Chapter 371
The official trial notice came the next evening. Jorick explained that it wasn't for a couple of hours.
"We're not that important," he joked.
As she ate her toast he went over what was going to happen. "It should be very short. This time the law is on our side. They may love red tape here, but they also enjoy clinging to the letter of the law."
She swallowed the dry bread and asked, "What about Micah?"
"He's held for assaulting two guards. He'll have his own trial."
"Oh."
The hours slipped past and when the time drew near Jorick led her to the Lesser Council's chambers. They were ushered through the antechamber with the advice, "Take a seat."
Inside was the same parquet floor and a similar stained glass ceiling as der H?here Rat's. But instead of six wooden boxes for the councils, there were only three; two large ones packed with vampires in scarlet robes, and one in the middle where a single vampire in gold and crimson robes stood. There was a polished wood dock, and behind it were rows of benches crowded with vampires, including Micah.
Katelina motioned toward the bald vampire. He sat with his legs stretched out before him and his hands bound in his lap. Next to him was Loren, the teen vampire; Oren, who looked as irritated as usual; and Torina, sporting an unusually low cut dress, as if extra cleavage might sway the judges.
Jorick met Katelina's eyes, asking if she really wanted to join them. At her nod he shrugged and they made their way toward the motley crew. Another case was in session, so they took their seats as quietly as they could.
"And there's Lunch," Micah said. "I take it you didn't outrun the fuckers, huh?" He glanced at her lack of restraints. "What? The famous vampire killer didn't take a single guard out? What the fuck?"
"I'm not a famous vampire killer," Katelina hissed angrily.
"Yeah, so what the fuck happened? I'm guessing they didn't take you into custody?"
"We were relocated," Jorick answered stiffly.
"Yeah, me too. Though I'm guessing you got a better room, huh, Princess?"
She tried to temper her anger with the knowledge Micah was only there, in chains, because of her. He'd attacked the guard to- what? Try to protect her? As weird as the whole thing was, she felt she owed him a thank you.
She cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Look, about yesterday. I mean, you-you tried-I-"
"Hey, hey, don't get the wrong idea. I wasn't trying to save your ass or anything. I was just bored and lookin' for some fun. Nothin' like pounding a guy's face to pulp."
Katelina scowled darkly. "Yeah, Micah, that's what I figured. You'd never do something selfless."
"Exactly. It's not like you offered me a snack or anything." He snapped his teeth at her. "And I could use one. They don't fucking feed you shit down there."
Jorick growled a warning and Micah snickered. "Don't worry, Executioner, your buddies got me trussed up and on my best behavior." The gold robed vampire slammed the gavel and a guard started toward them.
Katelina steeled herself, but the guard stopped before Micah and offered to help him up.
"Looks like it's my turn, kiddies." Micah stretched and stood. "Ten bucks I'll get the death penalty, huh?" Loren looked horrified and Micah gave a coarse laugh then followed the guard to the dock.
The trial was much like the last one. One box argued for Micah, citing that he'd asked the guard to wait until the human's master arrived and that the guard had forced his way inside, while the other argued that both Micah and Katelina had been combative and uncooperative, forcing the guard to take those measures. Katelina twisted her shirt collar nervously, and Loren leaned over and whispered, "Can't Jorick get him off?"
She glanced at her boyfriend and his stern expression, then back to the teen. "I don't think so. Not here."
Finally, the gold robed vampire banged the gavel. "It is this council's finding that one Micah was in breach of good conduct and has broken The Laws by attacking a guard of the stronghold who was carrying out his official duties. Due tocircumstances, the usual sentence of six months will be commuted to one week's incarceration in the stronghold's dungeon. Sentence to begin immediately. Appeal may be made by filing the appropriate paperwork in the judicial office. Judgment is done."
He pounded the gavel again and a pair of guards escorted Micah out of the box. Katelina expected him to fight. Instead he laughed and made a show of bowing and following them through a side door.
Katelina grabbed Jorick's arm. "Did you hear that? They do have a dungeon!"
Jorick shrugged. "I doubt it's the torture chamber from your dreams. I'm sure it's more like The Guild's cell block."
"Yeah, I bet." Despite Micah's words, guilt stabbed at her. "Are you sure you can't do something?"
"We'll see," Jorick murmured with no enthusiasm.
Once Micah was gone, another guard approached them, motioning Jorick and Katelina to the docks.
"Good luck," Torina purred. "If Micah's any indication, you'll need it."
Katelina glared at her, but stood and followed Jorick, her hand in his. Two guards joined them. Though they were both healed, Katelina recognized them as the pair Micah had beaten up.
She cast a sideways glance at them. They stared straight ahead but she drew away, as if they might do something.
