Not only does the bastard lie to my face, but he’ll throw his own men under to save his skin. The filthy coward. “Or you are. I should hope it’s them because you know how I feel about officers who steal from our fellow soldiers. We are all in this army, Pavit. All.” She glared at him. For her to achieve her father’s goals, this needed to be the greatest army the world had ever seen and she would never let anyone ruin that. No one was allowed to spit on her father’s dreams.
Now, he frowned. “You sound as if you’ve already made up your mind, Highness.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Is that your admission of guilt?”
“Never.”
“Then we’ll leave it up to the investigators to find out who is and who is not telling the truth. My decision will be made once all the evidence is presented to me. For now, you are dismissed.” She flicked her wrist and waved her hand. Her bracelets rang out, as if a siren telling him to get out.
He wisely rushed off. He probably was going to hide his stolen goods. It was too late for that. Layla was on the job checking him out. Hardly an hour after he left, Layla was next to her.
“Are you ever just going to walk in? Use the door maybe?” Ashni asked as Layla dropped from the ceiling, onto the throne, pointy elbows and all.
Layla sniffed. “That’s boring. I’m pretty sure that’s how I would get my sister status revoked.”
Ashni chuckled and put her arm around Layla. She yanked Layla to her, forcing the younger warrior to cuddle with her. Layla yipped and grunted as she struggled to get away. Adira glanced up from her desk, shook her head, and went back to her work.
“Maybe you two should stop flirting and get to business,” Adira said, eyes on her paperwork.
“Ew!” Nakia yelped as she put her hands over her mouth.
Ashni looked at Nakia, watched her draw back and gape at the throne in horror. The expression was too much. Ashni broke into a guffaw. Layla did the same and Nakia went from being aghast and disgusted to furious. She glowered at them both as if trying to make them burst into flames. Of course, they laughed more.
“Oh, ha, ha. How am I supposed to know she’s teasing you? For all I know, you filthy barbarians do things like that.” Nakia huffed and folded her arms across her chest. She put her nose in the air and turned her head. This made the Queen and Layla hoot harder.
“All right, you two. It was funny. It’s passed. Now, focus,” Adira ordered, pointing at them.
“You are such a soul-sucking, fun-killing, sourpuss,” Ashni said.
“Yes, because a captain is stealing from us,” Adira replied, gesturing to the documents.
Ashni nodded. “No, yeah. Good point. Princess, report.”
Layla snorted. “Are you kidding? Naren and I saw everything on the list within seconds of going in his house. His spouse was all too happy to point out things that came home from campaign with him. Personally, I think he’s an asshole and she’ll be very happy to see him go.”
Adira arched an eyebrow. “What makes you think he’s an asshole?”
“His spouse kept pointing out his favorite slaves. It didn’t seem like he liked them because they worked hard at their jobs. I noticed quite a few children wandering around with similar features and they weren’t his spouse’s children. I talked to many of the slaves and servants and they didn’t have nice things to say. Naren talked to other captains and they didn’t have good things to say. It seems like everyone who knows Pavit thinks he’s overconfident and entitled. They had suspicions that he was up to no good as well.”
“All right. Call him back here and, Adira, make sure this shit isn’t going on anywhere else. Someone stealing from us, they need to die today.” Ashni growled and punched her fist into her palm. She refused to let anyone get over on her, them, or the military.
Pavit was back in her presence immediately. Guards dragged him in and flung him in front of the throne. His body made a smacking sound against the stone floor as he landed and it echoed through the hall. His eyes never left hers as he hurried to his feet, trying to look unfazed. He tilted his chin to her once he stood up.
“You stole from your squad,” Ashni said.
He sneered. “You can’t prove that.”
“I have proven it, idiot. Tomorrow morning the judges will examine your case and we will make our arguments. Then, tomorrow afternoon, I’ll chop your head off in the arena.” It was that simple. And it would taste sweet.
