She wasn't sure she even believed that herself, but it was a hope. A far better hope than what the future most likely held. She slowly stood, scoffing at herself. If the likelihood of King Theol not banishing her was a pale-yellow line, then Naatos not being pulled into acts of conquest and violence, even on Ecekom, was a white line on a white page. But perhaps once there, she could find a better solution.
It took only a brief thought to return herself to consciousness. The world spun, and her nausea intensified. She grabbed at the side of the bench, her fingernails digging into the soft wood.
The metal bar over the door clanked and shifted. "Get up, traitor. It's time."
27
Trial
Amelia's head spun. She closed her eyes, struggling to orient herself.
The attendant shouted again. "Move!"
Naatos hadn't been joking when he said that it would be harder to leave the deep mindreading while injured. Fear plucked at her nerves along with waves of disorientation and confusion. The floor? Where was it? The bench too. Here. But it moved as well. Her head struck something both cold and unyielding, then the world spun all the more even as she stilled.
"We don't have time for this." The guard cuffed her roughly before shackling her. The heavy metal fastened around her wrists and waist, snapping into place as she opened her eyes. "Get up." Hard hands seized her, then dragged her out.
Amelia staggered along, her stomach twisting and churning, eyes burning. The two flights of stairs proved the most challenging. Four times she nearly fell. Three times one of the guards had to seize her by the waist and drag her along. The deep mindreading had taken a far deeper toll than before.
By the time they exited the palace, Amelia had regained most of her focus and strength but refrained from showing it. It was better to appear weak than dignified in their eyes.
The attendant and guards took her to the open-air courtyard with a great wooden platform outside the city. It reminded her more of a shallow walled gladiatorial ring elevated so all could see. Clearly this was meant to be a spectacle, and she was the main attraction. Beyond the courtyard, a large pit was freshly dug. Chalk outlined the pit further, suggesting that they were not yet finished. Large troughs of powdered stone and lime sat in an even line near the pond beyond the pit. Scattered throughout was rubble from a shattered tower.
Hundreds of people crowded in, whispering and staring, gawking and murmuring. Some expressed shock, and Amelia guessed that she was far from what they expected. She certainly didn't cut an impressive figure in this state. A single shackle was larger than both her hands, and the chains swung at her every step with an annoying clank clank. Inwardly she cringed at the palpable anger and hatred that emanated from the crowd. Even the coverings were not enough to hide it all. Oh. Amelia glanced at her wrists, her heart sinking as she realized someone had ripped away the coverings. Perfect.
For all the hatred and rage she had felt in the open market when Vorec dragged her up for judgment, it was a thousand times intensified here, searing hot. An inferno of poisoned fire with smoke that reached her before the flames. Thank Elonumato the medicine was doing its job. Amelia doubted whether she could have borne both this and the intense physical pain that would have likely immobilized her.
The Ayamin dragged her up onto the platform and marched her into the small box where her shackles were fastened to the railing. Amelia kept her gaze down, noting the shape of the locks on her shackles rather than the mass of rageful faces. These locks were old and simplistic with ample room for fiddling, thankfully. The sturdy hair pins in her hair would be sufficient to pick the lock even if she couldn't break one in half to use as a lever.
That small observation brought her a minor measure of comfort before she lifted her gaze to the crowd with all their gushing rage. If they had their way, they'd probably tear her apart. If QueQoa arrived, he'd see her easily, but he'd likely tear her apart as well. And as for Naatos and his brothers, they might soon gain immunity to the huanna, but it would not be before this show trial concluded. And they would tear everyone else apart.
Though she had never experienced a Libyshan trial, Amelia doubted she would be permitted much of a defense much less be given someone to plead her case. At best, she might be allowed to speak. But as it stood, this was all for show. For whose benefit though?
