by Davis Ashura
Despite the singular nature of the convocation, it would still be the Arbiter, Lin’El Kumma, who would lead today’s session. The Arbiter entered the Assembly through a door next to the stage, looking vigorous despite his age. Lin’El’s white hair and beard contrasted sharply with his Kumma-brown skin and the black robes meant to highlight his status as judge. It was a strictly ceremonial position—his vote was only offered in the event of a tie—but it was the Arbiter who interpreted the various rules and points of etiquette of the Chamber.
Lin’El ascended the dais and gaveled the meeting into session. It only took a few raps of the smooth oval of black onyx against the base of white marble for the room to fall into silence.
Dar’El stood to one side of the stage. He listened as Lin’El explained the nature of today’s meeting. It was all pro forma. Everyone knew what was at stake; nonetheless, they listened with polite attention. Once Lin’El was finished, Dar’El took his place behind one of the two lecterns standing on either side of the Arbiter’s dais. As the Supplicant, he had to face the other ‘Els and answer any challenges or questions they might have.
Dar’El looked out at the Chamber of Lords and was suddenly struck by the enormity of what he had to do. Many of these men had little love for him or his family. Their minds were already hard against anything that might benefit House Shektan. To persuade them to give him a fair hearing would be difficult. They wouldn’t want to. Only something truly rousing and uplifting might change their minds.
Dar’El’s heart thudded, all the way into his ears. He wasn’t sure he could do it. He was a blunt, plainspoken man, not someone known for his inspirational speech. It was not his forte. Dar’El communicated his opinions with brevity and what some might say was brusqueness. It was who he was, and until now, it had been enough.
But today he had to do more. He would have to rouse passions.
Dar’El’s palms grew moist with perspiration, as did his forehead. For a moment, nervousness fluttered through his stomach and chest, nearly stealing his breath. With an almost visible shudder, he pulled his mind back to the task at hand. Inspiring he might not be, but he’d never quit a duty, and he didn’t aim to start now. Dar’El had to do this. He wasn’t here to salvage his own future or that of his House. He was here for Rukh. His son’s future relied on Dar’El’s ability to inspire.
He would not fail.
Dar’El cleared his throat. He spoke in a clear voice, one filled with righteous indignation. “Last summer, while serving in the expeditionary force meant to eradicate the breeding caverns of the Chimeras, my son was judged by this body as being Unworthy. He was never able to speak on his behalf or defend his name and honor. At the time, neither could I.” He paused then, as though considering what to say next, although he and Satha had already worked on this speech for weeks. “But now I can, and we meet here today so that we can overturn a terrible injustice. What we decided about my son, Rukh Shektan, those many months ago cannot stand,” he continued. “When we learned what Rukh could do, his Talents outside Caste Kumma, we acted in haste and fear. As a result, we banished a young warrior who was amongst the best of us all. Today, we can rectify that mistake. There is information the Chamber must here. I urge you to listen to my testimony with an unbiased ear and an open heart. Only in such a manner can we hope to judge wisely.” He looked to Lin’El. “Perhaps in lieu of my ongoing recitation of this new information, we can have someone review the rationale for why my son was found Unworthy. I can then answer each charge.”
Lin’El nodded agreement. “Is there anyone who wishes to serve as the Indicter?” he asked.
Several hands shot up, although most of them were hostile to Dar’El’s needs. Thankfully, as the Supplicant, he had discretion in who could act as the initial Indicter. He chose Tol’El Suzay, leader of a close House Shektan ally. In fact, Mira had even chosen to apprentice with him for several years, finishing her mentorship just last spring.
“The Supplicant has chosen Tol’El Suzay as the Indicter,” Lin’El pronounced. “All in agreement with this choice, signal your assent.” Most of the ‘Els raised their hands. Lin’El made a show of counting, although it was obvious that those in favor of the motion had the majority. “All opposed?” Fewer hands went up. “By acclamation, Tol’El Suzay will serve as Indicter.”
Tol’El approached the lectern, taking his place on the side opposite to where Dar’El stood. Though in his early sixties, Tol’El yet moved with a warrior’s fluid grace. His aquiline features were hidden beneath a short beard, and his hooded eyes moved warily as he gazed about the Chamber of Lords. “Your son has Talents not of our Caste,” he said to Dar’El, speaking words the two of them had rehearsed over the past few days. “We have heard how this came to be, but it seems a convenient story, one meant to absolve Rukh Shektan of blame. How do we know he did not purposefully seek out these Talents for himself? How do we know he didn’t somehow learn these abilities on his own?”
