Chapter 36

The glimmering green portal was just beginning to dissipate as Jenny Bone got slowly to her feet. She hated portal travel, and avoided it whenever possible, hence her rather awkward exit in a dark alley near the New York Institute. Walking quickly, she soon reached the street, taking a few minutes to orient herself and stare at the vibrant, busy city around her. Just a block from the alley, she saw the heavily glamoured façade of the shadowhunter Institute. No time for sightseeing though, Jenny had a message to deliver.

The persistent ringing of the doorbell brought an irritated Isabelle Lightwood down to the sanctuary at a trot. Throwing open the door, the shadowhunter's eyes widened in surprise; "Jenny Bone, what on earth are you doing in New York?" She gasped.

The last time Izzy had seen Jenny was several years ago, when Alec had been called to Edinburgh to investigate a downworld murder. She would never forget the awe, bordering on hero worship, the warlock evinced toward Magnus Bane, nor her bold mentions of Magnus' infamous father, a subject the High Warlock of Brooklyn never willingly discussed.

"I have an urgent message from Aidan Briosag!" Jenny stated as she stepped across the threshold. "Gather the troops, there is no time to lose!"

~~~~!~~~~

The Court of Assize had been in session since early that morning. Advocate Crestwell delivered the first of the closing arguments, advising the Justices that the defendant, Magnus Bane had in fact been guilty of all the charges against him. Bane had stolen the illegal spell from the Silent brothers, bought the necessary ingredients from Janus Dark, and allowed his demonic sister, Lucia Draggotta to bear the child of a marked shadowhunter and a warlock. The Advocate insisted that this was but one of many incidents involving Magnus Bane that indicated his contempt for the Clave and Coven alike. The warlock's acquisition of the Malfactorum, a spell book allegedly written by Asmodeus, Prince of Hell, and considered highly illegal, was a case in point.

At the defense table, the mention of his father's spell book, which Magnus purchased from Janus Dark, brought his mind back to the time when he had been desperate to find a way to defeat Lucia, and rescue his innocent child. Magnus was well aware that using the Malfactorum broke all kinds of Clave and Coven laws, but failing to stop Lucia, and save Aiden had not been an option. As it happened, it was a spell from that evil book which helped to defeat his deranged sister. Magnus shuddered, slightly as he thought about some of the magic outlined in that deadly, little volume, which was, even now securely hidden in his New York loft. He had always intended to destroy the book once Lucia was defeated, but life with his beloved husband and new child intervened, it seemed the path to hell really was paved with good intentions.

Magnus mind was brought abruptly back to the present, as Crestwell continued with his closing arguments. The advocate stated that, although the Court might be tempted to be lenient with the defendant, whose husband was held captive by Draggotta at the time, that same husband was a shadowhunter who'd accepted the responsibilities of his calling, which included accepting death rather than give into the forces of evil. Magnus Bane had ignored his husband's higher calling and should be punished accordingly.

Magnus glanced over at his advocate as he listened to Crestwell's impassioned arguments, and was somewhat amused to see the Fairie roll his eyes. Most downworlders failed to understand the shadowhunter's preoccupation with 'honourable death'. The warlock knew that, in Alec's case, it was based in a real desire to serve, and a dedication to helping others, mundanes, and downworlders alike. His Alec made no distinction, having learned that much of the shadowhunter prejudice he'd been exposed to as a child was, just that, prejudice based on ignorance.

As the Crestwell's last words died away, Asher rose to give his own closing arguments. While passing his client, the advocate allowed a slim, elegant hand to drop down and squeeze Magnus' shoulder. It was a gesture of comfort, unusual for the mercurial fairie. He moved to the center of the courtroom and stared up at the Justices for a few moments before beginning, not in fear or awe, but as though he was weighing them, and then he began...

"High Warlock, Magnus Bane has been working for better relations between all members of the shadow world since before the Accords, or even this Court, existed. He came to the aid of the shadowhunters twice when Valentine threatened to bring his poisonous ideals to bear, and was the first warlock representative on the shadowhunter Council. Yet, despite all his years of service to the Clave, because he is a warlock, he is distrusted, viewed as less;" Asher paused scanning the gallery, as well as the Justices's dias, as if challenging those present, and shaming them for their failure to acknowledge the sacrifices of any but shadowhunters. He could not address the issue of the Malfactorum directly, Magnus really had purchased the spell book after all, but Asher hoped to be able mitigate the act by stressing Magnus' obvious support for the Accords, and long service to the shadow world."

The Advocate then took some time to review the charges against his Client, specifically Magnus' stealing of the spell required to create a child, and then impregnating his half sister Lucia. Asher reminded the Court that none of that would have happened if the High Warlock of Paris, Richelieu, had not asked Magnus to deal with his dangerous relative. In addition, Richelieu had given Magnus carte blanche to do whatever was necessary to gain that end, and in the absence of any higher authority (the Accords were not in place at the time) it could hardly be considered illegal.

"Mundane history;" The Advocate continued; "has given us many fine examples of intolerance that was fanned into the flames of bloody persecution and violence. In 1692 the Salem Witch trials commenced, and the broken bodies of its helpless victims were hung for all to see. Even more recently we saw the death and destruction brought about

by a shadowhunter who believed that downworlders were no better than demons, to be hunted and killed. That same shadowhunter summoned the Angel Raziel confident that his plans would please heaven."

Asher again paused briefly as if listening to the profound silence that gripped the courtroom. "This Court has heard the testimony of the only living witness to that historic meeting. I believe that when Raziel said to Valentine; '... as for the creatures you speak of, the Children of Moon, Night, Lilith, and Faerie, all are souled. It seems that your rules as to what does and does not constitute a human being are stricter that our own.'[1] He gave us not only the truth, but a path forward."

"In conclusion, Your Honours, it seems to me you have two choices before you; one is to uphold an biased law and condemn the warlock before you to death. Knowing if you do so that you are also condemning an innocent child to the same fate, and destroying the life of the young shadowhunter who loves them both. The second option is to condemn this unjust law, recognize that the child in question is souled and deserves your protection, and vacate the charges against my client."

Asher turned and walked slowly back to the defense table, he had done all he could, and now it was up to the five Justices, who rose as one, and left the courtroom to begin their deliberations...

[1] Cassandra Clare - City of Glass, Raziel to Valentine