Theme: Write a courtroom story.
A/N: "Expect it mid-January." Yeah, ok I know I'm a bit off on that. I'll leave my story at the ending author's note. No, I won't say anything about the chapter length like it's a consolation.
Dedicated to Kyrastri, who is my awesome new beta-reader. Seriously, PM your thanks to her because this chapter would never be this good without her. Also big thanks to ZoologyKaM for helping with the initial editing. I'm taking your advice on dialogue to heart which up'd my level of writing in unimaginable ways.
Also, old readers, swing by previous chapters. You might find something extra that wasn't there before...
Edit 1: Major edits to some dialogues. Ending is still unchanged but it seems there is something going on between Phantom and Aria...
"This is a story about deception. The magician spreads the cards before you, showing you nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing is. That is when he explains the act and you believe him, not because everything he said is true, but because the moment you've walked into the game, you've been deceived…" The man in the cloak ceases reading.
"What do you think, Gaston?" asks the man in the sailor's cap to his benefactor. Gaston brushes the tiny bristles on the bottom of his chin thoughtfully. Across the table, the cloaked man spins a playing card. It is the Ace of Spades.
Gaston gives Phantom a nod. "So tell me: what value do the unpublished manuscripts of a forgotten recluse have?" Phantom says, snickering overtly at the unfunny joke. "Why is he willing to part with them after keeping them in the basement for so many years?"
The cloaked man slips the card into Phantom's deck while keeping his eyes on him. The thief smiles wickedly in return. "Lord Gordon is a figure shrouded in mystery," the cloaked man corrects, raising his arm as if glorifying a deity. "Collectors of his Protos cover every corner of the lands above and below. He believes you can trade these documents for something much more valuable." Phantom starts shuffling the cards.
"Is that so?" Phantom spreads the cards over the table face-up. The man in the cloak makes no eye contact with his particular card, instead focusing on Phantom, watching him place his finger on the table. "I put my heart and soul into these cards and so I've given them magic," Phantom explains, sorrow hidden beneath his tone. Finally he pushes a card forward. "Very well, I'll accept Lord Gordon's request but only because it conveniences me."
"Do you have business in Ereve? Lord Gordon will not be amused should your personal interest conflicts with his," warns the man, laying the Protos manuscripts over the cards. Phantom takes note of its title, Lethe, and gives the cloaked man a handshake. "If you are confident then we shall put our faith onto you. It takes a person with much skill to seamlessly switch the decks."
With a grin, Phantom releases the cards beneath his hat, a full deck minus the Ace of Spades. The cloaked man compares the two decks on the table—the backs are the same. "I shall be taking my leave then. You will obtain the other half after you hand over the Skaia."
Before the man leaves, Phantom asks, "Lethe, does that mean forgetting?"
The man in the cloak smiles, not innocently, but sinisterly—a trickster's smile that only grows moreso with time. Then in arrogance he declares, "It means oblivion." Phantom raises his eyes, feeling excitement for meeting someone who pleasures in cheating others and beyond. The man in the cloak takes his leave of the gambler's compound, opening the door that leads to the docks of Ossyria. From behind, he hears Phantom yelling,
"Come one, come all! Good luck comes after the bad luck stops! Win up to thirty times what you bet! Come one, come all!"
"Guards! Guards! To the treasure chamber! The Skaia must not be lost!"
Steps follow one another, ticking away the time. The Phantom of secrets, concealed for years, is about to unveil itself. When lies are poured out, all that remains will be a cup holding truth.
"How is this even possible? How can someone sneak into the chamber?" The Phantom exists as a thousand questions. The promise of truth is only as complete as the cup itself. When the cup is shown, what can you draw from it…?
"Blood," the woman screams with a shocked but detached voice. "Blood! He killed him!" She points at the man in a cape. He takes out a card from his pocket and throws it over the body before the guards arrest him.
Phantom kneels with his head down, his hands and feet struggling against the cuffs. In front of him is Empress Aria's throne and surrounding him are the guards. On the second floor balconies, soldiers and citizens, young and old, gather to witness history in the making—the legendary Phantom thief is legendary no more. Aria's advisor, a critical eye behind his monocle, gives no pity to the vicious thief and at a moment's command would sentence him to death as an example of Ereve's justice.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" asks the Empress. Her voice is one of unhappiness towards the thief wearing the raven-shaped hat. The proceedings have been going on for a full hour but he has not uttered a single word. If he refuses to speak and have steeled that refusal, how will Aria ever find the lost Skaia? No, she must find it at all costs because the price of losing it is the loss of their Elven allies.
Neinheart turns to the Empress. She signals for punishment when, without anticipation, Phantom says his first words. "The Phantom does three things. First, he can be at any place at any time; he could teleport to the other end of the world in the blink of an eye.
"Second, he never leaves a trace of his existence except for his signature to signify victory over those who would challenge his abilities.
"Third, he is never caught. Even so, he always has his own code." Phantom says the last phrase with a hidden smile.
"Never get caught?" starts Advisor Neinheart. "You've committed murder in the grounds of Ereve and stolen our most sacred treasure. If we didn't catch you today, chaos reigns tomorrow." Neinheart swipes off the hat, tossing out the pack of cards hidden beneath it. Phantom launches himself towards his cards, but the chains pull him back onto the floor. "Look! The great Phantom is only a desert rat!" Neinheart insults.
The court roars in pleased laughter except for Aria, Neinheart, Phantom, and two others in the audience. The five of them each inhibits a different perspective of the room and focuses themselves on the legacy of the great thief. At last, Aria raises her hand and the court falls silent. "Refusing to say anything will not help you in any way. Yet it is better that we do not hear anything from the mouth of a murderer. Phantom, I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment. Guards, take him away and extort from him the location of the Skaia by any means necessary."
Two soldiers produce themselves but before they pull Phantom away, a new laughter captures the surroundings. A man with brown hair and hard, serious features not unlike Neinheart's, walks out of the audience and onto the center stage. The man wears a warm cape over his dust-filled tunic and pants. The advisor commands the guards to take him away. "Stop!" the man yells, the guards stopping presumably because of his strong voice. "Can't you forgive a common citizen for seeing the laughableness of this sham?"
"Are you calling this court a sham? Who, may I ask, is indulged in foolishness so that I may mark your insolence!" bursts Neinheart, staring at the man.
