“The demons that hunt the snow fields of Ingramar are naught but those on the middle lower stratum of the demonic hierarchy. Beasts that hunger or derive pleasure from the terror they inflict upon the people of the land. Hidden beyond their hordes are monstrosities far greater than one could ever hope to imagine. Pray, that by the time they arrive, you are already dead. ”

- Intelligence Specialist Artyom Gnilitskaya, Frontier Reconnaissance Company of Ingramar, “Testimony on Scouting Mission against Demonic Logistics Operations”

“That’s preposterous!” Advocate Simmons growled, “To admit evidence this late into the process is simply unconscionable.”

“One might say so is calling for a trial scarcely half a week after an arrest. When the defence team is only informed the day before.” Advocate Alexos replied.

“The situation demanded it! This is an unprecedented citation in Arterian history! Besides? What would this evidence even prove? We can establish malicious intent or grievous incompetence being attributed to the Company, but how does that even matter here? Especially in regards to her case? To accept this as actionable evidence would be absurd.” Simmons snapped.

“So is calling such a premature trial! See?” Alexos pointed Elaria’s documents, “Even now, potential evidence is coming in. We barely even had time to analyze the evidence being presented before, let alone double check or collect new bits of information. One might even say the Company influenced the council to start this early.” He tutted.

“Watch your tongue, Leonardo.”

“I only state what seems to be the most plausible answer based on the evidence being presented before me.”

Elaria massaged her temple. Her surprise arrival had sent the court into recess as they discussed the newly arrived evidence. The chief judge had seemed reluctant, even calling a vote from the panel of judges for the case. Elaria thought she would’ve been thrown out at once. Nine panel judges, all from either the trading companies or merchant houses of Arteria. A tenth seat empty as Braveskulls representative was not allowed to be on the jury due to the ongoing case. I need to find out what the situation is with Raylani and Aryana.

The motion to accept the new information was almost denied 5 to 4. Only after a few hushed whispers from staffers and advisors did the vote flip in her favor after the Lotkep dwarven representative defected to allow the evidence at the last moment.

Now she was in the middle of two middle aged men trying to argue about hte viability of her evidence. Advocate Tereniel Simmonss was a stylish, well dressed but uptight advocate that served the prosecution. Advocate Leonardo Alexos was on Sophie’s side and appeared equally professional though more prone to launching jabs against the Braveskull company, something Simmons took great offence to.

She sighed, so loud.

After more vigorous debating and much to Simmons’s chagrin, they eventually decided to press forward with the evidence. He tabelled his objections and swore to call for a legal inquiry into the matter after the trial, but Alexos seemed unfazed. To compensate, she was told she would need to give her own testimony and be cross examined in turn.

She pretended to be vexed, but acquiesced. In truth, she finally had her opening. A stage like no other.

With the chief judge settling the matter, the group returned to the courtroom for proceedings. Elaria was told to wait for her turn to be called. An easy enough order to follow.

As the hours pressed on, she took some joy in the moments Sophie would occasionally dart over to look at her. Without fail, she would smile back, reassuring her sister of her presence.

In the meantime, Elaria got a better handle on the situation. A guilty verdict was to be delivered whatever the case being stated was, the law was broken, that much was certain no matter how justified Sophie was. The main crux of the argument was therefore focused on the punishment at hand and the degree in which the justification could potentially make the verdict more lenient. From the prosecution, they argued for a decade of imprisonment at minimum, execution at worst. Though even they knew the latter was too extreme. Probably hoping to hide the evidence of their own wrongdoing.

The defense meanwhile, argued that the minotaur, the rangers, and Sophie were acting in opposition to an unjust action. That their devotion to bringing justice, however wrong the methods, should earn them some leniency, even though they would still be marked as guilty. It was here that Elaria caught something concerning, that the minotaur and Sophie had saved over two hundred people between the two of them. Her eyes then scanned the crowd, narrowing as her observations led her to one conclusion, hundreds and yet none are here to give testimony, and they only get mentioned by the defense. Just what is the prosecution trying to hide by ignoring that issue? And where are they?

