by J. A. Comley
Medara shook her head, glancing down at the papers she held.
“My King, my Lords, I now call on Adonil Thorten, Harknine Keeper of the Southern Stables.”
A gangly old man stood up and climbed the witness box that Officer Thum had just vacated. Starla watched him as the High Lord swore him in. He looked somewhat familiar.
You! Starla thought, suddenly remembering. He was the old man who had yanked her down when she failed to kneel. Unconsciously, Starla rubbed her arm where he had scratched her. There was nothing there now, of course. That Makhi had been overly thorough in healing her.
“Keeper Thorten, you direct the work at our Southern Harknine stables?” Commander D'Ordeley began.
“Yes, High Commander.” His voice took on an oily quality.
“And it was outside these stables that you first saw the accused and company enter the City?”
“Yes. I was attending a pregnant Harknine mare when they entered the City, just b'fore dusk. I took note of 'em, I did, 'cause they was carrying no possessions. Not like most other refugees at all, High Commander.”
“Did you see any of them again, Keeper Thorten?”
“Yes, Commander. When we was all gathered to welcome our most loved Majesty,” he said bowing again to the King. “She didn't kneel. So I yanked her down, I did. Told her to show some respect.” His chest puffed out proudly. He sounded very pleased with himself.
“I have here several witness statements that agree that the five of them were cloaked and hooded. Can you be certain that it was the accused that you saw?” Medara asked, holding up some sheets of paper.
“Yes, I am certain.”
“How?”
“When they entered the City, she was staring around her, like a regular country gal. I have never seen eyes that colour. Later at the square, she glared at me after I yanked her down. Same eyes Commander, same girl,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Thank you. I have no further questions. If my Lords are also done, Keeper Adonil may step down.”
Larkel waited, then stood after the others had spoken.
“Keeper Adonil—”
“Just a moment High Lord,” the Baron said, rising, looking as if he had just remembered something. “I do have a question for this witness, about his statement.” He waited for the High Lord to sit before continuing. “Keeper Thorten, your statement makes me feel you have more to add. Tell the Hall, after the crowd had risen, what did the accused do?”
Keeper Thorten looked confused for a few seconds, then dipped his head. “Oh, yes, my Lord.”
Starla watched Larkel's mouth pull into a thin line as he read Thorten's thoughts.
“The accused, she, uh, didn't rise when we did, my Lord. She stayed crouched and crept away, like she didn't want to be seen, or something,” the keeper continued. “I saw her join the other four at the entry to Luxon Tunnel.”
“Did their behaviour appear strange?” the Baron prompted when Adonil fell silent.
“Very strange, my Lord. They began backing into the darkness of the tunnel. They was glaring at the towers, muttering.”
The light shrouding his hand burned red, belying his statement.
“Keeper Adonil Thorten,” the High Lord's voice boomed through the silent Hall, authority in every syllable, “you are under oath. I will provide you one opportunity to either amend or retract your statement before this Hall. If you fail to do so, you will be removed from this trial, your testimony will be declared invalid and you shall answer for your contempt of the Hall at a later date.”
Starla noted how everyone seemed to shy unconsciously away from the High Lord. Again, the only exception was the cat-eared Makhi closest to the High Stand, who seemed completely unperturbed by the waves of power radiating from the High Lord.
Thorten had seemed to curl in on himself with each word. Now his gaze darted fearfully from the mighty Makhi to the Baron.
“I beg the forgiveness of my Lords,” he said, licking his lips nervously, “I meant that they was talking with one another. One of 'em did keep looking up at the Towers. And they did back away into the tunnel, like they was sneaking away,” he finished, self-justification in his tone.
The light shrouding his hand remained silver.
The High Lord glanced to the Baron, who shook his head, spoke the ritual words, then sat back down. He looked furious.
“Keeper Adonil Thorten, I release you.”