"I am Freud, a common lawyer and nothing more." Neinheart looks at his empress who allows the intrusive vagrant to continue. "I call this a sham because thus far I haven't seen true evidence of this man's crimes. You call him the great thief Phantom, yet what do you have as a basis for that claim? Because he was in the chamber? Then I can also claim that the lady witness is the Phantom as well!"
"Tsk, tsk! A common lawyer indeed! He wears the hat! He has the cards! Who else other than the Phantom thief would operate in such a manner and has such hubris as to steal the Skaia?" He shakes his head at the common lawyer, content that he has shown power over him.
"Simply so. He is not Phantom, but a copycat," replies Freud. "He isn't the first of such 'Phantoms' to be caught. Read the news! The real Phantom is still out there, perhaps pocketing your treasures as you occupy yourselves with a fake! If the Phantom can't be caught, then this man isn't him! Please, show me real evidence as to the identity of this man."
"He refuses to speak out of guilt for his actions."
"Then it is your word against mine and neither of us has possession of our claims. Yet, my standing puts doubt as to the authenticity of this court and I request a reexamination under the proceedings of the land below."
"You mean representative lawyers? Bah! Your lowland ways are chaotic; it is nothing more than a privilege given to the rich to buy their innocence! The Chevaliers du Cygne is sacred because our fair Empress governs this land!"
"Then I shall challenge this fairness! Empress, what do you say?"
Neinheart turns to his Empress and cries, "You mustn't give in to a low commoner!"
All eyes center on Aria. Giving in to the demands of this commoner would very much damage the reputation of Ereve's monarchy, that much Aria knows. However, now that he has brought up the question of fairness before an audience, refusing him would create doubt in the minds of the nobles. This is quite the decision Aria must make and without any guidance, she feels she must follow her heart. "Very well. I'll accept your suggestion, however…" She pauses. "It is much more important that I have the Skaia. If you can give me something of equal value, I will allow it."
Freud turns to Phantom who struggles to speak. "I accept! I accept!" he cries, holding out the Ace of Hearts. "This card contains my heart put in there by the mage, Sabrina." One member of the audience, the last of the five who has yet to make an appearance, gasps at the mention of the name. "With this heart, you can control me, but I'll only give it to you after the trial, regardless of verdict! Please!"
Aria stares at the card as if she were a child looking at magic. "Then let it be so," she finally remarks. "And might I infer that you wish to be his defense?" She points at Freud who nods in response. "Neinheart, you shall be prosecutor. We will continue this tomorrow, dismiss!"
When Freud visits the prisoners' cells, the thief is engaged in conversation with a woman who had arrived only seconds before. "Is it true that you know Sabrina?" she asks. She registers Freud's presence but shows no sign of yielding her seat.
"I know of a Sabrina but as for if she's the Sabrina you speak of…I'm not disclosing that," Phantom smirks. "Why would I help the witness whose testimony nearly sent me to life imprisonment?"
The woman and the thief engage in a lengthy staring contest, exchanging noiseless words with one another until she says, "You better keep your end of the bargain."
"I wouldn't want you to lie against your own will now, would I?"
With unsympathetic eyes, the woman scoots out of her seat and bumps into Freud, who purposely stands in her way. "Move!" she commands but it has no effect on the common lawyer.
"Apologies, lady witness, but I would like to speak with you about the murder. It would only take a couple of minutes of your time," the lawyer politely says while refusing to bulge from his spot. The woman tries to sidestep the lawyer, but he continues to block her path. She calls for the guards, but they are not in the room. Then, with great fear, she realizes they are the only three people in this room.
"Let the lady go," Phantom orders, but once again those words means nothing to the common lawyer.
"I will let you know that I have done no crime in my awkward steps. It is a leg condition of mines, one which, strangely, refuses to die down unless I receive information."
The woman tries shoving him aside, but his body is as tough as an iron wall. It is some kind of defensive magic, one which she cannot believe a lawyer would know. "What is there for me to say? I saw the murder and intimidation cannot change my mind," the woman asserts.
"You are mistaken, lady witness. My wish is to learn about the order of events. You insist that the murder happened, but how much did you actually see? Can you be certain the murder was not merely an act of self-defense?"
"And what if he did? Does it matter to you at all what happens to your client?"
"Whatever could you mean?"
"I can see through your act. You know quite well that this is not a trial. This is a sacrifice to appease Elluel once they catch wind of the missing Skaia. You only accepted this case for the publicity."
"I would be careful with your words if I were you. Let it be clear that I fight for justice and I am willing to antagonize Ereve even if there were no personal benefit for me." The lawyer moves out of the way, bowing. "Thank you for your time."
The woman scans the lawyer, then the thief and feels something amiss. Then she realizes that, however uncanny, this duo reminds her of another pair from the distant past. The lawyer is much like The Judge in her nightmares—a man who orders death with sincerity and calmness. And this youthful yet murderous thief is much like The Judge's sword bearer. She had hoped to never see them again, but flashes of them seem to exist within everyone she encounters.
"Even should you work for justice, it will only be a matter of time before it becomes a pretense."
When Maple arrives at the court, the only things she could see are the heads of people taller than her and the incessant screams of one man's voice against another. How very bitchy. She finds little entertainment in the arguments between Freud and Neinheart. It is her first time in a very long time to be somewhere royal, grand, and nostalgic, yet all she sees in the red curtains are bloodied memories of a distant past.
From atop the balcony, she watches the proceedings, at the thief whose freedom and reputation are on the line. Pity? No, she does not feel pity for someone who sticks a knife into someone without consideration. At that time, when she arrived at the Skaia chamber, she saw it plain in the night, the thief pulling the dagger off the back of the guard's neck. There is no way to mistake that image because it reoccurs in her nightmares.
Remember to breathe. She reminds herself so as not to break out in anxiety.
"It is completely obvious that he is the great thief Phantom! His style of dress, the signature left at the scene of the crime, the audacity to steal the Skaia—all traits of the great thief himself! Any other mode of thinking would be ignorant!"
"That alone cannot distinguish the actual Phantom from a mere copycat. Your so-called evidence only proves that my client has a tendency towards crime! The most you are allowed to infer is that he is a great thief, but not necessarily the Phantom himself!"
The Empress twists her lips unhappily at the hopeless arguments. She had hoped that Neinheart would close the book, but the defense is proving to be more troublesome than anticipated.
Phantom remains as quiet as ever.
