Iolene Summers: Chapter Thirteen
It has been a rough morning… Akvor has been moved to the healing bay. My family has once again arrived at the temple. But this time everyone knows they are here. Marianas went to all the priests who were present yesterday, to see if she could find the one who told Akvor that I was leaving. So much for keeping my Macdan trip a secret until after I left.
The priesthood is in chaos… Their leader is unable to lead. It is quite amazing how this priesthood goes into a complete panic when their leader is incapacitated. I have overheard that he will not die from his injuries thanks to my efforts. I did what I had to do… But I wish to never see him again.
I am in the temple entrance where all of the lower priests and apprentices are waiting for further instructions. I sat down next to the pillar near the door awaiting instructions for myself. My family has been in the main meeting chamber for a long while now. Since Akvor attacked me in the middle of the night he will be trialed. But will he be trialed under the priesthood? Or will he be trialed by my family?
I sat next to a large dragon pillar that holds the roof up. I spent a long time thinking of what is going to happen next. As I sat there as Marsh arrived and sat next to me. He gave me a melancholy smile and I tried my hardest to smile back. I had to keep thinking to myself that I did the right thing saving Akvor's life… He was going to do something horrible to me… What would have happened to me if he succeeded in his attack? I needed to protect myself… He would not have been in this predicament if he barged into my room. He was drunk, but that does not excuse of what he tried to do.
"What is done is done Iolene…" Marsh grabs a hold of my hand and strokes it. I know what is done is done… I just have to replay it over in my head over and over again. I shuffled closer next to him and rested my head on his shoulder. I have gotten no sleep and I am exhausted… Not only do I have random dreams I now of nightmares of a real event. I feel like that night will be my last official attempt at sleeping soundly.
Marsh and I sat next to each trying to enjoy each other's company. He bought with him a deck of cards and we played go fish. I am not fond of cards as this is the only card game that I know how to play, but he is trying his hardest. After playing go fish, he tells me a few jokes that I admit struggled to understand. Especially the ones about Inns and bars… Since I have never been in one. I have never drunk alcohol and I have never experienced the atmosphere myself. But even the ones I did understand I struggled to laugh because I am in such an unhappy mood over what has happened.
It felt like we have been waiting forever when we finally heard the main meeting chamber doors open. I see my family and high priests walkout. I bow as my family reached me. They did not say much, but looking at their faces they want to speak to me. They led me outside of the temple cave. We are leaving the temple! I can only leave the temple a few days a week to the hospital to be a nurse. But this is definitely not one of those times.
I had to turn around quickly and give Marsh a hug to farewell him. I thanked everything he did for me… He is the closest person I could call a friend. He was always there during my lessons and we did get to play around and have a bit of fun. He made my days here more cheerful. The others being Aaron and Marianas. But I know he will be important for the future of this priesthood. Even if I asked for him to come with me it will not be allowed. The priesthood is in chaos… He will be needed to help rebuild.
Just outside of the temple I can see the royal carriage which is pulled by four aquatic dragons. They happily growled and smiled as they appeared with them finishing with bowing their heads. King Marlowe, Queen Darya, my grandmother, grandfather greeted the dragons and we get into the carriage. I couldn't help but admire the soft red satin seats that are in this carriage. It is so soft that it managed to distract me for a little bit. I ran my fingers feeling the material.
"I'm glad you are liking the seat cushions my dear" Queen Darya softly chuckles at me.
"They are so soft! I love this material! Your majesty". I smiled at her. But by looking at her face she knew my little spark of happiness is brief. I looked outside and I see Eleya with my items in a suitcase. She is trailing behind riding with a guard who is very anxious having her on.
King Marlowe looked at me in a stern way. It looked intimidating… "You will never be going back that temple… We made sure of it. I really wished that it did not have to end this way. When you were first given to us, the priesthood had the knowledge of how a young ancient should be raised. Unfortunate that a corrupted priest had to take control."
I swallowed and I have been thinking of this question since this morning's event. "What is going to happen to us now?"
"Well… Since Akvor attacked you and you used self-defense. There will be a trial… Many of the priests who were once under Akvor's influence no longer follow him. Or we hoped that they were telling the truth… They may have liked drinking, whoring, and breaking tradition, but attacking a young woman. Many of them believe that is too far… Read this until we get back to the castle." Darya hands me a book so I can keep myself occupied during the trip. It was a large book of historical dragon leaders. Darya knows me well that I love this book as it is one of the rare texts that can be found about the gold empire.
