They were all dragged, and in Falynn’s case, it was literally, to the cells in the guard barracks a few blocks away, at which point they were thrust unceremoniously into two cells. Roni, Falynn, and Taiki were in one, and Leonov was in the other. He was the only man in the cell but this fate did not seem to bother him. They’d been stripped of their gear and possessions. Almost at once, Falynn moved to sit at the corner closest to the door. This action alone wouldn’t have meant a great deal, if it didn’t also put her as far away from Taiki as possible. She was still regarding the muscular woman with a look of unease.
Not long after they’d been locked in, a figure in white ceremonial robes entered the holding area. He was obviously a follower of Shigeru, but his garments were free of Issho-Ni’s symbol. He wore a heavy golden amulet depicting the God of War and Peace’s symbol, which he clutched tightly with one hand as he walked forward to stand in front of the two cells.
“Good afternoon,” he said, his voice a bit thin, but affecting politeness, even pity. “I am Hirota Tanaka, a Priest of the God of Peace and Law.”
Not surprisingly, none of them gave him a reply, and he didn’t seem to expect one. He continued. “I am here to bear witness to your confession if you wish to give one, and to judge if your actions were righteous, or if a further trial is needed.”
“You are here to judge our guilt?” Leonov asked, looking up from the silent observation of his hands.
“In a manner of speaking,” the curate said. “Before we begin, I must cast a spell. Do not worry, it shall not harm you. It is merely to reveal any magicks you may have lingering on yourselves that could aid in an escape attempt.”
Before waiting for a reply or even consent, he lifted one hand, and, still holding the amulet, muttered an incantation. A cold wash of mana swept over them, making them shiver. There was a quick gasp from the cell holding the women, and they all turned in surprise to see Roni hurriedly pulling her hood over her face. There was something different about her. Was her skin always so pale? They could only see her hands clearly, and they had indeed lost the dark bronze color they’d previously shown.
“Ah, a Changeling,” the curate said. “My apologies for the rough removal of your disguise, but it was necessary. It is never my wish to forcefully reveal another who wishes to hide themselves away.”
A second later, Roni lowered her hood again but looked just the same as ever. Taiki, who had been the closest, was staring at her with a thoughtful frown but made no comment. The ranger said nothing either, merely glaring at the priest of Shigeru. He did look truly regretful but continued on nonetheless.
“Now,” the man said, and his voice took on a monotone quality as if he were speaking from a memorized script, “The information we have gathered in the half-hour since your incarceration tells us that you attacked and killed a man on the high street today, and that, according to witness testimony, you were offered very little provocation to do so.”
He looked specifically to Leonov. “Was the witness correct in saying that you were not harmed, sir?”
“I was not,” Leonov agreed. “But my colleague assures me that he was attempting to use hostile magic on me.”
“I see,” was the curate’s only response. “It is true that the first guard to arrive at the scene, Sergeant Ciayol, noticed the activation of magic, but it is impossible to tell from who it originated, as the old man in question did not live long. What remained of his mana was not able to be collected in time.”
“So there is no evidence of his attack.” The voice was Taiki’s, but it was pitched low, and ringed of subdued anger. “Of course, there isn’t. He intended for me to kill him. There is no other explanation.”
“So you confess that you were indeed the one who killed the man?”
Taiki said nothing, but nodded, confirming the accusation.
“I see. Well, as you must know as a fledgling member of Issho-Ni, the harming of a defenseless and unprovoking man is against the laws set forth by the Crown. Having confessed to the charges against you, I see no option before me but to-”
“Hold on now,” Leonov said, rising to his feet in one quick movement and interrupting the curate. “She was defending me at first, and then the old man said that his ‘master’ would come for her. Is that not enough provocation?”
“This information was not shared with us by the witness of the attack, and I do not see how this can be proven.”
“There are other ways to prove her innocence than by the word of a simple blacksmith who was ignorant of the matter,” Leonov growled. “We all heard what the man said, and quite clearly.”
“At the moment,” the curate said pointedly, “All four of you are considered to be criminals, and as such, your credibility ranks below that of an upstanding citizen.”
Leonov took a step toward the curate, coming right up against the bars. “Then I demand a trial to settle our guilt before Taiki’s judgment is passed.”
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“Don’t bother,” Taiki told him. “I knew this day would come. He’s found me and framed me. I have no choice but to wait here for him to come, so I can kill him with my bare hands.”
“This is not a question of your guilt in murdering the man,” Leonov disagreed. “There is no denying that you did that, but they cannot charge you with murder if it can be proven to be self-defense.”
But the curate wasn’t looking at Leonov. He studied Taiki for a moment, frowning thoughtfully. “It is within my authority to petition for a preemptive trial, where all but the Nihon-Jan will be tested. But I cannot promise you that a trial of the people will aid you.”
“I do not want a trial of the people,” Leonov said firmly, standing as straight as he could. “I demand a trial by combat.”
