Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
There is a crowd pushing through the main arch which obstructs the view of what is beyond. If this is a public trial then I am guessing that is what they are all trying to see, making my swift entrance just a bit more challenging, great.
As if reading my thoughts, Embrys walks ahead of me with a ball of flame floating in his hand and the crowd immediately parts for us to pass through.
“Thanks.” I keep up behind him.
Startled fae glare at us but none try to get in our way.
When we are through the arch we climb the white stone stairs to the main doors and push our way through the crowd.
The main foyer is grand, with high dome ceilings and white marble floors housing designs of green vines mosaiced into the large tiles.
The walls are covered in sprawling ivy and there is a magnificent chandelier that looks to be a golden and shimmering upside down tree floating mid-air.
Lights twinkle from the tips of the branches and I can imagine the beautiful disco ball effect it must have at night.
I wonder if they have balls here. That’s a fairytale thing, right?
The grand room has been transformed into a courtroom. On tiptoes I can see at the far end of the space is the dark haired man from Pyralis’ painting, and my nightmares, up on a dais, sitting on a throne made of a living tree resembling a miniature version of the Wishing Tree.
He wears a golden crown of ivy with what looks to be fangs pointing down all along his brow, nice touch. The balance of delicacy and fearsomeness I am guessing is a special addition, courtesy of The Wolf.
We push through the crowd far enough so we can see the backs of Oleander and Pyralis’ heads.
They are seated at the base of the small platform that holds the throne with vargs on either side of them.
Oleander doesn’t appear to be restrained but it is hard to tell from behind.
There are three rows of seated fae directly behind them, two seats I recognize are inhabited by the thin, white haired head of Gaelheart and his black haired son, Elias.
As if sensing that Embrys is here Pyralis turns to meet his eye.
As he turns, Embrys shoves my head down so I am hidden behind a portly fae man that has a pig’s tail sticking out of his pants.
Stay hidden until The King calls for objections, my father will try and intercede otherwise, Embrys says.
My eyes widen as I realize that we were not sharing eye contact.
I wonder whether my powers have somehow grown since my stint in the crystal cave, or if it is just our connection that has grown.
Embrys releases the back of my head and walks forward through the crowd. I peer around the shoulder of the pig fae and watch him take his spot on the other side of Oleander. She shows no signs of acknowledging his presence. Shit, she must be freaking out.
“Loyal subjects, we gather you here this eve to bear witness to the trial of one, Oleander Pyralis, who has been accused of the destruction of the sacred Heartwood Forest, by means of her Goddess given gift of fire. We will hear her plea.” The voice of The Wolf carries far but he does not shout.
He is somehow amplified whilst keeping his tone cool and calm.
There is some murmuring in the crowd at his mention of the destruction of the forest, his simple gesture of lifting a hand silences the crowd instantly.
“She has her right to a fair trial and a right to representation on her behalf. Miss Pyralis, please do stand and introduce who your representative will be.” The Wolf nods, a show of respect to the order of things.
Oleander rises and Embrys watches her closely, sparing a quick glance back to where I am crouched.
Stay there. Stay hidden.
“Your majesty, I thank you for the opportunity to prove my innocence. I will be representing myself.” There is no way she would have had time to find someone to help her. This isn’t fair!
Whispering breaks out amongst the gathered fae again, this must not be an orthodox method. I can see Embrys tug on Oleander’s hand and say something I cannot hear but she just pulls her hand away and stays standing, facing The King.
“Very well. You may be seated. On behalf of the Heartwood Forest, I will be standing as a representative,” The King says and the shocked whispering has turned to outright exclamations.
This is clearly not a normal occurrence either, for The King himself to stand against an accused.
This doesn’t seem fair and I want to barge right up there and yell in his face but it appears Embrys has beaten me to it, foolish man.
