A/N: Sorry for taking such a long long time to upload, but I am still in the midst of my exams. Actually, I should be revising, considering that I still have three more subjects' examinations, but I decided to write instead, because of the reviews that I got (they show that people are reading the story). This chapter is not really very exciting, but it ties up the loose ends left hanging around in the story, and starts the beginning of another small, small sub-plot (which I plan to resolve in Chapter 20 in time for the ending).
Thanks to all reviewers, here are your replies:
Neverfall, a.k.a Nightstorm k'Vala - You're so lucky! I can't find the series Winds of Change anywhere in the libraries. But based on the summaries of the books I've read off websites, they're quite interesting. And Zarien doesn't meet 'Ritia in this chapter yet, so it will be a disappointment to you, I suppose. And everyone thinks of Kerrayrlia using her full name because that is what she tells people her name is when introducing herself. Only her friends know she doesn't like her name, because she only tells them that after she becomes close to them, and by that time, they are too used to thinking of her as Kerrayrlia.
silverbrilliance - Yeah, I hate exams. And well, the previous chapter is not the climax. It is the beginning of the resolution. Don't ask me why, I can't explain it. It's just a whim of mine.
icewolf325 - Thanks for your compliment, and the story is going to end soon (if all goes well, in the next chapter), so you don't have to be unhappy about it any longer.
Deer-Shifter - Well, this trial is a bit small-scaled. And I got most of the questioning style from movies and TV shows, so if it is too dramatic or something, sorry about that.
dustigrey143 - Haha, I didn't really set a deadline for reviews, so it is not overdue. Actually, the main climax is over, but I hope there will be another small sub-plot coming in. As I mentioned above, the title is kind of hard to explain. It is a bit of foreshadowing, but only for the problems in the trial. No real danger though. And yes, Zarien's strength in Empathy will surpass Jisa, but that will be in the future. And the Truth Spell is one of the abilities of the Heralds that all Heralds have. And I don't mind answering your questions, they prompt me to think deeply and explore the reasons behind my story.
Chapter 19 Odds and Ends
The atmosphere in the room was oppressive enough to choke anyone. The weak dawn sunlight streaming into the room from the third-floor window seemed dimmer, and the fresh breeze which had been cooling the room died away suddenly, leaving its occupants caught in the stifling warmth.
Zarien took in a deep breath, and then exhaled. Lord Darcy Shyaman was an influential and powerful person. Though young, he was already on the Privy Council of King Treven, alongside with Zarien's father. Based on what Zarien had heard from his father, he knew the Lord Shyaman to be a shrewd, if a bit stiff-necked, person who provided wise counsel to the king. Zarien found it a bit hard to believe that he was behind everything.
From the looks on everyone else's faces, they shared his sentiments. Various expressions ranging from slight surprise to open disbelief were displayed openly, at least for a few minutes. But soon, Zarien could see King Treven pulling himself together. The prisoner would not have been able to lie, not when he was under the second-stage Truth Spell. As much as it was unbelievable, Lord Darcy Shyaman was the mastermind behind the planned assassination.
Kerrayrlia placed her hand over Zarien's. As much as she was ignorant of fine politics, even she could see that this revelation was a huge blow to everyone else in the room. She deduced that the duplicity of Lord Darcy Shyaman would affect the stability of Valdemar greatly, since both the King and the Queen looked greatly worried. Zarien too, showed distress, his face twisted almost into a frown. It was the first such expression Kerrayrlia had seen on his face since she knew him, and Kerrayrlia was quite worried. Was this then, the other side of Zarien that she had never seen; the one which made everyone think him coolly intense?
She had no time to pursue her worries. King Treven started to speak, his voice colder than the weather outside. "Neal, I entrust you with the task of taking Lord Darcy Shyaman into custody. If he resists arrest, I authorize you to use all the force that you deem necessary. You may take a company of the Palace Guards with you." This was addressed to the other Herald, a stocky, muscular young man in his late twenties. With a brisk nod which sent his long coppery brown fringe tumbling down onto his face, he rose from his chair and headed off.
