Chamberlain's Struggles

Chapter 11

Waiting on the trial was the most boring thing in the world. Being kept in this cage was like back when he was recovering from the Rakkida attack, but this time, he wasn't injured.

Chamberlain was never allowed out of the cage. He often felt bored out of his mind. He was fed the same food three times a day. It wasn't enough to satisfy his hunger.

Wyneth and Byron were allowed to visit him, but never allowed in the cage with him.

Queen Athya never came down to see him. Only Suth or the guards did, and they gave him nothing but awful lectures and stares. Sil would glare back or not look at them at all.

Outside of the prison, Wyneth and Byron were trying their hardest to get Sil's name in the clear. But Bodo was the only surviving witness and he was still not talking. The one adult who had been unconscious had unfortunately died of his wounds.

The Gelflings also buried or cremated their dead too in that amount of time.

The day of the trial finally came. Many guards came with weapons at the ready should he try anything.

"It's time for the trial, Skeksis." Suth said.

Chamberlain was ready to get himself in the clear.

He was taken to the meeting house again. It had the majority of the Gelfling village there. He was looked upon with distain. He was taken to the middle of the floor and there he faced Queen Athya.

Witnesses were called and they all had their own bad stories to tell about Chamberlain. In many of those cases, he had only done his job as the messenger.

Then even came the female Gelfling that he had talked to.

"I had thought he was going to take my child. But he was practically advancing on me to take it from me."

"I never did that!" Sil said.

"Enough, Chamberlain! You will get your say when you are asked, not before." Athya said.

Sil only remembered asking that female for advice on how to care for himself while he was pregnant, though had never told he was expecting, so why would he have need to take her child?

It only seemed like Byron and Wyneth had good stories to tell about him until Athya told of some of his duties that he had done, which she had approved on. She had been proud of him being her messenger, but this didn't excuse, in their eyes, what he had done.

At the end of it all, Sil was finally allowed to talk. He explained again like he felt he had done a thousand times already.

When he was done, he looked hopelessly up at the queen, that he hoped she believed him.

"He hasn't changed his story at all." Suth said.

"Chamberlain, I know you have done a lot for me, but based on these accusations, and sayings, I will render my verdict in the morning." Athya said.

Sil was taken back to the prison. He wanted the verdict now. He hated that cell.

"So what is the verdict, my queen?" Suth asked.

"There are just so many that just don't trust him. I don't think it's wise for him to stay here." Athya said.

"You're going to let him go? Not after what he did!" Suth shouted.

"I'm not going to have him killed, Suth. He can find another way of life away from here. He's not going to be alone for long." Athya said.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not going to kill him, especially when I found out from both him and Wyneth that Sil has a rather delicate condition going on." Athya said.

"What? His mentality of what he did?"