Disclaimer: A chapter written by War Monger.

A/N: Bleargh!

Act I Scene II

(Setting: the Halls of the New Orders Palace at sundown)

The words still rang loudly in his ears. "Murdering a member of the Order". It was the only time in War Monger's life that his stoic expression changed unwillingly. He couldn't help but flinch as DarkFire's words stung. That little phrase could mean so much: The dismissal of the Order's most ruthless warrior, a rift among brethren, and a sign of weakness at a time when weakness can mean death. He was sure that all members of the Order were thinking the same thing, and just as sure that everyone would leave it to Bastion to bring up.

"So be it," was the first thought that came to War Monger's mind. "We could handle the Warjilis Army with holyswordsman and we can handle them without him".

He dared not think of the outcome without DarkFire.

With the image of holyswordsman's maimed body in the back of his mind, War Monger did one of the two things that he knew how to do. He spoke unhindered.

"DarkFire. You have pleaded guilty to the murder of a comrade, an honorable warrior, and a soldier of the New Order. How is this anything but treason?"

Now was the first time that War Monger truly noticed DarkFire's most feared trait: a blue light burning in his eyes. He was famed for the fear his eyes could throw into his enemies, flashing with a fierceness all their own. Seemingly unhindered by this, War Monger did not move his gaze from DarkFire's fiery eyes. Hands on his sword, War Monger showed no fear. He knew that DarkFire, and the rest of the New Order, new little of the Ni's Shadow Guards power, and thus the older warrior would be cautious when dealing with them. But the trust of the Order lay with Berit, and if Berit trusted the Shadow Guard to be strong, so did the rest of the Order.

War Monger waited for DarkFire to speak.

"With all due respect to the court, I did not kill a man with any of those traits. The one who died was a liar, a spy, and the lowest form of scum that has ever entered this realm."

The entire court burst into a deafening roar, hands on their scabbards. Ready to pounce on the alleged traitor, a few warriors rushed the main hall where the trial was taking place. DarkFire, though fully capable of dealing with this annoyance, did not move an inch. Knowing that this would be dealt with, no one made a move. They would allow Berit to handle the outburst.

Berit had not moved for the entire duration of the proceedings. Standing in his usual statuesque manner which was only broken under the most necessary of circumstances, he waited until the last possible moment to act. A slight motion of his hand toward his sword was all that occurred. The crowd halted in their tracks.

Even DarkFire had to admire the swiftness of sword that Berit commanded. There was only a handful of men in the world who were shown as much respect as the New Order's Ambassador, and all but two were in this army.

Bastion spoke as the raucous died down.

"DarkFire, you have made strong, and seemingly heartless, accusations against an Order warrior who is not here to defend himself. I hope, for yours and the New Order's sake, that you can substantiate this before the need for your services should become useful."

DarkFire looked up for the first time, and then spoke as if his entire conviction lay behind these choice words:

"If I were to feel remorse for my actions, then everything that I stand for has been a lie."

Bastion's face remained unmoved. "Then let us hear your defense, Captain.