Starla watched in silence as several more citizens were called forward. She was beginning to feel anxious. The testimonies were compelling if viewed from a certain point of view. All had seen her sneaking through the crowd and the five of them vanish into the tunnel as the Shield failed.
“They all looked really nervous, my Lords, from the times I could see under their hoods. Hoods up in summer, imagine!” a pudgy woman with greying brown hair was saying, her brown eyes wide with the pleasure of her gossip. “I was close enough to hear some of their whispers, I was.”
Starla felt the High Lord's presence stiffen, as if anticipating a blow, as he read more from her thoughts. The High Commander told the woman to continue and Starla stopped breathing, steeling herself.
“I heard one of them talking of cutting the power to the Sacred Stones.” She grinned at the shocked whispers her testimony was incurring. “And I heard them saying that it was imperative that they avoid detection by the High Lord.”
To Starla's dismay, the light remained silver. The woman had indeed been close enough to hear. She felt the High Lord's shock and anger burst from his former stillness.
What other secrets did you keep to yourself? All I asked for was honesty. The feeling behind his words was of betrayal and his power grew in her consciousness. She was certain he could obliterate her without breaking a sweat.
Starla heart pounded wildly as she showed him the memory, leaving out only the Star.
He was disappointed. Still hiding things.
I'm sorry. I promised.
She felt his presence withdraw, like it was just beyond her reach. She tried to find him in his own head but failed, the way barred. She looked up, trying to read his expression, but his face was a hard mask, his eyes glittering coldly. Starla sighed and turned her sad gaze back to stare ahead, unfocused. The lady in the stand continued but Starla couldn't resist glancing at the High Lord every now and then. He sat perfectly straight, smooth-faced, watching as the pudgy lady finished her testimony. When the ritual words were spoken, he stood.
“Mistress Fredia Haldon, I release you.” His voice was distant, as if he were distracted or deep in thought.
Starla silently cursed herself. She had left out the part where they had meant to cut power to the Stones, and of needing to avoid him, in the hopes of causing the Guardians less trouble. Now it seemed all she had managed was to alienate her only ally.
Suddenly, the Baron stood. “So they were talking of cutting the power to the Stones? How interesting.” His voice dripped sarcasm.
“Objection!” The High Lord said, standing too, meeting the Baron glare for glare.
“On what grounds?” the King enquired, looking somewhat weary of their continual bickering.
“Your Grace, he is colouring this Hall's view with insinuation and conjecture. The accused hasn't even had a chance to speak. Nothing is yet proven.”
Starla sent a wave of gratitude toward the veiled light that was the High Lord. It seemed he still intended to fight her corner.
“Objection sustained,” the King murmured.
The Baron sighed, “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I humbly submit that this Hall has heard everything it needs to in order to come to a decision. We have five eye-witness accounts, as well as other testimonies. I see no reason to allow this servant of Kyron to whisper lies in our ears.”
“Objection!” the High Lord was on his feet again. “How could she lie, Baron? The Verelios Beam would reveal it. And as to your other vile accusation, I have already performed the Trace. She is clean. Kyron has never touched
her mind. May this Hall uphold the Law and give the accused a chance to speak?” His voice was calm, compelling. It turned dangerous as he continued. “Or do you, Baron, wish to pass sentence without trial, as you did with the Sacrileon Guardians?”
Whispers spread through the side stands at the High Lord's words. By them, Starla guessed that many did not agree with the Baron's methods and most had had no idea that was what had happened.
“Ex-Guardians,” the Baron seethed. “They committed High Treason! No-one else has the capacity to cut the power to the Sacred Stones. No-one, except you, High Lord.” His tone turned to one of sudden shock and mock horror.
“Enough!” The King stood, voice strong, full of regal command. “This Hall is not a mockery. The accused will be allowed to speak, as Galatian law demands. I wish for no further interruptions from either of you, on pain of being removed from this trial.” He stared until each man bowed and resumed their seat, the Baron with ill-grace. “Now, High Commander, please continue.”
