Without A Heartbeat

For two days Scarlett was kept in a stone room so small she could reach out and touch both walls. A single, tiny window shone light down into her cramped cell. When enough strength had returned to her that she was able to stand, she hobbled to the opening and peered out, her heart sinking when she saw a deadly drop that plummeted down to a thrashing sea.

Scarlett spent most of the time with her back against the far wall, thinking of how much she missed her family and trying not to cry. She could only remember parts of what had happened in the temple, and she had awoken to the sound of her own screaming in the tiny room. Every single part of her body ached from the vicious beating she had received at the hands of the Huntmaster. When the iron door opened for the first time and a bag of blood was tossed into her, it took her over an hour to steady her hands enough to be able to drink from it.

The sun was fading when they came for her, its light pouring into the room and bathing the terrified girl in its orange glow. The door clanked open and Scarlett stifled a scream when she saw a hulking figure with a face as red as blood stare down at her. When he spoke, his mouth parted and revealed hundreds of needle teeth, his thundering voice booming into the cell.

“It is time, come.”

Scarlett stood on shaking legs and allowed the giant to place oak cuffs on her wrists that pricked her skin and sent a wave of nausea rolling through her. He guided her out of the room and closed the door, locking it with a long key from a large set attached to the belt of his white robe. Scarlett was led down a vast, curved passageway that held several more cells like the one she had been kept inside. Colossal metal chains ran in cross shapes along the inside walls, clearly a reminder to those kept there that they were prisoners. Above them, the entire ceiling was made from glass and the expanse of sky beyond only served to reinforce that fact.

Scarlett stumbled forwards, the giant holding her shoulder with one hand, more for support than guidance. As she walked down the impossibly long passageway, she realised that that they were moving in a large circle. They reached an area with a heavily fortified door, which Scarlett guessed was the exit. Opposite, leading into the center of the building itself, was a tall archway. This was the direction the red giant took her, and the fear that she felt tripled when she passed through the wide opening.

In contrast to the bright exterior, the circular room beyond was dark and foreboding, devoid of any windows and bathed in the dull glow of flickering lanterns. Countless eyes stared at Scarlett from the edges of a room that was even larger than the temple, yet somehow made the girl feel claustrophobic. Hundreds of the Guardians were standing in front of curved benches that ran in descending rows from the boundary of the room towards the centre. From the walls above their heads dozens of massive chains - formed from all manner of materials - ran down to the bars that formed a raised circular cage in the eye of the room.

I remember what the Sage said. This...this is the Court of Chains.

Utter silence filled the courtroom as Scarlett was guided down a number of steps towards the cage, her footsteps sounding like pounding drumbeats on the thick wood. The giant opened a gated section of the cage with another key.

“Hold out your arms.”

Trembling, Scarlett did as she was asked and the man took hold of two of the chains, unlatching them from the bars and hooking them onto her shackles. The weight sent Scarlett reeling forward and she had to wrench her arms upwards to stop herself from hitting the bars. After some maneuvering she was able to move herself into a position where she could support the burdensome oak chains. The giant locked the gate and moved to a spot just beyond the archway.

“Thank you Xandis,” said a voice from above.

Through the bars, Scarlett saw twin stairs that led up the sides of a solid desk some twenty feet in height. Etched into the centre of its dark wood was an emblem of two overlapping worlds, each held by two diagonal chains and intersected by a ceremonial gavel. The words, ’Justice Beyond The Veil,’ had been carved in gothic lettering underneath the emblem. The man who had spoken was standing behind the imposing desk, his head covered in a judicial wig and wearing white robes adorned with blue shoulder drapes.

“Dilecti surgemus, socii pollemus,” he said in a deep voice that echoed around the silent courtroom. Scarlett stiffened as every single Guardian repeated the motto back to him. There was a series of shuffling as everyone took their seats. The judge opened a leather-bound book and stared at one of the pages for a moment before turning his attention to Scarlett, who felt like a tiny animal under inspection.

“My name is Magistratus Tull. Scarlett Reid, you are on trial for the murder of one Master Richard Clarke of Teine, County Antrim in Ireland. Do you refute this accusation?”

There was silence as everyone turned their attention to the girl. “No,” she said in a small voice.

The judge gave a nod. “The court requires two opposing stances of the crime. Will the Indicter please make themselves known?”

“I will be acting as Indicter,” said a loud voice from an area close to the desk. Murmurs swept through the crowd as Sage Blackwood stood up, wrapping his broad hands around the rail that ran in front of the benched area. His gaze caught Scarlett’s and he curled the corners of his scarred lips into the tiniest smile.