She made a mental note of that, already formulating an innocent little query that would hopefully buy her some sympathy from the crowd if not the jury. Aside from that, she also learned about the cross border collaboration with Adornari outriders and adventurers. From what it sounds like, those across the border did not persecute the rescuers despite them acting in violation of their own orders. Could be useful precedent, at least that’s what the advocate is trying to say. Sophie seems a bit miffed so far, maybe I’ll talk about whatever precedent they set and try to pry some more from them.

Then there was the issue of the jury. Of them, the elven Teriack, human Southshore, and Vermillion Companies representatives seemed more or less to be behind Sophie and the other accused. Whereas the merchant houses of Divacos, Visprays, Mikantos and Oppullus seemed deadset on harsh terms against the accused, with Oppullus’s representative being the most outwardly disdainful of Sophie and the others. That left house Kouzal and Lotkep trading company’s representatives as the only swing votes. Hmm, I feel like I should remember something Sophie told me about before here, but what?

Perhaps most surprisingly of all, the chief justice who was a half orc, but had adopted utter neutrality in this case and left the decisions to the jury on the severity of the punishments and the sentencing. Elaria was just thankful that he didn’t seem to be influenced by the Braveskull’s being a predominantly orcish trading company, something their representative seemed miffed by. Small mercies come from stubborn honorbound warriors, guess the chief justice is one of them. The man was mostly content to clarify and correct any incorrect readings of Arterian law.

Her only pain point was that Advocate Simmons’s argument wasn’t exactly incorrect. He was pushing for the harsh punishments precisely to deter the chances of wanton destruction brought against the Braveskull trading house in the wake of the original riots and the unsanctioned attack against the mine. That whatever issues they had should’ve been serviced through legal and civil means. It didn’t help that a high ranking templar had stripped the minotaur Taurox of his rank and effectively had him kicked out of the order. Only adding the prosecution’s emphasis of how illegal the operation had been. It was illegal and it was dangerous for all involved. Hells, people died from the sounds of it.

“Elaria Kastiane, please take the stand.” The chief justice called out.

She obliged and stepped forward.

“Under the watchful gaze of Astralis and merciful Liandra, are you, Elaria Kastiane, willing to swear that what you say will be nothing but the truth. Lest you be judged by all, and be smitten by stars for your lies.” He spoke.

“I swear to tell the truth. Under the guidance of the Goddess and the mother of law, may my words echo to the stars so that they may judge me worthy.” Elaria replied, thankful that Advocate Alexos had drilled her earlier.

“As we are now hearing the arguments of the defense on this last minute evidence. Honoured Advocate Alexos, may you please present your evidence first.” The chief justice asked.

“Of course, your honor.” Advocate Alexos bowed.

So began another hour of discussion and presentation. Multiple times Elaria spoke to explain the documents and what Sophie had discussed with her about taking action. Her sister increasingly squirming in her seat, being talked about but unable to respond.

Then came the cross examination, cutting holes into the defense as they questioned the legality of the paper. Once Elaria assured them enough that she did not know who acquired them, only that they were brought to the group and so they copied the documents for insurance. The prosecution moved to question Sophie’s role in everything. They took great pains to avoid disclosing some of her past deeds, but had to admit that once or twice she had shown this pattern of behavior before.

They then pointed fingers at the minotaur and how the two had masterminded this operation and disrupted supplies too and from Arteria and its neighbor's. Simmons even tried to poke holes in Sophie’s character, citing the previous time she unleashed chaos at the Grand Library of Arteria.

Though Alexos argued that Sophie was not at fault and that she was mostly the victim of circumstance. He also could not deny that in these instances, it looked very much that Sophie was not just guilty of assaulting the mine and murdering guards. But the original break in which sparked everything most likely stemmed from her as well.

This had the unfortunate effect of bolstering Simmons’s desire for a heavy handed punishment. Decrying the state of Arteria now and how easy it was for a ‘misguided’ adventurer to stick their nose where it didn’t belong and subsequently send the city into chaos. Furthermore, the economic damage done across all industries seemed to be the main reason the merchant houses were so incensed knowing that this was not an organized attack against Arterian institutions. But merely rogue actors taking justice into their own hands and therefore disrupting trade to such an extent that the city was at a standstill.

