by J. A. Comley
Starla? Can you understand me if we communicate this way?
Yes, Starla answered back in her mind. She seemed confused at the ability. Something nagged at her but he didn't pursue it.
I want to know what happened to you. You appear to have been crying. Where have all your wounds gone? And is that blood on your tunic?
Talking this way was different. The emotions behind the thought were more clear than they would ever be in a normal conversation. An undiluted sense of a person's true intentions pervaded everything. Right now, the High Lord's light radiated concern and confusion.
He misses nothing, Starla mused as the High Lord asked after the blood stains.
She felt his amused agreement in her mind before his presence grew serious again. Blushing, Starla realised that any overt thought she had would be detectable by him.
Please? Larkel prodded, as Starla blushed, her presence shying away from his.
Starla hesitated, looking up at the him, his gaze as intense and focused as the presence she felt in her mind, but his face was curiously empty.
I do not want our conversation to draw attention.
Quickly, she concentrated on schooling her own expression, letting it assume the politely interested look she had perfected during Sunday teas at the church, when all the village turned out to talk with Father Joe after the service. The High Lord's presence was still waiting patiently.
Reluctantly, she drew him to the fuzzy memory but before handing it over, she had to ask.
Is there anyway that you can see this without me having to relive it? I don't really know what it is but …
The High Lord could feel the fear and shame behind her request.
Yes. Just focus all your attention on something outside your body, outside yourself.
Handing the memory over, Starla focused all her attention on the High Lord, himself. She took in the strong jaw line, the dark eyebrows above his indigo eyes, the long eyelashes that framed them. Beneath his robe, she could see the hints of a strong physique. Shaking her head at the direction her thoughts were going, she carefully turned her attention to monitoring his expression.
His eyes lost a little focus as he began to view the memory. Then rage blazed in their indigo depths and his gaze shot across the seats. He looked ready to bolt out of his chair and physically attack the Baron. Starla cringed and hastily retuned to his presence in her mind. It was fuming, pulsing with anger and disgust.
High Lord, please, calm down. She felt her body trembling again, an instinctual reaction to the shear power he radiated.
His indigo eyes locked with her emerald ones. She tried to soothe his presence. Breathing deeply, he calmed himself but the anger didn't leave him completely. Starla was about to plead again, when he suddenly stood.
“I have an enquiry.” His deep voice was soft, dangerous. “Baron Braxton, is it your custom to assault—”
The Baron's laugh cut him off. “I assaulted no-one, Larkel. She attempted to attack me, I defended myself. Captain Trent was there. He can corroborate,” he added, waving his hand in a lazy manner.
Captain Trent stood as the High Lord's gaze sought him out. Methodically, he confirmed what the Baron had said, swearing that he had been present the whole time and that nothing untoward had happened.
Liar! Starla nearly screamed it out loud.
“Would you care to repeat that statement under the Verelios Beam?”
The ginger-haired Captain shot a look to the Baron as the High Lord gazed at him menacingly.
“Enough tarrying, Larkel.” The Baron stood, sounding like an exasperated parent. “You have tried to delay this trial over and over. It is the King's wish that we proceed now. Any and all other queries that are unrelated to this trial can be taken up afterwards.”
Starla glanced around. Many looked confused but were nodding agreement with the Baron. The High Commander had her mouth slightly agape, staring at the High Lord. Only a cat-eared Makhi in the front row looked like he had expected the outburst, a small, amused smile curling his lips.
The King murmured his agreement with the Baron and ordered the trial to continue.
Starla stared intently at the High Lord as he sat. Suddenly, she was in his head. His thoughts were racing through various scenarios of what he would like to do to the Baron afterwards.
She barely contained a laugh as he started at finding her there.
Sorry, I didn't do it on purpose.
His presence grew light, like he was laughing inside but it quickly became grim, cold, and it seemed to gently, but firmly, push her out of his head and hold her at a distance.
