Adora tested her bonds once more, but it was the same. The rope was biting into her wrists. The guards certainly know how to tie a knot. She rolled her shoulders, trying to ease the throbbing. How long are they going to keep me kneeling here? Even her legs were starting to tingle.
“Well, Adora? Are you going to answer us?”
Adora looked up into the woman’s face and sighed, “No.”
The woman shook her head and turned to the other Council members. As they softly talked amongst themselves, Adora studied the woman. It’s hard to believe we’re related. The woman had the slightly pointed ears and thin build of the half-elves. Finally they turned back to face Adora, each one leaning forward to look down from their raised dais. The woman spoke again, her soft voice full of authority. “Adora, you have some very serious charges against you today. Do you understand?”
Adora rolled her eyes then stared at the marble floor. I’m not a fucking three year old. One of the guards prodded her with his staff and Adora grunted as low electricity ran through her. Yes, let’s play this idiotic game. “Yes, Alia, I…” Adora began but finished off screaming in pain as the guard hit her with a stronger bolt of lightening from his staff.
Alia’s jaw flexed, and she took a deep breath before speaking with exaggerated patience. “Every time you come before us, Adora, we must remind you to show the proper respect. You will call me Councilwoman Alia.” She paused to let Adora consider the consequences. “Now, since you said you understand why you are here yet again, would you please repeat the charges against you.”
Adora stared at a spot on the floor while her heartbeat slowed. Without looking up, she said, “I am accused of using an unregistered diamond, breaking into Lord Banos’ home by magical means, killing at least one guard with magic and stealing a jeweled necklace.”
“Which she hasn’t returned yet!” Lord Banos said, his arms crossed.
Adora chuckled and was granted another dose of the electric staff. I will kill that damned guard the next time I see him alone.
Alia’s lips tightened as she stood and leaned on her fingertips. “Adora, I don’t believe you understand the seriousness of this crime. The reason you used magic to commit this crime is the reason you are before us and not at a common court.”
Adora raised her eyes to her half-sister and waited. Let’s get this over with.
“Therefore, I will ask you again,” Alia continued, “Did you act under someone’s orders or did you decide to do this crime alone?”
Adora looked at the lit candles in front of her and knew she had two more behind her, creating a Truth Spell around her. Adora remained silent.
“Let’s try a different tactic, Adora. Where did you get the unregistered diamond?”
Adora raised her eyes again and calmly returned her half-sister’s gaze, her mouth closed.
“You understand, Adora, if you do not answer our questions, we have no choice but to scan your mind.”
Adora nodded, “I understand, Councilwoman Alia.” Kind of a puffed-up title for someone who is only 10 years older than me.
“Normally, one of us would scan you, but since you are a slave, we will call in your current owner and ask him who will do it. Who is it this time?”
Adora said in a deadpan voice, “Lord Nicholas, Councilwoman Alia.”
She smiled, “Ah, good. He can scan you himself.” She frowned at Adora, “And at least he will tell us the truth.”
Adora snorted, but said nothing.
Alia sighed and waved her head, “Guards, take her back to her cell.”
***
Adora paced in the small cell and rubbed her wrists. At least they untied me. She chuckled, remembering their fear. Five guards pointing their staffs at her while a sixth undid the ropes. I suppose I should feel flattered.
“What now, Adora?”
Adora turned to the speaker and smiled, “Now, Charlie, I wait until Lord Nicholas arrives.”
“You almost look glad to see him.” His eyes danced with amusement as he watched her.
She frowned, “No, but he will get me out of here. I am too valuable to stay tucked away like this.” Charlie only nodded and silence again fell around them. Charlie was leaning up against the wall, waiting for his time in front of The Council. “What’re you in for, Charlie?”
Charlie shrugged, “They think I know something about the rash of unregistered gems in town.”
Adora’s eyebrows lifted, “And do you?”
Charlie gave her a half-grin, “No.” He chuckled at her obvious disappointment. “But I know who does.”
Adora opened her mouth to ask, but just then they heard footsteps and saw 5 guards approaching their cell. “Stand against the wall,” one said. They obeyed and soon the guards had the cell door open and their staffs ready. “Adora, come with us.”
“Looks like they won’t let me stay with you Charlie.” She chuckled, “Oh well, it’s been fun.”
“Tell Michael I said hello,” Charlie responded.
Adora turned to look at him, but he only stared back, his face blank.
“Come on, move it Adora,” the guard said, raising his staff to motivate her.