“Think about what a question like that implies,” Dar’El said. “If my son learned these Talents by his own device, then all of us should be able to do the same. Such a possibility doesn’t bear consideration.” He leaned forward, brows furrowed, and hands pressed against the lectern. Dar’El looked at the assembled ‘Els, meeting the gaze of those who were against him, staring intently into their eyes. “If all of us can learn the Talents of another Caste, then everyone can. A Duriah could Heal; a Shiyen could Shield, and a Sentya could Cohese. Everything we think we know about our world will have been proven false. It would mean the very Castes themselves are nothing more than an artificial construct with absolutely no basis in morality or holiness. The veracity of The Book of First Movement itself would be brought into question. Who here is ready to make such a claim?”
Troubled murmurs met his charge. It seemed most had not thought through the consequences of what it might mean if Rukh’s new Talents were self-taught.
Tol’El cleared his throat, regathering the attention of the Chamber. “The implications Dar’El suggests cannot be countenanced. I, for one, will not believe the very basis for our society is built on a monstrous lie. I will not accept that generations of our ancestors lived and died for no reason. It is heresy! I believe any who judged Rukh Unworthy for such a reason should reconsider their decision. I know not all here count Dar’El Shektan an ally, but I say politics must give precedence to morality!”
Dar’El was taken aback by Tol’El’s response. It wasn’t what they had rehearsed. Tol’El had gone off message, changing what should have been a pithy acknowledgment of Dar’El’s testimony into an impassioned defense. It was a surprise, and Dar’El didn’t like surprises. His worry lifted somewhat as he studied the Chamber, gauging their response to Tol’El’s words. Many ‘Els wore troubled expressions as they spoke to those nearby.
“Now. All that said, the more serious charge against your son was his association with a woman not of his Caste,” Tol’El said, interrupting the whispered discussions. “In fact, this is a woman not of any Caste, but a ghrina.” He looked to Dar’El. “How can you defend such a man? For having relations with a woman not of his Caste, he should have been found Unworthy, but for bedding an actual ghrina, an abomination—” Tol’El scowled, appearing as if he wanted to spit out something disgusting. “For such a crime, he should have been marked with the Slash of Iniquity. And rumors state this thing with whom he consorted remained at the House Shektan seat for months after Rukh’s departure for the Chimera caverns. Why was that? Was it not to care for this ghrina during her pregnancy, a child of your son’s infamy?”
Dar’El gritted his teeth. Once again, Tol’El had gone off script. He was not to have so forcefully pressed the Indicter’s case. He was supposed to have just asked Dar’El to explain Rukh’s relationship with Jessira. Instead, Tol’El had gone much further, bringing up a charge so outrageous, so repulsive…How could his friend have done this to him? Suggesting a pregnancy between Rukh and Jessira? Who else would have even considered s
uch a possibility before Tol’El had brought it up?
When he noticed the approving mutterings of the ‘Els, he realized many must have already considered just such a possibility. It was a stunning surprise, and Dar’El struggled to control his dismay. How could he have missed something so potentially basic yet potentially devastating to Rukh’s future?
A headache began thudding behind Dar’El’s eyes. “What you imply bears no resemblance to the truth,” he said. “My son and the ghrina—” he mentally scowled at having to call Jessira such a name “—were friends. Nothing more. Any seeming impropriety between them was my doing.” In a matter-of-fact tone, Dar’El explained all he’d done to Rukh and Jessira and the reasons why. “Rukh was doomed the moment his Talents became known. He was going to be found Unworthy no matter what I tried to do. The politics of the Chamber demanded his expulsion from Ashoka, but I could still save him. If Jessira took him to Stronghold, at least he would have a chance at a life. I manipulated both of them.” Exposing his deceit was painful, but necessary, and Dar’El tried to keep his voice smooth and measured, letting only a hint of his shame to shine through. Ragged penitence wouldn’t move these men, but restrained remorse might.
“And what of the pregnancy?” Tol’El persisted.