Lotkep remained in the middle. The dwarf would need convincing somehow. Kouzal’s representative unfortunately, seemed to be swaying closer and closer to the economic argument, the merchant house likely also having suffered greatly. Not good. Even with the dwarf, we’d be four to five. What could affect them? Kouzal himself? But he isn’t here. Maybe an appeal to skill? He seemed to like then new year's performance, maybe his subordinates share that? It's a leap for sure.

Taking advantage of a lull in the verbal sparring, she took her chance and raised her hand.

“Excuse me, honourable justice. Can I make a character testimonial for the accused Sophie Kastiane?” She mustered the courage to ask.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Simmons’s face tightening to scowl.

The half orc looked surprised before a little saddened, “I am sorry, but character testimonials on behalf of the defence is limited to the one’s they call beforehand.”

Shit. So much for that idea. Dejected, she held her tongue and frowned as she saw the chief justice shoot a look at Advocate Alexos.

“The honourable justice speaks the truth, unfortunately. However, since the cross examination is now officially over. You may head to the seating area and join the proceedings as a public observer.” The Advocate grinned. Huh?

She nodded, not letting her emotions show.

“As this is a special case trial open to the public. I take this moment to now ask if either the prosecution or defence have any objections to moving forward to the next part of our proceedings where the public may offer their opinions and thoughts on current matters?” The chief justice took over.

Ahh, these cheeky fucks. Elaria swore under her breath, but thankful nonetheless.

Disgruntled, the prosecution voiced as much did not outright object. Alexos did not either, though he seemed almost instantly on guard when Simmons did not protest.

What could it be? She mumbled.

He has a keen eye for trouble, that’s for sure. Elaria bemoaned.

Turns out the ‘public’ wasn’t as public as it meant to be. At first she suspected nothing. But after a dozen or so members of the public praised the restoration of order and specifically, House Oppullus, she felt that something was off. Their facade was still masked by the few members of the citizenry that did make it in, offering words that pleaded for justice and the injustice of this current situation. But when she looked at their formal attire and that of those wearing fancier ones behind them, Elaria had a sneaking suspicion that things would not resolve so easily.

Her guess proved too close to the truth. Taking a good look around, the room was stacked with merchants and nobles. I think I get why people are mad outside the Chamber now, heh. But it makes sense, who else would be free enough to attend such things? Or rather, who would hear about these arrangements first? Tsk.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

The scent of stale air had already become too familiar, though the dusty carpeting irked her. She sighed, contemplating what to do. Her bum had grown sore after the first hour, let alone the subsequent half a dozen. Her heart also began to race, doubts of the verdict mingling with the plan that she had originally had in her mind. It needs to change. Over by where the accused were, Sophie looked equally as exhausted. The girl was allowed to keep her dull brown tunic that she now scratched at. Don’t worry, big sis is here.

Unlike Sophie or Sophia, who each valued their time spent together. Elaria had grown more carefree, she was mostly content just existing and doing her own thing. Whether it was from the Master’s influence or just from how she had discovered many things on her own in the days when Sophie wasn’t in the void palace, she didn’t know. What she did know was that being in this world was fun, vibrant and full of many different things.

She had arrived summoned or sent by accident. Paired with Raylani despite their unusual circumstances. And even travelled half of Traxia, the most ardently anti-elven nation there was with the dark elf in tow. All through the unexpected power of music and her voice, though a scantily clad dancer certainly helped catch a lot of the attention. They were a strange pair, but she didn’t mind, though she still hoped the girl would stop calling her ‘mistress’.

But being carefree didn’t mean that she couldn’t learn, and learn she did. Throughout her journeys in Traxia, she found even more joy in the art of surprise. Be it through a performance, words, or a simple act, she had discovered unexpected pleasure in goading out the reactions that people had when confronted with unexpected things. This court case then, was one such moment, but one that was proving far more difficult to crack. It was a battle of words and debates, not of music and fun.

