Chapter Thirty

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Trial and Error

Ythari dragged Erys into the meeting room once more; the weight of the situation felt heavy enough to push her through the floor

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Ythari dragged Erys into the meeting room once more; the weight of the situation felt heavy enough to push her through the floor.  The last time had been to decide whether they'd be given sanctuary; this time, she was to be condemned.  She drew her gaze across the room.  The Riders, Kyanna, and a few others sat, each regarding her with blank faces.

"Sit."

Erys did as she was told.

"Ya know why we're here."

"No, ma'am?" she asked innocently.

"Don' play dumb."

"I'm not."

"So ya're just dumb then?"

She narrowed her eyes and sneered, meeting Ythari's gaze challengingly.

"He's dead."

Bittersweet elation soared through Erys; he'd actually killed himself.  He'd seen the futility of rescue or survival and opted for a quick painless death.  She'd killed him.   She kept her face blank of any emotion and shrugged her shoulders.

"Who?"

"Don' play with me. Ya know very well who."

Erys pretended to think. "The man you captured? Maybe you pushed him to far," she goaded.  "He could only stand so much."  She couldn't keep the sneer from her face.  It earned her a sharp slap.

"Ya killed 'im!" Ythari spat. She leaned down until she was eye level with Erys. "Ya killed 'im and ya'll pay for it.  Dearly."

Erys stood defiantly and pushed her back.

"Ythari." Kyail entered the room. "That's not 'ow we do things 'ere. She'll be given a trial."  

"Right now," Ythari demanded.

"So be it."

Erys shrunk back in her chair.

"From now on, we only speak the Ancient Language."

"I don't know enough to hold a conversation in the Ancient Language," Erys objected.  She bit her tongue to keep from saying anything more.

"We'll ask yes or no questions—"

"Too easy," Ythari spat. "He can' lie, but it don' mean he can' twist 'is truth."

"What do ya suggest?" Kyail pressed.

"We ask 'im questions'n if others don' corroborate 'is claims, we punish 'im."

"Sounds fair."

Erys gripped the chair tightly. She hoped she'd planned well enough to mount a reasonable defence.  Who would be there to confirm her story?

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