Adora quickly stepped out of the cell and was escorted to a side room just off the main courtroom. They opened the door and motioned her inside. Stepping inside, she saw Alia sitting in a plush chair across from the door, but when she turned to take in the rest of the room, she fell to her knees. Lord Nicholas sat just outside of direct view from the doorway. She touched her forehead to the floor and waited. The door close and silence fell.
“Well,” my sister said, breaking the silence, “at least she is respectful to you.”
Oh shit.
“She wasn’t to you?” Lord Nicholas asked her.
“It wasn’t that she wasn’t respectful, but she was uncooperative. She didn’t answer any questions and so has forced my hand in bringing you here. I know you are busy. I apologize for disturbing you.”
“Think nothing of it. Adora has always been…a problem, and now this.” He sighed, “I am just going to have to use a firmer hand with her.”
Adora’s stomach knotted and she felt sick. That doesn’t sound good for me at all.
“Of course, you must do what you feel you have to,” Alia said. “But I need you to scan her mind so we can at least find out where she got her unregistered gem and if she was under orders to commit the theft.”
Adora heard them stand and she tensed, expecting Nicholas to grab her at any moment, but they only walked to the door.
“I should be finished in about 2 hours,” Lord Nicholas said. “In the meantime, go relax. You are working yourself too hard, my dear.”
Alia said, “I wish I could father, but duty calls. Please notify me as soon as you learn anything.”
The door opened then closed again. Adora started to tremble, knowing she was now alone with him. Nicholas slowly walked back to his chair and sat down. Her heart was being furiously. The silence between them deepened then he said, “Lift your head, Adora.” She sat up and saw he had cast a silence spell around them. His eyes bored into her and he kept rubbing his Emerald in his hand. “Will there ever be a time,” he growled, “when I send you on a mission and you don’t FUCK IT UP?!” He stood and backhanded her. She screamed as her head was snapped around, followed by her body then the floor broke her fall. Tears blinded her and as she tried to get back on her knees, he grabbed her neck with both hands and hoisted her up to her feet. Adora stared at him for a moment before realizing his hands were tightening. She let out a terrified noise and began to claw at his hands. Just as her vision was about to go completely black, he let go and she dropped to the floor, coughing and gasping. “What am I going to do with you?” He paced while he scolded, “I told you to do something that I thought was so simple even you could do it. Looks like I was wrong.” He stopped pacing and faced her. “Get up.”
She struggled to rise and he place his hand on her neck again. She tensed and grabbed his arm, but he never tightened it. “Now to see what happened during your mission. Look me in the eyes, Adora.”
She lowered her hands and lifted her eyes to meet his. At first they just stared at each other, then his eyes seemed to get closer and everything faded to black. Her body felt heavy and she couldn’t see anything but she could feel his oily presence in her mind. He had free access to her memories and he asked about that night. She had no choice but to watch the memories play out before her. She saw the ease and care she had getting into Lord Banos’ home and going through the house quietly and undetected. Then the mistake happened. A child was walking about the house and walked in on her. They stared at each other, dumbfounded. Then the child screamed and the guards came running. Unfortunately, they were in a room with no windows and the door was quickly blocked by the guards. Adora rushed past the child and fought the guards, hoping to knock them out before they could alert the rest of the house, but it was too late - she heard the rest of the house stirring and feet running down the hall. She threw a short bit of rope at one guard while saying the trigger word and then grabbed her gem to take care of the other. The rope quickly wrapped around the guards neck and strangled him. The second guard already had his sword out and they danced for a few steps before she got her own sword out.
Now feeling more at ease with her blade in her hand, she used magic to bathe her sword with fire. After just a few more parries and thrusts, she stabbed him through his chest, killing him quickly. When she looked up, there were more guards at the doorway and the family behind them with Lord Banos already casting a spell. He pointed at her and she quickly froze. The guards unarmed her and had her tied before the spell wore off. They searched her, but didn’t find what she had already stolen.
The memory faded and the light around her brightened as he slid out of her mind. She felt very weak and dropped to the floor once he released her. Lord Nicholas looked down at her, and asked, “Why didn’t you kill the child? Or at least knock her out? Was that too difficult for you?” She didn't answer so he grabbed a handful of her hair and hauled her to her feet. She cried out and withered under his glare. “Answer me, you worthless slave. Why didn’t you kill that child when you had the chance?”
She swallowed and opened her mouth, but no words came. After another try, she said, “Father, she was only 6. Gods above, you can’t expect me…”
He shook her head again, “I can and I do. This will not happen again.” He released her, and she collapsed, her tears falling freely.
*******
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