The prosecution wasn’t playing fair even if their legal justifications are correct. Therefore, her immediate goal isn’t to redeem Sophie, but to sway the neutral jurors. She had faith in her words to at least touch their hearts, though whether it’d be enough to get their votes was a whole different matter.

Another few merchants spoke and she could tell the Kouzal representative was getting antsy. The man seemed more receptive to their pleas for justice and preventing another round of riots. The dwarven one remained mostly stoic, or his beard made him look like he was sleeping. Either way works.

Soon enough, another person finished their speeches and it was her turn to step up to the podium. Elaria put on her best smile and met the gazes of each juror. Most of them seemed indifferent and tired from the proceedings. Only representative Joselyn Oppullus, a younger blonde haired and hateful looking man, and Advocate Simmons showed outright distasteful expressions at her presence.

One of the court officers helped her onto the podium and motioned for her to begin. Catching a glimpse of Sophie’s worried expression, she flashed the girl a confident grin. Worry not, dear sister. I’ve got an ace up my sleeve.

“You may begin.” The chief justice announced.

“Thank you, honored justice.” Elaria bowed, her motions exaggerated and performative, “And thank you to the panel for taking the time to hear my thoughts.”

A few grunts were her signal to continue. Elaria was more than happy to do so.

“It is in my opinion, the best interest of the court to make a decision only after knowing the full truth. In this instance, a truth which has yet I feel, thus far eluded you all. That is who my sister is as a person.” Elaria began, her eyes briefly meeting Sophie’s, “What I noted that both the defense and prosecution failed to mention was her plethora of accolades for her heroics and bravery.”

“What is this drivel?” Joselyn muttered.

Ignoring him, she continued, “Dear Sophie was recognised by Astralian church as having played a pivotal part in uncovering an undead plot in northern Carrador. She then served alongside templars, including the minotaur there, and played yet again, a key role in the liberation of Melisgrad. Diving headfirst into the fray, she fought her way to the source of the madness that had overtaken the city and destroyed it, earning herself the friendship of the then prince now king.”

This seemed to catch the Kouzal representative by surprise, the man looking mildly more interested in her words and taking occasional looks at Sophie. Ah, so Kouzal’s looking for merit, influence, or accomplishments. Let’s try narrowing it down a little. She furrowed her brows, trying to recall everything Sophie had shared in the past few months.

“Her next attempt at heroics involved a trip down into the deeps around Abenstadt. There, she entered tunnels that roam beneath the earth and assisted in the lifting of a siege against the dwarven city of… Karak Dar? Kaz Darak?” Shit, shit, shit, what a fucking time to forget the name? She looked over to Sophie in panic, but the girl was legally not allowed to speak during the character testimonials. Sophie tried to mouth something, but Elaria couldn’t read her lips properly. “Kar… Dars?”

“That’s enough blubbering, either be done or continue.” Joselyn taunted.

“If I may, chief justice?” The Lotkep representative raised his voice.

“Considering the extraordinary circumstances, you may proceed.” The justice nodded.

“Lassie, do you mean Kaz Druzara? That’s the only forge city near, err, under Abenstadtian territory.” The dwarf rumbled.

“That’s the one! Kaz Druzara! Where Sophie managed to ride a rock monster golem thing and help lift the siege. Not only that, there, she earned herself the title of ‘Friend of the Stone’ or was it ‘Stonefriend’? Whatever the case, it was for her headstrong idiocy and subsequent heroics, much of which she demonstrated in this instance as well.” Elaria recounted.

The dwarf stroked his beard, visibly straightening his back. Wrong note caught the wrong target, but I guess a hook’s a hook. Seeing no one rising to question her, she pushed on.

“Sophie then ended up in an encounter at the Academy where an assassin tried to kill a Traxian princess. Only her timely intervention stopped the situation from developing further. From the evidence gathered from the fight and subsequent information delivered to us, she reached the conclusion that the man had help from someone inside the city, specifically the Braveskull company. As the documents I provided to the court might show. So again, the only reason she has landed in her current position is because she had been thrown into a situation where inaction would’ve resulted in large-scale suffering. A situation she could not allow.” Elaria finally finished, allowing herself a relieved exhalation of air.

