As Ilmarinen concluded his first speech as the newly appointed Highest Judge of Paasilinna, the hall erupted in thunderous applause, filling the air with the sound of hands clapping vigorously. It was a familiar sensation; one he had experienced countless times before during his years of public speaking. Despite his twelve-year absence, his charisma and power to sway hearts with his words had not faded; his reputation as an Arlo, the Great Orator, remained intact.
Beside him, standing like a steadfast shadow, was his loyal assistant, Annikki. She dressed in a rich, dark blue gown, the color of midnight skies. Her presence was a calming force amidst the sea of faces, her unwavering support a silent reassurance to Ilmarinen amid this momentous occasion.
However, as the final echoes of applause began to dwindle, a sense of duty pulled Ilmarinen away from the adulation of the crowd. Following the weight of the moment, Ilmarinen found himself dismissed from the assembly after his powerful speech. It was Olayinka who now bore the burden of authority, stepping up to the podium to moderate the impending session.
As Olayinka's voice resonated through the chamber, the audience fell silent, anticipating the verdict that would soon be rendered. The mention of a name sent a ripple of unease through the room, a name that carried with it a legacy of fear and reverence.
"Gudit, the Visionary," Olayinka's voice echoed with a blend of solemnity and resolve as the words danced off his tongue. The announcement rang ominously through the hall, signaling the imminent fate that awaited the accused.
As the details of the sentence unfolded before the assembly, a hushed murmur swept through the crowd. "Within a week, she will meet her end. Lady Fiona Sørensen, in her unwavering resolve, has submitted a request for a shift in the method of execution. Instead of the swift blade of a guillotine, Gudit is to meet her demise at the hands of the hangman's noose on the gallows," Olayinka's voice carried the weight of the decree, each word dripping with finality and a hint of mercy twisted into a cruel form of justice.
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The decree sent shockwaves through the assembly; faces contorted with a myriad of emotions ranging from shock to disbelief.
Ilmarinen made his way out of the grand hall. Nevertheless, before he could step out, Olayinka’s proclamation reached his ears, slicing through the air like a sharp blade. The words pierced his consciousness, sending a jolt of surprise through his veins, causing his gaze to widen in disbelief.
The corridors of the courthouse echoed with the shuffle of feet and the hushed murmurs of officials and attendants. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and ink, the lingering aroma of a thousand legal documents that bore witness to the weight of justice.
Outside, the sky was painted in shades of crimson and gold, the dying embers of the day casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. Ilmarinen quickened his pace, the urgency of his thoughts propelling him forward through the fading light.
As Ilmarinen prepared to exit the courthouse, the weight of his newly acquired title, Highest Judge, rested heavily on his shoulders. The ornate gate creaked open before him.
Fiona's actions echoed in his mind, planting seeds of doubt and apprehension. The implications of her decisions clawed at the edges of his thoughts. ‘Why is she requesting that change?’ he wondered as he stopped in front of the open gate.
“Is everything alright, Your Honor?” one of the gate guards interrupted.
“I’m alright,” he answered.
With a heavy heart, Ilmarinen —followed by Annikki —descended the steps of the courthouse towards the main road, his motions deliberate yet burdened. The cool breeze that greeted him outside carried a hint of foreboding, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of the city streets. Yesterday's light dusting of snow had left a delicate veil over the cobblestones, even though they were approaching the summer.