As the ten golden Stars collided against each other for the crown. The humans feared what they have wrought. Death and destruction took hold around the world. The once good, selflessness and humility that once was known by the wise creatures, transformed into greed and jealousy. The war danced for three years and through those years each of the ten stars fell one by one.
And when it was finally won by Estrela the star of the Eastern Desert. The damage was done, sacred places destroyed, the old voices of the world once well-known started to fade and the purity of the world is tainted. The world shook… The stars had faded and are known never to be the same again. She won the war but remained ruthless and cruel. The humans feared her and the other dragon powers despised her. The child human queen whom she was to protect and guide never understood her. As she was only young and still pure… The young human queen almost died by her claws as the dragon queen wanted more power.
The Shadows of the world's memories followed Estrela everywhere… Haunting her every move and thought. But it never mattered to her of what the world thought. In the end, the monster queen became no more as a golden blade sliced against the Eastern Stars' throat.
A small snippet of the gold history of the infamous dragon Queen Estrela. Known as the Star of the Eastern Desert because of where she stationed herself during the Gold Dragon Civil War. Ten dragons fought for their crown and only one of the warring dragon families survived. The majority of humans were not involved but lost so many innocents during the crossfire. This war lost many of their own kind… They were blinded as to what damaged it caused. As four hundred years later they are extinct as the last of them were known to be killed off twenty years ago when the Black Empire purged the city.
I quickly shut the book and placed it next to me. I had a quick glimpse of my family members who gave me a concerned look. I interrupted their conversations but they went back to what they were talking about. Why do I always have to remind myself that I am the last of my lineage? After everything that has happened breeding is the last thing I wanted to think about… I just rested my head next to the window sill of the carriage. I fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes. I was so tired after such a long time of having no proper sleep.
When my eyes closed I fell into another dream. Instead of the meteor this time I felt like I was standing in the middle of a battlefield. But there was no battle happening… It looked like it was over. I walked around checking the scene which has been all charred burnt. The pile of corpses of both dragons and humans lied everywhere. I grabbed a shield that lied near a corpse and I noticed the sigil had a dragon eye sigil on it. The sigil of an eye… The Black Draconium Empire.
After a while, as I walked around to my surprise I saw a gold dragon running across the field. He was a brilliant sight to see! His scales glistened like the sun and he was larger than many dragons that I have seen. He was running towards me and when he ran towards me he stopped. I petted him, he truly was magnificent. I rubbed his nose and scratched underneath his large chin. But as I saw my hands I realized that they were not my hands! It was a mans hands. I looked all around myself and I realized I was not me! I was someone else! I was wearing gold draconium armour. All in blue and gold. My helmet, boots, shoulders, gauntlets, and helmet were in pure gold. I have seen armour like this from my uncle's kings guards. Pure draconium armour is full of power and strength. Such armour is known to be created by those who know of deep magic. Only with this Empire, they use light blue draconium and this man has gold.
I walked in front of the dragon and tried to look deep in his eyes as I rubbed the star bonemark on his forehead. But the dream quickly ended and I saw my grandfather gently waking me up. We are at the castle now as I looked out of the window. It was a nice quick refresh and now I feel a bit better.
"I saw a gold dragon and I was a soldier in gold draconium armour. We were on a battlefield that was over." I looked at my grandfather and he smiled.
"You dreaming of fancy soldiers and dragons? Very typical girl dreams." He chuckles at me as if it is a joke… I was dreaming of a soldier I felt like I was him. I saw through his eyes. My dreams feel real. Everyone has always just treated them as random dreams… But I feel like that they are not.
Once we walked out of the carriage I looked up to see the magnificent castle. The high pillars looked like giant seashells. My Uncle, aunty, and grandmother had to quickly take their leave as they had to make arrangements for the trial. My grandfather decided to stay with me and show me to my room. Walking through the castle again… It has been so long that it felt nostalgic. The whole entire palace is created from marble. It took over fifty years for the main palace to be complete. The second palace over the sea on Serene Haven which is a large island located a day sail from the mainland. Is much smaller and is less extravagant. The second palace on the island is for an emergency if anything happens on the mainland. However, Princess Nerida lives and rules there in preparation for the real job. But looking around the large hallways and marble statues that are all over the place. It feels like we are in a piece of statue artwork. Eventually, after me being slow following my grandfather as I took my time marveling everything. We reached my room and grandfather opened the two doors.
It was much larger than my little chamber in the priesthood temple. It was beautiful, the room is bright and full of colour with paintings and has a large double bed in the center. The white marble was so clean and pure white you could almost swear you can see your reflection in it.