A few murmurs echoed in the audience but the greatest of mutterings came from the jury. The representatives discussed amongst themselves about her words save for the one from Teriack and Southshore who both seemed unimpressed. At least they’re on the leniency side already.

“Your honor?” Joselyn raised his hand.

“You may proceed.” Came the reply.

“That was like a story told by a toddler, a tale wrapped only in heroics. You can’t seriously expect us to take that opinion into account?” He aimed his words at Elaria, “The way you describe her is almost like an overly sanitized version of her life story. Surely there’s more you aren’t sharing or why she was in those situations in the first place!”

To her horror, Lord Kouzal’s representative seemed to nod along at the man’s words. Dammit , what about the dwarf?

Still stroking his beard, the dwarf’s lack of any concerned expression also worried her a little. I wish I could read him, stupid beard. Do they think I’m bluffing? But that’s actually what happened! Albeit a little summarized.

“Do you have anything else to say or are you done? Because fanciful tales, however, truthful or not, only highlight moments in people’s lives. Is she truly a hero? Or a victim of circumstance? How can we tell?” Joselyn smirked. That didn’t even make sense!

“True.” House Vispray’s representative agreed.

“Beyond that, heroism does not excuse the damage and precedent her actions will set for the future moving forward.” Mikantos’s female representative joined her colleagues, “Not only that, but her actions here are what’s being called into question, not her past. It is her actions that have caused all of us much suffering and even more amongst the citizenry.”

“That’s right. And with unfound conviction she launched an attack, nay, an assault onto innocent targets to seek retribution for things yet unproven.”

Dammit, that’s… wait! The hostages! Elaria growled, if I can't change your minds, I'll just have to force you to. She sucked in a deep breath to calm herself.

“Well then, let’s move on.” Joselyn tapped his desk.

“W-wait! Your honour! I know it might be breaching protocol but may I ask a question?” Elaria blurted out.

Her demand received some active boo’s from both the hostile jurors and the audience that were in their ploy. The chief justice hesitated from this display and Elaria panicked. She had one shot at this.

She clutched the sides of the podium and tried to keep herself in place. Steadying her mind, she reached out mentally, allowing the little tendrils of nothingness to snake its way along the unfathomable strands of mana currents that ran through the Chamber. Like a beast, it was hungry, but she contained it, forcing it to find the routes most familiar.

It coiled around two distinctive ones, her companions. Through them she drove it forward, to use what little was left of their aura’s to guide it. Pushing the unceasing emptiness forward, she finally found what felt like an anomaly and smiled. Beyond the boundary of rationality and the arcane, she had the tendril clutch onto but a simple cobble tile at first, then the shirt of the closest person in the crowd outside.

Through the breach she had made hours earlier, she was now standing on a grand stage, readying for her largest performance yet. But the cost was great, it sapped away at her own lifeforce. Before long, she too would need to shatter one of the ancient crystals like Sophie had. But that was a problem for another time. For to protect her sister, nothing was out of the question.

Jolting back into her mind, she could feel the courtroom’s gaze entirely on her. She had no idea what the chief justice had said or what made Joselyn and the other hostile lords snicker. But she could guess it was her turn to speak.

“I know I am but an unworthy bard, Elaria Kastiane, or evidently as some people say, ‘The Nightengale’, a name I am not yet familiar with but endeavor to fulfil what expectations come from it, for the people.” She announced, her arms gesturing grandly at herself. An introduction.

This bizarre speech saw more than a few jurors frowning. To them, she must’ve seemed like she broke under pressure, turning into a madwoman.

“In this most unique and bizarre of trials, called mere day’s after an arrest. Leaving no sufficient time for any competent gathering of evidence. You accuse my sister and her compatriots of breaking the law, for which is true. That I will not deny. But for their punishment to be decades imprisonment verging on life in captivity? For their herorics? That I cannot allow.” She continued. Sprinkle in the plot.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Advocate Alexos muttered at his desk.

“You attempt to sully the rule of law yourself, Sir Joselyn Oppullus, Advocate Simmons. The rest of you merchant lords too. All on Braveskull’s behalf.” She accused.