"His failure to uphold his modus operandi does not debunk his identity! If you failed to uphold an argument, does that make you not a lawyer? No, because you'll be an incapable lawyer but a lawyer nonetheless," Neinheart explains, eyebrows twitching in annoyance.
"Then by the same logic, his ability to uphold his modus operandi does not confirm his identity either! If you are allowed to use such weak basis to accuse my client then I should be allowed to reverse such logic!" Freud pounds his fists on his table, sending a silencing tremor across the room.
"Enough of this!" yells Neinheart. "I admit I cannot prove the identity of this man within the boundaries of reasonable doubt, but I can still put him in life imprisonment if I can prove he stole the Skaia."
Aria purses her lips.
"I call the witness to the stand!" Neinheart summons.
The audience parts in the limited space, giving just enough room for Maple to squeeze onto the center stage. Phantom keeps his eyes on her every step of the way and she can see, very clearly, the heartlessness within him. It is clear that whatever remorse he feels is feint and whatever pleasure he feels is real—when a person loses their heart, all that remain are simple animalistic desires. She will not lie in court, no matter how disgraceful this court is—she had steeled herself to allow the verdict to its conclusion.
That is how she will justify helping Phantom.
She begins her testimony. "I was walking around the gardens when I saw several guards fainted on the floor. Following the trail, I discovered the defendant in the Skaia chamber holding a bloodied dagger." Freud makes eye contact with her and she nearly chokes on her words. He has a cold, contented smile on his lips. It is uncanny, terrible, and calculative all at the same time.
"And what, may I ask, were you doing in the gardens of the Empress?" Freud points a strong finger at Maple. She swallows.
"Allow me to answer that," offers Neinheart. "She is a special guest of Queen Mercedes, and that makes her a special guest in Ereve. We gave her lodgings in the eastern palace. Freud…" His tone deepens. "Don't even think about accusing the witness."
"Do not get ahead of yourself," warns Freud, "for it makes you and me a jester. Maple, you mentioned about my client's presence in the chamber, but how does that prove he stole the Skaia?"
"Isn't it obvious?" cries Neinheart. "By process of elimination, we can conclude that the defendant is the only one with a clear motive thus making him the one responsible!"
"That is impossible. When you caught him in the act, shouldn't the Skaia be recovered at the scene of the crime? Why would it still be missing?"
The prosecutor unapprovingly shakes his head. "He could've simply hidden it."
"And where in blazes could he have done that? The reports show that the Skaia isn't on him or anywhere inside the chamber, so where could it have possibly been hidden?"
"There are many obscure forms of magic. He could've easily known a way to conceal the Skaia beneath our very eyes. The great thief Raven had stolen a shipment of Mana Stones in broad daylight."
At the moment when Neinheart mentions magic, something clicks in the lady witness's head. "No," Maple whispers at first then rise to a yell, "No!" She remembers what Sabrina had taught her about hearts and souls. "It is impossible for him to use magic to conceal the Skaia." All eyes fall onto her. "He had sealed his heart into his card and without a heart to bridge his physical body to his Mana, he could not access any forms of magic."
Neinheart raises his eyebrows at the insightful girl—she is much more than who she appears to be. "While that is the case," he starts, already anticipating the counterargument, "there is no way to verify how much of his heart has been sealed. As long as he has a piece, no matter how little, he could always have access to his Mana."
"Can you prove he still has a heart?" questions Freud.
The advisor swings his arm dismissively. "The burden of proof is not on me," retorts Neinheart, flames his eyes. "What kind of a fool would deprive himself of his own Mana and his own emotional capacity by discarding his heart? Even you cannot tell me to provide evidence for something this apparent unless next you want me to prove the sky is blue!"
Freud opens his mouth in an attempt to retort, yet there is nothing for him to say. By putting the burden of proof on something he is unable to prove, he has lost his side of the argument. Maybe it is foolish for him to believe he could outwit the legendary Neinheart in a courtroom duel. Not a total loss, since he did drop one of the major charges against his client.
"I know of someone who could, in most likelihood, prove my claim," says Freud, unwilling to submit, "but it will take time for me to contact this person. I request the trial put on hold for a week—."
"A week! Empress! He is simply stalling for time, time that we do not have! Do not play into this ploy and for the sake of peace between Elluel and Ereve, end this trial and pronounce the guilty verdict!"
"Empress, I realize the importance of recovering the symbol of peace between the two countries, but what will happen if Elluel discovers that the price of peace is the life of a man?"
"Empress, we cannot let this man get away with a crime of such consequence. The peace of an entire country, an entire nation is at stake! Reconsider the consequences of acquitting the thief. That is the choice an Empress must make and whatever you choose, I will not disagree."
Aria, who sees something more than a thief within Phantom, heavily voices an opinion against her advisor's wishes. "Neinheart, please, lower your voice for the sake of our ears," she says with a slight giggle and her advisor returns with a sincere smile. Aria's voice is mature, clever, and earnest as if addressing the friends in the court. "Recovering the Skaia is priority, but in our search we must not lose our integrity. The reason a treaty was made between the two countries is because of the faith Elluel puts into our principles. Let us not betray that faith and honor our agreement with the thief. Phantom, come forward and give me your cards."
Phantom produces the full deck and presents it to the Empress, his hands shaking whilst giving her the cards. She purposefully brushes her fingers against Phantom's and feels a sweep of uncertainty and fear.
"Let me see what kind of a heart you have, Phantom." She scrolls through each card individually—some she flips over, others she lays face-down. There are no stories within a person's heart, no darkness, no lightness. Yet, with each passing card, she imagines the story they tell—the places they have been. She wonders what is within his heartless body. Feelings—do such things exist within Phantom's world? Does losing his heart enable him to a life of thievery and murder?
Aria solemnly announces her result, "The defendant lives in a magic-less world. His complete heart lies within."
Neinheart looks dumbfounded at Aria. Why would she say that? But he remains composed, because he is now just a prosecutor and his task is to win this trial.
"Then this proves my claim that there is no way—," Freud starts only to be interrupted.
"This only proves that magic was not the method by which he pulled the Skaia from beneath our eyes. However, the witness still insists that our guard was murdered. Unless you can explain the circumstances behind the witness's testimony, Phantom is thus far the most likely suspect," Neinheart returns.
Freud smiles as if this moment would never arrive. "If we presuppose that the Skaia was already gone before Phantom arrived into the chamber, then all the unresolved problems would disappear! The only other possibility is that someone else stole the Skaia before my defendant could do so!"