“On what grounds do you have the right to stand for the forest? You are supposed to be our ruler, our keeper of peace and justice. If you are standing against my sister you cannot be a fair judge!” Embrys walks up only one of the steps before two vargs grab him, holding him back by the arms. The King waves them off and slowly rises.
His cool and calculated smile makes me shiver.
“Mister Pyralis poses a good question. I do not suppose to play both judge and accuser. I am a fair and just King after all, am I not? Thus, my most faithful citizens, I pose onto you the duty of being my voice of reason. Hear us both and choose if this young woman shall bear the burden of guilt or if she shall be granted exculpation. It is not an easy weight to bear but someone must pay the price for the devastation of such sacred life. I trust you will be pragmatic in your decision.” I look around at all the nodding heads and exuberant faces.
Having The King ask such a thing from his people is clearly making them feel important. Not a good start for Oleander.
“As for the grounds on which I may speak on behalf of the forest herself, I invoke the ancient right of my direct ancestor, Silasi, protectress of the forests of both realms, as appointed by The Divine Mother herself.” Whispering breaks out amongst the gathered crowd, Silasi’s name being traded around in shocked tones.
Who is this person? What is she to the fae?
The Wolf sits back down on his throne and leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees, as if he is about to tell a tale to a group of eagerly listening children.
I scoff but as I look around everyone is dead silent and are indeed, eagerly listening.
I can see how this man won over a nation by preaching his fanatical new religion.
His way with words and with a crowd is scarier than the monster he morphs into.
Embrys shakes off the vargs and bows his head, silently resigning back to his seat.
The Wolf motions to Oleander to join him on the dais.
Oleander rises from her seat and steps onto the first step.
The vargs do not try to apprehend her as she takes one more step up and turns around to face the crowd.
The sight of her determined face pulls at my heart.
I can tell she is being brave but her fire is ever lingering behind her eyes, waiting to be set free.
I wish I could run up there and stand with her against her accusers.
“Gentle fae, please hear me when I say I am innocent. I have been a protector of the natural world all my life. All the creations of The Divine Mother are worthy of life and I would never purposefully destroy her blessed design.” Oleander scans the room, keeping her chin up.
“I was deep underground, within a system of caves in the Heartwood Forest with some companions, when word got out of a rapidly spreading fire. At this time I aided in bringing my friends to safety. The fire was too far along, so we had to evacuate rather than try and fight it. I have been wrongfully accused based on my gifts from The Mother and resent the prejudice that is based on my birthright. Unfortunately my companions could not be here with me today but my brother was present; I call upon him to attest to my character.” Oleander gestures for Embrys to join her on the dais.
Why doesn't she accuse her father right away? He is to blame!
Embrys’ shoulders rise and fall slightly as he takes a steadying breath then gets up from his seat to join Oleander.
His long legs take both steps in one stride.
With them standing side by side I notice their height difference.
Embrys truly is a large presence but Oleander makes up for her height with a smouldering fire that seems to always be waiting, just under the surface of her skin.
“My sister left my father and I seven years ago to pursue her devotion to The Mother,” more like ran away, “she had always been a student of the natural world and wished for nothing else but to protect it. I do not believe she has it in her to harm any of the creatures upon this Earth unless provoked in order to protect one that is more vulnerable. I, Embrys Pyralis, vouch for her character and do not believe that she has done what she is accused of doing.” Embrys nods his head to the crowd in finality and goes to step back down to his seat but is halted, by the upraised hand of The Wolf.
“A moment, Mr. Pyralis. I have a query of my own to pose upon you before you take your seat.” The Wolf stands and approaches Embrys and Oleander, buttoning his suit vest as he walks.
“Now what a shining description of your dear sister’s temperament, I truly do admire sibling adoration.
” The Wolf smiles to the crowd, heads nod in agreement.
“Is it not true though, that she had you imprisoned within this network of caves?” The Wolf has a feigned look of concern.
Embrys slowly nods in response, eyes shifting to where I am still crouched down in the crowd.