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Chapter Twenty-Five

The Right of Trial:

The Doctor put his hand on Wildcards shoulder holding him, stepping in front of him he yelled, "My Lord Castilian, you have come a long way for nothing! Your party is presumed dead or missing! You are all that is left, leave now and find peace! I'll not be responsible for what happens next my lord!" Lord Castilian holding his family staff in his left hand, begins to look at it; seeing many names down through the generations.

Raising it into the air, he points his staff at him making an announcement, "My Lord Doctor! I have come too far, I will finish what my family has started! The house of Sigmus will be purged, it was I who killed her sister and her bastard daughter! The other daughter still eludes me! Once she is found, my work will be finished! I was so close to my third target, until Lord Wildcard stood in my way!"

Wildcard hit the center of his staff weapon, extending it outwards in both directions, holding it tightly. The gripping sound created by his hands was so loud, everyone standing next to him turned to look.

The Doctor looked at the face of the angry Time Lord standing next to him. He stepped forward and turned, standing face to face with the Wildcard he said. "He's all yours mate, after I finish questioning him. Normally I would never condone this action. Should you wish my lord, I will act as your proxy." Wildcard nodded, with his eyes fixed on Castilian. A look announcing death is coming, without hesitation. The Doctor turns his head and looks at Mrs. Langer. He asked her, "Would you stand by my side Carla? I will show you what needs to be done in a few minutes, you're going to have to be a witness?"

Lord Wildcard begins to take two-steps forward with his staff weapon. The Doctor looking at him, walked up to his side quickly and asked, "What is your decision my lord?" Wildcard still holding his weapon in his hands, placed it in an up and down direction, with the bottom touching the street. Starring at his target for only a second, Wildcard turned his head in tears and said. "I'm going to put his head on the end of this staff old man, that's what I'm going to do!"

Except for Wildcard whose head was down, everyone turned to look at a little girl standing next to her mother. It was Mandy asking a question. "Why is Mr. Wilds crying mommy?"

Her mother knew the answer, except she didn't know how to explain murder to a five-year old. All she could say to her was, "That man standing across the street, hurt Mr. Wilds family a long time ago sweetheart." The child seeing her hero crying asked. "Did the bad man kill them mommy?" After hearing the child's question to her mother, Wildcard was truly crying. The question opened up a damm of walled up emotions, held by hate for the wrong Time Lord. Haresh, the Doctor, Mr. Reynolds and most of the men and soldiers in the neighborhood, surrounded Wildcard, giving him as much emotional support as they could. While the men placed their hands on his shoulders and back, each started to turn and look at Castilian with disgust. Moments passed and Wildcard looked up, he wiped the tears from his eyes. He thanked the men individually and turned around, stepping forward through the crowd surrounding him.

Standing alone, looking at Castilian, Wildcard was full of rage. He yelled at his new target, "Castilian! I thought you died back on Gallifrey, when the Daleck's attacked! You have sealed your fate by coming her! You are going to die by my hands for what you have done! I am issuing a challenge, Castilian. The family right of trial, in the defense and honor of the house Sigmus!"

Lord Castilian confused at the challenge presented, looked at the Wildcard with a blank stare. His request was surprising and disgusting to him. Do to this Time Lords arrogance, such a request was uncivil and outdated. Seeing the angry Time Lord staring at him, Castilian clears his throat and starts quoting Gallifreyen Law. "My lord, only a member of the house of Sigmus can make such a challenge, since there is only two left, both women, you have no claim to the right of trial."

Wildcard turned around, hitting the center button of his thermal suit with his fist, forcing it back into its small chest plate. Taking off the shoulder harness next, he passes it to Carla. He was still in tears as he gave it to her. Carla looked at him and placed her right hand on his cheek and spoke softly, "Oh Mr. Wilds, I truly, truly understand your anger. I am so sorry for your loss."

Wildcard looked up at her as she held his cheek and said, "Apologies aren't necessary Carla, it was a long time ago, that old wound will never heal. I swore I would kill the Master personally for what he did. Now I know I was hunting the wrong person. From his own lips Carla, now I know, now I know. I see vengeance given to me on a silver platter, there is no way he is leaving this planet alive. Today is his last day of existence!"

