"What in the name of the gods is going on over there?" someone questions aloud to no one in particular as bat my palm with a scroll. Narrowing my eyes, the nuances of the battling light shake and stir my mind otherwise. However, there is no pure gold, strong as the Thunder-Shogun is. It's relieving in a way, to know that the Lady-Heir is not as powerful as I have been led to believe.
Yet, this wind, this unyielding power of the Jhermonikra, the once sealed away strength of the land humankind was born on and returned to. It's not faltering, not going away, it keeps coming back with growing strength and fury in the air! A sturdy breath escapes my nostrils. I am glad I was able to secure the support of someone as great as a thunder-shogun.
Opening the scroll I have otherwise been abusing and wearing down, I read the pointless information. The Lady-Heir and her guardian have been heading this way most likely since the royal courier was dispatched. He has returned, thus the execution can be put underway. My attempts have drastically slowed the ruinous pair down but we're at the knife's edge here.
"Kill them both, do it already..." I spit under my breath before turning to face the armed man approaching me.
"Lord Burspharosa, concerns are growing, it may be best to put the affair off."
I strike my arm to my side, shaking one head once and firm, "No, the battle going over there is between a foreigner and a Thunder-Shogun. We are fine as we are."
"Lord Burspharosa, if the members of the court and audience choose to leave because of the danger presented then your word will not mean anything."
"Then keep them here." I insist with a tight grip, my head slightly leaning in the direction of his weapon.
"Of course, Lord Burspharosa."
"I know everyone can see it and feel the wind as it sends their hair into a state of calamity, but..." I start to say, trailing off as I look to the near-completely solid metal ground.
"Lord Burspharosa...?" he questions as I let a finger lazily point to the ground.
"The tremors, the shakes. Our very land is buckling under the strain, the air is heated and not of the familiar scents. Cracks are coming out as far as here." I incoherently blabber before I hand off the scroll to this man. Walking away and back to the sham trial, I send a glance the way of the bored prince who has come to observe. A contingent of brilliantly dressed honour guards at his side and an entertainment-minded woman in his arms.
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His hair and skin bring much authority with them, it is the first proof for those who are of such noble birth. The former head of the Bosphama clan is partially here today for the foulness of siring a vile-coloured daughter. Yet, even I might as well be on trial for such crimes next to such brilliant blond hair. A mane to die and fall for with great strength born into each strand to even the most modest of body hairs.
The sky rumbles and a bright line strikes across, so pure it is nearly solid gold. There are stories that the heavens follow favoured children with such fine orchestra as to make all weep. They are stories alone, though, I do not find myself kneeling instinctively to any royal I have seen. Bar one, His Imperial Majesty.
Looking to my sash, I hold it up slightly, ashamed of what its perception has become as of late. The blood of an innocent senator has been spilt and the woman I have aimed to undercut for the sake of my family and its future is going to die over something unintended. Execution was always an option even before all of this, but, only in the most damning of cases and at her own behest should she have chosen honour-recovering suicide. Now, however, she is dying because of my mistake, not my plan reaching fruition.
Once all is said and done, I will bring honour back to my name and pride and avenge the wrongly involved. Even with The Lady Bosphama, now not of that title, even with her unfavourable death, I will do the same for her. Senator Caetusi and the old head of the revered Bosphama clan have been greatly harmed by my incompetence. I must make it right when I can.
Stepping before the people of this court, public servants go about setting up the proof and I look away, my face pale. In order to bring emphasis to the crime, the now-gone Senator Caetusi's toga and sash have been brought here. The savagery of which he was killed by have left it torn and ruined. The blood that he spilt ruined the purity of the cloth and tainted the intentions of the senatorial sash he wore with such everlasting thanks.
I grimace as I recall how I needed to cover up the poor man's face not long after the incident happened. My eyes meet the former Lady Bosphama and she steadily turns vicious, clutching something tight to her chest in her still blood-stained hands. Shaking my head in disappointment, I dismiss my own hypocrisy on the matter as I would likely share this fate if I discovered the same about one of my own. Reasserting my posture, I carry myself as a senator should and a great bell rings to grab the attention of the court.
"Honoured men of the God of Law, stalwart guards and noble-blooded people of esteem," I start to announce, turning to the royal member with a respectful nod, "My Prince."
I clench my fist behind my sash.
"We are here today for the official damning of the once head of the Bosphama clan, the former The Lady Bosphama, Eratheen Bosphama. For the crime of murdering Senator Caetusi on Imperial grounds, she will be executed, that much is already decided. However, for the sake of addressing all crimes, we shall be going over them hence with as the formalities pass." I explain to all those that are present. At the edge of their seats or unamused, it matters not.
My eyes go a little wayward up to the sky as it rumbles with unusual activity, a line of blue starts to captivate me.