(Eden Blackthorn)
Elea stared at her father. "What? Can they do that?"
Bretonius nodded. "Yes. There is a law called: The Right of Peerage. It says that among royal peers, if one accuses another of a crime, a trial must be held." He took her hand in his. "As Reynald's daughter, Morena was your Peer. And Morena's family is very, very well connected. The Emperor, while he gives you his support, has deemed this too volatile to not allow a court trial."
"You must be kidding! Morena killed Matthew!" Elea was shocked and a bit afraid.
"I wish I was, Elea. But, the Emperor has handed this over to the Church and Military. The Head of the Furyondi branch of the Knights of the Hart, Sir Aaron and the Head of the Order of Saint Cuthbert, His Grace, Lord Wellington, will judge the trial." Bretonius was worried. "The Emperor, Reynald and Council of Nine have sent in their support of you."
She sat down. A trial. She could not believe it. "When did all of this happen?"
"While you were rescuing me, my daughter." He sat next to her. "This is very important, Elea... the world must -not- know that you are my daughter. You are Reynald's child and heir. You are to continue to act accordingly."
She nodded, feeling numb. "When will this happen?"
"Within the next few days, guards will come for you and Donnan. You could flee... or you could face this."
"I will not flee. I was justified in my actions." Elea looked at him. "Why Donnan, what did he do?"
Bretonius looked tired. "You are being charged with giving an unlawful order and denying Lady Morena her right to due process. Donnan is being charged with caring out an unlawful order and conduct unbefitting a Knight of the Hart."
She shook her head. "That's wrong. If I gave the order, why is he going on trial?"
"Because, that is what Morena's family is calling for." Bretonius squeezed her hand. "I wanted you to know this before it happened. Be'ornhelm is telling Donnan right now. You best get yourself prepared for the journey."
Elea nodded and headed up to her chambers, feeling very troubled.
*****
Elea and Donnan did not speak too much about the impending trial or that they would be incarcerated. Donnan spent most of his time with his wife and children, while Elea stewed over the situation, thinking, that somehow, Donnan had been right in the fact that saving Bretonius had been a set up of some kind. It had given the enemy... the unknown enemy, the time to amass a trial against them.
It was only two days before guards from Lord Cronin came to arrest them, placing them into custody. Elea was read the proclamation and asked for her word of honor not to try to escape. She gave it, her heart beating fast. They tied her hands before her with a blue ribbon, a symbolic gesture of imprisonment and lead her to a comfortable carriage, assisting her into it. She took one last look at Donnan, who was glaring at the guards around him, before she settled into the carriage and the curtains were shut.
She did not see, as the carriage drove away, the iron shackles brought out for Donnan or see the ensuing fight, where Donnan was beaten badly by the brutish guards.
It was a few weeks before Elea was able to see Donnan again. She had been assigned two maids to assist her. As she herself, was confined to a suite of rooms within Lord Cronin's castle, awaiting transport to Headquarters of the Knights of the Hart Stronghold, she sent them out on information gathering missions. The information that returned to her disturbed her greatly. Rumors of Donnan in the dungeon and beaten on a regular basis. Rumors of his starving or that they were starving him.
When Sharlynn came to visit, Elea begged her to get permission to visit Donnan, see how he was doing. With Sharlynn's help, Elea was allowed fifteen minutes with him. Much to her horror, the rumors where true. Donnan was locked up in a cell. He was bruised, beaten and malnourished. He was happy that Elea was alright and determined that they would get out of this. When the head guard returned, giving Elea and her mother a lecherous leer, Donnan sent them away for their safety.
Elea demanded an explanation from Sharlynn about the conditions she was imprisoned in and the conditions that Donnan was left in. It all came down to status. Elea was the daughter of the Duke of Furyondi and Donnan was the son of a Knight. She was to be treated as a pampered royal. He was to be treated as a common criminal. This discovery torn at Elea's soul. Her best friend was suffering because of her. Try as she might, Sharlynn could not and would not agree to seek help for Donnan. To Sharlynn, her daughter what mattered. Elea was not allowed to see Donnan again.
Several weeks later, Elea and Donnan were transported to Callgary, to the Headquarters of the Knights of the Hart. When she saw him again, he was dressed nicely, but still looking very beat and malnourished. Her heart cried out to him, feeling so helpless. Donnan put on a good front for her, telling her of Lord Cronin's own incarceration by His Grace, Lord Wellington. Apparently, Lord Cronin had the bad manners to strike Lord Wellington's prisoner in front of the Head of the Order of Saint Cuthbert.
They had only one day before the trial was to begin. Their lawyer ask them many, many questions. He seemed new, inexperienced, but determined that he would help save them. It was from him that that they discovered the prosecutor was Lady Ophelia, Morena's sister.
