Jala pressed her gelding into the vacated space and nodded her thanks to Finn. She could see Chastity now between two Justicars. The woman’s pale blue dress was ripped and stained, but her expression was defiant. It took her longer to locate Valor, but found him eventually toward the back. He was being held up by two Justicars and from the looks of him she doubted he could stand on his own. His head hung limply and blood soaked his outer tunic.
“I hope some of that is the blood of those he killed. If not, he could already be dead,” Neph muttered beside her. She nodded her agreement and searched the dais for any others she recognized. Cassia stood looking resplendent in a red and white dress near High Commander Kellis and just behind her was Devron Rivana dressed in his customary garish style. Both were maintaining a bored expression but she could see the gleam in their eyes. They were enjoying this immensely. There was no sign of ally houses however and she felt her heart sink. She had hoped to spot someone that might help them in this endeavor.
Valor are you awake? she asked cautiously through a mental link. The knot in her stomach relaxed a bit at the fact that she was able to establish the link at all. If the knight had been dead the magic would have failed.
Jala, go back home. It isn’t safe for you here. Valor’s response was weak but he did respond. That was also a very good sign.
Don’t move. I’m going to try something before we start this. Show no reaction if you can manage it, she said hesitantly. She wasn’t sure if it would work or not but it was worth a try. Holding the link between them she pulled on the healing magic and sent it toward Valor. Warmth spread down her limbs as the magic pulled from her reserves and she felt light headed for a passing moment. She smiled at the drain however. That meant it was working.
What are you doing? Valor asked in amazement and his voice held a bit more strength.
Getting you ready to kill more Justicars. Stay as you were for now though. Let them continue to believe you are too weak to stand. If they won’t allow me to resolve this peacefully, we are going to get you out of there in whatever fashion we must, she explained. She wasn’t sure what the Justicars were waiting for but she was grateful for the delay. Cutting the link between herself and Valor she pushed her horse forward again, closer to the dais.
“Careful, don’t get yourself blocked in,” Finn muttered as she moved past him.
“That horse of yours will keep an escape route clear I’m sure,” she said with a faint smile. Stopping just below the dais she looked up to Lady Chastity and made certain the woman wasn’t injured. She gave her a reassuring smile and then turned her gaze to Kellis. All trace of good will draining from her features. “What is the meaning of this. By what charges do you hold these two?” she demanded in a voice that carried well over the crowds.
“Looks like they are going to hang three today. This one is serving herself up,” One of the guardsmen to her left joked to a man near him, but she ignored the remark.
“Do not think to interfere with the justice of the city, girl,” Kellis called back to her, his tone filled with contempt. He stood a bit straighter as he spoke, pushing his shoulders back as if to draw attention to his fine armor and seal of office that hung around his neck.
“If you claim this is justice, than name the charges,” she returned, showing no reaction at all to his display.
“Lady Chastity Blackwolf stands accused of smuggling and attempting to breach the Barrier of Sanctuary. She has threatened the very safety of the city with her actions. Lord Valor Hai’dia stands accused of murder and the assault of honored Justicars,” Kellis replied, his voice drowning out the murmurs of the crowd around her.
“My husband must have those supplies you ass. He is in the middle of a war! Valor is not guilty of murder either. He defended his people when your apes in armor attacked us!” Chastity screamed back, her barely contained fury showing clearly. One of the guards elbowed her roughly and she turned to glare at him with a look of pure hatred.
“Is this true? Is it considered murder now to defend?” Jala asked, drawing more murmurs from the crowd. The Justicars were not well loved by the commons and she was counting on their outrage as help. “Does this mean that we must comply with your every whim or have our necks stretched by what you term as justice?” she asked in a louder voice, speaking more to the crowd than Kellis.
“Had he not resisted the Justicars in their attempt to protect the city, he would not be in the position he is now!” Kellis yelled back, his eyes flicking to the milling crowds. He had to be getting nervous now, Jala knew. With all of the riots that had been in the city in the past month, allowing this many people in one area was growing very dangerous.
“Valor is in my service and if you wish to see him punished for what you view as a crime, then I demand a trial for him. I will not allow you to punish him without proof and witnesses to his crimes,” Jala replied and was encouraged by the yells of support behind her.
“You will not allow? I rule this city while the Barrier is up. I need no permission from you, girl,” Kellis roared back and Jala smiled in response. His gaze flicked to the crowd and he seemed to realize his misstep immediately. Sanctuary was not a city that was accustomed to being ruled by one man. All of these people had their own loyalties, and they were not to Kellis. To hear him proclaim himself higher than their chosen Lords and Ladies was a match to the tinder box. Angry yells began to echo behind her and her smile widened.
“I highly suggest you release your prisoners before this gets ugly,” Jala warned in a voice pitched just loud enough for Kellis to hear.
“After the riots at the Spring Games, one would think he would figure out that he shouldn’t hold public executions,” Neph muttered just behind her.