The trial continued, taking up the rest of the rotation. And the next. And the next. We sat through the whole thing as, witness after witness gave evidence against my aunt Wistra, detailing her crimes and abuses. For most of it, she remained silent and aloof, almost uncaring about her predicament despite still being severely injured. Attacking a royal, having just lost a duel of honour, was the final mark against her in the Council's eyes. They ordered their healer to prevent her from dying but give no further healing, she’d have to wait for her nanites to heal her and considering how bad her injuries were, they'd have to work through them all from most seri0us to least... it would take a while.

It was interesting to watch Icanthie law play out in front of me. I understood it theoretically but, first-hand, it was surprisingly absorbing. The trial engaged all my senses and, thanks to the restrictions on the nanites, everything was sharper. Al1 Icanthie had exceptional noses so, as the Councillors asked their questions, they had a pretty good idea when someone lied. Occasional1y, if there was doubt, a Truth Sayer was brought in, but it was rare. After all, the Councillors and most of those present at such an explosive trial, were powerful and experienced. They knew how to spot a lie.

It seemed Wistra's actions stretched back orbits, the sheer volume of evidence given staggering. There were stories of intimidation, underhanded tactics when arranging political matings, holding younglings hostage to ensure compliance, ordering beatings when she was disobeyed. The list just went on and kept getting worse. Perhaps the biggest surprise was uncle Quix. I’d watched him occasionally through the trial and noticed him wilt increasingly each rotation. As the Head of House, Wistra would be held responsible for the actions of anyone in her House s0 evidence against children and Quix would be presented.

I had submitted all my evidence in private on the first rotation. The only thing I could give were my memories and I’d made sure all the memories were packaged properly so the viewer wouldn't experience any sensation and only minor emotions. As wel1 as mum’s memory of her imprisonment, I’d also submitted the memory of my encounter with Quix near the grav-line as well as a memory Amaya and I had worked hard to tease out from the mess of everything mum left me.

***

Running. Pain. Tackiness of blood. Screaming. Whispers. Copper taste. Pain. Heavy breaths. Wheeze. Pain. Laughing. Joy. Pain. Dizzy.

Feenya stayed as still as possible in the hidden hallway as she listened to her siblings through the thin walls. She tried to keep her breathing quiet but her heart was racing and her breathes ragged with fear.

“We have to act soon or the King will bring the Icanthie to ruin.”

That sounded like her sister, Wistra. What was she talking about? The Icanthie prospered under King Kine of House Den and had done under many kings for orbits.

Rasping. Flickers. Pain. Love. Running. Rage. Panting. Rest. Peace. Passion. Torture. Pain.

“Perhaps he can still be reasoned with.”

Was that Quix? He hated politics, always had. When had that changed? She blamed that viscious friend of his. Anar was always around him nowadays.

“We can’t take that risk brother. Already his treatment of the mongrels is too lenient and he allows unfit matches. Next he’ll be consorting with humans. He must die and a new appropriate King installed…”

Pain. Despair. Happiness. Fear. Gold. Chasing. Agony. Peace. Ringing. Biting. Pain.

She tried to find an opening to see what was going on, just a small hole, enough for her sharp vision to glimpse a snapshot. A small room, four figures gathered around a table, her siblings, facing her, her oldest nephew and Anar, a distant cousin turned away but recognisable. She had no kin ties to him. Wistra had always been harsh, distant and selfish but here, Feenya saw her at her worst. Arrogant sneer, haughty pride, viscious ruthlessness. It was all there on her face, Feenya didn’t need to see anymore. She focused on her brother's face, searching it for some familiarity, for the brother she knew. Usually, he was the sensible, cautious one among them. Not always kind but he wasn’t cruel either. All she saw now was cold, malevolence. As if he didn’t live. Like stone.

Pain. Warmth. Metal. Green. Sadness. Clash. Voices. Pain. Pounding head. Light. Dark. Light. Dark. Pain. Pain. Pain. PAIN.

***

That memory had been difficult to wrangle. It was nebulous, amorphous with bits and pieces, all disjointed and muddled but eventually we’d been able to extract something usable. It was as clean as Amaya and I could get it but shouldn’t be a problem for others to view. Something about it niggled at me but I’d had no time to really look and assess it, the trial taking up all my attention.