*****
The day of the trial, Elea dressed her best, but she felt ill to her stomach. She had a horrible feeling that her fate had already been decided and this was nothing more than a dog and pony show for the rest of the nobles. She met up with Donnan at the trial as they were seated next to each other. She saw that Donnan was dressed in his uniform as a Knight of Hart. She looked around and saw Bretonius, Sharlynn, Reynald, Valaria, Ballarius off to the side. 'A ring side seat.' She could not help but think.
That was when she noticed the prosecutor, Lady Ophelia staring at her. The venom from the woman's glare was almost overwhelming. Donnan distracted her by putting his hand on her arm. He gave her his most charming "devil may care" smile to sooth her, but she saw that his smile did not reach his eyes. They were locked down, unreadable. Something that Elea had never seen before.
The magistrate called the trial to order and introduced both Sir Aaron, Head of the Furyondi Knights of the Hart and His Grace, Lord Wellington, Head of the Order of Saint Cuthbert. There was a bit of ceremony as the trial began, setting a swearing of oaths of truth.
Then, just as the questioning was to begin, an Envoy of the Emperor walked in and asked for a word. He walked to bench and handed a scroll to the presiding judges. Both examined it and nodded. Then, the Envoy walked to Lady Ophelia and let her see it. Elea watched the woman turn bright red and then white. Shaking with rage, she handed the scroll back to the Envoy, who had Elea stand as he stalwartly read the proclamation aloud.
In basic, layman's terms, the Emperor had pre-emtively pardoned the Lady Elea, daughter of the Duke of Furyondi, of any and all crimes. She was to watch the trial of Donnan Curall, Son of Janort, and any subsequent punishments, should there be any, but she was forbidden to speak a word on his, or her, behalf during the trial and punishment.
The Envoy looked to Elea and asked, "Do you agree to comply with this proclamation?"
She blinked at him and looked to Donnan, feeling the fury rising from her friend. "But... But... what of Donnan...?"
Reynald stood up. "Yes. She does. As her father and legal Guardian, I speak for her." He strode out to the table and gripped her painfully by the elbow, marching her back to their seats. He hissed at her, "Not a word. Not one word for Donnan's sake!"
Elea's mother put a hand on her daughter's leg. "If you want to save Donnan, obey your father." Even Bretonius leaned forward to place his hand on her shoulder. She looked to him, remembering all of the support of her family and the Emperor and the Council of Nine... but who was fighting for Donnan? Who spoke for him? Who would defend him, if she could not? Elea looked back at Donnan who was in a hushed argument with the lawyer. For all her support and the love of her family, all she could feel was that Donnan was alone. Alone to face what she had brought upon them both.
Lord Wellington and Sir Aaron called the roiling court to order and then began their questioning of the evidence and of Donnan. Elea could not believe the intimacy of detail the questions contained... it was as if her life, and Donnan's, had become an open book. They spoke of Elea's renunciation of the Throne of Metrik - which had been a private conversation between she and Reynald... of Britage and Britage's will. Of the fact that Elea was now the Duchess of Onnwall and Donnan, the Baron of Ahlissa. They asked probing questions about the evidence - about how Elea discovered that poison that almost killed Valaria and Reynald came from one of Morena's servants. The fact that most of the evidence against Morena came from Elea and Elea's magic. They pointed out that Morena's admission of killing Matthew had no proof - save that Sir Aaron's healer had confirmed that the body was indeed Matthew - and happened after Morena was in Donnan's custody. Her heart sank as Lady Ophelia spun a tale of Elea and Donnan plotting to kill Morena so that Elea could be the only heir.
She knew it was not true. Knew it, but could say nothing. She was bound by an oath of silence. Only her tears of anguish, that she wiped at, could tell her tale. In the end, as she had known it, Donnan was found guilty of both: accepting an unlawful order and conduct unbecoming a Knight of the Hart. He had killed a prisoner in his custody.
Elea wanted to scream her defiance, her rage and anger at this sham trial. It was a fake. She knew it. Looking at Donnan's impassive face, she knew that he knew it. Looking at the leering crowd, she knew that they all knew it - and did not care.
Then, Sir Aaron stood. His voice carried to the crowd as he spoke out the punishment. "Donnan Curall, Son of Janort, you are hereby stripped of your knighthood within the Knights of the Hart. Your rank will be stripped from your shoulders, your tabard torn from you body, your spurs and sword broken. Then, you will receive ten lashes with the pain whip. The first five will be double lashes, as you will take on the punishment that Lady Elea would have received. You are banished from the Great Kingdom for one year. In memory of this horrible day, all the Knights of the Hart will wear black for the next six months. The punishment is to carried out immediately."
Elea felt her heart stop. This could not be happening. They found him guilty and were going to boot him from the Knights of the Hart. She looked to Donnan who still had the same impassive face, but was glaring daggers at Sir Aaron. She did not have time to consider this any more fully as two guards appeared before her and politely asked her to accompany them. She did not resist, feeling in a daze.
She was lead to a work yard that had four stations already set up. At each station stood an officer from the Knights of the Hart. At the forth station, two pillars with shackles dangling, stood two brawny men with black hoods, carrying pain whips. 'They were ready for this, expecting it. They had it set up.' Her mind blithely told her. She was sat down just to the left of the forth station. One of the guards stood before her. She looked questioningly towards Reynald.