The Magistratus raised his eyebrows. “A Sage acting as Indicter is most uncommon. Do you have enough information on the details?”

“I know enough to convince you that Miss Reid is guilty, yes.”

“Very well then, approach the wing.”

Guardians had to stand to allow the man’s broad frame to pass. As Scarlett stared into the crowd - which was a bizarre mix of humans and creatures - she caught sight of the rest of the Guardians she had met on her journey to London, their expressions ones of shared pity. The Sage climbed the right-hand stairs towards the desk, before stepping off into a dock some ten feet below the Magistratus. He swept his cape away and sat down, waiting.

“Will the Defender please make themselves known?”

Silence. Scarlett looked around and saw Guardians glancing at one another, hesitant expressions on a multitude of faces. No one want’s to challenge him.

The Magistratus rubbed the back of an ageing hand across his eyes. “Guardians, it has been a long day and I would like to go home. Will the Defender please make themselves known?”

Still, no one said anything. The silence hung in the dim room like a supernatural presence hiding in the shadows cast by the lanterns.

“If no one will act as Defender then the treaty decrees that the sentence chosen by the Indicter will automatically be carried out.” Scarlett looked up at the Sage and could see him trying to keep a smile from his face. Panic flooded through the girl. He was counting on no one daring to challenge him. Now he can make the example of me he wanted.

“Very well.” The Magistratus lifted a black gavel resting on the desk. An invisible hand clutched at Scarlett’s chest, crushing her with anxiety.

“I will act as Defender.”

The words echoed around the hushed room and all eyes, including Scarlett’s turned to the source.

Larik.

“Thank you Guardian Godren. Please approach the wing.”

Scarlett released a breath she wasn’t aware she had been holding, as the Guardian moved through the crowd, avoiding the glare of his Sage. He gave Scarlett a brief glance as he passed by the cage and she mouthed the words ‘thank you’ at him. With a nod, he climbed the steps and took a seat on the opposite side of the Magistratus.

“Indicter, which of the four sentences are you seeking?”

Sage Blackwood stood up. “I am seeking the death penalty.”

A fresh wave of murmurs passed through the crowd. Scarlett felt like she was going to be sick. She had known that being made example of was never going to be a good thing, but she hadn’t for a moment expected death. Suddenly the chains were too heavy and the room too small. She closed her eyes and pressed her head against the bars of the cage.

“Defender, which of the four sentences are you seeking?”

Scarlett opened her eyes and glanced up at Larik. He stood and cleared his throat. “I am seeking leniency.”

Magistratus Tull dipped a quill into a pot of ink and wrote something down in the book. “Very well. Let it be known that both sides have stated their penalties for this case if the accused is found guilty.” He picked up the hammer and rapped it on the desk. “I now declare the Court of Chains in session.”

Sage Blackwood waited for a nod from the Magistratus and stood up. “Miss Reid here was turned just over a week ago, and during that time three innocent individuals have lost their lives at her hands.”

“Three murders?” said the Magistratus with a surprised expression. “Then why is she only on trial for one?”

Because it’s the only one he thinks is important, Scarlett thought bitterly.

“The first two are forgivable Magistratus, because as my Huntmaster has made it his duty to inform me, she was suffering from the Fury at the time and cannot therefore be held accountable for her actions.” He raised his voice, and it boomed across the court. “However, I am convinced that the murder in question was one of premeditation. A person I might add who was a significant financial contributor to the Alliance.”

Whispers passed through the crowd. The Sage turned his attention to Scarlett, who found it difficult to hold his cold gaze. “Miss Reid, when you killed Michael Granger and his wife, did you feed on either of them?”

Scarlett couldn’t find her voice. Everything was too overwhelming. She opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. Looking around the room, nothing but unfamiliar faces stared back at her. Even those she knew had abducted her from her home and taken her to this harsh, unforgiving place. Her eyes caught with Rachel’s, who gave a slight nod as if urging her to speak.

“Answer the question, Miss Reid,” ordered the Magistratus.

“Y-yes, I fed,” breathed Scarlett.

“This is supported by the evidence left in her wake,” said the Sage. “The one victim who wasn’t ripped to pieces was completely exsanguinated. As you are no doubt aware Magistratus, even for a newborn, the blood of a fully grown woman would provide enough sustenance for at least two days and allow conscious thought to return.” He pointed a finger and aimed it at Scarlett, which felt like a dagger stabbing into her chest. “However, it was the very next evening when this girl went to Master Clarke’s home and proceeded to torture him, including snapping his wrist and four fingers, before draining his blood. After this, she brutally broke his neck, leaving two children without a father. Those are the actions of someone in control, not the actions of someone consumed by the Fury.”