I never could have imagined what we’d find when Quix gave his evidence.

“Lord Quix of House Kuthar. You have indicated you would like to give evidence?”

“Yes Councillors. I will answer any questions you have as wel1 as give what account I can.” My uncle spoke quietly, composed and looking straight at the figures above him.

I watched him closely, that niggle at the back of my head back again, then suddenly thought to watch Wistra. What would she think of this? Her eyes were narrowed as shescowled at her brother, clearly displeased with his decision. Mhhhhh. I divided my attention between them both as the questioning continued.

“Very well. What can you tell us about the meeting discussing the death of the king.”

Quix frowned in thought then slowly spoke, “It was an emergency meeting. Wistra had had some inte1 about another patrol that had spotted some Myath. They'd been questioned then moved off but Wistra was furious. She worked for years to build a following out of the anti-Myath faction. She promised them harsher responses to Myath immigrants found within four borders. This latest incident pushed her over the edge. She was very angry and unwilling to wait to implement her plans.”

“What plans did she have?”

“Wistra had always felt that the system we live under was wrong. That it limited us and we were ‘stupid to capitulate to some ancient ideals of society’, in her words. She felt justified in her convictions when every new king was, in her eyes, incapable and sympathetic to ‘lesser beings’.”

“Were you always aware of her plans?”

“Ny...yes?” He answered, tilting his head. It came out as more of a question than a statement. Confusion was evident to everyone in both his behaviour and scent.

Quix fell into a troubled silence, lost in thought that grew deeper as it continued. I didn’t understand the Councillors reasoning, but they left him to his thoughts for quite some time. Perhaps they read something in him that I didn’t. Eventual1y, the questioning resumed.

“Tell us about Feenya, Lord Quix.”

Quixs’ face lit up. “Feenya is my little sister, smart and loving. She fell in love with... with a...” Again, confusion filled the air and he tried to continue. “A Greer? A Myath? What... what happened to Feenya?”

It was clear my uncle was no longer talking to the Councillors. It was painful to watch as the confused Icanthie wrestled with himself. My heart ached. This was not the man I encountered by the grav-line. His shoulders began to hitch as silent sobs wracked his body, eyes swimming with unshed tears. I saw many turn away, the pain of my uncle too much to witness and it just went on. Why didn’t the Councillors do something, call a break or prompt him to answer? Suddenly, words burst forth from Quix.

“Feenya has two children. Wistra has wanted one dead and the other isolated so she could fill his head with her beliefs. To control his House through him when he became heir and Head.” A gasping sob escaped him. “Feenya suddenly started acting strange and she disappeared with her son. We couldn’t find her anywhere. When she re-emerged, the boy wasn’t with her.” Quix began to hyperventilate as he continued to speak, faster and faster. “Wistra ordered me to get the information from her. We tried confining her and limited her privileges.” Sob. “Then we reduced her food. Then... then... oh Feenya. I’m so sorry. How could I...?”

He took another deep breath, trying to calm down but it was futile. “Wistra ordered me to torture her. Do whatever it takes. I remember feeling odd about it but the next day, it was as if it was perfectly reasonable. We needed answers. I ordered Anar to work on her. He's experienced and, I’m told, effective. I’d sometimes visit to ask her questions... why did I do that? Why did I let it happen?” He seemed to still and something in him broke. Quix dropped to the floor, sitting slumped and stared into space, tears streaming unnoticed down his face. “What have I done? My beautiful little sister. Feenya.” He wept. “How could I have done this and to my own kin?”

