Chapter 64 — The Trial, Part I

Irene arrived early to secure a location near where Elder Emmer would be during the trial. She had all but given up on this village, but this trial was one last heavens-sent opportunity to save her neighbors from the horrid witch’s grasp.

Thankfully, with Elder Emmer being family by the marriage between Aunt Seime and the elder’s favored son, Irene had managed to get him to listen to reason. And together, they had convinced Elder Alstin, whose family ran the north-side general store, and Elder Harron, who ran the hunting lodge and handled the training of new hunters, to use this trial as an opportunity to air grievances and expose the corruption that the witch was weaving throughout the village.

Now properly positioned as planned behind the empty chair placed for Elder Emmer's use, Irene looked out over the public circle, her hand brushing the rope marking off the area in front of the balconied gazebo that enclosed the central waterwell. The roped area was to leave room for witnesses to address the lord and elders in view of the gathering villagers. She was encouraged that the gazebo and the statue of the founding lord atop—the location where Lord Vorshan would preside over the trial—was yet to be decorated in the trappings of the Festival of Fear. That meant they were taking the trial seriously and intended serious consequences for the Clearwell girl.

A platform was set up for the accused girl and her family to stand. It was a scene Irene had seen many times before, though usually for matters much less serious. Making the family stand with the accused was a way of publicly shaming the family, a tactic that Irene certainly approved of.

The umbrella-shaded platform on the other side was something else entirely, a sign of wealth and status and reserved for those apart to remind the common people of the difference in station. But for once, it would be a family normally seated in comfort that would be made to stand and be shamed.

Judging by the numbers of her fellow villagers who had already begun to gather so early in the morning, the interest was high. A faint smile raised the corner of her mouth. Maybe the village wasn't lost yet, after all.

“I'll be fine, dad.”

Ria glanced over expectantly at the sound of Leon's voice through the open door of the bakery and smiled in relief. Leon was coming out just as she and Jarrel's parents were approaching. The outfit he was wearing could only be described as his chapel-day best. She hadn't been expecting him to come, but having the support of a friend was certainly welcome. Though for him to be dressed in his best and clearly planning to attend the trial without coordinating with her was… suspicious.

“Ah, Ria…” he lamely offered upon noticing her, and after his eyes slid to the side at her inquiring eyebrow, he hurriedly explained, “Early this morning, I received a summons to testify at the trial for Young Lady Keira’s friend.”

Oh? Was that intentionally done so she wouldn't be made aware ahead of time? Ria’s mind churned with the possible implications, and new worries twisted at her already nervous stomach. “What about your family? Are they coming?” Ria asked, peeking around him as if that would make his mentioned family members appear.

Leon nodded. “Yeah, but later. Mom and dad need to put the oven fires out and finish arranging the day's goods so Emily can mind the store.”

“Want to walk with us then?” Ria offered.

Leon shrugged. “I'd appreciate it. You seem to have more experience with nobles than I do.”

“Come on, you two. You can talk and walk at the same time,” Grandma Fana chided and ushered them along before taking hold of Grandpa Orlan's elbow and letting herself be properly escorted.

Jarrel's parents were also in chapel-day clothes, as was mostly everyone else that Ria saw walking in small groups. All heading toward the Lord's manor—or more precisely, the public circle in front of the Lord's manor—with more joining the growing throng the closer they came to the wealthy area of the village. Most of the older women and couples had somber expressions and walked in silence, but a group of young women, some close in age to Jess if Ria had to guess, were walking just ahead of Ria's group and were excitedly gossiping. Ria eagerly listened in, hoping to get a sense of the crowd's mood.

(A barbarian and a witch, and now a necromancer!)

(I know! It's hard to believe. Even my mom has been talking about it!)

(I can't remember the last time there was a trial like this.)

(You're a bit young to remember, but there was a series of terrible murders back before Bastach became captain of the guardsmen and the murderer ended up being one of the guardsmen at the time.)

(Wow. That's awful.)

(Yeah. Lord Vorshan was really upset and forced the previous captain to retire. He lives in the outlands now, helping protect the outlanders.)

The conversation was fascinating, and Ria had no idea that there was such a history behind Bastach becoming captain of the guard.

“Did you get a summons too, Ria?” Leon awkwardly asked her.

Ria shook her head. “No. Lord Vorshan told me that I could address the elders during the time allotted for the villagers to speak for and against Amilee if I wanted, and I told him that I did.”

“Aren't you nervous about speaking in front of the whole village?” Leon asked, looking at her in surprise.