"I can entertain this possibility, but this is mere conjecture," Empress Aria says before Neinheart can raise an objection. "If you want to convince anyone, I will have to ask for evidence."
"Evidence I have none, but once again, if you allow me time, I will surly produce the requisite result. I only need a day at most."
"Then I will grant you time. Court begins again tomorrow morning! Court dismissed!"
The day is still young when Maple arrives at Phantom's visiting room. Two guards protect the iron door with crisscrossed spears. Inside are voices, a hushed conversation between lawyer and client. And without so much as a warning, Maple rushes through the guards and into the room. The first thing she sees is the Phantom thief and his look of satisfaction.
"I shall take my leave," Freud mutters, then hastily exits.
Phantom gives Maple wink while placing the Ace of Hearts and Spades on the table. "I have been waiting for you," Phantom remarks with a whistle.
He is mocking her, of course, seeing as how she was the one who submitted to his demands with a statement that she very well cannot take back. In essence, Phantom has no need to keep his side of their deal. But that is also why she has brought a concealed weapon with her. "As per our agreement, you need to tell me all you know of Sabrina," she says, showing Phantom a pen with a hidden switchblade. "I have no time for games."
"Do be cautious with where you swing that pocketknife," he says, giving his Heart a concerned glance. He extends a finger and slides the two aces back to the safety of his deck. "We need to discuss the terms of our arrangement—I intend to keep my end of the bargain only if I know what is on both ends."
"Simple. You answer all you know of Sabrina and I will help set you free," she states, putting her weapon away.
"You're implying I must fulfill my end first before you will yours, yet I find myself incapable of trusting you," he comments, shuffling his cards. "Nonetheless I am at a crossroad here since you have shown me trust and I have no incentive to betray it. One." He holds up a finger. "I'll answer one question but your question should not be complex in such a way where you will have all you need from me. There is only basis for trust when we have cards concealed against one another."
She considers Master Sabrina and her passing ten years ago, and she is completely certain of her only wish. "Prove to me that you've actually met Sabrina."
The thief does not immediately answer. He scrutinizes the purpose of the rhetorical inquiry—there is no logic in answering something so simple. What advantage would she gain with such information? She's boring, he concludes, believing himself to have won the better deal. In boredom, he flips over the Ace of Clubs. "Fair enough," he says before handing her the card. "Hold this."
And Phantom begins the account:
"She was a tall woman who settled at Ossyria for approximately a month. We called her The Gambler with the Clover because she had never lost a single game. By the end of the month, she had amassed a fortune, half of which she donated to the orphanage and the rest…" he pauses.
"The rest?" she inquires before she can stop herself.
He shrugs. "Who knows? Right before she left, I met her for a gamble while intending to pocket the legendary clover. She set the piece at the side of the gambling table where a single inattention meant it was mine. When I finally snatched it, I took it with me to the casinos. I had hoped the charm might bring me a bit of luck but I soon learned that it was no more than a piece of junk.
"She eventually tracked me to the Chateau Restaurant," he says with a thick, mocking accent, "because I celebrate my losses with exquisite wine. We were in the middle of a talk when the casino's men arrived in to regain their losses from her. She chased them off with magic unlike any I had ever seen. And as you can guess, I had her seal my heart away. Do you happen to know much about hearts?"
The woman turns over the card. "You can tell what I'm feeling when I'm near the card. Likewise, I can feel something from you just by holding it in my hand," she replies.
"Exactly, and that's how she was able to cheat at every game." Maple stares at the dark design on the back of the deck and reminiscences over Sabrina, the one woman she loved. She was beautiful, unearthly so, but ever since the exile, her nightmares were of blood and terror. Phantom must not sense these fears so she harshly slides the card across the table.
Phantom groans in pain. "Try not to do that again," he says, catching the card. "Did my answer satisfy you?"
"I only have one more: how many years ago did this encounter happen?"
"Like I said, this information will cost you."
Fed up with Phantom's shrewdness, she bluntly asks, "What do you want?"
Phantom relates to her the plan Freud had come up with for tonight and her role in it. After he's done, Maple is left with a sour taste on her tongue.
The thief asks, "Will you do it?"
She doesn't hesitate. "Only if you promise a fulfilling answer."
"Let's consider that as the default in our agreement."
Maple clutches the plans in her left hand as her life depends on it—without these plans, she definitely would not succeed. She conceals herself within the stretch of shadows between the tall, lighted windows of the Empress' palace. Although the night is dark, she had grown accustomed to seeing in this darkness. Clouds cover the bright, crescent moon, giving her an opportunity to move forward, down five doors and into the alcove.
Reach hand up and feel a set of four stone buttons. Lean your back onto the wall and twist the second button to your right exactly two hundred seventy degrees. She follows the direction and the wall suddenly flips over, sending her into a dark, cramped corridor.
Lying low, she feels around for a path and crawls through, hitting the back of a closet at the exit. With the little light coming from beneath, she squints at the next instructions. Take out the pillow from the pack and push it with the stick approximately a meter from the base of the closet. Then push on the closet until it falls.
She puts force on the closet until it collapses onto the ground without as much as a sound. Silently, she crawls out of the tunnel and into the empress's room.
Three pairs of eyes follow her but she takes no notice of them. One of the three, the one with the monocle, steps forward to stop her, but someone beside him holds him back. Finally she touches the sheets of the empress's bed—the lights turn on.
"As you can clearly see, it does not take the Phantom to sneak into the empress's own chambers—let alone steal the Skaia. The Chevaliers' security is rather lacking, I'm afraid," remarks Freud with arrogance, believing himself to have won.
Neinheart dismisses the claim. "This proves nothing. How did she get in?" He spreads out both hands boldly while taking a step closer to the elven queen's guest and snatching the papers in her hands. "It is because of these cursed plans penned by the imprisoned thief."
"You are correct, absolutely so. These plans," Freud reveals a second set of papers from under his wide sleeves. "Our imprisoned thief based off this faux experiment on the blueprints of this very palace. With these even an ordinary citizen," he gives a nod to Maple, "can perform acts believed to be impossible. Come now, Monocles, the proof is before your very eyes! Why won't you admit I've won?"
