Book 1 Chapter 24: The Trial

The day arrived and Ylva sat back in her chair, listening to the priests, seemingly amused. Vero squirmed each time he heard about the ‘heretic’ who had been publishing the manuscripts, of which the church had quoted with much disdain. He silently wished for this to be over, and he knew that Ylva did too, though she didn’t seem to show it. Many people had come to listen to the case, despite the fact that it hadn’t been publicly announced. Vero knew that she had purposely spread the rumors and even dignitaries from the other allied nations and even a few opposing nations had come and took their upper seats.

He had heard Ylva whisper that she was glad that the people had come, even if it was because the church had made a big deal out of it. He noticed several of the people who had been always waiting for the next issue of his manuscripts, so the crowd had some friendly, if not supporting people among the throngs.

“And it is this same heretic who would desire the throne by usurping and dividing the people. Amongst this chaos, he and his followers would take control of the confusion and seek to slay you your majesty,” the priest said. Vero was surprised by just how long the priest had been speaking. An hour must have passed before he finally stepped off his ‘pedestal’ and allowed another to come forward. Vero noted that Ylva narrowed her eyes and looked pointedly at the Yowlumne, which drew attention to this one.

“Your Majesty, you promised to search for this heretic who would oppose you. Where is he, that justice might be served, or have you broken your oath, by hiding him, or has he perhaps eluded your endeavor to find him,” the Yowlumne said slowly so that the crowd was moved. Several of the Yowlumne cried out in distress at the news of her promise, some even shouting that this ‘heretic’ did not want the throne, and so on. Vero also wondered how she would react to this or rather how she planned to deal with it.

Ylva stood and the crowd slowly became silent when they realized she had said not one word. She descended the stairs, keeping her eyes on the Yowlumne who Vero finally realized was the Revenant of the church.

Ylva shifted her weight when she stopped in front of the Revenant and Vero slowly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Out of all the Priests, the one who has the most devious and would be their greatest challenge would be the Revenant.

“Hear me now my people,” Ylva said, grabbing their attention. “I have done as I promised and found out who opposes my rule and desires the throne and would seek to use this power for their own means,” she said and there was some outcries at this.

“Then bring him forward,” the Revenant said with a hint of glee in his words.

“For your ears only, Revenant. You who seek to pervert the truth to gain power and a kingdom, have tread too far and must be bound by the laws of this land.” Ylva said in the ancient language, causing a stir of confusion among the crowd, who could not understand it. The priests became apprehensive, as they recognized some of the words and the tone, but could not fully grasp what she had said. Only the Revenant showed any sign that he understood. Vero sighed. A clever ploy in power

“By law I am to read the evidence first before verdicts are declared,” Ylva said, not missing a beat and bringing back in, those who were in attendance, though there was no small rumor stirring about what she had said in that strange language.

Vero grabbed a bound scroll and came forward to where she stood. He presented it to her and then stepped back as she unbound it and opened it. She looked at him once and he silently prayed that Veles would be with them in this.

“It is by mine intent that I write this. The ruling Ulrikans are a scourge on the land and must be taken care of, else our family along with many others will perish,” she read and the people became deathly silent. Vero noticed a small difference in the Revenant who listened, and knew that he was becoming wary. “They have held the house since the time of he black wolf, he being their ancestor. But they have abused the power granted to them and it should be given unto another. Therefore I support Revier in his plans,” she continued.

“Who is this Revier,” the Revenant asked, trying to get her to stop. Ylva flicked her gaze to him before continuing.

“His is a slow plan, though it pains me to say this, but it is without flaw and will ultimately succeed. As all people desire to worship, he knows that time, if language changes, which it does, will make it impossible for the Yowlumne to discern truth and lie. Therefore he has organized a church which will worship our god and as time goes, the language of which the black wolf wrote in, will be forgotten,” she said and by this point there was many shouts from the priests and among some people too. Vero noted though, that the people who had readily accepted the truth from the manuscripts were remaining silent.

“My child, I believe we grow tired of this. Get to the point,” the Revenant said.

