The second half of the session had started. Everyone had gone back to their seats, aside from the jury, who had been replaced by other volunteers. The [High Priest] had struck the ground with the butt of his sword-shaped staff.

The sacred court is now in session. Present your arguement, Lords Commerro and Gaviolos.” The [High Priest] invoked.’

“The presence of foreign [Mercenaries] in the aftermath of the attack is evidence for Racieros Torresso Commerro’s sin of high treason and patricide. We had cause to believe that the Diamond Shore’s [Captain], Johoon…’Silverleg’, had been hired to stage a false flag attack that had killed many of his Household Guard. We have invited Tuirre Cartala, the Guard Captain of the Household Guard, to testify this fact.”

Numisley hid his expression behind quivering eyes. Racieros slumped down on his seat slightly, looking at the one responsible.

An [Acolyte] of the temple rushed out to call the witness. However, he had found him missing from the seat he was supposed to sit on. A few minutes had passed as the acolyte called others to search for the witness. Still, then he heard that the witness had died from falling from the docks on his way to the temple in an accident and reported back to the court of law within the temple of the news.

“Unfortunately, your witness has suffered…an unfortunate circumstance.” The [High Priest] announced. “Will the opposition have any more actions?”

The [Priest]-[Lawyer] stared at Dustitoz, who had stood up to speak.

“We have another witness. We invite one of the Household Guard, Canssogmi Uenrri, to testify against Racieros Commerro’s conspiracy of patricide and high treason.”

One of the acolytes of the temple bought a young man, a [Squire] that is always among his fellow [Knights] and [Squires] of the castle, unnoticed to all but a few. Neither among Numisley’s table knew the [Squire] personally. Still, the green and blue tabard that he wore marked him as one of the Household Guard. Numisley slightly massaged his temples.

“You may now testify against Lord Racieros Commerro.” The [High Priest] announced.

A great, unseen weight seems to burden the witness.

“I was there when the castle was attacked. I was on the walls of the castle that night. I did not see Lord Commerro, but I saw the captain they call Johoon. The one with a silver leg. With his men, he entered the court, leaving his bodyguard outside. I heard the din of battle within the castle and fought with his men. We were overwhelmed by their numbers, and many of us were cut down and shot. The next day, we were ordered to keep quiet about this. Silver, more than I ever earned in a week, was given to each of us. We were ordered to work with the very men that had murdered my comrades to maintain the peace.”

A deafening silence enveloped the temple. The truth stone on the tables glowed green. Numisley wiped the sweat off his brow.

“Will the defense have any objections?” The [High Priest] asked.

Racieros’ [Priest]-[Lawyer] spoke up.

“The witness may have misidentified the assailants in the chaos of battle and the dimness on that night. The Diamond Shore, admittedly, are [Pirates] in all but name and [Traders]. They do not have a uniform of their own. There is also a flaw in the witness’ reasoning. How would he know that a specific person was the [Privateer Captain] in question?”

“I know what I saw!” The witness retaliated.

The [High Priest] struck the ground with the butt of his staff.

“Order in the court.” The [High Priest] bellowed. “Order. Will the opposition have any more arguments against the defendant's claim?”

“The defendant has not heard who gave him the silver and the other Household Guard. Johoon reportedly brought a chest of silver coins to buy their silence, threatening them if they would not comply.”

“Will the witness confirm this fact?” The [High Priest] asked.

“Yes. Yes, it did happen. I swear to the Decree.” The witness replied.

“Will the defense have any objections?” The [High Priest] asked.

“The incident happened two and a half weeks ago. The witness’s memory may be faulty during this period. The act of remembering something from a significant length of time is unreliable evidence.” Racieros’ [Lawyer] argued.

A pregnant pause ensued.

“With the arguments presented, let us ask the jury for their opinion of the matter.” The [High Priest] announced.

The jury convened each other with tense whispers. However, despite their uncertainty, the [Priest] who undertook his duty as the Speaker of the Jury reminded them.

“You are reminded in this holy court to speak freely, for you are in the aegis of the gods who preside over justice, no matter if it is against your liege or His Eminence himself. Please continue your deliberations.”

After the whispers became less tense, the jury had told the [Priest] assigned to them their decision.

“The jury deems that it is possible that the Diamond Shore Corporation is involved in the death of Contiearl Torresso Rahmieros Commerro and Lord Verrespadion Rahmieros Commerro. Lord Racieros Commerro is believed to have paid their [Captain] Johoon to slay his relatives in order for him to take the throne. This is the jury’s judgment on the matter with the arguments and evidence presented.” The Speaker of the Jury announced the jury’s judgement.