"It's so huge grandfather!" As I walked in and looked around. He smiled at me and he seemed a bit teary-eyed.
"What is wrong?" I hated seeing my grandfather looking sad. He is a great man who should never have to cry.
"No one has slept in this room for years… I refused people to sleep in here. But I made sure that everything in here was always clean and never changed. For this was your mothers' room."
I looked back at him in shock… This was my mothers' room! She lived here… I smiled at him and ran to give him a hug. I was getting teary-eyed myself. It must have been so hard for grandfather and grandmother… I am what is left of their daughter… I still do not even fully know what happened to her or my father. All I know is that they are dead… We hugged each other for a while and grandfather quickly then kissed my forehead.
"When Misty bought you here… When you were just a tiny little babe. I hoped that we could raise you as ours fully. To have a Wet Nurse and raise you inside this castle along with the other family children. But it was not meant to be… It would have been too suspicious if we suddenly had a baby with golden eyes in the castle. We were convinced by the priesthood elders to believe that you would be safe at the priesthood… You were for a time before Akvor was voted in. It is my greatest regret for letting you live there… They promised they would try to teach you the ways of gold priesthood. They failed…"
"Not all of them failed grandfather… Marianas did her best. She taught me how to behave, how to speak, and taught me history. She supported me to work as a nurse and a magic healer… If she was the one voted in as head priest, things would have gone differently. Then there is also Clifford, he is a good man who was trained by Marianas. Not all of them fell under Akvor's influence. I wish I was raised like a normal child like the rest of the family. But I know you only tried to do the right thing… I understand because I am not a normal child. My circumstances are different to everyone else."
Even though this thought made me full of sadness. I always had to face the truth. I would give anything to be myself and not hide my eyes and draconium powers. But if I did my life would be over… No one can be trusted. Which is why the sheltered me. When Aaron my old friend used to talk to me on the meadow of wildflowers when he used to sneak me out. He helped me see this… Like he had to accept himself of who he was… He never wished it was true and I never wished it either. But he had to accept the brutal truth of his life. I was so glad that I realised that compared to many others I am lucky. I miss him so much… He was one of my only friends who knew the truth. Even though I do not have many friends… He was always there even though it was brief... Until he disappeared. I hope he is still alive somewhere safe and living the best life he could.
"You are such a good girl… You really do remind me of your mother… I just wish I did better by your parents…" He gives me another hug. He truly regrets giving me to them. I wonder what it would have been like to have been raised here.
However, our small chat got interrupted when my grandmother walked in. She shut the doors after her and she quickly rushed and gave me blue eye contacts. "I know you have done this many times at your trip to the hospital and your sneaky trip to waters gate. But remember always try to hide your eyes, even to the servants. Only take them off when you are sleeping."
"I know grandmother…" As I quickly ran to the vanity desk and put them on. I hated wearing them… In many circumstances, it causes irritations and makes my eyes itchy. Forever look like I'm going to cry.
"Also… We have quickly sorted out the trial. Your uncle the king has seen to it that Akvor will be trialed as soon as possible. What he did to you darling is completely reprehensible. Justice will be done". Grandmother tried to smile as she tried to cheer me up. However, it quickly disappeared she has not finished yet… I just looked at her. She is hesitating about what she is going to say next.
"What is it, grandmother?"
"Iolene… Marianas found the one who told Akvor and betrayed you… It was Marsh…"
After hearing those words I had to pause myself. No… It could not have been him… He has been helping me. He would never do such a thing… He has always known that I wanted some sort of freedom. He would never try and take it away from me… Not to mention that he has chosen the side of the corrupted priests. Why would he do this? How did Marianas find out? My grandparents only looked at me. They knew I am struggling with this news. Not only was I attacked last night, but it was also partially caused by my friend... I needed to see him. I had to have answers.
"I have to speak to him!"
I looked at my grandparents. I saw him this morning and he seemed like his normal self. By thinking about it my heart started to break… As if I needed to be more upset about… But this time I felt betrayed. I trusted him…
"He is still at the priesthood. He is not arrested since he technically did nothing wrong… The Macdan trip was a secret and he told Akvor of which he did not take it well… Akvor would have tried anything not to make you leave again. But he was drunk and did something stupid… He has always thought that he owned you."
My grandmother quickly gave me a hug and kissed my forehead. All of this getting to me so hard this time. Try not to cry, try not to cry, try not to cry… It was so hard to hold it in. I swear all the tears that I have shed I could have created my own river… Maybe one day there will be a time when I can control my tears…
"Please! I need to see him! I have so many questions to ask!"
