-Chapter Nineteen-
Casavir dressed and walked to Neverwinter Castle to watch the trial. The town folk were buzzing with excitement at the coming event, but he felt heartsick.
Did she stand a chance? What will I do if I lose her now? Please Tyr, watch over my little rogue and let thy justice be done. I cannot bear to lose her, not like this.
The throne room was filled with animated townsfolk, each loudly voicing their opinions concerning the impending verdict. Casavir wished he could close his ears to the din. The self righteous noblemen proclaimed Lana's innocence in Neverwinter's name argued loudly against those who felt allowing Lana to become a squire so rapidly was only a ploy. All were loud and free with their opinions. He felt he would explode as they discussed her fate as if it were of no consequence and to them, it was.
"Have you seen her? One guess why Nasher allowed a common thief to become a squire so quickly," jeered one man.
"Yes, but I didn't realize she was a thief! How scandalous!" tittered a noblewoman in reply.
"She deserves to hang, killing a whole village like that! What is Nasher thinking?" an garish woman loudly whispered.
"Did you know she travels with all men?! She must be amazing, no wonder Nasher wants to keep her around," sneered a bloated nobleman.
If I must continue to listen to this foul rabble, someone will pay for these insults! Does this filth have nothing better to do with their time?
Casavir bristled, his fists clenching and unclenching as he tried to contain his anger. A violent outburst would not help Lana and only bring them unwanted attention. He also knew his presence in Nasher's court was tenacious at best so he fought to maintain his composure.
A sudden hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned toward the diesis. Lord Nasher entered, followed by Sir Nevalle and Reverend Judge Oleff Uskar. Lord Nasher solemnly took his place on his throne, Nevalle at his side and Judge Oleff a few steps below to officiate the proceedings.
Lord Nasher nodded to the guards before him, "Bring in the accused." The crowd muttered in anticipation.
The large double doors to the throne room opened before a procession of more palace guards ushering in Lana with Sand at her side. A hush fell over the crowd as Lana entered and all eyes stared at her. Casavir gasped when he saw her, he had never seen her look as she did now.
Lana held her head tall and proud, her grey eyes looking only straight ahead. Casavir could see her eyes were hard flints of steel grey. She wore her hair long and unadorned as it cascaded down her back, gleaming black like a starless sky. Her jaw was set and determined; she stood erect with shoulders back. She held herself proudly, not like a woman accused. She looked defiant and none dared contradict her.
Lana wore the gown Casavir had purchased for her and she was radiant in the silver and pale blue. She walked with the grace of a woman born to nobility. The filmy false sleeves billowed at her sides gently like doves wings. She walked as if floating, her feet making no sound on the cobbles underfoot and only the silk of her gown gently rustling. No one in the crowd uttered a sound at her approach, she was magnificent.
She and Sand silently took their places at podiums opposite Torio, the Luskan ambassador. Sand sneered at Torio. Torio bobbed her head in pert acknowledgement at Sand. Lana looked at neither; her eyes were fixed straight ahead on Judge Oleff as if she did not acknowledge Torio's presence. Casavir could almost feel the disgust emanating from Lana.
Judge Oleff called for the trial to begin. Casavir inwardly groaned as Torio immediately began with accusations.
"I speak for those the accused slaughtered at Ember - and I am here to see that justice is carried out this day," Torio stated with deference.
"I think the ambassador speaks out of turn. No guilty verdict has been issued. You don't speak for the dead of Ember, Ambassador, you are the one responsible," Lana replied firmly without missing a beat or revealing the slightest emotion.
The audience gasped, even Torio's face flickered with the briefest uncertainty as she replied with barely contained anger, "I think you speak out of turn, murderer. You are on trial today, not I." Casavir noticed Sand had a momentary glimmer of smile before quickly regaining his composure.
Judge Oleff called for quiet and the trial commenced. It was a long drawn out affair as Sand presented their carefully gathered evidence and the crowd murmured appreciatively. Casavir noted that Sand appeared pleased but Lana remained stolid.
Torio appeared ill at ease as the evidence strongly weighed in Lana's favor. "These pieces of... evidence... if that is what they truly are, can easily be explained away. It may seem extensive, but our witnesses will tell a different story." Torio said defensively.
Lana looked at her with disdain, "Forgive me, Ambassador, but are you speculating on the truth of the evidence? You seem quite certain of our guilt. Are you admitting that is also in question?"
Casavir thought he detected fear in Torio's voice as she replied, "Of course not, and I aim to prove it."
Lana was composed, almost icy as she asked, "Which is it, Ambassador? Are we guilty or not in your eyes? I am finding it difficult to find the truth in your wordplay."