They were all announced and then the two councils started. They went back and forth, pointing out that Katelina's reaction was irrational and showed that she was suspicious of the Kugsankal's motivations, but that the guards had not followed protocol. Finally, one of the defending council members stood and announced loudly, "The human's master was not present, so to do anything, even to speak to her, was unacceptable."
The other side fell to whispers and finally came back with, "The human should have told them her master wasn't present."
"She did," the defenders announced with satisfaction. "Thus, whatever followed; evading guards who were acting in an official capacity, being an accessory to assault, creating a public nuisance, and the plethora of other charges would never have occurred had the guard listened to this statement in the first place and done as he should have by leaving until the human's master was present. It was because the guards were in a hurry that they did not follow proper procedure, and it is unfair to charge anyone with a crime because the guards failed in their duty."
The accusing council fell to whispers again. When it was clear they had nothing new, the gold robed vampire banged the gavel and Katelina jumped. "It is this council's finding that the human belonging to Jorick is found inculpable of the charges. The blame belongs to the stronghold guard Burton. Jorick and human will remain in their current quarters, with no change to their liberty, as will stronghold guard Dylan. Stronghold guard Burton will be suspended for a period of three weeks, without compensation, after which time he will resume his duties and his normal pay. Appeal may be made by filing the appropriate paperwork in the judicial office. Judgment is done."
The gavel sounded. Katelina had a momentary glimpse of the guard's irritated face before Jorick led her out of the box and through the courtroom. When they reached the corridor she sagged with relief and leaned her head against Jorick's chest.
"Thank God."
"I thought the guard's punishment was too light."
She smiled against him. "Would you have preferred torture?"
Jorick made a nonchalant noise and Katelina leaned up to stare at him. "Are you serious?"
"Torturing a vampire doesn't leave a permanent physical mark, unless they remove limbs and don't allow them to reattach."
"What about the emotional scars?"
"Then perhaps he should have proceeded properly. He'd certainly think twice before he acted rashly again."
Katelina couldn't find anything to say. Moments like this reminded her of why he'd been given the nickname Hand of Death so many years ago.
The door opened and Oren, Torina, and Loren filed out, talking in low voices.
"file the appeal," Oren said. He stopped and looked at Jorick. "Perhaps it would carry more weight if your signature was on it?"
"I can try," Jorick said halfheartedly. "I doubt I've garnered any favor here."
"We can't leave him in jail!" Loren cried.
Oren scoffed. "Perhaps he'll think twice before he jumps into another altercation."
The similarity to Jorick's statement was uncanny, and Katelina could see why Jorick had turned him.
"Micah only did it to help Katelina," Loren said. "Any of us would have done the same thing."
Both Oren and Torina's expressions hinted that not all of them would.
Katelina ignored the siblings. "If I'm innocent because it was the guard's fault, then Micah is, too."
Jorick heaved a heavy sigh. "All right. Loren, take Katelina back to the room and Oren and I will see about filing appeal papers for the imbecile."
"And what should I do?" Torina asked. "Drape myself over something and look pretty?"
"You can try that," Oren muttered. "It's cheaper than your other pastimes."
Torina gave a "Humph!" and crossed her arms. "I needed those clothes!"
"Of course. God forbid you wore the same thing twice." Oren rolled his eyes. "Never mind. Do as you please, just refrain from spending any more money. I'm already paying for two rooms and your meals and"
"That's what happens when you're the man," Torina replied flippantly. "Quit complaining, brother, and be glad. We could be in the free accommodations with Micah."
Oren grunted. "I doubt they're free. Nothing else is."
Torina leaned against Jorick. "My affections are, to the right person." She batted her green eyes and did her best sensual pout.
Katelina glared and Jorick politely pulled away. "If we're filing an appeal then let's get it done."
"Yes, why don't you?" Katelina gave Jorick a quick kiss and shot Torina a dirty look. Then she and Loren went in one direction while Jorick, Torina, and Oren went in the other.
"You let her go with Jorick?" Loren asked.
Katelina gave a disdainful sniff. "Why not?" But she knew what he meant; it was one of the reasons she was jealous of the vampiress. "Torina and Jorick's 'relationship', if you can even call it that, is long over."
"I never said it wasn't." Loren stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You know she only hangs all over him when you're around. I think it's just to annoy you."
Katelina started to deny it bothered her, but there was no point. "I don't doubt it." Despite her words, a tiny part of her did doubt, no matter what assurances Jorick gave her. She didn't understand how he could prefer a plain human to the busty sexpot vampiress.
"Do you think it will work?" Loren asked.
"What?" She jerked from her thoughts, and realized he meant the appeal. "I hope so. Otherwise we may never get out of here." Not that she was optimistic, anyway.
