Chapter 4
The last time Sam and Dean set foot in the Manor, it was to pull off the ruse that Angela was helping a friend and that they could find the staff of Osiris. That was the first and, Dean swore it, was the last. While the place had been impressive in size and looks, the atmosphere was cold and unwelcoming. There were only few people that had been there at the time that made the visit bearable.
Sam looked out his window as Dean pulled up and studied the Manor. He had been quiet the whole trip there and normally that would be a cause for worry for Dean but his brother was also quiet as well. Neither of them said much the whole time they drove to get there. They had traded off driving so that they could drive through the night and get there before anything could be done to Angela. It was tiring but it was worth it since they traded off with the back seat as the bed and it sort of helped that the puppies acted like hot water bottles and guard dogs.
"I know I said never again but…"
"Angie said the same thing a hundred times over," Sam muttered absently. He then opened his door to get out and turned to let Moira and Xander out.
"Got that right," Dean agreed, getting out and letting his dog out. He looked at Zeppelin who was looking at him expectantly. Angela had explained to them that it was rare for puppies to imprint so young and at this stage they were clingy little bastards. He was inclined to think it was some sort of excuse to take them along and he wasn't going to figure out how they were going to handle it when they were full grown adults.
Looking around, Dean made sure his baby was going to be okay parked there and was prepared to be there for some time. As much as it could drive him crazy to be in any one place long enough, this was Angela they were talking about. And he was sure as hell that Sam wasn't going to go anywhere. Not after the latest displays of whatever it was that was going on. Assured that the care was safe and that he had something on his person just in case, he motioned at the puppy, "Come on Zep."
There was a guard at the door and he looked at them with more of a raised brow of surprise. What the Winchesters didn't know that it was unusual for those with Wilder hunters to have more than one. While it was acceptable for two hunters to each have a dog, two in the company of one was rare and unusual and considered warily unless it was an issue of transport but that was a whole other technicality that would require lengthy explanation.
As it were, the guard let them in with a reminder to keep their hunters in check. Sam gave a polite nod, nothing more and Dean followed clearly impressed that Sam was taking the lead. Then again he really wasn't. He recognized the signs of holding it together for everyone's sake and just being polite hid what his brother was truly feeling. Both Winchesters could suffer in silences and both had done their fair share of hiding things like illness and injuries… and the major stuff but the deep seated feelings… Dean preferred to let it out but Sam was a cold fuse until it was too late for the unfortunate victim.
They were familiar with the way to the main hall or whatever the hell it was called. It was like being inside a freaking castle but more modern. It was neat but not very welcoming. Sam paused just outside the main hall since he didn't know exactly where to go from there and looked at Dean to see if he found anything.
"There you are."
Both Winchesters turned to see Isabella Rivain seemingly appear out of nowhere and looking relieved. It was vastly different from the brat they had met almost a year ago. She still had a sort of smugness about her but that was more or less directed at those she perceived deserved it… like Dean Winchester.
Sam blinked in surprise to see the half werewolf, half human actually there. "Bella?"
"Glad you remembered," Isabella offered more to ease the tension than to be snarky. "Hi Shorty."
"Brat," Dean muttered. "And I have a rolled up newspaper ready."
"Kinky," Isabella smirked.
Sam went in to diffuse the situation before it became worse, "Bella, what are you doing here?"
"Helping you guys out," Isabella offered like it was the most obvious thing in the word. "I figured you might need a friendly face or two in your corner and someone who knows their way around."
"We know it just fine," Dean countered, not willing to work with the brat of a werewolf even if it killed him. "We've been here before."
"Really? Okay Shorty. Which way do you go next?" Isabella put her hands on her hips and smirked at Dean to get him to tell her where to go.
Sam knew that Dean was operating on his stubborn streak but now was not the time for that. With a low call to his brother he looked at the girl and asked, "Bella, can you at least point out where they are holding her?"
Isabella sobered at Sam's request and it was enough to have both brothers start on the track of thinking the worst case scenario. She saw it and explained, "Understand that this is not like the civilian system of things meaning the whole separating out males and females."
"Is she okay?"
Isabella read the concern on Sam's face and guessed correctly that much had changed since she had hung out with them in New Harmony. She was actually surprised but taking a slight whiff, she could smell his anxiety and it amped up the moment they started talking about Angela. Okay pheromones going nuts. Great. She explained, "She is in holding. Pretty much those guys in there are high profile prisoners. Murderers of officials like Schmidt, rogues… and not all of them are the nice lot.