More murmurs circulated the court and Scarlett could feel the atmosphere of the courtroom turning hostile. She wanted to scream at the horrible man to stop twisting the crowd with his silver-tongued words, but the simple fact was that every word he spoke was true. I did plan to kill him. I was in control. My actions stole a father away from two innocent children, without giving them a second thought.

“Miss Reid, do you deny that you did these things to Richard Clarke?” asked the Magistratus.

“N-no, I…”

“Just answer the question with a yes or no.”

Scarlett felt her stone heart sink. “Yes.”

A smile flickered across the Sage’s face. This is going exactly as he wants. She could feel desperation clawing at her insides; it was like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. In the opposite wing, Larik was staring down at his hands, which were wrapped tightly around the rail. He can’t save me.

“You may wonder what reason Miss Reid would have for wanting to kill Richard Clarke,” said the Sage, staring out at the crowd. “The truth is that she was under his employment. It is my belief that she started an affair with him in hopes of elevating her status, but was later rebuffed. Later, when she became victim of her unfortunate attack – of which the individual responsible will answer for their crime, make no mistake - she used that as an opportunity to take revenge on Master Clarke.”

“No that isn’t true!” cried Scarlett.

“Silence, Miss Reid,” ordered Magistrate Tull, rapping his gavel on the block. “You will speak only when replying to a direct question.”

Scarlett had to bite her lip to keep silent as the Sage continued his tirade. “We have done research on her family. It was revealed that her father, Desmond Reid was born from wealthy stock, but gave up fortune when he had the ill foresight to marry beneath him. The family also have a son who is severely crippled from poliomyelitis. It is likely that Desmond sent his daughter - who is blessed with undeniably striking features – to work for Richard Clarke so that she could catch his attentions and provide a means for her family to earn more money.”

Tears pricked at the corners of Scarlett’s eyes. It was bad enough to hear horrible truths about herself, but hearing lies about her father was almost too much to bear. Not able to stomach looking at the Sage, she swept her gaze over the Guardians, catching sight of Huntmaster Solignis. He was shaking his head and wearing an expression of unmistakable disgust.

“I do not think that Miss Reid is necessarily a bad person,” continued Sage Blackwood. “Rather that she is an opportunist who became aggrieved when she could not gain what she desired. When I challenged her about her motives for killing Master Clarke, she became frenzied and had to be restrained, which only proved her guilt in my eyes.” The Sage turned towards the judge. “This is the main thing that must not be overlooked Magistratus. Miss Reid may appear as an innocent girl on the surface, but that is a masquerade. Underneath that petite body and comely face lies a powerful creature that has the strength to tear a human limb from limb. Michael Granger serves as a dreadful reminder of that fact. Therefore, for her to knowingly use her deadly abilities to kill Master Clarke simply for rejecting her is an act of murder and she should be punished accordingly.” The Sage stopped speaking and sat down, a satisfied expression on his face.

“A compelling argument Sage Blackwood, thank you,” said the Magistratus, making more notes in his book. “Guardian Godren you may now present your counter argument.”

Larik stood up and glanced around the room. It was clear that he was nervous, his eyes not settling in any one position for more than a moment. “I agree with the Sage that the murder was premeditated,” he said finally. “The evidence of that is undeniable.”

A series of gasps rang around the room and Scarlet’s veins filled with ice. Why would he say that? Is all this a cruel ruse to get my hopes up? Her shoulders slumped and the chains dragged her forward several steps.

“However…”

Scarlett glanced up.

“…I do not agree that it was because of spurned advances. During my time at Sciath Outpost I learned from Outleader Kodessa that Richard Clarke had a reputation for being abusive towards his staff. He even witnessed on occasions when he attended social events at Oakley Manor.” Larik cast his eyes down to Scarlett and held her gaze. “That was information I myself provided to Sage Blackwood only this morning, but he seems to have conveniently ignored. It is true that Miss Reid became very distressed and eventually violent when speaking with the Sage. However, he also failed to mention two other key points. The first is that she became emotional after he accused her of being, and I quote, a scorned whore.”

A few whispers broke out among the crowd. Scarlett glanced to the Sage and saw him tighten his grip on the rail, his eyes boring holes into the Guardian.

“The second point is that Miss Reid repeatedly protested that Master Clarke was not innocent as the Sage claimed, and was in her words, a monster. It was at this point that she became inconsolable, before finally loosing control of her sensibilities and turning feral. As someone who can empathise with her situation, I can tell you with full confidence that such extreme emotional behaviour can only be caused by immense psychological trauma.”

