This is UNBETA'D: I will post the Beta version on here once my beta Emerald-Leaves emails it back to me! RL is eating us both, but I didnt want to keep you waiting any more- so this is RAW!
Chapter 7: The Trial Part One
"We, the rulers of Glaupunk find you Doctor Bernard Dunnar Glar, guilty of harboring an illigal trespasser. And we sentence you to death."
Bernard swallowed hard and wished his throat wasn't so dry. But it was. It was all over, his life up to this point had been less than worth living and he could only regret not trying harder with it. He bowed to the four rulers of the Glaupunk Quadrant. Then he turned and gave Roxanne a sorrowful look and tried to smile for her. He mouthed the words "don't cry."
They had discussed earlier in the morning that if something like this were to happen, neither would show fear or sadness. They had to appear strong in front of the rulers. And accept whatever verdict would be handed down to them.
He walked past her and the guards of Meganthum, whom had watched over them the previous few evenings, they re-shackeled his hands in front of him and began to lead him away.
Bernards shoulders sagged and he closed his tired eyes. There was nothing left, he could only prey that Roxanne would be allowed some form of life. She still had so much left to offer the Universe.
"NO! Stop!"
The guards stopped walking him, and quickly turned to see who had ordered room went silent. A chill ran up Bernard's spine. He stopped breathing and didn't dare turn to face the voice.
It wasn't the voice of Megamind who had called out the order, but Prince Riesling.
"Herää Vangit! " A loud banging on the prison bars woke Roxanne. She stood up groggily, followed by Bernard. They had been up almost all night talking about life in general. Anything to avoid the depressing situation that they were both in.
"Wazzat?" she mumbled trying to fix her hair, it had been days since she had had a shower, and she was still in the gown from a few evenings ago. What she wouldn't give for hot water.
"He is screaming at us to wake up." Bernard said unenthusiastically. "Jerk." he stuck his tongue out at the guard's turned back. Then he faced Roxanne who was using the bathroom.
"Oh- sorry." he turned back around. "Listen, they're going to take us to a clean room. We have to be presentable for our trial."
Roxanne finished up and walked over to Bernard.
"Wouldn't that give us an advantage? Being clean and well shaven?" She gestured to the stubble on Bernard's face.
"When you are the ruler of a whole quadrant- it doesn't matter how nice your prisoners look. You can still cast them down." he stretched and used the bathroom himself, continuing to talk. "Listen Roxanne. No matter what happens to either of us, I don't want you to be upset. I know its going to be hard not to cry or scream at them. But they react with mentality. Those emotions are a weakness in their eyes. A person who cannot defend themselves, is not worthy of life. It may seem strict, but trust me okay?"
Roxanne nodded. She was expecting a difficult battle. The whole situation was ridiculous. Surely they would all understand that once she had an opportunity to explain to them the situation?
She hoped so.
"Aika mennä saada gussied ylös." One of the guards said and they opened the cell door. Each guard took a position in front of them and Roxanne noticed that the one who stood before her was not the same as last night. This was a female guard. She looked hard and annoyed. She roughly strapped the shackles onto Roxanne's wrists and the other male guard did the same to Bernard, they were then taken out of their cell and lead down opposite hallways.
She tried not to show fear, but she guessed Bernard noticed something on her face because as they were being lead away he shouted out,
"Don't worry! She's going to help you get cleaned up!"
The guard took her to a room at the far end of one hallway and opened a door leading her inside.
"Remove your clothes." she barked and Roxanne jumped.
"Y-you speak English?" she asked and tried to take off the gown, which turned out to be more difficult than it appeared, the shackles prevented her from removing it the whole way.
The woman guard said nothing, instead she took a knife out and began to cut away at the fabric. Roxanne felt sad for the dress, but it had been warn on her dirty body for days and a good washing may not save the materials. She had a moment to wonder why Bernard owned a dress in the first place before she was startled by the guard cutting at her bra and panties.
"Excuse me!" Roxanne squeaked an backed away.
"You need fresh garments. These will not due. Stop fidgeting and let me do my work human." The guard snapped and continued to strip her.
"S-sorry."
Naked now Roxanne stood unsure of what to do, the guard walked over to a tub and began to fill it with hot water, she grabbed up a large bead sheet, which Roxanne assumed was a type of towel, and threw it over her muscular shoulders.
"Now bathe. Take your time and remove all dirt." the guard stood over the tub with a sour look on her face and Roxanne climbed in and tried not to show how wonderful she felt with the warm water rushing up to smother her grimy body. She sank down and sighed. Looking up she saw an eyebrow raised on the guard, she quickly grabbed the wash sponge and began to soap up.
There was so much about Meganthum that was just like Earth. Apart from more water than anything, from what she could tell the whole planet was a tropical paradise.
"Are you really an Earthling spy?"
The statement caught Roxanne off guard she looked up at the guard again, had she just asked that?
"No. But no one will believe me. I fell through a portal on my grandparents farm back on Earth and ended up here, I landed on Prince Megamind." Roxanne watched the guard for any signs that what she had addressed Megamind with was incorrect. It was either correct or the guard didn't care about her slip up because she didn't say anything.
