Well it seems that these False Heroes are trying to bring law and justice to the lawless sands...Yes I know they are not exactly...The shining examples of being lawful but they are not bad and chaotic people...Neutral I believe the word is for them and also this trial. Never have I seen such a stacked group of judges that anyone just finding this out would think with so many family members there how could she lose? Though the reason is very simple...She has already slighted both her remaining family and the one she sees as her father has not really spoken to her since the first day the crew arrived...Well anyway the trail will be only a night's away...No we can not just jump into it. Mathis must speak to the other judges and one thing I have learned in my years is that you never skip something that has potential.
Mathis moved towards a small but well built home on the edge of town closest to the mines. Looking at the door and thought that a royal would have something a little bigger before remembering his size, opening the door seeing the man with his shirt up revealing a large purple vein all up his body that he was using his reserves to try and hide until the prince couched purposely to let the man know he was there but he only looked and laughed before continuing,
''Come in...Close the door.''
The prince did as he was asked. Instantly sitting to not bang his head on the roof before he asked,
''So...That is why the bird is fine...after I heard what he did for me and Matthew I thought it was odd he was fine...You took the damage didn't you?''
The druid let his shirt fall back down as he turned,
''Aye...I'm guessing about two days until I'm bedridden...five until I'm gone...Never mind-''
''Any chance of you living? You know I will help if I can.''
Regal smiled before sitting in his bed,
''No...Just don't let them know...I will tell them it is just old age hitting me...Promise?''
Mathis nodded before he changed the subject abruptly,
''Well you still have one final job before then...Sophie is standing trial tomorrow. She almost made her sister and brothers reputation plummet...and attacked me with killing intent.''
The old man lost his smile but did not look angered by hearing this,
''And I will be a judge? This is a problem for Glassand. You are here to help and have done nothing but so far...I will be at That Place at dawn...I assume that's when you are planning it?''
''Aye...Thank you...I will let you sleep now.''
Mathis went to walk out before the goblin called back,
''So Matthew...Is he going to achieve his dreams of being a knight?''
Mathis laughed and spoke as he closed the door,
''Oh you mean Sir Matthew 'Drago' Lakefield? It has already been done.''
The door closed as Regal had a face of shock but then seconds later it turned to a massive smile before he shouted in celebration to himself. Mathis heard the old man as he left and smiled making his way back to the mines as the two other judges were secured as he spoke with Elias on the way in who sadly agreed and now Regal on board all was left was to get some rest.
Inside the mines Sophie was wrapped with the chains. Thirty feet up to a large central column of the main hall as she started to awaken from the beating she had taken at the hands of Mathis, seeing all the royals looking up at her but behind them was Bee, Wilt, Kyu and Matthew, she smiled at her brother who only turned away to face the others as her smile faded. The door was opened by Mathis entering the mines and walking up to everyone, looking at the girl with anger,
''Your trial is in around eight hours...Get some rest beforehand. Me, Regal, Evelyn, Elias and Matthew will be the judges...Don't say I have not given you a fair shot at this but...Do not hold up your hopes.''
The girl heard it but did not react to it. The prince laughed and looked back at the rest of the crew and his family before he spoke to Jericho,
''You are going back tomorrow, correct? It will have been three days after all.''
Jericho looked sad as he responded,
''Aye...I can stay longer if you-''
''Don't force yourself. The puzzle needs you as well as their leader.''
He nodded as Orelia grabbed the princes shoulder,
''Well I am stay-''
''Oh gods no! You can't be out adventuring for the time being and you know why...I will be fine. Kyu will be fine. Everyone in the crew will be fine okay?''
She nodded knowing he was right but did not look happy about that being the case. He kissed her cheek and whispered something that made her smile.
They all went back to the homes built for them other than Mathis, Kyu, Bee and Matthew as the prince spoke to them,
''Right...Guard duty...I will take the first few hours, Then Bee and Matthew will take the last half...Kyu be ready in case something happens to her falling if she tries to escape.''