Carla holding the harness in her left arm let go of Wildcards cheek and said nothing. She just nodded her head, understanding her neighbors' grief and anger. Wildcard stepped back from her and pushed a button on his fighting staff, it compressed back into the center of the cylinder. He passed it to her and asked, "Could you hold this weapon as well Carla? I have to take off this cooling suit." Grabbing the cylinder she nodded. The Doctor came up to Wildcard and said, "Here let me help you take this off." Working together, the Time Lords begin to unlock the catches in the front and back of the cooling suit. Within minutes Wildcard was in a shirt and Jeans and steel toe boots. Together they placed each piece of the cooling suit on top of the APC parked in front of Sarah's house.

Carla was right behind, placing the weapon and harness nicely on top. Lord Castilian watching this, looking confused, yelled from across the street, "My lord! You will be committing murder without just cause, you will be hunted down with impunity by the high council!"

When Susan returned, she approached Wildcard. She said to him, "It is done my lord, she will not interfere." Still staring at Castilian he nodded his head and said, "Thank you Susan." The Doctor begins to notice Wildcards left forearm and grabs it. Seeing a tattoo of his family name, along with his union of marriage. He points to the names of his children. The Doctor was furious. Letting go of his arm he looked directly at him. The Doctor taking both his hands, grabs Wildcards head, placing his forehead on his. While the Doctor held his head firmly, he begins to yell at him. "This union of marriage on your arm, it confirms your right of challenge! Making it legal! Why didn't you tell me? I was at your wedding! You could have trusted me with her secret!" The Doctor let go of his head in anger and took a step back.

Looking at the Doctor in shame, still feeling the emotions of his loss, he said softly, "I couldn't trust anyone at that time Doctor. Her family was being hunted. I thought they would be safe back on Gallifrey, the last place anyone would look. Now all I have is one child. Her life means so much to me old man. If she were to die, my life would be meaningless." The Doctor was silent, he nodded showing complete sympathy for his fellow Time Lords' judgment. The Doctor took a step forward, grabbing him at the shoulders hugging him like a brother. Letting go, he grabs his head again and held it. Gently pulling the Time Lords head downwards, the Doctor begins to give a single kiss on the top of his head.

Saying to him, "This is now a family mater my lord, our council is helpless. It cannot perform any form of legal prosecution against your enemies, for it is too corrupt. Nothing more is to be said. I will stand at your side as a Time Lord should. I will perform my duty honorably, without malice, according to the laws of trial." The Doctor let him go and took a step back, bowing to him. Wildcard closed his eyes for a moment and bowed in return to the Doctor. He said, "Thank you old man."

Carla now approached Wildcard. Looking at the anger in his eyes, she places her right hand on his left shoulder and said, "Mr. Wilds, no husband, no parent should ever have to go through the hell you have been through. No matter what happens next, you are my neighbor and a friend. I would be proud to stand as your witness."

Wildcard looked at her with pride, wiping the tears from his eyes. He started to hug her. After the embrace, he let go of her and held her shoulders with both hands. He said, "Thank you Carla, I really appreciate this. When this is over, the Doctor, Susan and I wish to discuss your son's future, it's very important."

Carla started to laugh a little, she looked at all three Time Lords now standing together with a surprise look on her face, they weren't laughing. She said, "Ok, but he can be stubborn sometimes, he gets it from my side of the family." Wildcard starts to smile and at the same time the Doctor said. "Wait till you see him." Susan said, "Wait until you see both of them, you're going to love Rani's new hair style."

Lord Castilian still standing alone some distance away, still confused to the challenge given to him. Stood in amazement, seeing the Time Lords before him prepare for a duel. For Castilian, a fight to the death was barbaric. No sane Time Lord would regress to this level, it was unheard of for this day and age. Not dealing with reality in front of him, he points his staff towards Sarah's house and yelled, "It is impossible for that woman to be a Peacemaker! They are traitors to their own kind!"

