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| The Goddess of Justice - (Old Gods Parthenian - Justitia) |
3.2.12.5. Unfolding Justice’s Blindfold
‘Justice is blind.
Even though we unfolded her blindfold and
restored her sight,
She’s still blind.’
-
Garth the Golden Bear,
King of
Halethia, Chairman of Regia Confederation
Rael’charon’s
group treks on safely and leaves Wyrmspine
Pass after about an hour
walk through the last kilometer of the ravine.
Father
Andreas Marvellini then checks on Kyflynn’s condition. Night elves are amazing
indeed. This one, like the others, adapts well to magic and helps it to be more
effective. Plus, his body heals naturally three times quicker than human’s. So,
although still weak and leaning on Desmond’s back, Kyflynn is fully conscious.
Andreas
asks him, ‘How are you feeling now?’
The elf
answers, ‘That last stab really messed my system. Normally, it took days to
recover from a wound like this, but thanks to your treatment, my life is saved
and I’m conscious again now.’
‘Praise
Vadis it is so. And we thank you for helping us defeat MacLair and his dark
elves. We are deeply indebted to you.’
‘Aah, it’s
nothing, really. Actually, we did that to save our own asses. You see, a
mysterious guy hired us to hunt Robert and Rael’charon, no questions asked. I
insisted on the reason as my principle demanded, and he said Robert is the
Pope’s murderer and Rael’charon is his aide. I decided to check first and he
“reminded” me of the Assassin’s Code. When I attacked Robert, I found no trace
of him being the Heir or the Pope’s murderer. So I pretended to fail, and
withdrew.
Then, when
MacLair mentioned about the Code, I know for sure that the mysterious man must
be him or his goon. If I didn’t kill him, he will hunt me down. So, good
riddance.’ Kyflynn ends his explanation with a weak smile.
‘So, what
are your plans now?’
‘I think
we’d better stick around for awhile. With my rival gone, it would be nice for
us to make up with Robert by helping him out, wouldn’t it, Ed?’
Ed, also
known as Desmond Edmundsen answers, ‘Right-o, partner.’
Rael’charon
nods on hearing that, and Robert doesn’t seem to mind.
==oOo==
The rest of
the journey to Ascension, capital of Valanis is uneventful. The monsters are
afraid of large group of people with powerful auras. Though their wounds are
almost recovered, two days after leaving Wyrmspine Pass,
the group still shows grim faces, hardly talking to each other.
They arrive
in Ascension on the third day and twelve elite guards escort them to Basilica
Vadisium. They take a longer route through alleys and shortcuts to avoid crowds
– An angry mob can be the worst judge who punish without evidence.
The Vadisian monks inside the Basilica act
more civil to Robert and his friends, even showing them the way to the meeting
chamber and informing the Pope and Cardinals at once.
Cardinal
Ryddus, the balding Cardinal with long, brown beard meets them in the main
chamber. ‘Thank Vadis. Finally, Robert Chandler comes here willingly after all
our efforts to apprehend him. I see you brought lots of company here.’
‘Yes, Your
Grace,’ says Rael. ‘I’m here as Robert’s defendant to investigate his case. The
Emperor of Arcadia sent Chris, Carolyn and Iris under Father Andreas’
supervision to make sure whether Robert is Vordac’s Heir or not and act
accordingly. And Kyflynn, Agustina and Desmond are here as witnesses.’
‘Witnesses,
you say? Well, you really have done extensive preparations, Counselor. The
first hearing will be held tomorrow at dawn. Before so, Counselor Rael and
Father Andreas will investigate the crime scene and Robert will be confined in
the dungeon, fourth level. The rest will stay in the dormitory.’
‘Pardon me
for saying this,’ says Cristophe. ‘But we would like to accompany Robert in the
dungeon, giving him the support he needs.’
‘Very well,
then. To the dungeon you go. May Vadis’ justice shine upon us.’
So, that
night the lowest level of the dungeons becomes a cheerful place, with sounds of
people praying, singing, merry-making and supporting each other.
==oOo==
Meanwhile,
Rael’charon, Father Andreas, Cardinal Ryddus, two nuns and two monks are in the
crime scene: the late Pope Xylen’s chamber. The site is – as per the Aurelian
Convention of Justice – exactly like in the time of the crime. Nothing except
the victim’s body has been moved, even the debris of the broken vase and the
dried blood stains on the marble floor.
The
Cardinal explains, ‘We have scanned this area with magic, Counselor Rael, and
found traces of dark energy around. We also found dark energy on the sword, if
you may observe.’
A monk goes
forward and presents a wrapped sword to Rael. He unfolds the sword, and here it
is: Robert’s kiliji. Weapon of murder.
Rael
touches its blade. He closes his eyes, his long ears flutter. His fingers run
from the tip to the hilt. Then, he opens his eyes and says, ‘Yes. There is
still a trace of dark energy, but it’s so faint because the energy was
channeled one time only. However, I also found a more powerful fire energy that
dominates all – which, I believe, come from Robert himself.
I say we
must run a check on Robert too. We need to know whether he has dark aura and
how long he has it for.’
‘Very well,
then,’ says Ryddus. ‘Now, in what manner Pope Xylen was slain?’
The elf
stares at the death spot for a while, then around the room. Then he smiles and
turns to the nuns.
‘Who among
you saw Pope Xylen dead first?’ Rael asks.
‘It’s me,
Solnii, Counselor,’ the freckle-faced nun answers. ‘Sister Nabelia was also
with me, but I was the first.’
‘In what
position Pope Xylen lay? Tell me in detail.’
‘She lay
face-down with that sword,’ indicating the kiliji, ‘sticking on her back. I
think she was stabbed from behind.’
‘Right, just
as the autopsy statement. It’s simply the basic of stealth-killing. But again,
let’s check this blood pattern. Blood started running out fifty centimeters
from the table, then went inline about twenty centimeters more and ended on the
pool here. The Pope must’ve used her last strength to crawl and call for help
before she moved no more.
However, I
see lots of blood sprinkling on the table. This is odd. No matter how powerful
a stab is, the blood wouldn’t spray very far, especially when the stabber was right
behind her, using a big sword. The blood must’ve sprinkled on him.’
‘So, you’re
saying that Robert is not the Pope Killer?’ says Ryddus.
‘Innocent
until proven guilty, Your Grace.’
‘Oh, of
course,’ says Ryddus. ‘Let’s put all judgment in the trial tomorrow, and may
Vadis show Justice the way.’
Rael’charon
doesn’t give any attention to the Cardinal’s words and stares at the table. His
mind is racing and a smile curls on his mouth.
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