"I see. From what I've heard, there was no activated portal though. So you had to have arrived in a ship of some sort. Even though you appeared out of nowhere right where the end of that portal was here in the Main Square."
"I don't know much about it, Dr. Glar just informed me last night that he had found similar results. I'm not sure how these things work. I was just working on the farm and took a rest by the oak, and then poof- here I am." Roxanne sighed and rinsed off her body, she took a moment to look at the guard again. Now that she was more awake she could study her.
Her armor was silver and brightly shining as if it had just been polished. Here eyebrows were a dark brown color and her eyes a brighter brown. Her figure was like most of the Meganthum women she had seen, curvy. But her arms were thicker than normal and she stood with an air of authority. Roxanne felt that this maybe wasnt a normal guard. She felt more important than that. And she spoke English. A language that Megamind had said many of the people had chosen to ignore.
"Who are you?" the question just seemed to fly out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Roxanne bit her lower lip. Was that rude to just ask someone? Hadn't Bernard mentioned that, she needed to be introduced?
The guard looked startled for a moment before she laughed out loud. And Roxanne was once again stunned by her. Her laugh was like sparkling clear water, light and full of life. The guard moved to wipe tears from her eyes.
"They said you were innocent to the ways of our races. You don't seem like a spy to me Femmal Roxanne. But-"
"What does that mean?"
"What does what mean?"
"Femmal?"
"Oh, its like saying Miss. Miss Roxanne Ritchi. Our custom, our etiquette. Its how we address unmarried or untitled women." her shoulders seemed to ease, and her face was less guarded. "You asked who I was? I am the chief and head of the Royal Guard for Meganthum. My name is Aariden Eliam. You may call me 'General.'" She bowed her head slightly. "And its been long enough, time to come out of there or your wrinkle up."
"Oh! Yes, sure. I'm sorry. This has been so pleasant. Its so nice to take a hot bath." Roxanne replied and General Aariden laughed again as she got out and was wrapped up in the warm large bath sheet.
"You are innocent. Thanking me for giving you a bath. Oh Femmal you make me want to learn more Earth customs." she shook her head.
"I'm just being polite. I guess it is strange to thank you, as a prisoner. But I cant ignore courtesy." she started to rub her body dry.
"Well, it better than the cold and rude replies I normally would get from a woman in your position. There are fresh clothes over there for you. I've decided to leave black and blue like your gown, but the normal wear. Because even though you are not royalty that we know of, you are from another planet. I don't believe any offense will be taken. I'll explain if anyone does show offense because its my decision."
"Minion thought it was a good idea so-"
"Which Minion? Megamind's?" she snorted, "He would try to sneak you around like that." the General smiled ruefully.
"You called the Prince, Megamind. So do you know him to?" Roxanne asked pulling clothes on. There was an odd contraption like a bra that she assumed would be warn on the inside of the outfit, it was kind of like a halter top.
"Ah. My cousin. He's a genius. And that's a compliment that I will never tell him. His head's big enough as it is. But honestly, he lets his manly urges get in the way sometimes. You think he wouldn't with a harem full of women at his disposal. Ah, well. What can you do? I guess he just enjoys the challenge."
Roxanne finished dressing, although the General had to help her with the arms and shackles. They then opened a separate door from the one they had entered and began to walk down the hallway. A waif of strong oder filled Roxanne's nostrils.
"Oh my mouth is watering, am I allowed to eat anything?"
"I almost forgot. Sure, let me grab you something." The General leaned through a window and snatched up what looked like some type of bun. It was spherical in shape. "Here, enjoy." she smiled and Roxanne thanked her and started to eat.
"T-this is amazing!" she said between bites, there was some kind of meat and vegetables inside of the bun and it tasted absolutely delicious. Spices of some kind were littered in as well and she felt like crying from the tastes that were raping her senses.
"Well here we are, you are going to go through this door with me when we are announced. I am not sure if the Doctor informed you of the proper rules but I'll go down the list. You will not speak until you are granted permission to do so. You will not interrupt our rulers, no matter what. You will stand and remain silent and dutiful. As long as you do these simple things you should be okay. The rulers will all be seated first, my cousin will also be seated. Then the people who were allowed to attend according to class. And finally we should be called in. Any questions?"
Roxanne swallowed and shook her head no. "Here we go." She whispered to herself, and staring straight ahead she missed the look of worry on the General's face.
Prince Syxus sat down as he was announced, nodding respectively to his mother and father and the rulers of Metrobec. He then nodded to Prince Riesling with a less than excited face.
"Stay calm Sir, strategy." his Minion reminded him.
"Of course Minion. He wont get away with this."
"We have decided that since this has happened on Meganthum's Planet- their rulers may question first!" a judge announced and head nods of agreement were shared around the room.
"Hum, she's not here. This is odd." Megamind commented lightly.
"I believe she's touring somewhere on Metrobec, and was granted a pardon for this event sir." his Minion replied.
"Good, its better that she isnt here, saves me some stress." Megamind said and leaned forward.
"You may now bring in the prisoners." announced the small blue judge. Megamind frowned, he rather hated how excited the man sounded.