“They’ll see you’re just targeting me.”
“We’ll see. For now, enjoy my dungeon and maybe massage your neck a little. The Ivory Claw will go right through it,” she promised.
He yanked away from the guards as they tried to take hold of him. She watched him march out as if arrows would bounce off of him. He’d learn otherwise tomorrow, in front of every soldier in the city. She’d destroy him in this life and let the gods—her father—do the same in the next.
Chapter Six
ONCE AGAIN, NAKIA FOUND herself in the middle of something she didn’t understand. The Queen dragged her to court with the General and Layla, as well as other officials. It didn’t make sense to her on several levels. One, why would the Queen bring her appointed cupbearer some place very unlikely to have wine? Two, why in the world was the ruler of the kingdom going to court?
“Can’t she just pass the verdict herself?” Nakia mumbled, standing with the General and officials she didn’t know. They were outside the courtroom, waiting for the judge’s decision.
“The Queen can’t argue that a crime happened and then judge herself. That wouldn’t be justice,” the General said.
Nakia squeaked, not expecting an answer. Taking a breath, she composed herself. “Yes, but she’s in charge.”
The General regarded her with a patient look. “So, your father could make a ruling on a case he brought to the courts?”
Nakia’s brow furrowed. “Well, no, but this wouldn’t have happened this way in Phyllida.”
“And how would it have happened there?”
Nakia blinked, stunned by the barbarian’s curiosity in her country. “The soldiers would’ve brought the matter to him and he would’ve heard the case.”
“Does he hear all the cases?”
“I don’t think that’s possible. How would he have the time?”
The General nodded. “The Queen can make some decisions on matters of justice, but there’s already a code in place for the whole empire. Whenever the law is broken, a panel of five judges hears the case.” She motioned to the courtroom.
“Because the Queen doesn’t have time for it?”
“And they’ve devoted their lives to studying the Empire’s laws. The Queen cannot change the laws to suit her and she doesn’t have the time to hear everything. Besides, in cases like this, she would be biased and justice might not be served.”
Nakia nodded. “But, what if the judges are biased?” Any number of things could go wrong with a panel of judges. “What if someone bribed them?”
The General shrugged. “Well, the punishment for bribing a judge is losing all your wealth, blinding, and having your hands cut off so you can’t even beg. The judge is left stranded in the desert, covered in honey. How does your country handle these matters since the king cannot hear everything?”
“There is a court and we have juries. I’m told they’re made up of average citizens who hear the case and then vote on it. There can be anywhere between fifty to two hundred people on a jury. It’s rather difficult to bribe everyone.”
“Interesting approach,” the General admitted.
Nakia puffed out her chest a little. Her people could show these savages how to truly issue justice. But, it was interesting that the Queen couldn’t change the law on a whim. Nakia’s father had the ability to do so and she felt that was his right. The Queen, who was both royal and claimed to be divine, should have the same right. But, what should I expect of backwards people?
Nakia was drawn from her thoughts as it was announced the judges had come to a
decision. Five judges were faster than two hundred jurors considering evidence. She suspected she knew the outcome. Despite it all, she found it hard to believe any court in any land would go against their ruler, even if they were savages.
***
As expected, Captain Pavit was judged and found guilty by the courts. Layla had easily amassed piles of evidence against him in a single day and other investigators had found more. This was a serious offense and the now former Captain knew it. When he was pronounced guilty in the open courtroom, his body shook.
Given his position in the military, he was given the chance to pick his punishment and he decided to fight in the cirque. He probably thought this would prove his innocence, winning battles, showing the gods favored him, and he’d be able to go about his life. He was in for an unpleasant surprise. The gods hated him and he needed to know that.
“Are you certain you want to go out like this?” Adira asked, pacing the tiny room in the basement of the arena.
