Yes, we did.
Raziel banked towards home.
Justice And Plushies
Three months later…
“The top news story of the day is the sentencing of a majority of the leaders of Humans First and, their surprising allies, many of the upper echelons of the Faith, the religion that worships the Spirits,” the pretty, perky blonde newscaster said in a faux dark tone.
She turned in her seat to face a second camera and continued, “Just to refresh our viewers, it was discovered that these unlikeliest of allies came together to form a plot to work with the creature known as the Behemoth to enslave all of humanity and Shifter kind.”
Her smile grew slightly more strained. “The plot was discovered and a brave defense was mounted by Claw and citizens alike while the Dragon Shifters battled the horrible creature in the Spirit Realm. The Behemoth was defeated, but those that helped it gain entry into our realm had yet to be dealt with. That ends today.”
“Ah, right, you are, Claire! And it’s not just in Valerius and Caden’s territory that such sentencing is going on, is it?” Her male counterpart with dark, schelacked hair and a winsome smile asked as he squared papers before him.
“No indeed, Tom!” Claire answered, again having to tone down her normal perkiness due to the seriousness of the subject matter. “This was a worldwide plot that was discovered by all of the Dragon Shifters when they came to greet the newest of their clan, our very own King Caden! Not one territory was spared housing the now convicted criminals.”
“The courts of every territory acted together under the authority of Supreme Court Justice St. John under a framework of international law. This is the first time such a matter has been tried in this way, but as the crime was international it was determined that such legal proceedings would be international too,” Claire continued. “It’s a sign of the times as the Dragon Shifters have determined to work together instead of sticking to their own territories.”
“And I hear that it was such a success that this won’t be the last time such inter-territorial matters are decided this way,” Tom popped in.
“Right again, you are, Tom!” Claire chirruped.
“As you said, the majority of Humans First and the Faith were arrested, tried and convicted of crimes against humanity and Shifters. What has happened to those two organizations?” Tom asked.
Claire faced the first camera. “Humans First has completely imploded. People who had any role in the organization have completely disassociated from it. Talk of any form of organizing based upon species has gone into the darker corners of the internet. No one wants to be associated publically with what is now seen as a deeply hypocritical and dangerous movement. Though some say that the outward complaints of Humans First--humans being treated as second class citizens in a Shifter-run world--shouldn’t be turned into a verboten topic, many acknowledge that the group has tainted all such believers.”
“Speaking of believers, Claire, what about the Faith? I’ve noticed the temple in my neighborhood has closed and no one is wearing the white robes that I so often saw in the city,” Tom remarked.
“Your observations are correct, Tom. Like Humans First, the revelation that many in the leadership of the Faith were involved in searching out and helping the Behemoth come into this world for centuries before the Shifters even revealed themselves has stunned many adherents of the religion,” Claire explained, her expression slightly waxy as she reached up as if for a necklace that was no longer there. “It’s almost like discovering as Christian you were worshipping Satan secretly all along.”
Noticing this, Tom stated, “You used to be a member of the Faith not all that long ago, weren’t you, Claire?”
Claire’s eyes narrowed. “And I believe I saw you at a Humans First meeting, Tom, when I was reporting on them.”
“Yes, well, that was, uhm, just research.” Tom cleared his throat and squared the pages of the script in front of him. “I wasn’t really a member.”
“Right, Tom. I’m sure that’s true.” Claire turned back to the camera, her tight smile only relaxing a little bit. “In any event, both groups have taken a major hit. While it is unlikely that people will stop worshipping the Spirits or believing the humans are getting the short end of the stick, the two major organizations that organized around those beliefs have been wounded, perhaps, mortally.”
“The Dragon Shifters are trying to offer people a new way forward though, Claire,” Tom said with another throat clearing. “King Valerius has established a Shifter and Human Council. These individuals come from all walks of life and will work on various issues that have been voted on by the populace. Issues such as equal justice, systemic prejudice, and more. And King Caden has made this a cornerstone of his rule as well. He’s been reaching out to unlikely people in the communities to hear their thoughts.”
“Most certainly he has. The White and Black Dragon Kings have hit the ground running since the Behemoth’s defeat,” Claire added. “Ah, it appears that the Justice is speaking! Oh, and is that Grant Bryce standing behind him? As our viewers may recall, Caden’s father is one of the powerful clerks working for the Supreme Court. Let’s listen in, Tom!”
The shot changed to show Justice St. John who was flanked by various High Court Justices, Grant Bryce, and others of the human Shifter fraternity of lawyers, judges and advocates from across the globe. They all stood outside the impressive United States Supreme Court building, which had been relocated to Reach instead of Washington D.C. soon after the War. Despite the building being only 30 years old, there was a sense of grandeur about its ionic columns, wide white stone steps, and carved bronze doors.
The sunlight shone down upon Justice St. John. His black robes fluttered in the wind behind him like ravens wings. He smiled a little benignly as he stared out at the crowd of reporters and onlookers with keen dark eyes. He waited for the crowd to settle and grow quiet without making any move whatsoever. Raven Shifters were not the most impressive of animals, but some of them radiated a calming, commanding effect and Justice St. John was among those.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I am pleased to see you all here today. The business of justice is in everyone’s interest and I am honored to have been chosen to inform the people of the determination of judges, lawyers and advocates all across this globe against those who were found to have conspired with the Behemoth,” Justice St. John spoke in a strong, clear voice.
Grant Bryce handed the judge a sheet of paper that he spread out before him on the lectern and swept over with a black gaze. He nodded as he briefly perused it. He looked up at the crowd once more.
“Not everyone participated in this conspiracy with the same knowledge or understanding. Nor did everyone commit the acts such as participating in the many bombings, kidnappings and assaults. We have laws in many lands that would have ignored those differences in order to discourage any participation in such evil acts,” Justice St. John patiently explained, “but King Caden, the White Dragon Shifter, and Iolaire spoke in earnest for mercy on behalf of those who cooperated and showed genuine remorse for their actions. After hearing their plea, this court and courts across the globe were moved to show appropriate mercy, but not to dilute the justice for those harmed by their actions.”
Justice St. John lifted the sheaf of papers that Grant Bryce had handed him. “This document--a copy of which will be online at the International Court website--lists the punishments for every single party that was found guilty of crimes against humanity and Shifters by aiding and abetting the Behemoth.”
There were frantic mumblings as reporters were urging their compatriots back at the studios to get that up on the monitors right away. There were flashes as pictures were taken of the Justice holding up the paper. Later there would be headlines that identified this historic event.
Justice St. John lowered the paper. “Now, some territories still recognize the death penalty as an appropriate form of punishment for crimes of the nature and viciousness that characterize these crimes. Some territories are intent on rehabilitation and others on punishment.”
