Page 22 of Lhora
The man didn’t respond, but she knew he was mulling over her words. Lhora pressed on.
“You know what I think?”
His eyes jerked back to her.
“I think it has something to do with that so-called agreement that was mentioned that I wasn’t supposed to hear.”
“You’ve spoken of this before. What agreement?”
“Exactly.”
When they arrived at the city, they were taken around to the rear of an impressively large building. As they were unloaded off the wagon, they were led through a side door and down a narrow corridor before entering a huge, amphitheater type of room.
At the bottom of the conical-shaped structure sat a court of five justices. She surmised them to be The High Council. Up in the seats surrounding them sat what Lhora guessed had to be more than a couple hundred people. Spectators, she mused. There was no sign of the Sarpi or Duren.
They were led around to the front of the justices and made to sit on the first two rows that were empty. Opening herself, she tried to read the men up on the small stage. What she discovered made her softly gasp.
Lon side-eyed her and shook his head, letting her know she wasn’t allowed to speak.
The justice in the middle stared intently at them, although his focus remained primarily on her. After all the crewmembers had taken a seat, the man sat up.
“After hearing the testimony of our great Sarpi, we have come to a decision.”
“What?”
The justices were startled by her outburst. A guard walked over and raised the tip of his sword, pointing it at her neck. A clear sign for her to remain silent.
The man on the High Council continued. “It is our decision that Vadris Lon is guilty of aiding and abetting the Beinight female, and conspiring with her against our Sarpi. As such, we decree his sentence to death.”
“Wait a minute!” Lhora jumped to her feet. “You weren’t told the—”
A hilt connected with the side of her head. Pain blasted through her, almost paralyzing her, and leaving her unaware of falling semi-conscious to the floor.
The justice continued. “As for the Beinight female, she will be held in custody until the Esstika is notified of our having her. In exchange for her life, we will demand the exchange of five of our men currently residing in the Beinight prison. If the Esstika refuses our demand, this female will remain incarcerated for as long as she lives, or until the Esstika agrees to our conditions.”
He turned to address the rest of the Vadris’s crew. “We have taken into account that you were only following Vadris Lon’s orders. And that you may not have been aware of the fact that his commands were a result of his collaboration with the enemy. Your punishment will be thus. You will remain imprisoned until the Sarpi decrees you’ve paid your penance. At that time, you all will be stripped of your titles and ranks, and released. You may seek employment with another warship, if another Vadris deems you worthy. Or you can find another means of living within the city.”
The man clapped his hands twice. “We have spoken. Guards, return the prisoners to their cells.”
Lhora struggled to get to her feet, but her legs and arms refused to comply. She remained limp as two guards lifted her by the arms and dragged her back to the wagon. There she was dumped inside.
Vadris Lon crouched beside her and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I warned you to stay silent.”
“That was a sham trial,” she managed to say.
“I agree, but we have no choice regarding their decision.”
She felt his fear and sorrow whirling like a thick morass within him. “They’re going to execute you.”
“Yes.” He was also resigned.
“When? Where? Do you know?”
“Tomorrow. That’s all I know. They want to announce it first to as many people as possible so they’ll come out to watch it.”
“When tomorrow?”
He bowed his head for a moment before answering. “Sunset.”