"The thing is normally they would go to what the civilians call arraignment and enter the plea and then it goes a little easier." Isabella turned and started leading them down the right way.
"So you're saying that if she had gone through that she wouldn't be where she is at?"
"Yes," Isabella answered Dean's question, "But because they arrived late, she was taken to holding and that kind of works in our favor."
"How?" Sam sidestepped to avoid a girl, probably a guard, but she bumped into him. She apologized at least but she wasn't exactly warm with him. Perhaps it was more professional courtesy and politeness. He continued on and repeated, "How does that help us?"
"Well once arraignment happens, the trail is on the schedule and after that, visitors tend ot be restricted. No one short of the arbiter, spouse or close family can get in."
"Shouldn't be a problem," Dean pointed out. "Angie's family."
"Yeah and they would stonewall you on that claim." Isabella paused and looked at the Winchesters and the looks on their faces. "Come on guys, you aren't exactly winning popularity contests specifically with regards to the current climate. There are plenty here who don't like you and for that reason only or multiple reasons. Just like they don't like her."
"Angie didn't start this," Sam muttered more to himself. Louder he said, "So what do we do?"
"Play by the rules," Isabella offered. "It's the only way and by doing that it'll have some sway with those on the fence. Believe me the intrigue here is more dangerous than the intrigue of the French court." She made a slight face as she turned to lead the Winchesters further into the headquarters.
"So we play along and things should fix itself," Dean asserted.
"In theory. Like I said," Isabella paused before some doors. She looked at the brothers, "You guys aren't exactly popular here." She then opened the door into another hall. "Come on."
It felt like a maze but Sam and Dean both kept their eyes open in the general direction they were heading. Years of habit and being trained on the job plus the fact that they were both well aware that they weren't very much liked here kept them on their toes. It was a small comfort that they were in the company of someone that marginally liked them or at least didn't treat them like lepers. It really brought to mind the phrase that it was better the devil you know than the one you don't know.
There were quite a few people in the halls and it made getting around difficult. Sam lost track of his dog while trying to keep up with Isabella. It wasn't until he heard the yip that he stopped and looked. It was then that he saw Moira growling up at a rather large man and he was looking amused at the whole thing.
"Look here. A Wilder and pup no less." He grinned as he kneeled to look at the pup. "So where do you think you're going? Looking for another sucker to imprint?" He reached out to touch her.
It was the start of a bad day when Moira growled and with a short bark, she jumped and bit the man on the hand. Sam watched in horror and then got upset when the guy smacked his dog and grabbed her by the scruff of the neck roughly and started threatening it. He said, "Hey, leave her alone."
"And what's it to you?"
"That's my dog," Sam offered calmly. He didn't want to start a fight but he wasn't going to let anything happen to the puppy. This was just one more thing added onto the pile. Looking at the guy, he reached out and took the puppy from him and said, "Thank you for finding her."
If it was going to be anything like a simple walking away, it didn't seem to be in the cards. Still Sam wasn't going to push buttons and held the puppy under his arm like a football, letting her paws dangle. He was stopped by the guy putting a hand on his shoulder and saying, "And who said you can leave?"
Sam looked at the guy and he felt Moira rumble in her chest. "I don't want trouble."
"Well you got it."
"Hey, you know better than to mess with a Wilder and his handler," Isabella piped up. She glared at the guy full on.
"He says that runt is his. He already has one." He pointed at Xander who was growling at him.
"There's no rule saying he can't have more than one. What are ya the Wilder police?" Isabella made a rude sound at that while subtly edging Sam further away. "And how do you know he ain't watching the mutt down there for someone else?"
Sam was normally the kind of guy that didn't like to stand out. He didn't want trouble and liked to do things under the radar. So it made him feel a little uncomfortable that he was drawing so much attention just from this. He looked at Dean who decided it was best to pick up Zeppelin too since there were one too many people around.
"The girl is right," another came up. "There is no rule. It is rare but no rule."
The guy looked at the newcomer and then at Sam before rumbling, "Fine, but if I catch that runt near me…"
The newcomer shot a look at the guy and he left without another word. He turned towards the trio and said, "Nice timing there Bella." He looked at the Winchesters and offered a hand, "Name's Riley."
Dean was the first to take the proffered hand while Sam was trying to still ascertain the sincerity of the gesture. "Dean and this is my brother…"
"Sam, I know," Riley said, his Irish lilt coming out. "No mistaken the Winchesters." He looked in the direction that the other guy had gone. "And you were lucky there. The butch there has been trying to get his hands on a pup and Connor's dogs have refused. Blighter doesn't get it that they choose and not the other way around."
