Palace Ghosts

Chapter 10

The Queen was the first person to leave the room, at first nobody moved, they were all trying to take in what had just happened. Gradually a stream of people began to exit the room, frowning or quietly conversing with one another. I had always known that the King wasn't very popular, but I had always assumed that that was because of the heavy taxes he levied. I swallowed hard not wanting to leave Taviq, but knowing that I couldn't stay there until the jury returned.
Rhys slipped in next to me. "Come on Kianna, let's go, Taviq doesn't want you hanging around and looking suspicious," he said, gently prompting my legs to start moving.
I nodded numbly and joined the stream of people. I walked, without conscious thought, to my room. I inserted the key into the lock, opened the door, and closed it behind me. Then I flopped face first onto my bed.
Taviq and his whole family are going to die, I thought, and I began to cry. I don't know how long I lay there prone, crying my eyes dry. I heard a distant clock strike nine times, it was the ninth hour of the day, and court would be in session in a few minutes. But I couldn't get up, how could I? Taviq was going to die, yes he would turn into a ghost, and I would still have him, but there was something special about loving someone who is actually alive.
A hand shook my shoulder slightly. I jumped and let out a short scream. "I'm sorry m'lady," said a man in the uniform of the Royal Guard. "I couldn't help but notice that you're concerned about Taviq Elwinn, the court will be in session shortly, we'll have to hurry to get there in time," he said, kindly.
I stood up and dried my eyes, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Lead the way."

...oOo...

We got there just in time and took our seats at the very back of the room, as there was no space anywhere else. The jury entered the room. A few of them looked thoughtful, as if the decision had been harder then they had anticipated. The jury took their places.
"Jury, what is your verdict?" asked the Judge, he looked nervous.
"Guilty." The word fell like a stone into still water. All at once everyone was on their feet, shouting and objecting, creating an atmosphere far more intense then a simple uproar, they were acting like a dangerous mob.
"ORDER! ORDER!" shrieked the Judge, banging his gavel, but his words were drowned out.
My hands went to my eyes, but there were no tears left. I sat and watched the turmoil and mayhem burst forth like a torrent. Feet stomped, voices screamed, women wailed and men shouted at the injustice.
"IN FAVOUR OF THE PEOPLE!" roared the Judge over the din. Everyone began to quiet, curiosity surpassing their heated emotions. "I DECLARE THAT THE USUAL PUNISHMENT FOR REGICIDE SHALL BE LESSENED! ONLY TAVIQ ELWINN, OF THE ELWINN HOUSE SHALL PAY FOR THIS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY!" roared the Judge. There was less noise after the Judge's verdict. The servants, slaves and common people were content, but not the Barons or Baronesses. They wanted the whole case to be dropped.
"Taviq Elwinn!" said the Queen above the Barons and Baronesses protests. "In this crime against the supreme ruler of Elish, did you have any collaborators or anyone who backed your decision?" asked the Queen.
"No, I made my decision entirely by myself without the help, assistance, or approval of anyone," said Taviq.
"I don't believe that!" a servant girl said with a coarse accent. "What about that servant girl who's privy to all your thoughts? Kianna Latricia is her name!"
I had never felt so conspicuous in all my life. I wanted to melt into the hard wooden bench, and never see the light of day again. But I couldn't.
"Bring this Kianna Latricia up here!" ordered the Judge.
The Royal Guard smiled sadly next to me and gestured that I should get up. I nodded numbly and rose to my feet, walking down the centre aisle, conscious of all the stares that followed me.
"Kianna Latricia, please, tell us your age," said the Judge almost congenially, but I saw straight through him.
"I am seventeen," I said, in a small voice.
"And did Taviq ever tell you of his plans to kill the King?" asked the Judge.
I shook my head. "No, sir."
"When did you know that he committed regicide?" asked the Judge.
"Yesterday morning," I said.
Several people gasped.
"Did he tell you?" asked the Judge excitedly, jumping on the fragment I had given him.
"No," I said, clearly.
This time everyone gasped, and there were hurried whispers between numerous groups of people.
"How did you know then?" he asked taken aback.
"I conducted my own investigations, and figured it out," I said, simply.
"What assets did you have at your disposal? Surely you didn't work alone?" said the Judge incredulous.
"Well I worked with Taviq," I said almost smiling. "And I have a lot of head knowledge," I said, with a shrug.
"I see," mused the Judge, condescendingly. Then he turned toward the jury. "Court will start its third session at exactly the eleventh hour of the day, everyone is dismissed."
"But—," was all I managed to say before the courtroom exploded once more with protests and refutes. No one left, besides the jury, the Judge, and the Queen. I stood in silent bewilderment, trying to piece together what had happened.
Taviq put his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry Kianna, I didn't mean for you to be roped into all of this," his eyes were soft and caring, holding my gaze with love and remorse.
"Me neither, but it doesn't really matter does it? We'll just come back as ghosts," I said with a half hearted smile.
"Yes, blue ghosts to be exact." He smiled wryly at me.