The iron door creaked open, and the light from the guards' lamps illuminated Queen Annysha, who had been imprisoned in the dark dungeons. She was brought before the Nine White Ravens, who were seated in solemn judgment.
"By the name of the Nine Gods, I, the Highest White Raven, High Lord of White Peak, and the holder of the Nine Scrolls, hereby stand as judge!" declared the Highest White Raven. "With the assistance of the Two High White Ravens and the Six Pillar's White Ravens, if you are found guilty, may the Nine Angels punish you!"
"Did you kill King Syantus?" one of the Ravens asked Queen Annysha, who stood within an ivory enclosure.
"I did not kill my husband!" she protested.
"May I call the first trial witness?" the Highest White Raven requested.
A woman with golden hair, pale skin, and dressed in a black cloak entered the hall.
"State your name," the Highest White Raven instructed.
"Vera," the woman replied, her Aravaean accent clear.
"Do you swear by the Nine Angels that only the truth will come out of your mouth?" the Highest White Raven asked.
"In the name of the Nine Angels, only the truth I will say!" Vera affirmed.
"Do you know this lady?" the Highest White Raven asked.
"She is the Queen of Thorns, Queen Annysha Vale Rose," Vera responded.
"Do you know how she killed the King of Thorns?" the Highest White Raven continued.
"Yes. I saw her strike her luxurious dagger into the King's chest. They were arguing that dawn. I was walking in the dark hallway near their room and saw her. Then I ran away," Vera recounted.
"Liar! Liar! She is a liar!" Queen Annysha shouted.
"Silence! You will not speak unless called upon," the Highest White Raven commanded.
"May the second witness step forward," the Highest White Raven announced.
Prince Braylon, the next witness, entered the hall. The crowd bowed in respect.
"My lord," Prince Braylon began, "I saw her crying in agony beside my father, with her dagger in his chest."
Queen Annysha sighed, tears flowing down her cheeks.
The next witness entered, and the people were shocked, bowing in reverence.
"You are just a muddy path where Henrick was stuck! You sold your soul to build your filthy kingdom on mud!" Queen Valerie of Pines accused. "She strangled me and said this while I was in her grasp!"
"Not here, Valerie! My son is present!" Queen Annysha whispered, but Queen Valerie continued.
"She still loves Henrick, my husband. She killed King Syantus to gain her freedom, but freedom is not here," Queen Valerie said.
"How dare you!" Queen Annysha shouted.
"Silence!" the Highest White Raven commanded.
"May I call the next witness?" the Highest White Raven asked.
A small boy, Wun Claws, entered the hall, causing a stir among the people.
"Truly, the child is honest," one of the High White Ravens commented.
"What is your name?" the Highest White Raven asked.
"Wun! Wun Claws!" the boy answered.
The crowd murmured about Wun.
"How can a child know about this?" Queen Annysha asked, tears in her eyes.
"I am eight years old today," Wun said seriously. "I grew up. I know everything. We arrived at dawn after the High King's wedding. She walked into her room, and then the thing happened. I didn't see it, but I saw the King's corpse with a luxurious dagger on his chest. It was hers! She said it was hers."
"Is this the justice of the Nine Angels?" Queen Annysha cried. "Presenting witnesses who saw me only after the crime! I loved my husband! I have children with him! I did not kill him! This is not fair! You accuse and push until a person is turned into a corpse!"
"I, the Highest White Raven of the Nine Pillars and the Highest Leader of White Peak, hereby declare Queen Annysha of the Vale and the Thorns guilty of the crime of killing King Syantus of the Thorns!" the Highest White Raven announced. "She will be sent back to Castle Rose for her punishment."
The White Guards held Queen Annysha as she was led away. Vera walked in front of her and said cryptically, "An eye of an eagle was dazzled by the sun."
Queen Annysha was placed into an iron cage on a horse-drawn carriage. The people threw rocks, eggs, mud, and even pig's blood at her as she was paraded through the streets. Her once-beautiful appearance was now marred and her spirit broken.
Wun, Prince Braylon, and Vera returned to Castle Rose in Thorns, riding alongside Dryndon. Queen Valerie Fisher Pines traveled in a litter carried by Pinish slaves.
The long road to Pines was guarded by Thornish, Pinish, and White Guards. Awaiting at the journey's end were the corpse of the King of Pines and the throne for his successor. Queen Annysha faced her impending punishment as the ground beneath her continued to reflect her sorrow.
As Dryndon and the others traveled through the burnt city of Bearland, a group of people in red cloaks crossed their path. Among them was a lady in a wooden wheelchair, pushed by a man in a red cloak.
"Lynx!" Dryndon whispered, recognizing the lady despite the distance. Her tan skin and auburn hair were familiar, but he was uncertain if it was truly his wife.
The hundreds of people crossing the ashy and icy road seemed to bring with them a subtle hint of spring, as green grasses and flowers began to grow in their wake, even in the midst of the winter lands.
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Crowns And The Nine Kingdoms
General FictionNine Kingdoms of Sin, Nine Kingdoms of the World-A Fictional World Reflecting the Faults of Reality It was believed that the world is flat and only has three continents... Winterlands to the North. Greenlands to the East. Desertlands to the West. Ni...