Commander Medara stepped up before Starla and the rest of the Hall fell silent.
Starla's heart was in her throat as Medara began. The High Lord's presence was still distant. Taking a deep breath, she focused on the Commander. The slanting rays of sunlight showed her eyes to be lighter than they had appeared in the antechamber. A soft hazel. They held hers steadily, no sign of accusation.
“You, the accused, shall now speak before the Hall. Begin by explaining where you are from. Your … outfit, here, has been the matter of some debate.”
Starla felt her cheeks warming as her ruined nightgown was brought into view, displayed on a wooden hanger.
“I am from a planet called Earth, High Commander. This is the sort of clothing we would customarily wear to sleep in.”
“Earth? We have heard of this planet. You are a long way from home. How did you get to our galaxy from yours?” Her eyes grew troubled.
Starla hesitated. Then she began with telling them how she had gone for a walk after receiving the news about her real parents.
“I awoke in Rainbow Wood, my Lords,” she finished, hoping they wouldn't go back to the transition from Earth to Galatia. She decided to continue quickly. “I walked for hours, trying to find help, having no idea where I was. I eventually found a snabble called Heny. He called the Guardians to help me. They offered to bring me to the Royal City. They said that only the Queen could help me.”
“The Queen. They said only she could help you?”
“Yes, High Commander.”
The Commander stared at the silver light, waiting. When it remained silver she turned back to her papers.
“Did the Sacrileons inform you that they were not allowed into the City?”
She held her steady gaze. “Yes, High Commander, they did.”
“Why did you choose to help them break the Law?”
“They were certain that I'd never be able to reach the Queen myself. I helped them get through the gate because I was sure I needed their help. I am sorry for lying.”
Starla tried to catch Officer Thum's eye as she apologised, but he stared resolutely past her.
“So, to the charges of aiding magical creatures to enter the city and lying and blackmailing and officer of the Guard, you plead guilty?”
Starla swallowed. “Yes, High Commander.” She was proud that her voice did not tremble, which was more than she could say for her hands.
She waited for the murmurs to fade away before continuing.
“Why did you try to flee the City after the Shield failed?”
“The Guardians said we must. That we'd be blamed, otherwise.”
“When the Sacrileons deactivated the Stones, was it with or without your assistance?”
“Neither, High Commander.”
Astonished gasps filled the Hall as the light around her hand remained silver.
“Explain.”
“They were not responsible for the Stones being deactivated,” Starla clarified, simply.
Murmurs rose up the stands.
“Therefore, to the charges of plotting and assisting said magical creatures to deactivate the Stones, you plead not guilty?”
“Correct, High Commander.”
“Was it ever your intention or theirs to assassinate our Queen?”
“No, High Commander. To that charge I also plead not guilty.”
Medara gave a small smile at the steady, silver light. “Very well. I have no further questions. I pass the accused over to the King's judgement.”
“A moment,” the Baron said, standing. “I beg the indulgence of my King. I have a few questions for the accused.”
The King raised and eyebrow, then nodded, and Starla's heart grew cold. The Baron looked much too happy. She stiffened as the Baron left the High Stand, descending slowly and coming to a stop in front of her. She felt the High Lord's presence return to her mind immediately. Comforting, strong, but wary, still undecided. It was his disgust at the Baron's earlier actions that had prompted his return, not trust in her.
The Baron addressed the Hall. “I could not help but notice that the accused seemed to smooth over certain things.” His grey eyes pinned her down, “For example, you failed to tell this Hall why exactly the Queen was the only one who could help you. We have several Inagium here. Why her?”
“I do not know, Baron Malion. They never said and I did not ask.” Starla managed to keep her voice steady and coldly polite. There were a few gasps at her use of his name, but she would not call that man 'my Lord'.
His gaze narrowed, promising pain. “Indeed. Another matter you failed to mention was how you actually got to Rainbow Wood? After all, the Third Solar planet is so very far from the Trianon System. And Kyron has placed a magical lock down, preventing interplanetary travel. You should have been cast away, or died upon entry, and yet, here you stand.”