That seemed to take the priest by surprise. “You wish to fight to prove yourself?”
“I do.”
“In the full knowledge that your fight will be presided over by the God of War and Peace, and that, if you are dishonest, no amount of martial skill will allow you to win?”
“I’m aware of the custom,” Leonov said, folding his arms. His face was the picture of stubborn resolution. “I may not be of this country, but I hold high respect for Lord Tokugawa and his followers, and I have always respected his ways.”
“Very well,” the Curate said at once. “The request has been granted, and it is your right if you choose. Your guilt, and the guilt of your two comrades, will be settled by a trial of single combat. I will leave you now, and return when we have selected a representative for you to face.”
And he did just that, turning with a sweep of his elaborate robes, and exited the holding area. The heavy wooden door slammed shut with a resounding bang, and two heavy locks could be heard sliding into place behind him, sealing the room off. Leonov let out a long breath and returned to his sitting position, falling silent once more.
“You’re really going to fight?” Falynn asked, her voice timid as she broke the silence. “But what if they have someone much stronger than you?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Leonov told her. “Under Shigeru’s law, if I am innocent or dishonest, I cannot be harmed. When they realize that, our case will be won.”
“So no matter who it is, you cannot be hurt?”
“Even if it was Shigeru Tokugawa himself,” Leonov replied. “As I am telling the truth, and neither of you attacked the old man, we will win the trial.”
“If you say so,” Falynn said, though she still looked doubtful. “Why did you kill him, Taiki?”
“Because if I hadn’t, he would have returned to his Master and told him where I was,” the warrior said. “It was a matter of my own survival.”
“It doesn’t matter, either way,” Leonov offered as a counterpoint. “When we in our trial, we’ll speak on her behalf.”
-
A sizable crowd had gathered to witness the trial as Leonov, Falynn, and Roni were led out of the barracks building and led down the high road. The trial would take place in the Issho-Ni training complex, which was considered to be a holy site of the God of War. Most of those in attendance were members of Issho-Ni, but a few citizens were mixed in, having heard about the trial as they passed, and interested to see what would transpire.
Leonov was uncuffed, and his sword and shield were carried over by a guard and handed to him, along with a warning. “You are surrounded by fighting men. Do not attack anyone besides your opponent, and do not think to try and escape. Do you understand?”
Leonov nodded his understanding, and pointed the sword down into the dirt, assuming a parade rest position. The guard seemed satisfied and returned to his original place in the crowd. Curate Tanaka appeared again, clearing his throat and raising his arms so the crowd would fall silent. “Today, we bear witness to a trial of honesty and innocence in the presence of the God of War and Peace. Leonov Barric, charged as an accomplice to the murder of a man earlier this day, will fight to prove his innocence and the innocence of his two colleagues, Roni the Wanderer, and Falynn Shaso.”
The doors to the main building opened, and four figures emerged. Three were white-robed attendants, but the fourth was clearly a warrior bearing a sheathed curved sword and a golden amulet of Shigeru Tokugawa. Leonov didn’t recognize the man, but assumed that he was the organization’s first choice in a champion for such matters. He stepped away from his attendants and came to stand in front of Leonov, bowing in greeting. Leonov returned the gesture silently.
“Do you both swear to fight under the light and watch of Lord Tokugawa, and to abide by the declaration of his will, whomever it may favor?”
“I swear it,” The champion said, as did Leonov a second later.
“Very well, then,” the Curate said and took several steps back. The Issho-Ni warrior drew his sword and held it ready, but Leonov made no move to do the same. “When I give the command, you will begin.”
The crowd fell silent, looking expectantly between Leonov and his challenger for several tense seconds. Then, “Fight!”
The warrior stepped forward at once, his stance powerful and his feet light. Perfectly balanced, he was ready to strike at a moment’s notice. But to his surprise, Leonov did not lift his sword. “Do you not intend to attack me or defend yourself?”
“There is no need,” Leonov said, his voice level and calm. “I am innocent and honest. You cannot harm me under the conditions of this duel.”
Looking doubtful, the warrior leveled his sword and approached closer, watching for any sign of trickery. But Leonov refused to move, even as the sword point came to rest against his chest, directly over his heart. The warrior applied pressure, but no wound appeared. Perplexed, he stepped back. “I will try to swing in earnest.”
“Be my guest.”
So the warrior, though still hesitant, drew the curved sword back, and swung it down again with as much force as he could muster. It came dangerously close to Leonov’s neck, but instead of severing it, there was a flash of golden light, and the curved blade shattered. The pieces flew away and landed in the packed earth, leaving him holding the stub end of what had previously been a finely made weapon. His shock was all too evident as he took a step back and then allowed the weapon to drop.
“I cannot harm him,” he said, turning to face the Curate. “Lord Tokugawa destroyed my weapon rather than allow him to be injured. He is innocent.”