"Riley," Isabella interrupted, "As much as they would like to hear about that, we have to get going before the arraignments starts." She made a gesture with her eyes.
Riley raised his brow slightly and calmly said, "You're too late." He held up his hand to keep the Winchesters from demanding explanations. "Call it professional courtesy but they got her out first thing. Now it's a waiting game in the chambers. This way."
It was beginning to dawn on Sam and Dean that they had 'friends' of a sort within the Centurion and they were doing what they could to make things easier. They relaxed a little as they followed Riley and Isabella through the maze of people while ignoring the whispers. It did look funny that they were carrying their dogs but given the crowd, it was best to avoid another incident and the few stares they received told them that it was approved of… for the most part.
They put the puppies down when they got to where they needed to be. Riley peeked in and made a sound before saying, "They're doing the waiting game. Professional courtesy my arse."
He led the way in and told them where to sit and what was going on. Sam could make out the rigid posture of Angela standing at what looked like… he couldn't describe it but it was clear what the purpose was. She looked stiff standing there but it was also relaxed and that had him worried. He bit his lower lip.
As if she knew, she turned in their direction and looked at them. She had a look of regret on her face, like she regretted them being there to see it. Her gaze lingered on Sam a bit longer but she didn't do anything except a slight nod before turning back around. It was a good thing too since a door opened and three people walked in and it was announced that court was in session.
"The charges are murder and…" the, Sam supposed was the judge, looked at Angela and then continued, "The charges are murder and the accused is present. How do you plea, General de Medici?"
The lead guard didn't look forward to finding out what happened to his prisoner in holding. He didn't like that he had to leave her there but rules were rules and it wasn't like there was any other place except the holding cells and those were the equivalent of lockdown/solitary. Still it was better and he wished he had done something to ensure that. After all this expedited trial was all under the guise of professional courtesy.
There had been no noise from holding, at least none that the guards would have reported and even then they would only report if it was a serious nature like someone on the verge of being killed. There was no beating around the bush that the guards got their entertainment from prisoners fighting and beating each other up. It was suspected that there were bets going on. The leader didn't want to think about what his prisoner had to endure and she was a woman. A very attractive woman.
Holding held all sorts, male and female, and just about every species you could name. The fact that she was well known in most circles and very attractive, that didn't bode well. The leader didn't want to contemplate but it was at the back of his head. He was glad though it was just for one night and that she would be moved. He just…
The guard at the door greeted him, "Little early don't you think?"
"Professional courtesy," was all he would say. It would speed things along though he thought it would be torture to make her wait for an hour before it actually started and in the room. Still it was better than nothing.
The guard shrugged, "Fine. Not my business. I just hold them and make sure that they don't kill each other." He went towards the door and unlocked it. "Have at it. It was pretty noisy last night."
That didn't have the leader in a good mood as he went through the door and down the stairs. He found the holding cell in a general calm since the morning meal had been served and it was edible. This wasn't the Middle Ages but still. And he wasn't sure of whether or not to be worried at the calm.
"You here for the General?"
The leader turned to see a dark skinned man looking at him, his African roots showing through. He replied, "Yes, Jabari."
Jabari looked at the youth before him. He was familiar with him and thought him a little green but a good one. He nodded, "The General is busy at the moment, Corwin. Time for you to leave."
Corwin looked at the larger man trying not to be cowed by the fact that he was a midget compared to the man before him. He wasn't going to show that he was slightly intimidated by the very large man that no doubt was running holding while he was here. "No," he replied, "I am here to take her out and proceed to her hearing." He made a slight swallow of his throat as he glanced behind the large man and then at him.
Jabari looked at the younger one. He had to admit that he had a pair on him. It was impressive but he wasn't going to be easily swayed. "The General is busy," he repeated.
It could have gotten into a fistfight or an all-out ganging up on since Corwin was outnumbered compared to the group that had formed behind Jabari. He was prepared to exert his authority but he ended up not having to. He was refrained from it when he heard, "It's all right Jabari."
Angela had stepped out from behind Jabari but her hand remained on the man's shoulder where she had placed it to placate him. The rest of the prisoners made a swath for her to move to the front while showing her respect. She made a motion that they were to back down and they moved back as she moved forward to meet Corwin face to face. She looked at him and added, "He's only doing his job."
