Chapter 21:
Commitment
"Miss Kawa," Blackquill said, "How often have you had dealings with the Master of Kurain?"
She hesitated and stared out at the gallery like a deer stares at the truck mowing it down. After only a few moments of that they started murmuring.
Phoenix could feel sweat trickling between his shoulder blades.
"Mystic Maya is very busy," Juki Kawa said, "So she doesn't normally work directly with acolytes at my level. But I remember two times I spoke directly to her."
"Can you elaborate, Miss Kawa," Blackquill inquired.
"The first time was when I was nine-years-old. I got a letter from home telling me that my father had lost his job, I wouldn't be able to continue my training, so I went to Mystic Maya to plead my case."
"Obviously she let you stay," Blackquill said, "At the expense of the village."
Juki nodded solemnly, "She was very kind to me."
(That's just how Maya is.)
"The second time," Juki said, "She called Stormy into her chambers. When I saw her again she'd been crying. That was only last week."
The gallery erupted in chatter. Phoenix felt his head spinning in the cacophony.
(Maya you got some 'splaining to do…)
Staring down the mouth of a hundred thousand guns
The gallery ceased chattering when the judge struck his gavel. Phoenix swallowed and turned toward the witness stand. Maya tilted her head and smiled stoically at him.
(So it's come to this…)
She glanced once toward the prosecution table and then focused on Phoenix.
"What time was it when you went to the bell tower?" Phoenix asked.
"Nine-thirty," Maya said.
"Did you see Stormy Day?"
"Yes. I commented on the weather. She told me she wanted to meditate in the storm."
"Is that normal?" Phoenix asked.
Maya smiled at him, "It's not so weird as sitting under a freezing waterfall."
(That's right.)
"Then what happened?"
"She left to go up to the priory tower and I went outside to begin my retreat."
"Where were you headed?"
"Hazakura Temple," Maya said.
(All the way there, huh?)
"It's a long way," Maya said, "But the journey is part of the experience. I've made the trek many times in the past."
"Maya, was Miss Day alive when you left her?"
OBJECTION!
"That's hearsay!" Blackquill said, "She's the only one that can validate that statement."
Hold it!
"There's no proof that she's lying!"
Blackquill pounded the table with his fists.
"Hearsay!"
"Prove it! You've got something to say you better back it up!" Phoenix shouted, "Maya is not a murderer! Maya has no reason to hurt anyone! You could be using this time to find the real killer, but instead you're focusing your efforts—"
SILENCE!
"You're panicking Wright-dono," Blackquill said, "That's no becoming a Defense Attorney. I'm surprised to see you lose your composure so easily. Perhaps you are too close to this case?"
OBJECTION!
(He's right. You're starting to lose your cool.)
"I'm not on trial here, Prosecutor Blackquill," Phoenix said hands on his hips.
Blackquill sent Taka over to harry Phoenix.
A/N: Thanks so much for your patience! And thanks for reading!
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