CHAPTER 27 – SECOND TESTIMONY
Demeter stood back up, nodded to the Tribune without Galastad or Mitakahn noticing, and then cleared his throat, “The kingdom would like to call its second witness, Lord Mercinestor Casterosi.”
Mitakahn and Cipher looked at each other. The same thought seemed to hit them both at once although it was lost on Galastad. Mitakahn was the first to speak on it, “They must know about the cor.”
“The what?”
“They have no proof.”
“If they do, they could go after your research.”
Cipher smiled as if he knew something everyone else did not. He rubbed the cuff on the sleeve of his left arm.
“Should I be worried?” Galastad leaned over.
“They’ve got nothing.”
The three of them focused back on Mercinestor getting sworn in.
“Swear unto your crimson pledge of honesty that you may do no harm or tell no lie under the scrutiny and penalty of the king’s law.”
“I solemnly swear.”
“Lord Mercinestor, you are responsible for the kingdom’s most prized possession. Some might say the prosperity and market value of the Serengeti coin has grown to where it is today thanks to the Ignaleos Cor. Others blame it for that outdated and retired ritual of unnecessary sacrifice. The fact remains we let you keep it in your possession.”
“…Let…me?”
“We have it on good authority that there was an unknown activation of the Ignaleos Cor the same day the prince returned to the kingdom.”
“Can you please provide your proof of such an accusation?” Mercinestor deflected.
“Our sources choose to remain anonymous for their own safety.”
“Then technically you have no authority at all.”
The thing about having a spy in Castle Rosi is once you reveal them you no longer have a spy in the castle. Demeter knew this and already concluded that it was not worth it to do so now. He would be able to get what he wants by other means. Instead, he would appeal towards Mercinestor’s emotions.
“You’ve watched Prince Mitakahn grow up. Much like his uncle in the brig you were able to show him the importance of family, especially in the light of what happened to the Arkenoir line. You stepped in when others did not. You were like a brother to the king.”
“Get to your point.”This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
“You were there when the king was forced to take the throne after his brother died in the Corscape and now you knowingly let your son and the princes risk the same fate. How can you live with yourself?”
“You have no right to accuse me of anything. I would have done whatever it took to save Theomitus. He was my king and the best man I knew. He didn’t deserve what he got and his family sure as hell does not deserve your persecution in his absence.”
“Mitakahn went looking for answers, didn’t he?”
“All evidence to the contrary.”
Mitakahn looked over at Cipher who was brimming with pride. Galastad added his remark, “Your old man is stumping Governor Blockhead.”
“In your opinion, Lord Casterosi, why is Mitakahn allowed to participate in a ritual that was abolished by his own grandfather? Mitakahn is no king. He is subject to the same laws as the rest of us.”
“There is no evidence of Mitakahn participating in the alleged ritual.”
“Clearly, you cannot be swayed. An honorable trait, my lord, but even if we cannot produce a witness, everyone in this room knows how the clouds glow blue above Castle Rosi Island when the gem portal is active, alive in the night. And there were multiple accounts from local river valley folk of that infamous glow emanating from the island the same night Mitakahn returned to the kingdom.”
“I cannot agree to anything without substantial evidence.”
“I have made my point. No further question, prestiges.”
Next, Galastad had a chance to cross-reference the witness. “Do you agree that the governor is a greedy man?”
“I do.”
“Impropriety, prestiges!”
“What will you do with all of the information this trial has presented here today?”
“Although my house is older than any that stand on the tribunal, I have no power here. So, at my first opportunity I will ride for the Burning Mountains and bring Prince Axion home to do away with all this foolishness.”
“No further questions, prestiges.”
Demeter jumped right away, “You cannot let him leave now.”
Jirulian beckoned, “Seize him!”
The guards moved into action as if they were statues coming to life. All the other lords in the courtroom stood up ready to fight, including Kara Ventrilles, commander of the Zenfor Archers and one of the kingdom’s most famous warriors.
Cipher jumped up, right next to Mitakahn. But Cipher did not reach for his sword like the rest. He jumped the table and got to his father before the guards. Cipher lifted the sleeve on his left arm to reveal a mechanical bracelet. A dark leather band held the valley-tin directly over his wrist on the back of his hand. He opened the thin metal cover and cranked a switch causing the bracelet to glow. As if the two were mutually exclusive a loud echoing boom could be heard from outside of the courthouse. It sounded like thunder from a distance, but Mitakahn knew what it really was.
He was trying to put it together. Mitakahn understood while he was watching events unfold that it could be some time before he would see Cipher again. Who knows what will happen after this? Cipher had created some sort of device that mirrored the Ignaleos Cor. That same churning cerulean portal opened up from his wrist large enough for him and Mercinestor to walk through. As the guards charged them the portal slammed shut causing a shockwave to ring out and knock them and the Prestigents off their feet. Everything settled down and the Casterosis were nowhere to be found.
No one could believe what just happened. If Mitakahn had to guess, he would assume Cipher found a way to channel the cor’s energy to his wrist-device and when he opened the gem portal with his mind it allowed him to travel between the two and return home instantaneously. Mitakahn looked at Galastad.
Now what do we do?