The crew all nodded but the look of fear in Matthew's face was easily seen. Mathis placed his hand on his scaly shoulder and spoke,
''You are trusted right now Drago...Do not waste it by falling for fake sentiment okay? I mean it. If you end up helping her then you will not be a knight for very long.''
The man looked up at his sister, void of emotions and barley even moving, only knowing she was alive by the look of her chest breathing before he looked back at the prince,
''What...What will happen if she is guilty?''
''She will be banished...I would not kill her even though I would like to do nothing more after what she has put us through...But out of respect to you she will only be banished.''
Matthew did not know how to feel at hearing this. Unsure how he liked the idea that his standing had been raised in the prince's eyes to the point he would not kill her. Responded with a serious conviction in his voice,
''My lord, I will not fail you! Allow me to stay with you during this night! Sir Bee is strong enough to fight her himself if she escaped!''
Mathis looked confusingly over at Bee who averted his gaze before the price sighed,
''Fair enough. You will stay with me. Bee go and get some rest for your shift got it?''
''Aye I got it...Good luck Drago.''
Bee said as he made his way away from the homes and entered his hut leaving Matthew and the prince alone, Matthew turned back from the demon and saw Mathis sat on a rock and looking up at Sophie with a look of disdain before he spoke,
''Do...Do you hate my sister that much?''
Mathis did not take his eyes away from the girl as he spoke,
''Very much...As her kin you won't be able to see all the impurities she has as...you only try to look for the positives...Everyone is guilty of this at one point in there lives and I am no different but you were told what she said when she was told I knighted you...She let's her anger and aggression cloud her judgement in battle...If it is just about herself then there would be no problem in my eyes...Everyone is free to live or die how they please for all I care but...When another life is placed in your care and they are the ones who paid the biggest price while you survive...That is unforgivable to me...If I'm to fight like a madman I would know that all the crew would be at a safe range away from anything...She asked me why when we first meet remember?...Oh you were still out at the time...Well she asked me why do the crew follow me into each mess...I tried to make her see it for herself but she did not care-''
''A true leader would have released their limits and forgotten about some tournament...If they were going to die for it then it should have been that one who risked the most...Right?''
Sophie moved for the first time, now staring at her brother with the look of a feral beast before she started screaming,
''You seriously think you're better than me don't you?! Sir?! You are a waste of that title and no wonder a terrible leader like him would-''
''Your right Drago.''
Sophie was stunned after hearing those words from Mathis as he turned and looked at her,
''It took him only one time to think about it to come to the correct battle strategy you should have used...It took you four days to not figure out even that. He is, like I said earlier, more of a warrior and knight than you could ever imagine.''
Matthew looked happy at this before he also turned to his sister but this time with no emotion, only venom in his piercing eyes as he spoke harsh towards her,
''You have always been a child. You were born with better reflexes and blade skills but I was the one born with battle sense...Leadership abilities and most of all...No where near as big of a ego you have for someone who has not one a fight since these turned up...Sister...We are no longer connected and now...You are nothing more than a lost soul to me.''
Mathis looked and laughed as Sophie only let the emotion leave her face once more, dropping her head to face the floor again,
''Well said Drago! You see girl? You treat all those around you with fake sentiment they will eventually see through it and just like now...You will be alone.''
The next few hours seemed to pass with more words as Bee came out but the other two stayed with him until the rise of the mourning sun was here.
Wilt made a new pot of black bean stew, still annoyed about how his last was racked by the demon's lack of thinking. As he poured a cup for all the royal members who were around resting and falling into Mathis' home, each of them in a corner of the table in the centre room. Wilt returned to his set next to the pot before starting to catch up with the royal and their duties,
"So how is the weather up in the sky hmm? Not too windy I hope."
Jericho picked up his mug, placing three spoons of sweat sand then responding,
"Remember we worship a god of the winds and gales so...the weather is always consistent. Well, unless we need some rain coming through, why do you ask?"
