Chapter Twelve - This is Gonna Hurt
This is a second coming
This is a call to arms
Your finest hour won't be wasted, wasted
Hey, hey, hell is what you make, make
Jeb sat across from Azkedellia in her official office, doing his report for the Queen and watching the princess as she went through paperwork of her own. Reports from Tremaine came every day with word on progress and problems that the construction project was having. Apparently, the people were picking up building skills quickly, but they were short on supplies. Azkedellia was currently writing a request for more supplies to the Queen's office, and for an over night guard to the Tin Men, headed by Jeb's old friend Marco Hinden. He was just signing and sealing his written report when Azkedellia gasped sharply.
"What is it?" asked Jeb.
"It's my summons," said Azkedellia. "The hearing is tomorrow morning in the Hall of Justice. I am accused of murder, treason, wilful destruction, theft, performing illegal lobotomies, and misuse of magic."
"They couldn't give you more time to prepare?" asked Jeb, aghast.
"This is time to prepare," said Azkedellia. "Most Longcoats only knew they were going to trial as they entered the courtroom. Zero still hasn't been tried, you know."
"He hasn't?" said Jeb. "What's taking them so long?"
"I believe that he's still in the Iron Suit you locked him in," said Azkedellia, "and will be tried in absentia. But I might be wrong. They could be bringing him back to Central for a trial."
"So what are you going to do?" asked Jeb.
"I'm going to go into the Hall," said Azkedellia, "and tell them what happened, as I know it. And then I will let the courts decide what my fate will be."
"But you're already heading them off by going into exile," guessed Jeb.
"Something of that nature," said Azkedellia. "Let me do my work, Jeb. Tomorrow I shall not be able to get anything done, regardless of the time the trial begins and ends."
She resumed her paperwork with a slight grimace. Jeb watched her for a moment before getting back to the form he was working on. They worked silently, occasionally stealing glances at each other that they both missed. After about an hour, there was a knocking on the door. One of the guards stationed outside of the suite opened it at Azkedellia's call of, "Come in."
A little man clutching a sheaf of papers scurried in. He bowed to the seated princess. "I am Wulfric Dunlittle. I am to represent you at your hearing tomorrow, your Highness."
"I had wondered if I was to get legal representation," said Azkedellia, her formal mask firmly in place. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr Dunlittle."
"Yes, well, I am pleased to meet you as well," said Wulfric. Jeb kept a close eye on the man. There was something about him that he didn't like. "Now then, I shall need to hear your side of the story so I can best determine what course to take."
"I have already made my decision on that regard," said Azkedellia. "As soon as I have the reconstruction of Central City well underway, I will be taking myself and a few select volunteers into exile."
"Oh, I see," said Wulfric, disappointed. "Well then, your side, if you please."
Azkedellia told him the basic outline of the story: she and DG had been playing, DG had heard someone crying and was determined to help, Azkedellia tried to stop her, and the Witch had been released and possessed the elder princess. Wulfric jotted notes as she spoke, nodding along with the princess's melodic voice. When she was finished, he looked up at her.
"And then what happened?" asked Wulfric.
"I was trapped in my own mind with a sociopath," said Azkedellia, "and she used my body to do horrible things."
"I mean, what happened between your possession and the coup?" said Wulfric.
"That is something I mean to only relive once," said Azkedellia firmly. "I have no intention of reducing myself to a mess the day before my trial."
"I won't be able to defend you properly if I don't know everything," said Wulfric, frustrated.
"Forgive me for saying," said Jeb, "but I wonder if you intend to defend her properly at all."
Wulfric puffed up. "I know my job and my duty. I may not like it, but this is my calling and my assignment."
"I thank you for being so patient with me," said Azkedellia. "In spite of your personal opinions."
Wulfric, seeing that he would get no more of the story today, began to discuss strategy. Listening, Jeb recognized that Azkedellia had a good grasp of the law, possibly better than her lawyer did. On multiple occasions, she pointed out legal technicalities that the lawyer appeared to simply not know, and he jotted them down, likely to look them up. An hour passed, and then another, and finally, Wulfric stood and bowed to Azkedellia.
"I shall come and collect you in the morning, your Highness," said Wulfric. "If you'll excuse me, I will need to look up a few details and then finish pulling together my part of the defence. Good evening."
Jeb showed him out. As soon as he shut the door, Azkedellia began hyperventilating. She cupped her hands around her mouth and tried to slow her breathing, which seemed to make the hyperventilation worse. Jeb crossed the room and knelt before her. He took one of her hands and placed it on his chest and then supplied one of his own hands to cup her mouth. Slowly, Azkedellia matched her breathing to Jeb's. the flush in her cheeks calmed to her usual alabaster colouring.
"Tomorrow, if you need to panic, panic," said Jeb. "It is not weakness to show the judge and jury that you're deeply affected by what happened to you."
"I'll keep it in mind," said Azkedellia. "I think I'll go lie down for a bit before dinner."