Zarien mindspoke to Kerrayrlia, his voice just the slightest bit worried. The King is taking a bit of a gamble. Lord Shyaman reputedly has the most skilled bodyguards in Valdemar. If he decides to resist capture, there is not much one company of Guards can do… He trailed off, then flashed a quick smile at Kerrayrlia. I'm sure you're wondering 'Why not send more Guards then?' right? Kerrayrlia gave a mental shake of her head. No, I know why the King chose to do it this way. Sending more guards would just alarm Lord Shyaman…Do you think he can be put to justice, Zarien?
A bit sadly, Zarien shrugged. There isn't really overwhelming evidence, love. Derrik's testimony alone would not be enough to convict a man of his position. But maybe… Zarien did not finish this statement, instead choosing to listen as Queen Jisa started to speak.
"Very well, Derrik Vala. You were sent by Lord Shyaman. Recount what you did as you left to follow his orders." The enormous man just nodded simply and started narrating his part in the events last night, all trace of previous emotions gone, such that if not for her strong belief in her pair of eyes, Kerrayrlia would have doubted whether she had seen that display of emotions.
"That will be all Derrik Vala," Jisa dismissed the prisoner coolly after his entire narrative. The whole story coincided with what her student and his lifebonded had told her. Not that Jisa had expected otherwise; the Herald trainees would not lie and Derrik could not lie. Still, some new information had come to light. It turned out that the mage had been hired by Lord Darcy Shyaman through his uncle, Lord Percival Shyaman Debran using the money of the Baron Monthallen. That piece of information should have come as a huge shock, but Jisa felt that nothing could surprise her anymore after the announcement of Lord Darcy's involvement in the plot.
Jisa sent a mental sigh to her husband. Oh Trev, this mess is turning out to be bigger than I thought. How could it be that so many people wants to kill me? Am I really that hated? Although Treven's eyes were fixed on the back of the retreating prisoner and following entourage, he reached over to clasp Jisa's small hands with his own. He spoke in a firm tone. It has nothing to do with you, Jisa. If you want to dish out blame, blame it on the ambitions of Darcy, Debran and Monthallen. I am very sure that no one would try to kill the Queen of Valdemar just because of personal hatred. Those three must have had some plot to further their ambitions
Mentally giggling a little, Jisa shook her head slightly. I suppose I had forgotten that other than being Jisa, I am also Queen of Valdemar. Of course, they might not have anything against me personally. It is kind of egoistic of me, I suppose, to assume that I could cause such strong emotions in a man such that he is willing to risk death or exile. Treven sent her a mental nod of approval, which he followed with a rejoinder. Oh beloved, glorious in the dawn of light, most beautiful lady in Valdemar, don't you know that I would willing risk both death and exile for you?
Jisa spluttered, both mentally and out loud. Before she could do anything however, Treven clapped his hands to signal to the remaining guards in the room. "Bring in Moris Ertiyn." Then, he sat back down, keeping his face kingly and serious, even though his eyes twinkled at that expression on the face of his beloved.
This time, the questioning was done by the Lord Marshal. Kerrayrlia thought that apt and fitting, since that man had been caught violating the law in the gardens of the Lord Marshal. "You are Moris Ertiyn, eldest bastard son of Lord Percival Shyaman Debran, aren't you?"
Sulkily, the man in chains nodded. Then, clearing his throat, he blustered, " I'll have you know that my father and cousin will get me out soon. You wouldn't dare do anything to thwart their will!" Although he hated his cousin with all the vehemence he could muster, that did not prevent him from using his cousin's name to save his life. That was the type of man that Moris was.
Lord Marshal Revay Arian said coldly, "The Lord Shyamans will be dealt with later. As for you, you will restrict yourself to answering the question in future." Moris looked as if he would like to say some more, but a glance at the Lord Marshal's face convinced him otherwise.
