Storm of Evil

HELLFIRE

HELLFIRE

[Three months ago]

The trial was today. It was only a minor thing, but that didn't stop my stomach from turning against my ribcage. Urgh, faen*.

Varg was sitting in the room, just across from me, calm as ever. He did his hair in plats and smiled pleasantly as he waited for the judge to call him up to the stand. He said he'd vouch for me, but I wasn't even sure how he would. He had to have solid evidence I was in town, not just him saying I was. I wished he'd tell me, but for some reason, he didn't.

The judge sat at the head of the room and called everyone to attention. My heart pounded with anticipation. Oh god here it is. I don't know why I'm so nervous, I'd done worse before. Maybe it was because now I'd actually somehow been pinned...

They started the trial with some oath I think. Of course I plan to tell nothing but the truth and the whole truth, as Odin is my witness and Thor my right hand, I will not bend the laws to suit my -

"How do you plead Mister Vinter?"

My eyes snapped up and widened as I realised I hadn't been listening, and I just missed whatever the fuck the judge said. Not to mention I'd heard one of my actual names for once. It's been a while since I've heard that.

There was a long silence as everyone in the room awaited my reply. I stared a little longer before taking a breath.

"Not guilty," I eventually replied. Everyone in the entire room looked at me, knowing I was bound to say that. It was hard to hold back the smirk.

"Does the defense have evidence to support that?"

Luckily, I actually got someone to represent me so this felt even just a little more legit. No hotshot lawyer that's for sure, but he looked the part and did what he had to do, for a reasonable price too. At this time, all he was doing was speaking for me, and that was pretty much it.

"Your honour, the defendant has a witness he would like to call to the stand."

The judge nodded and Varg smiled as he made his way up to the witness box.

"Please state your name and occupation," the judge spoke formally.

"Kristian Vikernes, but please use Varg. And uh, musician," he replied with ease, making others give him weird looks. My god, he actually called himself a musician this time? Jesus. Okay.

"And what relationship do you have with the defendant?"

"We work and record at the same place. And, we knew each other a couple years back."

The judge raised an eyebrow.

"Says here that Mister Vinter has no job," he challenged and I bit my lip. Goddamnit Varg. But Varg had an expression of calm and a pleasant smile.

"Yes I know, he just got approved this morning from the boss."

"Oh well, congratulations," he smiled bitterly at me before continuing to question Varg, "Where were you, Mister Vikernes, at the time of the burning of the vehicles?"

"With Mister Vinter."

"How so?"

"Well," he started with a nod and sitting up right in his seat, "You see, Vinter and I were at a bar called På Tykk. There were - slight disagreements - that night, and we got into a bit of a punch up."

"Can you verify that?"

"The barmaid that night has completed a statement that proves both Vinter and I at På Tykk. It's also signed by her boss, who was aware of the minor brawl we were caught up in."