Starla sent a rush of anxious thoughts through the bond, bombarding the High Lord. She could not answer without breaking her promise to the Guardians and even a half-truth would turn the light red. The High Lord remained silent.
A smug smile spread across the Baron's face. “Nothing to say?” He leaned towards her. She fought the urge to step back; she could not leave her place in the circle of stars until judgement was pronounced. “Then I have to conclude that you, yourself, cut the power to the Stones and, as a servant of Kyron, are to be sentenced to death.”
Starla's heart plummeted in the same moment the High Lord was on his feet, staff in one hand, looking over the Hall.
“This is ridiculous,” he stated calmly. “How could a human possibly cut power to the Stones?” Many eyed him doubtfully and he sighed. “Starla, did you cut the power to the Sacred Stones?”
“No, High Lord.” Her voice rang out clearly in the Hall. The light remained silver.
The High Lord nodded. “The cause of the Stones' failing has not yet been determined. Also, as I have already informed the Hall, the Trace has been performed. This woman is as much a servant of Kyron as I am.”
Starla blinked, amazed at the ferocity with which he defended her, despite her secret.
No, not for you. For what is right.
She felt foolish, letting that thought be known. Of course he didn't fight for her. He didn't know her.
An uproar burst out across the Hall of Justice. All present brandishing their opinions and alliances like weapons.
“Silence!” The Commander's voice drowned out the din, echoing in the vast chamber. “The King shall speak.”
The King took a moment to look sternly across those gathered, then he turned to the High Lord. “High Lord Larkel, how goes the investigation?”
The High Lord bowed.
“I left Grand Makhi Gullit in charge so my mind would be free to hold the Verelios Beams.” He turned to face the elderly Makhi who had noted his use of more power. “A progress report, please.”
The Grand Makhi stood, his pure white hair forming a cloud around his head, his pale cat ears sticking out of it. “Yes, Hi
gh Lord.” His pale blue eyes lost their focus for a moment, his face a mask of concentration. He blinked. “Our investigation is still inconclusive.”
Starla felt a pang of disappointment from the High Lord and remembered he had wanted to postpone her trial until that investigation was completed.
“However, if I may, High Lord, my King, I feel it has yielded one important factor for consideration in this trial.” He waited for the High Lord's impatient nod. “The magical power surge that caused the momentary collapse of your Shield did not originate from the square. In fact, it did not originate from within the City, at all. It came from Rainbow Wood. Also, I would like to add that it, as far as we can tell, fits the basic pattern of lesser surges that have previously threatened but failed to collapse your Shield.”
“Thank you,” the High Lord said, motioning for Redkin Gullit to sit. He looked back to the King. Starla followed his gaze. The Baron began to say something but the King silenced him with a wave of his hand.
“Baron, I already know where you stand, as I know where the High Lord stands. Prince Niden, how do you advise?”
The Prince stood, sandy brown hair neat but for the piece that flopped into his sky-blue eyes. “I cannot deny what the accused has pleaded guilty to, but as to the final charge of high treason, I concur with the High Lord and find the accused not guilty.” He resumed his seat as the King turned to the front.
“How does the Hall find the accused?” the King enquired.
Starla held her breath as Grand Makhi Gullit and another Makhi in the opposite stand raised their staves, a hundred silver threads linking them to everyone seated in the stands. Three heartbeats of silence filled the hall as everyone cast a mental vote.
Starla resisted the urge to look at the High Lord as each Makhi reeled in their threads and sent a single one to the him.
“High Lord?” the King enquired.
“Majority vote of not guilty, Majesty.”
Starla held back her smile as she looked to the King. His judgement would be the final, deciding, one.
“I have a few questions for the accused,” the King said, his brown eyes on Starla as she dropped into a bow. “Do you have any intentions to harm any living thing here in Galatia?”