User blog:AloofComputer/The man who walked alone: Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Trial by ordeal

“Alatar Moriatan, you stand accused of: premeditated murder, premeditated assault, premeditated acts of terrorism, theft, arson and sabotage. Present your defense.”

“I have none.”

Silence fell across the room. The judges, Druella and her lieutenants, sat behind the large conference table, while Alatar stood before them, guarded by two dullahan. Druella decided that a public trial would cause too much unrest; an in-doors trial was opted instead, inside the palace. Only her, her lieutenants, the guards and a automaton scribe, recording quickly and efficiently on a large scroll.

“Defendant, you must present your defense.” Druella repeated.

“With all due respect, my Lady” the word came with some effort from Alatar’s mouth, “we all know I did all those things. With clear head, premeditated. We all know why. I was a human soldier conducting guerrilla warfare, or terrorism, as it was seen at the city. Do I regret my actions? My regret won’t undo the lives I’ve taken, or the damage I caused. It is irrelevant. Any excuse is without meaning, given my circumstances. So, I have no defense. I plead guilty to all of my charges.”

“… fine. Return him to his cell. We will announce your ruling once we finish our council.”

Alatar turned and walked from the room, escorted by the guards. Once the door was closed, Druella turned at the automaton.

“Stop recording.”

“This is rediculous.”

“We all agree to that, Wilmaria. The problem is, what do we do now.” Princess Francisca looked troubled, her tentacles waving around. “By human law, the sentence is death. But there is no precedent in monster law. Unless you count the laws from the previous-”

“Out of the question.” Druella cut her abruptly. “The old laws were abolished with mother’s rise. But the point is, there are injured parties here. And the public wants justice.”

Primera kept silent, her wail wagging around erratically. “Going through punishments, I can’t, and frankly, don’t want to, see another option. Banishment is out, imprisonment is out-”

“How is imprisonment out?”

“Think about it, Wilmaria. He is public enemy number one in the city. Keeping him locked will add to the unrest. The werewolves will want blood. I don’t know if I will be able to keep them in check. Nevermind the fact that he could escape-”

“He won’t escape.” Druella’s certainty took Primera by surprise. “He knows what will happen if he tries to do anything. It looks like keeping him under lock and key will not be ideal, either. But killing him might be the worst possible thing.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“What do you mean, my Lady?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Primera, if we kill him, what would happen? The humans will get a martyr, a legend, we will get a ghost, and not one of the nice horny kind. No, killing him will only make things worse in the long run.” Druella felt very tired. Is this what mother meant?

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">She sighed and continued. “However, imprisonment within the city does sound appropriate, if we exclude the werewolf situation. Which brings us to the question. What will the werewolf pack deem as appropriate punishment?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Primera sank in deep thought. “While it isn’t actually monster law… it is an old elven tradition. Trial by ordeal.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“!!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Why act so shocked, Shasha? He has taken lives. This is the best I can think of, besides taking his.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“But that is so… barbaric! It isn’t even practiced by anyone anymore!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“That is what I will accept. Besides his head rolling.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ So, trial by ordeal and lifetime confinement in the city. Is anyone against?” Druella looked around. Shasha seemed hesitant, but kept quiet.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Then it is decided. Primera, you are responsible to come up with an appropriate ordeal. One more thing, everyone.” This will be hard to say. “While this man’s actions are reprehensible, we must also consider that they were caused as a reaction to my own. That means that, for what this man did, I am party to blame.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Shocked silence fell upon the room. “My Lady...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“It is true, Francisca. So, don’t judge this man as he is the sole responsible. Primera, make sure the ordeal is heavy, but fair. That is all. Wilmaria, announce him his sentence. Dismissed.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> Alatar entered the dark tunnel, the entrance behind him closing by a large boulder. The trial by ordeal he was sentenced, was simple, in theory. Enter a tunnel, go out of the other side. The thing was, this tunnel also had ten werewolves with full permission to kill, and he wasn’t to defend himself or use magic in any way. The rush of emotions, kept sealed inside him for so long, felt torrential and almost debilitating. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> His eyes slowly adapted to the almost non existent light of the tunnels. Werewolves knew those tunnels like the back of their paws, while he would have to stumble in the dark. He smelled the air, trying to get a clue. When it smells like mutt, it is mutt. He walked low, trying to make as little noise as possible and keep his heart rate in check. The werewolves were sure to pick up his scent; he missed his cloak and mask. He also missed that sweet feeling of comfort when Veronica hugged him-

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> He shook his head violently. ''This is not the time for this! It will make them find me immediately!'' He perked his ears and started moving forward.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Scratching the wall of the cave lightly, to keep himself from running in circles, he crouched on the ground, and felt around the cave floor. Some tracks surely had to lead to the exit. Usually the ones pointing mostly in the same direction.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Deciding his course, he kept going. A few times he thought he heard breaths, or nails scratching the floor, but he persisted.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He had lost track of time in those tunnels, but so far he hadn’t had any encounters. When finally, he smelled fresh air. He was close, but he also smelled the smell of wet fur. Clenching his teeth, he rushed for the final stretch.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> Then he saw them. They were all waiting for him near the entrance, eyes shining in the dim light. Now or never. Using one hand to protect his face, the other, his privates, he rushed forward. The calling howl echoed and magnified in the cave’s corridors.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Fifty meters.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A clawed slash cut deep in his back, from right shoulder to left hip.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Forty meters.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Two different slashes hit his arms and his forearms, blood spurting around.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Thirty meters.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A vicious slash hit his left calf, almost bringing him out of balance. If they sever a tendon, I am dead.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Twenty meters.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A slash hit his left side, tearing through flesh until the claws scraped at his ribcage. Another slashed at his right leg. ''Damn! ''Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the pain, stumbling towards the exit.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Just ten meters!

