“Order! Order,” the magistrate called as he took his seat. “We will now begin the defence’s testimony.”

“Poor bastard.”

“What an awful place to be in.”

“This should be quick.”

“Think it’ll be a hanging?”

“This will be such a slog.”

“That middle one looks so scary.”

“Monsters.”

“Thugs.”

“Killers.”

“Devils.”

“Evil.”

The court murmured quietly. The magistrate tried to get things under control, then started ejecting people.

Ann shifted nervously in her seat, her ears swivelling as they caught hushed conversations. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Kat’s ears twitching as well.

The mood in the room was dark. Angry eyes focused on the accused, giving them the full brunt of their ire. The people had made up their minds, and in their hearts, this was a formality not needed.

“Further outbursts will be punished with incarceration,” the magistrate warned. He looked furious, and his knuckles were white as he gripped his gavel. “I will not have this devolve into a madhouse.” He paused, waiting several seconds. Once the murmurs silenced, he returned his focus to the boxes with the attorneys. “Defence. To reiterate, the charges placed upon you are as follows: wilful falsification of records, endangerment of civilian lives, fraud against the Mercenary Association, and murder by false report.”

He paused, letting the gravity of the charges settle.

“Now, we have recorded your pleas. Of the five, we have Bircin Mahon pleading guilty, Kelan Given pleading guilty, Vale Healy pleading guilty, Edie Enright pleading guilty, and Ia Shanley pleading guilty. Does this stand?”

Noltra stood. “Yes, Your Honour.”

“Very well. Proceeding, we will now hear from the defendants. Statements will be taken, questions asked by both prosecution and defence, and then we will conclude today’s session.”

“So we’re not getting judgement today?” Ann whispered to Bren.

“No. That will be in a couple days. After deliberating. Then the sentence will be declared along with an announcement of the date of the punishment.”

“Gotcha,” Ann nodded, returning her focus to the floor.

“First, we have Bircin Mahon. As leader of the offending party. Please take the stand.”

Bircin was an overall good looking Alfhindur. Strong and thick of neck, he made an intimidating sight even in plain clothes.

“Now, we have it on record that you are the one who filled out the incorrect report stating that the Guardian was defeated. Is that correct?” Noltra asked as he made his way to the floor.

“That is correct,” Bircin said in a smooth, higher-pitched voice.

“What say you in your defence?”

“Well, that I didn’t mean for so many to get hurt,” Bircin replied.

“So you knew that this would lead to injury, if not death, and proceeded? Why?”

“I was broke,” Bircin explained calmly. “Had debts I needed paid, and it was about the best I could do.”

“So you had innocents pay with their lives for your mistakes?” Noltra asked smoothly. “What gives you the right?”

“What gives you the right to judge my spot in life, huh?” Bircin shot back. “I did what I had to do. Same as any of them woulda.” As he spoke, he waved a hand at the crowd.

“This court is appointed by the crown to do just that. To investigate and judge,” Noltra reminded him casually. “Moving on, we have your signature on record. There is no refuting that it was your hand that sent those men and women to their deaths. Today we are to determine the severity of your crime and mitigating or contributing factors. You grew up in Thalten, correct?”

“That’s right,” Bircin confirmed.

“Son of a corn farmer. Grew up as a fine youth by reports, and was given a combat Path upon your maturation. From there, you joined up in the Mercenary Association. Over the years, you had middling success in the occupation, providing aid to outskirt towns, but from witness reports you were not satisfied with this. You boasted of taking on a Seed. Taking on the worst monstrosities of the Warped and finding glory. Your first attempt was an abject failure.”

“Wasn’t a damn failure! We fought hard, and we came back better!” Bircin burst out.

“One party member dead, another permanently wounded and forced to retire. Not what I would call a success.”

Bircin grumbled to himself but remained silent.

“You tried again, and again, and again. Over time you got stronger, more skilled, and made headway. You were shaping up to be a fine mercenary, Mr. Mahon. Then you became even more aggressive. Please explain why,” Noltra prompted.

“Merc work is expensive stuff,” Bircin started. “Just the equipment can cost a small fortune. Then you break something keeping you alive, and you’ve gotta worry about replacing it or repairing it. It all piles up.”

“Many a mercenary has made a good living off this line of work. What made your situation different?”

“Gotta have better equipment if you’re gonna be the best. I took out a loan, and got myself some good armour and a good sword. They changed a lot. Got me some good coin off that.”

“And that allowed you to pay back your debts?”

“Hells no,” Bircin shook his head. “Between keeping up with more expensive repairs, having to live, and having fun, shit disappeared before I knew what happened to it.”

“Please keep the language civil,” the magistrate reminded Bircin.

“Sure, Your Honour. Anyway, it piled up, and then the collectors came in with something they called ‘interest’. Dunno what fancy shit that was, but they explained it meant I owed more than what I paid for. Now, that didn’t make sense to me, and I told them as much. Got a few bruises off that, broke my hand too. That was another expense. Before long I had shit, er, sorry, nothing to my name.”

