Artistic Differences
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon—not mine!
Okay, I've received a couple e-mails regarding the whole "review issue" thing that's going around. Quite honestly, I don't see any proof, stated by the administrators that we can't continue to do this. I don't think they'd just start deleting without prior warning, like on the main page. So, I'm going to keep going with it unless I actually read somewhere on the site that we can't respond to reviews in the chapters. But thank you to all who sent me an e-mail about it. Thanks for thinking of me!
And also, regarding the trial in this chapter, it does vary from the way trials are performed in these days. I'm implying that this was one of the first trials to be performed with lawyers and a judge, allowing things in the future to grow from there. Hopefully things make sense…
Katy Rose: That's for me to know, and you all to find out. Yeah, I've heard the whole plot thing before. My English teacher and I just discussed it, in fact. I hope you do get an account on here. :nervous laughter: my parent's don't know I have one, but it doesn't bother me a bit!
Ballet Kitty: No, they actually were spying on them.
Kuroi Black Nightingale: Oh, it's very easy to make things long. I think this is the longest chapter yet!
Windedlove: Wow, you got assigned a lot of reading. How's school going? I start in…:sigh: two weeks. And where's that update of Pirates you said was coming up?
Cloud-821: There are still two more chapters left. This one is just the trial scene. And thanks for the e-mail too.
And thanks to: Princess Kikyo Sora, Rock-Angewomon (reviewer number 400! J), scorpion05, sorato-takari, indigowolf, MattTobiasMalfoy, Mrs. Ishida-to-you, Calare, Kay, KoumiLoccness, Jilliana, and Wishinstahhz.
Chapter 23: The Second Inquisition
"So Davis, you can hear everything I am saying?"
"Yes, Princess, things are all clear here. I will be on the lookout. Just let me know if something happens somewhere else."
Sora smiled from her wooden chair underneath the bright cerulean canopy tent. She placed a check next to Davis's name on her list. "Of course. Talk to you later and good luck."
"Good luck with the play."
Here it was.
The day of anticipation and meticulous planning had finally arrived. Something in the air, or perhaps Sora's mind, offered the promise of the truth and freedom they were longing to find. It is time for the end to begin.
She turned her drifting attention back to her list and detailed diagram of everyone and everything on the castle grounds. "Do you have all the people in their proper locations?"
"Yeah," Doctor Kido gave a sigh of relief. Davis is patrolling the western boundaries of the castle lawn and forest. Ken is located on the eastern side. The northern edge, as it has been for quite sometime, remains hidden behind a fence covered in a climbing rose. No one would be able to get through that side without some serious cuts and bruises. But if an army was willing to chance it, Davis and Ken could both see from their positions. Yolei will be keeping tabs on everyone from the spectator tent. We are all connected via walkie-talkies. Izzy made a few more, these with a longer distance, and we are able to stay in touch with those patrolling."
Joe had to hand it to her. Sora had come up with this increasingly brilliant plan that would probably be remembered by folks for the ages. Let us just hope that we can prove Matt is innocent. "I see. So are the rest of you all going to be around the trial?"
Sora nodded, also marveling at the incredibly mastered plan she and her friends had concocted over the past two weeks. "Tai is defending Marcus and Lord Ichijouji while Izzy takes the case for the Ishidas. I have got to inform Cody and Kari where they will be and what I need them to do. Mimi and I will be watching in the stands. And I think you know the rest."
"Of course; we will be waiting for your signal."
"Princess Sora, are you in here?"
At the sound of Marcus's smooth yet slimy voice, the redhead gathered up all the plans, shoving them into the large handbag—Mimi's purse—that rested on her lap. She winked at Joe, proving she was ready for everything. "Yes, Marcus. I am in here."
"Good, your father…oh, hello."
He had clearly not been expecting to see the doctor talking with Sora. "I had best be off, Princess. You can tell your father my brother and I will hopefully be here in time to catch your performance."
"I hope so. Father wants to talk to Jim. He has not seen him in ages."
"We will get here as fast as we can."
"Have a safe trip, Joe."
"Thank you, Princess. Goodbye, Marcus."
Having ignored their conversation, the brunette nearly missed his name being called. "Yes, goodbye."
"What do you need of me, Marcus? I admit I do not have much time to talk. Things still need to be organized for the play, and I do not want to leave Mimi in charge."
