“Did you know you would be questioned?”
“Yes, but not about what.”
“His tone made it seem like it would be accusatory, but that couldn’t be.”
She doesn’t know the truth
. “Shara, they don’t trust me. And after everything that’s happened since I’ve gotten here, I don’t blame them. I’ve been scolded and warned more times than I care to remember, so the questions could very well be accusatory.”
“Why are you just now telling me about this?”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Well now I’m worried anyway!”
I noticed Swenn coming down the stairs, two guards in front of him, two behind. He wore a strange expression, like he was holding back a laugh.
“He doesn’t seem to be in any pain compared to you,” I said.
“He does look oddly happy.”
“Does it still hurt?”
“I don’t want to worry you,” she mocked.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“I’m fine.”
Laney’s face popped in between ours and she blurted out an assault of words. “Mayla says I won’t be able to speak at all during the trial. I hope it doesn’t go long. I’m going to train with you today, Neeko. I haven’t been able to use py since Jaymes let me out—except for that incident in the library—and I don’t know what he’s going to have me do. Do you? Hello, Shara, and good morning to you. You look well.”
“Thank you, Laney. You look well as well!”
“Well, I look well you say, and I say you look well!”
The two women had a quick laugh. I figured this was related to whatever game they were playing the other night.
“I’m not sure what Jaymes will have you do,” I told her. “Did Mayla say whether the whole castle will be watching this trial?”
“Not the whole castle, but many.”
Terren, Effie, Steffen, and Alex came to join the few hundred in the great hall already. Quince oversaw all the chairs being moved into rows, facing a dais where a single empty seat awaited.
Trials were simple matters in Lanhine. Guards questioned the accused the moment they were caught. Any evidence in support of or against the accused would need to be provided then and there. The guards then made a decision, the majority winning out in any disagreement among them, and that was that.
“How are trials done in the castle?” I asked Shara.
“Someone of the king’s staff questions the accused in front of Quince and whoever else the king believes should overhear the interrogation. He may ask for counsel, but it’s he who decides guilt or innocence. He also decides the punishment.” Shara pointed to Cedri nervously standing near the empty seat on the dais. “Although with psychics here, this trial is likely to be different.”
I looked around and found Charlotte now speaking with Terren and the others from Ovira. They seemed to be having an intense conversation, presumably about her staying.
“King Quince told me he wouldn’t trust Charlotte to uphold the truth of the trial,” I told Shara.
“Perhaps she’s just here to watch.”
“She can sway emotions heavily without having to be right next to someone.”
“She’s done this to you?”
“Yes.”
“To feel what?”
“Longing to obey her commands.”
I realized then that I was staring at Charlotte as I tried to figure out what she was doing here. Glancing over at Shara’s scornful eyes, I thought I’d perhaps looked a bit too long.
“What kind of commands?” she asked hesitantly.
“Nothing like that.”
Charlotte seemed to find me across the crowded room. She gestured for me to come over.
Shara and Laney walked with me. As we came near, Effie and Alex took Laney aside.
I introduced Shara to Terren. He gave a warm smile as he shook her hand. “I've heard a lot about you.”
Shara burst into rhyme. “And about you I’ve heard little, but good it’s been. Without Neeko’s committal, you still helped at the inn. I’m sorry we can’t go, to Kyrro with you. He’s stubborn you must know, even when his decisions speak for two.”
“I’m afraid I can’t rhyme in reply.” Terren lifted his finger, his tone rhythmic and excited. “Or maybe I can, that was a lie. I’m trying to play, let’s see how I do.” He paused a moment. “The weather today, is far from skies blue. If this doesn’t stop, people will worry…that the gods will…flop? Oh, I failed.”
Shara held her side as she giggled. “You mustn’t make me laugh until I’m healed.”
Knowing the trial could begin at any moment, I wasn’t in the same jovial mood. “Charlotte, have you spoken to King Quince recently?”
“Yes, he changed his mind about me. I’ll be checking for lies with Cedri.”
“Why did he change his mind?”
Terren sighed. “Because she’s just as stubborn as you.”
“Because I’m staying here,” Charlotte answered me. “He knew he could trust me after I explained that I’m going to stay and train his people until the war is won.”
