Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 19: Blacklist

The weight of the verdict hung in the crowded room. The judge's solemn voice echoed through the chamber.

"Herodius Sextus has been found guilty of attempted murder against Troy Acertius. He is also guilty of high-level treason for intending to harm Troy Acertius. Furthermore, he is connected to the plot to kill Barbarius Acertius. As a result, the court has sentenced him to death by public execution. The execution is set for the next full moon. Please escort him to the Hole, where he will stay until the public execution."

A collective sigh broke out from our bench as Father rose from his seat, but then he did something I never expected—he clapped. Felix and Grandfather stood up to join in the clapping, and their spontaneous gesture spread across the room, filling the chamber with thunderous applause. I clapped along until the guards escorted the prisoner out of the room. Outside the front steps of the basilica, a crowd of citizens had gathered, hoping to see the convicted criminal take his last walk through the open forum.

Now it was our family's turn to appear before the crowd as sentinels stood poised on either side of us. As Father finished addressing the crowd on the outcome of the trial, a loud wail broke out. Faces turned to find a woman sobbing.

"He is innocent!" She cried. She pushed her way to the front of the crowd, exposing herself to my father's icy gaze.

Father turned to the crowd with a local courier nodding at his next words. "Herodius Sextus has confessed his guilt about his crimes of treason and attempted murder. The deliberation is final. Let justice prevail in this domain."

An older girl handed the sobbing woman a cloth to dab her red, swollen eyes while a younger boy clutched her hand. Grandfather nudged me, urging me to continue down the steps.

Amidst the growing crowd, a hushed murmur filled the air. Someone in the crowd urged the lady to keep quiet, but her voice only grew louder and more fervent. "My husband is innocent!"

"He wrote the letter, lady!" Apollus scoffed. Grandfather whispered to Apollus to stop engaging with the "crazed woman." The instruction from Grandfather was simple. Ignore her and keep walking till we get to the carriage.

She glared at Gaius, who walked alongside Apollus. Wagging her finger, she spat, "He never wrote the letter! You wrote it. He told me on our last visit!" she snapped. Gaius walked by the woman without saying a word before hopping into a carriage.

Another man in the crowd told the woman to hush, but she continued. "You let those monsters torture him!" she blurted, pointing at the sentinels. "But you sentenced the wrong man!" She rushed towards Father's carriage when Cornelius shoved her, almost causing her to take a tumble backward. "You all have blood on your hands!" she screamed. "All of you!" Her screams turned into muffled cries as Cornelius clamped his hand over her mouth.

Father pointed to the woman. "Get her out of here!"

Cornelius urged my brothers and me to board the adjacent carriage immediately. I almost tripped climbing on board. I stared back at the crowd, which was now buzzing with murmurs and gasps.

"She talks too much!"

"Everyone knows she has gone out of her mind."

"No! Why would she lie about such a thing?"

"Look! She bit the guard."

I pivoted in my seat; my eyes widening as the woman sprinted towards our chariot, her arms thrashing wildly through the air. Just as she was about to reach the carriage, Cornelius grabbed hold of her flapping stola. With a sharp thud, the woman stumbled backward, her head colliding with the unforgiving stone pavement. The sickening scent of fear permeated the air, mixing with the metallic tang of blood. Determined, she struggled to rise, but Cornelius subdued her, pinning her down with a forceful grip.