The advisor takes a menacing step at the smug lawyer, seeing a clear flaw in his statement. "Certainly, this is proof. But we have to interpret this proof carefully so we do not let someone tricky pull wool over our eyes." Empress Aria sighs and lies on the bed, not knowing if she should speak up and stop the boys from being silly. To her, the proof is simple: if this was a real assassination attempt, she would not have to hear them bicker and curse at one another like wife and mistress. How unruly. She folds her hands over her chest.
After an uneventfully long hour, they finally reach a conclusion. "So to summarize," the advisor starts, clearing his throat, "this proves highly likely that someone else capable of entering the Skaia chamber lurks on this island." Freud gives a satisfied smile. "Though, this in no way implicates the imprisoned thief's innocence and moreover the plans originated from him."
"What are you implying?" asks Freud, giving the Empress a frown.
Neinheart clears his throat again, "Evidently, if we follow this logic to its conclusion, we see that the imprisoned thief is still the primary suspect, based on witness accounts on the moment of the crime. Empress, what do you think?"
Already half asleep, she wills herself to sit up and talk, "well," her voice comes out less sincere, and more groggy and grumpy, "if there is no new evidence, I have to pronounce the verdict against Phan…our thief." The Empress gives an uncomfortable look at Freud.
"Yes. In light of this, I believe there is only one possibility." With a sudden and impulsive glance, Freud sends a chill of excitement across the room. "Given that Ereve's security is impenetrable, the real thief must have known the layouts and left without a trace. Thus a better conclusion would be to assume that there exists a traitor amongst the Chevaliers." Neinheart wants to speak but Freud is quicker. "I will produce this person by tomorrow's trial. Empress, I ask for time, nothing more."
Yawning, she points at the moon outside the window. "Mid-morning, you have until the trial begins next morning."
Sometime later that night, in the pitch of darkness, two figures converse.
"It is done, this case. I am prepared to grant myself victory and you freedom."
"I'm glad to hear it is going smoothly. Tomorrow is the last round."
"Yes, but in order to truly obtain victory, you must be careful. I have a request for you."
And mid-morning comes sooner than expected.
Large audiences pile over the court area to witness the end of the trial. The case has brought tension amongst the citizens of Ereve. Aria knows that if a satisfying conclusion is not reached, Elluel will break away their support—she shudders to imagine what may follow.
Neinheart and Phantom have taken their places and Maple is on the balcony directly above the advisor. The last of the five, Freud, has yet to show up, and the crowd waits anxiously for his appearance.
"Empress, the man had refused to show up at the appointed time. It is clear that he had fled. I ask that you proclaim his assertions null and void," says Neinheart, bowing to Empress Aria.
She presses her lips together and raises the gravel.
"Stop!" screams a voice at the back of the audience. Freud, with a pick in his mouth, steps through the parting crowds with an air of ferocious shrewdness. "Monocles, do you usually win your trials through strict but insignificant guidelines?"
"I am strict to uphold the integrity of this court, but I see you have just returned from a morning meal and, as such, have no respect for our sacred trial." He takes bold steps to the center of the room and gives Freud a piercing glare. "Lowland fool, I will expose you as the dirt beneath my shoe."
"Likewise," remarks the lawyer. "Empress, I have already solved this mystery, but before I reveal the truth, I need to confirm a few facts with the prosecutor as a witness." The Empress gives him permission. "So, Monocles, do you firmly believe it is impossible for the Chevaliers du Cygne to betray Ereve for personal gain?"
"The Chevaliers are trained to be loyal above all else," the prosecutor calmly says. "Whoever you produce as your imaginary traitor, I can denounce it. Whatever you are getting at, ready yourself to be proven wrong." The prosecutor arrogantly shrugs as if Freud is merely a pest; this doesn't shake the common lawyer one bit.
"Thank you, Monocles, for your boastful display. Citizens of Ereve, with your advisor's statement, I can say without a doubt that the true culprit is none other than," he points a finger at someone above Neinheart, "you." Gasps ring out through the room.
"Accusing the witness—."
"I am not finished yet!" roars the lawyer, his eyes slanting like a snake's. "I knew you looked familiar, lady witness—your name as well. I checked the records and found your wanted poster. You are the criminal from Magcintus: Maple!" All eyes aim at her like arrows from atop a guard tower. Slowly and surely, everyone recognizes her appearance, her age. People besides her step away, singling her.
"Could this be true?" "What does this mean?" "What is she doing here?"
"Citizens of Ereve, it is quite apparent what her motive is! Freud screams, holding both hands above the air to increase the size of voice and ego. "She is here to incite chaos between Ereve and Elluel! She is a criminal and as such, her actions are only of vice!"
The crowd riots in anger. "Could it be true?" "She has been a spy all along!" "We must arrest this lowly criminal!" "Thief!" "Low life!"
Neinheart lashes at Freud, "She is a guest of Queen Mercedes!" His voice is loud, but not enough to cease the frenzied screams of the justice-seeking citizens.
"She is an outsider who avoided capture for ten years," Freud proclaims, raising his voice, rallying the hate of the crowd. His tone becomes dark, disdainful with every passing word. "Citizens, your days of peace have been taken the very moment she stepped upon this island! If we do not cleanse Ereve today, blood will shed tomorrow! We must arrest this lowly criminal! Monocles! Arrest this lowly criminal!"
Freud's echoing words spark something within the citizens. "Arrest this lowly criminal!" One by one they rally under the call. "Arrest this lowly criminal!" And the chant fills the room with nothing but unreasoned anger.
Speechlessness, then anger fills the prosecutor. He had not anticipated such an incredible ploy. What audacity! Neinheart backs away, knowing that in a situation like this, no kind of logic would dispel the crowd. Aria wants to act; Neinheart gives her a signal to wait for a minute.
"What is your ploy, scum?" Neinheart whispers so only Freud can hear. "You know, we all know, that man is Phantom and you willingly defend him? What benefits is he parting you?"
Freud smiles. "Look at you, Monocles, at your hypocrisy," he whispers back. "Maple is innocent, of course, but so is Phantom. What makes him so different that you must present him as the scapegoat for the loss of Elluel's relic?"
Neinheart remains calm. "There is a difference between lawful right and moral right," he firmly declares. "But you protect that thief because you truly subscribe to the former. Or maybe you have an alternate reason."
"Justice is quite the fickle beast, but it certainly is fair to him who turns away from the law." Freud laughs wickedly, and then decrees, "Your folly is my ship to fame. With my victory against you, imagine the clients I'd receive."