He looked around the tent, eyes searching every direction to make sure there was no sign of anyone around. Marcus glanced back at the door once more, and, seeing that Joe was no longer within ear range, began to state his request. "Your father informed me that he will be announcing your betrothal at the end of services today."
She tried not to roll her eyes. How did I know this would happen? "That is indeed the case, Marcus. I am afraid, however, that you will have to wait and see like everyone else."
"It is a clear cut choice as to who your future husband should be," he desperately tried, using every ounce of cunning and charm to attempt to cajole her. There is no way she cannot pick me. "You need a man who will protect you and provide for you, keep you safe from…villains. I want you to make that right choice, Princess."
She wore a masked expression—in order to hide her glee—but cutely winked at the boy to lead him in the opposite direction. "Thank you for your concern, Marcus. It means a lot to know you are supportive of my decision. I know I will make the best choice…"
"Please stand!" A quartet of trumpets accompanied the initial starting cry, signaling the beginning of the Independence Day Celebration and marking the start of the play. The makeshift seats were completely full with visitors to the kingdom. People were crowed in and around the areas. It seemed everyone in the kingdom had ventured to the palace for festivities. Word had, like normal, spread quickly, particularly regarding the curious nature of the play.
No one knows how big this play will be. Heck, even some of the people in this do not understand its significance. Kari took a deep breath, heading over to the table T.K. and his family were nervously sitting behind.
"What are you doing here?" the blond whispered as King Haruhiko took his seat high above them on the judge's platform.
Her face matched the red rose weaved into her hair. T.K. could not help but notice how beautiful she looked. An old-fashioned dress hung loosely around her body. Brown hair was pulled back in curls with the flower expertly placed into the design by Mimi.
"I am in the play," she calmly mumbled out the corner of her lips as she took the seat on his right side.
"Please read the opening statement," the king commanded, glancing over in the direction of Henry the guard who had been put in charge of writing down everything.
A puzzled look slowly took over T.K.'s face. "Who are you? I thought you were not in the play. Sora never mentioned you had a part."
"That is because she just informed me a few minutes ago. I am Helen…your wife…"
"Should you not be paying attention? After all, you are trying to win us this case."
"Calm down," Tai rolled his eyes at the overly irritated Lord Ichijouji. He was seated at a table, in between the two culprits, right across the lawn from Izzy's group. They all, in turn, were facing the powerful judge and king, an effect meant to intimidate those who were on trial. Their seats also allowed them the perfect view of the witness on the stand. They talk to me like I am trying to loose the case for them. Where would they get that idea?
Marcus glared at him. "What would happen if we are convicted as the guilty party?"
"Oh, it is simple, really. You get drug through the streets, laughed at by the villagers and finally…what is it…oh yeah, probably killed."
"KILLED?"
"Relax," the bushy-haired teen chided, "I am not going to loose this case. I would bet my hair on it."
Both men gave him a perturbed, confused look. Neither, in Tai's point of view, had as much riding on the outcome as he did. I cannot loose…
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today for the case of Probatur Quod Pacifico—to Judge and Make Peace. The king will decide whether the defendant and his family are guilty or not. The prosecutor, Lord Taichi Kamiya, has the first argument. Lord Kamiya; please call on your first witness."
Tai stood up, looking very professional and knowledgeable. He was clad in a set of new crimson robes, made especially for him by Maude. His hair was tamed the best it could be and all in all, he actually looked the part of a man of law.
But looks can be deceiving.
I wonder if he actually could pull this off. If it was against anyone other than Izzy, I might have to give him credit. "I wonder how things are going to go."
The blond next to him nodded his head. The two men were resting peacefully on a hill overlooking the trial. They were offered a perfect view of everything, and the natural acoustics provided high-quality hearing of all talk below. "Cody told me things are planned out really well. I bet they rehearsed this quite a bit."
"I want to call the defendant to the stand: T.K. Ishid…uh, Sir Arveragus."
From his perch up above, Matt could see Tai's clients looking baffled. I probably would be too if he was my lawyer. I guess it makes things easier for Izzy.
A hesitant T.K. slowly climbed up to the wooden witness block that rested beside King Takenouchi's platform. "Before any of the questioning begins, I would like a statement of honesty declared from all present, whether or not being called to the witness stand." The king glanced at his reporter. "If you please, Henry…"
"Right…please everyone repeat after me. I, here in this courtyard today," he paused long enough for all people to mimic the phrase, "do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth under the presence and grace of our King."