Wilt drank down his first mug then poured another,
"No reason, just wondering. Anyways, did anything newsworthy happen while I was away? All I did was travel with some knight and go home for a visit. Nothing special."
The entire family minus Orelia looked at the goblin with a look of distance as Baarias spoke up,
"We know you were gallivanting around with a paladin whose stench is still on you. It is forgivable this time but never again got it goblin? Just ask Kyu what happens if I don't get my way."
The goblin decided to not mention Alexander to anyone else again. Smelling himself and wondering how they could smell out a type of fighter before deciding to leave and have another wash, wondering what residue the warrior left on him,
"Of course my lords and lady's I should apologise...Do excuse me."
Wilt said before walking out the door and towards his house, leaving the Price family to talk and eat as they awaited the return of the others.
Kyu awoke as felt the warmth of the bed and the thought of closing his eye once more before remembering his duties. Forcing his body up and put on his under leathers and placing his arms through the drooping over sized cloak that Baarias had brought, tightening it with his pendent of the three headed dragon of a bronze colouration before he noticed it, taking it off before rubbing it in the dirt, making it look like the gold it once he lifted it and his white aura left. He fastened his cloak once more as he moved out to see Mathis, Bee and Matthew standing watching the girl and Wilt by the doors with a bottle in hand. The angel went over to the central pillar and looked at the girl as Mathis spoke,
''She is still alive...She slept for a few hours and struggled for around ten minutes before she quieted down...Been breathing so what do you think? Also Drago. Go and wear some decent clothes for the trail...Jericho should have something in you size...Bee go with him and ask.''
The demon nodded. Grabbing the stuttering man as Kyu sprouted his wings and softly floated up to the girl, now looking into her vacant eyes,
"Have you rested at all or have you just wallowed in self pity? Oh never mind your trial is soon and the path of a traitor is not one my mother of the moons does not accept such squalor in her sight… but for justice. I will heal you all the same. Now any last words to confess? Maybe these transgressions can possibly be healed in another life?"
The girls face showed signs of anger but did not move as Kyu simply tilted his head and floated softly back to the ground, looking at the the prince who shrugged his shoulders and made a stupid face before he spoke.
''What do you want me to say? She has been like that all night...Think you got the only reaction out of her other than her brother...Speaking of siblings I should go and get Jericho to help transport-''
''I will lead the heretic through the boiling sands,''
Mathis went to ask a question but stopped himself before he smiled,
''Okay buddie...Bee will be with us as well so it is fine...I will go grab the others just don't take her down yet.''
The angel nodded as the prince walked towards his home. Bee and Matthew were now wearing Recocton Gi's, a rustic gold with the symbol of the Price family and Jericho standing behind them with a proud smile before the younger brother spoke,
''Brother...You know I love you...Why have you dressed up my men? Couldn't you have at least...never mind it will do...You do not need to help transport now though with Bee, Drago and Kyu coming so just tell Wilt he can do what he wants until we get back okay?''
''Oh that is good I can go back to sleep...Good luck Mathis.''
The two brothers smiled and shook arms at the shoulder before Jericho walked into the home as the prince moved over to his crew, proceeding to slowly move the girl down. She did not resist and was wrapped again with the chains but Mathis pulled out his and wrapped it around the other and led the pull with the three men taking positions around them and leaving the mines. As they walked through the sands Mathis stopped briefly to look out past the mines into the endless sands and felt a cold shiver down his spine before moving into the town. The people were all out in the streets, all in unison with their sombre silence as the sun started stretching over the vast sands, all dressed in finer clothes and seeming to pay their respects to the dead. Sophie was showing emotion finally but it was that of heartbreak, seeing the faces that always smiled and talked so highly of her before this now looking like they were watching a animal being put out of its misery. The anger and jealousy inside her raised, now turning to her brother who averted his gaze, making her laugh once and now wore a sickly smile, one filled with rage. As they entered the main square there was a grand pillar erected in the centre that Mathis touched with his black aura, making it three times thicker and ten feet taller, now looming over the whole town as the girl was tied to the middle and was faced towards the judges as they took their seat.
