Chatper 3: Trial

The first trial Ryku faces.

The next morning, I am woken by Ky’s gently rocking. His hand is gentle as he shakes me awake.

 

“Ry.” He says softly. “Ryku, wake up.”

 

“Huh?” I groan softly. My whole body aches from a bad night’s sleep. I could feel the hard, cold, stone floor beneath the thin and torn blankets. The bed was more of a crumpled pile of old cloths the castle no longer needed. However, it would be cruel to leave anyone, even the worst criminal, without a bed and blankets. A thin straw pallet was the bed and a tattered blanket was all I had for warmth. Winter, albeit warm in my Rolyk, was harshest at night. Temperatures could drop to below freezing by midnight but be as high as boiling at noon. I was cold and aching, and I could sense a sickness setting in.

 

“Ry. Are you okay? Are you sick?” his eyes are wide with worry.

 

“No, I’m fi-” I break off in a cough. I sniffle a little because my nose is running.

 

“You’re not fine.” He pets my head and wraps me in a tattered blanket, making me smile weakly. “Lieutenant, she’s sick. You can’t possibly expect her to stand a fair trial when she’s coughing every sentence. She needs a medic.” Kyrin argues, standing up.

 

“She is the biggest criminal the Rolyk has faced in centuries. She doesn’t deserve a fair trial, so she’ll have to plead her case between coughs. Now, stand her up! She has a death sentence to attend.” Apyri commands haughtily.

 

“Yes, ma’am.” Kyrin growls, glaring at her back as she walks away. He stands me up, gently. I lean against him the whole way to the main floor of the castle. The staff know what’s happening, but they have been sworn to secrecy. If they tell anyone, they risk the death sentence.

Now, they stand in two solemn rows from the staircase to the front door. Mary and George, the head servants, are holding the door open. I straighten up and walk on my own, to stand tall and proud and fearless in front of my staff and friends. Kyrin holds my arm for support. I smile weakly and pause at the threshold. I turn to the servants; no, my friends; and smile my biggest smile. I curtsey very low and they all curtsey or bow back. I wave once and am gone. The doors close and I am ushered into a black carriage, drawn by two black horses. Kyrin sits next to me and Lieutenant Apyri sits across from me. Captain Grylun sits beside her, across from his son, Kyrin. I can’t help but think that they look so much alike.

 

            We sit in solemn silence as the carriage takes the back way to the Cryunsel. The guards don’t want anyone to know of this incident. Kyrin holds my hand reassuringly the whole way and I try not to blush. Once we arrive, the path to the Cryunsel Courthouse is lined with armed guards. They hold their swords at the ready in front of them and their bows are shouldered for easy grabbing. A quiver of arrows rests on the backs of every body. I am not handcuffed as I have been cooperative. Kyrin sparked Apyri’s motherly emotion and persuaded her to let me have at least this little bit of comfort, but I have Energy bonds holding me tight.

 

            The Courthouse is a grand building of gleaming quartz atop Mount Vesyan. Its sister, Mount Royale, is the grand base of the castle. They are no more than 500 feet apart. The sun reflects the veins of reds and blues streaking across the glossy quartz blocks. The floor is made of beautiful gray stone bricks. The same stone was used to build the castle eons ago. It is to signify the fairness and equality of the Royal family. Pillars of pink marble rise 50 feet in the air to hold the domed glass roof.

 

We walk 50 feet through the Courthouse. On each side of me, beyond the pillars, are doors. There are 5 on each side. These are the rooms where the Cryunsel stay during trials. No one is allowed to leave the Courthouse until a trial is resolved. There are 5 pillars on each side, as well. They stand in front of the doors, 20 feet apart. Once we reach the end of the long walkway, I circle around the fountain and continue straight, into the Courtroom. On each side of the fountain are the rooms where the Grand Cryunsel stay. Past the fountain, however, is where the trials are held.

 

This is where I face my doom. Nana, Mother, Father; please give me the courage to face this trial standing tall and proud. Please give me the strength I need to do what’s right for my Rolyk. Please, help me!

 

“It’ll be okay. Don’t worry. I’ll be right here the whole time.” Kyrin whispers on my right, his hand close to mine.

“Thank you so much, Ky.” I whisper back and grab his hand. He blushes and smiles quickly before he straightens up and lets go of my hand.

 

Two guards have rushed ahead to open the doors. They stand there solemnly. The one on the left, a girl named Nimika, smiles faintly as I pass. I smile back. She turns serious as Lieutenant Apyri glares at her.

 

“Keep moving.” She growls.

 

“Utique, Lieutenant.” I scowl back.

 

            I walk to the center of the grand Courtroom. Dark wood floors reflect the quartz walls. A glass roof allows me to see the noon sun shining down. The Cryunsel sits in two rows on my right, cloaked in black. The guards who were there that night sit in the stands on the left. The rest of the guards leave, besides Kyrin, Lieutenant Apyri, and Captain Grylun. I stand behind the oak podium in a simple black dress. The Grand Cryunsel, made of one man and one woman, walks out onto their oak podium. It stands 3 feet off the ground. A guard at the base of it calls for everyone’s attention.

 

“Ryku Sylvera, Arch-Princess of Kryton.” The man calls out on the left.

 

“Utique, Grand Cryunsel.”

 

“You are charged with the Murder of the Royal family. What do you plea?” the woman asks.

 

“I plead Innocent, Grand Cryunsel.”

 

“Witnesses, bring forth your accounts of the crime.” The man commands.

