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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 5: The Trial Of Radjar Kath
The Drullen Council Dome was set on top of Drullen Bell Keep, and was windowless except for a large hole the penetrated the center of the domed ceiling. Radjar, who was standing the center of the room where the accused always was located, could see the blue sky though hole. How he wished he could be free of his curse so he might actually walk free knowing that no innocent victim would be killed by his uncontrollable wrath. Now, bound in chains, he was more than helpless.
Before the emissaries and nobles from every province of Forestmen nation, shackled and dressed in rags, stood Radjar Kath, and behind him, General Gereld Vos.
The dignitaries and ambassadors gathered. Delegates from Dark Forest lined one side of the round room, Forestmen the other. The lone Wolfpack stood in the corner, his face obscured, only his faction’s insignia visible. He were, in fact, unnoticed by many, save Bjarn, who eyed him keenly. Another figure that stood out in the crowd was Searil Chordate, the legendary vampire-hunter.
Gereld Vos laid a hand on Radjar’s shoulder, and exited the circle, leaving Radjar alone in the prisoner circle. Escape was impossible.
Bjarn stopped eying the Wolfpack delegate, who was, in fact, Graygon, sent by Willem Blackcloak, and stepped up onto the podium.
“Radjar Kath, you are brought before here today to be sentenced for your crimes against our kingdom.” bellowed Bjarn, almost regretfully. “May Chodan have mercy on your soul.”
Bjarn was not judge or jury, as the Leader of the League of Forestmen his duty was speaker only.
“Radjar Kath, leader of the Dark Forest Faction, you are accused of following crimes; the murderfat bottomed girls lyrics of Forestman Alec Wiles, the murder of Forestwoman Shasha MacDurmond, the murder of Forestman Cedric Corm, the murder of Forestman Vlepus Danmt, the murder of Forestman Xled Danmt, the murder of Forestman Gregory Scrept, the murder of Forestwoman Fina Felpengurber, the murder of Forestwoman Keira Gladwheel-" at this Officer Gladwheel stiffened, Keira was his daughter "-the murder of Forestman Philes Wodder, the murder of Forestman Jeb Formifil, the murder of Forestman Don Goodwork, and the murder of Forestman Jled Gander.”
Radjar visibly sagged.
“The prosecution may begin,” Bjarn noted.
“Thank you, your lordship. Forestdweller people! We have gathered on this fateful day, to give the punishment to the purveyor and deliverer of heinous crimes, Radjar Kath! On his hands he holds the blood of twelve people, and the sword of unholiness!” cried Searil, jumping up.
“Objection,” cried Gerald. “Prosecution is bending the evidence.”
“Overruled,” shot back Bjarn.
At Searil’s mention on what the Forestdwellers gathered for, the Dark Forest delegates grew uneasy. The chamber felt as if it may break into all-out war between Dark Forest and Forestmen, and all of the people fingered their weapons uneasily.
“May he be damned to the depths of hell!” Searil exclaimed, fire in his eyes. “End monologue! I call my first witness, Ferel Halfpad, to the stand!”
Halfpad, dressed in full uniform, his gray stubble neatly shaved, stepped up to the box in which the witnesses sat.
“Sergeant Halfpad, you are known to be a presence on the patrols around Delvardan Gard swamp, is this not true?”
“It is true, indeed yes.” Halfpad replied.
“You were on lance command of the training platoon, is that correct?”
“It is, sir.”
“Then you were attacked by Radjar Kath?”
“Yes... he came bounding at us, with a darkness in his eyes, and a look of rage on his face. Before we knew it, he had killed three of our men!”
“Which men were killed first?”
“Well, first he went after Corporal Gander, he was asking him who he was...then he just attacked him, cut him in half!" at this moment, Halfpad shuddered.
“Then, Vlepus shot at him...he hit him, but it was as if he felt no pain! He just went on, then Xledt, his brother, attacked. He...he...he killed Keira as she was on the ground..."
Gladwheel shot a vengeful look at Radjar. Radjar turned back, his face lined with surprise.
“I can’t go on…” Halfpad shivered.
Gereld stood about, the delegates waiting for his deliberation. His standing as Radjar’s defense was, in example, a leap of faith.
“Delegates of the Forestmen kingdom,” he started, “I say to you that Radjar Kath is innocent of crimes he did not commit, for the ruptured tendrils of his troubled mind were instead the cause of his actions.”
“You claim he suffered from temporary insanity?” snorted Bjarn.
“YES! I am possessed, I am a vampire!” shouted Radjar.
Silence.
Radjar explained, “A few months ago, I was in the Black Knight city of Mar Tache. While there, we encountered the Wolfpack, as well as a mysterious band of hooded assailants. I was struck down by a blow from one of their weapons. I awoke shortly after, far away in the Knight's Kingdom. I had a scar, that, at first, I thought was simply normal. However, it held a shadow power far beyond what I had expected.”
The chamber was in silence, and Searil looked at Radjar like he was a madman.
“I returned home, and had no encounters with the scar until one night, when it seemed it's power was at some sort of peak. I sprouted fangs, and in the morning, they disappeared. At the Daggerfall fortress, I transformed when my powers seemed strongest. I was transformed into a greatused cars for sale by owner tiger, with incredible strength. I have had several instances where the scar's powers have taken over my mental state.”
Radjar paused for a few seconds and glanced about. He saw looks on people’s faces ranging from fear to anger to disgust and many were whispering to one another. Radjar could just barely hear someone say, “Shouldn't he be locked up in a cage?”
“Order, there will be order!” bellowed Bjarn from the podium, and the crowds fell silent.
“Radjar Kath...are you aware of anyway you could rid yourself of this...affliction?” queried Bjarn.
“No.”
Bjarn scanned the crowded of delegates and asked, “Is there one among you who knows a remedy to rid this Radjar Kath of the vampire demon?”
“Death!” snarled Searil, the vampire-hunting elf, “Death is the only way to rid ourselves of this evil filth!” Searil spat, he spittle smearing across Radjar’s face.
“Enough!” commanded Bjarn, “Anymore of the behavior and you will be removed from the Dome!”
Searil sat back down and wiped his mouth, scowling.
“Milord?’ asked a female voice, “I may have a solution…”
The speaker rose. She was Bella Turnleaf.
“Milord…” she continued, “Us Druids of old know of a way to rid this poor sufferer of the demon within...but...it is painful...and not always successful…”
The Drullen Council murmured among themselves for a few minutes, and then one rose and whispered something in Bjarn's ear.
“The Council has decided!” bellowed Bjarn, “Bella Turnleaf will attempt to rid Radjar Kath of this vampire demon as soon as possible. If she is successful, all charges will be dropped. However, if the procedure fails, Radjar Kath will be executed at dawn. The court is adjourned.”
The dome began to empty, and Bjarn approached Bella. “How soon can you perform the procedure?”
“Midnight…”
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