It was a cell for fighters to prepare for their moment on the great stage, out in the cirque. It was grim with a dirt floor and dark slate walls. It held nothing beyond bare warrior necessities. It was hot to the point of being an oven for any poor soul in it, like Ashni and her lot. It wouldn’t have surprised Ashni if Adira ran into the wall as she moved about the room. She’s like a caged lion when she gets this worked up. Ashni sighed.
“What do you want me to do? Sit back and let idiots think they can steal from us?” Ashni fastened her breastplate into place. The cirque equipment was abysmal. If she dared send a soldier to fight in this piece of so-called armor, she’d have to kill herself from the shame of it all.
“The court didn’t say it had to be you specifically who fought him for his honor. You could let me or Princess go.” Adira gestured to herself and then to the corner by the door, where Layla stood with Nakia. They were scowling at each other and trading insults that anyone passing by the thin, wooden door could hear. If Nakia was a warrior, they would probably be shoving each other.
“Are you two finished with your mating dance over there?” Ashni snapped. The pair turned to her with wide eyes and slack jaws. “What? Stop looking so disturbed. You’re pecking at each other like you need the room to yourselves.”
Nakia gasped, putting her hand over her mouth. “Disgusting.”
Layla glared daggers at Ashni. “You keep saying that and I’m going to punch her in the mouth.” Layla pointed at Nakia.
“Why me?” Nakia shouted as she stepped back and put her hands to her chest. She was covered in a sheen of sweat as she insisted on wearing her native clothing despite the impracticality of it.
“Because that’s how Layla shows she loves people.” Ashni blew them both kisses. They grimaced, almost at the same time. “Hmm…maybe you two are actually sisters.”
Layla shook her fist at Ashni. “Keep it up and I’ll kill you for Pavit.” Her voice bounced off the walls, assaulting their ears.
“Adira, take the princesses before I devour them.” Ashni waved her hand, dismissing all of them. “And then I’ll pick my teeth with you because I know you’re going to nag me some more.”
“You’re going out there with a bullshit breastplate and a spear. You don’t spear fight.” Adira stomped her foot.
Ashni sighed. “The rules are the rules.” She had been trained to use a spear. Adira was such a worrywart. She imagined Adira came out of her mother wringing her hands and furrowing her brow.
“The rules don’t say the Queen has to go out there and be the kingdom’s champion. Send me, send Princess. Hell, send Naren. Any of us would gladly spill his blood and watch our brothers devour him. Why should you go?” Adira asked.
“Because why should I ask any of you to do what I can?” Ashni stared Adira down. Her parents had always made it clear—she needed to be able to do anything she asked others to do. But, life taught her something a little different. “You are by my side for things that I cannot do. Why should I need you if I can do it all? You’re not here to save me, Adira.”
Adira hissed. “Aren’t I?”
“Not in this instance.” Yes, there were times when she needed Adira there, talking sense, thinking things through, seeing the other angles, but now was not the time. “I’ve got this. Now, take the princesses and get moving.”
All three eyed Ashni before finally leaving. Ashni turned to the small wooden table at the back of the room and wrapped her hands with the thin cloth given to fighters in the cirque and then seized her spear. She wanted Pavit to taste her battle blades, but personal weapons weren’t allowed for her.
She knew she shouldn’t be doing this, fighting in the cirque. It was a proving ground, a moment of entertainment, or a punishment. It was beneath her and had been since she was twelve. But, she wanted to make sure everyone understood what it meant to steal from her military; she wanted everyone to see what happened if they tried to stand in the way of her father’s dreams, of her dreams.
“I will make him pay for this trespass, Father.” Ashni cracked her knuckles.
***
This wasn’t Nakia’s first time in an arena, but she had never been in one this size. It felt like they walked through dozens of corridors before making it to the Queen’s private seating area. It was a balcony that overlooked the whole field. There were steps with pillows and rugs on them, which she suspected counted as seats since the barbarians didn’t believe in or seem to know about chairs.