“You are here to deliver character testimonials, I ask that you refrain from broaching matters beyond that.” The chief justice scowled at her. Sorry, but rules are made to be broken.

“My sister attacked the mining complex to save people, to liberate hostages and freed what Advocate Alexos said were slaves and more. Yet, for that deed, for free Arteria’s sons and daughters, and those of travellers and other abused victims. Her sentence is as harsh as it is? That is simply unacceptable.” The stakes and the characters.

“What are you doing? Officer, please remove madam Kastiane from the podium.” The justice ordered.

The court erupted into a flurry of accusatory words being flung at her for disrupting the proceedings. The trinites moved closer, her window was closing.

“A moment! Please! I seek justice and you would have me removed?!” She cried out, “Where are all the people she saved?! Where are all the wounded? The freed? The suffering?” She tried to squirm out of the nearby guard’s grasp, “You brought people here for the character testimonials and trials! They are all but merchants and nobles! Where are the common folk?! Where are those who were hurt?! Why are they missing?! All I ask is where are they?! Tell me, tell us all!” She cried out desperately. To repeat a theme.

“That’s enough! I will hold you in contempt of court if you continue! You make a mockery of the legal system!” The chief justice growled.

The defense looked utterly defeated, their reputation ruined by her. The opposition was in contrast, smug and celebratory, having just witnessed the self sabotage on display.

But Elaria smiled the widest, for her morals were simply. She would seek fun and protect her friends, there was little need for true right or wrong in the void. If antagonistic entities threatened her and played dirty to legally win, she was prepared to raise the stakes as high as she needed to. She looked at Sophie with a plea in her eyes, the girl matching the gaze but looked afraid. Elaria could only hope Sophie could read her lips, don’t worry.

“Where are they?! Where is Keely and the others?!” Sophie joined the cry.

“Madam, this is not advised-” Advocate Alexos tried to hush her with a panicked look on his face. Poor professionals, this must be so different from anything they were expecting.

“Where are the people who should have their story told most of all?!” Elaria called out to Sophie, wiggling her way out of a surprised guard’s arms and beelining for the podium once more. A song for the people.

“Madam!” Someone aggressively yelled.

“Cease this!” Someone else called out.

“They were prisoners! I found them! They were tied up and-and…” Sophie spluttered to halt, her face flashing through her memories seemingly too vividly.

“What happened?! Tell me more! Sophie!” And to keep the rhythm.

“Enough of this!” A guard cried.

“Arrest her too!” A juror screeched.

“They were raped and tortured. There were so many pregnant…” Sophie’s expression transformed into a haunted one as the girl fell still, unable to continue. Sorry for bringing up bad things, but I suspected there was more to the story. But this… this is exactly what I need.

“Where are those the orcs raped and tortured?! Where are these women who were thusly violated and impregnated against their will?! Why are they not the ones speaking in court?! Hear me now, Arteria! Hear my voice and know the lies your leaders tell you! The ones who suffered the most are absent! For the sake of what?!” She roared as loud as she could, “For the Braveskulls whose sins are brought to light only to be ignored?! Will you stand for this?!” A call to the heartstrings and soul.

With her battlecry, her strength gave out and she tumbled down the podium steps. Amongst the alarmed, hostile, bewildered cries of the people around her, she smiled. Pained but not down for the count, she met the chief justice’s eye, the man realizing something more was afoot. I suppose he is the chief justice for a reason.

“Silence in the court!” He roared as only a half orc could.

Guards, citizens and jurors shut up at once. Only her own labored breaths echoed in her ears, still deafened from the explosive roar. The dusty carpeted floor tickled her nostrils but she was too weak to even sneeze. Sweaty, exhausted and weakened, she craned her neck upwards to meet the justice’s gaze. A worthy performance.

“What are you waiting for? Arrest her!” Joselyn broke the silence.

“Silence! No one moves until I say so!” The half orc roared once more, making the representative jump a little.

The trinite guards near here were ready to arrest her but too afraid to make a move.

With the orc’s gaze burrowing into her, only one question came from the chief justice’s lips.

“What did you do?”