"I will ask your uncle once he sorts out the time for the trial. I will quickly go to the throne room and find out all of the details". Grandmother quickly gave me another kiss on the forehead and left. It was now just my grandfather and me once again.
He looked at me and saw how tired I was…
"Iolene you need to get some rest… Eleya is just outside waiting for your word. I will meet you at dinner tonight." He quickly gives me another hug and leaves. It is now just me alone… I could not be bothered to change out of my priesthood garments. So I just fell onto my bed, I am so tired it feels like I can fall asleep with complete ease. Even after everything… My body is so exhausted. But as an extra measure, I yelled for Eleya. She walked inside and whistled as she saw how fancy the room is. But as I looked at her closer I saw the damage that Akvor did to her. She had a large bruise on her cheek from where he slapped her with another large bruise on her forehead when she hit the ground.
"Can you please nap with me Eleya? I don't want to sleep alone."
"Alright my lady". And she climbs into bed with me and hugs me by stroking my head. Like how a mother settles her child.
As I closed my eyes another dream started to happen again…
I can never stop myself from having these dreams… I always have to go with the flow. I have so many different dreams in the past… One I was flying side by side with a dragon. Another is the meteor hitting the planet. The knight and his dragon. Seeing rotting corpses move as if they are alive. Seeing humans and dragons that look like skeletons who have bright glowing eyes of different colours. They are so random I cannot tell if it is going to be peaceful or violent.
The dream materialized and this time I was in a tent. A large gold dragon stood in front of me. She looked similar to the dragon I saw in my previous dream earlier in the day. But she is definitely female due to her smaller chin and leg fins. She had pure gold scales but did have some white markings on her legs and around her bonemark. She looked purely regal as she wore jewelry around her head and body. It looked like she was talking to me. But I could not hear anything… I was in a conversation that I could not hear or speak… Eventually, I followed her out of the tent. We were at a desert in the middle of a military camp. I see the star sigil banners everywhere but for this one, it was surrounded by another sigil of the sun. It looked like the illustration I saw in the book I read earlier. Could I be seeing things in the past? But then I could just be dreaming normally… At least it is not the nightmare against Akvor I had last night… but then suddenly all of the soldiers started to prepare as if a battle is about to begin.
The dream was interrupted when I heard Eleya waking me up. She gently nudged me on the shoulder. I looked up at her and said a soft hello.
"My lady… Dinner will be ready soon. Time to get dressed." And she smiles at me. I am glad that she is okay… The damage could have been so much worse. I hope Akvor will pay when the trial is done! After a bath and refreshing myself, Eleya laid me out a long light blue dress. It is nice and simple. Nothing like the more complicated and showy gown that I wore to my family last time. It is so light that a small gust of wind can blow it and it comes with a light shoal to cover my shoulders. It is nice weather so I might not even use it.
Once I prepared myself Eleya led me to the dining room. When she first came here the stewards had to teach her where everything is. So she had to try to remember where the dining room is. Eventually, we got there, and as soon as I entered the room a small group of people ran towards me. It was a pleasant surprise and I actually felt happy to see them. My cousin Grand Princess Nerida, who is heir to the throne and is King Marlowe's eldest child. I thought she would be living across the sea with her own family. She is the tallest of the family even taller than her father the king. She resembles him with his chin and cheeks. Her light blue hair is not as long and is kept in a bun with seashell clips. She is wearing a dress that is also light fabric like the simple one I am wearing now. If my memory is right she always hated the heavy extravagant detailed dresses that her mum much prefers. She loves her simple tastes…
By looking at the place her three children and husband have not joined us this evening… They all must be still at the Serene palace. She quickly hugged me and gave way to her other siblings for their turn. The next one who said hello is Prince Murray, one of the other family members who know the full truth of my lineage. He found out by complete accident when I was a baby. He saw my gold eyes and immediately questioned his mother and father. He was seventeen at the time so he was very aware of what was happening. He is smart, critical, and very cynical. Very different from the rest of the family. He has cut his hair short but it is still tied up. Ever since then he has kept it secret that he has not told anyone else. That discovery is one of the huge reasons why they always push for contacts… My other cousins think I am an adopted child of my grandfather and grandmother. They did not meet me until much later when I was older at the priesthood. At first, they were skeptical but eventually, with Murray's help they accepted me as one of their own. Grandmother explained to them that it is a way to help mourn for their only child who loved to help the unfortunate.
Since I have been in the priesthood I did get to see them a few times there. They are much older than I am so I could not play with them or anything like that. But with the royal family, they all have their own duties to perform. We sent each other letters and I do love them for it as those letters gave me comfort.
