Chương 275: Court in Session

*Ching*

Michael is pushed into Dragonsreach's great hall by a nearby guard, his hands and legs chained together to prevent any means of escape. On his face is a prominent frown, one that knows he could escape from this unjust imprisonment, but relents anyway.

After the death of the Matron, shit had hit the fan... Despite the fact she'd been attacking him in broad daylight, and ended up killing one of Whiterun's guards, some of the crowd still thought that it was his fault., his actions that'd caused the Matron's death.

He could understand why they were so upset, he'd been in the city for a day now, and he'd 'smoked', literally, one of its long time residents. The fact that he used magic to do it also had a good portion of the city against him.

Because, well, if he could kill her with magic, controlling her with magic wasn't too far fetched either. Regardless, he managed to store the Ebony Blade into his inventory before anyone else could get their hands on it. He wasn't sure how well it worked on someone's mind, but he wasn't heartless or stupid enough to let someone else grab it... If it could enhance an elderly lady so much, what would it do to a seasoned warrior?... Or him?

Michael now stands before who could only be Balgruuf the Greater, the Jarl of Whiterun. Long blonde hair and beard, luxurious clothes, coronet, and a muscular build suited for a warrior. By his sides were his loyal retainers, a Dark Elf named Irileth, a bald Imperial named Proventus, and a mage named Farengar. All were stood beside Balgruuf's throne and glaring at him with both furious, and analytical looks.

"Who stands before me?" Balgruuf asks in a restrained tone.

Michael straightens his eyes and locks eyes with the man, "Michael Tahlin."

"And you are accused of?" the Jarl continues.

Michael shrugs, "I'm not sure, why don't you tell me."

"Insolence!" the Dark Elf growls, her red eyes looking as if they wanted to tear him a new one.

Balgruuf just waves his hand to silence them however, instead, looking at the guard that'd brought Michael in. "The charges?"

"The murder of Huldth the Sweet."

Balgruuf nods, "Explain what you saw."

The guard goes on to explain his perspective of what'd occurred. The Matron flying into a rage and chases Michael down the street. Her killing of a guard named Juhlt, and her subsequent death at the hands of Michael's magic. Michael stays quiet as the man speaks, deciding that his preparations for the incident had been enough to guarantee his innocence.

"Farengar, your thoughts?" the Jarl inquires as all eyes turn to the Court Mage.

"Well, it sounds to me like some sort of Fury spell, perhaps combined with Potions that induce madness? Fury spells force you to fight by making you perceive others as your most hated enemies, pushing your fight or flight response to the brink... Guardsman, did Huldth say anything before her end?"

He nods, "You will not take them..." the man says, lowering his head as if he could still hear her screams.

"I see, then I suspect an Illusion spell is the cause of it. Such spells allow you to retain your rational thoughts. I suspect an illusion of someone threatening the Matron's children was enough to push her over the edge..."

Balgruuf speaks up, "And what of her enhanced abilities? The men say she split Juhlt in half with a single strike..."

Farengar shrugs, "A powerful enough Fury spell could potentially force her muscles to work harder than they should, risking injuries and everything that goes along with it... Tests to use this kind of magic to benefit warriors were stopped when a man accidentally tore half the muscles in his arm completely off of his bones..." he says, causing a few to wince at the thought.

The Jarl nods and turns towards Michael, "And what of the spell he cast to kill Huldth? Do you recognise it?"

"I do. I could hear it from up here, so I think it was an overpowered Thunderbolt spell, something only Experts of the Destruction school or the truly suicidal would attempt without adequate preparation... Which begs the question, what would a Mage of your calibre be doing in Whiterun?" the Mage asks, and all eyes turn to Michael.

"I came to join the Companions." he states, causing a few to crook a brow at him. A mage joining that group of honourable warriors? Almost unthinkable. The amount of time it took for Mages to learn their arts took away any chance for them to train in the martial arts... This was especially the case for Michael, who would be a prestigious talent in the Destruction school due to his age... But for him to be skilled enough to join the Companions? Truly a surprise.

Farengar snorts at his words, but stills when he realises that Michael wasn't joking. Balgruuf himself nods at his words, "I am aware of your status as a Companion, I am told of everyone who joins them... This is one of the reasons I allowed you a trial in the first place, not many could murder a long-time friend of mine in the streets and not instantly be executed." the man remarks.

"Still, we haven't yet heard your side of the story. Speak it, and I will determine your sentence."

Michael nods, "It started early in the morning, when I decided to search for the murderer that was operating in the city-"

"Why?" Irileth asks, clearly suspecting unfavourable reasons.

Michael shrugs, "Do I need a reason to want to save lives?..." he smirks, "But, I did have a reason... I was only given access to the city after joining the Companions, leaving my friends and family outside of the gates, waiting for the murderer's capture... Forgive me for my words, but I do not trust their safety out there... The people within Whiterun's walls might be safe, but for those outside of them? I fear for their safety." he says, actually being honest here. It seems they believe him too as they nod and gesture for him to continue.