Dawn broke over Tarrion Academy, bathing its towering halls and quiet courtyards in shades of gold.
The usual bustle of students had yet to begin. Even when it did, I didn't expect much of a bustle. Afterall, this was the High Council Hall.
I sat beside the window of my chamber, staring out at the courtyard, and the statues that stood tall, while waiting for my trial.
A knock came on the door.
Before I could answer, it opened.
A servant stepped inside carrying a tray of food.
"Your breakfast, Lord Zandren."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Lord?" I thought.
I gestured for him to place it on the table.
He did so before quietly leaving.
I stared at the food for a moment before pulling the chair closer and sitting down. I hadn't realised how hungry I was until I had the first bite.
A few minutes later, another knock came as I was savouring this meal.
"Come in." I said, my voice muffled.
The door opened.
Arturia stood on the other side of the door.
"Morning, Lord Zandren."
He tilted his head slightly.
"I can see you're already fully awake."
"Morning—"
I swallowed.
"Why's everyone calling me "Lord" all of a sudden?"
Arturia stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
"What?"
He took his seat in a chair opposite me.
"Well, are you a lady?" He asked with the straightest face I have ever seen.
I laughed. "No. No. It just feels weird being called Lord. That's all."
Cling.
I gently dropped my spoon on the plate, having already finished the food.
"So…"
I grabbed the cup of water next to the tray.
"This trial… what are the chances I walk out a free man?"
I took a sip, my hands trembling slightly.
"I believe The Supreme Commander already made it clear that you wouldn't face any punishment, at least not under his watch."
"And…"
He held my hand.
"You are the rightful heir to Ardor's throne. You are my King, and I won't let anything happen to you."
I forced a smile. "It's crazy, don't you think?"
He blinked. "What is?"
I lowered the cup.
"One night, I was seen as a veil by everyone in Tarrion…"
I exhaled.
"...Now, I'm the heir to a fallen Kingdom."
I turned back to the window.
"Arturia…"
"Yes?" He answered.
"If I do become king of Ardor one day…"
I glanced back at him.
"Will my statue be built in the courtyard?" I asked, my face slightly gleaming.
"Yes, Your Majesty." He replied, head bowed.
I laughed. "Don't call me that yet."
Arturia stood.
"The trial will begin soon. I'll leave you to prepare and will wait outside till you're ready to leave."
He walked over to the door, opening it.
"I'll have a servant bring you a fresh pair of clothes as well."
"No, It's fine. This one is still clean." I blurted.
"No. No. This isn't king worthy. Fuck!" I thought.
Arturia smiled. "I can't have the King of Ardor wearing the same clothes he had on yesterday."
I nodded. "Yes. Not king worthy."
He smiled, and walked out, closing the door behind him.
—-
Arturia and I walked through the halls of the High Council Hall.
Servants moved along the corridors, carrying documents, trays, and other necessities for the council. Whenever they noticed Arturia approaching, they stepped aside and bowed.
Arturia acknowledged them with a simple nod.
I followed beside him, trying not to look as nervous as I felt.
"You better get used to this, My King." Arturia said, as if sensing my nervousness. "Thousands will bow at your feet when we finally reclaim Ardor."
I glanced at him.
"Reclaim?"
"Yes." He nodded. "Currently, The nation of Ardor is said to be overrun by veils, void beasts and whatever the invaders left behind."
"Even after seven decades?" I asked.
"Yes."
The deeper we walked, the quieter the halls became.
Eventually, we reached the end of the corridor.
Two large guards stood on either side, their armour gleaming beneath the crystal orb lights.
Arturia stopped.
I did too.
He turned toward me, placing both his hands on my shoulders.
"This is where I leave you."
I stared at the doors.
"I'm going in alone?"
He nodded toward the two guards.
"They'll escort you inside."
I swallowed.
"Right…"
Arturia shook me gently.
"Don't worry."
I looked at him.
"You already know what the Supreme Commander said. You aren't walking in there as a criminal."