Amelia directed her gaze at the platform and dais that rose above her. The section intended for the royal family was easy to spot, the gilded traveling thrones placed on a blue velvet carpet, the central arms interlocked and the Libyshan bruin crest glistening beneath the sun. King Theol and Queen Alita, both in full ceremonial and regal raiment, were seated there, King Theol's hand over Queen Alita's. Amelia avoided looking at them for more than a moment, her own heart sinking beneath the humiliation and the weariness of this proceeding. King Theol stared in her direction without meeting her gaze, his expression tight and drawn. The queen studied the woodwork, her face pale as the silver that highlighted their crest, and her mouth pressed in such a tight line her lips had nearly disappeared.
Smaller chairs flanked the thrones, carved from maple and golden oak for Linufe and other dignitaries, including the elder commanders. They watched her openly. Linufe alone appeared troubled, his brow furrowed and his expression somber. When he looked at her, the sorrow intensified, and his gaze fell away as if he could not bear the emotion any further. The elder commanders regarded her as an enemy, Vorec's hostility and satisfaction at her situation the most apparent of all.
The second viewing box, slightly lower than the royals, drew Amelia's attention more. Nalthume's and Reda's flags flew beneath the Libyshan bruin and crescent. The dignitaries here watched her as if she was a wild animal, their manners curious and scornful, steadfast in their superiority.
If she had to guess, it was for their benefit that all of this was done. These were the only two allies Amelia had ever known capable of moving Libysha to any action.
The murmurings and rumblings of the crowd stilled. The steps to the platform creaked and squeaked as someone new approached. This was a tall and slender woman, fair skinned and light haired. She wore a simple white gown with a silver circlet around her waist that matched the three-strand woven crown that sat upon her head. A slim sword with an elegant hilt and delicate bruin pommel hung at her side. She was everything Amelia was not. The calm of her demeanor and the dignity of her posture assured all who watched that she would ensure justice was served. But what was justice here?
She slowly met Amelia's gaze, her own expression neutral. But ice shuddered through Amelia's heart. The decision had already been made. If there had been any question, it died as soon as she glimpsed that woman's soul.
The woman frowned slightly upon seeing Amelia, then made a slight motion toward her and whispered to the attendant beside her. The blue-clad servant bowed her head and hurried to Amelia. Within moments, she had removed the earrings from the strands and placed the earrings in Amelia's ears properly. She then backed away.
So much for that, Amelia thought grimly.
The woman in white stepped forward, her long cloak trailing behind her. She bowed at the waist first to the king and queen, then straightened and bowed her head to the ambassadors. She spoke in a gentle soprano voice, conveying just the appropriate measure of sorrow.
"Great tragedy has befallen our land. The Third Nalenth, though called to greatness, has abandoned her calling and purpose, which Elonumato Himself placed upon her. She has done this to pursue her own lusts and betray the country and the very family that took her into their hearts. We are gathered here this day to determine whether the Princess Inale, now known as Amelia, is indeed a traitor—and what is to be done with her. I, Consul Justice, shall present the facts, such as they are."
Amelia wished she did not have to endure the recitation of wrongs yet again. All that had been said before was presented once more. AaQar's letter displayed. Her unwillingness to permit "justice" against the Paras. Her refusal to use her marriage
to benefit her people. Her violence against Vorec. She forced herself to remain standing, her shoulders straight, her eyes dry. Soon though, moisture stung her eyes and leaked upon her cheeks.
"This creature is a mindreader and a mind alterer. There are tales of ancient Neyeb who could change the thoughts of even the strongest sentients. I charge that this creature manipulated the king and queen and even the most honored of Ayamin into achieving a place in the royal home. Little is known of how the Neyeb function or how much power she has gained. But the tragedies and sorrows we have faced since her arrival cannot be denied." Consul Justice faced Amelia. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
All eyes turned to Amelia once more.
Amelia swallowed, trying to moisten the dryness in her mouth. What could she even say?
"I'm not a traitor," she said. "Not that I expect that that statement is going to mean much to anyone. I have broken no laws. King Theol forbid my entering the dungeon, and I did not. So far as the mindreading goes, I have had no one to instruct me, and I don't even know the basics of my people's traditions."