"Silence!" Aria pounds her gravel, and the crowd ceases. She feels a small responsibility for the way this trial is heading, but she has learned to avoid regret at all costs. Rather, she embraces this development. "Guards, examine the records and bring me official documentation confirming the lawyer's words. The court will now take a ten minute recess. In this time, I ask that the defendant, witness, and lawyers remain on the premise. Court adjourned!"
The next ten minutes passed surprisingly quickly. In that time, everyone hold onto their breaths as if a verdict is about to be handed down. Neinheart and Aria discusses their next course of action in whispers and facial gestures. In the middle of their talk, Aria gives a short glance at Maple as if apologizing for being unable to save her. But, most puzzling of all is Freud and Phantom who have not spoken to one another.
Finally, the court resumes. "In light of this new development," Aria says, her eyes on the wanted poster before her desk, "we need to suspend this trial and question the witness further. Guards, take her away."
"Hold it!" shouts Phantom at the top of his lungs. "I cannot stand it any longer! Empress, I have a confession to make!"
"What? What is this confession?" Freud bursts, at first confused before a strong realization strikes him. "Call off the defendant!"
"Why? So that I will not expose your intention to frame the witness?"
Several gasps tear through the courtroom, yet Aria and Neinheart remain the same as if they had anticipated this development. They had been afraid of this possible development.
"Do not listen to his words!" Freud yells at the top of his lungs, deathly afraid of being unheard. "I call a recess! Cease this trial! Stop it! Stop!"
"Both of you," Empress Aria interrupts, carefully forming her next words, "silence now!" She eyes the thief, "What is it that you have to confess?"
"I have to tell you my reason for being in the Skaia chamber," Phantom explains. The master thief produces his card and shuffles them anxiously. "I admit that I was there because I needed to take revenge against my family's murderer. It was him, the guard that I killed."
"How did you come to believe that the guard was your family's murderer?"
"I witnessed it with my own two eyes. There was no mistake; it was him. But no one believed me because he had a clever way of concealing his murder weapon. You see, he was an expert swallower, and he ingested his dagger. The reason I sealed away my heart is so—"
"That is wonderful and all, defendant," Freud bursts. "But none of what you say involves my accusations against the witness."
"Then I admit to stealing the Skaia. I will not allow Maple to be blamed for a crime I know she did not commit!"
Freud larks, "Did you happen to witness her not steal the Skaia? This is pathetic! Fine! If you insist, then you can go ahead and pay your penalty."
Both lawyer and defendant turn to Neinheart, anticipating his next words. This trial has twisted and turned in ways that the advisor could not foresee. Something is amiss. Too many coincidences have taken place in this trial and he knows that if he is to discover the truth, he must allow himself to be deceived. So Neinheart in his infinite wisdom says, "Empress, I have an idea as to the location of the Skaia."
Aria does not seem surprised. "I do too," she says. "Guards, go to the coroner and tell him to inspect the victim. The Skaia should still lie in his stomach."
Upon hearing those words, Freud fumbles as if lost. "Are you suggesting that the Skaia was actually swallowed? That is absurd!"
"That was exactly why I was never believed," Phantom spitefully returns. The lawyer and the thief starts negotiating, but their topics are inaudible to the surrounding ears. From their expressions alone, one can assume they are having an argument.
Then, Freud lets out a loud laugh. "This court is nothing but a sham!" screams Freud with hatred and forcefulness. "And you, dear thief, are nothing but an idiot. If your parents saw you now, they would bury themselves in shame." The lawyer leaves the premise.
A total of fifteen minutes passes. And soon after, a strong and cheering voice shatters the quiet chatter. "The pact is saved! The Skaia has been found! It was in the body all along!"
"Empress Aria," Neinheart begins to explain, "The truth is now clear. Our very own knight swallowed the Skaia moments before our thief broke into the chamber. Then he was murdered, presumably out of revenge."
"So you are saying the defendant is innocent of stealing the Skaia?"
Neinheart has to rethink his words. "That is the case," he says, pretending to be sure of himself. "But, we still need to press charges for the murder of our knight." He starts to sound a lot more like an advisor now that his rival has left. This signals Aria to stop acting so coy. She calls for her advisor and Phantom into a private room. The three return an hour later, when the crowd is only half as large as before and the sun has passed its apex. Empress Aria sets down an Ace of Hearts besides her gravel and she proclaims her verdict,
"We have come a long way to reach the end of this trial. There were three main charges against the defendant: the first relating to his identity as the Phantom, the second to the theft of the Skaia, and the third to the murder of our chevalier.
"Doubt has been presented as to the true identity of this man, and due to lack of evidence, I cannot assume he is the Phantom thief.
"Likewise, with the true location of the Skaia discovered, it is clear that he is not responsible for stealing our sacred treasure.
"As such, I can only pronounce him guilty of the third crime for which he had confessed. Considerations must be made for my verdict, I feel, because there is something much worse than life imprisonment: the loss of inner freedom." She holds up the Ace. "With the acquisition of his heart, I announce the defendant a free man. Court dismissed."
"This is a story about deception. The magician spreads the cards before you, showing you nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing is. That is when he explains the act and you believe him, not because everything he said is true, but because the moment you've walked into the game, you've been deceived…"
"Dear Friend,
"I must disagree with your analysis. You make it seem as if the magician alone creates the act of deception which is in fact not true simply because the audiences know he is a liar. True deception is an act orchestrated by many people: the grand magician, the assistant, the conspirator, the ticket master, and the street magician. The grand magician performs the visible display; the assistant, the invisible, the unseen. A conspirator from the audience chooses the card. The ticket master at the entrance slips the card into ones pocket. The street magician completes the illusion, displaying his simple act so the grand magician may seem all the more complex. Deception is a troupe. They each knew their roles. Their purpose is to turn lies to truth and leave the audience riveting for more.
"If this is difficult to grasp, allow me relate to you a letter from a distant reader. I would like to extend her metaphor of the cup. Suppose a situation where you and I were enemies. I give you a cup of lies, and your first instinct is to pour out those lies and you might remark that you hold the empty cup of truth. By then you would be sufficiently deceived because the cup is the lie. You believe yourself holding a cup when in fact it could be a grail, a chalice. Now you question my sanity. And I say, the poison, of course, is painted on the grip of the cup you hold. Would you fancy, then, more wine?