“Nothing to your name, and at a point of desperation,” Noltra said solemnly. “Not a place anyone would envy. This is what pushed you to this heinous act?”

Bircin hung his head. “Yeah. Felt like I had no other choice, so I put up the plan to some trusted friends. We went out and fought the seed, then falsified the report for the money. I could pay off my debts and we could get away before anything happened.”

A commotion from the defence box erupted. “LIAR!” one of the party screamed. The human male was beet red in fury as he screamed. “You didn’t tell us shit!”

“Silence!” the magistrate boomed. “You will have your turn to speak. Hold your tongue until then.”

Ann watched the man sit back down, but his eyes were burning holes in Bircin’s face. She didn’t think she’d seen anyone so angry.

“Continue,” the magistrate said to Bircin.

“That’s really all there was, Your Honour. Just a lad down on his luck. Made a choice out of desperation, and foolishness.”

“Noltra. Do you have any questions or further evidence you wish to provide?” Pinoy asked. 

“Unfortunately, no. As his debts are with less savoury personages, a physical record was not maintained.”

“So, there is no proof of these debts?”

“No,” Noltra shook his head. “None were able to obtain them.”

“Then this is hearsay at best,” Pinoy proclaimed.

“We do not live in the fortunate times where all things were recorded. Long lost to history and time are the Infinite Records. We make do with what we have.”

“Infinite Records?” Ann asked Bren.

“Something from your time. Lost technology,” he whispered back.

“Oh, the internet, got it,” Ann nodded, returning her attention back to the floor.

“Permission to question the defendant?” Pinoy asked the magistrate.

“Granted,” the magistrate waved a hand.

“Mr. Mahon. You have willingly sent a large amount of people into harm’s way, correct?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Bircin nodded.

“You did so for your own monetary gain, premeditated, and without remorse?”

“Well, I planned it if that’s what you’re getting at, yeah.”

Pinoy didn’t let him finish. “And from the previous outburst from your companion, it appears you were the only one in the know of what your objective entailed. Am I getting this right?”

“Naw, they knew it. They’re just trying to save their own skin,” Bircin said, glaring at the woman.

“No doubt, no doubt,” Pinoy said, pacing. “You are the furthest progressed of your group. What’s to say you did not pressure your party members into cooperating?”

“Me? You think I could take all four of ‘em?” Bircin let out a bark of laughter. “Nah. I’m not that good.”

“No? You are just over double the level of the next highest in your party. Not only that, but have a Path our records show, as being excellent against groups. If you wanted, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“I…” Bircin faltered. “I’m not saying anything.”

“No. No you are not,” Pinoy grinned. “But perhaps one of your friends will in your stead. I am finished with him, Your Honour.”

“Very well. Mr. Mahon, return to your seat. The court now calls Vale Healy to the stand.”

The seething woman stood and marched to the stand. Noltra barely had time to introduce her before she cut him off.

“Bircin’s a lying piece of dung, Your Honor,” she spat. “We can all attest to it. He did this to get rich and we can all testify to it. He didn’t have money troubles. I’ve seen him squirrelling his portions of money away. Hiding it from everyone. When he brought this job to us, he told us it was just going to be a culling. Go in, fight Warped, get progression, make a little coin for doing some work. We get to the Seed out in the middle of nowhere. Walking in, all’s cool as a crystal, then the bastard draws his weapon on us. Threatens to kill us unless we sign the damn report with him. Told us not to tell a soul unless we love our families. I’ve got kids, believe it or not. My work’s dangerous enough without my own team trying to kill me.”

“But he is just one man,” Pinoy said, trying to poke a hole in her story. “One man can’t watch you five forever. What stopped you from approaching the authorities before the expedition?”

“I was scared,” the woman mumbled. Ann’s hearing, and likely any Alfhindur in the room could hear it, but no one else.

“Come again?” Pinoy asked. He would have heard her, but needed the rest of the room to.

“I was Godsdamned scared, alright? I can deal with Warped and fighting monsters, but I don’t know what to do against a person? I don’t know if he’s got other people watching me. Terrified me, so I kept quiet for my family’s sake.”

“Thank you. I can confirm that Mrs. Healy has two children and a husband in Korvas. We have questioned them and found they have no information on the mission besides that she went to fight in a Seed. I see no reason to doubt her testimony,” Pinoy stated. “Threats made, while difficult to prove, should be taken into consideration. Mr. Mahon had every advantage while making them. Power imbalances like these are common in the criminal underworld. The Gods have gifted us great power, even with the restrictions placed upon us, and inequality rears its ugly head in times like this.”

“This is all conjecture,” Noltra protested. “I call for a recess. Clearly, those under my charge are not as united as first expected. I would be doing a disservice to some if I were to try to defend them all.”

The magistrate pinched the bridge of his nose. “Granted. This session is adjourned. The defendants will each be assigned an attorney individually, and we will reconvene in two days’ time. Dismissed.” Bang. The gavel struck, and the room erupted in chatter.

