CHAPTER 63: THE WITNESS

Sara kept thinking about Celestine. I should have held onto that woman longer. How did she get away with all those ropes around her?

She'd disguised herself to sneak into the city square, which had been turned into a makeshift court. All day, city criers had been shouting about the treachery of the Silver Fox and Lord Hammond trying to stage a coup against the king and his loyal advisor, Lord Varek.

How did things come to this point? As an orphan who'd worked three jobs just to survive, she was now an accomplice in either a coup or a war against a dark mage. It would be determined after this trial.

She found a tavern with a balcony overlooking the city square and paid the innkeeper her last coins to watch from there. At least she'd have a good view of whatever was about to happen.

Sara watched as the court assembled. First, guards circled the city square. Then Commander Cain was brought in with the few men who'd been caught with him. After that came some academy teachers. Sara recognized a few of them. Lastly, Master Thymon was brought forward.

The old man was beaten and in chains. Some people from the crowd yelled "Traitor!" and tried to throw things, but older folks stopped them.

"He did so much for us, you fools," one elderly woman shouted back.

"Let's hear what happened first," called another.

Then the royal guards arrived behind the King and his advisors. Lord Varek walked with them, and behind Varek was Alice Brightshield.

The King started another speech about loyalty and how loyal Lord Varek was. He talked about how in these times they should unite, but apparently the Academy and Lord Hammond wanted power for themselves.

"I will be the judge in this trial," the King announced. "Now, let's start. Lord Varek, what do you say about their accusations?"

Lord Varek stepped forward with a bow. "I'll answer happily, Your Grace. As you know, I work day and night to fund our city's growing needs. I've tried to implement fair taxes by working with guild heads. And I'm using these funds to pay wages and build homes for our citizens working in the mines."

He went on to explain how he used those minerals for the war effort and sold excess materials to distant kingdoms for the growing need for food.

"But this Silver Fox couldn't accept his role changing after the late king's departure. He tried to kill me and my merchant friend who was providing wheat we desperately need."

The King thanked him for his efforts and turned to Master Thymon.

The old master tried to explain how Lord Varek was lying. That he wasn't meeting with a merchant but with a general of Malachar. He tried to explain how Varek was sending almost all the mined goods to them, but he was cut off by Varek and his men shouting denials.

"There's no need to listen to them!" Lord Varek declared. "They're clearly delusional, talking nonsense. You should sentence them to death and revoke Lord Hammond's rights as province owner."

Another advisor stepped forward. "My King, without certain proof, we can't just revoke a title. Commander Cain could have been under a spell. He doesn't represent Lord Hammond's intentions."

The King nodded. "You're right. There's no need to start an internal struggle over his commander. I hereby sentence everyone who participated in this failed coup to death by hanging. Lord Hammond is fined one thousand gold for his men damaging city officials."

Sara saw that Varek wasn't pleased with himself. He muttered something toward Alice, but Sara couldn't hear from that distance.

But then she heard a familiar voice.

"I'm gonna do it. Should I do it?"

Sara looked around and spotted Marcus with his right hand heavily bandaged, talking to Tom. "I'm gonna do it," he said again.

Marcus raised his bandaged hand and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"STOP THIS TRIAL!"