“There was no pregnancy,” Dar’El said. “Jessira remained in Ashoka because I lied to her. I led her to believe that she was the cause for Rukh’s banishment. She stayed because of the guilt she bore, and the House Seat was the safest place for her in Ashoka.”
Tol’El stroked his beard, seeming both fascinated and repulsed by what he had heard. “It is an ugly story you present,” he said. “Cunning treachery and a father’s desperate love mixed in with equal measure. How can you prove this is not yet another deception?”
Dar’El glared at the ruling ‘El of House Suzay. “I cannot prove a negative, and you know it,” he said. “But if you don’t believe me, then believe Farn Arnicep. You all know what happened to him. He was there when Rukh and Jessira arrived at Stronghold. From what he saw, they are as I tell you: friends. Nothing more. In fact, Jessira was already engaged to a man of her city prior to meeting Rukh, and this arrangement was unchanged upon her return to Stronghold. It further proves my point: if my son and Jessira had consorted with one another, surely her engagement to this other man would have been dissolved when they made it to Stronghold.”
“I believe Farn’s testimony has already been provided to the Chamber,” Tol’El said. “It confirms Dar’El’s claims with regards to his son’s relationship with the ghrina.” He turned to Dar’El. “Our Houses are allies. All here know it. And I believe you when you say you did what you did to save your son. It is noble, but the means you used to achieve your aims—dissembling to your family, this Chamber, even the ghrina—it is despicable. I would not have it in me to do the same, and I am troubled that you had no such qualms.” Tol’El sighed as if in regret. “Nevertheless, it is not you who is faced with our judgment, though in some ways, you should be. Instead, it is your son, Rukh Shektan, who seems to have simply followed the poor guidance you gave him.” He turned to the other ‘Els. “Based on what we’ve learned, I believe we should lift the judgment on Rukh Shektan and allow him to return home. He seems to have been nothing more than an innocent dupe in all of this, as much a victim of his nanna’s manipulation as we were.”
Even before Tol’El finished speaking, satisfied mutterings had arisen throughout the Chamber, including from those most opposed to House Shektan. Dar’El couldn’t tell what the pleased nods and conversations might mean. Were his fellow ‘Els merely happy to see him humbled, or had they accepted Tol’El’s reasoning and were willing to exonerate his son? Perhaps it was a combination of the two. Dar’El could not say, but if it were the latter, he would be grateful. The damage Tol’El’s final testimony had done to his reputation would be a small price to pay for Rukh’s safe return.
“Does the Supplicant have any response to give?” Lin’El asked.
Dar’El hesitated. None of what had occurred thus far had been planned. The script he and Tol’El had come up with in the past few days, and even last night, had long since been discarded, but if anything, the resultant testimony had ended up being stronger. Rukh’s chances of coming home were better because of the risks Tol’El had taken. Dar’El owed his friend a large favor, but right now, he wasn’t sure how to proceed. Should he say anything else? Or should he simply allow Tol’El’s work to stand on its own? “I have no defense against the findings of the Indicter,” Dar’El said, making his decision.
“Does the Indicter have any further questions to ask?” Lin’El asked, turning to Tol’El, who shook his head.
“I have nothing else to offer. My post is relinquished,” he said in a formal tone.
“Are there any more challenges to be offered?” Lin’El proposed to the Chamber. A hand shot up. Dar’El groaned. It was Hal’El Wrestiva. “You wish to serve as the Indicter?” Lin’El asked.
Hal’El stood. “I do.”
“Are there any objections?” Lin’El asked.
The Assembly remained quiet, and Dar’El gritted his teeth. He wanted to object to Hal’El’s choice as Indicter, but he had no further standing to do so.
“Then by acclamation, Hal’El will now serve as the Indicter,” Lin’El said. “Take your post and proceed.” Lin’El indicated the lectern that Tol’El had given up.