"Sincerely, Lord Gordon…"
Protos. Lethe. Unpublished.
Phantom enters the back of his airship with a thick laugh and his arms around the "great lawyer" whose abilities boasts a two-thirds not-guilty verdict. The hot, smelly miasma of fuel hangs in the air like the heat of a camp pyre mixed with charred dung. "I'm sorry this area smells as awful as your defense abilities Sir Freud! Please try to sway the Empress for yet another guilty crime of pollution!" Phantom bows, making his best Neinheart impression. The two continue to insult Aria and her advisor with curses and pretensions without a care as to their wicked enjoyment.
That is, until they climb the ladder to the cockpit.
Maple holds a dagger to the neck of Gaston, who is bound to a chair.
"Hello Phan. Freud," she says with intense scorn. "Aren't you both the jolly couple? I can hear your giggles coming from that dark, cramped space." Phantom looks to his left, at the maps and almanacs, then to the right, at the row of windows. No sign of a struggle—Gaston submitted peacefully. "All that talk about justice and revenge is nothing but rhetoric, is it not? Also, care to tell me what this is doing on your ship?" She holds the Skaia under the windowed sunlight, directing an annoying glare at both the thief and the lawyer.
Phantom crosses his arms over his chest and leans against a pillar while Freud dons on the cloak he left on a nearby hanger. "Unless you happened to stumble onto my invisible airship by accident, how did you find this?" Phantom asks.
She sneers. "If you think I trusted heartless ones such as you, then you are dead wrong."
"I'll take that as a compliment," he accepts dismissively. "Doesn't explain the airship though. My technology took years to develop—no one should know I had this to begin with." He walks to the other side of the room, passing a crystal table in the middle of the deck. Maple keeps both eyes on him, ensuring he can't pull his tricks.
"Your reputation made it quite apparent. Your insufferable ploy ends today, murderer."
Phantom feigns offence at the comment. "Oh, a criminal of Magcintus has no place in calling me anything," he declares whilst removing the shirt he had on for the past three days. "So Maple, what would you like with the advantages you now hold?"
"The Cygne Skaia symbolizes the treaty of respect between two countries. I'm returning it," she argues. Her hand quivers and she tries her best to conceal it; yet no hint of fear escapes the watchful eye of the Phantom thief—who at a moment's notice could subdue the stupid woman. He encircles the room and bars the only exit.
"Let's trade," he offers. "I'll tell you all you want to know about your precious Sabrina for the treasure."
She lowers the hand holding the dagger and watches the eagerness in Phantom as he lunges forward. "How about no." But he's not fast enough to stop her from sending the Skaia through the window.
Aria and Neinheart enter the empty conference room together, a place where they had only been in moments prior to settle a deal with the legendary Phantom thief. A bitten piece of honey bread lies on the end of the meeting table and she settles the Ace of Hearts besides it. Neinheart unclasps the lock of the nearest window and spreads open the panes. The wind feels less sharp at the end of an ordeal. Now, it only hangs in the air as if questioning the unforeseeable future.
They both sit down close to one another and look into each other's eyes while they simultaneously say, "I am sorry." And then they abruptly pause, uncertain of what to say next. Neinheart puts his hand on the table, and flatly conveys his opinion.
"An Empress has no need to apologize to her subjects."
Aria's heart nearly breaks at the formality in his tone. "Neinheart, you are scaring me."
"No Empress, you're scaring me. There's something very strange about you." Neinheart peers into Aria's bright eyes and, with his spirit, tries to discern what is in her heart. He knows it is impossible and he knows Aria can see into his insecurities, his hesitations. But when alone with his dearest friend, he doesn't mind feeling vulnerable.
No, he minds being lied to.
And Aria knows this very well. Closing her eyes, she attempts to formulate the best explanation. "I apologize," she starts again. "You have told me that any lawyer worth his salt could defend Phantom. I—."
"Aria. I know why you took their offer." Neinheart says, putting his hand onto the tabletop. "Before the trial we had nothing—no Skaia and no evidence to offset our responsibilities when news spread to Elluel. Controlling the heart of the greatest thief since the Raven was a consolation we desperately needed. That's why I was willing to play the part of the lawyer."
Aria bites her lower lip but refuses to shy away her gaze despite the discomfort. "I have humiliated you. For the sake of Ereve you have—."
"That's not what I wish to discuss," he interrupts again. "Freud was no ordinary lawyer. He and Phantom played their show, forced us to accept Phantom's confession and Freud's perfect conclusion. We were supposed to have Phantom at our disposal, not the faux Skaia they've returned to us."
"We still have Phantom," declares Aria, sounding protective and evasive. "Once we unlock this heart and learn its secrets, one of the most elusive men in the world will dance at our fingertips."
"They had the Skaia all along!" Neinheart yells, unsure if his fury is directed to him or her.
They had made so many mistakes.
They had believed Phantom couldn't possibly conceal the Skaia.
They had believed his innocence.
And they had chosen to sell him to death for a cheap price.
All of that—self-deception, selfishness—in order to protect themselves….
"Was it necessary to read into Phantom's cards?" cries Neinheart, unsure if he is still being reasonable. "A simple no was all we needed to capture him. We appeared weak before the nobles of Ereve. The legitimacy of your rule will only be that much more unattainable."
Aria opens her mouth but it only hangs open without response. She is dumb-founded, her charm and quick-wit completely lost. Her hand clutches Neinheart's and she squeezes twice, one to comfort the Advisor and again to comfort herself. "We have a replica. We can use it to fool Elluel. We can fool everyone."
Neinheart raises his voice further. "As an Empress, how can you weakly submit to a mere peasant? I made myself the fool in place of you. But I can only do so much before I am unable protect you anymore." Neinheart averts his gaze as he says those words, exposing himself to the possibility of self-incapableness.
"Then, I am glad you are the one to protect me." Aria smiles and melts some of the cold vulnerabilities haunting her dearest friend.
He quickly changes the subject. "In any case," he starts, "if we trust Phantom's words, then we must quickly locate the ones cooperating with the dead chevalier. Also, next time we see Phantom, we will arrest him. We have to."
The warmness of Neinheart's touch leaves Aria and he excuses himself. Aria sighs when she sees the honey bread atop the tabletop. Just when he reaches the door, Aria voices her declaration. "I will tell you why I have set Phantom free. Swear to keep this a secret as all the other secrets we keep for one another."