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He felt two set of teeth sink into his flesh, one for each arm, while their claws pierced his torso to keep him still.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Only five!

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Two werewolves lunged and grabbed his feet, sinking their claws and teeth into his calves and thighs.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">''No… not like this… NOT LIKE THIS! ''

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He couldn’t get what gave him strength those last few steps, though he had a hunch it was the memory to that familiar smile and eyes; the werewolves were hanging off him for dear life. However… the morning sun greeted him, along with the scowl of Primera.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Primera looked at the bloodied form before her; his eyes shone like a wild animal’s. “Enough!” The werewolves’ eyes turned on her. “He passed. Let him go.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> The werewolves hesitated for a moment, but a warning growl from Primera convinced them all too quickly, releasing Alatar from their grip, going back to the cave, licking his blood off their claws. Primera watched them enter the cave, before turning to Alatar. “You passed the test. Your debt to us has been paid. Go patch yourself up. You look disgusting. Or appetizing, depending on tastes.” She entered the cave to meet her pack.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ So, he survived.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“So it would seem.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Still salty, Wilmaria? Why not challenge him to a duel?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Right back at you, Mimil. Why don’t you try a magic duel. He did face Lady Druella and lived, after all.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Nah, I’ll just patch him up and send him on his merry way. He was scary enough with just some monster mana. If he were all charged up...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You can teach him some nice spells, in that regard. But do patch him up. Veronica will freak out if she sees him in that state.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Will do~”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Wilmaria watched as Mimil skipped over the bleeding form of Alatar, then smiled faintly as she turned around and made her way to Druella to deliver her report.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> Alatar was sitting on a bench at the park in silence, tearing through a box of weird sweets. He felt like he hadn’t eaten in ages, which was true; his last meal was the one he had before confronting Druella. His body felt sore, but was recovering quickly. Mimil sure knew her stuff when it came to healing.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A group of dullahan came buy, shooting him nervous glances. It was understandable; he had neutralized an entire elite squad of them, after all. He kept munching at the confectioneries; that taste was entirely unique, just the right sweetness… maybe a bit spicy? Why was his body heating up?

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">His eyesight went dark, as someone closed his eyes from behind. “You do realize I can tell it’s you from your mana, don’t you?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica sat on his lap, pouting. “It would be nice if you played along, you know.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Would you rather I didn’t recognize you at once?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“… no, I woundn’t.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A few moments passed by.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You know, I’ve never been to a relationship before. It may take some time until I get the hang of it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica rolled her eyes. “It’s not a skill or some arcane science, dear. You just do what you feel is right. You can feel now, can’t you?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Yes… I can.” and with that, Alatar kissed her deeply, earning a surprised squeal from her, but quickly wrapping her hands around his neck and deepening their kiss. They broke off after what seemed ages, or too short moments. “See, you can do it ♥ ”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> The sun had set when they stood outside her house. “This is where we met for the second time ♥”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, how can I forget such an… introduction. Everyone back at the Order wouldn’t stop laughing about it.” Alatar felt his face heat up. Veronica giggled and snuggled on him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You know” she whispered in his ear, “the last time I left from here I promised that the next time I enter, I’d be in your arms ♥”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Well, can’t be helped then. Promises are meant to be kept.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Whoaaa!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Hey there princess, no need to squirm so much.” Alatar picked Veronica up bridal style and opened the door with his foot, while she clung on him with her hands around his neck. She looked into his bright violet eyes lovingly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Are you sure you want to keep my promise?” she teased him. He smiled.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“My part is done. I’ve worked and suffered enough. It’s about time I thought about my own happiness. I can’t be the cursed hero of the humans forever.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ You are right, honey. I’ll try my best to make you happy ♥”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Well, I’ve better shape up to make myself worthy of your effort.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">She giggled. “You can start by getting inside. Holding me outside a small house making small talk will creep some of the neighbors.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Small? Why is it small? It can accommodate the two of us just fine-” a knowing smile burst at Alatar’s face, as he connected the dots. “Miss Veronica, do you imply what I think you do?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Maybe… ♥”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Then let’s get right into it, shall we?” Alatar said, entering the house and closing the door behind him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">P.S. Chaper 20 is out. This has been some crazy ride. I am a fan of binge reading, and I seem to get a taste for binge writing as well. Two closing chapters remain. Believe it or not, this was done in my week off. Still, it was satisfying to write. The style and pace might be erratic from time to time, but that is probably because of the amount of coffee and the sleeplessness. If you read up to here, do me a favour and comment; that is what will get me to improve. If you find typos or grammar errors feel free to point them out; as I said before, English isn't my first language. Of course, feel free to point out any discrepancies in the plot (I tend to fuss over some seemingly small details, that may be actually big plot devices). Thank you for putting up with me.