Amick #2
After explaining why I did what I did to Harriseen and what I had been working toward with the agreement made on our behalf, I was too ashamed to admit all I found in his office was the sleep paralysis drug and a cube I knew held everything I needed but couldn’t access.
That wasn’t going to be enough evidence to get me through this undisputedly.
I made it seem like I just wanted—needed—to keep the evidence to myself and work it out the way I always do.
The truth was, I was panicking.
If I couldn’t get that cube open, my life was basically over.
The drugs, the dagger, and even the bodies weren’t going to be enough to sway the four gods before me that are so very wishy-washy in their treatment of us.
I didn’t want to burden my brothers or Thayla with that worry.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell them last night that I had no substantial evidence and this trial wasn’t going to go in my favor.
Sitting there, leaning over my desk, staring down at the dagger, the cube, and the drugs after I shut the door in Kyzen’s face, I was ready to accept my fate. So I piled everything on top of the cube and stepped away.
The essence from the dagger popped the lid right open.
I only spent a moment shaming myself for not trying that sooner.
I blame it on all the emotions that have been in my way lately.
“I find it incredibly hard to believe that a man with stature such as Harriseen would be so careless to record his own crimes,” Sabelline scoffs. “Who’s to say Amick didn’t manufacture this text?”
“The fact you believe Harriseen to be a man of stature is telling, Slutlline,” Derivius says, and from behind me, multiple snorts are cut short. “Besides, Amick’s essence is nowhere near the text.”
“Then give us a plausible reason as to why in the realm Harriseen would keep such records, Chaos.”
Derivius rolls his eyes at my father. “It’s quite obvious.
He was the God of Records. His power wouldn’t allow him not to record his own history.
Records, as a power, doesn’t judge or discriminate.
It only cares for recordings. Harriseen was well aware of that, but he was also aware of how incriminating his records were. ”
“It’s undeniable that they date back some time. We all bore witness to the death of late High Chancellor Orven. Who mind you, was killed by Harriseen himself. The event is recorded accurately right here. That moment in time happened way before any of the sons were born,” Rellannaver says.
Any of the sons…as if one of them isn’t hers.
“Fine, we can all agree Harriseen was a murderer, sure. I’m still not convinced that Amick had the right to kill him the way he did. I believe he’s using the Law of Neglectful Use of Power and Status as an excuse.”
“You’re reaching, Obliteration. Why would he use it as an excuse?” Derivius asks.
“It’s obvious.” My shoulders straighten as he points a finger over my shoulder. “Harriseen went after their Binder. Therefore, Amick’s intervention was retaliation.”
I knew the accusation would come.
I’m surprised he took this long to declare it.
“The Attendants were dead. Ms. Godrun and Ms. Andino were home safe and sound. The threat had concluded,” he continues. “Mr. Valadi, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it stated in the Law that intervention is permitted when the threat is immediate?”
Mr. Valadi steps forward, lacing his hands behind his back.
“Article three permits intervention when immediate and credible threat persists. Immediate suggests closeness in time.”
“Yes, and hadn’t it been weeks ago that Ms. Godrun and Ms. Andino had been kidnapped? Plenty of time to concoct a plan.”
Before silence can settle, a throat clears behind me.
“The statute does not confine immediacy to active violence,” Nero says, clear and calm. “It encompasses destabilization of the region’s authority at any time.”
I turn my head, nodding as he steps beside me.
“Young Mr. Valadi,” Derivius says with a smile. “Thank you for that clarification.”
“That is not what Article three states,” Mr. Valadi says, gaining everyone’s attention.
“Explain Article three,” my father instructs with a pleased smile.
“Article three, the Burden of Justification, states that an Entrusted Authority whose actions result in loss of life must demonstrate immediate and credible threat, proportional response, absence of alternative recourse, and alignment with the stability of the region.”
“Do you believe, based on the evidence presented, that he has demonstrated all of those points?”
Mr. Valadi shakes his head at Kirabaddon. “The absence of alternative recourse and alignment with the stability of the region is questionable.”
“And it is quite clear that Amick had plenty of alternative recourse,” Sabelline says, laughing as she raises her glass of wine.
So holy of her.
“If I may?”
“Please do,” Derivius answers Nero before anyone else can speak.
“Given the evidence provided, late High Chancellor Harriseen broke four major rules stated in the Law.
Article two—Abuse Through Neglect—states that Neglectful Use of Power and Status shall be defined as the willful or reckless use of authority for personal preservation, pride, concealment, or advantage.
The failure to act when action is required to prevent harm reasonably foreseeable.
The infliction of punishment, injury, or death absent of lawful cause or recognized threat.
The silencing, coercion, or elimination of subordinates to preserve reputation, status, or political standing.
“It is my opinion, given Amick’s status as Rising Chancellor, he had ample opportunity to kill late High Chancellor Harriseen in a much more discreet way that wouldn’t have resulted in this.
Instead, once his power reacted to the dagger and his status was elevated to an Entrusted Authority by decree of the Power Worthiness Test, only then did he see the true threat to the region. Therefore, he acted immediately.”
A quiet, dangerous undercurrent flutters through the air. The shift in energy isn’t only from Kirabaddon and Sabelline, but Mr. Valadi.
I incline my chin as I meet his glare.
He can stare daggers at his son all he wants. I won’t let him intimidate him into submission.
I’m not sure exactly what he expected when he saw his son standing in this room, but surely, he couldn’t have assumed anything but the best. He molded him into who he wanted him to be.
It’s his own fault for assuming his son would never break from the mold.
“It’d seem the friendship—”
“We have everything we need,” Rellannaver says, cutting my father off. “We shall cast our votes. Derivius, in the trial of late High Chancellor Harriseen, do you believe Amick, God of Knowledge, acted in good faith or ill will?”
“Good faith.”
His answer is immediate and sure. I dip my head.
“Calista.”
“Son, even if you possibly had alternative motives, I find them very sweet and protective. Much like your father.” She giggles, then clears her throat. “Good faith.”
My eyes drift right past her.
As always, she’s living in a delusional, unstable land of sunshine and rainbows.
“Kirabaddon.”
“Ill-will.”
Suspected as much. Same for the next.
“Sabelline.”
“Ill-will.”
The Goddess of Accord’s attention flicks behind me. As much as I want to believe she’s looking at her son, I know she isn’t. He’s slightly to my right. Thayla is an inch to my left.
The air gets sucked out of the room as everyone takes a deep breath, waiting for her deciding vote.
I don’t let my pounding heartbeat distract me or drown out my other senses.
I stay as unemotional and impassive as she does.
“You are found to have acted in good faith, Amick. You’re free to proceed with the same standing and stature.”
Cheers ring out behind me, and my soul alights in my chest. A muttered hold on whispered from Kyzen’s lips lets me know my Binder was getting ready to pounce on me.