by MJ Schutte
Al’taish leaned forward and tapped the man in front of him on the shoulder.
‘Excuse me, can you tell me who the woman in the big chair is, please?’ he asked politely.
The man gave him a strange look and said, ‘Your eyesight must be very bad. Everybody knows Angelina, the head judge here at the Justice Hall.’
Al’taish thanked the man and sat back.
A guard walked over to Angelina and whispered in her ear. She gave him a slight nod, briefly spoke to the two people in front of her and then rose.
The guard spoke in a loud voice, ‘The Justice Hall is closed for today. If you are unable to settle your differences in peace, return tomorrow for a ruling.’
Al’taish hardly heard the man. His eyes were fixed on Angelina as she walked towards the couple at the door. Long auburn hair flowed behind her as she seemed to glide across the floor. Al’taish was captivated by the grace with which she carried herself.
‘Sir, it is time to leave now,’ one of the guards spoke to him.
Al’taish got up and made his way towards the door. He turned for one last look. As if Angelina knew his eyes were fixed on her, she turned her head and stared straight back.
Their gazes locked for a brief moment, causing Al’taish’s heart to skip a beat.
He knew right away he had to meet this woman.
Al’taish traveled some distance away from the Justice Hall before he searched for a place to spend the night. He found a small clearing in the lush undergrowth, quickly rolled out a sleeping blanket and made a small fire. After cooking supper, he lay down on the blanket and closed his eyes. The last image he saw before falling asleep was Angelina gliding over the floor of the Justice Hall. Al’taish fell asleep with a strange feeling in his stomach.
The next morning Al’taish rose before sunrise. He packed his few belongings away and set off towards the Justice Hall. When he arrived there, the place was deserted, except for a few guards. He suddenly wished he had followed Angelina home just to see from which direction she would be approaching the Hall in the mornings. He desperately wanted to get a closer look at her.
As soon as the big wooden doors opened, Al’taish made his way inside. He walked right up to the front and sat down. Although it made him feel uncomfortable to have so many people behind him, he wanted to be close to the front so that he could see Angelina clearly. He did not quite understand this urge to be close to her or the strange feeling in his stomach when he thought about her.
He did not have to wait long. The small door opened and Angelina, accompanied by four guards, entered the building. Al’taish’s eyes were glued to her. He took in every small detail as she glided across the floor to her throne-like-chair. Her long, straight hair was the most beautiful color auburn that Al’taish had ever seen, flowing gently behind her as she walked. She was dressed in a pale lilac dress that hugged every curve of her body perfectly. She glanced at the people already seated in the hall, her eyes lingering on him for a moment. Al’taish had to concentrate hard to control his breathing as her light brown eyes locked briefly with his. Long, dark eyelashes fell softly on her perfect smooth skin as she blinked and turned her head away. Al’taish’s eyes drank in the beauty of the slight pink color of her cheeks, her delicate nose and full lips. His eyes traveled downward, pausing for a moment on her smallish breasts. His gaze traveled further, down past the slight rounding of her bottom, all the way to her ankles.
All too soon she reached the big chair and sat down. Al’taish realized that he was holding his breath. Slowly he let it out hoping that the man seated next to him did not notice. Although he had breakfast, his stomach felt like a hollow pit.
Angelina looked at the crowd in front of her. When she spoke, her voice was soft and soothing like a gentle summer rain.
‘Welcome, everyone. We shall begin the proceedings now.’
Al’taish thought he had never heard anything quite so beautiful.
A guard waved two men forward. They respectfully bowed before sitting down at the two small tables in front of Angelina.
Angelina indicated that the man to her left should speak first. He got up and told her how the man on the right had cheated him out of some money in a business deal. Al’taish only half heard the story. His eyes were glued to Angelina’s angel-like face.
After the man on the right had a chance to speak, Angelina peered at both of them closely. She said something about money that had to be repaid. Both men bowed and quickly left, making space for two more men to sit down at the tables.
The process was repeated several times during the morning until Angelina finally left her seat and, in her soft, feminine voice said, ‘We will break for lunch break now. When we return, the criminal trials will commence.’
Al’taish could not tear his eyes away from her as she headed for the small door. Just before she reached the door, a little girl came running up to her. A guard stepped forward to stop the child but Angelina quickly waved him off. She went down on one knee and opened her arms with a smile. Al’taish thought her smile was like the first rays of sun breaking through the clouds after a heavy thunderstorm. The little girl flew into Angelina’s arms and they shared a tight hug.
Angelina whispered something into the child’s ear. Enthusiastically the little one nodded and rushed off again. The smile lingered on Angelina’s face as she left the Justice Hall.
After the lunch break, Al’taish watched with interest as the criminal trials proceeded. Twenty people, all in shackles, were standing in front of Angelina.
‘Why has it taken so long for my case to be presented to the court? I have been locked up with these pigs for more than ten days. I demand to be released immediately,’ one of the accused announced in a loud voice.