Bernard and Roxanne were ushered in and Megamind had to calm his beating heart. Even now, when such a disastrous thing was happening, Roxanne, standing next to his cousin still appeared to him as the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. When did these feelings get so strong? Was it when she had so efficiently carried out his instructions to safety the first time they met days ago? Was it when he saw her faint into the arms of his Minion? Or when she appeared with all the strength and haunty elegance of any Meganthum or Metrobec royal to the most anticipated ball of the season? Was it when she had faced the dungeons with her head held high while he stood by helplessly watching her strong retreating back? Megamind wasn't sure, but he was sure that the feelings he had were something that could turn dangerous if he wasn't careful.
He shook his head, he had to focus now, stick to the plan. He would be able to free her in no time as long as he could manipulate the status quo to his desire. So far everything was going according to the plan. He noticed that she saw him but tried to ignore him. Good instructions Bernard. Megamind thanked silently.
"Doctor Bernard Dunnar Glar, please step forward into the circle so that we may clearly see you, young man."
Megamind was relieved that they were speaking English, Roxanne wouldn't have much trouble understanding this way. And she wouldn't need a translator. However. Megamind looked around the room to see annoyed expressions on his fellow citizens and those of Metrobec, not many of them knew English. Well, it was as good a time as any to learn. It was a little complicated at first, but he knew everyone here could accomplish it without complaining. Or he hoped anyway.
He watched from his high seat as his oldest and closest friend Bernard stepped into the large circle in the center of the room.
The first part of the trial was about to begin.
"NO! Stop!"
Bernard looked around at anything anywhere but back at the voice that had caused the very room itself to stop.
"Prince Riesling. Please explain your outburst." the Queen of Metrobec said. Her hair was piled high upon her head, gold ringlets woven into large braids at the base of her neck. Jewels and all sorts of finery stringed into her hair. Her clothes were black and blue trim like those of Roxanne, for she was on Meganthum territory and was respecting the treaty showing that she was a visitor.
"Mother, Queen Estora Kallery please hear me. He was unknowingly dragged into this. I don't believe that the Doctor had knowledge of Femmal Roxanne Ritchi's true purpose. He is only a human after all. And years ago, we agreed to help them."
Bernard tried not to flinch. He is only a human after all. How kind. Its like I'm just a bug. An insignificant piece of flesh taking up space. I'm not even smart enough to realize that Roxanne was trying to trick me huh?
"You are not giving him enough credit Ri-"
"I agree with Prince Riesling!" Megamind suddenly burst forth. Bernard turned to gaze at his friend. He had tried so hard to plead his case, but his parents wouldn't be swayed. They never liked him anyways.
"You do?" Prince Riesling was stunned. Megamind agreed with him?
"He does?" Rieslings parents echoed his own thoughts.
"I do! Honestly, we can't be sure if Femmal Roxanne is guilty, but I don't think it fair to punish someone who has managed to help us so much, do you?" Megamind said pointedly. Bernard had been worried because he had remained mostly silent throughout his entire trial,allowing them all to say horrible things about him. Intervening only when the topics strayed. He would say a sentence or two and turn them back to the main issue.
"Hm. Perhaps you are right. But in this case there is no other alternative for this matter Prince Syxus." the kind of Metrobec replied. Bernard stared intently at Megamind. Just what was he planning?
"Ah, but there is. I think Prince Riesling should be able to watch him, don't you? Keep him under guard until we can be sure of the matter? Surely we own the man this much? He has been a part of our worlds for far longer than anyone expected. And he has contributed to several interspecies fauna resulting in healing medicinal uses for my people. I would very much like to keep such a fine specimen alive. And I will grant Prince Riesling permission to watch over the Doctor on your own fine planet King Riesling." Megamind nodded his head slightly to seal the deal.
Bernard's eyes widened. Could this work? He saw Megamind glance his way briefly. Damn him! He hadn't said anything during the trial because he had wanted to do this? He knew how much Bernard liked Prince Riesling. What was this suppose to be a way to thrust him into the arms of the prince because he knew that Bernard would have never done so on his own? Didn't Megamind take into account that the prince was a backstabbing jerk with one way thoughts for his own personal gain and that Bernard would never in a million years be happy serving such a jerk?
Obviously, because Bernard saw a shrug from Megamind, it was slight and rather pitiful. As if his friend were trying to say, "I'm sorry, this is the best I could think of. At least you'll live."
Great. Bernard thought. Just great.
"Hm. Would this be acceptable to you Riesling?" his parents turned to him.
"Yes." the prince said, "I can watch him for a time to see what will happen and if he can indeed be trusted. Bring him to me."
Bernard refused to stair at the ground like some beaten animal, rather he held his head up and looked defiantly into the eyes of the man he had loved so passionately and silently for many years. He walked up the stairs leading to where Riesling was, and in the submissive sign of a servant he got down on both knees until instructed to stand.
He was not happy. But he was alive.
So like I mentioned, its unbeta'd please forgive any spelling errors or misuse of words. u.u; Thanks very much, and the next chapter will be up later~ circus candies as always my dears!
