Justice is Blind

[Laveriel]

Justice is Blind

9th of Glade, Year 124 of the Age of Steel

Dawn was barely breaking, but Veriel was already standing in front of a window, staring out at the sleepy city around her. Her fate would be determined today and despite everything she had been telling herself, she could not help feeling off. A sickening feeling had settled at the pit of her stomach. She didn’t know what to expect, what to prepare. No one bothered telling her about how things would go down.

Veriel knew she would be found guilty, She had admitted what she had back then and she would admit it again now. It was just the other details that would be tricky for her to work through. Things like her intentions and what she had in mind. She sighed. It wouldn’t be surprising if she accidentally said something that would end up dooming herself.

As the sun rose higher, she heard the unlocking of her doors. Veriel turned away from the vanity and placed the hairbrush on the table. It felt too early for the trial to start, but perhaps they had something they wanted her to do first. She had never been on trial of any kind during her, so she had no idea of the steps she would need to take. Veriel watched silently as two avialae walked in, one Kathar and one Synnekar. A split second later she realized there was someone behind them. The sound of his steps was familiar, quiet yet firm.

“Laelithar,” she said breathlessly, forgetting his alias entirely. There he was. His black hair was shorter and he seemed just a little thinner. The pathfinder was clad in a simple black suit and carried a bag.

Despite the two avialae watching, the siltori leaped to her feet and ran toward him. She threw herself on him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he embraced her. In the past eighteen years, this was probably the first time they had ever been separated for so long. There were so many things she wanted to tell him. About Ryo and Irdan and the wings and the prisoners- but she couldn’t. Not with the eyes and ear watching.

Veriel didn’t know how long she just stood there, holding on to him. He didn’t say anything, just stroked her hair gently like he often did when she woke up from her nightmares. It was fitting, she supposed. The past three seasons had been a unique version of a nightmare. The only difference was she couldn’t be sure that this one would be over soon. For all she knew, by tomorrow she could be thrown into another cell again.

The male elf was the one to finally slowly pull himself back, looking down at her with concern. His eyes kept scanning her up and down, looking for any visible injuries. “I can’t stay for long and I can’t walk you to the courtroom, but they finally agreed that you deserve to see at least one friendly face after so long.” He shrugged off a bag from his shoulder and pulled out what he had prepared. “I brought you your clothes. I figured you’d be more comfortable in something familiar.”

The knight-captain smiled as she took the bundle of clothes. She ran her fingers across the soft fabric of the dress. At least she didn’t have to wear Imperial clothes to the trial. “Thank you.” She walked over to a folding screen in the corner and changed, not caring about the men in the room. The white dress slipped easily onto her body - a little loose at some parts because of the weight she lost.

Once she was done, Laelithar walked up to her again, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” he asked in a low voice.

Her eyes flickered at the Kathar looking out at them with a blank face. She wondered how much the Kalzasern would know about her time in the Tranal Penitentiary - most likely none of the gruesome details. She considered lying, but an outright lie would just worry her companion more. “I’m fine now. That’s all that matters.”

Laelithar’s eyes flashed with anger, but his face didn’t show it. He had always been the better actor. “Whatever happens in the trial, I’ll be with you.” They were only given the chance to speak for a few more minutes before the Synnekar announced that their time was out. It wasn’t as if they could talk about anything substantial anyway. Laelithar was promptly escorted out and Veriel was left alone in the room once again.

By the time her doors opened again, the nervous energy building up in her body was threatening to explode. She looked up at Kathar who was now approaching her. “Is it time?”

He nodded and gestured at her to walk out the door.

[Aegis]

And so, Laveriel was escorted out of her apartment turned prison quarters, having been provided with appropriate time to dress and otherwise ready herself. On her left, the Synnekar, on her right, the Kathar. She was not kept in cuffs, and her security apparel from the Imperium had already been removed. She was given the dignity of walking into the trial not as a prisoner, but as a free person, possibly for the last time.

As the trio moved through the corridors in which Laveriel was housed, there ahead of them was a pair of serving staff, one human, a woman in cleaning staff regalia, leaning back against a wall. In front of her, an Avialae man, wings with feathers in iridescent greens and blues and purples was looking deeply into the woman's eyes, one hand supporting him on the wall over her shoulder. Laveriel would recognize the colorings of the wings, not for an individual but rather for the colors only seen on Avialae from Ecith. Neither man nor woman looked up as the trio approached, but both guards placed hands on the pommels of their weapons, not spooked, but simply being professional.

As they passed the distracted staff, conversation would be overheard, in a voice that Laveriel had heard once before, back in her jail cell, belonging to the man known as Rory.