Sand almost looked gleeful as Torio replied hotly, "I suggest you hold your tongue - I think you will want to hear what my witnesses have to say."
"Why do you want to distract us from the evidence? Scared of what it means, Luskan?" Lana coolly replied.
Witness after witness was called, each giving positive testimonies for Lana as Torio attempted to twist their words.
Casavir's heart sank when Torio called Lana as a witness. Lana only stepped solemnly forward, her chin jutted in defiance. "Ask what you will, and I shall speak the truth," Lana said calmly.
Torio looked like a snake, poised to attack. "My question is a simple one. Why did you kill the people of Ember?" she asked almost demurely.
The audience gasped but Lana remained unflustered. She locked her steely gaze on Torio as she replied, "Why did the Luskans kill the people of Ember, you mean? I realize you were speaking in Luskan just now, but in Neverwinter we call them lies."
Torio chuckled but it was hard and mirthless. "Ah... so easily angered. Is that what happened with the people of Ember? Did they ask you a question and you attacked them?" she said tauntingly.
Casavir flinched, fearing the worst as Lana seemed caught in Torio's web. Lana held Torio's gaze unflinchingly. "Not at all, they'd already been killed by Luskans. Weren't you listening to me, or are you deaf and dumb? Are you deaf to the truth as well as blind to it? It's no wonder you can't hear me, Ambassador," Lana replied mockingly.
Torio looked stern, "We are here to find the truth, yes. To listen to your insults? No."
A sneer played across a corner of Lana's mouth. "I'm glad we understand each other, because every time you open your mouth, you insult me, Neverwinter, and the people whom you killed at Ember," she said with venom.
Casavir had never heard Lana so cold and self-contained. A shiver went down his spine as he felt her icy anger flare at Torio. Torio flinched under Lana's gaze and lost her composure.
"How dare you! You think being here in Neverwinter with your false claims of nobility makes you safe from me! It doesn't! Do you know the power I have? If I wanted to, by the Gods, I could have Luskan troops sent here to seize you within the hour, so wipe that smug look off your face and answ.." she replied hotly.
"I suggest you watch where your words fly, Ambassador. I have been patient enough, but I will not abide threats to this city," Lord Nasher cut in firmly.
Sand cut in looking like a cat with cream on his whiskers. "Go on, Torio, press the issue... please," he nearly purred in delight.
Torio looked hopeless but made one final grasp. "Reverend Judge? Is what I hear contempt or no?" she said smugly.
Lana was like a viper as she stuck, "Why do you keep asking for truth, when you already know that everyone in Ember was slaughtered by Luskans? Probably ordered to do so by you!"
Lana launched a verbal assault on Torio. "Ambassador, as I've said, I am innocent. I mourn the loss of people at Ember, and I am at a loss why anyone would do such a thing. Ember has no military value. It is not even a viable border target, nor was it worth robbing. So why was it targeted?"
Torio frowned, obvious consternation crossing her face. She replied, "And so you are saying that this may have been militarily motivated? The people of Ember slaughtered solely to test our defenses? Our resolve?"
The audience gasped. Casavir again felt sick as it appeared Lana had lost her footing.
Torio seemed to regain her momentum and dramatically asked, "Why is it the innocent must suffer for the aggression of others?"
Lana replied without the slightest pause, "I do not know, Ambassador. But in this case, I think it was actually more difficult to attack the intended target... me." She uttered the words so quietly Casavir almost couldn't hear her. Torio on the other hand, had heard her quite well and gasped.
Lana continued firmly, "Come now, Ambassador, I am a supporter of Neverwinter and Lord Nasher who has come into conflict with Luskans covertly entering Neverwinter before this point. Unable to reach me directly, you sought to lure me to Ember... and then force me into Low Justice in Luskan, which as we know would be no justice at all. But fortunately, the people of Neverwinter resisted, as did Nasher himself - who would never give up a Neverwinter citizen without attempting to find the truth first."
Torio gasped like a fish out of water. Her face flushed an angry red as she shouted, "Enough! I have asked you to answer my question - why did you kill the people of Ember?"
Lana was the epitome of composure and pressed, "I have answered your question already, ambassador, but you have yet to answer mine! Why were Luskan forces entering Neverwinter, and why after I drove them off, did you take revenge on your own people to punish me? There is no sense in it! I have put up with enough of your lies, Ambassador. If you can prove it, then do it, but if you can't, I will see you hang for this"
Torio's countenance changed quickly as she shot, "Is that what happened with the people of Ember? Did they get too close to the truth, then you threatened them?"
