The Legend of Saironelloistya [COMPLETED]

Chapter 8: The Verdicts of The Council

 In the brief intermission, I had the "Laurea" shoes taken away, as well as the white cloak, and I was given black cotton garb, and thrown into a cell, eight tiers underground. I feel that this entire case requires a bit of explanation. You see, normally, it would have been a simple case of pass or fail, but the reason for my failure, was a violation of ancient law, making it a judicial issue, not an executive issue. My odds were not looking good, I thought, with only three for me and five against me, I had been found guilty in all but official verdict, and that would come shortly.

As the guard clasped cobalt chains upon my wrists, and began to walk me up, I continued to prepare my plea for the council. I wished to be given leniency, but I would first and foremost attempt to plea that Saironellotoron, and Aranellevanima, would be found innocent, but I did not know how to defend Nimloth, who had been my ally, and who had striven in my case in my time of need, so I would do the same for her if I could. I walked into the courtroom, and was ordered by the guard to sit down for the reading of my verdict. As Heruellohandë stood up, I gulped in anticipation, and followed the orders of her words"Would the defendant rise for the reading of the words of the council." I stood, and she continued. "In the case of the trials of Saironelloistya, we, the members of this council, although I must say with much dissension, that The Wizard Adept, Saironelloistya, failed in his trials, due to a violation of the Law, although it was made admissible. Before the verdict is read, we will give him one more chance to plead, with the possibility, of lessening the punishment received. You may proceed."

I quoted a voice from another world, in a different dimensional reality to start. "'It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. '~Theodore Roosevelt. Your honors, no man thinks more highly of the gentlemen and women of the council, but I have a few requests involving my punishment, and the punishment of those who participated in this issue. My friends, Saironellotorn, and Aranellevanima, did what needed to be done, and were given permission to do so, and because of this, in my humble opinion, they should not receive any punishment. For myself, the wise and fair council has already decided my fate, so I cannot change my state any. I will say, however, that even those who vouched against me, noticed the plurality of my trials, so clearly, due to the nonunanimous nature of this trial, I pray to the God of Mercy, that she will grant me leniency. Thank you, and I plead that you will grant my petitions."

Heruellohandë looked at me curiously, and with some level of admiration. She spoke with the council for around 4 minutes, before turning to me. "Saironelloistya, we the members of the council, have reached an agreement on your punishment. The ancient laws say that due to this violation of ancient law, you must be banished. However, the Council has decided to look upon your trials as completed, and will, therefore, promote you. You will have until the end of next week to leave Meneltarma, to which you will never return. Come forth for your promotion. Herulepilin, please come forth, and do the honors."

I stood up and escorted by the guard, knelt in front of the members of the Council, still in a state of shock. I watched as my master and my friend walked over to me and said "aqua carimaldë tassrtya. si lelyaldë." meaning "Completely you finished your tasks, now you proceed." He looked at me full of pride, and said "Today, you pass from being a Wizard Adept to a Sairon Istyar. Today you have become more than just my apprentice, you are now, and always will be, my friend. Rise now as A Sairon Istyar, the rank that your parents had in mind for you, when they chose your name. Go now and set forth in the name of Meneltarma, and remember, the true meaning of courage. Courage is not about knowing when to take a life, but when to spare one. congratulations." I rose, and thanked the council when cheering broke out all around me. Soon I was surrounded, but My friends and master~ ex-master, were there so it was all okay by me.

Nimloth walked up and said "Come with me, I would like to give you a gift. "

Following after her, she led me to her Treasury, where she gathered three Items. The first was a small wooden box, intricately designed, with white flowers painted on carved flowers around the sides. The Second was a purple gem, prismatic in nature, but pure and without flaw, The third, was a blue belt, with a satchel on the side to store these items in. As I put the belt on, she explained the gifts."The box contains some of my hair, which will allow you to communicate telepathically with me when it is burned. The gem is a storage gem, meaning you can store memory, powers, magic, or even healing, inside of it, but only one type per gem. The Blue belt is for storage because handy storage is essential to questing. I wish upon you blessings and protection, and give you the title of Mi Mellon or in the common tongue my friend." We went back to my room, where I gathered my supplies and possessions, and then we went back to the council room, and I sat down to the left of her defense stand

"Counselor Nimloth," Heruellohandë started "You stand guilty as an accomplice to murder in the first degree, and as an accomplice to regicide. How do you plead?"

"Guilty" She murmured, and my voice caught in my throat. She looked at me with her blue eyes and said "I am not innocent of these charges, but I wish to strike a plea bargain. May I proceed?"

"You may Counselor."

"Counselor Heruellohandë, I made a terrible mistake, and allowed my emotions to control me, I beg forgiveness on this, but I did not plan the murder, so it cannot be in the first degree. The more accurate charge would be the Third Degree, or Manslaughter. I will plead guilty and save us all time, if I am given a maximum of 6 months in prison, and my place on the Council is maintained."

"Counselor Nimloth, you are found guilty of being an accomplice to Manslaughter, and immediately sentenced to 4 months in prison. May the God of Reformation work upon your heart. Please step down from the stand. " Heruellohandë said. "By affiliation, you have been found guilty of Manslaughter, Counselor Heruellonarynen, and are hereby sentenced to 12 years in prison, with parole available after one year, and may the Goddess of Purity wash clean your soul of this crime. Please step down."