"...they never forget," he said smiling, clearly trying to woo the young woman.

"That was one time!" This was accompanied by a playful push against the man's chest. "What should I do now?"

The man's smirk was practically audible before his honey laden words dripped out, "Speak to Truth when asked and say nothing more."

The woman fell into a fit of giggles, and Laveriel and her escort continued onward.

They exited the building into an awaiting litter, her escort growing to three and three Kathar and Synnekar. The two accompanying her joined her inside the litter and the door was shut, activating the runes engraved upon the outside. The remaining four Avialae lifted the litter by the rods, and took off, joining the many other winged folks and flying litters the were a common visual over Kalzasi. This afforded Laveriel a view of the beautiful city, of the people below going about their lives, unaware of the trial that was going on. The powers that be could not keep word of the trial itself quiet, but they had made it into a closed affair, the public would be ignorant of the proceedings until after they had finished.

As such, the litter landed before the entrance of a nondescript building, one that was commonly used for proceedings in which pomp and circumstance were not the desire. The litter was unlocked and Laveriel was escorted out and through the single oaken door, the Avialae all following. Down a long marble hallway she was guided, looked upon by marble statues of all the previous rulers of Kalzasi. They stopped before a set of double doors manned by Kalzasi guards. Paperwork was exchanged and the doors opened silently, revealing the courtroom.

Down a long, crimson carpet were benches, in which sat the few individuals allowed to witness the proceedings. This included the heads of all the major Kalzasi houses, all seated on the left side, including the man crowned King the same day as the crimes that Laveriel is accused of committing. On the right were several representatives of the Emperor's court, and their bodyguards. Sitting slightly ahead of them was the young silver haired man, Taryn, bodyguard to the Princess of Tranal.

Past the bar separating the witnesses and the proceedings area were two ornate tables and chairs. On the left, the table was empty save a scroll, quill, and vial of ink, all seemingly untouched. On the right, the prosecution team, consisting of a man known as Isaac Ketchiv, a legal scholar and historian that has worked extensively with both the Imperium and Kalzasi. Sitting with him was the Imperial Princess of Tranal. Sitting with them were two individuals from Kalzasi's own legal system. The first was a very well known prosecutor, a fierce human woman by the name of Delarose Leheigh. She is known for having rooted out individuals in Kalzasi that provided less seen aid and support to Zaichaer's efforts to assassinate the previous monarch. Sitting next to her was a much older Synnekar, Gamort, a long standing diplomat that has overseen the creation of many of Kalzasi's treaties, alliances, and foreign deals, believed by many to be one of the greatest legal minds in Kalzasi's history.

Past the tables was a raised dais and bench, upon which sat five judges, facing the rest of the court room. On the left, Morihei Yei, the Minister of Justice for Kalzasi. Next to her, Lady Kala Leukos. On the right of the Judges' Bench were two Imperial Inquisitors, one sent from Gel'Grandal, Ikasia Velouette, on behalf of the Emperor directly and one sent from Tranal, Gereld MacTerren. The fifth and final judge, sitting in the center, was Arcas.

Off to the side of the primary area was a table for court recorders, one Kalzasern and one Imperial.

Laveriel was guided down the carpet and through a gate, allowed to walk on her own from this point. There were two empty chairs at the defense's table. The Synnekar guard that had been escorting Laveriel for most of the day now spoke, loud enough for the entire courtroom to hear.

"I present Laveriel d’Revrinti, formerly Iselya d’Svaris, to this Tribunal of Judgment."

Judge MacTerren of Tranal cleared his throat, "Laveriel d'Revrinti, the primary charge against you this day is one of Diplomatic Trespass, a high crime in Kalzasi. Will you be representing yourself this day or have you representation?"

[Kala Leukos]

.

There were times when it was right to exercise one's privilege. Kala hoped this was such a one. As she quietly grew in power, she tried to keep one foot firmly upon the ground, her mortal connections intact, and bow to the structures of authority. She was not Rebellion, but rather Unity; herein was a unique opportunity to explore that.

While she had been taught the law, her studies at the Academy hadn't prepared her to be a lawyer, nor truly a judge. She acknowledged that, and yet Lady Morihei had offered no resistance to her request, not even after she had informed her of her one commercial interaction with Iselya d'Svaris and, years later, her mission with Laveriel d'Revrinti. Kala had offered her receipt from the Tranquil Gardens dated 86th of Ash in the Year 120 of Steel, and she had offered Lord Aoren to answer questions as to her fitness as a judge with regard to their shared mission. It had been Dawnmartyr business, and while parts of it were diamond sharp in her memory, others were strangely full of holes, as if there had been someone there who had been yanked out of her memories.

