Ann stood watching a portly Alfhindur make his way to the floor from the prosecution box. He had red hair pulled back into a short ponytail, and walked with his arms behind his back. A three-piece suit adorned his rotund body, and Ann noticed the buttons on his waistcoat hanging on for dear life.

All eyes were on them, and she felt her hackles raise, her ears flatten, and her tail still. Despite everything, she was nervous. She could do public speaking, but this felt different. Official? Heavy.

“Annita Kronfrost, do I have that correct?” the prosecutor said, checking a paper. “Ah, apologies, Lady Kronforst. I am Sir Tomtal Pinoy. It is my duty to this court to question you regarding the events you witnessed in the Seed, which was erroneously and intentionally reported as defeated. Now please, what is your role within the party of Katlyn Farragher?”

“Can I ask a question in return?” Ann asked.

“If you wish, yes,” the prosecutor said with a flourish of his hand.

“Do you mean professionally or personally?” Chapters first released on NoveIꜰire.net

“Professionally, if you will,” Pinoy clarified.

“Then I’m a combat specialist, with a Path specialised in dealing damage,” Ann said to the crowd and judge.

“And, Lady Kronforst, how would you judge your own senses and level of skill?”

“Mediocre? Kat, er, Princess Farragher disagrees,” she said with a wry smile at Kat in the gallery. “My senses are excellent, however. I can hear the couple up there talking about their plans for lunch,” Ann said, pointing to a pair of men who blinked and blushed at being called out.

“Very nice,” Pinoy laughed, his cheeks jiggling. “That establishes a keen and accurate perception. Now, walk us through this. How did you learn of this appalling crisis?”

“We were in the middle of breakfast. I was eating with the princess and her family. O…” Ann caught herself from using the queen’s name so casually. “The Queen pulled the four of us away and told us people had gotten trapped in a Seed and we were going to save them.”

“I see. Have you had experience in this type of situation before?”

“Fighting through Seeds? Yes, and I’ve cleared a few.”

“Rescuing civilians?” Pinoy pressed.

“No. Not particularly.”

“Very well, so we already have reports and verifiable accounts that you departed immediately, spent the day travelling to the Seed, and arrived before nightfall. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” Ann nodded simply. There wasn’t anything that needed to be clarified there.

“Once you arrived, how did your group proceed?”

“Kat, can I just call her Kat? It’s habit,” Ann said.

“I think the kingdom is well aware of your relationship. Please refer to the princess as you wish,” Pinoy nodded, a slight smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

“Cool. So, Kat talked to the runners and guards. I stepped aside to handle some prep work for my Path with Rosalyn, and then we entered the Seed.”

“Upon entering the seed, were you accosted immediately?”

“No. We were separated for a few minutes, but regrouped quickly,” Ann explained.

“How did you proceed from there?” Pinoy prompted.

“From there we…” Ann ran over the details of their mad dash to the civilians trapped in the seed, the chaos they’d found, and the desperate escape. She asked, and Pinoy gave her permission to be as graphic in her description of the events as possible. Every important detail she felt needed to be included. Ann wasn’t interrupted as she recalled her experience.

“Then Lucia all but dragged me out of the place and the fight,” Ann wrapped up. “From there, we went to give our report and rest.”

“How would you have graded your success?” Pinoy asked. He was leading her to points that he needed to make. She could see the defence tensing up at the question, leaning forward in their seats.

“We did the best we could. We fought as hard as we could and saved as many as possible. To be a little crass, it was a shitshow and a miracle we could get so many out alive.”

Pinoy nodded solemnly. “The loss of life weighs heavily upon this trial. Thank you for your efforts. Now, in your professional opinion, was this Seed more aggressive than normal?”

Ann paused, considering. “Well, Kat and Bren have explained that they get worse the more people are in them, so yeah, far more Warped than normal.”

“More numerous, or more aggressive?” Pinoy prodded.

