"Mists in the Desert"
34 Searing, 122
34 Searing, 122
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INTROITUS
The High Court of the Collegium Magistratuum, which loomed over the Palatine District just below the Palatium Furiarum itself, resembled one of the gladiator arenas found peppered throughout the more commercial neighbourhoods of the capital. The raised stadium seating surrounded an open arena, where a few rows of marble benches were lined up to face the raise Magister's box which was situated at the vertex of the ovular structure. The court was, of course, more pristine than any stadium of sport as it was a place of sacred duty, but apart from the priceless white marble used to construct the stadium and a few trimming accents of precious metal found around the Magister's box, it was more austere than most of the many ornate, official Solunarian buildings- particularly those in the Palatine District. The stadium was well-occupied today, as it had been ever since the start of this particular trial. The energy humming beneath the crowd, too, was not unlike the audience of a blood sport. They were not rowdy, of course, in the presence of the Princeps Praetor- the divine royal pureblooded descendent of the Founders who stood as judge over the proceedings- but they were excited to see two renowned households standing at odds, with the full understanding that one of them would pay at the end of all this. A few elves were in attendance, but it crowd consisted mostly of humans of the Patrician and Equestrian castes- Those wealthy, powerful and/or educated enough to be invested in the gossip of the cream of the Vastii.
Solunarian justice, by and large, took place under the blazing heat of the desert sun. Cases were almost invariably seen in open-air amphitheatres like this one. Their justice, like the bone-bleaching Atraxian sun, was unforgiving but, moreover, a trial was about bringing things to light. And there were few places brighter on Ransera than the Atraxian desert during daylight hours.
Seated on the front row of benches at ground level in the arena proper, were those with personal stake in the case. From the perspective of the Magister's box to the right, in sheer robes of charcoal grey with matching veils to cover their faces from view, sat the family of the accused- Those closely related enough that Solunarian justice might see fit to include in the sentencing. To the left sat the accuser and his cohorts.
In front of of the rows of marble benches were rows of seats for those directly involved in the trial- The accused, Khyos of Gens Nykara and his advocatus, and the advocate of the Crown seated across the aisle to their right.
The latter rose to address the court.
"Your Serene Highness and esteemed members of this Court..." The advocatus ad coronam, a golden elf, directed his words and gestures to the Magister's box alone- For there alone would any decision be rendered. "...The Crown would like to call the accused to testify."
A wave of whispers swept over the stadium, as the Princeps Praetor, another sun elf of handsome countenance, considered the request.
"Very well." He intoned gravely, "Khyos of Gens Nykara, please rise and-..." The words of the High Magister were interrupted by a roar that shook the very foundations of the High Court. Startled at the din, all eyes turned skyward. The court was still as a great wind swept over them- sending papers and other items flying from their surfaces into little, swirling cyclones of debris. A great shadow obscured the sun as, soaring overhead, the beheld the rare sight of a dragon.
"Sit laus Aværys!" Cried the judge as he rose from his seat, only to drop to one knee in reverence. The rest of the court followed suit- From the grandstands where all interest in the case below had been lost, to the ground level arena- Advocates, witnesses, the accused and everyone took to their knees at the sacred sight above. They felt the ground rattle through their very bones as two more shrieks overlapped and two more shadows swept overhead. For one brief moment there was deathly silence as the echo of the draconic roars and the maelstrom of their wingbeats faded in the distance.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a greater quake shook the stadium. Many stumbled from kneeling positions to falling on their sides, as massive talons pierced into the northeasterly velarium and a massive golden dragon perched thereupon, gazing skyward as if wholly unaware of the crowd below.
Those who dared to look up and follow the sight-line of the colossal creature would see that the typically unyielding noonday sun was starting to be obscured by something other than the silhouettes of dragons.
"Mists! The mists are upon us!" It was the voice of the accused, Khyos Nykara, echoing now throughout the stadium. Zalkyriax, lowered his gaze briefly- tilting his great maw down toward the mortals below and, with a snort that emitted plumes of black smoke, his great maw parted.
"Decedere debetis." Boomed the Crownwyrm. "Nunc." And with that, he launched into the air and made toward the mists with gale force winds punctuating his departure. A chaotic exodus ensued, as the court hastened to oblige the demand of the dragon. As the primary exits were flooded with people desperate to flee for cover, the Princeps Praetor descended through his private corridor and Golden Guardsmen guided those on the arena floor through another, unimpeded egress.
Overhead, the rare sight of dragons was supplanted by the more familiar sight of wyvern-riders scrambling to attend to the rare threat of Dread Mists intruding upon their isolated capital.
As the High Court of Solunarium was evacuated, all throughout the the Luxium panic spread. Some ran for cover, while others sought to get to high ground for a better view. Even beyond the capital in Tertium and in smaller settlements, people were reacting to this frightful development.
What happens next is up to you...
