章 1: Verdict
The bell of justice rung across the land of Arran, garnering everybody's attention. It was the day of the verdict, and everybody was waiting to see what awaited the fate of the one the strongest Lords they had ever known. Although they wanted to see the proceedings themselves, nobody but the eight powerful Arrans who held the ultimate authority in the land were allowed inside the Council Hall. Except this time, one of them would be receiving the verdict instead of giving one.
The bell rang eight times, a rule the land of Arran followed daily. It was a sign and show of respect to the eight powerful supernatural beings and their army.
The door to the Council Hall opened, and the royal guards stepped in, making way for the man whose fate would be known soon. Although he was a peccant until proven otherwise, the guards did not have the courage to disrespect him, for he was Ascian, the Lord of the vampires. His aura was so strong and puissant that they quivered in their place as the Lord walked by them. The guards then, stepped out of the hall, closing the door behind them, secretly grateful that they would not be staying in his presence.
Ascian did not even glance at the guards as he walked to the center of the Council Hall. He stared at the rostrum where eight thrones were lined facing him with a desk in the front. Not caring about the other seats, his eyes were fixed on the third throne from the right. It was his place. It was where he sat, beside the other Lords and Queens. However, today was an exception. Today, the throne would be empty, and Ascian knew that it would remain so in the upcoming sessions too.
Dressed in a maroon tunic and black trousers, Ascian looked like the devil he was, and his black cape with gold lacework only added to his charms. His dark red eyes did not move away from the throne that belonged to him. The door behind the rostrum opened once again, and in walked the other seven powerful supernatural beings, taking a glance at the man whose fate lay in their hands.
They took their seats, leaving the empty throne in its position, giving it the respect, it deserved, and Ascian was glad that they had not removed it for today's session. He ran his eyes across the rostrum, meeting the seven powerful beings, who were observing him intently, in the eye before his lips rose. However, it was not a smile that reached his eye, nor there was any malice in it. It was a smile filled with confidence. Yet, nobody missed the helplessness in it.
"We are gathered here," The Dragon Lord Yevhen started, his expression calm and refined. "To decide if the Lord of the vampires, Lord Ascian is guilty of the atrocious act he and his army has committed against the females of Arran. In this regard, does Lord Ascian have anything to say?"
Ascian smiled at the question. "Lord Yevhen I have already laid before the Council whatever I had to say. I am innocent, and it will not change even though the circumstance is clearly not in my favor."
"Lord Ascian," The Elemental Queen, Kaira leaned forward, her snow-white braid falling on the desk. "We have evidence against you. You cannot hold us responsible for accusing you falsely when we all know the truth. You have committed a sin, and that is the reason you are here."
Her response did not surprise Ascian. He was well versed with her thinking, and he did not blame her for finding him at fault. Kaira believed in evidence rather than on facts, and he knew she would never take sides, giving in to her feelings or her friendship with him.
"I understand, Queen Kaira." Ascian smiled at her, and Kaira narrowed her eyes, wondering what he was planning secretly.
"We are now left with no choice but to call for a voting." The Dragon Lord spoke again, and Ascian nodded at him, his smile not leaving his face.
"Lord Ascian and his army have been accused of attacking and killing seven angels, eleven elementals, and five sorcerers. As witnesses, we have the Demon Lord Veles and Angel Queen Charmaine. We will now put the case to vote." The Werewolf King, Reuel, spoke for the first time, his authoritative voice booming across the hall.
"Guilty." The Demon Lord was the first to vote, and Ascian had expected this outcome. Veles never liked him, and Ascian was certain that the man would have voted against him even if the evidence was in his favor.
"Guilty." Kaira followed suit, observing Ascian's face closely. However, his expressionless face gave away nothing.
"Not guilty." The Dragon Lord displayed his loyalty by trusting Ascian, and Ascian was glad that he had found a friend in him. He was the only one who believed him unconditionally.
"Not guilty." The next voice stunned Ascian, for he had never expected the Werewolf King, Reuel to support him. Although he was not his friend, he was not Ascian's friend either. Not only Ascian, but the other six Council Heads were also stupefied too, and they gaped at him. However, Reuel did not bother to explain his actions, staying silent as he usually did.
"Guilty." Next the Queen of Sorcerers, Inara spoke up, and Ascian nodded, accepting her decision without any protest.
"Not guilty." Nilsa, the Queen of Shield Maidens put forth her decision, and Ascian smiled at her grateful, which the woman returned, her trust in him evident in her eyes.
"We are a tie now." The Dragon Lord stated. "Angel Queen Charmaine's vote will decide the Vampire Lord's fate."
Ascian stared at the woman who was already looking at him, with an unfathomable expression on her face. He could see the conflict in her eyes and could also predict what was running in her mind. The Queen was in a dilemma, and Ascian knew why it was so. Although she wanted to believe him, she could not ignore what she had witnessed either. She had seen him and his army killing the other supernatural beings, and it was the truth.
"Guilty." Her voice was barely audible. But everybody heard it clearly.
"We now have the results, and four among the Arran Royals find Lord Ascian to be guilty. In this aspect, he will be punished for the sin he and his army has committed." The Dragon Lord took charge once again, opening the Arran manuscript in front of him. He cleared his throat and picked up the quill. "The Council of Arran holds Lord Ascian a sinner, and as a punishment, Lord Ascian and his army will be banished from Arran indefinitely. Does anybody here have any objections?"
When Yevhen did not hear any disagreement, he stamped his seal on the document and passed it to the Werewolf king beside him before his eyes fell on Ascian, concern and worry evident in them. The Vampire Lord nodded at him, assuring him silently. One by one the Council Heads imprinted their individual and unique seals on the document, banishing the Lord from his home, from Arran.
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