What a Difference a Year Makes (Revised)

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

The large meeting room at court was full and that is saying something when it can hold over a hundred people, including the twelve royal council members and the Queen herself. It wasn't just royal moroi either or the dhampir we had brought with us; some of our non-royal moroi clients and Guardians on our agency list had come of their own accord to lend us their support and for that we were grateful. There was also a surprise waiting for us; Roman had flown all the way from St Basil's over night to be with us but I suspect he wanted to be there for Alberta.

"Roman!" Dimitri called, shaking his hand. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to come and lend my support to you all. When Al filled me in on what was happening I put in for some leave so that I could be here for her ... I mean for you all" he said a little flustered.

"It's alright Roman, we already know about you and Al. Both of you are as good at keeping that quiet as we were at St Vlad's; only the unobservant would be completely blind to it" I said laughing.

"Yes well we are both private people and well...." he stuttered.

"Don't worry and thank you for being here. It means a lot to all of us" I said with a smile, trying to settle him.

I felt a tap on my arm and turned round. "You two definitely know how to make a sensation."

"Celeste!" I shouted and hugged her. "What are you doing here?"

"I like Roman wanted to come and support you" she said. "I think what you are doing is a great thing and we need to stick together so Tasha and other petty minded royal moroi can't dictate our lives."

"We are only trying to get these charges dropped not start the war that they are accusing us of Celeste but we are really glad you are here" Dimitri said to her as he too gave her a hug.

At that point Abe walked in and the room seemed to shrink under the pure size of his presence. He was also one of those people who can draw everyone's eye no matter where he was in the room.

"Kiz!" he said coming over to me and giving me a hug. "Are you ready for this?"

"I don't think I will ever be ready for this but I'm as prepared as I'm ever going to be" I said nervously.

"Just be the strong, confident people I know you are" he said including Dimitri with his look. "You haven't done anything wrong and they haven't got anything they can try and charge you on. This hearing is pure farce."

"I know Baba but you know what they are like, they could fabricate something for their own ends" and this is what was really bothering Dimitri and I. We had spoken about it at length trying to anticipate what they could do; bribe someone to make false claims, create false documentation, we just didn't know.

"Don't worry Kiz, I know more about the skeletons in the closets of the royal council than they would care anyone to know about" he said with a slightly evil grin. I was about to ask him for more information but the room was silenced and we went to our seats.

"Please be upstanding for her Majesty, Queen Tatiana" Head Guardian Croft called out and the whole room stood.

Tatiana walked in surrounded by her Queen's Guardians and sat up on a throne on the dais at the end of the room. In front of that was the council table with the twelve chairs surrounding it. Off to the side of that table was a podium, which was where we would have to stand to give evidence at this hearing. Once Tatiana was in front of her throne, the whole room knelt, even we did out of a mark of respect even though we really had no obligation to do so since we had been exiled. She looked around the room then indicated for us all to rise.