Regal last as he rubbed his head, looking up with despair at the girl he saw as his own, making his voice slightly crack as spoke,
''The trail of Sophie Lakefield will now begin. Kyuuwin wishes to bless this trail for luck for both sides under the light of Tyflos. You may begin fallen angel.''
Kyu nodded as he stood and clasped his hands between the judges and the girl before he spoke,
"Under the light of the cursed sun we start this trial…. Justice and courage make the bedrock that maintains our life's and light and by the power of Tyflos I invoke his blind bland justice to guide us through this trial for he is impartial and if this is unjustified he will make his known to all. Oroi chrisis.''
The angel moved back to the crowd near the judges bench before Regal spoke once more,
''Well now we will begin. It seems everybody in the town saw you commit the crimes you have been charged with her today. Attempted murder of a royal...He will need to present no defence but you Sophie Lakefield...You may try to defend yourself to your best ability.''
Sophie looked up as she still wore that sadistic smile before tears started to break it as they rolled down her face as she bellowed out to the whole town,
''why...why have you abandoned me for these people! That's not even my brother anymore, just look at the damn thing! A demon... and that Mathis is a devil with his gang of fiends so why...why can't you see? I'm sorry I couldn't save Matthew but he's dead and...and it's Mathis' fault! He twists every word around him and that angel has fallen for a reason! Look at them! All scum! How much did it cost for you to sell him your souls?! Rise up and kill them! Kill them all! Hurry before they murder you all''!
The girl's eyes showed the snapping of her psyche happening in front of the whole town who could only avert their eyes and try to hold back the tears and grit their teeth.
Sophie saw that she had been forgotten. Her extended family now looked away, not wanting to listen to her. Regal stood after hearing enough with a look of anger on his face as he looked at the girl and spoke loud,
''That is enough!...It is time to finish this...It is obvious what the prince will say correct?''
Mathis was looking off into the sands again with a look of venom before being snapped back by the old man before he spoke,
''Well I called this trial so it should be obvious indeed...Guilty.''
Matthew and Evelyn stood also but Regal turned to Elias who seemed to fight the anger away from his face before he spoke with his voice cracking,
''Not guilty...Got a problem with that?''
He turned to Mathis who looked away into the sands once more before the other two standing were in shock before Evelyn looked at her sister and spoke,
''G...Guilt-''
''Send the weak to a place of safety! Indra I beg you!''
With the click of his Mathis' fingers the townspeople were gone except his crew and Regal, Elias, Evelyn and Sophie before Mathis kicked the floor as Lytesbane appeared,
''Boys take a defensive position!''
Kyu pulled out his dagger before speaking Scarlet Scream into his other and looked at the prince,
''What is Seirei?!''
''A paladin! It's fighting something...Familiar. We need to prep-''
The sands around them rose in a massive cloud that sent all that were there but the angel into walls and windows revealing Alexander standing with broken Armor on his one side and a gash covering half his face in crimson, forcing the angel to focus his eyes on this new contender. Flipping his blade to a reverse grip just using his wings to stop himself from tumbling, the force from the impact brought dust into the air, as the paladin covered his exposed face as he pulled his weapon forcing light into the sky all around the town with a shock wave of heavenly light.
So this is the start of their event, hmm wondering when this happened…. Oh quiet. I've been waiting for this for a while so now sit down and listen. I am not in the mood to deal with your sanctimonious crap….. So now then where was I...oh yes a half dead warrior just made it to town rather dirty to make himself look intimidating. These shows of power are really just childish displays of pride and jealousy at the very gods they proclaim to follow. Now then let us return to the False Heroes and their conquest of chaos.