"I'll be out here if you need me," said Jeb. Azkedellia nodded and went to her room, closing her door behind her. Jeb quickly penned an account of the interview with the lawyer and called for a page to deliver the sealed missive to the Queen. He then went to his room, picked up the fourth volume of Outer Zone history, and settled into a chair in the sitting room to read.
The next day, Wulfric arrived as Azkedellia was finishing her breakfast with Jeb and Ahamo. The lawyer bowed to the Prince Consort and princess, ignoring Jeb again. Azkedellia, already pale from lack of sleep and appetite, paled further. Ahamo squeezed her hand in reassurance.
"It will be alright, Azke," said Ahamo. "You're brave. You can do this."
Azkedellia nodded wordlessly, squeezing her father's hand back. She stood and smoothed her skirts. "I am ready, Mr Dunlittle. Let us head down to the courtroom."
"Actually, the reason I'm here so early is to tell you that they changed the location," said Wulfric. "The hearing is being held in the Hall of Justice, not one of the smaller courtrooms. The Grand Justice will be hearing your case."
"I see," said Azkedellia. "Then I am very glad that you came to inform me. We should still go, as I do not want to be late for my hearing. Which I fear is rapidly becoming a trial."
"It is that," said Wulfric. Azkedellia's eyes flicked to Jeb and he nodded slightly. Azkedellia swept out of her rooms with Wulfric and his papers a step behind her and Jeb a step behind him. Jeb felt Ahamo's gaze on his back as they left. He didn't have the time to wonder about Ahamo's feelings on his daughter's trial as he was kept busy listening to Wulfric and Azkedellia's short revision of facts.
A herald stood at the doors of the Hall of Justice. He announced Azkedellia and Wulfric, then hesitantly, announced Jeb. The full crowd stood as they entered, as though Azkedellia was a bride and not on trial. Jeb took a seat in the front row of the defence side and watched as Azkedellia seated herself at the desk in front of him. Wulfric sat next to her. Across the way, the prosecution sat, shuffling their notes. A few moments later, the Queen and Prince Consort were announced, and the room stood again until they settled themselves not on the ceremonial thrones but in the row next to Jeb. Lavender and Ahamo held each other's hands tightly.
"I call this court to order," barked the Chief Justice, Hadira Makepeace. "Prosecution, you have fifteen minutes to make your case. Begin."
"Thank you, your honour," said Finnal Weller. "It is known that ten annuals ago, Princess Azkedellia raised an army against her mother Queen Lavender Eyes, and overthrew the crown. It is also known that Princess Azkedellia installed herself as sole ruler of the OZ and committed atrocities on its people. We believe that these actions were voluntary and done willfully and with full knowledge of what was being done and to whom. We are asking lifetime imprisonment for crimes against the people and state of the OZ."
"Thank you Mr Weller," said Justice Makepeace. "Defence, state your position. You have fifteen minutes to make your case. Begin."
"Thank you your honour," said Wulfric. "It is known that fifteen annuals ago, Princess Azkedellia's behaviour changed completely. It is also known that the royal family broke up thirteen annuals ago with the disappearance of Princess DG and Prince Consort Ahamo. We believe that Princess Azkedellia was possessed by an ancient Witch and forced Princess Azkedellia to commit atrocities against her own family and the people of the OZ. We are pleading not guilty to the charges laid."
"Thank you Mr Dunlittle," said Justice Makepeace. "Prosecution, call your first witness."
"We call Zero to the witness stand," said Finnal. Clad in a prisoner's jumpsuit, Zero was escorted by two members of the Gale Guard to the stand. He sat and Finnal began asking questions.
"Zero, how long have you known Princess Azkedellia?"
"Nine years. I worked my way up through Longcoat ranks quickly."
"Did you ever see the princess harm anyone or cause others to do harm?"
"Frequently. I saw her kill my predecessor for failure. I saw her torture Seers for information. I saw her kill the Mystic Man."
"Thank you Zero. That will be all."
"Mr Dunlittle, you may cross examine," said Justice Makepeace.
"Zero, how did Princess Azkedellia act usually?"
"Arrogant. Proud. Confident. She was always in control. Sometimes she had conversationns with herself."
"As though there was a second person in her head?"
"There was no 'as though' about it. Everyone in the upper ranks knew that the Sorceress had two personalities. They would talk regularly."
"Did you ever witness this?"
"Yes. One personality seemed to bully the other."
"Thank you. No further questions."
"You may step down, Zero. Prosecution, call your next witness."
"We call Princess Azkedellia to the stand," said Finnal. With a deep breath, Azkedellia stood and walked regally to the stand. Jeb could see her hands shaking as she sat down. Finnal began his questioning.
"Princess Azkedellia, when would you say that you began to plan to take your mother's throne?"
"I did not and do not plan to take the throne of the OZ."
"Yet you organized a coup d'etat to do exactly that."
"I did not. I was possessed by a Witch, who used my body and position to further her goals."