“I did not kill my father and brother!” Racieros protested.

“Order! Order in this sacred court!” The [High Priest] barked. Cultrost pulled Racieros to his seat. “To summarize what is presented before the sacred court of laws, Lord Racieros, supposedly, paid or enticed the Diamond Shore’s [Captain], had committed patricide against Contiearl Torresso Rahmieros Commerro and fratricide against Lord Verrespadion Rahmieros Commerro. However, the opposition’s accusations of high treason through colluding with foreign powers, namely the domain of Zelewurves, under the Kingdom of Rhundi, is disproven. The money supposedly given to Lord Racieros by Shiekh Higzacimi Bissohaan is a gift, not a bribe, as evidenced by the letter marked with that kingdom’s seal. The charge of high treason is, therefore, annulled. Still, the matter of the patricide of Contiearl Torresso Rahmieros Commerro and the fratricide of Lord Verrespadion Rahmieros Commerro remains inconclusive. Despite the witness’ account, little evidence supports this.”

Racieros’ uncle, with a stormy look on his face, whispered to the [Priest]-[Lawyer] assigned to them with gritted teeth. Outside of the temple, clouds started to gather from the horizon as the [High Priest] finished his sentence.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“My lord has a complaint.” The [Priest]-[Lawyer] spoke for Garrenno. “He says that the witness is evidence enough.”

“Since it is an impromptu trial, the usual rituals are expedited. Yet I fear that we neglected to commune with the gods properly on this matter and undertake an investigation first and foremost. Therefore, this court is adjourned until sufficient evidence is gathered.” The [High Priest] explained.

The Commerros who attended the trial grumbled and yelled obscenities, accusing the [High Priest] of foul play until the [High Priest] tapped his staff on the ground repeatedly to silence them.

“Order in the court! Are you nobility or wild animals? See the storm clouds gathering past the horizon? It is a warning from Lord Areti, who watches over this court and is the one I invoked for this trial! Silence or your tongues shall be cut to appease him.”

Only a distinguished servant of the Divine Decree can dole out these threats to the nobility as the representatives of the gods of civilization. Ashamed, the nobles held their complaints within them and obediently followed along with the later prayers and hymns led by the [High Priest] that concluded the session. The jury of the court and the rest of those who attended soon left the temple, dispersing outside the temple ground’s gates.

Dustitoz and Garrenno had presented the overdue three chests of gold and silver coins before the [High Priest].

“Why exactly did you delay the trial?” Garrenno asked.

“What I said. Ritual is the foundation of order. Order is the foundation of ritual. Disorder begets ruination.” The [High Priest] repeated a mantra and pointed at the gray skies. “I should’ve not agreed to expedite the trial in the first place.”

Dustitoz flinched at the sudden thunder that interrupted them before regaining his composure in a moment.

“How long will you appease Areti’s wrath?” Garreno asked.

“Seven days at least. These coins shall be my payment for this transgression.” Sacre answered.

“The gods are fickle,” Dustitoz remarked.

“All the reason why we must follow their wishes. All the reason why we have rituals prescribed by our holy texts.” Sacre emphasized. “Rest assured that with the proper rituals, the trial will begin in earnest. This is an opportunity to gather evidence for your case.” Sacre further elaborated.

That seems to appease the two nobles. When they left, Aryyad emerged from the proverbial shadows. He was just behind one of the doors behind the altar. He stared at the nine gilded halos of the altar, its incense pots freshly lit, before turning his attention to the [High Priest].

“Was it really divine intervention, or did you spin up a lie to fulfill our agreement?”

“It might be both. It is hard to tell, even for me.” Sacre answered. “The gods are fickle, I admit, as their [Priest]. They might intervene in a case of petty thievery, but they can ignore the murder of thousands. They listen to many prayers of this world but only act on the few who are pious enough for silver of their attention. These moments of acknowledgment manifest into signs, and it is the job of holy men and women like us to interpret them. Few are worthy of their full attention.”

The first drops of rain wet the roof of the temple and the sacred ground around it.

“Or it may be the Great Saint Zdrail interceding on my behalf.” Aryyad mused. “In any case, I must thank you for delaying the trial. But, you know what happens to that unholy seal in the basement when you fail to uphold your end of the bargain.”

Aryyad put on a cloak before exiting the temple. He walked back towards his ship, moored at the docks.

When the spring rain poured in earnest, the Gildin Brothers and Racieros were already in the castle. Instead of heading directly to the throne room, which now has water pouring through what is left of the hole, or the private office that Racieros now used in place of his father, he had ordered the castle’s [Steward] to not tell any of their guests where they are going.

