Thailyn entered the council chamber, surrounded by family and led by Remtani and Pt’this. It wasn’t the first time he’d been summoned before a council for trial. He’d been summoned dozens of times back on Tricon for questionable healing practices, and he’d always been cleared. But he’d never been tried before the Baj-tisk counsel, not even when he’d been banished. A dragon stepped in front of them. “We do not recognize this woman. Outsiders are not permitted.” He gestured to Shay. Since her freedom from captivity, Shay’s demeanor had been meek and subservient. That disappeared instantly. She became the woman Thailyn remembered from his childhood that made the council back home cower with a look. “I am Thailyn’s mother. You will not try my son without me,” she told the dragon. The man hesitated, taken aback. “This is Shawtila, Thailyn’s mother,” Pt’this confirmed. “It would be inappropriate for her to be excluded.” The guard nodded and stepped aside. They took their places. There were chairs for the humans and dragons took true form. Ann and Mishtali were going to help defend him. Mishtali had a fit when he learned what Thailyn had done. Once he calmed down, he paired with Ann for his defense. The spokesman for the council stood. “This trial shall be spoken aloud to accommodate those who aren’t telepathic. Since the defendant speaks Baj-tisk, we will use that. Translators will be available for anyone who needs one.” Most of the group spoke it and would help those who didn’t. “The charges are as follows; disruption during the war, assaulting a citizen, insubordination against the council, disregarding the council’s edict by refusing to leave, and finally, violating the agreed-upon accommodations made for being allowed to keep an eye on his family.” Ann stood. She had to stay in human form due to her pregnancy. “Forgive me, but what agreed accommodations did he violate?” “He took a mate, had a child, registered as a citizen under his own name, applied to adopt a child under his own name, had contact with other dragons, and came within the city limits of Baj-tisk.” “When did he come to Baj-tisk?” Ann asked. “When Mirimar died.” Mishtali and Shay both growled. “You’re telling me, you not only prevented him from healing his sister, but you also wanted to deny him saving her life when she was dying?” “He wasn’t to come into Baj-tisk.” “Well, he didn’t. I was there the whole time,” Ann told them. “Actually, I did,” Thailyn admitted. “My cloak as the same spells is yours. I was using it.” “Healers have a right to request help. Bob, Sri, and Shunati all needed help saving her,” Ann pointed out. “How did any of them know about him?” The spokesman asked. “Shunati met him several years ago in Thager, though he didn’t know his true identity. He also came to the palace to help Prince Remtani once when he was severely injured. Shunati may have not known who he was, but he did know his strength. You cannot forbid a brother from healing his sister upon request to save her life.” Bob was the one to call me, Thailyn sent. Hush. I never said Shunati called you. I said he knew you and you were called. Bob didn’t tell them about you. I’d rather not have him get in trouble. Are you sure he didn’t? Yes. We talked. He’s lucky Drepal kept hidden. We’re not happy he knew I was your daughter and didn’t tell us. We’ll talk later. “In addition, the laws dragons demanded state you cannot forbid mating,” Ann continued. “He would’ve told her who he was,” the spokesman pointed out. Thailyn felt a chill. That was exactly the reason Darina wouldn’t marry him. When the council found out, they’d know he had told her who he was. “Of course he did. You don’t keep things from your mate.” Ann frowned. “Part of the same treaty insists we can’t force people to keep things from their spouses. Now, you want to punish Thailyn for doing just that? “Next, is my birth. If he’s allowed to have a mate, how can you ban him from having a child? Mating causes pregnancy. Do you think he’d kill any child Darina had? What dragon would kill a child, any child? I do believe that would be violating the law too. Another treaty law states you can’t demand someone break another kingdom’s laws while in that kingdom.” She frowned. “You’ve been supervising us because someone violated a single treaty law. You’ve violated several already. I ask that all charges that violate treaties be dropped.” She held up some parchment. “This is a complete list of violations on your part. I’ll give you time to review it before we continue.” She handed him the parchment. *** The knock on the door surprised Wyrm. He hadn’t had any visitors for a while. He wondered if the trial was done. “Come in,” he called. A young girl entered, tentatively. She seemed unsure of herself. “It’s okay, you can come in,” Wyrm assured her. “I’m Wyrm, but you probably know that.” She nodded. “I’m Lamdi.” “Where’s Shunati?” Wyrm asked. “He’s in Baj-tisk. Mistress Mila asked me to check on all the patients.” “Are you a healer?” Wyrm guessed. “I’m learning to be one. They say I have a lot of strength. I’m learning to control it. This is the first time I’ve done this.” “You seem to be doing fine,” Wyrm assured her. Actually, she seemed quite nervous, but he wanted to keep things positive. “So do you. I don’t see why they’re keeping you asleep.” “I’m a prisoner. This is to keep me from escaping.” She cocked her head. “Why? What did you do?” “I abducted King Emeton.” “Why?” “Cramda told me too.” “Was this when the palace was attacked?” Wyrm nodded. Lamdi’s face became unreadable. Wyrm grew concerned. “What is it?” “Everyone else from the attack has been executed.” Wyrm nodded. He’d expected as much. He still expected he’d be executed too. He didn’t want to be. He’d hoped to be put in prison. But he’d been told he’d die when he was twenty. This was only a little sooner. “You don’t care?” Lamdi asked. “I care, but there’s not a lot I can do. I still have to wait for my trial.” Lamdi nodded. “Maybe you’ll be found innocent.” “Maybe,” Wyrm agreed. He didn’t see how. He’d done it. King Emeton knew it was him. How could he not be found guilty? “I need to go. I have to check on more patients before class.” “Class?” Wyrm asked. She smiled. “I know. I never thought I’d go to school.” Wyrm still didn’t understand. But she disappeared so he couldn’t ask. He wondered what she meant.