‘The Justice Hall is a busy place. You will wait your turn, criminal!’ a guard sneered at the man.
Another guard read out a name from a book and one man stepped forward. A list of crimes he was accused of was read for everybody to hear. Angelina simply asked him whether he committed the crimes, watching closely as the man answered. He claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity and that he was innocent. Angelina ruled that he was guilty of all the crimes and that he would be spending the next five years in a prison camp just outside Weston, doing hard labor.
His sentence was noted in the book next to his name and he was taken away. The next man was called forward. He was accused of only a single crime, stealing money from a neighbor. Angelina asked him whether he was guilty to which the man hung his head in shame and replied that he was. Angelina asked why he stole the money. The man told Angelina that his wife was sick and unable to work. The money he earned was not enough to buy food for their four children and, in desperation, he stole a few coins to provide supper for his family.
Angelina stared at him for a long time before she spoke.
‘You will work for your neighbor for one year to repay what you have taken from him. As for your wife and children, they will be provided for by the crown until such time as you have repaid your debt. After that, you will find suitable employment and never steal again. Is that clear?’ she said.
The man fell to his knees thanking Angelina for her wisdom and mercy. He was crying so much, he could hardly get the words out. After his sentence was noted and a guard took him away, another man was called forward. The procedure was repeated several times until only one man remained.
‘John Frowling, step forward,’ the guard called.
Slowly John took two steps forward, the chains around his ankles dragging on the floor behind him.
‘John Frowling, you are accused of forcing three young girls to have intercourse with you and then murdering all three,’ the guard read the charge.
Angelina looked at John, showing no emotion.
‘Did you force three young girls to have sexual intercourse with you?’ she asked.
John remained silent, staring at Angelina with hate in his eyes.
‘Did you murder these three young gi
rls?’ Angelina asked, struggling to control her voice.
Again, John simply remained silent.
‘John Frowling, you are guilty of the crimes you were accused of. You will be executed by means of a beheading tomorrow morning,’ Angelina made her ruling.
A collective gasp rose from the crowd. It was very seldom that anybody received a death sentence. The only crimes that warranted such a harsh punishment was rape and murder, both of which John was found guilty of.
A guard took John by the arm, but the condemned man decided he had nothing to loose. Yanking free from the guard’s grip and lunged for the Angelina. Al’taish jumped up, but two guards tackled John and brought him to the ground. Using the hilts of their swords, they bashed him in the face and on the head until he did not struggle anymore. One guard grabbed the chains around his ankles and dragged him out of the Justice Hall.
Al’taish quickly sat down again, not wanting to draw too much attention.
A guard stepped forward and said, ‘The Justice Hall is closed for today. If you are unable to settle your differences in peace, come back tomorrow for a ruling.’
Al’taish sat next to the fire. He was back at the small clearing where he camped the previous evening. Although he had some food in the saddlebags, he did not cook any. Instead, he simply sat staring into the fire. Images of Angelina ran through his mind. In the dying flames of the small fire, he could see her slowly walking to her chair, the lilac dress making a soft rustling sound around her legs. Having witnessed how Angelina dealt with all the men who stood before her, Al’taish knew he had finally found some magic, but he was in no hurry to get back to the ships or Father’s army. He wanted to stay here, close to the Justice Hall, in the hope that he could somehow meet Angelina. The quest Father sent him on did not seem important anymore. He was so deep in thought that he did not notice someone approaching until the person spoke to him.
‘Good evening, brother,’ the man said.
Al’taish resisted the urge to jump to his feet. He simply looked up into Fayet’s eyes and said, ‘Good evening, Fayet. Are you well?’
‘Yes, thank you. Are you well?’ Fayet responded.
‘Yes, I am well. What are you doing here?’ Al’taish asked, careful to hide the disappointment in his voice.
‘Father sent me with a message. You are to come with me immediately. We know where the great wizard lives and Father wants us both there before he makes contact,’ Fayet answered.
Al’taish could not hide the shocked look on his face.
‘You have found him? How is that possible? I have searched almost everywhere and have not found any evidence that he ever existed!’ he exclaimed.
‘That is why you are still a common soldier and I am in the Elite Corps. Oh yes, and the fact that you carry two blades you refuse to use!’ Fayet admonished his younger brother.
‘With our gifts it is never necessary to fight. Why do you enjoy spilling so much blood?’ Al’taish asked softly.
‘I will not have this argument with you again! Gather your things, we leave immediately,’ Fayet replied.
Al’taish was bitterly disappointed. He desperately wanted to meet Angelina but now it seemed that he would never get the chance. He knew better than to mention any of this to his brother. It was best to just keep quiet since Fayet would not give him the opportunity to state his case anyway.
Quickly he gathered his belongings.
‘I’m ready. You may have my horse if you wish,’ he said to Fayet.
‘Mine is tied up not too far from here,’ Fayet said as he strolled off.
Quietly Al’taish followed. He knew better than to ask where they were going.