“I mean, when is a Warped not a slavering force of wanting to rip you limb from limb?” Ann asked. A few chuckles echoed out from the crowd, quickly shushed. “I think there was some increase in aggression because there were so many of them? Maybe their territories were crowded, and they were angry about that,” Ann shrugged. “When we came back, they were a bit less aggressive, but still very much trying to kill us.”

Pinoy’s brows furrowed. Shit, had she said something wrong?

“I see. Did you encounter the Guardian during your initial expedition and rescue effort?”

“No. We heard it, and quickly decided to run for it, rather than face a Guardian and a horde of Warped while trying to protect normal people,” Ann explained.

“Sound decision making,” Pinoy nodded.

“That was mostly Kat, though. She’s the leader in combat situations. We did our best with the decision and tried to save as many as we could.”

“Thank you,” Pinoy said, with a bow first to Ann, then to the magistrate. “I have no further questions.”

The magistrate nodded. “Very well. The floor is now open to the defense.”

“Thank you, Your Honour.” An unusually wiry Bultrong said in a squeaky voice. He made his way down to the floor and walked up between the magistrate and Ann. He had brown hair in several cornrows, and a beard to match. Glasses topped his hawkish nose as he looked up at Ann.

“Annita Kronforst,” the man began. He spoke with a terse diction, each word punctuated harshly. “Conrad Nultra. As my colleague has asked, you have never been a part of a rescue operation before?”

“No,” Ann confirmed.

“And you have never been trained in the proper procedure for such a rescue?”

“No,” Ann repeated. Ah, he’s going for the inexperience angle, Ann thought, narrowing her eyes as she watched the man closely.

“Would you, in your opinion, say that you are capable of such an assignment?”

Ann considered her words. She’d tell the truth, sure, but she didn’t want him to twist it. “I successfully saved as many lives as I could with the skills my party and I brought to bear,” she answered carefully. Glancing into the gallery, she caught Kat’s eyes, who gave her a quick nod.

“But it could have been more, right?”

“Objection, this is irrelevant,” Pinoy piped up.

“Sustained,” the magistrate ruled.

“Why, if you are inexperienced for this task, were you chosen?” Noltra asked.

“I didn’t ask why. I was told by the queen that lives needed saving, and that we were the ones to do it.”

“So, the queen of Korvas sent an inexperienced group of mercenaries to rescue the lives of the unfortunate souls within the Seed,” the Bultrong said in a dramatic voice. “My clients have endangered lives, we cannot argue that fact, but was the severity in loss of life truly their fault? Had she sent someone more powerful, surely this could have been avoided.”

“Watch your words,” the magistrate chided. “You question the queen’s orders.”

“It is my right as a citizen,” Noltra said, but bowed. “I will refrain from further commentary. The question stands: could more life have been saved if another was sent in your place?”

“I don’t see how I could know,” Ann said carefully. “This wasn’t my decision, and I did the best I could to save lives.” Yeah, if Remmi were sent instead, she probably could have taken out the entire seed, the Guardian, and taken a nap in the time it took us to get through the mess, but that wasn’t what had happened. Orlana chose us, Ann thought.

“You are still young. I do not see how you could,” Noltra laughed coldly. The smile didn’t reach the corners of his eyes. This was a performance. “Moving on. A more personal question. Are you in fact Warped?”

The audience murmured at that question.

Ann felt her heart race. Shit, that wasn’t something that was supposed to come up until later this month, when she could prepare and make a statement. She desperately tried to maintain a cool appearance, but she panicked within. “I am not, no,” Ann said carefully, trying to keep her tone light and carefree.

“No? Magistrate, prosecution, people of the court, do you know the limitation of the Vulhardrin people? Two animal characteristics. That has been the rule for millennia. Yet I see a tail, two lupine ears, fur on your back, and paws.”

“Objection! Relevance!” Pinoy shouted.

“Explain why this is relevant to the case at hand,” the magistrate demanded.