He leaned down and murmured to her. "You are required to watch Donnan's punishment by the pain whip - all ten lashes. If you close your eyes or turn away, the guard will raise his hand. You will be forced to watch and they will begin again from the count of one. You must watch him and not turn away."
Elea felt the blood drain from her face as the solemn drumbeat began and Donnan walked with a guard escort to each station. The first station, he rank was ripped from his shoulders. The second station, his tabard was ripped from his body. The third station, his spurs and family sword where broken. Then all the Knights of the Hart turne their backs to Donnan as he was marched to the forth station. She could not believe his control - the impassivity that he held him up to. She wondered what he was thinking. Wondered if he hated her for this.
As they stood him at the forth station and shackled him to the pillars, then ripped open his shirt to bare his back for the whip, Elea started at him and the pain whips. Pain whips were about 8 feet long, 9 strands of braided rawhide with bits of metal interwoven into the tips. She stared at him hard, picking a spot on his chest. She knew she could not look away. As the drumming continued and the two whip masters took their place, her mind retreated in on itself. A song called "Cost of the Crown" wound it's way through her mind...
o/~ The stars are very beautiful above the palace walls. They shine with equal splendor still above far humbler halls. I watch them from my window but their bright and dancing glow reminds me of the freedom I gave up so long ago.... o/~
She was vaguely aware of Lady Ophelia a few seats down, watching her as she tried to control her emotions. The signal was given and the whip masters struck - one after another. One double lash.... She jerked back from the unexpected spray of blood and heard Donnan's grunt of pain through his clenched teeth. Suddenly, Elea knew why she was sat where she was.
o/~ The royal circlet of braid gold rests lightly on my brow. I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endowed but once I took the crown to which I had been schooled and bred - I found it heavy on the heart, though light upon the head.... o/~
Two double lashes. Elea heard Valaria's quiet sobs. Donnan panted heavily, but did not cry out. She did not wipe the blood from her face as she stared at his chest, concentrating on not passing out.
o/~ Although I am the head of State, in truth I am the least. The true queen knows her people fed, before she sits to feast. The good queen knows her people safe before she takes her rest. Thinks twice and thrice and yet again before she makes requests.... o/~
Three double lashes. She was sweating. Donnan was sweating. They both were trembling hard. Elea felt her tears coursing down her face, washing a tiny bit of the blood away. She cried for him, knowing that she had destroyed his life. How could she ever look him in the face again?
o/~ Thinks twice and thrice and yet again before she makes requests.... o/~
Four double lashes. He was taking her punishment for her. She shuddered, wondering if she would have lasted five lashes from a pain whip. Donnan still did not cry out. Valaria was crying openly now.
o/~ Thinks twice and thrice and yet again before she makes requests.... o/~
Five double lashes. Elea sobbed quietly, her eyes trained to Donnan, the splattered blood on her face making her blink. She had been found guilty of giving an unlawful order. It did not matter that Morena had killed Matthew. What mattered was that a law, a due process had been violated.
o/~ Thinks twice and thrice and yet again before she makes requests.... o/~
Six. Donnan's control was slipping. She could see it as he danced about, fighting the chains and fighting not to give the gawkers a show. Elea pushed all her will towards Donnan, to give him strength.
o/~ Thinks twice and thrice and yet again before she makes requests.... o/~
Seven. Donnan's grunt of pain was more of an unwilling yelp. 'Oh Gods! Make this stop!' Elea's mind cried to whomever was listening.
Eight. Donnan scream of anguish ripped through her very soul. It was almost physically painful for her. Elea heard a lot of shuffling as Valaria fainted. The whip master paused, waiting for the signal to continue once Valaria had been revived. Through her tears, somewhere in her mind, Elea vowed revenge. Vowed it deep within her heart.
Nine, ten. The last two lashes were lost in Elea's numb, retreating mind. She could not bear to hear Donnan's screams of pain, mixed with Valaria's sobs. After the tenth lash, Lord Wellington stood. "The punishment has been delivered. Donnan Curall, you have one day to leave the Great Kingdom or your life is forfeit." With that, he turned and walked away. Elea did not think that Donnan even heard him.
The second whip master slung a bucket of salt on Donnan's back, making him scream once more and then pass out. Sir Aaron called the Knights of the Hart to attention and then dismissed them.
As soon as she could, Elea rushed to Donnan's side, heedless of the fact that she was covered in Donnan's blood. Valaria was at her side as the whip masters took Donnan's body down from the pillars. Vaguely, Elea was aware that Lady Ophelia, also covered in Donnan's blood was grinning fiercely at her. Elea ignored the woman and tended to Donnan, wondering if her best friend would ever speak to her again.
Continue on to: 24.The Weight of Consequences
The song, Cost of the Crown by Mercedes Lackey, from her "Lovers, Lore & Loss" CD.