CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The hour break passed in a flash for Ella, but once she began connecting the dots floating around in her mind, she was more annoyed than worried at the delay. It was a surprising feeling after the prior days’ lingering sensation of hopelessness.
She glanced over at Draikis. He turned his head, sensing her attention without hesitation or question. He was hurt, though they’d dressed his wounds with healing salve and given him a clean top. But despite his pain, the love in his gaze made her heart flutter. If only she could be close to him, all would be right in the world.
Come on already, let’s get this thing started.
Well before the deadline, Nilkis brought in the requested texts as requested, carefully removing them from their floating pushcart and placing them on the long table now in front of Ella. He leaned close as he adjusted them.
“I do not know what you are doing, and I cannot wish you luck. But I do hope you find a satisfactory resolution.”
It was as close to a pep talk as she could expect from the man. The fact that he spoke to her at all, given her situation, spoke volumes to his esteem for her. She was a woman, yes. Anoutsider. But she had always been respectful. More than that, she held books and learning in higher regard than most of the brothers.
“Thank you, Nilkis.”
He gave one slight nod and nothing more. “Hmm,” he said, then left her to it.
Ella’s mind raced, her plan in motion as she carefully began flipping through the relevant texts. This could save her. Both of them. But only if her recollection was correct.
“Where is it? Come on, I know it’s here,” she muttered under her breath.
Her face remained buried in the texts until the judge called them back into session, and even then, he had to repeat himself to pull her attention away from the ancient writings, and he was quite annoyed.
“I said, we now continue the hearing. Ella of Earth, a worldnotwithin the Dotharian Conglomerate, it was you who claimed your right for this session. To defend yourself. To face your accusers.”
“The evidence is incontrovertible,” Totaxxis called out.
The judge flashed the man a glare. “Wait your turn, Totaxxis. You know the rules.”
“I do. But she has no standing here. Yes, she found a quirk of our law that allowed her to pull this little stunt, but it is also written that she may not begin her defense until she has faced her accusations.”
“Are you requesting to do that now? It is premature, Totaxxis, and most irregular.”
“I am ready. I do not need further preparation. It was I who sent up the observation drones to watch them, and I who caught them in the act. I led the retrieval squad, and I shall now finish what I started.”
The judge sighed, annoyed by multiple irregularities in the proceedings. But his hands were tied. The law was the law.
“Very well. Make your point.”
Totaxxis turned to Ella, ignoring Draikis entirely. “I swear and attest on my honor and vows to the Norvalian Sect that what I say is true. This female interloper has tainted the purity of our order. Bewitched one of our brothers and brought him to shame and punishment. And while he is at fault for his part in these violations, the instigator was the female known as Ella.”
“Do I get to speak now?” she queried the judge.
“Soon. Continue, Totaxxis.”
“I have little more to add than details. The fine points of her violations. I’ve been watching her and cataloging them, and I will now read them into the record.”
He did just that, providing a laundry list of infractions, from serious, though understandable from an outsider oblivious to the rules, to downright ridiculously minor. Ten minutes later he finally stopped, a look of arrogant triumph on his face.
“Thank you, Judge.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“Then it is now the defendant’s time to make her case.” He turned to Ella. “Well? Get on with it. I’m curious what an outsider thinks she can achieve with her mockery of our laws.”
“It’s not a mockery, Your Honor. In fact, I hold your ways in deep respect.”