My throat ached with the tears I didn’t want to cry, trying to swallow around the lump they left in my throat. The Trial Hall was a grave, no one daring to breath. What did this mean? I wondered if my uncle had been permanently broken, he wouldn't move. I wasn’t even sure if he was breathing. Then, slowly, so slowly, he turned to look at Wistra, as if he suddenly realised something. His eyes flickered back and forth and his expression turned from numb to desperate to crazed and finally, rage poured off him.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?” Quix bellowed, the words exploding from him with all the rage and desperation of an individual wronged. He seemed to try to stand but thought better of it at the last minute. Still, he leaned as far forward as he could and continued to stare, intent on his surviving sibling and spoke in a broken whisper that could still be heard clearly, every painful syllable. “I feel as if I’ve gone through life lately asleep. In a very deep sleep. I may not have done those things to Feenya, but I watched and let them happen. I felt the echos of her pain through my kin bond and I did NOTHING.” His final word echoed as he shouted out his anger and pain, gasping for breath. “My cubs want nothing to do with me, my mate has disappeared and I have been hollowed out until I barely feel alive. Wistra, please tell me. What have you done?"

We all watched as Wistra, looking unconcerned, sighed in annoyance. Her poor guards had been on extra alert ever since the duel but she’d showed no signs of emotion or violence, completely unconcerned about anything. Not even her brother's accusation phased her. I thought she’d deflect him but, astonishingly, she answered calmly and, according to her scent, honestly.

“... I subverted a small number of your nanites and directed them to the emotional centres of your brain. Reduced empathy. Not enough to to turn you into a robot, you are my brother after all and very useful to me. But enough to make you more malleable and suggestive. I messed a little with your reasoning too so you wouldn’t question the change or my orders. Sadly, with you being confined away from me for so long and my nanites and connectivity suppressed here, you are beginning to revert. A shame.”

Shock. Complete and utter shock. How could she-, wh-? Thankfully, despite the shock of her revelation, one of the Councillors was quick to act.

“Healer, I want a full scan of Quix Kuthar. Validate these claims and reverse any damage she has done. Document everything.

“Yes Councilor.” The Healer acknowledged, already at work. After a brief interlude, he spoke quietly to the guards and, I suspect after some quick mental communications with the Councillors, my uncle was hustled away to the Healers Hall. The last thing I saw as he left the Trial Hall was him weeping, devastation clear in every line of his faceand body.

The atmosphere was thick with astonishment and disgust creating a heavy silence that blanketed the Trial Hall at this latest revelation. I was becoming numb to the atrocities my aunt had committed. Again and again she managed to find something worse to throw at us. But that wouldn’t do. I had to make myself care or risk becoming complacent. Some things were too big to understand emotionally, even if we knew intellectually. So I broke it down to the small things. I thought of my uncle, the broken mess who had walked out just moments ago. I thought of my mum as she lay dying in the arms of her small family. I thought of Echo, beaten and afraid. And I thought of the bodies of friends, found discarded, a community wiped out and left to rot like refuse at the claws of people like Wistra, and finally I let the tears fall.

***

Wistra's trial was concluded relatively swiftly, all thing considered, the Councillors under no doubt about her guilt. But her sentence would wait until the other trials of her House were concluded and could be added to her list of crimes. Quix would be under the healers care for a long time. We weren’t sure how much of his actions were his own and how much was due to Wistra's meddling. Either way, he probably wouldn’t be fit to stand trial for a long time. Being forced to hurt someone you loved would leave deep scars...

Once Wistra was found guilty, we didn’t sit in on the other trials. I didn’t foresee any more challenges and Kine would get reports on the trials findings and further leads. We all suspected that Wistra's actions went beyond her House but we didn’t know how far. The cleanup would take some time but the immediate threat was over. And just in time.

Kine and I took some time to quietly discuss everything. It felt like the first time I could breath easily since I had arrived.

“When is the delegation due to arrive?” I asked Kine as he worked in his office in the Heart. He was catching up on the few things he’d missed while attending the trial. A lot could be accomplished with remote screens but there were still those few things that needed more attention and direct interaction.

“Late the morrow or the rotation after. I believe everything is ready, we just need to make a good impression.”

“Hmmm.” I responded. From my experience, the only way to make a good impression is to be yourself and hope the other party like it. Otherwise everything gets off on the wrong foot. Never start with a lie.

“Sierra, we need to make a decision about the Banished Wistra hired. We’ve never had Banished return to The Capital before so we don’t have a standard response to fall back on.” He paused, uncomfortable. “Though no one is advocating it, several of the Councillors felt they needed to raise the option of execution.”

I held back my instinctive rejection and contemplated it as rationally as I could. Still I found my answer didn’t change.