Kala had revealed her wings to Lady Morihei, as well. Not only was she Avialae, but she had wings, which could easily color her opinions on anything to do with the Gelerian Imperium. Indeed, they did, but she liked to think that she could step outside her prejudices and think critically when the need arose. And if Talon Novalys would not recuse himself for the trial of a Dawnmartyr, she figured she was all right.

She was quiet from the moment she sat at the bench, observing. Her senses, arcane and mundane, were alert. There were Kathar here present, any any iota of insight she might glean from the proceedings that helped her free her cousins would be well earned. Aside from what she might learn, she also wanted to do right by Justice.

Perhaps she would be overlooked as was the wont of her House. Certainly, she was the smallest creature upon the bench. Few would guess a secret fire burned within the diminutive woman in her dark sapphire jewel tones, velvet and silk, cowled and veiled and still.

.

[Laveriel]

Despite being unrestrained, Veriel made no move to run or fight. Either her guards were confident she wouldn’t make a run for it, or they were warded against any magical attack she might attempt. The siltori followed the avialae through the corridors, not paying attention until a familiar voice snapped her focus into place. An avialae was casually flirting with one of the maids, his colorful wings rivaling the tropical birds of Ecith. He was unfamiliar, not anyone Veriel had ever seen before, but his voice was unmistakable.

Rory.

He wasn’t looking at her, not even acknowledging her as she walked past, yet Veriel felt his words were meant for her. “Speak to Truth when asked and say nothing more.” It didn’t entirely make sense, but she couldn’t brush away the nagging feeling growing inside her head.

The rest of the trip was a blur. Before she knew it, they had arrived at the courtroom. It felt odd still standing there when only a handful of days ago she was being beaten in solitary confinement. Veriel had lived in Kalzasi long enough to realize that many important people were attending. It was difficult to explain, but she didn’t like the thought of all these strangers watching her—not that she had any choice about it.

As she walked down the aisle, the knight-captain kept her head down—not in shame, but from exhaustion. The world around her felt distant, muffled, as if she were trapped in a glass box, observing life rather than participating in it. She felt an overwhelming urge to let go, to stop fighting, to surrender to the crushing tide of her own despair. Veriel longed for an end to the relentless grind, a respite from the ceaseless sacrifices the world demanded of her.

So Veriel thought of Ryo. Of his sacrifice. Of the innocents who died that day in Ailos. Of the Dawnmartyrs who were hunted down, still dying and imprisoned to this very moment. She didn’t deserve to wish for rest now. She could only have peace once the price was paid.

By the time the siltori looked up to regard the judges, her silver eyes were cool and steady. There they sat, looking down on her—the men and women chosen to judge her actions, to decide her fate. Inquisitors from the Imperials. One woman and one veiled figured from Kalzasi. Perhaps they would be understanding, perhaps they would not. She wondered what else they would ask of her. Then there was Arcas himself. His judgment was what she wanted to find out. Would the Lightbringer punish her or would he absolve her?

Whatever they decided, she would find a way to do what she needed to.

“Laveriel d'Revrinti, the primary charge against you this day is one of Diplomatic Trespass, a high crime in Kalzasi. Will you be representing yourself this day or have you representation?”

Veriel blinked. She was about to say no, as no one had told her the details of the trial. But then she remembered Rory's words: Speak to Truth.

Could it be?

“Yes, it’s…” Veriel trailed off into a sigh and closed her eyes briefly. There was no time for hesitation. She couldn’t believe she was about to say this out loud. If she got it wrong… Still, she thought back to that voice. The wings, the words—it couldn’t have been a coincidence. Besides, this wouldn’t be the craziest thing she had ever done. The siltori looked up and met Judge MacTerren’s eyes. “I will be represented by Raxen Sundersword.”

[Aegis]

In the immediate moment following Laveriel's words, the doors to the court room opened once more. A massive silhouette was seen in the doorway and the heads of all the witnesses turned to see if her words were true. The silhouette moved, revealing an Orkhan man several feet taller than the Avialae guards that were escorting him. Ashen skinned with dark hair, his tusks prominently jutting from between his lips, the man was adorned in one of the many Ecithian formal wears. He wore a bright, multicolored, multilayered robes, in deep, complex patterns, open at the chest, revealing both scars and tattoos upon his skin. He walked upon sandals of soft wood, his fingers adorned with a variety of rings of gems and bone, his hair intertwined with colorful ribbons and feathers. Walking behind him was a smaller, slender man, elven, pale with silver hair. His features were sharp, pointed, and angular, and he wore a simple silver set of robes.