Jabari made a sound that was Corwin interpreted as being that he was not in agreement of that assessment but would obey out of respect. Either that or it was because he was showing that he didn't like the guard. He still moved back a little before taking the hand that had been on his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze and said something in a language he knew Corwin wouldn't understand.
Angela moved her head slightly and gave a slight grin before replying in the same language. She then looked at Corwin and said, "I'm ready."
Corwin escorted her out of holding and he didn't like the fact that he was being watched by everyone in the holding cell. He knew they were watching him and it made him uncomfortable. He was relieved when they were out of holding and he took a breath as he personally fastened the shackles on her wrists.
"They are only looking out for me," Angela offered in a gentle tone.
"They looked like they wanted to skin me alive. Especially Jabari," Corwin admitted in a low whisper as he finished.
Angela hummed at that. "Jabari is a good man. A good warrior. And he is very loyal to those that he had shed blood with." She made a slight smile and looked at nothing in particular.
"So you know him?"
"We served together," was all she offered and with a slight smile.
Corwin made a slight face at that. He had heard that she was good at giving information but never really telling about herself. She would verify but beyond a yes or no she didn't divulge much. If she did, that meant she liked you or actually trusted you enough to tell the story. "Right."
"You want to know, read the archives. That's what they are there for."
Corwin made a snort at that and it caused Angela to chuckle gently. She willingly complied and let herself be escorted to the main hall where the trials were held. She asked, "So coming before the councilors convene is more professional courtesy?"
"To be honest, I was concerned," Corwin admitted while steering her in the right direction. He kept a stoic composure as he looked around to make sure that there were no surprises. "I didn't like the idea of you in holding all night with those… characters."
"They are old friends and respected warriors. And it has me surprised why they are being held this long and without trial," Angela countered in a firm tone. It voiced her displeasure at the situation as well as keeping a fairly respectful tone.
"They are not as well-endowed as you."
"And that is bull shit."
Corwin looked at Angela but she didn't look at him. He was surprised to hear that come out of her mouth. He had read the archives on most of her missions that had been documented. She was a legend and he had a hard time believing that she was what people who disliked said she was. It made no sense to him either that she was in this position but he had to follow his orders and the weapon had been identified as hers…
"Jabari is more straight arrow than anyone else I know here. He is the definition of honor. He should not be here," Angela muttered in a low voice that suggested she was being thoughtful about the whole thing.
"From my understanding he was accused of terrorism or subterfuge," Corwin offered in a low voice. He had his hand on the door handle as he looked at her. "But I don't believe it since you're right. He's not that kind of person."
"Glad someone else sees that," she replied. She motioned that she was ready.
The room was sort of empty and sort of not. People were waiting for their turn in terms of the charges and dates to be settled; it was pretty much like the civilian courts. Angela recalled the last time she was in there and that was to save someone from being falsely convicted. It seemed that it was her turn in the hot seat though and it looked like it wasn't going to be like the last time.
She was well aware that she wasn't liked and by quite a few higher ups. This was probably their idea to speed things along and labeling it as a courtesy. It sounded right but then the things going on… something was off but she couldn't put her finger on it and it wasn't like she could do anything about it. She looked at the prisoner's box with a raised brow and gave a slight sigh as she stepped into it. There was a chair for her to sit but she wasn't in the mood to.
It was another courtesy that she wasn't chained to the railing as was customary. She found it suspicious since she was the last person they would want to extend courtesy to. She glanced around and noticed the players in the room and caught a familiar sight. She didn't give a sign of acknowledgement that was obvious but she did acknowledge them and turned to face the front.
Her nose picked up their scent before they made it to their seats. She wanted to sigh at the fact that they came here. There were people here that didn't like the Winchesters over much and after the whole thing with the breaking of the last seal… It now made more sense as to why all the courtesy. This was more damnation by association and it wasn't going to be pretty no matter what. Still she managed to give a look in their direction, specifically at Sam before the proceedings began.
"The charges are murder and the accused is present. How do you plea, General de Medici?"
Angela straightened up and looked at the tribunal. She heard the gasps since the crowds in there were probably wondering who she was. She said, "Not guilty."
"Let it be entered." The head councilor looked at the crowd and added, "The prisoner will be escorted to solitary and the trial begins tomorrow."
There was a murmur but it was broken by a voice of protest. Angela blinked and felt her eyes widen slightly at hearing that voice as she heard, "Wait a minute."
A/N: Sam and Dean arrive at the Manor and the proceedings begin but seems that thing might go for a spin. Keep watching for more Trial and Reckoning...