"How do you explain the albino's healing?" Consul Justice demanded.
Amelia half-lifted her shoulders, her hands still fastened to the railing. Her legs and back ached. "The elder commander appealed to Elonumato for a miracle, that if it was His will then Elonumato would see to it that AaQar survived. Elonumato has answered."
"No. You betrayed your people and the trust placed in you."
Amelia shook her head. "Once I was forbidden, I did not set foot in the dungeon until the elder commander dragged me there. I have done nothing wrong."
"Do you claim you had nothing to do with the skinchanger's recovery?" the prosecutor demanded.
Amelia closed her eyes and sighed as if only exhausted. "I do." She drew a deep breath and opened her eyes once more, intentionally meeting the prosecutor's gaze. "I have always had Libysha's best interests at heart, and I have never done anything to harm Libysha or the Libyshan people or my family."
"You truly expect us to believe that you had nothing to do with this? That the so-called miracle from Elonumato was not in fact you?" Consul Justice demanded, stepping closer.
Amelia smiled faintly. "I'm hardly a miracle, consul, but I appreciate the compliment." She turned her gaze to King Theol. Queen Alita still had not looked up. "We all know what's going to happen. I can't prove my innocence now any more than I could when I was a child. And I know this is complicated. But I can't make it any easier for you, and I won't. It is absolutely correct that I did not allow Vorec or any of the Ayamin to torture the former Paras. It would have yielded no information and put Libyshans, most notably those performing the acts, in danger and risked the former Paras escaping. In preventing the torture of the former Paras, I have sought to protect all of you. And I am not now, nor have I ever been, a traitor. I do not understand how the letter is to be used against me. Your Majesty, you yourself urged me to consider doing as Naatos and his brothers demanded so that Libysha could become a protected state under WroOth's rule."
King Theol stiffened. He sighed and covered his face as the color drained. "A fool liar as well as a cold traitor." He spoke the words with more strength than his appearance suggested him capable, carrying to all who were present. "Now there can be no doubt."
The words sliced through Amelia. The fullness of their implication weighted her shoulders and her spirit. There had been no other way than this, and yet she could scarcely stand now.
Her mouth dry, she struggled to speak. "I have done everything I have been asked with the exception of letting anyone hurt others."
"Enemies of Libysha, not people!" Vorec bellowed from behind the railing. Cheers rose at his declaration. "You were given countless times—"
Consul Justice lifted her hand. "It is not your time to speak. Your concerns have been recorded."
Amelia hoped that this meant that her words would be heard. "I know that you are angry with me because many people have died, and I am very sorry, though I know that means nothing ultimately. I cannot replace those whom you have lost or those who have been injured. But what I have done, I have done because the Tue-Rah must be restored for all our sakes. Eiram, Earth as you call it, is dying! Without the Tue-Rah, Reltux will soon face the same fate. The Awdawms there do not even live to a hundred most of the time, and they are plagued by countless illnesses and diseases. That world is falling apart. The storms are worsening. The weather increasingly unpredictable. Elonumato made the worlds so that they needed the Tue-Rahs. There will be justice, but it takes time. And we must look beyond what is happening right now to ensure that we make it to the right point. King Theol restored the Tue-Rah because that was for the best of this nation and for the world and all the other worlds combined. I must do the same. You know from our own prophecies that the Third Nalenth must be concerned not only with the restoration of a single Tue-Rah but the fate of all the worlds. I have not forgotten that. I have never forgotten that, and I will never forget that."
Consul Justice clicked her tongue. "By yours and Joseph's testimony when he was among us, there are millenniums between the age of our world and Eiram. Libysha has done what was asked of it. King Theol nobly submitted himself to restore the Tue-Rah and now his attention and that of Libysha's people must be for herself. For the children of today and tomorrow."
More cheers erupted from the onlookers.