All those who laid eyes upon the Orkhan man would know, deep within their hearts, that this was the god, Raxen Sundersword, the First War Chief, the Truthsmith, Braveheart. His stories spanning multiple Ages found home in almost every culture, a champion of truth, a warrior of the highest degree, and a man that never let fear stay his hand. He was a man known by reputation and it was confirmed absolutely under the gaze of all who looked upon him. His companion, on the other hand, was unknown to all.

As they approached the table for the defense, those with particularly attuned magical senses would feel a shifting in reality. This was not magic, this was divine, the world was being remade. And there was a little note in that action, a reminder of a written notice created for this hearing.

'The accused will have enough seating for themselves and their representation.'

And so, a third chair seemed to be at the table, perhaps had always been there. At least, so it seemed to those without the ability to view the divine actions. Raxen moved in behind Laveriel, placing a large, gentle hand upon her shoulder, as he sat down upon her left, while the slender, silvery elf sat upon her right. As this man found his place, Laveriel would now be able to feel a connection with him, one that had already existed with her, and for a while now. A connection of protection, one that would always come to Laveriel in her time of need, in her pursuit of Justice, Hope, and Light, he would always be at her side.

And his name was Novuril.

Judge MacTerren spoke through the tense silence, "Let the record show that Raxen Sundersword is leading the defense of Laveriel d'Revrinti."

The scribes scribbled away.

Delarose Leheigh now rose, in the formal, form fitting robes of the Kalzasern elite, and quietly made her way to the center of the chamber, turning to look upon Laveriel. Her eyes were not the cold, calculating gaze one might expect from a prosecuting attorney who was attempting to put one in jail. No, she had the disappointed look of a mother learning her son was the school bully. Delarose was not a prosecutor in need of making a name for herself, she was one who fully believed in the weight and power of the law.

She turned from Laveriel to face the judges, "Esteemed justices, we are here today not to determine the guilt of Laveriel d'Revrinti, for that has already been given in her own admission, but rather the extent of her guilt and the damages caused by her actions. We will share with you today the tale of an individual who showed poor judgment when approached by a foreign agent. Of an individual who sought to circumvent Kalzasi's own security and legal systems as she took it upon herself to wield her rank and privilege to exact what she thought would be best. She commanded and coerced loyal subordinates into joining her in this illegal endeavor, one that very well could've ended with a massive loss of Kalzasern and Imperial life, and potentially could have initiated a war. Laveriel d'Reverinti is a dangerous, reckless individual who has no concern for the life and well being of herself or of any who have the misfortune of falling within her sphere of influence. She is a blight and curse upon our enlightened society and dared to threaten the health and well being of every Kalzasern and Imperial citizen."

Delarose paused, taking a breath, before turning to look toward Laveriel.

"Her guilt is not at doubt here. We are here to assess the extent of her potential and actual damages and enact a punishment appropriate for her crimes."

She turned once more to the judges, giving a small nod, before returning to her seat at the table.

Raxen slid his chair back, standing up, tucking his arms behind his back, one wrist laying in the gentle grip of his other hand, as he looked upon the judges now. His broad shoulders were pulled back, his chin was up, and his gaze intense. His voice rumbled when he spoke, the grinding of a mountain being born across eons. "Laveriel d'Revrinti is innocent of all charges placed against her. Together, we will discover the heart of this matter and to find the real and true criminals. They are not individuals that may be cuffed, imprisoned, tortured and abused, but rather, they are systems so poorly built and utilized that anything that occurs counter to them appears as a heinous crime. We will see that this entire situation, and every crime of which Ms. d'Revrinti is accused could not have occurred or existed had the Kalzasern justice and security system actually operated to the high esteem it holds itself. However, these systemic failings are not alone in their guilt, but are accompanied by the malicious successes of the Galerian Imperium's own systems. Laveriel d'Reverinti is not a criminal for her actions, but rather she is one of the few with both the ability and the willingness to make the difficult and rapid decisions necessary to preserve life and peace. Not only is this counter to the criminality being painted upon her person, but is also behavior that has been accepted and rewarded by the Kalzasern governance."

He looked back at Laveriel now, giving her a small nod, before turning back to the judges.

"Her guilt is not at doubt here. We are here to assess the extent of the damages that she prevented from coming to pass and show that every action of hers was both legal and welcomed under Kalzasern law and practice."

And with his opening statement finished, Raxen took his seat once more. It was now up to the judges to decide which witness would be questioned first. The list of witnesses had been provided in advance and all the witnesses had been contacted to be at trial at this time. Those who appeared were currently being held in private chambers that connected to the court room through a side entrance. If they did not arrive by the time their name was called by the Judges, they would not have a chance to speak their piece. During the questioning of each witness, Laveriel would also be expected to be questioned and mount her defense.