Sora's father watched as all but two people in the courtyard followed the set instructions. "Lord Ichijouji, Marcus of Lockton, why did you not concede to the honesty statement?"
"Truthfully, sire, I find it hard to agree to a statement for King Haruhiko when it is supposed to be King Theseus. All this switching of names does not add up."
"It is part of the play, Lord Ichijouji. You know well enough how these things work. If there is no comedy, what makes it fun? What say you all?"
The crowd below him cheered their approval, and Matt had to do everything in his power not to cheer along as well. "You will blow our cover if you are not careful!"
"I am not trying to; it is just so hard to sit still with so much on the line."
Joe offered the artist a weak smile. I would not want to be in your shoes, Matt. "You will get your chance."
"That is what I assumed," the king's voice boomed for all present to hear. The cheering had started to die down, but it had gotten the point across very clearly. "Now Marcus—or Absalom—whichever you prefer, why did you not answer?"
"I am not a citizen of your land. I cannot take a vow to a different king."
King Haruhiko simple smiled. "If I recall correctly, you told me you had stopped all allegiance to your father. Therefore, by law, you are able to swear under another ruler." Marcus remained unmoving, not daring to say or do anything. "If you choose not to take the oath, people may wonder."
Grudgingly, the foreigner rolled his eyes. Lord Ichijouji bore the same disgusted expression. Both knew there was no way out of the honesty statement without questions being raised. Marcus glanced at the guard who had read the statement. "Repeat the statement…"
"T.K. Ishida, where were you at the time of the ball to determine a proper husband for the princess?"
Tai was pacing around, glaring at T.K. from the corner of his brown eyes. The younger blond had obviously not expected this type of interrogation or behavior from Tai, as evidenced by his slightly dubious expression. But at least he knew the question was coming.
That was more than could be said for Marcus and Lord Ichijouji.
"What?" the security chief exclaimed, rising to his feet, followed instantaneously by the boy next to him. "Why are you asking about this?"
"Order! Sit down now!"
"What is going on, sire?" Marcus's voice was ice, sending those around him into fits of chills.
"I am not quite sure," King Haruhiko was playing his part as well as a Shakespearean actor. He looked thoroughly amused, like he was being entertained by the most interesting thing known to mankind. "I must have gone temporarily deaf in one ear and missed what they were saying about including this trial in the play. If they do not have a point, I will stop. Please continue, Lord Kamiya or, rather, Mister Ishida."
I can see where Sora got her quick thinking from. "I was in attendance at the ball with my family. We were the guests of honor."
"What did you spend time doing that night? Please include everything."
T.K. wore a pensive look, giving him the appearance he was older and wiser than he seemed. "I spent the beginning being introduced to Kari's friends. The rest of the night Kari and I danced and talked. We were drinking some cider with our friends Davis and Yolei when a crash sounded. The Lockton army arrived, and Kari went upstairs with the rest of the females. I stayed downstairs, drew a sword and fought with the Takenouchi army."
"By with—are you saying you fought along side the Takenouchi army or against the Takenouchi army?"
Okay…I did not assume Tai would be so intimidating. "I fought along side the Takenouchi army along with my father and brother."
Tai smirked at him. "So you were fighting against Lockton while working for King Thelonius, as shown by getting thrown in jail!"
"OBJECTION!" Izzy rose to his feet, looking equally as impressive as Tai did. The boy genius was wearing robes of navy and had half-moon spectacles adorning his eyes—reading glasses as he called them. "Your honor, there is no proof convicting any of the Ishidas of being involved. That is what we are currently debating. I call for…"
Matt chuckled as King Takenouchi wearily waved a hand. "Looks like Izzy might just win this trial without having to do anything. And I thought Tai was doing so well, too."
"You are telling me," Doctor Kido joined in the laughter. "His words are going to confuse everyone."
"Lord Kamiya, your statement may or may not be true. It is merely opinion at the moment. Henry, scratch that from the record." The reporter crossed off what he had just written. "Please continue with the questioning but be more careful, Lord Kamiya."
Rolling his eyes at the reprimand, Tai walked in front of the blond once more, trying to send menacingly rude stares in his direction. "Why would you choose to betray the king and queen after all the hospitality they offered your family?"