Wildcard started to clench his fists. The Doctor could see his anger welling up again. Placing his hands on his shoulders from behind the Doctor asked, "What are your orders my lord?" Wildcard took a deep breath trying to control his anger. Turning around again, facing the Doctor and Carla he said, "Old man, it would be an honor, if you would act as my Proxy." Wildcard turned his head and looked at his neighbor and said. "Carla, I must now ask you properly." Carla nodded to him and Wildcard continued. "Will you, Carla Langer, born of the Planet Earth, stand as my witness? You must remain neutral, you cannot choose a side in this matter. All you can do is watch?" Carla nodded and said, "Yes Mr. Wilds I can do that for you."

After hearing her except Wildcards request, the Doctor bowed his head and knelt on one knee, seeing this Carla did the same. The Doctor looking up at Wildcard said. "My lord, my house is at your service, I will remain at your side until you have completed your victory or you are dead. I understand the duty now set before me, except this act hasn't been performed for thousands of years."

Wildcard taking a step forward, placed each hand on their shoulders and said, "My friends, you need only to hear my thoughts, my last will and testament. Then you both will know what to do next." A moment later both Time Lord and Human stood up facing Lord Wildcard, they bowed together, and steeped back. Wildcard begins to reaching into his pocket, pulling out a house key. He turned to Susan and asked, "Would you go into my home and bring out my family staff, it's mounted above the fire-place in the family room?" Susan looking upset, took the key from him and said, "I'll be right back, my lord."

When Susan left, Wildcard turned around and looked at Castilian, his eyes were on fire, and his anger was pure. The only way to quell his rage was through death its self. The Wildcard yelled, "My lord Castilian as I stated before when we were back on Gallifrey, you are dumber than you look!"

Castilian had a blank stare again as he looked at Wildcard. Insults to him were meaningless, his inability to understand insults made him even more ignorant to the situation in front of him.

Wildcard turned and looked at everyone on the street, the soldiers the police, the press and neighbors, loudly announcing, "No one must interfere, if you do, you will be cut down in stride. If there are children present, please bring them back into their homes, this event is not for their eyes." After his announcement, Mrs. Reynolds was seen taken her children back into their home, to be with their grandmother, while Mr. Reynolds stayed with Haresh and the Doctor. Lord Castilian struck the end of his staff on the surface of Bannerman road, creating thunder and yelled, "This is absurd my lord! Committing murder to save the life of a traitor, have you lost your mind?"

The Doctor, removing a finger from his ear because of the thunder yelled, "My Lord Castilian, the last order given was perfectly clear, protect the Peacemaker at all cost! Or has your stupidity caused you to forget that!" The Doctor could see that Castilian was trying to think of something to say next. The Doctor was quicker and yelled again, "All will be revealed to you, as soon as my granddaughter returns!" Castilian looking like a proud pompous ass, bowed to the Doctor. He asked, "My Lord Doctor, you are the most well know pacifist of our people, do you condone his actions?"

The Doctor completely disgusted with Castilian, did not bow in return, instead he yelled at him in anger. "Condone it! You arrogant fool! Castilian, when a fellow Time Lord asks me to be their proxy, one does not question it! That is our Law, even I must obey this! The honor of two great houses is at stake Castilian! Three, if we include yours, but I'm not! I believe house Sigmus should have a fighting chance and not be slaughtered like animals! Especially when someone points a finger at them, like your family did! If I remember right, it was your great-uncle who started all this Castilian! Then he mysteriously disappeared, as did your grandfather and father! Then you assumed your father's position on the high council, seated at the highest posting a Time Lord could ever achieve! Except for being president of course! But you did have his ear, didn't you Castilian?"

Castilian looked at the Doctor in anger, he swallowed very hard and yelled from across the street. "Are you accusing me of killing members of my own family my Lord Doctor?" The Doctor walked up besides Wildcard yelling loudly, "You're right Wildcard! He is dumber than he looks! Instead of using one or two words to insult him, you have to throw complete sentences at him! It's like hitting him over the head with a brick!"

