are never to the death. It is until one yields. As for whether or not I could win, that is not for you to decide." Usiel yawned and said "You know that it will be an easy thing to do. I am lazy, but not an idiot. Just ask Virtue Sariel. You have her contract after sending that legion of angels to fight and die in her stead." "Don't mock her!" Arariel snapped at him. "That battle was unwinnable from the start. Those elves were also faithful and much better equipped. They even had arch priest with a Dominion on their side. I was the one who offered to send the angels down as resources."
Usiel's eyes softened. "That does not mean that I will forgive her so easily. If it was that bad she should have made her humans accept defeat and find peace. Hadriel died in that battle. Just summon her and tell her to let you win. It will keep from people framing you again." he said. He then walked off. Ophiel gave a nervous smile. "If Dominion Mihr had gave his blessing, this must be what he intended. He even said it was at your leisure. You can at least ask her if it is okay." he said. Arariel looked uncertain and said he would have to think on it. I made my way back to the chapel with my sleeping quarters. I told them about the Power Exam. Mydaiel was all for it. Analim and Nanael did not like it. I had noticed that my wings were not as pure white after using the amulet. It was at least two shades darker than Suzie's. Analim's wings were now firmly gray. He told us how other angels began to whisper behind his back when they thought he could not hear them. That was concerning. "If I go out with a weapon, people and angels might not take too kindly to me." he said.