"My family and I would never betray the Takenouchis! They have shown the most respect and kindness to us, more than anyone up to this point."
"Why do others not show you those traits? Perhaps because you are ready to backstab…"
"Lord Kamiya," King Haruhiko raised his voice in warning.
This is DEFINITELY not in the script. "Certain kingdoms do not agree with the peaceful style and message we put into our artwork. We worked in Lockton for a temporary time and Thelonius destroyed things the moment they were completed."
His statement was greeted with silence as, like a large sponge, it soaked in to every person in attendance. "No further questions, Your Honor."
"Would you like to examine the witness, Lord Izumi?"
Izzy, who had sat back down on the bench, nodded his head, standing and approaching T.K. Tai, on the other hand, sauntered back to his seat, victorious smile playing on his lips. "Why are you so happy?" Marcus demanded.
"Because I am going to win this case."
"Why are we debating what happened to Ishida? I thought this trial was about knights and dukes," he persisted, tugging at his collar, pulling it to the right side of his tunic.
Tai shrugged. "Apparently the rest of them got the crazy idea to "attempt" to save T.K. But, relax. I have got this thing under control. I have some evidence that is going to convict the guilty party. Your fate is in my hands right now. You can rest assured the right person will be punished. I have everything under control."
You had better… The brunette foreigner impatiently continued to shift his shirt collar even more to the right.
"Did you see that?" Joe stood up; pointing down to the seat Marcus was at. If not hidden by a large clump of ferns and flowers, Matt and Joe's hiding spot would have been revealed from the outburst.
Matt did not have to answer with a yes or no. Lifting his hand, the artist pulled Joe back to his seat on the earth. "I am sure Davis and Ken both saw it…"
"T.K. Ishida," Izzy was more calm, natural and nice than the bushy-haired lawyer had been. "You just said your family worked under King Thelonius of Lockton; am I correct?"
"You are," the blond did not feel as nervous answering the genius's questions. He did not come off as gruff and demanding. And he is arguing my side. That is always a plus.
"Would you please relate the experiences and struggles you faced there under Thelonius, particularly those of your brother?"
From up above, Matt knew his story of pain and suffering would be spoken, a sad story like that of the famous tragedy writers. But though he was not completely comfortable with the idea, it served a purpose. And it will prove my family is innocent, allowing Izzy to prove Marcus is the guilty one.
The people in attendance all listened with jaws dropped as T.K.'s explanations hit their hearts. Things were so gruesome and painful for them, almost to a point of being unbelievable. They had all heard stories of Thelonius's cruelty, though, so they did not put it past him. "…do you really think we would help out someone who had been so cruel to us?"
"T.K., how did Lord Ichijouji treat you when you were thrown into prison?"
"OBJECTION!"
The king was starting to become a bit annoyed. "Lord Ichijouji, you cannot motion for an objection; you do not have the authority. Your lawyer, however, does."
"Object to his statement!"
Tai motioned for Izzy to continue. "There is no motion to object."
"My reputation is being attacked!"
You will be lucky if that is the only thing attacked by the time this trial is complete.
T.K. launched into his next description of everything Lord Ichijouji had done, not missing a single detail. "No more questions, Your Honor."
"Very well," he offered the Ishidas' lawyer a smile. "Lord Kamiya, call your next witness."
"I call Queen Toshiko to take the stand," As if she knew it was coming—unlike the awestruck crowd—Sora's mother confidently made her way up to the stand.
"Queen Toshiko, would you please give the court your impressions on Lord Ichijouji and Marcus of Lockton. You have been around both for awhile now."
"Certainly, Lord Kamiya. Lord Ichijouji has been the head of our security for the past few years. He took over the position when Lord Hida was killed, jumping in front of an attack meant for my husband. Lord Ichijouji is an honorable man; he has to be in order to complete the task I sent him to do a few nights ago."
"What task was that?"
The queen offered a small, almost secretive smile to the crowd. "Haruhiko and I sent Lord Ichijouji to the town of Taxco a few nights ago to pick up two rings for my daughter's upcoming wedding."
That bit of news shocked the crowd. But they were not the only ones.
"Upcoming? How soon is upcoming?"
Joe grinned at the expression on Matt's face. "Looks like you better be getting your dress clothes ready…"
"ORDER IN THE COURT!" the king yelled, pounding his wooden gavel many times in order to be heard over the excited murmurs and gossip of the crowd. "Yes, my daughter has chosen a husband. I will be announcing her betrothal to him at the end of the trial. Toshiko, please continue."
