Page 28 of Daughter of the Serpent

At least someone was here who would believe her.

Her gaze swept across the crowd, searching for Tara or Hjalmarr. Strangers jostled and shoved, but there was no sign of her friends. A knot tightened in her gut, worry gnawing at her insides. She had noidea where they were or if they were safe. All she could do was hope they had managed to evade Rederick’s fury.

“We are gathered today to seek justice for those lost on the night of rebirth,” Rederick’s voice boomed over the silent crowd. “We call upon the accused, Sylvie, daughter of the light, for questioning.”

Sylvie turned to face the elders, guards flanking her back, feeling the weight of every eye on her, burning into her flesh.

“Murderous snake!” a voice hissed.

“She must pay!” another cried.

Yet as Rederick’s hand raised the assembly was quick to settle.

“You are here today before the gods to be questioned. The elders will pass their judgment and decide your fate. Speak truthfully and we will be kind. Lie or slander, there will be no mercy. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Do you swear by the gods to tell your side of the story in full honesty?” His steely eyes burrowed into hers.

“I swear it.”

Rederick nodded, before continuing. “On the night of rebirth you, along with all the other children of the light, were directed to stay at the temple, forbidden from partaking in the festivities. How did you find yourself at the ceremony?”

Her eyes cast to the floor. “I snuck out my lord.”

“Why?” he questioned. “Why go against your orders, your commissions, your oaths to the light to stay innocent, unblemished?” His eyes searched hers.

“I only wanted to see…to see what it was like.” Her hands trembled.

“Is that all?” He cocked his head, his two beady eyes fixed on her face. “Or could it be because you were keen to take your revenge on those who spoke against you?”

“Revenge, my lord?”

“Is it not true that there was a disturbance in the crowd earlier that very day with your appearance at the market?” He asked. “ThatBaldr himself spoke out against you, cursing you before the whole village?”

“Yes that is true, but …”

“I was told your guard was even needed to defend you,” He cut in. “Such a thing must have been hard…to be treated so cruelly?” He stroked his beard, his eyes filled with accusation. “Did it make you angry?”

“No, my lord.”

“Remember child, you speak before the feet of the gods and their most holy.”

Sylvie felt the weight of his words burrow into her, making her shift on her feet. She wasn’t one to lie. “Yes…but only for a time.”

“But this isn’t the first time such a thing has happened, has it?”

Pictures flashed through her mind, her head an explosion of flitting memories. The names, the upset, and the physical blows she had sustained by means of the people and their prejudice. She couldn’t remember a time where such occurrences hadn’t happened.

“I call upon Tara, daughter of the light.” He announced suddenly, drawing a stream of whispers from the crowd.

Sylvie's breath caught in her throat.

The heavy door creaked open with a groan as Rederick’s guards marched in, flanking Tara on either side. Sylvie's heart leapt with the sight of her friend, yet Tara's eyes remained fixed straight ahead, not sparing even a fleeting glance. Her head was bowed as she moved forward, but her expression was a well placed mask - lips pressed into a thin, resolute line, betraying no emotion. Her skin seemed paler under the harsh light, dark circles lining her eyes, but to Sylvie’s relief it bore no visible bruises or marks - no signs of harm.

At least for now, Tara seemed safe.

In fact, she still looked beautiful, poised, unphased - as if this were simply another ceremony to attend, and not in fact a trial for her friend.