Carla just smiled at what the Doctor said, she didn't laugh, for her things were already serious enough. The Doctor continued yelling his questions, "I find it amazing Castilian, that no one on the high council could see what was going on! You of all people were in the right place and the right time, assuming your father's position! How did it feel committing parricide my lord?" Castilian, looking disgusted from the question, turned his head and looked down at his family staff, rotating it. Looking back up at the Doctor he said nothing.

Susan returned from Lord Wildcards home, she passes Sarah's neighbors and her grandfather. She stops and stands in front of Lord Wildcard. As she kneeled, she places the staff in the palms of her hands and lifts them waist level with him. She asked, "As I took the staff my lord, I watched three names appear. The first name was followed by a maiden name, then the symbol of marriage appeared. I thought that happens only during births and marriages?" With his right hand Lord Wildcard took the staff from her and looked at it. He said, "After our marriage Susan, my wife's house was hidden, like our original names. The staff would automatically know the time when vengeance is near, the time house Sigmus shall be known again."

Wildcard holding his staff, turned and faced the Doctor and said, "I see nothing wrong with today do you old man." The Doctor looking at the staff and taking it from him, begins to smile. He said, "Yes, I think this is the perfect time my lord, although I do have one more question before we begin, please Wildcard, for my Sarah's sake." Wildcard nodded, while looking at his target he said, "By all means. Like I said old man, he's not going anywhere."

The Doctor turned, facing Lord Castilian, while holding Wildcards staff. The top of the jewel begins to glow a white light. The Doctor seeing this smiled and looked up at Castilian, yelling to him across the street. "My Lord Castilian, a thousand years before we were born, the family Sigmus was hunted down and executed, by your family only! To this day, their crime has been kept secret from the public!" The Doctor paused and looked at everyone standing around him. Looking back at Castilian he yelled, "My lord, what was their crime?" Castilian was looking down on to the surface of the Bannerman road thinking. Looking back at the Doctor, with anger in his eyes he yelled, "They refused to share with us the ability to merge with the Matrix. Such an act is blasphemies Doctor! If it were to become public, they would be considered gods!

Clearing his throat again he yelled, "Their status would be higher than the council and the presidency! It would topple a billion years of standards, traditions and laws set by our peoples! No! They had to die my Lord Doctor, they all had to die!" The Doctor again looked at everyone on the street and at Castilian. He yelled, "Thank you Castilian, now the trial is legal, your confession was all I needed to hear!" The Jewel on Wildcards staff ceased glowing.

The Doctor still holding the staff turned to Wildcard and slapped him on the back and yelled, "Breakfast is ready, he's all yours mate!" Castilian hearing this yelled, "You serious, a duel? We regenerate! There is no death!" The Doctor turned in anger and yelled, "No! No my Lord! When Time Lords duel, they die!" Lord Castilian looking at the Doctor begins to laugh. He said, "This is nonsense Doctor! It's impossible, besides why would Lord Wildcard ask for such a challenge?"

Wildcard left the Doctors side and begins walking calmly up to Castilian. Curling his right fists, Wildcard takes a swing at Castilian, knocking him to the ground with a blow to the left temple. The audience circled around them cheered, becoming silent when the Doctor raised his hands.

Standing over the fallen Time Lord, shaking off the pain in his fist, Wildcard yelled, "Because that women you killed and that bastard child was my wife and first-born Sarah! You animal! There is no way Castilian, no way; you're leaving this planet alive. Do you hear me! My daughter Jane is all I have." Wildcard really lost his temper, he stomped his foot on to Castilian's jaw, breaking it. The Doctor almost took a steep forward while holding Wildcards Staff. Remembering the law of trial, he remained in his place as a proxy should.

Wildcard was silent for a moment, seeing what he had done. As he looked down at Castilian he yelled, "I will not allow it! You will not harm my daughter! You will not harm my sister-in-law in that house, or her children! You will never harm anyone ever again, Castilian! By the laws set forth by our families and the High Council of Time Lords, I challenge you my lord, this is my right! As head of both houses! If you refuse, then you have just made things easier for me, your staff is singing Castilian! Best decide quickly!"

Susan turned to her grandfather and Carla did as well, both looked at one another for a second. Susan asked, "What if he refuses grandfather?"