After Murray's hug, the twins gave me a double hug. Princess Marina and Prince Clifford.
"Oh, Iolene… You are such a good girl. I heard that you helped that asshole after everything he tried to do to you. If only I could have grabbed him and neutered him!" Marina then grabbed out her large dagger in anger. Knowing her she totally would have done it on site.
"Please, Marina put that thing away! I don't want you stabbing another one of my books!" Murray said in annoyance.
Princess Marina and Prince Clifford are known to be one of the best fighters in the Empire. Clifford is experienced with archery with both bows and crossbows. He is nicknamed deadly eye by many people of which he is proud of. I heard he proved it when he was challenged to shoot at an apple at a tournament. It was so far that many people and dragons could not see but yet he did it without failure. He has short curly hair and has a handsome face. He is well-loved by the ladies, so much I heard they scream when they see him. Although he wrote to me that I cannot be sure if he is that popular.
His twin Marina is experienced with axe and shield. With high expertise in draconium skills with her dragon. She is a high general in her father's navy who loves to sail. She is always far away scouting the seas for pirates. She is also one of the rare women whom I see who shaves her hair completely bald and has detailed tattoos of dragons all over her body. Her and Murray are the ones who wrote letters to me the most. Marina always saying that those who live in a priest temple must have boring lives. Her letter are always interesting to read.
Once all of the pleasantries are over the family sat down at their respected seats. I sat the furthest away from the King and Queen. Looking at the table where all the food is being set made me so happy. I rarely get to see such delicious food. In the priesthood, we only have basic bland foods. However, we all knew that Akvor and his higher priests did love to throw extravagant food parties that no one else was allowed to attend. Not even Marianas who seems to be the only one that temple who is trying to fight the corruption since she is of higher rank.
Once we all started eating the King announced that he is judging Akvor tomorrow. I am so relieved to hear this… The quicker he gets judged the faster he gets imprisoned. However, he quickly mentions that he cannot judge on his own due to bias. There will be a jury of twenty other nobles and senators to help give a verdict. I was hoping for King Marlowe to give a verdict on his own like he usually does. However, in Aquarius City laws, friends or family who are close to the victims or perpetrator cannot be a part of the final judgment. This fact made me feel nervous... What if he pays those other nobles off as well.
King Marlowe also mentioned that he had to push back many other important meetings and appearances. Nerida looks annoyed as she was in this palace for other reasons, but shrugs her shoulders. Word has spread of Akvor's arrest, so tomorrow will be a long and busy day.
"Iolene, tomorrow you must describe to the court of what you endured. Don't be nervous just describe what happened in the best detail that you can. They are not there to judge you they are there to judge Akvor". He smiled at me as he is trying to comfort me. He knows how hard this will be… This means I will have to see Akvor again… I never want to see that monster again. But to stop him forever I will have too… I wonder if he summoned Marsh here so I can talk to him. I still need answers from him, I need to know why he did it!
After that serious conversation, we all discussed how the royal children were doing. The Grand Princess has done very well leading the island. The food stocks are always full and the people are at peace. Murray loves handling political affairs in the Senate. He is in the progress of changing the silly laws that were made up at the formation of the Empire. Such as carrying Salmon suspiciously in public view… No one knows how it became law, but it is in the books…
Prince Clifford has been training soldiers at archery. Like Marina, he is a general but he trains in the army. Their lives sounded so amazing, Marina's most of all. She has caught and killed thirty pirate captains on her journey that lasted two whole years down the East Coast of the whole continent. It must be such an exciting life to have! She says that her soldiers and adversaries now call her the reaper of the eastern seas. By looking at her father he has never looked so proud of his children.
I admit I was so jealous. Everyone is living the life of how they wish… But hopefully, after tomorrow I shall see if I can start my adventure to Macdan and try to move on. I want to see what the world has for me now… I was sad and scared before. But after last night… I need to get away. I should see if I can make a difference in the world. Who knows one day I might actually show my father's lineage with pride, without the fear of war and death lurking over me and my loved ones.
When the dinner was over we all said our farewells. Even though I had a small nap in the afternoon I wanted to end the night earlier. It is going to be a long day and I need to prepare myself physically and emotionally.
Eleya washed the sheets and prepared my bed. I quickly relieved myself and dressed in my nightgown to go to sleep. "Please, dreams just let me sleep in peace… Even if it is for just one night…" It is such a quiet night. It is lovely hearing and feeling the sea breeze flowing into my room. Fresh air has never felt so nice. In the temple, there are no windows only air tunnels built into the rock. This way we can always have oxygen, but it always humid and stuffy. Without those air tunnels, the temple is unlivable. Another reason to be relieved to be out of there.