“Even after
his people
nearly beat you unconscious,” Terren complained. “You still haven’t told me what I’m supposed to tell your parents when they ask about you.”
“Just tell them the truth.”
“You’re not the one who has to see their faces.”
Off to my side, Laney’s voice became loud. “You left me!”
“Quiet,” Effie tried as she and Alex held up their hands.
“You had your chance to take me,” Laney accused. “I heard what you muttered as you left. You called me a madwoman!”
“Please keep your voice down,” Alex said.
Shara put her hand on Laney’s back. “What’s going on?”
“They wouldn’t take me before, but now that they’ve seen I’m not crazy, they think I’ll go with them!”
“Effie!” Terren scolded. “King Quince already told us we can’t take Laney. They need her.”
“But if she wants to go with us—”
“I don’t!” Laney interrupted.
Charlotte put her hand on Laney’s shoulder. “Let’s be calm.” Laney visibly relaxed. “Of course you don’t have to go to Ovira. Effie just wanted to make sure, and she wants to apologize about misjudging you the first time you met.” Charlotte shot Effie a quick glare.
“I’m sorry,” Effie said begrudgingly.
Laney cuddled against Charlotte, sinking into an embrace. “I know you’re using psyche, but I don’t care. It feels good.”
“Everyone be seated,” Quince announced. “The trial will now begin.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Gram was the first to be called by the king. I watched from my seat in the middle of the great hall, Shara on my left and Darri beside her. Laney sat to my right, Mayla on her other side. I paid careful attention to the way Gram bowed before Quince, as I likely would follow him.
Murmurs spread among the hundreds watching as the king gestured at the seat upon the dais, the word “psychics” on everyone’s lips. Gram sat between the two young women, Cedri squeezing her hands together nervously, Charlotte relaxed and confident.
“Is he the one Swenn sent to kill Kayren?” I heard Effie ask behind me.
“One of them,” Alex replied. “I’m not sure if the others will be questioned.”
The king stood at the other end of the dais, commanding silence over the room with a firm glare. When all was quiet, he set his eyes on Gram. Being the only one sitting, Gram looked like a victim. He kept his gaze on the king.
Make sure you do the same.
“When were you last in Norret?” Quince asked.
“Two days ago.”
“Why did you go there?”
“Swenn Hamres sent me there.”
Swenn wasn’t seated among everyone else. He slouched against a wall, appearing too calm considering the four guards surrounding him. Many of us watching from our seats turned to glance at him at the mention of his name. He yawned.
“And what did Swenn tell you to do?”
“Make sure a woman there didn’t come to the castle.”
“And what would you have done to follow this order if you had found her?” Quince asked.
“Anything to scare her back south.”
“Be more specific.”
“We would have threatened her.”
“In what circumstance would you have killed her?”
Gram’s brow furrowed. “Only if she threatened to do us harm and had a weapon.”
Lies! They were going to kill her no matter what.
Cedri and Charlotte shook their heads. I felt the corner of my mouth lifting.
“In what circumstance would you have killed her?” Quince repeated with an edge in his tone.
“I suppose if it was clear that she wouldn’t leave or if she showed she might come back.”
Quince seemed to grow impatient. “What are the chances you would have killed her if no one would have seen?”
“Probable,” Gram murmured. Gasps burst out from the audience. “Because we couldn’t disobey the master of coin!”
Swenn had his arms folded, a look of slight surprise on his face.
“Did you want to kill this woman?” Quince asked.
“No.”
The king waited for the psychics. Neither shook their heads.
“Then why would you have followed such an order?”
“The master of coin is a vengeful man, powerful and controlling as well. I know what happens to those who disobey him. They are killed or expelled from the army.”
“You truly believe this?”
“I do.”
The psychics did nothing but glance at Quince.
“But you say that Swenn did not tell you to kill her.”
“Not specifically, but it was clear that’s what he meant.”
“How can you know that?”
“A feeling based on his reputation.”
“Very well.” Quince shuffled uncomfortably, eyeing Swenn, who still showed no inkling of fear! It was remarkable and infuriating at the same time. “I have finished questioning you for now. You may leave the chair.”
