Chapter 39

The New York shadowhunters picked their way through narrow, partially blocked lanes. The rubble of ruined shops and houses spilling out over the street, a clear indication of the fierce fighting that had occurred. Eerie, smokeless fires, from blasts of warlock magic, and perhaps something more demonic, still burned in some of the buildings and cast strange shadows across the Edinburgh underground.

Alec shivered slightly as he surveyed the damage to the once vibrant, bustling centre of the Edinburgh downworld. The Hellfire club had come here with every intention of forcing Aidan Briosag to give them Alec's son, and if the High Warlock refused to do so willingly, they would tear the world down around him. But the price of such defiance was high, and Alec saw the evidence of it all around him.

A sudden blast of scarlet magic startled Alec out of his gloomy thoughts, they must have attracted the attention of a small group of scouts guarding Druganin's flank. Jace and Izzy raced headlong into the fight as usual, and Alec, bow at the ready, shot arrow after deadly arrow protecting their backs. Even with the assistance of a warlock, the Hellfire scouts buckled under the fierce onslaught of the New Yorkers. Lilly and Maia making sure that none escaped to warn Druganin of their arrival.

Skirmish dealt with, Jace proceeded to scramble up some nearby rubble and swing himself onto the half roof of a two-storey house, the back of which melted into the great underground tunnel. From that vantage he was able to see the battle that raged around Aidan's headquarters. Sliding quickly back down to street level, Jace reported; "The Hellfire club has summoned Belial, Aidan's in a really tight spot. I wish Magnus were here, it might even the odds a little!"

"We're going to have to be enough to even the odds!" Alec replied. "Let's move out." Without another word, they all fell into line and moved swiftly to close the distance between themselves and the desperate defenders.

~~~~!~~~~

Magnus Bane, flanked by two guards made his way through the courtroom to the defense table where Asher was already seated. A quick glance to the side told him that Robert and Maryse Lightwood were in their customary seats, but unaccompanied by either Jace or Izzy. It caused a slight flutter of unease in Magnus stomach, was there some problem in New York, some danger to the Institute? He glanced toward his Advocate, but, as usual, the Faerie's face was unreadable.

Before Magnus could open his mouth to ask about any news from New York, a side door at the front of the courtroom opened and the five Justices entered. Chief Justice Gray called the room to order before seating himself and addressing the accused.

"Magnus Bane, please rise." Gray said, pausing for a moment to allow the defendant to obey his command, and giving a brief acknowledgement to Asher who also stood in support of his client; "You have been charged with the following crimes; stealing an illegal spell from the Silent Brothers of Mont Saint-Michel, using that illicit magic to impregnate a warlock, and then concealing the product of that magic, a warlock/shadowhunter child."

It seemed that the atmosphere of the courtroom crackled with tension as those present waited anxiously to hear the Chief Justice's next words. Some were sure the prosecutor had made his case, and were only waiting to see what punishment the Court would mete out to this renegade warlock, who seemed to believe the rules did not apply to him. Others prayed that the Court would take a different view, would see that perhaps the law itself was unjust and should be stricken down, not the defendant.

Magnus stood, tall and silent waiting to hear what the fate of his small family would be. Execution for himself? Stripping of his angelic runes for Alec? A life of fear and secrecy for Aiden? At times, as Magnus sat in his cell, he had felt as though this day would never come, but it was here now, and in the next few moments, he would perhaps wish it was not.

Chief Justice Gray's voice rang out; "In regards to the charge of stealing an illegal spell from the Silent Brothers of Mont Saint-Michel, it is our judgement that the defendant is not guilty;" A gasp from the courtroom caused Gray to spend the next few minutes brining the spectators back to order, before he could continue. " In so far as no physical evidence was presented to this Court proving that Magnus Bane either entered the library, or accessed the spell book. Subsequent events prove that the warlock had knowledge of the spell, but the source of that knowledge is undetermined, and cannot be tied to this charge of theft. We are unanimous."

'We are unanimous', that phrase was music to Asher's ears. He placed a hand on Magnus' shoulder, it was the least of the charges against his client, but that at least had been vacated by the Court. A glance at Advocate Crestwell's face said he did not find the Judges' ruling anywhere near as satisfactory. 'We are unanimous', was the phrase that meant all the Judges agreed, and there could be no appeal.

"As to the charge of using illicit magic to impregnate a warlock, this Court finds the defendant, Magnus Bane guilty..."

The courtroom again erupted in chaos, everyone, it seemed, had an opinion, a side they were rooting for. The Chief Justice's gavel hammered the bench until order was re-established. "I will clear this Courtroom should any repeat of this unseemly behaviour occur;" Gray growled. His pronouncement was greeted by the profound silence that only happens when people are desperate know what is about to transpire, and fear any noise might prevent them from finding out.

Taking a deep breath, Jason Gray continued; "That the defendant is guilty of impregnating another warlock, is mitigated by the fact that he was given 'carte blanche' for a blood oath, prior to the existence of any Accords between the downworld and the shadowhunters. He was, therefore, not bound by either Clave or Coven law and cannot be subjected to the punishment of either. We are unanimous."

The spectators were again tempted to erupt into a spontaneous reaction, but a stern look from Chief Justice Gray was enough to quell their enthusiasm.

"And finally, and perhaps most importantly, the charge of hiding the infant that resulted from the use of the aforementioned illicit spell. It is the opinion of this Court that any law which decrees an innocent child forfeit should be stricken from the books. The Angel Raziel has stated unequivocally that mundanes, shadowhunters and downworlders are souled, and as such they should have equal protection under the laws that govern this Court. It is our recommendation that the charges brought against Magnus Bane, and by extension his son and husband be vacated, and removed from the books. We are unanimous."

At this point, even the stern visage of Chief Justice Jason Gray could not prevent the eruption of the spectators in the courtroom. While some were unhappy with the verdict, the majority seemed to be expressing their overall approval of the proceedings.

Asher turned to his client, who still seemed to be trying to take in the fact that he and his family were free, and gave him a brief hug. "Perhaps there is progress after all, no witches will be burned today."

"Congratulations Magnus!"

"I knew you would be found not guilty!"

"Glad to see the Court got it right, about time!"

Shouts of support came from every side, but all Magnus could do was slip into his seat and try to deal with the rush of emotion; he was free, Alec and Aiden were safe, and then he saw the looks on Robert and Maryse's faces and his blood froze...