The Doctor turned and looked at her, shaking his head left and right. He said, "The staff of every Time Lord will answer a call to a challenge. If he doesn't accept, his family staff will kill him instantly, defending his family's honor of cowardice." The Doctor spoke softly to Susan and Carla, "Both staffs will intercede if a cowardly act is committed during battle; rendering the attacker powerless for a second. If there is a second act, the staffs will terminate the coward. A kill must be made directly, face to face. I wonder if Castilian knows this." Susan looking at her grandfather started to smile. She said loudly. "Well I'm not going to tell him!" The Doctor looking at his granddaughter said, "Neither am I child, but you're going to have to be his proxy, I'll show you what to do."

The Doctor placed his fingers on Susan's temples, showing her what was to be done as Haresh and Carla and Mr. Reynolds watched. When the Doctor finished he said, "Well don't just stand there child, go and take Haresh with you. He's going to have to be a witness." After the Wildcard finished his challenge he walked back to his original position, standing in front of the Doctor.

With his right hand, Wildcard took his family staff from the Doctor and strikes it's end on the pavement of Bannerman Road, creating thunder. Wildcard let's go of his family staff, it was now standing alone on the pavement without support. The staff begins to take on a bright golden glow at the top were a jewel is mounted. Wildcard takes his staff and passes it to the Doctor and yelled, "Proxy! I have asked for the right of trial, for the defense of my family! Is my request acceptable, according to the laws set forth by our peoples?"

The Doctor holding the staff, points it straight up in the air shouting to the Time Lord, "My Lord Wildcard! As your Proxy, I find your request to challenge this Time Lord lawful, after his confession! As you are now head of both great houses, suffering in pain! It is your right to defend your family by an act of combat, a law written down by or families, ratified by the high council! No Time Lord will ever question this trial my lord!"

When the Doctor completed his announcement, he took the staff, striking its end on to Bannerman Road, creating thunder. The Doctor said again loudly, "The witness shall step forth!"

Both Time Lords turned and faced Carla, she was looking at them with remorse, her fear for her neighbor's safety was even greater. Stopping in front of the staff, she places her right hand a top of the jewel. Her voice begins to echo. "I, Carla Langer, born of the Planet Earth, stand as a witness for the Time Lord Wildcard. I shall commit my memory of this trial onto this staff. I shall not let go of the hand of the Proxy. He who is now in communion with this staff, until one of you are dead."

Susan was now standing in front of the other Time Lord. She said, "My Lord Castilian, I am Susan, The Doctors granddaughter. Do you accept me as your Proxy and this human, Mr. Haresh Chandra as witness to this trial?" Lord Castilian holding his staff in his right hand, places his left hand in his mouth, pulling off a glove with his teeth. He was still in pain, trying to regenerating as fast as he could from the blow to his jaw. He places his family staff into the hands of Susan and takes off his other glove. Next he removes his ceremonial robe, throwing it on a car parked next to where he was standing. Facing Susan, Lord Castilian started to bow to her. Susan bowed in return along with Haresh. Holding Castilian's staff, she pointed it into the air.

Then she brought the staff down on to the pavement of Bannerman Road striking it's end, creating thunder. Still holding the staff, Susan and Haresh begin to kneel in front of Castilian. Susan asked, "My Lord Castilian. A challenge has been issued to you for the honor of Lord Wildcards family, whom is head of his house and the house of Sigmus through marriage. By the laws of our people, you must accept, what is your answer my lord?"

Castilian steps forward, placing his hands on the shoulders of the Proxy and the Witness. A telepathic message was sent to them, the Time Lords last will and testament. Once Castilian finished, the witness and the proxy bowed their heads to him and stood up. Susan picked up the staff and held it into the air and yelled, "My Lord, as your Proxy I find your acceptance to this challenge lawful, it is your right to accept this challenge to defend your family's honor by act of combat. Written down by or families and ratified by the high council. No Time Lord will ever question this trial." Susan strikes the end of Castilian staff onto Bannerman Road, creating thunder and said, "The witness shall now step forward!"

