ST MASS RP - Part 1 - Gia's Trial

Gia
Gia’s dreams were pushed from her mind as a large nose roused her from her sleep. The brisk air of the late summer chilled her skin causing her thin coat to stand on end. Something was not right. Her eyes shot open, darting around the room. Where was Eloise? Who had awoken her? Why was it still dark out? Her breath came in short bursts, drawing her gaze up to meet the nose who nudged her. It wasn’t Anro, that much she knew. She traced his form, knowing for certain that he was male and that he had a good reason to wake her. Before she had any more time to contemplate who exactly he was, his voice broke her thoughts.

“Good morning Gia. It’s time.” He said calmly, the timber of his voice indicating a stance of power. Time? Oh no… She swallowed hard, nodding shallowly before bringing herself to stand. He still towered over her, not by height mind you, but by stance. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, lightly sucking on it for comfort. She allowed her eyes to adjust, locking them on the soldier’s.

“Where is my daughter?” She asked quietly, trying to keep any hidden anger for taking her daughter away out of her voice. The stag made a tiny grunt as he grabbed a braided vine from his satchel. “Safe. Don’t worry miss. I appologize, but for protocol and the safety of the king, I must ask you to stand still as I wrap this around your neck.” He mused, not waiting for an answer. It was not a question, nor an option. He was kind about it, gently tying a knot yet leaving much room for her to breathe. He wasn’t like those who caught her near sky lake. He had mercy.

“Come now Gia, this will all be over soon. If it helps at all, I don’t believe you to be a murderer or a heretic.” He said, leading her out of her den. Gia whispered her thanks, but her blood still ran cold. Today would change her life as she knew it, for better or for worse.

“Please Luan, don’t leave me.” She spoke under her breath, looking to the moon longingly, wishing to see the goddess again.

Skuldafn
Light had barely made its way across the vale, yet there was already a growing chatter among those that gathered together. Only several things drew in crowds like today’s; coronations, funerals, and trials. Especially trials.

Justice was always a crowd pleaser in Silverthorne – and these trials served as lessons to those who observed. Mothers brought their fawns to teach them not to disobey, fathers brought their sons to teach them the way of the law, and all who watched learned not to make the same mistakes the accused had made. Well, most learned at least. Those that didn’t were bound to end up following the accused’s hoofprints sooner or later.

Today’s trial was one that was far overdue, and if it had been up to him alone, he would have gladly exiled or executed the doe as soon as she had been brought to him. However- that would have been unjust of him, and he knew it. He was filled with anger then, the wounds of what she had done to Clio and those fawns still fresh in his mind. To make a judgment then and there would have been foolish – and rash thinking was ill behavior for a King. No, to make judgement, he needed to see the facts – he needed to see the truth, and he needed to calm down. He may never truly forgive her himself – but it didn’t mean that justice should suffer from his opinion alone.

Judgement was not his to make by himself, either. No, gathered nearby him were his trustworthy and capable Generals, who were assisting in overseeing the trial. Together, the verdict would be decided, but the extent to what the accused would be punished with was Skul’s decision alone – as it had been in Silverthorne’s law for generations.

The crowd around the Winterflame soon grew louder, signaling that something was coming. Skul looked up and towards the source, keeping his eye as it drew closer. The defendant had finally arrived, and the escort of soldiers was busy keeping others at a safe distance, parting the crowd so that they could pass through. The murmurs were a mixed bag; some were docile, others heated and disgusted. They grew in volume with each step they took, to the point that Skul could hardly hear his own thoughts.

“Enough”, he called out over the crowd, dulling it down to silence within a few moments. Glancing over the herd members gathered, he cleared his throat and begun.

“Silverthorne!” he called out, “Today you see standing before you a criminal, accused of abandoning her duties, attempting to murder another herd member, and willingly conceiving and birthing a fawn of mixed blood. In the eyes of Grian, we ask for justice, and seek the truth so that we may continue forward down her path of radiance.”

He then turned his attention to the defendant, his gaze and expression firm and collected, “Gia –you have heard the accusations laid against you. How do you plea?”

