Disclaimer: My chapter.
A/N: Boogedy boogedy boo!
Act I Scene III
(Setting: main hall of the New Order Palace)
DarkFire looked into his leaders eyes and began to tell of his confrontation with holyswordsman.
"I became aware of holyswordsman's treachery a few nights ago. I was leaving the local tavern with Vance and Winnebago; we had decided to have a good drink after our border skirmish with the WA. On our way home I decided to go to the Monument of the Order, the one in the town square that is dedicated to the brotherhood of the old, with statues of Phoenix Valkyrie, Sqpat, and ColdFusion amongst others. I had intended on laying a tribute to the dead that night, and offer my remorse for not having returned to honor them sooner, but when I arrived I noticed something out of the ordinary. Darkslash was there. As you all know of my history with that pathetic worm, you are not unfamiliar with what my reaction would be, but as I made move to kill the pathetic weakling I noticed two others with him; Ryujin and holyswordsman." At this a roar rose from the crowd again, to accuse a man he had openly confessed to murdering was bad enough, to accuse a warrior that was well liked and trusted pushed the envelope.
Warmonger spoke at this point, rather sharply "How do you know it was Ryujin and holyswordsman, let alone Darkslash?"
DarkFire turned his gaze upon his old friend, "The night was clear, it was a full moon, no mist or other barriers to the eye. And I used me Eye of Loki to discern whether or not there was an illusion or other means of hiding them around the three men. There was not. Also, they called each other by name and acted as old friends would. I could also see the rather visible scar I left over Darkslash's left eye when last we met."
At this Warmonger and Ni conferred, turning at last to Berit they nodded as one and Berit then turned to Bastion and nodded as well. Bastion smiling radiantly bade that DarkFire continue, here at last was a way to free his warrior, and prevent the internal strife that he feared. Also, it would give him the power to seek out those traitors that he now knew for a fact existed. Bastion had always feared that something like this would happen, had even suspected holyswordsman, but Ryujin didn't seem a likely candidate for such work. Though if Darkslash were truly behind it... there could be no telling who was at work against the Order or even the WA.
"I shadow jumped into a spot in the trees where I could hear and see them and in turn not be seen. I listened to their conversation and it became immediately obvious what they were discussing. Darkslash has planted his comrades throughout the WA and the NO in order to act as his operatives. He planned to overthrow both armies from within by using his spy's to misdirect and inform our leaders of the actions of one another. Then in the confusion they planned to reform the so called "Toroian Army". They figured I would be too embroiled in defending Narshe and the Order to step in at Toroia."
At this a hushed murmur passed through the crowd, and a man stepped forward. His red armor flashing almost as much as his eyes, Ryujin confronted DarkFire.
"Lies!" he cried with vehemence "He murdered holyswordsman and now he wishes to wriggle from his just punishment as any murderous fiend would!"
DarkFire appraised him coldly. "I'm willing to accept any punishment that will be awarded to me for killing holyswordsman, but I would never betray the Order, and with my dying breath I plan to denounce those fiends that I know lay amongst us as the snake does amongst the grass. A murderous fiend I may be, but a traitor? Never."
Bastion appraised DarkFire coolly once more. He could not allow him leniency just because he was one of the most powerful and respected warriors in the New Order, or because he was a friend. He would have to display a just attitude in this case, but what DarkFire had said was obviously the truth, Ryujin had never been a good liar. But he could not say as much without proof, wordlessly he turned back to DarkFire waiting for him to give Bastion the proof he needed other than what could only be called "word of mouth" and "conspicuous".
DarkFire continued "I decided at that point that they had to be stopped, and I would not allow them to escape. So I created a shadow clone and sent it to the barracks to search for my Black Guard, to raise the alarm. But it never made it to the barracks. It was destroyed by someone or something; I don't pretend to know who or what. All I do know is that I confronted the three below me at that point and know not what happened to the clone."
"What happened at that point?" asked Berit, speaking for the first time.
"When I confronted them Darkslash turned and ran, as per habit, while Ryujin and holyswordsman turned to face me. Believing that they had the advantage they attacked me in tandem. Unfortunately for them, I was more experience at fighting multiple enemies than they were at fighting as a team. After I killed holyswordsman, Ryujin turned and ran, shouting bloody murder as he went."
Warmonger looked suspicious at this point and stepped forward "So why did you confess to murder if you were defending yourself as you claim?" at this there was a murmur of ascent and agreement from the crowd.
DarkFire regarded him once more "Well I did murder him didn't I? Even if I had just cause, which I believe treason is punishable by death, he still had the right to a trial and judgment of his peers. Obviously it should be regarded as murder, though I suspect a murder that you yourself would commit in my place Warmonger."
Warmonger shifted on his feet, his hand gently gracing his swords.
Ni spoke for the first time, "Is there anything else you can say to add to your defense?"
Passively regarding Ni, DarkFire spoke "Only one thing, Ryujin handed a document to Darkslash and a copy of the same one to holyswordsman. Aegis will speak for me now."
Aegis stepped forward proudly, handing the document to Berit who passed it amongst the other higher ups and finally Bastion.
"This document," Aegis said a ring of happiness at being able to absolve his friend in his voice "is a charting of the routes, and times, of New Order patrols along the common border of Toroia, Narshe, Warjilis, and Midgar. It was found upon the corpse of holyswordsman. It indicates several times when an attack could best be planned. After several thorough tests it has been concluded unanimously that the handwriting on this map matches Ryujin's."