“I ask because the presence of a Warped could have drawn others. Even a nascent Warped has been sensed by the monsters before. Could you, Annita Kronforst, be a nascent Warped, and inadvertently called down more destruction upon the survivors than they would have faced otherwise?”

Ann bristled. Why was she being grilled like this? She sure as shit didn’t call any Warped down on them. They acted like she was just another person. What the hell was Noltra trying to do? Attacking her and discrediting her help wouldn’t get his clients off the hook. Ann took a deep breath, calming herself. No. No, he was just trying to shift some of the blame off them. If he could get enough of this fuck up and the deaths to be on someone else’s head, maybe he could get lighter sentences for the four criminals.

Ann opened her lips but was cut off by the magistrate.

“I sustain the prosecution’s previous objection. Annita Kronforst’s registration with the Mercenary Association has scanned her and found her without corruption.”

“If I may?” Ann asked.

“I would advise against it,” the magistrate said, calmly holding up a hand. “Defence, do you have any further questions related to the incident within the Seed?”

“Yes, one more question. It has been noted that you had to be removed from the Seed. Please explain.”

“I got lost in the heat of things. When you’re fighting, adrenaline takes over. It’s life or death, and every movement can be the difference.”

“So you were not in your right state of mind?”

“That’s not what I…”

“You, in your own words, said you were ‘lost in the heat of things’. If you did not get absorbed, could you have saved more lives?”

Ann snarled, flashing sharp teeth as her claws dug into the stand. “I saved everyone I possibly could. Don’t you dare insinuate otherwise.”

“Witness, control yourself,” the magistrate chided. “Defence, your time is over. Please return to your seat.”

Noltra bowed and returned to his seat.

Ann fought the rage boiling inside her, taking deep breaths. She closed her eyes, focusing on her center of gravity.

Tear him apart, that little voice in her growled. He threatens you and your pack.

Ann forced the voice away and opened her eyes. Noltra was just doing his job. From the way his eyes looked at her, the way he stood, he was hamming it all up. She shouldn’t get mad at him just for defending his clients. Futile as that was.

“Annita Kronforst, the kingdom thanks you for your testimony,” the magistrate said. “You are dismissed. You may retire or join the gallery.”

The wood on the stand creaked as it withdrew, allowing Ann to leave. Ann walked to the gallery, pushing by people until she found Kat. Muscular arms wrapped around her as they embraced, and Kat reached up to stroke her neck.

“Shhh,” Kat whispered. “Ye’re alright. Feck, he was worse wit’ ye.”

“Got a target painted on me with all my animal parts,” Ann mumbled into Kat’s shoulder. “Hopefully, the next couple weeks will fix that.”

“Aye,” Kat agreed, releasing her girlfriend.

“The court now calls Bren Hedera to the stand,” the magistrate’s voice boomed over the room.

Bren strode in shortly afterwards, head held high. The prosecution and defence had their turns with him, as they did with Ann. He handled it with impeccable authority, not to Kat or Ann’s surprise. He knew exactly how much to say and when to cut a description short when it wouldn’t serve any purpose. His questioning was quicker than Ann’s, and Kat’s by her admission.

“That was distinctly unpleasant,” Bren grumbled as he joined them. “I do not envy Noltra’s position. It is a losing battle, but he must fight it.”

“Could do wit’ a little less attackin’ us,” Kat grumbled.

“It’s his only angle,” Ann sighed as she watched the clerks shuffle papers. “He either discredits us and makes it seem like this was less of a problem that his clients caused, and more of who was sent, or they get whatever punishment is coming.”

“I just hope Rosalyn is alright,” Bren said.

“She’s not built fer this,” Kat agreed.

“The court now calls Rosalyn Losenska to the stand,” the magistrate declared.

“Here we go,” Ann sighed. “Is it cheating to use Stoke the Flames to calm her down a little?”

“Don’t ye dare. These places ‘ave enchantments tae detect emotional manipulation. Ye’re not the first wit’ a skill like tha’.”

