Book 3 Chapter 50: Accusers

Book 3 Chapter 50: Accusers

Somehow, I slept. Even knowing my trial was at midnight, and even after several cups of coffee and well radded meat, I slept the longest and most restful sleep I had since the war had begun. I was blessed by a dreamless void, though I still awoke to the pain of the scars on my back as the sunlight hit my face.

I had slept in the living room. Under the guard of the Entombed. Nico was awake, and brought out a cup of coffee which I drank gratefully. I felt no need to speak, we had said all wed needed to, and I knew now that even in Exile we would still be a part of one anothers lives.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

There was a knock on the door, and Nico answered to find Nix standing there. Nix was holding my pack, and my sword, which she offered to me. I nodded, and took them gratefully, understanding the implication. If it was decided that I was to be exiled, then there would be no going back to retrieve my things. I would need to leave immediately, there would be no goodbyes or final leisurely strolls through Potts. All that would be left was a long lonely walk through the deadzone.

I re-holstered all of my weapons, slung my sword at my back, and slid the pack back onto my pack.

You ready? asked Nix.

I nodded, and we started walking. Nix in the lead, the entombed at either side of me, and Nico a short walk behind. The streets were oddly clear as we walked, but I could smell that the majority of the city was gathered near the Mausoleum. That wasnt unusual, it was the center of the city, and the hub of most of its business, of course it was busy. As we got closer though, I began to realize that the gathering was not the natural buildup of footraffic that happened every day, but in fact, concentrated at the mausoleum.

Once Sampson had guided Mary to the podium, he stepped to the side and looked at me with unrestrained hatred in his eyes. Mary too, turned to look at me as if she could see, which I assumed she could and was lying about to garner additional sympathy for herself.

Before I speak, I wish to say that mere exile is not remotely the level of punishment this filth deserves.

Julian nodded. Noted. Please speak your peace, both of you.

I come from a place, similar, but different, to Potts. A place we called Eden. It lived up to its name. It was a paradise for deadmen and women. Our every need was met, we were safe and secure, and even lived in harmony with those who were not so blessed as us.

I bit my tongue. I was not able to defend myself in this trial. The actions Id taken and the words Id spoken were meant to act as my defense.

When Donovan arrived, he was treated with the highest of respects and honors. We fed him, offered him shelter, and he was even allowed to meet with our go-. Our leader by himself to receive his blessings. Mary shook her head, her voice taking on a deep sadness. He was even offered the chance to live among us, and join us as a brother. She shook her head. He rejected that chance. He left us briefly, performing some act for those you now call enemies, the Remnants, I believe you call them, then he returned to our lands in secret. He destroyed the facilities which armed us, and protected us from the raiders who existed upon our borders, he destroyed our gates, and turned many of our own people against us. The First, our leader, in his great mercy captured him and offered him the chance at repentance, but he tricked him, and killed him in cold blood. She clutched her arms. The worst thing he did though, was lead the beast to us It tore through Eden. Killing not only us, but those who attacked us, those hed pretended to befriend. Our homes were completely and utterly destroyed. We were forced to flee Eden to escape the wrath of the creature, forced to follow the path that he himself created in his flight from us. At the start of the journey we were thirtyby the end of it, only Sampson and I remained. She pointed at me, her finger finding its mark easily in spite of her covered eyes. He is damnation. A stain on all Deadmen, a murderer, and apostate, a demon.

I met her supposedly blind gaze, looking past her pointing finger. Everything shed said had been marked as true by my ability, but shed neglected to mention Eden's cannibalism, slavery, torture, my own incarceration and attempted brainwashing, or any number of other reasons behind my actions. I still had no idea what beast she was referring to, but it sounded like a happy coincidence to me. Overall, her accusations sounded like a job well done. It wasnt as if Id never been called a murderer or a demon before. Apostate was a new though.