Hal’El limped his way forward. When he was in place, he cleared his throat and began speaking. “The ruling ‘El of House Suzay has done a marvelous job interrogating Dar’El Shektan, has he not? His testimony has ruined the reputation of his good friend and close ally. I’m sure all of us were suitably impressed by Tol’El’s righteous indignation. I certainly was. Well done.” He clapped his hands slowly and derisively. “Nevertheless, this has all been a sham, a charade practiced for weeks prior to today’s meeting. And it was executed brilliantly. Even I almost believed it and possibly would have except for one modest fact: Dar’El thinks long and deep on all matters. Tol’El inadvertently reminded me of this truth.” He stabbed a finger at his fellow ‘Els. “Don’t be fooled by this playacting you’ve heard, this farce. Everything Dar’El and Tol’El told you was rehearsed. It is a means to trick you, to fool you. Their words are like a magician flaunting a handkerchief so we never see when he hides the card under the table. We’re so focused on Dar’El’s shame, his lies and deceptions, that we never noticed when Tol’El hid Rukh Shektan’s infamy under the table. We think him innocent. He is far from it. He was found Unworthy, and the judgment should stand. I’ve heard nothing to tell me otherwise.”
“Then you are as foolish as I always suspected,” Dar’El said. He had never liked Hal’El Wrestiva and liked him even less now. “You hear nothing and learn less. It wasn’t my testimony alone that the Chamber heard. What of Farn Arnicep? Without coaching or pre-knowledge, he said the same as I regarding Rukh and Jessira’s relationship.”
“Who is this Jessira?” Hal’El asked in exasperated confusion. “The name of the ghrina? Why not name a pig? They have the same worth.”
“As you would know given your son,” Dar’El interrupted. His anger was getting the better of him, but he couldn’t stop himself.
Hal’El bristled in outrage. “Then let us speak of Farn Arnicep,” he growled. “He lived amongst the OutCastes for months. By blood, he is a member of your House, and as such, perhaps he is Tainted as well.”
Loud hisses of anger arose at his words. It was one thing to insult someone personally, quite another to impugn an entire House. Many had relatives in House Shektan.
Dar’El saw the opening and took it. “Farn Arnicep is tied to seven Houses along his lineage and through marriage. According to the Indicter, all those Kummas are Tainted as well.” He stared Hal’El in the eyes, freezing him with a snarl. “Including members of House Wrestiva.”
“Obviously, it was not my intent to call into question the honor of your entire House,” Hal’El said, appeari
ng chastened. “I simply note the coincidences so prevalent in House Shektan: a Sentya adopted by the ruling ‘El and relations between the natural son of the same ruling ‘El and a ghrina. Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Thrice is a conspiracy. Farn Arnicep makes thrice.”
“If this is your logic, then it is as sloppy as your wisdom,” Dar’El said scornfully.
Hal’El rolled his eyes. “Then try this,” he challenged. “As it said in The Word and Deed: ‘Suffer not those who have lineage from two Castes. Know them for the truth. They are Ghrinas, abominations’. You know this dictate as well as any of us, yet you harbored a ghrina within your home for months.”
Dar’El had heard enough. “And also according to The Word and the Deed: ‘Those who seek wives in a Caste not their own should forever be shunned. They are as the children of their perverse unions: ghrinas, abominations in the eyes of the Lord’. That verse should hold particular poignancy for you given the life led by your son, Suge Wrestiva. Perhaps if you’d spent more time searching out sin in your own home instead of in mine, your iniquitous son might have amounted to something more than a snowblood addict.”
“You dare!”
Dar’El waved aside his anger. “Don’t pretend to be shocked. If you’re going to speak such vile words about my House and family, don’t faint away if I respond in kind. Are there any other questions?”
Hal’El glared at him before turning back to the Chamber. “None of Dar’El’s petty insults are important. This is the truth: Tol’El tried to distract us from Rukh Shektan’s various sins. He has Talents not of his Caste. For this, he was rightly judged Unworthy. He had a relationship with a woman not of his Caste. For this, he was also correctly found to be Unworthy. Worse, this woman was a ghrina. For this, Rukh Shektan should have been marked with the Slash of Iniquity. He should have been killed and his body left to rot on the Isle of the Crows!” He slammed his fist on the lectern. His words produced shouts and catcalls from the other ruling ‘Els, and Hal’El waited for the sounds to die away before continuing on. “Instead, we were merciful. We allowed Rukh Shektan to walk away with his life. But now, months later, we are told that these sins were not of the son but of the father.” He shook his head, looking sorrowful. “All-too-well do I know what it means to disregard or explain away the sins of a son. I know the consequences of doing so. Every day I relive them. And I tell you this: everything you’ve heard from Dar’El Shektan is a nanna’s attempt to assuage his guilt. He doesn’t want to admit the kind of man he raised. The kind of man I, to my everlasting shame, also raised.”