As Haresh made his approached, he placed his right hand on the jewel atop of the staff, and his voice began to echo, "I, Haresh Chandra, born of the planet Earth, Stand as witness for the Time Lord Castilian. I shall commit my memory of this trial onto this staff. I shall not let go of the hand of the Proxy. She who is now in communion with this staff, until one of you are dead."

Once the legal proceedings where finished, Susan passed the staff back into the hands of Lord Castilian and bowed. Lord Castilian bowed in returned and bowed to the Human standing next to her. Haresh bowed his head to Lord Castilian and faced Susan. Susan holding the hand of the Witness said, "We must step back Haresh." Doing so, they both backed away from the Time Lord and watched. There was a humming sound being created from the two staffs and the staffs began to glow a brilliant golden color from top to bottom.

Haresh turned and looked at Susan and asked, "What happens now?" Susan still looking at the two Time Lords about to do battle said, "The family staffs are draining their ability to regenerate; it will be painful for them. Our job is to hold Castilian's abilities for a moment, you're going to feel the same pain I feel while we are holding his lives. Whatever you do Haresh, don't let go of my hand. My grandfather and Carla will hold Lord Wildcards as well; moments later we will merge them together in a ball floating above them. Once were finished, they must fight to the death. Should there be any act of cowardice; the staffs will render the coward powerless for a moment. If one more act of cowardice is committed during battle, the family staffs will terminate the coward."

Haresh was silent to the answer given him; he just looked at the two Time Lords now in pain beginning to glow. Then there was another sound like thunder coming from each Time Lord facing their Proxy and Witness. Both Wildcard and Castilian had both hands in the air and their heads tilted back, and it came from each of them.

The regenerative power of a Time Lord was streaming away from the duelers, divided by the staffs, traveling into the chests of Susan and Haresh and the Doctor and Carla. The Proxy's and Witness stretched their free arms too their sides and looked up, screaming in pain, not letting go of one another.

The energy released together was focused upwards to the middle of the area of combat. The golden stream of light coming from the four began to coalesce into a golden ball, floating up wards; stopping one hundred feet above the duelers. The Doctor regaining his strength turned his head to the right and yelled, "Carla are you alright!" Carla regaining her strength and balance began nodding her head. With her eyes still shut she said stammering, "Ye, yes Doctor I'm, I'm fine. Please, I don't want to ever do that again." The Doctor still looking at her, smiled and said, "I Told you it would be easy, shall we go." Carla just shook her head and mumbled some words of profanity. With a look of anger she yelled at the Doctor, "I should hit you over the head with a newspaper, damm that hurt!"

Hand in hand, the Doctor and Carla approach Lord Wildcard. They both stop together side by side in front of the Time Lord now on one knee. Carla places her right hand on the jewel atop of the Wildcards staff, for the last time. She has tears in her eyes as she spoke.

When she spoke to him, her voice echoed throughout the street. "My Lord Wildcard, as your witness and not a member of either house, I must ask you this final question. Do you wish to proceed with this trial? If you answer yea, then there is no yield, no forfeit, cowardice will not be tolerated, you must fight to the death, a Time Lord must die today."

The Time Lord looking up at his witness and at his proxy, glances down at the street for a moment. Looking at his staff, seeing the names in his family. Seeing his wife and daughter's names, the Time Lord looked up at Carla and yelled, "Yea! I say yea witness!." Carla took her right hand off the staff and closed her eyes, still in tears and about to cry, she placed her right hand on top of Wildcards head and quietly spoke, "Then may God be with you Mr. Wilds," Carla removed her hand slowly and walked backwards with the Doctor to their original position.

On the other side of the street Mr. Chandra had his hand and on the staff of Lord Castilian. His words began to echo and were almost the same as Carla's, except his ending statement was different. "You must accept this challenge, or choose death immediately."

When Haresh concluded his statement to Castilian, the Time Lord stood up with his staff in hand and said to Haresh, "I accept the challenge presented to me witness." Hearing his answer Susan and Haresh bowed to Castilian and walked backwards returning to their original position. The Doctor and Susan both bowed to each other and yelled at the same time, "Time Lords! Begin the trial!"