It did not take long for what David ordered her not to do and why to be told and Marry to present her side of things. Then she was removed from the building and sent home under house arrest. Who threw a fit when it was discovered Adam, her son, was removed from said home without her knowledge. The nursemaid was gone as well.

The fifty-odd Initiates were all mildly uncomfortable being in the trial. They were soldiers. Both figurative and literal in meaning. Most of them were used to just following orders or making small decisions. But this, this was another level of responsibility and what made it worse is that it was so clear cut. Nobody truly wanted to punish her, but she was so brashly guilty that she openly bragged about it. As if setting up the conditions for the National Guard to come to but heads with the Order was a good thing. They all could see she wished to do good, but it was as if she was sponsoring a fake charity. She is not a victim. Just an idiot.

John turned off the device and returned to his chair. Seeing Rick in his current state broke his heart but he knows, just like his friends know, Marry will not change.

“ Order of Free Wardens, this day will set a precedent. Marry Loren is a fool, but she had good intentions. Let us remember the facts. She did, for a time, establish the order in a good light, in which time many of you and the others joined. She did reveal sensitive information about the order, but again most of the time, this had led to good, at the time. We are not going to speculate on the what-ifs or the what not. Her crime is opening her mouth. So first, we must discuss one of the three choices we have. Exile, execution or imprisonment.”

One of the Initiates raises their hand.

“ Initiate Hank Won has the floor.”

John sit down as the Initiate rose.

“ Many of you do not know me, but I am... was half Chinese. I was born in the states but my mother was a... working girl my father married and brought over. When I was young, my mother used to tell me stories of China.”

Hank closed his eyes then shuddered at the memory.

“ We have to remember this will affect not only our laws from this day forward but also our reputations with our own people. If we chose exile or execution. Well, let's just say Marry is a very beloved character to the public. They might see David as some kind of evil corporate mastermind, but she is the face many know when they think of this order.”

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This realization caused many of the Initiates to groan.

“ To a vote, is she guilty? Raise your hand for yes?”

Unanimously the entire room of Initiates, and Jake raised his hand.

“ Very well then. To a vote, will her punishment be some form of imprisonment? Raise your hand for yes.”

This caused many hands to shoot up, some instantly and some in hesitation. But it was clear by at least three to one margin, that she will be imprisoned.

“ Now, do we build a prison for her or...”

This time it was Rick to raise his hand.

“ Warden Rick Lorn, be warned, we will not suffer bias pleas. You have the floor.”

Rick closed his eyes as he slowly raised up, towering over everyone in the room save for Gark.

“ One day, this place will be a city of thousands, possibly millions. It is not unreasonable to think of David as a king and we are his knights and nobles. With this similarity in mind, I suggest something of a mix between exile and house arrest.”

Rick sighed and rubbed his ragged hair.

“ Rewards for service; title, privilege, and wealth. David gave us all the signup bonuses but we have yet to discuss the finer details. Like it or not, we are not being paid. The order has no income. Everything now just seems to... exist. We have had a lot to rebuild. A lot to relearn. A lot to figure out. As such, as a Warden. I want to know if I am entitled to own land. To own my own estate.”

There were some murmurs as the dwarf bellows a sharp laugh.

“ Clever laddy, but as one of the council, I shall answer that question. Yes, you are. If you are willing to homestead it and settle it on your own. But no land in the city shall not be under the council's control. In order to do that, you personally must make a trek over a hundred miles to claim the land. Tell me, lad, do you dare go into the wilds with a babe to care for?”

Rick ground his teeth as he looked coldly at the dwarf before taking a deep breath to calm down.

“ I was hoping...”

“ Young Warden, your mate believed in her own way of doing things as well. See where that has got her.”

“ The Lycan is correct. You are a brave warrior. All those of your orders in this room are. But I know how deadly a few ill-thought words are. The ants make it the second time such a thing has occurred to me. The first is when one under my command let slip to his lover my route of patrol. Who was a spy for a rival clan. I can see many in this room understand this reference, so I will not continue with it. Suffice to say, she deserves to be punished. As a mercy, I will ask you what you picture is the best-case scenario for your mate.”

Rick took a deep breath and thought about it some more.

“ Social exile. Under house arrest till the end of her days. Monitored visits. Strict rules. And god forbid, an execution order if she leaves the estate. That is probably the best I will get her today.”

“ And where do you suggest the money for this come from?”

Rick closed his eyes hearing John’s question and took out several coins he received months ago.

“ This should be enough.”

The dwarf rubbed his shin in before speaking.

“ For now.”