[The Lone Gunslinger, Chapter 12, Trial] [Part I] "Seriously, Jaco, where did we get all this stuff?" "We've been here three months," says Jaco carefully packing our belongings into crates. "Where do you think the Ravens are going after the trial?" I ask. "Don't know, they won't tell me," says Jaco. "You really bringing that?" I'm prying the boards off the stall that have my old carvings and the carving of the eagle Jaco made. There isn't anything else on the farm I want, but I want my carvings. I think I'll put them up in the cabin back home somewhere. "Hello, boys," says Tani walking over to us. She is starting to show and has a habit of walking around with her hands over her stomach protectively. "Hi, Tani," I reply. "Hey there, egg licker," taunts Jaco. "Why don't you like me, Jaco?" purrs Tani. "Oh, I don't know, maybe because you've picked on me since you oozed out of your shell." "Hey Keal, the egg is wiggling, want to feel?" Tani walks past the crates and knocks over a pile of shirts Jaco just finished folding. Jaco glares at Tani as I put my hand on her belly. "I can feel it, that's so awesome." "I bet you’re excited to leave," says Tani. "Yea, I'm so tired of looking over my shoulder and worrying Moro is going to think Jaco and I aren't brothers and burn us at the stake." "Huh?" I think Tani looks genuinely surprised at my revelation. "You are such a Chirp," says Tani. "You're too important to Moro and his plans. Moro doesn't condone a male team unless they are brothers, but he would never kill you for it, he would lose our support if he killed you for that reason. No, you were never in danger from Moro; it was us you were in danger from." "I thought you liked me. What did I ever do to you?" "Chirp chirp." I glance behind me and see Ganu is sitting on the top of the stall looking down at me. "Go pack, Ganu," says Tani. "I'll take care of the Chirps." "Jaco?" I say looking confused. "I've never really been part of the group; they picked on me since I was little, so I stayed to myself," says Jaco. "And I left the Temple almost a year ago, so I don't know what they've been up to, but I think I understand now what's going on. You're talking about Ruddy and Petrel, aren't you, Tani." "Who's Ruddy and Petrel?" I ask. "They were the best of us, and they are the reason Raen saved us; him and Sarin and Lane," explains Tani. "They were murdered in cold blood by Gunslingers. When we got here, all we wanted to do was tie you to a stake and slowly roast you over a fire while we danced to your screams." I take a step back from Tani. "Don't be afraid, sweet Chirp, we aren't so petty as not to realize you are nothing like the murderers that killed our brother and sister," says Tani. "We can see that you're an innocent, and Ruddy and Petrel would never want us to hurt an innocent." "I haven't murdered anyone." "I know, I just said that," says Tani patiently. "You aren't very bright, good thing you're pretty. Anyway, hurry up and pack, we're leaving, your part in the plan is over. Don't worry, we aren't abandoning you. We'll get you out of the trouble you're in with the humans and move on to the next part." Tani turns and starts to walk away but stops for a moment next to Jaco. "No wonder you like him," says Tani. "You're both dumb as a rock." "Yea, well, you're a shell cruncher," retorts Jaco. Tani walks away laughing and I watch Jaco make a rude gesture at her back. "I get the feeling the last three months has been the real trial," I say. "Were we wrong about everything?" "No, remember what I said about Ravens," replies Jaco. "Tani was only telling us a sliver of what's going on, and even that probably wasn't the whole truth." "She said they hated me when they first got here because I'm a Gunslinger." I don't say the rest of what I want to ask Jaco, either he catches it, or he doesn't. "I didn't know, I swear," says Jaco picking up on what I'm really trying to ask him. "They call me dumb, but I didn't need three months to know you're a good guy, and I don't blame you for what 'he' did." "Who's 'he'?" "Colton Cyness," Jaco turns his head and spits. "He's the leader of the murderers that killed Ruddy and Petrel." "Never heard of him," I say. "The Marshall General is one of the murderers too," adds Jaco. "Seriously? "You don't have to worry about it, he was punished by the Goddess personally," says Jaco. "That's why his eyes are pure black; it's the mark of his punishment. No Raven will ever touch him." "That's good, I guess. Do you think this is about revenge?" "No, this doesn't feel like a plot to revenge. Raven revenge is straight forward, not all this cloak and dagger stuff, this feels like something else entirely." "What then?" "I don't know," says Jaco. "I'm getting a fuzzy feeling this feels like...well...I'm not sure. I remember after Blood