He paused.
"Walk in with your head held high, my king."
I nodded. "Thanks."
Arturia smiled before stepping away.
The guards approached me.
"Lord Zandren."
I glanced at them.
One of them gestured. "Please follow us."
The doors opened, and I stepped inside, the guards following closely behind.
The moment I crossed the threshold, the doors closed behind me.
The chamber was enormous.
Circular.
Tier after tier of seats rose around the room, each level higher than the last.
At the very top sat the seven High Councils, their positions overlooking the entire chamber.
Dozens of eyes turned towards me.
Counts.
Council members.
Witnesses.
And among them…
Mar'gareth.
Sat next to an empty chair that I believed belonged to the King.
The guards walked beside me, their footsteps echoing across the chamber as they led me towards the centre.
At the very middle stood a raised platform.
A small enclosed box of polished wood surrounded the place where I was expected to stand.
The guards stopped.
"Please step inside the box."
I did.
Then they turned and walked away.
I looked around.
Nobody spoke.
I couldn't even see them. The lights above were so bright making it hard for me to see the faces of those who were looking down at me.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed. A single white beam descended from the ceiling, illuminating the platform.
Me.
I looked upward, and could finally make out the faces of the council members and…
The Higher Councils.
They all stared down at me.
"So these are the Higher Councils."
I muttered under my breath.
"What an intimidating presence."
A voice echoed through the chamber.
"Zandren. First year in Tarrion."
I instantly straightened.
The Higher Council seated directly before me looked down from his elevated position.
"You stand before the Higher Council of Terraka under charges of being a spy and a wielder of a Cursed Rune, which led to an altercation that resulted in severe injuries to prince Yunok, Lady Eimira and members of her Vanguard."
He paused.
"Do you acknowledge these charges?"
I looked around.
Dozens of eyes remained fixed on me.
I exhaled.
"I acknowledge that I fought Yunok. But I didn't fight him without reason. And I did not know I had a blessing till I fought him."
A murmur passed through the council.
A council member stood.
"You dare call your filth a blessing?!"
The murmurs gradually increased.
"We should burn him!!"
"No! Have his head placed on a spike. That'll serve as a warning to the rest of the spies."
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
I looked upward to find the source of the thuds.
The guards behind each seven Higher Councils struck the butts of their spears against the stone floor.
The sound echoed throughout the chamber, prompting the council members below to remain silent.
Another Higher Council spoke.
"The boy might be speaking the truth."
Gasps erupted from the council members.
I looked up at the man who had just spoken.
An old grey haired man.
"My daughter speaks highly of him, and we know that my daughter is a good judge of character."
He paused.
"I vouch for him, on my name, Theryon, and the name of my house, Saeons."
Murmurs passed through the councils once more.
"Hard to see House Saeons stand for someone." The first High Council spoke.
"Then I advise you to let the witnesses speak, Jamus of House Barethi." Theryon said.
Jamus grunted deeply. "Hmm."
Thud!
The guardian behind Mar'gareth struck the butt of his spear against the floor.
"I agree with Theryon, let's have the witnesses come in."
I turned around to look at him.
A smile formed on my face.
He did not forget me.
"Good… I was on the verge of tears." I whispered.
"Fine then." Jamus raised his hand. "Bring in the witnesses."
Moments later, five witnesses walked in through the giant door. Each accompanied by a guard, spear in hand.
The witnesses formed a circle around me, each of their backs turned against me.
The guards stood in front of them, striking the butt of their spears on the ground, once.
The ground trembled softly, and the spot where the witnesses had stood rose slowly, till they were no longer on level ground with me.
Then they turned and looked down at me.
I swallowed.
Looking at everyone one of them to see if I recognised anyone.
Kellan.
Though injured.
He stood there as a witness.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Jamus spoke.
"These are the witnesses to the events that happened."
He continued.
