The Royal houses had been ushered into the Amphitheater. The Pagasi Royals were seated nearest to the tribunal of Judges. The Closest Outlier was the Edenboro Duke and Earl. The King and Queen of The Land of Myst were next to the outlier Peyton Clan. These were the typical seats as all these families intermarried, but The King of the Land of Myst was usually the central judge.
The Judges were the Griffin King and Queen, representing the Land of Myst, and the Central and Answering Judge, The Great Britain Queen and her Royal Consort, and The Roman Caesar and his royal consort.
All the Royals were seated, and each had ballots to fill out after hearing the charges and the testimony of the witnesses.
King Samir asked the congregation to stand while the charges were read - murder, attempted murder, banishment, slavery, tracking civilians, and aiding and abetting." King Samir added. 'More charges could be added as testimony ensues." He then cautioned, "All should be impartial as some of you will deal with kinsmen and relatives. This is the first part of the trial, as sentencing will not be until tomorrow. There is much testimony to be presented."
Queen Ada spoke. "Charges of Murder, Attempted Murder, Banishment, Slavery, Human trafficking, and tracking civilians are against King Purses and Lord Connet, the Earl of Edenboro. The lesser charges of aid and abetting are brought against King Solomon Steward and Queen Maud.
King Samir said, "Bailiff, bring in the first witness.
The Bailiff brought a young woman and indicated to her to be seated. He announced, "Mrs. Thomas Tomilson, daughter of the Earl of Edenboro, and Elissa Spencer, daughter of Laird Spencer." Then he asked, "Do you swear to tell only the truth as you know it?"
"Yes," said Mercy quietly.
"Speak louder," said King Samir.
"Yes, Sir. Yes, I promise to tell the truth."
"Mrs. Tomilson. Tell us what happened to you sixteen years ago.
"Sir, King Samir, may I tell you the beginning of my story? It all pertains to my life and led up to this trial."
"Yes, you may elaborate. Go on," said King Samir
"When I was eight years old, my mother vanished. I was told she had run off with another man and died. The following year, my father, the Earl of Edenboro, married. My father and stepmother hated me; I was told I looked like my mother. None of the servants were allowed to be kind, or they were fired from their position. Some would slip me some good food, not the slops my father said were good enough for me and nothing else."
As Merci started to cry at the memories, King Samir said to the Earl of Edenboro, "There are witnesses to this behavior on your part. Be ready to answer for your actions."
Queen Ada softly asked. "Mercy, are you able to continue?"
"Yes, Queen Ada. Please excuse me. The memories still make me sad."
"It is understandable, Mercy. Please continue," said Queen Ada.
Mercy nodded and continued, "I was given to the King of Pegasi to do as he wanted. I heard my father tell King Purses that my mother was put into a slave market in a city in the Scot's land. But I could not attend the city's name as I was pushed out of the room."
"So," said King Samir, "You have no idea if your mother is alive or dead, but she may be in one of the cities of the Scot Land."
He then called an attendant of the court and spoke to him in a low voice, "Take troops to the cities that hate the Spencers and find Mrs. Tomilison's mother. She must appear at the court."
"Please continue, Mercy," said Queen Ada.
"I was ten years old and assigned kitchen duty. I learned planting and tending to the weeds, gathering the vegetables we ate, and all the spices needed. I carried the water, washed dishes, and was responsible for everything in the Royal family's garden. I helped prepare the food when I finished other chores. The King's son, Clayton, hung out in the kitchen after school, and he taught me mathematics, how to write my name, and finally, how to read. He told his father, the King, that I should be schooled as I was brilliant and could help with the ledgers. The King agreed, and I went to school until Clayton went to medical school."
"You sound like you were treated very well in the Palace."
"Yes, Sir, King Samir, I was until I was seventeen, and my father and stepmother visited and demanded I be married to TomTom, another servant in the Palace. He also was a Tiger. Although I had never tried to change from my human form, I did know I was a Tiger. My father said it was a disgrace that I was given an education because the King's son, Clayton, and I seemed to love one another, but I was forbidden to marry him. My father said I was a curse to him and wanted me banished. He said he wanted the bloodline to die. King Purses agreed with the Earl. He said the Spencers were an 'uppity' clan, and had he known my roots were from them, I would have been used in the stables or the ale houses."
King Samir gently asked the crying Mercy, " Are you feeling alright after your health scare, or should we forego the rest of your testimony for now?"
"No, Sir, please. I want to finish saying all of it, and then I will take a rest."
"As you wish, please continue, Mercy."
"A judge in attendance drew up a marriage contract between TomTom and me. We were told we would be sent into the wild areas alone if we did not do what we were told. To make the marriage legal, we had to repeat after the judge and swear to God that we wanted to marry. TomTom was beaten because he at first did not agree. We did what we were told, thinking we would remain as servants, but were given a vaccine they called it, and when we woke up, we were on a jungle Island. Both of us were in Cat form. We agreed to stay together because we did not know the dangers, but TomTom, who loved King Purses' daughter, told me we would never be mates. He would not betray his love. I understood and agreed."
Mercy again broke down in tears as she continued, "TomTom is dead. About seven years ago, he gave up hope. When I was in heat, he said he wanted children and asked me to consent, but he told me if it did not work, he would not bother me again as he felt it was a betrayal of his love. I agreed to his terms, and we have three daughters. He loved his girls but could no longer take the solitude. He jumped into the lake and was eaten by the giant crocodile. He entered the water as a man, not a cat - he did not want to live. The girls had just had their sixth birthday when he chose to do this. They miss him. But Prince Clayton has assumed us all as his family, and the girls already love him."
Queen Ada said, "Mercy, I am sorry that all those who loved you were taken away when you needed them the most. But your life will be much happier in the future. I understand you fought for your life against the crocodile and won?"
"I did fight him, but Prince Clayton made him release me, and we all flew back to The Land of Myst. May I be excused? I am still so weak from the poison in my body. I am falling asleep."
"Yes, of course," said Queen Ada. "Healing sleep is what your body needs.
King Samir said, "Bailiff, escort Mrs. Tomilison out and bring in the next witness, Prince Clayton, son of King Purses.