Day when Raen rescued us there were whispers among the First Eggs about a lot of things. We were never supposed to survive; we just don't fit in with normal Ravens." "You mean like a Raven partnering with his sworn enemy, or Ravens concerned when Gunslingers were hurt rescuing that Liner, or a death fight competition that doesn't end with anyone getting killed?" Jaco gives me a little laugh. "Yea, like that. We just weren't raised to be killers; we were raised to be killed." "No offense to your culture, Jaco, but it's twisted." "Not everything, but the Ravens are a crime family and they don't always play nice, maybe they are trying to break into the Tarous market." "This is a farming world? What, they want to grow turnips?" I ask. Ganu and his partner walk past us carrying a crate and shake their heads at us. "See, this is why Tani calls you stupid," says Ganu. "You were right there at the answer and then poof, you go off the complete wrong direction." "Maybe if you just tell us we wouldn't be making dumb guesses," I shout. "Better hurry," says Ganu. "This farm isn't going to be here in another three minutes." "Oh ancestors!" says Jaco alarmed. "They're going to cleanse the farm, quick, grab our stuff." Jaco grabs the shirts Tani knocked over and shoves them in the crate, and I grab the rest of the various weapons and gear we've been given and shove them in on top of the shirts. "What do you mean, cleanse?" I ask. "Just grab that crate, leave the other junk, let's go," shouts Jaco grabbing the second crate and running for the door. My crate is too heavy; it has our weapons and armor in it. I drag the crate outside and make it half-way across the farmyard before Jaco runs back to help me carry the crate to the Battleship. Cargo ramps along the sides of the Battleship are open, and everyone is hurrying to load the last of the crates and supplies. "Jaco, I have to go get something," I shout. "There's no time," shouts Jaco. "I'll be fine," I shout and sprint to the farmhouse. I don't think they would leave me, but you can never really tell what a Raven will do from one moment to the next, but I need to do this. The side door to the kitchen is open and I run inside, grab a cloth, and rip open the silverware drawer. The silver is all lined up neatly in the drawer, and I wrap all of it in the cloth and shove it inside my duster. The Battleship is warming up its engines and I know there isn't much time, but I see the teacup Moro likes to use sitting on the table and I grab that and another towel to wrap it in. I run back outside; the Battleship is already starting to close its cargo ramps, and I run for the ship. I don't want to be left here if the Ravens are about to do what I think they are going to do. Jaco is at the ramp as I jump up, and he reaches out a hand to pull me in just as the Battleship starts to lift into the air. The cargo ramp closes behind me, and I turn just in time to see the farm for the last time. "Put these on," Jaco hands me a pair of dark goggles and I slip them over my head. The Battleship gains altitude and the other ships with us. I can't see the farm anymore, and then suddenly without warning there is a bright flash of light and even from up here the Battleship shakes slightly from the explosion. The Battleship descends again until I can see where the farm was. The farm is nothing but a giant crater and I do mean giant, the entire farm is a huge hole, and there are spot fires all around the edge. I've never seen big ordnance used before, and this is just mind boggling how destructive just one bomb was. "Why did they do this?" I ask Jaco. "Have to," says Jaco. "No matter how much we would clean the place, something would be left behind. Even the simplest advanced technology; let’s say...a battery that powers a flashlight, it could potentially cause severe ripples and changes in a planets balance of power." "A battery?" "One of our batteries can power a flashlight for thirty years." "I didn't think the Ravens would care about stuff like that." "The Ravens didn't make the law, the Daraian Senate did, all the Houses voted," explains Jaco. "I told you before; we will share technology freely when you ask the right question. We aren't monsters; we don't want humans to destroy themselves, that wouldn't be profitable." "Then why don't the Daraians just help us fix our problems?" I ask. Jaco starts to answer...pauses...thinks...pauses... I think I finally found a question that stumps Jaco. Ganu is standing nearby with an amused expression on his face. "Over your head, Jaco?" asks Ganu. "Help answer or leave me alone," snaps Jaco. Ganu grins and looks at me. "Human, we are biological creatures like you, we eat, we drink, we sleep, we love, we hate... but what we are not is arrogant, like your species. We do not push our morals, culture, and