They are about to begin. Starla, you will still be able to feel me, and I, you. Would you prefer me to withdraw?
No, Starla responded. She knew she had answered too quickly, desperately almost, and felt the blush of chagrin rising in her cheeks. Standing straighter as the Commander took her place, she completed the thought more calmly. You are the only ally I have.
He shuffled in his seat, as if disquieted by her trust. She tried to get a read on his presence but it seemed masked.
Shaking her head, she looked up to the Commander. She was as ready as she would ever be. Hopefully, her trust had not been misplaced. The sense of his personality she had gained seemed to be impossible to reconcile with someone cruel or dangerous.
“My King,” the Commander began with a light bow, “my Lords, I call Officer Gruyard Thum, of the Citizen Guard of Galatia, to the witness block.”
A young man stood and shuffled onto the witness block on Starla's left. With a jolt, she recognised him as the gate guard who had been on duty when she had arrived at the city.
The High Lord stood and swore the man in and sat down after the Guard's right hand was shrouded in silver light.
Can he hear you too, now? Starla asked, curious, unsure whether the powerful High Lord would answer.
No, not unless I wish him to. But he wouldn't be able to do what you can. Our bond is … different. With him, I can see into his mind, see if he lies. But he would not be aware of anything.
The Commander nodded her thanks to Larkel then turned to face the witness.
“How long have you been a member of the Citizen Guard of Galatia, Officer Thum?”
“Three months, my lady,” Gruyard mumbled, voice hesitant.
“Are you permitted ever to man an open city gate alone?”
“No, my High Commander,” he said, eyes focused on the air somewhere to the left of the Commander's head.
Starla noted the young man's hands trembling and felt a new wave of guilt for the trouble she had brought on this man.
“And yet, in your witness statement to this Hall, you said that you were alone when the accused and company arrived at the Southern Gate. Do you stand by this statement?”
“Yes, High Commander.” Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead.
The Commander waited, growing impatient. “Tell the Hall why you were manning a Gate alone, Officer Thum,” she finally barked.
“Yes, High Commander,” he said, saluting, then blushing. “I, um, the … Lieutenant Paal was on duty with me. Upon word of the King's return, both she and the Makhi serving were called away. So … so I was alone,” he finished, lamely.
“Is it then your claim that a Lieutenant of the Royal Guard ordered you to continue manning the Southern Gate alone?”
“No! No, High Commander. She, uh, Lieutenant Paal ordered that I close the Gate immediately.” His voice trailed off into a whisper as his face blushed burgundy.
The High Commander shook her head but Starla noted a measure of compassion in her eyes when she turned back to the High Stand.
“My King, my Lords, I call on Lieutenant Falin Paal to the witness bloc to corroborate.” The Commander bowed again.
A stern-faced woman with short hair dark as pitch rose and climbed the stand to Starla's right. The High Lord rose and swore her in. As the light enveloped the lieutenant's hand, Starla felt the weight of yet another mi
nd join the High Lord's burden.
“Lieutenant Paal, you have served under me for fifty years now?” the Commander began, turning to address the new witness.
“Fifty-six, High Commander,” Falin answered proudly, chest puffing out.
Fifty-six!
Starla couldn't believe what she was hearing. Neither of them looked a day beyond thirty! And even that would have been a stretch. She felt the High Lord's amusement as he grew aware of her confusion. Starla tried to send a glare through her thoughts rather than with her eyes. His presence grew even more amused.
I will explain later, he said, finally relenting. Right now, you need to concentrate. And so do I.
Again, she became aware of the weight of the spells he was holding. She sent her agreement and then turned her attention back to the proceedings.
“Did you leave this inexperienced officer alone at the only open entrance to our City?”
“Yes, High Commander. My orders were that he descend and lock the gate with all haste. He was then to remain on watch from the tower until a senior officer could replace me at the gate.”