The Magistratus nodded. “Interesting. So what is your counter argument to spurned advances Guardian Godren?”

“I would like to pose the relevant question to Miss Reid herself if that is acceptable.”

“It is.”

Larik’s expression intensified and Scarlett felt dread as she realised what he was going to say. “Miss Reid, can you please explain to the Magistratus why you wanted to kill Master Clarke?”

I can’t.

The sickening memories of what that man had done to her were buried just under the surface, and to dig them out was to admit to herself that it had happened. For Scarlett, being forced to recount the details of her mortifying ordeal to a room full of strangers was the final insult that might just break her.

“No, I can’t,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“See, she has no defence!” barked the Sage.

“Silence, Sage Blackwood! You will respect the law of this court just like everyone else,” chastised the Magistratus with a glare. The Sage gritted his teeth together and stared at the far wall.

“Do you love your family, Scarlett?” asked Larik.

The very mention of them made tears glisten in her eyes. “With all my heart,” she choked.

“Do you wish to see them again?”

A sob escaped Scarlett’s throat. “More than anything.”

“Then you have to tell the truth. It is clear that something happened. You just have to tell the Magistratus what that was.”

More tears gathered, until everything and everyone in the room became blurred and distant. Scarlett pressed her head against the bars as her shoulders began to tremble. The weight of the chains…the weight of everything was pulling her apart, piece-by-piece.

“I want to go home,” she wept.

“Then you must explain to the Magistratus what made you kill Richard Clarke.”

“No, no,” she begged. “Please don’t make me remember.”

“I am going to help make all this easier for you. I need you to close your eyes. Can you do that for me, Miss Reid?”

Scarlett nodded and let her eyes shut, which made a fresh stream of tears slide down her cheeks.

“I want you to picture your father in your mind. Forget everything here and just focus on him.”

The girl thought of her beloved father and he formed in her mind with striking detail. She saw his smile that lifted his greying moustache and made the corners of his eyes crinkle. She could smell the scent of tobacco that clung to his shirt and see the soil trapped underneath his fingernails, as it always was when he came home from a days farming. He was so clear, it was almost as if she could reach out and touch him.

“Can you see him?”

Scarlett nodded.

“Let him take you home, away from this place.”

Desmond held out a hand and Scarlett saw her own appear in her mind, feeling the warmth of his rough palm as they closed together. The world seemed to shift sideways as bright light enveloped them. When it dimmed, she was no longer in the oppressive Court of Chains, but sitting on the familiar cot in her familiar home. Connor was lying next to her, breathing softly as he slept. Her mother was sitting on a chair in front of the hearth and mending a pair of trousers, her eyes narrowed as she worked the needle through the material. Her father was sitting on the chair next to his wife, smoking a cigarette and regarding Scarlett with a loving expression. Everything was so real, the sights and the smells, it was as if she had been transported there.

How is this possible?

Slowly the question faded and became irrelevant, as the visions of her family took over and became her new reality. She brushed the back of her hand against Connor’s face, as the weight of the chains dissolved.

“Tell me what happened,” said a ghostly voice that was echoed by Desmond. The two merged together, until all she could hear was her father. “Tell me.”

“The Silver-Eyed Man said he wanted to save me from Master Clarke,” she said dreamily.

“Why did you need saving from Master Clarke?” asked her father, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. A flash of images streaked across her mind.

Master Clarke’s hand drifts up her dress. She tries to pull away but he’s too strong. He has that hungry look in his eye. He squeezes her hard and laughs as she cries out in pain. It’s the pain that excites him more than the act. It’s the control he has over her. It’s the pain that drives him.

“No! Stop!” she screamed and thrashed her arms out, fighting against her attacker. Somewhere in the distance, she heard wood clanging against metal.

“It’s okay. No one is hurting you,” said a soothing voice. Master Clarke’s grimacing face faded, replaced by her father’s once more. “You must tell me what he did to you.” Scarlett looked into the loving eyes of her father and felt her walls crumble.

“He raped me.”

Her father’s expression turned to one of horrified shock. “He raped you?”

Tears spilled down Scarlett’s face as the last of her barriers fell away. “Over and over again,” she sobbed. “I tried to stop him, but he would beat me. Sometimes he beat me anyway.” She collapsed off the bed onto her knees, as the full weight of her ordeal came flooding back to her.

“You poor girl,” said her father, crouching next to her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

“I’m so sorry Da, I couldn’t stop him…I wasn’t strong enough,” she whispered. She hung her head as the waves of sadness washed through her.