religion on you the way you try to do to us. All we can do is ensure we don't give you technology you're not ready for and hurt yourselves." "You manipulate us, you've been manipulating me and I don't even know why? "Ravens do enjoy their games, that's true, and yes, you guessed correctly that this has all been a test," explains Ganu. "Why?" "Because you are the least important human there is," says Ganu. "And if you can learn to respect our culture and love a Daraian, then any human can. Your species is ready for us to interact with you on a closer level." "That doesn't explain the last three months," I say. "You're right," says Ganu. "But there are still several more parts of the plan that must happen first. Nothing to do with you anymore; your part is done. Now we are just keeping our end of the bargain to you and getting you out of trouble." "You're probably the ones that got me in trouble," I argue. "Tani might be wrong, maybe you two aren't as dumb as you look," says Ganu. "But we can't risk letting you bone-skulls accidently saying something or the whole plan would come unraveled." Ganu taps me on the forehead, and I swat at his hand. "Go change, we'll be at the Court House in a few minutes," says Ganu. "Who made you the boss of us?" snips Jaco. I have to admit, Jaco does get immature when he gets around the other Ravens. Moro rolls his eyes at Jaco and waves his hand dismissively before walking away. "I'll give you one piece of advice, Moro already told you once, there will be a moment that you must keep the discipline we have taught you and keep your mouth shut." I'm no closer to knowing what is happening than I was before. I sigh and walk over to our crates and fish around inside for something to wear. I could put on a plain pair of pants and a shirt, but if Jaco’s short-coming is immaturity, mine is rebellion. I grab my combat gear and wander off to find a place to change. The cargo bay is pretty packed, and Ravens are sitting on top of the various equipment. I roam around between bulldozers, stacks of lumber, and crates that indicate nails are packed inside. I don't realize it all looks strange until I find a crane and roofing tiles. What does a Battleship need with all this stuff? I would think they would have missiles and ammo and stuff. Are they planning to build a city? I find a relatively private spot between pallets of red bricks and boxes that say 'cooking stove." The boxes are written in Daraian, but I can read that much of Daraian so far, I spent my evenings learning basic Daraian for the last three months. The ship bumps a little and I'm pretty sure we just landed; that was a quick trip. The last time I traveled from the farm to the town took all day. Battleship is a much faster way to travel. I head back over to the cargo ramp; Ravens are lined up on both sides of the ramp, and also in combat gear. I think they look like an invasion force. The ramp drops and the Ravens rush out and secure a perimeter around the Battleship. I can hear an air raid siren from somewhere in the distance. I guess that makes sense, we did just drop a very big bomb on the planet. Jaco and I don't have anyone telling us what to do so we just walk down the ramp. Other Ravens are pouring out of the other cargo ramps; I'm thinking this is what the ramps are actually intended for, they aren't cargo ramps at all, they are troop landing ramps. I can see the town and people running around like crazy in every direction. I guess we caused quite a stir. We are in the very same field the Gunslingers picked me up from all those months ago. How long has it been? Eight...nine months? Seems like forever. Moro finds us and eyes the combat gear I'm wearing. "Actually, I think that's an excellent choice of dress," says Moro approvingly. "You don't look like a runaway orphan. Well done. Let’s go." An army of Ravens flank us on all sides as we walk into the town. There are several Sheriff Deputies that look like they want to intercept us, but wisely choose to get out of the way. The same thing happens when we get to the Court House. There are Deputies at the entrance but the Ravens brush them aside. Several dozen Ravens lead and follow us into the Court House while the others spread out around the building. I'm surprised how many people are here; the place is packed. The hallway outside the Court Room is packed as well, and the people press against the walls to get away from the Ravens. I'm a little surprised they don't try to stampede to get out of the hall. Then I see them, the man and woman are at the end of the hall, and there is a little boy standing next to them dressed in rags; they’ve got another bound-orphan. "I have to do something," I tell Moro and walk towards the man and woman. Jaco walks with me. The man and woman back up until they are against