“I am!” Ria admitted and squeezed out a semblance of a smile.

If anything, Leon looked more nervous than she was. “Do you think they'll really sentence her to death?”

Ria related what Priest Dohan had said about seeking a lesser punishment if possible.

“But if he can't convince the other elders?” Leon asked.

There wasn't any good answer to that question.

At her continued silence, Leon changed the subject, “Ranger isn't with you?”

“No. He's sulking back at the shop. We were worried that with the villagers crowding into the circle, he'd be underfoot. That, and having him with us would draw too much attention.” Ria made a wry smile. “Oscar and Yuri are helping with the shop while we're at the trial, so I gave him an important mission to help Yuri with her children.”

“Oscar and Yuri?” Leon asked, apparently not familiar with the names.

“Yuri is Oscar's wife. Oscar works for us, helping with the butchering.”

“Oh.” Leon seemed to consider for a moment. “How old are the children?”

“Toben is one, and Sammy was just born recently.”

Leon grimaced. “You should probably bring him back something if you get the chance.”

Ria thought so too, but her new family ran a butcher shop. What could she bring him that would be better than what Grandma Fana gave him regularly now anyway?

“Keep moving to make room for those still coming. Gather behind the elder who represents you and your interests!”

Guardsman Lieutenant Gesler and a few other guardsmen Ria recognized, including Gebs' father and others from the 'we are going to die' group, were directing people where to go as they entered the circle.

When their turn came, Gesler recognized her. “Ah, Ria, witnesses and their close family are to stand with Priest Dohan.” He motioned for them to proceed through the roped-off area.

Did Gesler know something she didn't? Did he recognize Leon? If so, why not address Leon instead?

Ria didn't complain or correct him though and led her small procession through the busy guardsmen and the gap left between the surprisingly-fancy weighted-poles supporting the sections of rope lines.

Those already gathered seemed to take notice of Ria's group entering the roped-off area, and Ria quickly looked around for Priest Dohan, spotting him seated on a chair nearer the gazebo covering the central well, just past one of the newly placed raised platforms. Master Rigure was seated nearest the platform on the opposite side. Of the other elders, she was surprised to recognize the old man who had been sweeping outside the general store—he must be Elder Alstin. The remaining two, must be Elders Harron and Emmer. Based on their attire and the villagers gathering behind them, Ria had a fairly good idea which was which.

“Ria,” Grandma Fana queried once they were out of the guardsmen's hearing. Her tone of voice sent a chill down Ria's spine. “You didn't say you were a witness.”

“I'm not. I don't think,” Ria quickly denied and, at Grandma Fana's frown, added, “But Leon is, and I need to be close if I'm going to speak, so it's fine, right?”

Grandpa Orlan chuckled when Grandma Fana gave an exasperated sigh. “It's fine, Fana. We'll be able to support them better this way. I doubt Leon's family is going to be able to get close at this rate.”

“Suppose you're right,” Grandma Fana allowed. “Well, get on with it. The neighbors are gawking.”

Ria nodded and hurried over to where Priest Dohan was waiting, watching them with interest. He stood as they approached, greeting them amiably and offering her a hug, which she gladly took advantage of.

“Thanks for yesterday,” Ria told him.

“I'm sorry the news wasn't better. The gods love us each in their own way, so don't lose faith.” Priest Dohan rubbed her back warmly before letting her go.

“I won't,” Ria readily affirmed and stepped back then reconsidered the promise she had just casually made. Her thoughts drifted back to when she was alone in Shadewood, and she reminded herself that just because she had faith, didn't mean she had to like the gods or their plan for her.

“Orlan, Fana.” Priest Dohan smiled. “For you to be the ones taking care of Ria is a relief. I can rest assured in her growing up well-grounded. You have my thanks for providing Oscar with a trade.”

Ria puffed out her cheeks at the thought that she needed anyone to take care of her and make her 'well-grounded'… wait. Why would Priest Dohan have an interest in Oscar learning a trade? “Was Oscar an orphan?”

“Indeed, he was, young Ria,” Priest Dohan confirmed as he turned to Leon. “And young Leon. I hear you're to be a witness.”

“Ah, yes. Priest Dohan. Thanks for your help the other day.”

“Of course. It was simply my duty as a priest of Hemse.” Priest Dohan motioned to a nearby gap in the rope line and to where Stripe's owner, Lisa, stood behind the rope together with the grandmother from when Ria fought Gebs and others Ria didn't recognize. “You may go stand with the other witnesses, but remember, as noted in your summons letter, you must not discuss your recollection of events with any of the other witnesses. Understand?”