"Freud, I've gotten you the Skaia as promised, however hectic the process was. Now, let's uphold your end of the bargain," Phantom says, handing the coveted treasure to the man in the cloak. Freud gives Phantom a handful of old documents—the rest of the Lethe manuscripts. "Please send Lord Gordon my regards."
"It has been a pleasure to work with the great thief, Phantom," Freud nods humbly. "You can certainly be compared to the great Raven himself."
"Please. The Raven steals in broad daylight. Compared to him, I'm a crow in the dark," Phantom replies whilst handing the documents to Gaston.
"Regardless, I have a personal request." Phantom raises an eyebrow and Freud responds with his haughty smirk. "Before you know what it is, I have to admit that there is no Lord Gordon. You see, I wanted to personally witness your skills, an audition if you may."
Phantom betrays little emotion at the sudden confession. He carefully analyzes the man and hands him the Ace of Clubs. "How is it that you were able to lie to me?" he asks, referring to their meeting in Ossyria when Freud held the card during a small card trick.
"I know a little more about hearts than most people. Apologies, but I am in need of the Skaia, so I had to deceive you. Besides," he says, returning the card, "I wish for you to join me on my quest."
The thief finds his offer amusing. "I'm afraid I have no need to party with a lawyer or a liar."
The man in the cloak confirms the dismissal with a nod and turns to the window overlooking Dragon's Valley. "In my current state, perhaps. However I did not ask you to take me to Leafre for mere sightseeing. You may want to keep your eyes open for the next few days. If you do so diligently, you might witness the first falling star in a hundred years. Then, perhaps, you would be interested in joining my quest."
"A dreamer," laughs Phantom. "You'd sooner fall off the face of a cliff."
Freud puts up a finger to dismiss the discouragement. "Our keyword is still Gordon." Freud gives a quick nod and excuses himself to enjoy the northbound winds from the outside decks. Phantom, still clutching his stomach in fake laughter, could barely notice the women scraping the ropes around her hands against the corner of the crystal table.
"Please do not damage my table. It's rather priceless," Phantom starts. "Sorry for holding you like this, but—."
"Save it!" Maple cries, knowing full well that Phantom feels no emotion. "Bah, since when did the Phantom work by commission?"
"Since the beginning. I use my abilities for the rich in exchange for—." He stops before he discloses his secrets. "Why should I tell you?"
"Abilities?" She spits. "If you're so capable, then why are you fooled by a fake lawyer? Better yet, why did you trade your freedom with your heart when you could have left the prison all on your own?"
Phantom gives a wry smile and completely disregards her observation. "Pretty lady, where are you headed to?"
Epilogue, Phantom
When Phantom enters the private room with Aria and Neinheart he didn't expect the loaf of honey bread to be on the table. Bits of sweet nuts decorate the inside, giving it a wonderful mix of softness and crunchiness. Aria surprises him when she takes the table knife and warmly hands him a slice, brushing his fingers in the process. "Let us sit and eat," she says, without emotion and if Phantom could feel anything at all, he would find that disheartening.
But he couldn't, so when he takes the bread and takes a single bite, he tastes a small peck of homeliness. This bread is imported from the place where he was born but he has no idea what this meant. He looks at Aria for answers but she displays none. "Are we here to negotiate or admire how charming each other looks?" chuckles Phantom. The seriousness that hangs in the room does not mellow. "I'll give you my Heart if you smile for me." Phantom hands her the Ace.
"I will take it." She puts it by her side at a place where she thinks is safe but in fact Phantom could swipe it if he wants to. But he won't. He figures that she will be much better at safeguarding his card. Besides, with Neinheart standing behind him and watching his movements, the resulting scuffle wouldn't fulfill any purpose. "I would like to know what really happened, Phantom. No lies." She says that last part tiredly and wishfully. "We know sword swallowers do not exist."
"Are you calling me a liar after accepting my confession? Do you want me to say the truth is that the chevalier killed himself swallowing the thing so his thieving friends may pick it up from the body? Or rather, do you want me to admit the act of Freud and I intercepting the treasure under the distraction of the trial which I must insist was never the case? I'm sorry. I simply have nothing else to say."
Aria raises her eyes and seemingly asks her advisor a question without speaking any words—a silent conversation. "The way you said it indicates that it is your intention to save the honor of the Chevaliers? Yet, why were you in the chamber?" asks Aria and Phantom is astonished by her noble description. The thief fakes a smirk and replies,
"So you are making that assumption based on actions only a hero would act upon? Whereas lawyers speak in slander, the judge speaks in flatters." Phantom raises his head and laughs at his imitation of Freud—a laugh which Aria can see right through by touching the heart on the table. Neinheart can clearly see the worry in Aria's warm touch but he does not yet speak of it. "If a thief is in a treasure chamber, it is to steal treasure. There's more than the Skaia in that vault."
"So you never intended to steal the Skaia?"
"I believe I've told you what the intention was. The Skaia is recovered, why do you still interrogate me? Perhaps you should begin investigating the cadaver, not that it has any significance."
"I believe we are finished," Aria says with a hint of sadness. "Neinheart, please discuss the legalities with the defendant."
"Empress," Phantom starts, saying the last thing he needs to relay. "You should know that according to my humblest of opinions, the loss of the Skaia would turn the tides of the war. Your borderlands are the divides between Magcintus and Vermillion Gardens. I believe many powerful people would like to cripple Ereve."
Aria only leaves a, "we know," and nothing more.
Neinheart and Phantom discuss the legalities for nearly an hour. Phantom continues to speak in questions and riddles, none of which bothers the cunning advisor because he returns with questions of his own. Aria cannot fathom the silliness in the whole charade—keeping up appearances even without the judging eyes of the court.
After all is said and done, Neinheart closes with one last personal question, "If you may, why did you seal your whole heart into the cards?"
"Why? Perhaps you'll find your answer if your best casters can unlock the heart sealed by the powerful Sabrina. Or perhaps not…" Phantom goes to the door and opens it, feeling the gazes of the remaining audience members and the bright winds of freedom. "…unless you want to look at the inner workings of a thief."
Letter, Phantom
Dear Freud,
NRHLE ILEEO ISNOA LTSDC ANWES EAUOO ESOWE SDIHL SNMTO FMUPW EMCEA AEMTG TODAR OOFMG NSLKG RUETU STOES LEWRD MRCII YTA
From, P