“You acknowledge that in leaving before he had sealed the gate, you committed a breach of protocol?” the Commander's tone indicated that she did not like having her guard prove ineffective.
“Yes, High Commander. I give my humblest apologies to my Commander and to my King,” Falin said, saluting and kneeling down on one knee.
The King waved a hand. The lieutenant rose, eyes down, ashamed.
Starla felt her insides squirming with guilt. Another person in trouble because of her.
“Were you and Officer Thum alone on the Gate at the time my summons reached you?” Commander Medara continued.
“Yes, my lady. Makhi Wekin, who served with us, had already left.”
The Commander turned to the High Stand. “For the record, High Lord, it was by your own summons that the Makhi Celicia Wekin left her post at the Southern Gate?”
“Yes, High Commander. As always, the King's arrival calls for an added number of Makhi to the Tower Wall,” Larkel replied smoothly.
“Thank you, High Lord.” Medara turned back to Falin. “I have no further questions for you, Lieutenant. If my Lords also have none, you may step down.”
The High Lord waited for the King, Prince and Baron to each speak the phrase, “I have no questions for this witness,” before standing again.
“Lieutenant Falin Paal, I release you.”
Instantly, the light shrouding the Lieutenant's hand vanished.
Starla felt the High Lord's relief at having one less mind to contend with, yet the amount of energy she had felt from his presence when this first started was barely diminished. As her curiosity probed deeper, she realised that it wasn't magical weariness he was suffering from. It was all physical. He clearly hadn't slept since the Shield had failed the night before.
Not really sure what she was doing, she tried somehow to ease the burden, maybe lend him a little of her own energy. She felt ridiculous. The High Lord jolted upright in his chair, as if he had just been goosed. His indigo eyes locked on Starla and she smiled up at him sheepishly.
Sorry, she sent, I only wanted to help.
A ghost of a smile played on his lips before he looked away and the barrier masking him from her grew subtly stronger. The High Commander was moving back to Officer Thum now that the lieutenant had taken her seat.
“Officer Thum, tell this Hall why you chose to disobey direct orders from your superior?” The Commander's voice was heavy with disapproval.
“I … I just wanted … I needed to be sure there were no refugees on the Stair, High Commander.” His eyes were locked on the Commander's boots. A murmur of alarm spread through the Hall. The Commander stared wide eyed at the young officer.
“You mean to say that you not only left the gate open, but unguarded!” Medara's words sliced the air, silencing the murmurs. A vein pulsed angrily in her temple.
“Yes, High Commander,” Thum whispered, refusing to lift his eyes. “I was halfway to the Stair when two of the ladies appeared. One other and two children followed and one began to walk forward, staring at the city.” He glanced sideways at Starla before continuing. “I asked all the proper questions. They answered. I told them that I would let them into the tower, but no further. Then she … the accused, said she had a brother waiting at the Shanebury Inn, that they'd been attacked on the way. She'd told him to run. I … I let them in because they promised to return … I … they—” The young guard stopped, tears running down his cheeks.
The High Commander's expression held both compassion and consternation. “Officer Thum, did it ever occur to you to lock the other four in the tower, escort the accused to the Inn and then return her to the tower?”
“No, High Commander, no.” His voice was a hoarse whisper. “They'd said they were from Simik. I believed them. I believed—”
A harsh laugh drowned out the rest of his sobbing whisper.
“With your permission, High Commander, I wish to address the witness.” Without waiting for Medara's nod, the Baron continued. “You believed?” he sneered. “You think we perform a Trace on our refugees for fun, boy?”
Officer Thum was trembling badly. He opened his mouth but nothing came out.
The Baron snorted. “I declare that you are a naïve, incompetent imbecile. You should be stripped of your position. Perhaps you are even a co-conspirator?”
“No! No, Baron! My lord, please, I do not know this woman! I never—” The young guard fell to his knees, pleading.
