Consequences pt 1

Thunder crashed across the sky, but Flame didn't care. His thoughts were focused. Aldric was wrong. He had hidden it from everyone. A powerful gift flowed through his veins. Only one other knew of it. And only one other did not fear it.
Flame looked to the sky and allowed the rain to pour over him. It seemed to penetrate into his soul, washing away the shell that he had hidden himself in. His time had now come.
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The kingdom was in an uproar. Many were outraged by the rumors and stories that ran rampant throughout the kingdom. The Council was called together, and had been in meeting for weeks on end, trying to get all the details and the full stories. A trial was called.

The accused, Jardin of the drax, stood before them, his eyes shining with amusement.

"Jardin, son of Caldrin, do you understand why you have been summoned before this Council?" High Councilman Baldwin asked gravely.

"With all due respect, I am afraid I do not. Clearly there has been some misunderstanding." Jardin answered.

Many of the Councilmen began to murmur. Baldwin looked down from his seat. "You have been accused of violating a life pledge between you and Kaylandra, daughter of Aldric, a member of a highly thought of and respected bloodline. You also stand accused of being in a relationship involving the King's youngest daughter."

More murmurs coursed through the Council, and even more in the spectator's balcony that circled the upper levels of the building. Jardin merely smiled. "My lord, I do not know what you mean. Are you proposing that I, a member of the drax, the most powerful and respected of the draigons, would dare to desecrate such an sacred covenant? And moreover, disgrace the house of our lord, the king?"

"Do not play with me, boy. You may belong to the drax, but this Council is the law of this nation. It is only subservient to the king himself. This is trial to prove whether or not you are innocent." a Councilman stated.

"Forgive me, sir, it was not my intention to be insulting. I am merely pointing out the ridiculousness of this situation." Jardin bowed.
Baldwin raised his hand. "Enough. Has High Councilman, I hereby declare this Trial's start. Bring forth the Witnesses."

The rest of the day passed slowly. Jardin was questioned again and again. Every answer he made could not be countered, and Aldric felt his heart break for his daughter. Why hadn't he seen it all before? Jardin was a powerful political figure, and that had blinded Aldric to the truth. So when Caldricn had approached him with the offer of a union between their families, he had immediately accepted.

Finally, the Council was satisfied. Baldwin stood to his feet. "Jardin, we the Council, find you innocent before us and all the people here. As much as it pains me, you are...." The doors burst open.

"I demand the right to challenge!" Flame declared, striding to the center of the chamber.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are, boy?!" A Councilman asked.

"For too long, I have lurked in the shadows, watching. Constantly watching. And I have seen and heard much." Flame said. He turned to Jardin, eyes burning with rage. "By the ancient kingdom of Asgaroth, I demand the right to challenge this man's right to Kaylandra, daughter of Aldric, and daughter of the drax."

An audible gasp spread throughout the room. Whispers broke out as the people discussed this new predicament.

Baldwin frowned. "What do you mean, Flamian?" Aldric felt hope rising up in him. The boy looked different; somehow, he appeared more confident and determined then ever he had seen him.

"Have none of you felt it? The power that flows through her veins? Think! How could a girl like her have such persuasion over people? She holds a power, a gift." Flame answered.
Baldwin couldn't help the sudden intake of breath. "H-how did you know she was a Gifted?"
"Because those with a Gift can sense others who have one." Flame answered. "And I will not be denied my challenge!"

"I accept. I should have killed you long ago, you interfering mongrel!" Jardin sneered. No one saw the fist coming till Jardin had landed on his back, four feet away.

"Don't call me mongrel. You disgrace the blood that courses in your veins, just as you disgrace everything else. Oathbreaker." Flame said. A deadly silence fell on the room. The Council looked on in shock, even horror. Oathbreaker was a very serious curse. It was only used when someone broke a very sacred, or a very deed covenant, pledge or oath.