When I tried to fall asleep. Instead of a dream, my mind replayed the night with Akvor. The moment he terrified me when I was asleep. I was unguarded and vulnerable. I had no idea of how frightened I truly was… I couldn't sleep. The darkness was so open around me that I fear Akvor will come out in at any moment… I got up again and I asked Eleya to sleep with me again. She hesitated, of course, I had to convince her. I could not sleep alone... She finally gave in and slept next to me.
"Poor Princess… You are not alone… I know how you feel. It is so hard knowing how vulnerable you can be. Just try to sleep, sweet girl." Eleya played with my hair. Eventually, I fell asleep. This time I had no dreams, but the real nightmare still lingered. I fear that it will never go away. But I really had to try… After a few hours, I finally managed to sleep.
Once morning arrived, Eleya woke me up with the usual routine. Relieve, wash, and have breakfast. For the court, I am wearing noble ladies' dress regalia. Which is similar to the dress I wore the other day. Only with this one, the shoulders are not as wide and the dress is less restrictive.
It is time… Eleya followed close behind me as we headed to the throne room. It has been set up as a court due to the row of seats on the side. All of the nobles and priests have started to arrive. Marianas rushes and hugs me. She is in her full light blue priesthood regalia this time. She looks so disappointed… I bet she feels like she failed us… Which she shouldn't… Marsh made his choices. But heartbreaking to know your once apprentice betrays your trust.
"Well, Iolene it is time to judge this prick… Most of the people here are on your side. Never forget that." And just like that, she had to get to her seat on the other side of the throne room where all the high priests will sit. The senators take their rightful seats. All of the nobles of the court have their seats and those who were randomly chosen to be jury sit on special stands near the throne. Grandfather and grandmother since they are royalty they sit closest to the throne. My seat is next to them since I am classed as their "daughter". My grandmother held my hand to try and support me.
I look up and I notice that there is a second level looking down on us. All of the noble dragons are also preparing for their view of the court. The nerves inside my body felt like they were going to shut down. All of the people and dragons here will be looking at me...
Once everyone is seated it is time for the court to begin. Everyone stands up for the Royals to enter the throne room. The King and Queen enter first following the Princess and Princes in order of birth. They all have smaller thrones designated to them. The King and Queen seat and everyone follows. King Marlowe then raises his hand.
"Bring in the accused! Akvor Petos!"
Everyone had their eyes on the throne room doors. We all looked and saw them open the guards dragged this man to his stand. By looking at him you could have sworn that it was a different man! He was not well washed with his white hair all messed up. He was not in his lord priest garbs only tattered rags. He now has an eye patch covering his right eye.
Everyone looked so surprised at how destroyed he looked. He looked around and then he saw me sitting on the stands. He looked at me for a long uncomfortable time. The only thing I could is to look away from him… Just please stop looking at me. I never want to see you again you monster!
"Let the trial begin!" King Marlowe then lowers his hand.
A senator named Marcus Bulge has been decided to be the questioner.
"Akvor Petos second younger son of nobles Avelia and Catus Petos. Old blood of Titus Petos, Aquarius city architect. Elder high priest from the temple order. Sixty years old and was an advisor to King Marlowe. Is this you?"
"Yes," He said quietly in his husky voice.
"Akvor Petos! You are charged with the assault of a young woman. With another charge of bringing corruption into the priesthood. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty!" His voice sounded so defeated and even more husky than usual.
Not guilty? He almost had me! The man is guilty of everything that has gone wrong with the priesthood. All thanks to him they have lost their reputation and have come at odds with the royal family! If only Uji was still alive this never would have happened. The man is a monster and I hope by the end of the day he will be at a place that I will never see him again! Marcus straightened up and looked at him. Marcus and everyone was not certainly expecting that answer. Even I was shocked… The man is bloody guilty!
"Why do you think you are not guilty?"
Akvor straightened up on the stand and stared at me once again.
"I was drunk. I am not responsible for my actions since I was intoxicated. She did more damage to me by stabbing a candle into my right eye. She sure bloody helped to make sure that the whole entire eye is gone. I am still in a huge amount of pain because of her doing. With the loss of my eye I also now have burns on my cheek due to the wax that dripped. "
I was so angry and every time he opened his stupid mouth I got angrier! Intoxication is no excuse. He just saying that made me feel ill… He would never have been in this position if he was not in my room!