Lana calmly replied, "Threat? There is no threat here - if you attempt to force a guilty verdict on me, then you will bring our cities to war. And with all the troubles Luskan has with Ruathym, you think you can handle a war on two fronts? We will gladly indulge you and your foolish claims."
"It is not our intention to start war - we did not attack Ember. We only wish to see justice done." Torio exclaimed defensively.
Lana pushed, "You just said we were in danger of going to war over this! Lie again, and I swear you'll answer for it!"
The trial seemed over as Torio muttered, "I should have known better than to argue with one of Neverwinter's soldiers. It's like cross-examining a wild boar."
Lana stood haughtily looking at Torio as if she were nothing but cow dung stuck to her shoe. "I think you mistake stubbornness for resolve - just like your army did when they attacked Neverwinter during the Luskan War, Ambassador. If you are done, simply say so," Lana finished defiantly.
The trial seemed to finally reach a conclusion. Lord Nasher surveyed the crowd as he addressed them, "The case before me was a difficult one... but it seems we know now the identity of Ember's attackers."
His eyes came to rest upon Torio and he said coldly, "Nevalle, I want the ambassador, her retinue, and any remaining members of the Arcane Brotherhood of Luskan outside the city gates by nightfall."
Torio gasped, "What? This is no verdict - to think the Brotherhood truly responsible..."
Lord Nasher looked fierce as he sternly said, "You brought this case before me - now you debate my verdict. I would be careful of where you point a sword when you draw it, Ambassador - and remind your masters in Luskan of that as well. I think we've wasted enough time on this. Justice has been done, an-"
Just as the trial appeared concluded, Torio called her one final trump card. "I claim the right of trial by combat," she said with a maniacal gleam in her eye.
Casavir didn't realize what he had done as he bellowed indignantly, "NO!!" Lana looked at him, horror and shock playing across her face as she caught his eye.
The crowd was in an uproar. Lord Nasher looked dejected as he held up his hand for silence.
Torio could not fight for herself and called with false meekness for a champion. The crowd gasped when a mountain of a man threw open the doors and proclaimed himself Luskan's champion.
Casavir shot a quick look at Lana; she appeared crestfallen as she stared at the Luskan champion. It was Lorne, the Luskan assassin that had posed as her in the massacre of Ember, but Casavir sensed there was more. Lana seemed to be fighting an inner turmoil and no one noticed but Casavir. He also noted a look of hated flash from Lorne directed towards Lana.
This cannot be! It is a mockery! She doesn't stand a chance against that hulking mass. What trickery is this!?
Judge Oleff called for the two champions to go to the Temple of Justice where they would undergo the Rite of Tyr to cleanse themselves in a night of prayer and vigilance. The following morning, the champions would meet so that justice might be met in combat. Casavir knew this ritual all too well and fear gripped his heart. He knew this was a battle of hand to hand combat and Lorne held the advantage. Lana was a solid fighter, she was nearly unbeatable with her longswords but not against such brute strength. Lorne was the size of a dire bear; Lana would be crushed beneath a blow if she made a single misstep.
Lana and Sand exited the courtroom followed by guards as they leftt the throne room. Lana looked dejected, beaten and confused. Sand was speaking quietly to her, but his words seemed to have no effect. Torio looked after them with a look of uncontained glee at her triumph. Casavir had the sickening feeling this had been Torio's plan all along.
Casavir pushed through the crowd to follow Lana. She stopped and turned in the crush, catching his eye as he shoved through the mass of humanity. Lana waited for him, ignoring all others around her as she stared at him, grief and hurt etched across her features.
He stood beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "My lady, let us remove ourselves from this scene," he said as he pulled her through the crowd. She slumped against him and allowed him to propel her through the congregation with Sand in tow.
They managed to push their way outside to the Blacklake District. Casavir led them down a small street between the university and Castle Never where no one noticed them.
When they finally stopped, Casavir turned to look at Lana. She had a tear running down her cheek and was struggling to hold more back.
"My lady, all is not lost. We will see this awful thing through," Casavir said bracingly.
She slowly shook her head in disagreement. "No Casavir, you don't understand. I have to battle Lorne," she replied.
"Yes, but he is just another Luskan dog like so many others. He can be beat," Sand interjected vehemently.
Lana sighed, "He is Bevil's brother. I grew up with him; he is not just another brute to kick out of the way. It will break his mother's heart to know that he fell by my hand and to find out what he has become. They were like family to me, they cared for me."
Bleak realization dawned on Casavir's face. "I understand. But he has made his choice for you. The Luskans have played you for only Tyr knows why and I will make sure they are punished for it. This will end," he said forcefully.
Lana only grimly nodded. "We must go proceed to the temple. Will you come with me?" she asked them both.
They nodded assent and headed to the Temple of Justice.