"We would have had Eimira of House Aevorah serve as a witness, but we are all aware of the relationship you had with her. So to prevent personal ties from influencing the testimony, we've excluded her and her closest companions from being witnesses."
He clapped his hands.
"Let the witnesses speak."
Another Higher Council rose and spoke.
"I am Lady Sophiette of House Zorah, and I ask that you speak the truth, only the truth, and nothing but the truth."
She snapped her fingers.
The guards that escorted the witnesses immediately stationed themselves behind them, spears raised.
"What is this…" I whispered, watching as the students whimpered.
The first witness spoke.
"I-I am Lukris, House Theon. A Second year student of Tarrion and a holder of Terra.
He swallowed.
"I saw Zandren charge at the prince. I-I don't know what power he used, but…"
He glanced at me.
"He didn't give the feeling of a veil."
The second witness spoke.
"Zandren wasn't the one who started the fight. He spent most of the time helping the injured back into the base. He only transformed after seeing Captain Eimira in danger."
The third witness followed.
"I've seen veils close up, and I've had encounters with cursed runes wielders. Zandren's sanity was still intact. His purpose was clear. To protect the captain.
The more the witnesses spoke, the more my anxiety slowly disappeared.
Now, only the fourth witness and kellan are remaining.
I took a deep relaxed breath, and exhaled slowly.
"When Zandren transformed." The fourth witness started. "He had the power and opportunity to kill Yunok and everyone present at the base, and get away with it. But he didn't. He stopped when he ensured Captain Eimira's safety."
Now.
Kellan.
He glanced at me.
Eyes sunken and tired.
He took a deep breath.
"Prince Yunok drove his sword through my stomach, and it came out the other side."
He continued.
"In that little moment, I was able to sense something wrong with him."
"He felt different…"
"H-He didn't feel fully human."
He paused.
"It was completely the opposite for Zandren. He transformed in front of everyone, saved my captain, and let himself get stabbed and arrested by her."
He smiled.
"He is no veil."
Silence.
Then—
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
"Wonderful." Jamus said.
"Guards. Please escort the witnesses and get them whatever they need to help them recover." He added.
The murmurs amongst the lower council members gradually increased as the witnesses were escorted out.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
The murmurs slowly died down.
"We've all heard it now." Jamus continued. "That man is not a veil, but…"
"Despite the witnesses giving their account on the matter, I still find it hard to let this unknown being without a family name wander around the Academy."
He lowered his gaze slightly.
"It's best to have him…"
"Executed."
My heart sank.
"What? Do the words of the witnesses not matter?"
"I'm scared…"
Jamus raised his hand.
And a light shone upon him.
"All in favour of the execution?"
I looked around.
No one has risen their hands up ye—
"Lady Sophiette, of House Zorah, is in favour of the execution."
A guard echoed out.
"No…" I shook my head, muttering under my breath.
Another rose his hand.
"Lord Tigreal, of House Husks, is in favour of the execution."
And lastly.
"Lady Darya, of House Teygrin, is in favour of
the execution."
My gaze slowly lowered as more High Council members raised their hands in favour of my execution.
The announcements slowly became muffled as I felt tears forming in my eye.
Jamus stood.
"The Higher Council has decided. Five votes in favour. Two against."
He gazed down at me.
"I'm sorry, Zandren. Please understand that this is for the safety of the Nation."
I remained still.
Tears slowly dropped from my eyes.
I didn't respond to what they said, or what they decided. I just had to make sure that my sobs weren't heard.
"Guards, take the boy away before I become soft."
Jamus lowered his hand.
The two guards from earlier immediately stepped forward.
Their armour clinked with every step as they approached.
I remained still.
One of them reached for my arm.
"Surely…"
Mar'gareth's voice echoed through the hall.
The guard froze.
I turned toward him, gazing upwards at his silhouette.
He slowly rose from his seat.
His gaze fixed on Jamus.
"...you do not plan on executing the lost heir to the Throne of Ardor."
Mar'gareth's words echoed throughout the hall.
"Zandren Ignivar."