"As for my corruption charges... It is my money, to begin with. I am from one of the wealthier families in this city... How can it be corruption when it is my own money? I promised a brand new future for the priesthood. Old and outdated… They are so focused on the past that they were blind to seeing the future. I was voted in because they all knew I could make a difference. I loved having fun and so did they. What crime did I commit by me and my fellow priests by having fun? Of course, many other priests thought I was corrupted. Most of them are poor bastards who never had parents. Or any life really..."
The Jury sat there in silence. His arrogance is astounding. Priests are to take an oath of selflessness. They do it when they change from apprentice to priest and cut ties with their master. To always do the right thing and educate about everything they can. This is why they are so highly revered in the royal council. Taking an oath is like creating a contract like my oath to save lives as a healer.
Marcus looks at a small piece of paper that has the names of witnesses. "Please bring in our first witness! Elvore Ragnik!"
I was so surprised to hear his name being called! He is known to be one of Akvor's closest associates. Is he going to betray him? Or is he going to try and defend him? Akvor helped him get high in the priesthood… Would he throw all of that away?
He took the stand and took off his helmet. He is not as old as Akvor, I would even call him handsome. He is tall with short blonde hair. He has the most perfect green eyes… This is the first time I have ever seen him without the helmet. In the priesthood high priests always keep their helmets on. Marianas never did though. She liked showing her face to the people.
"My King and Queen, Senator, dragons, Lords, and Ladies of the court. I wish to testify against Akvor for his crimes. I know I will lose my priesthood privileges by speaking. But once I heard Lady Iolene was attacked. I finally realised that the power has truly gone over his head and that he is no longer fit to lead the priesthood. I will list the crimes that he has committed and I have bought proof."
A guard brings a chest full of scrolls.
"This is a chest letter with proof that Akvor has been stealing from the priesthood and royal treasuries… He took the money and gave it to me and his other close associates. He used the money to bribe other priests during the time of the vote."
Everyone in the courtroom gasps. Even though I am not surprised… He had to get money from somewhere so he and his friends can have never-ending fun. The guard hands scroll over to Marcus as he reads and checks all of them. To make sure they compared those letters to see if the writing is matched. Marcus then turns around and looks at Akvor. Just by looking at Akvor he looks nervous. He was never a man who was good at hiding his emotions… I will not lie that seeing him squirm did give me some kind of joy…
"These are some very serious charges, Elvore… You do realise after this trial you and your friends will be arrested and trialed. But you did the right thing today. We will remember…"
Once Marcus finished that sentence Elvore turns around and is arrested by the guards. He did not struggle as he held out his wrists and place the large handcuffs on him. And as they escorted him out Akvor shouted traitor at him. Elvore remained perfectly calm as he walked past. I wonder if he regrets what he just did… They were best of friends. Elvore sacrificed his friendship for me… Did he do it to make sure that he pays for his crimes? Or did he do it to make sure he cannot bribe the senators so he cannot get a lighter sentence? By looking at those scrolls he likes to pay his way out of situations. But this time it has failed…
After a while when the jury looked at the letters that Elvore gave them. It was now to start part two of his trial.
"Next part of the trial! Akvor's attack on a young girl! Her name is Iolene Summers! Come onto the stand now child and do not be afraid." Marcus puts out his arm as to show me where to go… The stand that is close to Akvor… I gulped and took a long breath. My grandmother and grandfather gently nudged me. I stood up and started walking to the stand. The whole throne room had their eyes on me… I looked around and people still stared at me. Just imagine no one is there only Marcus, Marianas would say.
I got up to the stand of which it felt like it took forever to get to. I looked to my right and there he was staring at me. Like how he always used to stare at me… I said to myself that I never wanted to see him again. Yet there he is.
Marcus comes up to my stand and in a gentle voice. "Now Iolene tell us the truth of what happened that night."
I recounted what happened that night in full detail to everyone. From the time he barged through my door in a drunken rage to be saving his life. It is such a hard event to even try to forget as I experienced the other night. Once I was finished giving my testimony Akvor looked at me with such disdain. Even though he had one eye it can still tell all of what he is thinking.
"I WAS DRUNK! NONE OF THOSE ACTIONS WAS MY OWN DOING! SHE DESTROYED ME! YOU WERE LEAVING THE PRIESTHOOD WITHOUT MY PERMISSION! AND THANKS TO YOU MY EYE IS GONE!" He immediately shouted. I looked at him in such anger. I still have to keep telling myself that I did the right thing for saving his stupid life! I made an oath I have to try to keep it.
