It was after the day after the convocation was held. The slumber of the previous night was more tranquil than any since Marielle had arrived in Venocia. She felt unhindered by lingering anxieties, that is, up until a knock came to the door. Marielle was sitting in the study, reading a book that had recently been gifted. The previous evening, a flurry of visitors came to their door, all bearing gifts, all trying to gain the favour of who they expected to soon hold significant influence over their lives. That was all she expected when she heard the knocking that morning, another gift, a late arrival. She would hold no grudge against them for taking their time, in fact, she was surprised by how quickly the gifts had arrived. But this time, it wasn’t a gift.

Sara led three men into the room. One wearing the same magistrate uniform her husband would wear. The other two, large men, carrying weapons and wearing armour.

“What is the meaning of this?” she asked. Sara lowered her head and receded to a corner of the room.

“We are sent by the order of magistrates to find one Heratio the fighter, personal bodyguard to Augustus DeCastellian,” said the unknown magistrate.

Marielle knew something like this would happen, Augustus had warned her. He had told her to follow the magistrate's orders, as doing otherwise could escalate matters.

“I can see by your robe you are a magistrate. Since you are in my home, can I have your name first, before I lead you to him?”

“Certainly, I am Angelinos DeFaustian, a lower magistrate, like your husband Augustus. You are Lady Marielle DeCastellian, correct?”

Marielle rose from her seat and reached out her hand. “Indeed I am,” she said and Angelinos grasped her hand in greeting.

“A pleasure to meet you,” he said with a slight bow.

“Come this way then, I do not wish to disobey a magistrate.”

She led the men through her home until she came across Heratio sitting with Augustus near the master bedroom. Augustus was leaned back in his chair, feet up on a table, in a jovial discussion with his friend and bodyguard. His expression changed immediately when he noticed Marielle, he brought his feet down to the ground and straightened his posture, grabbing his cup from the table and taking a sip, as if he were at a tea party.

“I see we have guests,” said Augustus, a forced smile on his face as he looked at Angelinos. “How can I aid the magistrate’s order today?”

“We are here for Heratio. He is to come with us to be held in the stockade until his trial. Evidence has been gathered that points towards him being the culprit behind the raid at your brother Giovannus’ estate.”

“You didn’t mention that you were here to take Heratio away,” said Marielle. “That can’t be. He is necessary to protect Augustus. Would you leave my husband so vulnerable?”

“Your husband is a magistrate. I would think no one would be so bold as to have that blood on their hands.”

Augustus stepped forward, placing himself between their guest and Heratio, acting as a barrier to stop the abduction. “I do have a bodyguard for a reason. Being a magistrate makes it less likely someone would try something, true, but the magistrate robe is no replacement for a halo.”

“That is not my problem to solve. I have my orders.”

“Perhaps we can work something out?” asked Augustus.

“My husband is soon to be the next head of the Castellian family, he needs his bodyguard at this time.” Marielle nodded her head. It most likely wasn’t commonplace knowledge to outsiders who the next head of the family would be. She expected understanding of her husband’s influence would help.

“Yes, it is as my dear wife says. I can give you my word as a fellow magistrate that I will assure Heratio attend his trial.”

Angelinos paused in thought, but Marielle could tell by the way his mouth curled at its sides and his eyes rolled, it was just a show of contemplation, he had no intention of coming to an understanding. “I’m afraid I have very strict orders. Heratio, you must come with me. I order you as a magistrate of the great city of Venocia. And I order you, Augustus, to step aside and allow it.”

“I guess it can’t be helped then,” she said, hoping to end their futile attempts at reprieve. “Augustus, I know you have some loyalty to your guard, but there is no need to protest too much now. I’m sure he will end up fine.”

Heratio was the one to step forward first, he placed his hand on Augustus’ shoulder, a gesture that caused an immediate reaction in her husband. She could feel the sadness he felt, just from looking into his eyes. His entire body seemed to collapse, while still managing to stand upright.

“Master Augustus, I am sure you will be safe. The guards I’ve hired are well trained and trustworthy.”

Augustus hung his head and said, “Heratio, I’ll do everything I can, I promise.”

“I know you will.” Heratio smiled. Even though his mouth implied he was happy, his eyes watered as he walked to join the burly guards with Angelinos.

“Good day then,” said Angelinos, turning around to leave.

“Good day,” she and her husband said, watching them leave.

Once no one else was in the room, she stepped forward to her husband and embraced him tightly. She could tell he was in a fragile state. Most of the time she had known him, he had been so good at keeping his emotions hidden, but his barrier had finally broken down.

“It’s going to be alright Augustus,” she said, still holding him.

His arms were still at his side, not returning the embrace, but he buried his face in her shoulder. “I’ve told him that, but I don’t believe it. My thoughts don’t lead me to any solution.”

“Can’t you do something once you become head of the family? Won’t you be able to just get a praeto-magistrate to just overturn any judgement against him?”

“It’s not that simple. He did the crime he is accused of. They have evidence, enough that they don’t care about my influence, otherwise they wouldn’t have arrived here today. A magistrate must always appear to act based on the law and evidence, to do otherwise could have them removed from their position. Overturning a ruling is exactly the place where acting against evidence is seen with the most scrutiny. There is no magistrate, that I know of, that would act that brazenly without a substantial amount of leverage used against him. And I don’t have that.”

He lifted his arms finally, wrapping them around Marielle’s back, his arms squeezing her tight. “He’s going to die. First I lost Castor, and now I’m going to lose Heratio. My two friends, gone.”

She didn’t have a response. She just remained silent in their hug, being present for him.

Eventually, he released the hug and pushed himself away. “That’s enough of that, wallowing away in useless sorrow.” He dragged the palm of his hand down his face, and once his skin rebounded from the slight deformation that caused, his face held no emotion once more.

She knew to leave him alone, he would eventually come up with some plan. Marielle had decided that she had faith in his abilities. Now though, she would work whatever ways she could to help him to his desired ends. She walked out to the yard, where she knew Gillivan would be.

Gillivan was practicing his swordsmanship with the two new guards. They had wooden swords and were moving about in an open field. Marielle remembered her own training, back before she was being tutored by Cressa, learning the basics of swordplay. The first thing her father had taught her was the importance of controlling, and being mindful of, distance. Gillivan moved back at one of the new guard Fistal’s advances, making sure the strike couldn’t possibly do damage unless his opponent threw it. Then when his opponent went for the strike, he hit the play sword away, and only after the strike was blocked did he step forward. With Fistal’s momentum, he couldn’t pull himself back, and Gillivan was able to score his point, pushing the tip of his play sword into Fistal’s abdomen.

He recoiled, grabbing the place he was hit. It was clearly forceful enough to knock him back a few paces and make him catch his breath.

“My Lady,” said Gillivan, turning around to face her. His face was sweating, and his breathing rushed.

“Heratio has been taken by the magistrate, I felt it important to let you know immediately.”

“That is unfortunate,” he said, his breathing still heavy. “Did they ask for me?”

“They already left. You weren’t mentioned.”

He nodded and let out a large sigh. “It is unfortunate. In either case, whether he returns to us, or he is punished to a fatal end, he lived a life of duty and so the gods will ensure he is led to the kingdom of Manas.”