“Very well Revenant, descended from Revier who would desire the throne and the power that you seem to think is in it,” Ylva said. Vero bit his lip as he raced to the door before allowing a servant to come in and hand some documents to him. He did so as discretely as he could and returned to Ylva with the documents. She grabbed them without looking.

“During my investigation into this issue, I was not told where I should look, so I gathered information from many sources. In my hands I hold letters and documentations found within the walls of your church, delicately explaining how the plan is to unfold to have the church overrule the royalty and gain power in both belief and law. She let the documents fall as the silence in the room was so thick that one could feel it.”

“Those could have been planted,” the Revenant pointed.

“I made sure to look into that. These signatures belong to many Revenants who have governed the affairs of the church, all the way back to Revier who belonged in the time of the ancient langue, a language if I am not mistaken is a taboo among the Yowlumne to speak no less learn of. And according to your sources you are the only one who is able to read it, is this not correct?” Ylva said.

“It is true that I am the one who has been able to read this ancient language of which you speak of. It is a rite that only the Revenant is to learn of so that he may read the scriptures of the black wolf god,” the Revenant said carefully. “And why the manuscripts are wrong since no else can read it.

“That is where you are wrong,” Ylva said, stopping him from continuing down that path.

“Well then, enlighten us, your majesty.”

“I was taught to read in the ancient tongue by my master before marrying the Ulrikan.” “Impossible,” the Revenant interjected.

“Not impossible, for my master is a descendant of Amarok, the very one who your Revier sought to worship despite his express wishes for you all to worship his god, the god called Veles. My Master’s school has many such books in the ancient tongue. Therefore it is more than possible for others to know how to read and write in this tongue,” Ylva said sternly and the Revenant huffed.

“You have no way to prove it,” the Revenant replied.

“I have here the proof,” Ylva said, holding a necklace with an intricate pendant. It’s black stone and chain was rumored even among the church to only be made by the black wolf or his god, which ever you believed in. The golden crest inside was apparent to those close by and whispers rippled through the courts.

“But that’s,” the Revenant began before Ylva cut him off. “A necklace that Amarok had made for his descendant which according to the church was lost many years ago, when according to the history books it was given to the last son who chose to leave the government and took with him the necklace to prove his lineage should him or his descendants come back. My master gave this to me at my request to prove what he had told me,” Ylva said.

Vero tried to keep his excitement in check as he watched every counter argument easily and quickly put down with hard fast evidence. The Revenant was loosing and no doubt he knew it.

“In conclusion, I have called a council of Yowlumne and human alike who will join me in discussing your ‘church’s’ sentence. They are comprised with half of your devout followers and half of the believers of this so called ‘heretic’ so to remain fair in the judgement,” Ylva said. She flicked her tail and from the crowd, ten Yowlumne came forth, followed by ten human dignitaries. “In addition, I have asked five representing humans and yowlume to join in this council to help in maintaining an aloofness and impartial stance towards this for I know feelings will be heated,” Ylva said and Vero watched them come forward. “Now I ask those who have assembled if this is fair to you, and wise. If you deem it so, then we shall go to discuss this and you may await us to pass judgement.”

“I object,” the Revenant said disdainfully.

“To which part?” Ylva asked cooly.

“If you are to be a part of this judgment and have been so against our church in this, you will order them to ‘pass judgement’ as you see fit,” he claimed and Ylva’s ears flicked in annoyance.

“I am to go in as an officiator of discussion and to keep the peace. All discussion will be recorded and you may view it after this.

“I demand that I am present to make sure of this,” he said and Ylva sighed.

“You may come if that is your wish, since it involves you so heavily, but one word out of you, and you will be asked to leave. Should I see any hint of bribery, you will also leave,” Ylva said clearly pointing out that she would not tolerate much.

“Done,” the Revenant said. The crowd also cheered their agreement with this and Ylva, along with the Revenant and the rest of the council left. Vero signaled to a servant to attend to them, since he did not want to be around. He wanted no body language to point to him as being the named ‘heretic’ in this delicate moment.