Chapter 5
Fayet set a blistering pace, only stopping to steal fresh horses and food. They did not travel north towards the ocean, as Al’taish expected, but set course to the east. When they entered Weston, Al’taish half expected Fayet to go towards the palace but instead they simply rode through the city and turned south. Almost half a day’s ride from the city they came across a camping site.
Fayet dismounted, tossed the reigns to Al’taish and strolled off toward the only tent in the camp.
‘Al’taish, so good to see you again!’ someone called out.
‘Alexi, it’s good to see you too!’ Al’taish greeted the only person he considered a friend.
Alexi was a tall, muscular man with very dark skin, short black hair and dark eyes. No matter how cold it got he never wore a shirt. Two swords, a few throwing knives, a battle axe and a smallish crossbow hung from his belt. A longbow and quiver full of arrows were slung over his shoulder. Alexi was an expert with every one of these weapons. He was also second in charge in Father’s army and, although Al’taish had never seen Alexi use magic, he was certain the muscular man had the same talent as Father.
‘Tell me about your travels through this strange land,’ Alexi said.
Visions of Angelina flashed through Al’taish’s mind.
‘I did not learn anything of value or encounter any magic. Where is the rest of the Elite Corps?’ Al’taish asked, hoping to change the subject.
‘Father left them with the ships to watch the soldiers. You know how those barbarians get when Father or the Elite Corps is not constantly there to watch them,’ Alexi replied.
‘No offense to you. You should have been included in the Elite Corps long ago,’ he quickly added.
There was only fifteen of the Elite Corps present which meant that almost a hundred of these highly skilled and magically talented assassins were with almost a thousand soldiers. Of course every one of the soldiers also had some form of magic since it was the prerequisite to be included in Father’s army.
Al’taish sighed. Being the only soldier between fifteen Elite Corps members was not going to be fun. He knew that all of them would treat him like a personal slave. Luckily Alexi was here. He usually protected his friend from the abuse the soldiers had to endure at the hands of the Elite Corpse.
‘Fayet said that you found the wizard,’ Al’taish said.
‘Yes, Father found out where he lives. There is a swamp just south of here where the coward had been hiding for many years,’ Alexi answered.
‘I don’t understand. Father sent me on this quest, so why is he here with so many troops already? Was someone else also sent to find the wizard?’ Al’taish frowned.
Alexi smiled at his friend as he answered, ‘Al’taish, did you really think Father sent only you into a strange land to find a powerful wizard?’
Al’taish slowly shook his head. He had not thought about it, but it made sense that Father, in his wisdom, would have sent a number of scouts ahead instead of relying on one person. Obviously someone else gathered better information than what he did.
A man nearly as big as Alexi walked past, grabbed Al’taish by the arm and said, ‘You’re going to cook for me tonight.’
Alexi moved like lightning. The man who tried to drag Al’taish away was face down in the mud with a boot on his neck before he knew what had happened.
‘You will not come near this soldier or even speak to him again,’ Alexi growled at the man.
Alexi lifted his boot allowing the man to get up. A few of the others stepped closer. Fighting among the Elite Corps members was not very common so the interest was high. In contrast, fighting among the soldiers happened regularly, sometimes with deadly results.
Father did not punish his men for fighting amongst each other as long as Elite Corps members were not killed and soldiers did not use magic on each other. A soldier may never draw a weapon in the presence of an Elite Corps member.
The man scrambled to his feet, his hand snapping to the hilt of his sword, but Alexi was quicker. He thrust the tip of his sword against the man’s throat and warned, ‘Think carefully about this.’
The man glared at Alexi for a moment and then lifted both his hands. He slowly stepped back.
Alexi watched the man until he turned his back and walked away before he put the sword bac
k in its scabbard.
‘Thank you,’ Al’taish mumbled. He hated the fact that he was not allowed to defend himself against a member of the Elite Corps.
‘No problem. Just stay close to me and you will be fine,’ Alexi smiled.
Al’taish smiled back. He did not think there was anybody in the entire army that would be willing to take Alexi on.
‘Al’taish! Come here,’ Fayet called from just outside the tent.
‘It seems Father wants to see me,’ Al’taish sighed.
Alexi took the horses’ reigns and said, ‘Go, I will take care of the animals.’
With a heavy heart Al’taish walked to Father’s tent. He entered and immediately went down on one knee, casting his eyes downward.
‘My life is yours, Father Zaconis, Guardian of magic,’ he greeted Father.
‘Rise, Al’taish,’ Father replied in a deep, soft voice.
Slowly Al’taish rose, keeping his eyes on the ground.
‘Come closer and tell me about your travels,’ Father said to him.
Al’taish looked up. They were not alone. Two young men were standing in one corner of the tent. Al’taish immediately recognized the blank expressions on their faces. He had seen it a few times with the new initiates.
Nervously he stepped forward and said, ‘Father, I traveled this land as you ordered…’