"Are you all so foolish to think that this is enough?" Amelia demanded. "Eiram hasn't escaped this fate! What makes you think you can either? And if Elonumato has willed that it is to be done, then who are we to refuse? The worlds need to be joined again. And we have to find a way to do that without destroying what we hold most beloved!"
"Who are you to lecture us? Be still." Disdain filled Consul Justice's voice as she stepped closer to Amelia. "Your time to speak has finished. We will not hear any more of your cowardice and treachery unless it is required for judgment." She turned her gaze to King Theol, chin lifted and brow high.
King Theol nodded slowly. "Enough evidence has been presented that there can be no other conclusion." He stood, the veins in his neck and hands tight. "Libysha has no princess. The one who was once known as the princess is now exiled. If she ever returns to this place, then she shall be executed like her mate. Consul Justice…"
Drums started a stolid beat, a rhythmic omen that something terrible was about to happen.
A servant brought Consul Justice a large book. The leaves were gilded with gold. Diamonds, opals, and sunfire topaz highlighted key elements of the bruin sigil, moon, and flower design of the cover. The pages themselves had been written upon with dark ink made of gemstones.
The consul opened the book with great dignity and placed it upon a stand. Amelia glimpsed the pages over her shoulder. The family tree. King Theol's name was beside Queen Alita's, the two interlocked with golden rings. Beneath them was Josiah. A star marking sat beside his name.
Amelia stiffened slightly, realizing that her name was not actually beside Josiah's. The name Inale was on the right page, a singular entry neatly printed in golden ink, detached from any of the family and down at the bottom and to the side as if only a footnote.
Consul Justice tore the page from the volume and crumbled it into a loose ball. She then placed it in the black copper bowl. A quick flick of her wrist and the paper caught fire.
"Let all mark of the princess be removed," King Theol said.
Amelia knotted her fists. Her fingernails dug deep into her palms. The cold bead shuddered and threatened to explode, the veins in her neck and shoulders tightening as she clenched her teeth. She had to make it through this. Just until the end. Then she could escape.
Consul Justice passed the bowl to the servant and stepped before Amelia. Her features were etched in ice, and she did not flinch as she met Amelia's gaze. "You have dishonored those who took you in. Those who showed you kindness and mercy. Now you will be dishonored." She struck Amelia with the flat of her palm.
Te
ars burned Amelia's eyes. But it wasn't shame that rose within her. The rage grew faster and stronger, building like a storm.
The woman tore the bruin broach from Amelia's cloak and cast it to the floor of the platform. She then stepped aside.
The boards creaked. The elder commanders and assembled heads formed a line before Amelia.
Like her, they were all dressed in the greatest finery of the Libyshan court. Gleaming plate mail and well-tailored surcoats with fur trim. Amelia forced herself to keep her head up. She knew what was coming, and she was not going to let them think that this would break her in any way.
Most of these men she knew now, and they all despised her. She clenched her jaw as Cherldon, one of the newly appointed elder commanders, stepped forward. His burns were now bandaged with thick wax strips and soft cloth so that most of his neck was covered, the majority of the bandages hidden by the soft silver-grey fur that lined his collar. He avoided her gaze but tore the lace fringe off her right sleeve. Then came Elvarn, the other newly appointed elder commander. Despite his broken arm, he snatched away the silver clasp of her gown.
One by one, they came. Inaw, square-faced with curly brown hair and a scholar's crease in his forehead, a noble of some sort or counsel member to the king. He ripped off her bracelet. Assad, despite also having a broken arm, tore the trim from her neckline. Dalvi, red-haired and hatchet-faced, shredded her other sleeve and ripped off the amethyst and lapiz lazuli bracelet, the leather ties snapping. Linufe stopped when he reached her and met her gaze. The weight that radiated from him crushed onto Amelia as well, almost breaking her. Tears moistened his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, then reached up and gently removed both of the earrings. "I am sorry, Amelia," he said thickly. Then he lowered his eyes and turned away.
Princess Reviled Page 27