Leon solemnly nodded.

“You can go as well, Ria. Young Lady Keira will be joining you shortly, from what I understand.”

“Ah-, thank you.”

Ria moved over to where the gap in the rope line was and greeted the guards on duty as they passed through and slipped into the space made by the other witnesses scooting down some.

“Harvin, Ravini.”

“Ria,” Harvin returned with a nod, and Ravini likewise.

“Should I be worried that you know all of the guardsmen by name…? Or more worried that the guardsman also know you by sight?” Grandma Fana muttered, shaking her head.

“Not all of them,” Ria disputed, adding, “Harvin was assigned to guard Keira when we hunted slimes the other day, so of course, I would know him.”

“Morning, Leon, …Ria,” Lisa greeted.

Ria took the more reserved greeting directed her way in stride and introduced Lisa to Jarrel's parents. Taking advantage of that, the elderly woman from the alley worked her way further away from Ria. Had the kind woman come to believe the ‘witch’ rumors since they last met?

Feeling more nervous and a little depressed, Ria took a moment to look around the gathering more closely. Ria wasn't sure who she had expected to have gathered behind Priest Dohan. For the crowd to be, excluding the witnesses and their families, mostly children and teens watched over by the Priestesses was not her expectation, even if it made sense when she thought about it. Though she wouldn't say the children were entirely well-behaved, as a group they seemed excited that something unusual was happening. A fair number of families had gathered in the space behind the orphans—maybe taking advantage of the better view?

Behind Elder Alstin, Ria recognized Mr. Farrel and his son, Harris, Jarrel's friend Gerard, and several other shop owners. Would Grandpa Orlan and Grandma Fana be standing in that group if Ria wasn't planning on speaking, instead of behind the priest?

Letting her eyes travel to Master Rigure, Ria saw Kylie, the woodworkers she had contracted for the posts, and other tradesmen. That they were considered separate from the shop owners was interesting. Also interesting, members from the Adventurers Guild were standing behind Elder Harron and not Master Rigure. There wasn't anyone she recognized standing with Elder Emmer, but they seemed to be the largest of the groups to gather thus far.

While Ria was looking for villagers she recognized, a party of fancily dressed people she didn't recognize began passing through the gazebo to enter the roped-off area. There was a brief discussion among them before some split off to sit in chairs on the umbrella-covered platform and a middle-aged couple with a red-haired and freckled teen that reminded Ria of Amilee moved to stand on the other raised platform.

A murmur of “Clearwells” and “Necromancers” could be heard rippling through when the crowd noticed the family take their position on the platform.

Not long after a procession started exiting the lord's manor. Ria readily spotted Keira and Lord Vorshan in the procession. Beside Lord Vorshan walked a beautiful man with long blond hair and an expensive cloak drawn close to hide his finery. What glimpses Ria caught as the man walked suggested weapons and a robe of an unknown mage order. He wasn't someone she had seen around the manor before, either.

When Lord Vorshan began ascending the circular stairs leading to the gazebo's second level, the blond-haired man continued together with the Vorshan family and attendants toward the shaded seating. Upon reaching the platform, Keira exchanged some words with her parents and received a comforting hug from her mom before coming over to greet Priest Dohan.

Priest Dohan gave Keira the same instructions as Leon and directed her to join the other witnesses. The exchange again left Ria wondering why Keira and Leon were witnesses, but she wasn't.

“Morning, Ria, Leon,” Keira greeted as room was made for her to stand behind the rope. “Greetings, Fana, and…?”

“This is my husband, Orlan, Young Lady Keira,” Grandma Fana supplied.

“Nice to meet you, Young Lady,” Grandpa Orlan rumbled out cordially.

“Likewise.”

“Good morning, Keira.”

“Good morning, Young Lady Keira.”

“Not sure 'good' is the right appellation,” Keira pointed out. “Is this the first trial that you've witnessed, Ria?”

Ria nodded. “We didn't do public trials in Shadewood. Mayor Tellis handled such matters at the reception hall in his manor, and my family was never involved.”

“Ah, grandfather is starting,” Keira noted and motioned toward the gazebo.

Lord Vorshan was at the front of the gazebo's balcony with the statue of the village's founder looming behind him and was holding up a hand to silence the crowd.

“We will begin the trial. Have the accused brought forth to be judged.”