The Baron silenced him. The Verelios Beam had stayed silver. “Still, nothing excuses insubordination. My King, I request the immediate removal of this man from the Guard. Clearly, he is incapable of guarding our people.”
To Starla's horror the King was nodding, considering. She glanced over to the guard. He looked utterly dejected, tears spilling down his face. She hated herself deeply for getting him in to this mess. She would get him out, somehow, even if it lost her some footholds in her own trial.
No. The High Lord's sending was so firm, Starla could almost feel a hand restraining her. She watched him rise warily.
“Baron, my King, forgive me, but I must object,” Larkel said, bowing to the latter.
“On what grounds?” The King enquired, as the Baron snorted in contempt.
“I wish to let this Hall know why Officer Thum delayed in following his orders. I wish to let the Hall know why he needed to check the Stair. And I wish to let them know why he chose to let the accused into the City.”
Starla looked away from Larkel as he named her the accused. Stilling the silly emotion, she looked at the young guard, but Officer Thum was no longer crying or trembling; in fact, he appeared to have stopped breathing. His blue eyes were wide as they stared at the High Lord with a mixture of reverence and fear.
“Continue.” The King's voice had a note of kindness in it.
Larkel turned to the young guardsman. “Officer Thum, with your permission, I will relate to this Hall certain aspects of your personal life.”
The officer managed a nod, eyes still wide, clearly afraid.
How does he not notice the note of compassion in the High Lord's voice? Starla wondered, careful to keep the thought to herself and hoping she had succeeded.
“My King, Lords and Ladies. Officer Thum moved to the Royal City eight months ago after his village was attacked by our enemy. He hoped that securing a position in the Guard would enable him to afford a small dwelling, after which he intended to send for his family, who were in the village of Simik with his wife's sister. Is all that I have said true?”
“Yes, High Lord.” Starla recognised the deep sadness in his voice. Now, she understood the look of hope in his eyes when she had promised him news of Simik.
She felt wretched.
“You already sent for you family?”
“Yes, High Lord. The message should have arrived four … four weeks ago,” Gruyard stammered, looking grief
stricken.
The Baron made an impatient noise.
“How long does the journey from Simik to the Royal City take?” the High Lord whispered. Through their bond, Starla could feel his deep regret for having to ask the question.
“Two weeks,” Thum said just as softly, tears spilling over again.
The High Lord stood up straight.
“I put it to this Hall that this officer is not incompetent. He is simply a concerned and grieved husband and father. He needed to check the Stair in the hope that his family was there. He let the strangers in because they had claimed to be from Simik. He merely wanted news of his wife and children. Who here has no-one unaccounted for?”
Starla felt herself beaming inside as those in the stands seemed to agree with the High Lord.
“That changes nothing,” the Baron spat. “Whatever his reasons, a man who will not follow orders cannot guard us!”
Starla deflated. Again, unfortunately, the Baron was right.
Larkel inclined his head, conceding the point. “Either way, that matter is for the King and Commander to decide. I merely wanted them to have all the information.”
The High Lord sat, ignoring the Baron's hateful glare.
The Hall grew silent as the King stood. “Despite this matter having nothing to do with our current trial, I shall pass sentence now. I say that young Officer Thum acted foolishly, but from love, grief and hope. As for myself, I see no reason to strip you of your place among the Guard. However, perhaps my good Commander Medara could find more suitable work for you.” The old King smiled and sat down again.
Officer Thum nearly toppled off the witness block in his haste to bow to the King. Starla found herself captivated by the King's smile. It was gentle, kind. It seemed to tug at a memory Starla couldn't quite place.
The Commander cleared her throat. “If there are no further questions for this witness, he may stand down.”
Again, the High Lord waited until the others had spoken the ritual words, then stood.
“Officer Gruyard Thum, I release you.”
“Thank you, my lords, thank you,” Officer Thum mumbled, stumbling from the witness block and moving back to his seat in the stands.