 

“Utique, Grand Cryunsel.” The Captain from the night replies. He stands and walks to the podium in front of the witness’ stands. The rest of the guards from that night stand in Parade Rest next to him.

“Tell the Cryunsel your account of the night of May 27^th.” The woman announces.

 

“Utique, Grand Cryunsel. Members of the Cryunsel, I tell you now the events of that night. My squad and I were making our usual night checks. We peeked into the Princess’s room only to find it empty. I sent two of my men to the kitchen and two women to her bathroom.

When I was notified that both were empty, I worried. I rushed to the King and Queen’s bedroom only to find Princess Ryku standing at the window. She appeared to be jumping out. I ran to her and grabbed her, quickly using a Bonding spell to subdue her. I heard her scream for her mother before I placed a Silence spell on her.

I pulled her back, towards the door. One of my men ran for the window, but he reported no one there. One ran for the bed and reported the King and Queen dead by the Forbidden Magyk of Death. Bless their souls. I handed the Princess to the guard closest to me, Corporal Urk, and ordered her to be held in the dungeon. Then I walked out.”

“And that is my account, Cryunsel.” He concludes with a bow.

 

“Thank you, Captain. Do the other witnesses have anything to add or change?” the woman questions.

 

“No, Grand Cryunsel.” Each guard replies in turn.

 

“Yes, Grand Cryunsel. I have something to add.” The last guard objects.

 

“Then let your account be heard or forever hold your peace.” The man summons.

“Utique, Grand Cryunsel.” He replies, stepping up to the podium the Captain had just stepped down from.

 

“I was the guard who ran to check the window once Princess Ryku was in custody. I thought it an illusion at the time, but I’ve thought more about it and I think it may help the decision in this case.” He begins.

“I ran to the window and saw a dark cloud floating away. It was moving faster than the other clouds, and when it passed the moon I saw a figure with dark hair atop it. As I said, I thought it just an illusion, a trick of the light. However, I can’t mistake the woman’s hair flying in the wind nor the gleam of real eyes. I think the person may have been a noblewoman, because she wore a glittering dress and heavy cloak. Whoever it was, she appeared to be fleeing the castle towards Tyrilic or Geryn. I am unsure of whom it may have been, but the Princess may have been calling out to that woman as her mother. I do not know why, but that is what I believe, Cryunsel.” He finishes, bowing, and then steps down.

 

“Thank you, Guardsman. Do any of the witnesses here object to his account or have anything to add?” the man questions.

 

“No, Grand Cryunsel.” Each guard confirms.

 

“Thank you, witnesses. You may be seated.” The woman thanks the guard squad and they file into the stands.

 

“Arch-Princess Ryku. Do you object or have anything to change or add to the witnesses’ accounts?” the man asks.

 

“Utique, Grand Cryunsel. I would like to add that there was another person in the room. That woman was the one who killed the King and Queen. That woman is also my real mother and able to use Forbidden Magyks. For this, I plead Innocent to my charge of Murder of the King and Queen.” I stand straighter, raise my chin a little, and look directly at the Grand Cryunsel.

 

“Who might this woman be, Arch-Princess? Do you know?” the woman inquires.

 

“Utique, Grand Cryunsel. I know who this woman is.”

 

“Well, who is she?”

 

“She is…” I break off.

 

If I tell them it was Queen Yatrise, I’ll be set free. If I don’t, I’ll be sentenced to death! Nana, help me! I asked you to guide me. Please, I need you now more than ever!

 

“If you don’t tell us, we will use what little evidence we have, Arch-Princess, which is not in your favor.” The man threatens.

 

“That woman is… my mother!” I shout, throwing a portal on the ground beneath me.

           

The portal closes once I’m through and I am plunged into complete darkness. I spin and tumble through the dark space before I am thrown out of it. The Bonding spell is broken and the sun is shining brightly on my face and reflecting off the quartz of the Cryunsel Courthouse. I scramble to the side of the dirt path and hide in a blueberry patch.

 

Drat! I still can’t teleport too far away. My gods, I pray to you now because I need your help. Please help me!

 

            Nimika is one of the guards by the front door. She turns to the guard next to her and whispers. The other guard nods and she begins down the few steps. She walks towards me and sees me through the bushes. I can see the surprise on her face and motion for her to keep quiet. She nods slightly then motions to the other guard. He nods and she walks into the forest, right past me, and I use a portal to get ahead of her. She stops in her tracks when she sees me jump out of the portal.

 

“It’s okay, Princess. I won’t tell anyone, but you must hurry. I heard shouting in the Courthouse. I think they’re coming after you. Quickly, go. Run!” she whispers.

 

“Thank you, Nimika.” I smile and hug her. “Now hurry back, before you get in trouble.”

 

“I will. Good luck, Princess!”

 

“Thank you, many thanks! And please, call me Ryku.” I smile big before dropping into a portal.

 

 I teleport 50 feet deeper into the forest, knowing the many dangers of it, and run as fast as I can because my Magyk is used up. I can’t teleport anymore without killing myself or fainting, so instead I run. I run faster than I ever have before. I just keep running, imagining the fortress where my ancient ancestor once hid during her exile. She is the one who created Dark Magyk eons ago. I’m close to the crumbling ruins when I hear shouts behind me. I know them to be Kyrin, Captain Grylun, and Lieutenant Apyri. They are the Elite Guard, protectors of the Royal family. They are the best of the best guards in all of the Rolyk. Now I have all three after me.

 

I can’t do it! There’s no way this is going to happen! I can’t escape now! My gods, my family. Please, help me!

 

            I finally reach the castle and collapse within its walls.

Author's Note

Still part of the flashback.