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So, when the verdict came down, Lorian’s shock was the truest thing to happen in the court.
“The council finds you guilty of all charges. We have agreed to death by hanging the day after tomorrow,” Master Zoh confirmed. He banged his gavel, and the Society was in an uproar.
But Loria… he just looked stunned. As if he never thought it would happen. As if he hadn’t done anything wrong.
Anya doubled over, sobbing big, heavy tears as the majority of the Society filtered out of the room. Alura sat ramrod straight. Her eyes glassy. Her arm around her mother.
Lorian reached for his wife and was jerked away by a contingent of guards. Zoh waved his hand, and they released Lorian long enough to allow him to wrap his arms around her one last time. He kissed her frantically, reaching for Alura. The words of comfort were lost in the drone, but Alura finally cracked, tears streaking her face.
“We should go,” Audria whispered.
“I have my meeting after,” Kerrigan said.
“Oh, right. Do you want us to stay?”
Kerrigan bit her lip and shook her head. “Still no Fordham?”
“No. He has a meeting too, right?”
“Yes,” Kerrigan said.
Audria frowned. “I’m sure he’ll turn up.”
Kerrigan nodded and watched everyone trickle out. Eventually, even Lorian was pulled from the room. Alura and Anya passed Kerrigan on their way out. Alura leaned heavily on her cane as she tried to keep her mother upright. Anya looked devastated, but Alura was furious.
She snatched up Kerrigan’s arm. “Speak to them for him.”
“What?” Kerrigan gasped. “What would I say?”
“I don’t know, but for some stupid reason, they listen to you. They listen to you, and that is why he was sentenced. Speak for him.”
“He had me kicked out of the Society, Alura.”
“And now, you’re back in, and he’s dead. That is not a fair trade,” she snarled.
Anya tugged her daughter back. She wiped her face, and then she pulled Kerrigan in for a hug. “Alura, leave her alone. She is not responsible for this.”
“She sure as hell is part of it,” Alura snapped and then hobbled off.
Kerrigan winced as she watched the once great woman have to use a cane.
Anya sighed as she watched her daughter. “She is grieving. For her body and her father. Forgive her.” Kerrigan nodded, and Anya patted her arm. “And tell your father that I said hello, will you?”
“Um… sure.”
“Alura mentioned that I might be welcome back in Lillington.”
“If you’d like.”
“I think I might need a rest after this,” Anya whispered. “I can’t imagine going back to Venatrix without him.” She choked on the words. “Perhaps I will reach out.”
“I am so sorry.”
Anya smiled sadly and then without a word followed after her daughter. The door closed behind her, leaving Kerrigan alone with the council and still… no Fordham. Where the hell was he?
“Kerrigan Argon,” Presiding Officer Zoh called out.
She stepped up to the podium. “Yes, Presiding Officer.”
“Where is Fordham? We also called him to this meeting.”
“I don’t know, sir. The message was delivered to him.”
Lockney tutted. “We won’t wait for him.”
Bastian sighed and steepled his fingers. “We can give him a few minutes. The boy has surely had a trial after seeing his people die.”
“Killing them himself,” Helly added softly.
Boze sneered, “He’s the crowned prince of the enemy.”
“We have a peace treaty with them,” Alsia reminded him. “They are not the enemy.”
“Bah!” he called. “We just went to war with them, and we’ve been to war with them before.”
“Fordham is a Society member,” Helly cut in. “Watch your tongue.”
“Helly is correct. Fordham fought bravely,” Bastian said. “He should not suffer the same consequences as the rest of his people.”
“Then, where is he?” Boze demanded.
Zoh cleared his throat. “That’s enough. We’re not here to argue. Fordham is a Society member regardless of his affiliation, regardless of being the crowned prince. He fought for us. He is one of us.”
Kerrigan fought back tears at the words. She wished that Fordham had heard them. He’d been so worried all this time that everyone would turn on him, but they saw him for the man that he was and not just the throne.
“Alas, if Master Ollivier is not present, we will begin with you,” Zoh said confidently. “Your case is more pressing, is it not?”
“Sir?” she asked.
“Before this court, we removed you from your training in the Society. This happened based on the word of Lorian Van Horn. He testified that you had magic sickness and were unstable. Thus, unable to fulfill your duties to the Society. Additionally, that you had ties to insurrectionists within Kinkadia. Yet you answered the call to battle, and you fought bravely alongside us at the Battle of Lethbridge.” He motioned to Helly.
“Furthermore, all signs of magic sickness have been eliminated from her body. Whatever the cause, it was clearly a temporary case due to the stresses of training along with… harassment from one of our own.” She met Kerrigan’s gaze with a nod. “Harassment that we now know was due to his undue sympathies against the Rights For All organization and humans and half-Fae more broadly.”