As the father of her lifebonded continued the questioning, Kerrayrlia studied the prisoner. This is the man who tried to rape me. Silently, Kerrayrlia asked herself about her feelings towards him. Had she truly dismissed the incident as just another memory? Or does she still feel strongly about it? Just as she was beginning to fall deep into analytical mode however, Rannael intruded gently. Kerri, don't worry about it. Just leave it for a while. If you really possess any strong feelings towards Moris, it will surface in time. For now, try to comfort your lifebonded. Kerrayrlia gave a small guilty start, so small that it was invisible to everyone else. Of course. Zarien is Gifted with Empathy; he doesn't need me to add to the tension he is already sensing.
Meanwhile, the Lord Marshal was commanding Moris Ertiyn to reveal all that he knew of the plot. Under the compulsion of the second-stage truth spell, Moris had no choice but to speak. "Darcy Shyaman, my cousin," Here, he spat the words out with so much venom that Kerrayrlia wondered. Wasn't he using his cousin as a shield only minutes ago?
Moris continued, "…wants to dispose of the Queen. He got Father to help him. Father went along with the plan when he heard that the Queen is not really the daughter of King Randale at all, but the daughter of Vanyel Ashkevron." Here, Moris paused before continuing slowly, "It's ridiculous, but that's what Darcy told Father. And Father is furious about that; he's one of those traditional stiff-necked fools who think very strongly of line and heritage. That's probably why he went along with the plot, and even got Baron Monthallen to provide financial assistance."
Kerrayrlia heard Zarien let out his breath in a hiss. What is it, Zarien? Zarien shook his head slowly, then replied, Baron Monthallen is one of the richest lords in Valdemar. Politically speaking, he does not have much status, but his money gives him power. Frowning mentally, Kerrayrlia glanced at Zarien. She did not like what she heard at all. There's going to be trouble, am I right? His face now a rigid mask, Zarien nodded.
"That's not all," Moris commented. Here, his tone change to one of boastfulness, and Kerrayrlia thought she detected grudging admiration in his voice. "That cousin of mine also plans to install Lady Vevinaa Shyaman as Queen of Valdemar, once the current Queen has been gotten rid off." Moris flicked a nervous glance at Queen Jisa, afraid that she might take offense. After all, his life was more or less in her hands.
But the Truth Spell compelled him to proceed. "Of course, Lady Vevinaa herself knows nothing about this, innocent child that she is. She is devoted to her brother, she will do anything Darcy asks her to. Once Queen, Vevinaa will influence the king in anyway her brother commands her to." Kerrayrlia shivered at the cunning of Darcy Shyaman. No one would detect the duplicity of Vevinaa, simply because she would be an innocent.
"Of course, we know that the king and queen are lifebonded." Moris paused for a while, squirmed, then added, "There are high chances that the king will follow the queen into death, then we will take advantage of the ensuing conflict." As Kerrayrlia listened with growing horror, Moris Ertiyn then proceeded to outline the plan of Darcy Shyaman, how he would use his skills to manipulate himself onto the throne.
She was still in a daze when the next prisoner was brought in. Absently, Kerrayrlia noticed that two Heralds followed Aleron into the room, and from the looks of it, were under great strain. She deduced that they were using mind magic to keep the mage from using his magic. Caught up in her own thoughts, she missed the short intake of breath that Zarien produced when he caught sight of the Karsite-turned-Rethwellan mage, Aleron. As the Truth Spell was once again cast, this time by Queen Jisa, and the exhausted Arrowyd sank down into his seat, Zarien recalled where he had seen Liritia Falker before.
Please don't blame me if you find the chapter boring (ducks from thrown objects). It has to be here to resolve the conflict in the front. And I was kind of rushing this out in the midst of revision. If you want to blame someone, blame whoever invented exams. And I'll try to update after my exams, which would be around the middle of next week.
Reviews are very welcome, even if they are negative!