Ann nodded. Rosalyn would have to deal with everything on her own, then.

The Druid was ushered in, and guided to the stand. She shrank under the eyes of the gallery, looking around and trying to find a way to hide in plain sight. She found Kat, Ann and Bren, and waved meekly.

“Rosalyn Losenska.”

Rosalyn almost jumped out of her skin as the magistrate addressed her.

“Yes?” she said, a noticeable quaver in her voice.

“You have been called to bear witness on your experiences within the Seed. Please swear upon Illdall’s protection that you will tell the truth.”

“I… I swear it,” Rosalyn nodded. “By Illdall’s protection.”

“Witnessed,” the magistrate nodded. “Prosecution? Your witness.”

Pinoy walked over and leaned against the stand.

Rosalyn regarded him with wide and wary eyes. “Rosalyn Losenska, from River’s Crest, correct?”

“Um… yes?” Rosalyn said quietly. Ann could barely hear her even with her sensitive ears.

“That’s northwest of Graven Keep, correct?”

“A bit more north than west, but right,” Rosalyn nodded.

“I have a cousin out in that area. Beautiful landscape and woods. He prefers it to the bustle of a city. I can tell you share the sentiment. Do not worry and focus on me as we go through this. Just answer the best you can.”

“Objection! Coaching the witness, relevance,” Noltra exclaimed.

“Sustained,” the magistrate declared. “Proceed as normal, Pinoy.”

Despite being chastised, Pinoy’s words had calmed Rosalyn down noticeably. She stopped squirming and focused on Pinoy as he asked her questions. With his attentive questions, she was able to describe her experience in the Seed and how they did their best to save as many people as possible. Her voice still shook, and she refused to look at the crowd, but Ann was impressed with her, all the same.

“My questions are finished,” Pinoy said with a bow. “It has been a pleasure, Miss Losenska.”

“Very well, Noltra, the witness is yours,” the magistrate said, waving him down.

Ann felt her gut tighten as Noltra approached. She didn’t know if he was going to do the same thing to her, but she feared the barrage of questions would overwhelm Rosalyn.

“Miss Losenska. Mercenaries come from all walks of life. What was your life before joining Princess Farragher’s team?”

“I… um, I fought Warped, and tended a Runestone near River’s Crest,” Rosalyn replied.

Noltra looked a little annoyed at the response. Maybe he’d been looking for an admission that she wasn’t used to combat, but Rosalyn was one of the more experienced in their group, with Ann being the least.

“Did you fight frequently?”

“Yes. Any time Warped threatened the town, I was the one to deal with them. I fought all sorts. I have journals and lists and documentation of their biology, if you want proof? I don’t know if you want proof. Is that a thing I need?”

“It is not, Miss Losenska,” the magistrate said with a chuckle. “Continue, Noltra.”

“Any other experiences from your past?”

“Oh, um, yes, actually, I would gather the villagers and help them defend me while I charged the Runestone. It always attracted some nasty swarms of the things, so I had to make sure everyone kept them off of me while I focused. We usually did pretty well, but sometimes we had to stop and let a Quillbear get out of range before we tried again.”

“I… see…” Noltra said, rubbing his beard. “I… have no further questions.”

Rosalyn was dismissed and joined the others. “That was way shorter than I thought it would be. Why’d he only ask like two questions? That was weird, right?”

“Eh,” Ann shrugged. “He seems to be trying to pick at us being young and inexperienced. You basically just took away every angle he could pressure you on. Good job, lambchop,” Ann grinned as she scratched Rosalyn’s scalp.

“It was a deft defence. I concur,” Bren said with a smile.

“I just told him the truth. Just me, and what I’ve done,” Rosalyn demurred.

“All that was needed, love,” Kat purred. “Now the real interestin’ one’s up.”

“The court now calls Lucia Simorgh to the stand,” the magistrate boomed.