“I don’t think execution is ever a solution. It doesn’t solve the root of the issue and it doesn’t act as a deterrent. From the age on some of them, they were born in the Wilds, they did nothing to be Banished...” I walked slowly in a circle, mirroring my thoughts. “Have you spoken to them? Find their reasoning for their actions?”

Kine pulled up some screens as he answered and flung them over to me to read. “Yes, here. It’s seems something in the Wilds has changed and the small community of Banished there has become desperate. When Wistra's people found them with an offer, they thought it was a salvation but quickly found the sting hidden in the offer. By then, it was too late. Their community was at her mercy and, as you said, they had young to consider. A few of them were naturally happy to do Wistra's bidding, and they will be confined until such time they are no longer a danger to others, however long it takes. Their records show they have little empathy and a bloodthirsty streak that the wilds has done nothing to curb. But the rest...”

“Perhaps we need to re-examine the Banished laws Kine. The younger ones certainly don’t deserve any kind of punishment and it would be cruel to split up kin. We could perhaps play with confinement for the old offenders but then, that may breed resentment and it would be much better for them to keep busy... hmmmm.” An idea sparked somewhere in my mind.

“Do you think the Myath will take them?”

I didn’t have to think about that response, my most recent communication with them fresh in my mind. “No. I know you want to connect with them and offer them some sort of protection and status but it’s going to take time Kine. They don’t easily trust.”

“I’m beginning to see where you got it from.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes as we shared a laugh about it. All things considered, he’d gained my trust pretty easily. Others probably wouldn’t be as lucky without a kin bond to lean on. Anyway.

“No my idea is a new settlement. Apart from necessary manufacturing and industrial locations, almost all the Icanthie reside within The Capital with very few exceptions. So what if we had a new settlement? A place for a different kind of lifestyle, still governed by the System but a place to develop a new kind of community. You’d need guards of course to ensure the Banished don’t slip into old habits and volunteers to make up the numbers. We don’t want this to become some sort of ‘convict colony’, blergh. But this way the Banished get another chance at life that isn’t stacked against them. They can work to improve themselves and build a community that doesn’t have to be hidden and in danger of being destroyed. They’ve already done it once, this time they’ll have help.”

Kine was thinking about it but I had so many ideas, I just kept going.

“Some people just don’t fit in here Kine. It just doesn’t suit them. It's probably why the Houses popped up but even then, one size never fits all. Anyway if you decide to go with a new settlement, I think there should be both permanent guards and guards on rotation, one to provide stability and continuity and the other to bring a fresh perspective and help prevent corruption. Besides, I’m sure they appreciate the added protection and it’s good training for young warriors. We’d need administrators to ensure the System was well maintained and implemented. Oh! They could try old school farming and we can supplement them with resources from The Capital. It would be interesting to see what kind of individuals would emerge to volunteer. I bet the creative lot would love the challenge and inspiration. They could even be a Myath friendly community that acted as a stop off point in the migration, if the residents were up for it. What about..”

“Sierra!” I paused, only just realising that I’d been rambling on for some time pacing back and forth in my excitement. Kine looked exasperated, excited, thoughtful and a little overwhelmed all at once. I think he’d been calling me for a while. “These are all great ideas with a lot of potential. Why don’t we see what the System says about a new settlement and begin work on whether this is viable or not? We’d need a lot of work and cooperation to make this happen and a good location. And, like you said, we can’t push the Myath too far.”

“No but we can give them options. And as long as the new settlement protects the Myath, that's all they really want right now. Not everyone there has to buddy up to them, they won’t expect it and they’ll probably be suspicious, but if we can guarantee that they are protected there, that actions against them have consequences, then it’s a start.”

Kine stood from his desk and leaned against it. “Hmm. Yes, we could make this work. Excuse me Sierra, I have some people to talk to.” Kine strode swiftly out of the room leaving me blinking at his sudden departure before his head reappeared at the door. He looked at me intently as he spoke. “Make sure you don’t go anywhere without your guards. It’s still a rocky time Sierra.”

I smiled indulgently at my protective cousin and answered in a sing-song voice as I grinned at him. “Yes~ Kine~.”

Now I just needed to figure out where exactly my guards were...