“Where are we going exactly?” Cultrost asked.

“One of the secret rooms. I know that the rest of my House will come and interrogate me, whether I like it or not. They would use their status and Feats to compel them to inform them where we are going.” Racieros explained, as they briskly walked.

They continued to skulk within the corridors where there were little to no people until Racieros touched a wall near the castle’s cellar, opening a sliding stone door that wasn’t there. They were in a dark room lit by a mote of floating light.

“Now we can talk,” Racieros said. “Only me…and the rest of my family knows of the secret rooms of the castle.”

The last few words rang hollow, for he knew he was the only one left in his family besides his mother. Ever since Racieros’ father had died, he had wondered where his mother had gone.

“What are you going to do? Numisley asked. “They know…well, they are close to knowing the truth,” Numisley asked.

“I didn’t kill my father. I didn’t kill my brother.” Racieros uttered, hurt by the accusations from the trial.

“We know.” Cultrost comforted him, putting his arm around Racieros’ shoulders.

“So, how can we prove it? How can we gather evidence for it?”

“Most likely, I will ask my Household Guard to recount the events properly,” Racieros answered. “However, what about you, Numisley, Cultrost? Even if I were to be convicted and sentenced, at least I would still be alive in the end. You…Cultrost, Numisley, will be executed with the full weight of the law.”

Numisley fell silent, and his chin rested upon his closed arm gingerly. A dragging moment ensued until he could voice out his idea.

“Once again. I ask you for a favor, our friend.”

“No need to be formal. You had helped me so much.”

“Do you have a [Mage] capable of sending a [Message] Spell to the Naveirei House? Specifically, Escribanorr Tres Naveirei. Are you willing to give up a share of this port’s profit for their help? I shall write a letter to my uncle for their help during the trial.”

Racieros thought about what his father would do. Would he accept the deal? Much of the city was not in his control.

He knew that the foreign [Merchant] named Aryyad had become the Guildmaster of the Merchant Guild of Ovespuerte, and his proverbial leash still inhibited him. The murderer of his father and brother remains in his family’s docks, free from punishment. Racieros fears that if what Numisley and Cultrost said about the death of his father is true, then that [Captain] can plunge his dagger in his heart if he dares to move against him. He also knows that the rest of their House’s county, the de jure territory of his father, was split between the many lesser families of his House. If he does not win the battle ahead, he will truly lose all control of his father’s domain.

“What’s another power controlling my city anyway?” Racieros mocked himself. “As long as I could preserve my family’s throne, with me on it, even as a puppet, then I will follow whoever holds the strings.”

“And we will cut it, right, brother?” Cultrost stared at his brother expectantly. Numisley hesitated, for seldom did he make promises that he couldn't keep.

“Right. Of course.” Numisley uttered.

When the Commerros had given up on finding Racieros, Numisley, and Cultrost had emerged in his private office. The [Steward] of the castle was waiting, holding many letters that he received from the Commerro nobles who protested against him.

“My lord.” The [Steward] softly spoke.

“Please give me only the most important letters. I do not wish to read such drivel.”

“Aside from the protests of your House, there is a peculiar letter that urges you to come to the docks.”

They already knew who had sent the letter, and donning cloaks, they used another secret passage to the outside of the city until they reached Aryyad’s warehouse.

Aryyad and Johoon were already there, sitting on the stools they prepared. In a moment, the [Privateer] was inches away from the young lord of the Commerros.

“I have killed one of yours.” Johoon said to Racieros. “The captain of your honor guard. He was there when I bribed them.”

The news came as a shock to Racieros.

“You will be too, if this keeps up.” Johoon threatened Racieros.

“Johoon. Let’s not threaten our business partner.” Aryyad intervened.

“They might bring you to court. Would you kill them, too?” Numisley mockingly asked, but Cultrost held him back. A dagger flashed before Numisley’s eyes, but it was halted with a few words.

“Stop it. Killing each other is bad for business.” Aryyad interrupted before anything happened to them. “Let’s discuss how shall we deal with this trial. For all of our futures.”

“Agreed.” Racieros sighed.

Throughout the rainy afternoon, they discussed contingencies until the rain abated. The Commerros within the castle planned something, promising all sorts of deals and rewards in between, with Dustitoz providing much information he gathered over the span of his stay. Adriasta was counted among their number; however, she heard a piece of news so dire that she had to find Racieros as soon as possible. When the meeting within one of the guest rooms was over, she discreetly sought the young lord.

Among the slums of Ovespuerte, [Assassins] had found the site of their quarry.