the end of the hall and there is nowhere else to go. I stop and stare at them; I'm furious that someone would give them another bound-orphan, but there isn't much I can do about it. I think Jaco knows exactly what I'm thinking and puts his hand on my arm and then walks past me and stops inches from the man. "If you ever lay a hand on that hatchling the way you did Hero, I'll find out," growls Jaco. "You will open your eyes one night while you lie in bed, and I'll be there." Jaco pulls his Talon Dagger and presses it against the man's chest. Then Moro is there and gently pulling Jaco back. "I suggest you heed his warning," says Moro. "Ravens will be watching you for the rest of your lives." "You don't scare me," says the man looking at me. "I'll whip the flesh off your bones before the end of the day." "You are a foolish, stupid little human," says Moro. "Come boys." I reach into my coat and pull out the wrapped silverware and the teacup and then hand it to the woman. She looks like I just offered her a snake, but she takes them anyway and unwraps the cloth to see what is inside." "You said your mother gave you those," I tell the woman. "The farm is gone, that's what the explosion was. The farm is just a big hole in the ground now. But, I didn't think you should be deprived of something your mother gave you, no one should." The woman gives me a snide grin; there is hatred in the grin, but something else. She turns away from me and walks over to a trash can in the corner of the hall. The look on her face as she drops the silverware and the teacup into the trash is...well...it looks like she has just won some great victory. I shrug and turn around to follow Moro back to the Court Room. Someone has opened the doors of the Court Room, and we walk in and make our way to a table up front. Jaco sits in the Gallery behind me. The man and woman come in a few minutes later and sit at another table next to us; they are joined by a man I assume is their attorney. The Court Room is full of Ravens, and local people, all waiting. A Deputy, I think, closes the doors and walks up to the front. "All rise for the Honorable Judge Warner," says the Deputy. We all stand and then a Judge in black robes enters from a side door and steps up to a big... I don't know what it's called... a big desk that looks down on us. "Be seated," says the Deputy and then goes and sits at a desk off to the side. Everyone sits down and I try to see everything at once. I've never been in a Court Room before; it's kind of interesting. "Where's Simon?" I whisper to Moro. In fact, I can't help but notice there isn't a single Gunslinger anywhere. I haven't seen one since we landed. Moro waves his hand for me to be quiet. I hope he knows what he's doing. "Charges against the Defendant are running away as a bound-orphan prior to his sixteenth birthday," says the Judge. "Prosecution, what is your evidence." "The bound-orphan did run away nine hours prior to his birthday," says the Attorney at the man and woman’s table. "You have a copy of the birth certificate in my brief, your Honor." "Yes, I see the birth certificate," says the Judge. "Seems fairly straight forward charges, Defense, what have you to say." Moro stands. "Your Honor, the law clearly states that a bound-orphan is freed on their birthday, Errol left the farm, with the Sheriff, on the day of his birth." "Objection," says the Prosecutor. "Defense is trying to confuse the court with misinterpretations of the law, the bound-orphan clearly left the farm before he was sixteen." "Sustained," says the Judge. "Do you have any other credible defense, Counsel?" I notice the Judge emphasizes the word 'credible', as if Moro was an idiot. "I will call my first witness," says Moro. "Objection," says the Prosecutor. "I have provided a list of the Defense Councils intended witnesses, all of which are not relevant to the case and intended only to drag out the trial." "Sustained," says the Judge. "I see the list and will not allow any of these witnesses; do you have any other witnesses or evidence, Counsel?" "No, your Honor," says Moro and sits down. What is Moro doing? Defend me already. Even I can think of a dozen ways to challenge the birthday charge and show that the witnesses’ are relevant. "Very well then," says the Judge. "I find the bound-orphan, Errol of Brocal's farm, guilty as charged and sentence him to seventy-five years hard labor under the guardianship of Mr. and Mrs. Brocal. Bailiff, take the prisoner into custody." My mouth drops open and I turn my head to stare at Moro, he is just sitting there doing nothing. I hear movement behind me and turn around. Jaco has his hand on his Talon Dagger, but the other Ravens are holding him down and their hands are over his mouth. I've been betrayed. No bound-orphan ever escapes. [End Part I]