"Enough Akvor!" Marcus shouted out. I quickly got off the stand and went straight back to my seat. After all that it was time for the jury to decide Akvor's fate. They have taken all of the scrolls so they can look at them in complete detail. We were finally dismissed by the king and we were allowed to go outside. Akvor remained chained on his stand with his guards.
I walked with Marianas to the gardens to get some fresh air. Marianas smiled at me. "You are being so brave my dear… It takes a lot of guts to come forward as you did". But I admit I did not want to talk all that much. It has been such a long and exhausting few days… But I did notice that she did not mention Marsh. She is probably still broken-hearted after him breaking her trust. However, seeing my reluctance to talk she eventually stopped trying and placed her arm over me. After admiring the garden scenery for a long while we both hear the castle bells ringing. It is time to go back into the throne room… Time to hear his verdict.
Once everyone resettled back into their position Marcus had the piece of paper that sealed Akvor's fate. Akvor still glumly as Marcus stood on the stand and read his verdict.
"Akvor Petos the King, Queen and the Jury finds you guilty! The Jury has decided that your punishment will be exile! You will never set your foot into this country again!"
I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I will never see him again! Cried tears of joy I am finally free of this terrible man. My family cried with relief. However, there is a very important detail that just crossed my mind… He knows my secret. All he has to do is tell people who I am and we are done for… Looking at my uncle he looked worried. But for the moment we celebrated.
As my family and I left the throne room to have a celebratory dinner. I saw Marsh standing near the exit. Short happiness stopped by looking at his face… He is part of the reason Akvor saw me that night… Marsh walked up to me.
"Can we please talk alone?"
I looked at him thinking if I should. I wanted to talk to him so bad yesterday... But right now after a very long day of court? I do need my answers… I nodded a yes to him and both walked to the garden. It is a beautiful garden full of different kinds of flowering plants. At the center of the garden, there is a marble gazebo and I decided to have a serious conversation there. We were both silent until we sat there... I am so upset at him and he knows it.
"Why did you tell him!?" I just had to spit it out.
He looked at me in the most solemn way. "Because Iolene I didn't want you to leave. The world is dark and dangerous. It is not the place for you! When your family asked you that day you hesitated and you were scared. You were pressured by your family! You didn't want to go!"
"So you just read my mind and told the man I despise the most to make sure I could not go anywhere… He assaulted me, Marsh! I have never been so scared and that was partly because of you! I made that choice to leave! It was not yours to make! Now because of all of this I want to leave more than ever!"
"It was not just that Iolene… When you left for Watersgate on that sneak trip away with your family. The priesthood certainly wasn't happy. But when you were gone I have never felt so lonely… I know you were only gone for a few months but it felt like forever… And when you got back… All you would talk about is this other boy you met… Aaron? You would never shut up about him. You spoke about how he used to look after dogs and how you gave him a piece of cake. Telling him stories… You snubbed me emotionally after that. He is a bastard boy who lived in a shithole that you will never see again. I tried to do everything I could do for you!"
"Don't you dare speak of Aaron like that! He was my first real friend! We were not friends back then! You were under Marianas wing and we only in class together working!"
Marsh then beings to open his mouth. I felt so angry and annoyed.
Please don't say those words, Marsh…. Please don't!"
"I love you Iolene!"
"Oh, it's not because you love me! I bet the Akvor gave you a sudden promotion because he wanted you close to me! Why else would you tell him what we were planning! If you love me why did you tell him then? You would respect my decision of leaving! Everyone else knew I have always to leave the temple one way or another. But it had to be through terrible circumstances! I'm even annoyed at my family for this!"
He sat there in shock... He did not deny it... He got into my close web to find out my secrets. I am such an idiot... I just wanted to push him away… He wants to keep me trapped like how Akvor does! I can never have my own choices. There is always someone else who always has to have a say in what I do. He cannot have me leave because he will feel lonely. Then trying to blame me because I loved Aaron who I still think is one of the sweetest people I will ever know. Well, poor Marsh I have always felt lonely… I thought he was my friend… He certainly is not acting like one now. I couldn't even look at him… I sat facing away from him.
"Iolene, please! I love you really I do! It's the truth! It was Akvor and his persuasiveness!"
"I'm sorry I don't believe you, Marsh. But if you really want to know I can never love you… Not now not ever… I am leaving for Macdan and I am sticking to that plan. If you don't like it that is not my problem. Don't follow me…"
I get up and leave the gazebo as fast as I could. It is time for me to get away from here… It is time for me to make my own destiny!