The General and Layla took seats that gave them a superb view of the sandy-floored open arena while Nakia stood, frozen. She gawked at the size of the crowd. She doubted she had ever seen so many people in one place. Could they all see the action on the floor? Even the ones who looked like insects to her at the top level?
“Are you going to sit or loom?” the General huffed, giving her a stern look.
Nakia looked around, thinking the General might be addressing someone else. But, Layla was in her seat and her husband was next to her. There were only servants around and they milled about the box-like space, gathering food and pouring drinks. For a moment, Nakia waited, expecting to be passed the wine jug.
“Will you sit down?” The General yanked her into the seat next to her. “People standing over me make me nervous.”
Layla tittered. “Too dumb to sit down.”
“Hey!” Nakia snarled at her nemesis. It seemed like Layla was always down her throat about something, even when she was just curious about something. Layla insulted her when she asked why the Queen was fighting in the first place, like she was a fool for not knowing.
“What? You’re clearly the very definition of a moron. You didn’t even know Ashni was fighting today. What did you think we were coming here for? It’s not like we need to watch people die in the cirque,” Layla said.
“And how am I supposed to know your ridiculous barbarian culture where the Queen of you monkeys actually fights criminals?” Saying it aloud made it sound even more ridiculous, yet here she was about to witness just that. How did it not sound ridiculous to them?
“Hey!” Layla’s husband—Nakia couldn’t remember his name—shook his fist at her.
“Says the monkey,” Nakia snapped and glowered at him. No one asked him to speak up.
“How about you kids all cool it and watch the match?” The General took Nakia by the shoulders and turned her to look out onto the arena floor.
Nakia yanked away from the General and was about to keep going with Layla’s husband, but then realized she was there to watch. She wasn’t being forced to serve anyone. She was given a comfortable seat on a plush pillow with the softest fur pelt covering she'd the pleasure to touch. Why am I being allowed to watch the match? Why am I not being treated as a servant?
Before Nakia could figure it out, the crowd erupted into a roar of cheers. The Queen had entered the arena. She wore the plain leather breastplate Nakia last saw her in, leather gauntlets on her forearms, along with the odd, wide-legged pants these people wore. She wore boots, but
no greaves, so her shins and calves were bare and unprotected. She only had a spear in her hand while her opponent held a sword and an impressive bronze shield. What was the Queen thinking? Surely this man would spill her guts all over the arena sand.
The Queen held up her spear and the crowd roared again. From her seat, Nakia could see the Queen smiling and there was that usual confidence in her stance. She looked as if she didn’t believe she could lose, not to him, not to anyone. How can any woman look like that?
“This man thinks he can steal from the army and get away with it,” the Queen shouted, her voice booming so the whole arena could hear. She pointed her spear at her opponent. “He thinks he can steal from me, my brothers, my sisters, our empire without consequence.” The audience hissed. “I will show him what happens to those who steal from us. Stealing from my father’s dream, standing in our way of glory, it’s like spitting on the gods themselves!”
The audience cheered wildly. The Queen turned to her opponent and smirked at him. He scowled and held up his sword, banging it against his shield. A gong rang out and the audience cheered even louder than before.
“Why does he get real armor and weapons?” Nakia asked.
“As the criminal, and for sport, he gets to bring his own weapons and gear as a last show of mercy. After all, he’ll never be able to hold them again after this,” the General answered.
Nakia shook her head as she wrinkled her forehead. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s say by some miracle he won this match, which he won’t, he was still found guilty and will have to pay back the men he robbed. He would lose all of his possessions, but he’d at least get to keep his life.”
“Yeah, but he won’t even be keeping that,” Layla said.
Nakia found herself nodding, even though she didn’t understand. Why should they care if a guilty man held his possessions one last time? Why would they give him an advantage over their queen? She could end up dead and they didn’t seem to care. In fact, they seemed intent on helping him kill her by providing him with better weapons and armor.
Warrior Class - Sky Cutter Page 9