Guards rushed into the room, separating the defendants quickly and escorting them out a side door. Despite the roar, Ann could still hear Bircin cursing Vale out as he was dragged away.

“Well, that got way more interesting,” she whistled. “A party divided is gonna fall. A party leader holding the rest of the group hostage? Shit. Think they’ll get deals for testifying against Bircin?”

“I would be surprised if they did not,” Bren said over the din. “They have a way to get out of this with reduced sentences. I have a feeling Bircin will be hanging before the week is out.”

They started following the crowds out of the courtroom and into the larger main hall.

“Still not sure how I feel about execution,” Ann sighed.

“You came from a gentler time,” Rosalyn said softly. “Sorry it’s going to come to this, but this is the law.”

“I know it is, but it still frustrates me. Just because it’s the law doesn’t mean I can’t see it as wrong.”

“Nae, ye’re right,” Kat said. “Ye can see it as wrong. Just gotta live wit’ them bein’ the consequences o’ this kingdom. We can skip goin’ tae the execution. If it’d make ye feel better.”

“I think I’ll pass, yeah,” Ann nodded. “Not my thing.”

“Ann, been meanin’ tae ask ye about this. What happens when it’s another person we’re fightin’?”

“Hm?”

They made their way out to the steps of the court, overlooking the courtyard and buildings under the mountain before them.

“This place ain't perfect, love. Time’s gonna come when ye’re gonna have tae fight an’ maybe kill another person. I worry ye’re not gonna deal wit’ tha’ very well.”

“Me too,” Rosalyn said. “I’ve never had to kill someone before, but I’ve fought off a few bandits. I was ready to finish the job when I was fighting because it was protecting my friends and family. You’re going to be a target soon, Ann. As much as Kat is. Maybe even more. I don’t know about most of the world, but I know the stories. Big people have big enemies. The way I figure it, that’s either other people or really strong Warped.”

Ann stood there, watching people chat, eat, and go about their day. A Bultrong man and an Alfhindur woman sharing a bowl of dumplings. A stressed looking human with a five o’clock shadow and sweaty hair paced the steps. Businessmen and women moving to and fro. People. 

She didn’t know any of them, but the thought that they could be her enemy for whatever reason made her heart hurt. Ann had never lived a life of enemies or friends. Yeah, she had a few bullies she didn’t like, but that wasn’t the same thing. Not to her.

“I… I don’t know,” Ann said. She felt terrified that she didn’t. Could she kill someone? If they were trying to hurt or kill Kat, Rosaly, Bren or Lucia? She’d fight them, yeah, but could she kill? “I don’t know.”

“Ann, it’s not a bad thing to not want to,” Rosalyn said, taking her hand. “It’s actually really good. Problem is, well, it can be needed. I’d kill for you. In a heartbeat, if someone was earnestly trying to end your life, I’d make sure they didn’t get up.”

“Same fer me,” Kat nodded. Her eyes were cold. The icy blue duller than normal. “I’ll protect ye all. No matter the cost.”

“I… I feel like I could,” Ann said. “I… it’s a hard thing to think about.”

“Like the lamb said, ye’re from a gentler time. Plenty o’ folk that don’t want tae fight or kill in this time neither. We all just know that shite can go real bad, and defendin’ ourselves is important. Bren carries that knife fer a reason.”

Bren nodded. “My Path is of a healer. My job is to keep you all alive. If that means getting my hands bloody, then so be it.”

“Me too,” Lucia said. “Am newer, but will protect Bren. Means you three too.”

“Look at me, bleeding heart,” Ann laughed uncomfortably. “Damnit. I wish this was easier to say. I just can’t know.” She looked down at her hands, extending her claws. “Like, the action would probably be easy enough, but the will to go through with it?”

“Ann, put it aside,” Bren said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Think on it, but do not force the answer. It will come to you in time. Likely when that decision matters most.”

His eyes, so full of compassion, watched her face as Ann slowly nodded.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’ll think about it. Gods, I’m so fucking tired. Can we go like, look at ducks or something in a park for a bit?”

“Ooh, yeah, that sounds nice. I’m gonna grab some bread, be right back!” Rosalyn said.

“Do you all even have ducks?” Ann asked.

“Are ducks waterfowl that love bread?” Bren asked as he watched Rosalyn excitedly buy a few wraps without the filling from a confused vendor.

“Yeah, pretty much. They quack and get really pushy if you show them you have food.”

“Then we have something like them,” Bren said.

“They don’t have black and white heads like Horace did, right?”

“No, no. Well, some of them do. We avoid those. Most are brown or iridescent green. Gorgeous.”

“Yeah, that sounds right. Let’s go,” Ann said, grabbing Rosalyn by the horn as she charged back, turning her around and bringing her into a side hug as they walked. Kat came up on the other side and sandwiched Ann between them. Heavy thoughts persisted, but felt more distant when her girlfriends were close. Googlᴇ search novelꜰire.net