"I trust Lord Ichijouji but at times I do not. He can be power-hungry and refuse to follow my husband's direct commands." She gave the example of how he had attempted to question everyone in Roselle despite the king's orders, also tying in his unlawful search of houses.
"And what of Marcus of Lockton?" Tai wondered.
She first described how Marcus came to be in the kingdom and the terms of things. "He told Haruhiko and me that he would be gone in a few weeks. It has almost been a month and he is still here. It does not always seem like his story adds up."
"No further questions."
"Would you like to question the queen, Izzy?"
"No, sire."
"Call your next witness."
Tai turned to the bench he was at. "Lord Ichijouji,"
"Would you care to defend your honor and reputation first? Justify why you went up against the king's orders."
"It was for their own safety! Matt Ishida needs to be caught and killed. He poses a risk to everyone. We cannot let him go free!"
"Where were you at the night of the ball?"
"I was in attendance like the rest of the castle. I spent the evening with Lord Tachikawa and his wife."
Tai stopped pacing back and forth, looking directly in Lord Ichijouji's eyes. "Did you see Matt disappear? Did you see anyone else disappear as well?"
"Matt left immediately after dancing with the princess. I figured he assumed it was the best chance to attack. Marcus followed him up the stairs moments later."
Mumbles sounded through the court. "Do you have anyone besides the queen to vouch for your whereabouts the other day when you went to Taxco?"
"Henry the guard," he gestured to the man. "King Haruhiko sent us both."
Tai smiled widely. My part is done for now. "No further questions, King Haruhiko. The prosecution rests."
Marcus made an attempt to say something, but Tai glared in his direction. "Lord Izumi, would you like to cross-examine the witness?"
"No, sire."
"Alright then," the judge clapped his hands together, rising up from his uncomfortable seat. "We will have a brief recess of fifteen minutes before continuing. Refreshments are over in the back…"
"Why did I not have a chance to defend myself?"
Tai stretched, a little tired from all his pacing around. "Izzy's going to put you up there. You are their prime suspect. They will attempt to pin everything on you. After he questions you, I will have a chance to do so. Then, we will nail the case. I have things planned."
The plan did sound foolproof. I was beginning to doubt Tai, but maybe I was wrong. "Thank you for defending me rather than T.K."
The lawyer snorted. "I would so not want to defend T.K."
"And you would have to argue that I am guilty."
Even though I am already doing so. "I am going to go get a glass of water. Would you like one?"
"Sure," It will give me something to entertain myself with instead of listening to the stupid so-called witnesses. They do not have any evidence pointing in anyone's direction. If only I could leave. But there are too may guards. Lots of guards…
"So, what have we heard so far, Yolei?" Tai casually asked as he grabbed two glasses of the cold liquid from the table she was sitting by.
She set the walkie-talkie down so that it appeared to be a set of regular glasses. "Davis said the Lockton troop movement on his side is low. They are all beginning to file east…our right. Ken is seeing an alarming number of troops on his side."
"I am pretty certain I know why. Keep me posted, though. You know the signs."
"Of course. You are doing an excellent job out there, Tai. Mimi told me about the bet with Izzy. It looks like anyone's game."
At least one person is somewhat cheering for me. "I will keep that in mind…"
"Miss Motomiya, what were you doing the night of the ball?"
"Well," she slowly began, thinking back to the night over a month ago, "I was introduced to my brother Davis's friends. I met Matt and T.K. Ishida—both were so incredibly handsome but taken."
"By who?" Izzy asked.
"T.K. is with…um…that girl next to him right now. Sorry, honey, I am drawing a blank regarding your name. And from what everyone said and the way they danced together, was in not obvious that Matt and the princess were together?"
The courtyard sounded like a hive full of bees, all buzzing around with activity. This activity happened to be gossip.
"ORDER, please!"
