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My favorite person in the world was going through so much right now. I'd been told by her to stay away from the courtroom. It was nearing seven a.m. and I was wide awake on my new ship. The story here was boring so far. Did I regret setting The Dragon's Daughter on fire? Yes. A few random people said it was charming that I'd done it in the name of love.
A love that had many missing puzzle pieces right now. I knew it would take time to get back with her. I hated all of this. Yes, it had been my fault duelling with the doorman, but I had good reasons. Mermista knew it, all of her family knew it.
I heard footsteps and looked up. To my surprise Meranda was there.
"Can I talk to you?" She asked rather quietly. She may have thought I'd just woken up. I'd been awake for over an hour. Her aqua leather boots were loud against the wood as she came over.
Meranda made herself comfortable and our eyes met. "The trial starts in two hours. I know Mermista told you not to come, but you should. I talked to the other guys already. They're coming too. We both know she wants you there."
I laughed to myself. "I've been thinking about it and her all night. I barely slept." I put a hand to my face. My mustache needed trimming. "I'll be there, Meranda. Just don't tell her."
Meranda hugged me and I hugged her back. "I'm not saying a word." She left a minute later.
I got a quick shower and trimmed my mustache. I slicked my hair down and put on the most suitable clothing I had. It was nearly forty minutes later when I saw my crew standing around talking.
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"Look at you!" Paulie said and whistled. "Sharp dressed fella."
I smiled at them. "Yeah, thanks."
Figg checked his watch. "We'll leave here in a little bit. If we show up too early it might make Mermista nervous."
I sighed, "I need coffee." I know I looked as tired as I felt.
We all went to Salty Sweet for drinks before heading over to the courthouse which was located near the edge of the woods.
King Mercia and the lawyer were head to head talking. I looked to the defendant's table. John was also talking to his lawyer.
Judge Ferry Lellon came out and the officer said, "All Rise." She was very tall and thin with dark red hair up in a tight bun. She had the features of a doe. Very pretty in her own way.
"You may all sit down." She said when she sat down on her chair. "It's my understanding that this case never fully closed. That's why we are here today to close the case for good." She looked at her notes. "The charge is murder of the late Alina, Queen of Salineas. Mr. Jodd how does your defendant plead?"
Mr. Jodd told the judge, "Not guilty your honor."
"My notes state there were many witnesses that day. We will start with King Mercia. Please come up here." Miss Lellon said, studying everything again like she had a few hours ago.
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King Mercia stood up and sighed before heading to the witness stand. The Elfish Officer Moncoy said, "Raise your right hand and repeat after me, I swear to speak the truth and if I fail to disclose any information I will face punishment.''
King Mercia repeated what the officer said and sat down. Judge Lellon turned and asked, "The day was June eighth and the weather had been nice out. And begin your side of the story, King Merica."
He smiled into the crowd. It pleased him to see Sebastian and his crew supporting him and his family today. Also in the crowd were many merfolk kin to him and friends. "A pod of us were minding our business under the water when a fishing net dropped into the water. This was not a designated fishing area either. No type of fishing is allowed within two thousand feet of the Kingdom of Salineas, yet a net dropped." He paused, hating to even talk about this tragic day.
"Nysia, my dear cousin saw it and waved for us to get out of the way. We all thought we were safe until I heard a scream in the water. My wife Alina was caught in the net. I went free her with a few others, but the net started to rise really fast. I had left my trident at the castle that day. I didn't have it to free her with."
He could see Mermista fighting back her tears. Marika had her arms around her cousin.
"The net was wheeled up very fast as she struggled to free herself. I surfaced with my pod. I rose myself in the water to the top and got onto the ship. My wife was screaming for help. I told them to free my wife. They all laughed and said they got what they wanted. I saw that man over there." Mercia pointed at John, "That man, the captain had a spear in his hand. I had many of my people now beside me. He said nothing, just strangest smile on his face. He looked down at Alina and without another thought jammed the spear into her heart."
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Mermista was full on crying, breaking down in Marika's arms.
Judge Lellon felt awful for the girl. "Please continue on." She told Mercia.
"They tried to kill me and the merfolk that were trying to get to Alina too. We all had to dive off the ship and leave Alina's body unfortunately with those evil men. They had other guns and they shot into the water. Two of my people were hurt from this too. It was a day or two later when there was a ruckus in SeaWorthy. One of my people that was there during the morning came to get me. By the time I arrived the crowds were thick and noisy. I soon saw my dear wife hanging from a large hook. It was the most disturbing and digusting thing. I wanted to kill those pirates."
King Mercia couldn't fight back his emotions. He could freshly see that image in his mind and he openly wept.
"You may step down." Judge Lellon told him.
Judge Lellon heard the same thing from Marista, Nysia, Herman, and Sanna. "King Mercia, you have a daughter named Mermista, correct?"
Mermista raised her hand like she was in a classroom.
"Yes, your honor, I do." He answered.
"Mermista, I know you weren't there and you were much younger then. I'd like to hear from you. Please come up here." Judge Lellon said with a smile.
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Mermista stood, looked at Marika, her other cousins, friends and family. Then she saw her pirate family. Her second family. A crew of trustworthy good men there supporting her. She smiled and mouthed, 'Thank you.' Some of them nodded and she turned back around.
Mermista went up to the stand, took the oath and sat down.
"I want to know what you remember about that day." Judge Lellon said to her.
Mermista felt the love and support in the room. "Someone told me this was near the Growling Sea I guess I was told wrong." She couldn't remember who had even told her that. "My mother woke me that morning. She asked if i wanted to go swimming with the pod. I told her I wanted to stay home and read. That's my favorite thing to do. Before she left she got onto the bed and grabbed my hand. She placed my hand on her stomach and said we'd be telling my dad soon."
King Mercia jumped up from his seat, "WHAT?" He yelled out in absolute shock.
Mermista looked at him in surprise. "I know mom never told you, but didn't anyone ever tell you she was pregnant?"
"No!" He said loudly. He turned to the crowd behind him. "Raise your hand if you knew Alina was pregnant."
Three others knew and that included Marista. Alina's older brother, Andreas and her best friend Krishell.