Gia
The eyes of the herd burned deep into her skin, leaving scars, opening old wounds. His voice boomed around her, one that should have been comforting, quite unnerving. ‘Luan, please give me strength…’ she mentally pleaded before a small gust of wind blew through her mane. She was with her. ‘Do the right thing my child. This is not your test, but know that I believe in you to tell the truth.’ her voice rang through Gia’s mind, her head nodding as she cleared her throat.

“Sire, I plead guilty.” She said clearly, her tone not wavering as she locked eyes with her king. Honesty radiated from them like the heat from the Winterflame. The crowd was in uproar. Does and stags alike spitting profanities, some begging for her soul to be saved, most giving off fear. She turned her head to the herd, gazing upon them all with the elegance of a queen. She raised her voice over the burning explosion of emotion from the group, yet still retaining composure. “but that was the past. I was misinformed, corrupt and ill.” She paused for a moment, shocked that she was allowed to speak. The generals quieted the noise down, thus allowing Gia to her plea in a gentler tone. “I have been receiving treatment under the guidance of my parole officer and I am now healthy. That of which I have done is behind me but that does not excuse my actions. No amount of sorrow will ever. I accept whatever my judgement may be.” Gia stopped, turning back to the king. “Sire, all I ask if I may, is that if I am to die, please do not let my child know. She doesn’t deserve to suffer for my previous actions.” She bowed her head, backing up once more as the screams of the herd filled her ears once more. Out of her lips she began to pray.

Skuldafn
It wasn’t the plea he entirely expected, but the look in her eyes spoke it to be the truth – almost like another fawnling was behind them, shielding the demon that had taken control over her those many years ago. He wasn’t entirely sure what to believe – but his expression never faltered to show it; it remained as solid as stone.

The herd, for the most part, did not seem to buy it – or at least like it at all. Language not fit for the ears of fawns rang out over the crowd, and grew louder and louder till soldiers stepped in to quiet it down. He noticed some being quietly corrected, and others being escorted away. It did not stop though – the onlookers were in unrest.

“Order, order!”, Skul called out, getting a response within moments. When it was quiet enough for him to speak, he did so.

“You have accepted your guilt, and so it is my duty as King to pass the final judgement.”, he began, pausing briefly before continuing, “As it stands right now, permanent exile is the most lenient punishment possible – death being the most extreme. Either one of those would be fitting for the crimes you have committed…”

A quiet murmur grew from the crowd, but this time the soldiers on duty quieted it themselves. After briefly waiting for them, Skul spoke once again.

“However, there is one thing that separates us from the brutish demons to the north and filthy cave rats to the east –mercy. You ask for it today, and know that it is not given freely. Not every criminal is truly deserving of this gift, and not every criminal receives it. You must truly be deserving of it for me to bestow this– but know if that my mercy is betrayed, and another grave crime is committed at your hooves – it will not be given twice.”

The herd mumbled and chattered amongst each other, some calling out hateful remarks on the idea of the gift, others supporting it. There did not seem to be a general consensus, as far as Skul could tell from voices alone.

“Silence!”, Skul demanded, stamping his hoof into the ground to make his point. Sparks flew away from where he hit the dirt, but faded off into the early morning light. These outbursts were expected, but the frequency of them was impeding justice, and therefore a major nuisance. When all was calm enough, he continued on.

“If there are any in the crowd who know the defendant, and would vouch for her character-”, he called out, looking about the group, “please step forward and give your testimony. Likewise, if there any who know her and would speak ill of her character, come forth and explain to the herd why she should not receive the gift of mercy. Both sides will be heard just as equally as the other, and if there are no words given, then it will be my judgement to give in the end.”

Gia
Gia’s breath paused in her chest, her eyes held a glass-like quality as she listened to his words. Her pupils dilated as she waited, looking out onto a hateful crowd for a source of light, of comfort. Someone to save her from the hell that she damned herself to.

The king’s mercy astounded her yet her fate still lay with the hearts of the people; a people whom she had hurt greatly. Now it was just a waiting game. Her ribs felt heavy with the weight of anxiety pulling her down. She found it hard to take in air but she must stay in a state of perpetual placidity, or her statement would be all for naught. It would be as if she had been non-abstemiousnesly purging her cravings. She didn’t allow her mind to wander as the first fawnling came up to speak. Here we go.

---