Jun looked graciously at the king, knowing she was to continue. "Still, I cannot believe you people did not see the signs. It was so clear the two…yes, sire, I will continue." King Haruhiko had given her one of the same warning glances he gave to Tai earlier in the trial. "Well, anyway, Matt and Princess Sora were dancing so I went over to ask Marcus to dance. I had noticed him—he was good-looking, but Matt was better. But he blew me off! The nerve of him! He said he was going to dance with another girl. I followed him with my eyes and saw him stalk upstairs after Matt. He appeared moments later, coming from the opposite direction Matt had and was clutching something in his hand. He walked over to talk to a man in the corner of the ballroom. This man definitely looked like he should not have been there either. But can you believe the nerve of Marcus, telling me he was going to dance with another girl? He could have just told me he did not want to dance. I would have been okay with that and…"
"Miss Motomiya, I do not believe this has anything to do with our case."
"Sorry, sire."
Izzy smirked in Tai and Marcus's direction. "No further questions, Your Honor."
"Lord Kamiya?"
"No, sire."
King Takenouchi absentmindedly drummed his fingers against his stand, noticing how the sun was now directly above him. We have been out here for quite some time. "Call your next witness, Lord Izumi."
"Princess Sora…"
"Matt and I were dancing and talking," she described once she had taken the stand. "He had something for me, but he left it up in his room. That is why he left. He went to go get it."
"What was it…or did you ever find out?"
She nodded. "We talked quickly before he fled after being wrongfully accused…"
"Sora…" her father had the same warning message for her, one it seemed he had given nearly everyone who had strayed off topic.
"Sorry, father. Well, he gave me this ring, a ring his mother had given him years before."
"Princess, could you tell there was animosity between Marcus and Matt?"
It took Sora nearly twenty minutes, but in the end, she had related everything to the court. People in the crowd were uncertain now.
Who should they trust?
Marcus had come across as a gentleman, but it appeared he had a darker side. Matt was the villain, but he was the gentleman at heart.
Izzy called on Cody to take the stand once Tai stated he would ask nothing of his closest friend. Cody's story made Sora's seem like a mere children's book in length. The servant described everything he could think of including the party for Matt's birthday when a warning note from Lockton had come and also the side effects of the ball. Cody missed nothing at all, and it was apparent from his testimony.
Tai's eyes casually rested on Marcus's form, seeing him now tug his collar to the very front. Turning around, he saw no signal from Yolei. Damn it…time is running out!
"Lord Kamiya…Lord Kamiya?"
"Huh?"
"Glad to see you are paying attention. Would you like to cross-examine Mister Hida?"
"No, sire."
Izzy faced the king, knowing now was his time to crack the case open. "I call on Marcus of Lockton."
Marcus wobbly stood, moving himself toward the wooden stand. His face searched Tai's, expecting him to pull out the answer to free him.
"Marcus, why did you come to the Takenouchi kingdom?"
"To get away from the persecution and torture of my father's lands."
"Why are you still here when you told the king and queen you would leave after a few days?"
Marcus tugged his collar to the right. "The Takenouchis offer hospitality I have never encountered. I want to settle here, find a wife…"
"But you have no things to start a living with or offer any father for his daughter. How would you survive? Would not one who came to live in a different land bring at least some of his or her own possessions?"
"I was fleeing for my life! It is not like I had the chance to pack up everything I own. I had only a few minutes to grab things. Originally I came to this land with a small knapsack and coin purse."
"What was in your knapsack?"
Tai sat back, watching the questions and answers fly back and forth between the two. Izzy really is good. He subconsciously touched his hair. Things are not looking in my favor.
"I had my bow, a quiver of arrows, some parchment, ink and a quill. But everything was stolen from me right before I was found. My father sent soldiers to attack me once I was out of his land. I managed to get this far before being attacked. They took everything from me, nearly beating me to death with rocks and stones, injuring my leg in the process." He held up his left pant leg, showing the crowd a very elaborate bruise. "That came from a sword. Princess Sora and Ishida found me later."
"Then why were you fighting with a Lockton sword—as Cody testified earlier—during the ball?"
"I took it from the first dead soldier I found during that battle. I had no weapon. It was the only way I fight and help the Takenouchi kingdom out, showing my true loyalty." He continued to move his collar around, this time pushing it up to the front.
Izzy was stumped. He, at one point, had thought all his evidence added up, leading up to that defining moment in which he boldly proclaimed Marcus to be the villain, freeing the Ishidas and ending the manhunt for Matt. But he had nothing.
Sure, they had some evidence to disprove Marcus, but they were missing the link that tied things together. With a sigh of despair, Izzy looked at the king, failure in his eyes. "The defense rests."
"Lord Kamiya, would you like to question Marcus?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Tai rose to his feet. "Marcus, why do you not like Matt?"