Both Delarose's and Raxen's eyes fell upon Lady Kala now, awaiting for the first witness to be selected.

The following witnesses had been called upon:

Captain Shorzcik, commander of the Imperial ship
Knight Marshall Neverfall, leader of the Ailosian Dawnmartyrs
Senator Khijata of the Ecithian Commonwealth
Hikami Yoko of Kalzasi
Knight-Lieutenant Rivalron, member of the Dawnhold Dawnmartyrs

[Laveriel]

When the courtroom door flew open, it took her a few moments to process the imposing figure striding towards her. Veriel had never met the demigod before, but in that instant, she knew it was truly Raxen. For some reason, the Moritasi had decided to help her. Veriel couldn’t help but look up at Arcas and then back at Raxen. She would have never imagined that her life would come to this.

Then, Veriel noticed the man following Raxen. He was a male elf with silver hair and dark eyes, his features not unlike those of her own race. She could swear that she had never seen him before, yet something deep inside her told her that she knew him. At a glance, he appeared ordinary, but something nagged at her, and Veriel couldn’t take her eyes off him as her mind tried to figure out what was wrong.

It was only when he stood by her side and smiled that it clicked inside her head.

Veriel had heard countless stories about Novuril, but none of them spoke about the legendary sword transforming into a person. Had Raxen’s presence changed it somehow? Her mind couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing, but deep in her core, she knew who he was—what he was. A hundred questions perched on her tongue, but it was not the time. Still, it was only when the prosecutor started speaking that Veriel tore her eyes away from the man.

The dawnmartyr watched Prosecutor Laheigh steadily, trying to note every accusation. As Laheigh said, Veriel had already admitted what she had done that day and even provided visual proof of it. Even though in the end the whole ordeal was stopped and no one was hurt, it seemed they still wanted to punish her—despite her having served months in an Imperial prison already. While the dawnmartyr had expected the Imperium to come for her, it was an unpleasant realization to know that Kalzasi wanted her to suffer just as much.

“We are here to assess the extent of her potential and actual damages and enact a punishment appropriate for her crimes.”

Her lips twitched as a spark of anger ignited in her chest and she lowered her gaze to hide her reaction. It was ironic how they wanted to quantify something she had not done and punish it, while there were real crimes committed where the perpetrators still roamed free, causing more destruction. To these people, what happened to her were just tales, another blot in history that they wanted to move on from quickly. They only cared about war if it affected them.

“Her guilt is not at doubt here. We are here to assess the extent of the damages that she prevented from coming to pass and show that every action of hers was both legal and welcomed under Kalzasern law and practice.”

t seemed to her that Raxen’s angle was to justify her actions in the eyes of the law. Certainly better than the defense Veriel had prepared for herself. The dawnmartyr had been ready to simply accept the guilty verdict and then convince everyone that the only reason she did it was because of what happened to Ryo.

Veriel clasped her hands together on the table and waited for the first witness to be called upon.

[Kala Leukos]

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The pageantry of this high court was matched by its players. Already, their Arcas Reborn sat among the judges; then, an Orkhan demigod from Ecith was called to marshal Laveriel's defense. How she had managed that was a story Kala would have loved to know, but that was not the matter at hand. Still and serene, her heartbeat did pick up at the revelation, though Avatar had assured her that her wards were sufficient to hide her divine nature from all save the Dragon Gods and Mistlords themselves. Raxen might see her wings under her magical raiment, but that was all.

His assistant felt familiar, but it wasn't until he identified himself that her eyes widened. The sword? Strange things were certainly afoot. She glanced to Laveriel, compassion for her situation tempered by the crisis point upon which they all balanced.

After the brief introductory—and contradictory—opening statements, she looked to Lady Morihei, who nodded. Perhaps her youth and slight stature made the older woman want to mentor her, and that was why she had delegated some perfunctory authority to her. In any case, it fell to Kala to call witnesses for the judiciary. The first was the Imperial captain. When he was in place, she said:

"Captain Shorzcik, please relate to the court your perception of the events here scrutinized. When you have finished, Mistress Lehigh will question you, and then Lord Raxen will cross-examine. Do you understand? Then you may begin."

Her voice was soft, but carried. To be thorough, the court would hear all witnesses; those of Imperial provenance would be questioned by the prosecution first, while those of Kalzasern would first be questioned by the defense. They could object to anything said, of course, but Kala, at least, wanted to hear the testimony uncluttered by politicking and legal trickery. There was a time and a place for that—after the testimony.

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