Gram let out his breath. He stood and came off the dais, looking down to avoid Swenn’s gaze.
“Neeko Aquin.”
I stood at the king’s beckoning. He pointed at the chair.
I couldn’t quite grasp everything I was feeling. I’d never spoken in front of so many people, and to share my past, my deepest and fiercest feelings—it was as if I were about to be stripped naked.
I walked by Cedri on my way to the chair. For the slightest moment, my heart burned with compassion as she wore an expression that made her look just like her sister. She visibly reacted, letting out a gasp.
“I feel something strange from him,” she whispered nervously to Charlotte.
“What does it feel like?”
“Like when you tell someone a secret only to find out they have the same secret…and the same pain.”
“It’s your sister,” I admitted. “You look like her.”
She put her hand over her mouth. “I feel it so strongly.”
“Quiet,” Quince demanded.
I sat between the psychics, watching Cedri’s pressed lips quiver as if she would cry. She wanted to ask about Callyn. I could feel her question burning.
“Are you a danger to anyone here in the castle?” Quince asked.
The question surprised me. “Only to Swenn.”
“Which we will speak about in a moment. Is there any reason anyone besides him should be fearful of you?”
With considerable relief, I realized what he was trying to do. “No. I would never use my energy except to help people and defend this kingdom.”
The king waited for the psychics. They didn’t react.
“Earlier you told me something about Swenn,” Quince said. “I want you to repeat it right now.”
“He killed my mother eight years ago.”
The silence of the room broke as whispers spread. Then suddenly it went quiet as everyone waited for the psychics.
“He’s not lying,” Charlotte said.
Many in the audience stood as they murmured and gawked at Swenn.
“Silence!” Quince commanded. “Sit down and stay quiet or you will be removed.”
The room fell back into order. I snuck a look at Swenn. He still leaned against the wall, appearing relaxed. It was as if this were a normal day to him.
What does he have planned?
“Bring him here,” Quince called to the guards surrounding Swenn.
Was I done and now Swenn was to be sentenced? One man brought a chair to the dais. Charlotte moved aside as he put it down beside mine. Swenn sat. Looking straight into my eyes, he shook his head.
“You make it sound like I’m a murderer.” His voice was too quiet for anyone else to hear, making me wonder the point behind it. Of course he was a murderer. The two of us certainly knew that.
“Swenn will now be questioned. Neeko is to stay until excused.”
“I will only tell the truth,” Swenn said, wearing a slight smile for no discernible reason. “The psychics can confirm I didn’t lie just now.”
They nodded.
“Explain the incident with your squire,” Quince said.
“In order for you to understand, I first must admit something that brings me shame. I offered the men loyal to me a reward if they eliminated Neeko.”
“Eliminated him?” Quince questioned.
“Killed him…silently.” Sounds of shock came from the audience. “But for good reason,” Swenn added. “Until recently, I thought Neeko was the same selfish, corrupt boy that I’d gotten to know years ago. I didn’t trust having him in the castle. I worried for your safety, sire. I worried for all of our safety. The psychics can confirm this is true.”
He gave them a moment. To my disbelief, they nodded.
“I made a mistake,” Swenn said, turning to face me. “You’ve changed, and I didn’t give you enough of a chance to prove it to me. No apology could express the regret I feel.”
I couldn’t believe this. I looked at Charlotte. Nothing. Cedri? Nothing!
Swenn cleared his throat as he turned to the audience, that slight smile still there. “Luke was loyal to a fault. He devised a plan to sneak into Neeko’s room to surprise him. I don’t know where he got the mask or the poison. As many of you already know, Shara was there instead. She shot Luke in the arm with a fireball as he attacked her. He came to me injured and scared, telling me that he’d killed Shara. I should’ve reported him right then, but I feared he would attack me the moment my intentions became clear. To show I had his support, we left my quarters to speak where no one could find us.”
How can the psychics be saying nothing!
I wanted to scream at Charlotte. Wasn’t she strong enough to detect these obvious lies? Cedri had somehow sensed my regret about her sister. How could she not pick up on Swenn’s lies?