"How does a princess come to be possessed by a Witch?"
"Princess DG and I were exploring the fields around Finaqua. She heard someone crying and went to help. I went to protect her. Somehow, we unlocked the Witch's prison. My sister left me to defend myself, and the Witch possessed me."
"And the Queen did not detect this?"
"I cannot speak for the Queen. I only know that she did not act to help me when DG told her that something had happened to me."
"No further questions."
"Defence, you may cross-examine her," said Justice Makepeace.
"Princess Azkedellia, what happened in the Northern Palace during your stay there after your possession?"
"The Witch was convinced that Princess DG was a threat to her. So one night, after Mother had put my sister to bed, she went to DG's room and - and used her magic to strangle DG. She killed DG."
"But Princess DG is alive. How can this be true?"
"The Queen made a choice, and brought DG back at the cost of her Light."
"I would like you to clarify your statement," said Justice Makepeace.
"Gladly," said Azkedellia. "My mother the Queen gave up her Light that my sister Princess DG might live, instead of confronting the Witch and rescuing me."
"What happened after this?" asked Wulfric.
"DG's funeral was staged, to make the Witch believe that she was dead. And then, as I was grieving and had no hope, the Witch freely used my body to gather power and arrange a coup d'etat. She imprisoned the Queen and pretended to be me to torment her."
"No further questions."
"Princess Azkedellia, you may step down," said Justice Makepeace.
Azkedellia returned to her seat, slightly less pale, but with shaking hands still. Wulfric sat next to her, looking grim. The prosecutors were whispering hurriedly between each other. Then Finnal stood and declared that the prosecution had no more witnesses. Justice Makepeace indicated that it was the Defense's turn to submit evidence.
Wulfric called the Queen to the stand. Queen Lavender Eyes stood from her place in the audience and walked up to the stand, lower lip trembling. Wulfric stood before her as she locked eyes with her daughter.
"Your Majesty, when did you realize that there was something off about Princess Azkedellia?"
"On the day of her possession. I simply thought that she had reached the difficult age of the teen years."
"And when did you realize that this was not the case?"
"On the night that DG died and I resurrected her. I saw Azkedellia leaving DG's room and that was when I recognized that she was not the daughter I had given birth to. Azkedellia was fiercely protective of DG from the moment she was born."
"So you're saying that there is no way that Princess Azkedellia could have committed murder?"
"That is precisely what I am saying. Azkedellia could no more harm someone than a new fawn could."
"Why did it take you so long to realize that Princess Azkedellia was possessed?"
"I simply did not wish to see it, I am afraid. I did not want to contemplate that I had failed my own child so spectacularly. And ended up failing her far worse than if I had simpsy addressed the issue in the first place."
"No further questions."
Finnal rose from his seat. "The prosecution also has no questions."
"You may step down, your Majesty," said Justice Makepeace. "Mr Dunlittle, your next witness?"
"I would like to submit the holorecording of the Eclipse for the viewing of the jury," said Wulfric.
The judge allowed it. Before the disbelieving eyes of the judge, jury and courtroom, the events on the balcony played out. Azkedellia's vicious attack on her parents, her entering the beam that would hold the eclipse in place, DG climbing over the balcony and entreating her sister to take her hand. And finally, the separation of Light Azkedellia from Dark Witch, and the Princesses' combined Light vanquishing the darkness. Jeb felt himself tearing up as he watched. How much pain had the Gales had to endure because of the Witch?
"Thank you, Mr Dunlittle," said Justice Makepeace. "Any further evidence?"
"No, your worship," said Wulfric.
"Jury, you are to deliberate on what you have seen and heard today," said Justice Makepeace. "When you have a unanimous decision, return and give us the verdict."
The jury went into the small retiring room located behind the courtroom. Azkedellia assumed a position that Jeb was familiar with: her public meditation position, hands pressed together in her lap and eyes closed. The Queen and Prince Consort clung to each other. Jeb turned his eyes to the clock and watched the brass dragons as they moved in circles to mark the passage of time. When the largest brass dragon had moved to the next marker and the smaller dragon had spun in a complete circle, the jury returned. The spokesperson for the jury stood and faced the judge.
"Members of the jury, what is your decision in the case of Princess Azkedellia?" asked Justice Makepeace.
"To the charges of murder, treason, wilful destruction, theft, performing illegal lobotomies, and misuse of magic," said the spokesperson, "we find Princess Azkedellia Gale to be not guilty."
A huge sob echoed through the courtroom. All eyes turned to Azkedellia, who had her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with her tears.
"Princess Azkedellia, do you have anything you wish to say?" asked Justice Makepeace.
"I am not guilty," said Azkedellia. "For so long, I have believed that had I been stronger, wiser, faster, I could have prevented this. But I was a child. I could not have stopped the Witch. It means everything to hear that I am not guilty."
"This is true," said Justice Makepeace. "And now, you may rebuild your life, knowing that you are not guilty."