They had discussed this between the two of them before, but the foreigner figured the public needed to hear it to in order to prove his innocence. Just a bit longer. "My father spent all his time working with Matt rather than me." Marcus moved his collar to the front again.
"We have heard all this evidence that could convict you, but do you not agree that they are missing something? Some sort of key that puts everything together."
"Yolei! This is it! The army is gathered in the northeast part."
"There is no one left on my side."
"They look like they are waiting for the moment to attack, for him to give them the signal!"
"Yes, Lord Kamiya, I very much agree." Ha, I knew Tai would win!
Tai turned his back to continue to pace and caught Yolei's gaze. Yes! "The reason you had no materials with you was because you used the parchment to write the note Cody mentioned earlier that warned the kingdom about there being a spy. It was the first part of the plan. You tried to plant doubt and suspicion in everyone's mind the night of Matt's birthday party. Then, you used your arrows to shoot it into the tree and at the queen. You gave the rest of your arrows and your bow to your army—yes, your army to make it look like they attacked you when Matt and Sora found you."
"What are you doing?" Marcus hissed. "You have no proof!"
"I have plenty of proof. You set it up for me. You told the crowd that you were beaten by rocks, yet Sora told us earlier that arrows were shot in their direction. How could you forget arrows had been shot at you when you had one sticking out of your body? And that bruise on your leg? Yes, it came from a sword, but not recently. It would not look that ancient and better if it had. And you told me a few weeks ago it came from dueling with an incompetent young knight in Lockton."
He turned to face the crowd, some of the king's guards now narrowing in to make sure Marcus did not move. "If anyone is wondering why Marcus here keeps pulling on his collar, you will be happy to know that we are surrounded by the Lockton army. Our guards have confirmed it." He turned back to face a very unhappy Marcus. "You led us to them. Everything you have done and said has helped me show that you framed Matt. You were jealous of him and wanted Sora. You just helped me prove that you are guilty."
All eyes were on the man on the witness stand. He was no longer ice. Now the dangerous element of fire had taken over his body. "I trusted you, Kamiya. You told me you hated Ishida as much as I did."
"And you thought I was a bad actor. Appearances can be deceiving, Marcus. You just had to learn that the hard way."
"Marcus of Lockton," the king declared, "I find you GUILTY of framing Matt Ishida and his family. The Ishidas are free and the search for Matt is no more! You, Marcus, are sentenced to death!"
But Marcus did not look put off by this news. Nor did he look concerned. Guards were rushing toward him, and he stood up, ripping the collar off his tunic. "Attack me! Go ahead! You will just face the entire Lockton army, here to obliterate one and all. Surrender now, King Takenouchi. Give up freely before everyone here is killed. Give me your daughter's hand."
"Sora will never be yours." The King got off his stool, looking around for his daughter and wife through the sea of fearful bystanders. Everyone was attempting to flee but was stuck inside the walls by the legion of Takenouchi guards—none of whom wanted any person to leave, unsure if spies were buried in the crowd—and the approaching Lockton forces. The king grabbed his wife, pulling her into his safe arms.
But where was his daughter?
A sadistic smile found it's way to Marcus's mouth. "Is that so?" He snapped, and Sora let out a scream.
The man sitting behind her, cloaked in dark silky material grabbed her around the waist. Those seated around him formed a semicircle behind him as a sort of guard. Pulling off his face cover…
"Thelonius…let my daughter go!"
He gave an evil laugh, full of venom and cruelty. The Lockton army was slowly making their way down, surrounding the entire castle.
They were locked in.
"Give us your daughter freely or see her die."
Sora spat on the man's feet, struggling the best she could to free herself. "Let me go, you bastard! I would never willingly go with you or marry that son of a bitch!"
Her choice of words, under any other circumstances, would have shocked her parents. But right now, being guarded by Tai and the Ishidas, it was the least of their worries. What do I do? I am not going to barter with the enemy. But if I do not, everyone here will die. Not that he would leave anyone living in the first place.
"Oh really, sweetheart. Well in that case, you will be the first to die!"
"No!" Hundreds of voices screamed out the objection, but it was too late.
He had already given the signal.
The arrow was on its way…
A/N: Two more chapters to go. Nothing more to say but please review! Maybe they'll inspire me to update sooner…:evil laughter: Until next time…