“Don’t be sorry. It wasn’t your fault.”

“The Silver-Eyed Man knew,” she breathed. “He said Master Clarke had done it to others before me. One of them he killed and buried in the woods. The Silver-Eyed Man gave me the strength I needed.” She looked up and stared at her father with an intense expression.” I made sure he could never hurt another young girl again.”

Crack!

The loud sound of a hammer hitting wood wrenched Scarlett back to reality. The images of her home and family drifted away and she felt desperate longing as she watched them go. It took Scarlett a moment to become aware of where she actually was. It was as if dark clouds had swept over the sun as she took in the intimidating courtroom full of terrifying people, and she realised that her family and home had been nothing more than a vision.

The Guardians were all taking at once, creating a deafening cacophony of noise that echoed around the large room.

“Order!” demanded Magistratus Tull, slamming his gavel down onto the sounding block repeatedly. “Order!”

The sounds dissolved until silence once again dominated. “Miss Reid, please stand up.” It was only then that she understood that she was on her knees, her arms extending through the bars and chains dragging on the floor. With great effort, she heaved against the burden and dragged herself to her feet. As she did, she noticed Larik regarding her with a look of utter sympathy. It was an expression emulated by many other Guardians, and she felt pitying eyes staring at her from all directions. That pity was far worse than the humiliation, as if Scarlett were some pitiful thing that needed saving. In contrast, Sage Blackwood seemed most unmoved by her confession, his scowl showing his obvious dissatisfaction at the reveal.

“Please conclude your argument, Guardian Godren,” said the Magistratus.

Larik nodded and straightened up. “I am not denying that Miss Reid killed Master Clarke as revenge, but as you can all clearly see she is not a cold-blooded murderer. She is simply a young lady who fell victim to a predator. Richard Clarke forced this poor girl to endure constant physical and emotional torture. Given the opportunity to punish this awful man for his crimes, could anyone here honestly say that they would not have done the same thing? In addition, whilst I am not suggesting that the Fury is fully to blame here, I have no doubt it coloured her judgment, causing her to act in a darker and more violent way than she would. Had she received treatment as soon as she turned, then I highly doubt Richard Clarkes’ death would ever have occurred.” Like Sage Blackwood, Larik turned to the judge to finish his statement. “Magistratus, Miss Reid has been the victim of two different men, when all she was trying to do was help provide for her family. She was scared, confused and angry, and she made an error in judgment that was influenced by the Fury. I also do not believe for a moment that Miss Reid knew that the man she killed was connected to the Alliance. Therefore, I ask you to grant leniency.”

Larik stopped speaking and sat down. Scarlett looked at him through tear-streaked eyes and vowed that if she survived, she would never speak an unkind word to him again.

“A compelling counter argument, thank you Guardian Godren,” said the Magistratus and once again wrote in his book. “I will now require a few moments to make my decision.”

Tense silence filled the room. Scarlett felt as if an invisible knife were slowly twisting in her gut as she watched the aging man study the pages of his book, silently mouthing out the words he had written back to himself. She did not let her gaze move from the judge for one second, he was the one who now held her life in his hands. When the Magistratus spoke again, his words seemed to fill the whole room, each one with the power to crumble cities.

“I have come to a decision.”

The whole room took on a silence that was filled with the buzz of anticipation. The Magistratus peered down at Scarlett, his expression one of compassion. “Miss Reid, what you endured during your employment under Master Clarke was awful, as is what happened to you subsequently. I have a daughter myself and if the same thing had happened to her, I would be distraught.” He shifted in his seat and anxiety sparked inside Scarlett as she felt his tone switch. “However, one crime does not excuse another. I am inclined to agree that you were in control of your faculties when you took Richard Clarke’s life from him. In addition, as much as I wish I could, I cannot ignore the fact that he was a valuable benefactor to our organisation, whether you knew it or not.” He took a deep breath. “It is my regrettable decision to side with the Indicter.”

Scarlett felt her world crumble. Larik cast her an apologetic look and she could only manage a small nod in return, as her chin quivered and tears slipped down her cheeks. The hush of the room had changed from baited breath to stunned silence. The Magistratus cleared his throat and carried on speaking.

“However, there are factors involved in this murder that simply cannot be ignored. As such, it is my recommendation that the sentence be reduced to imprisonment for a total of twenty years.”

Twenty years? The thought of Connor being old and her parents potentially dead by the time she had earned freedom was sickening. The only consolation was that unlike death, she would have at least a small chance of seeing them again.

“This decision is no longer mine to make now that I have sided with the Indicter. So, Sage Blackwood I urge you to accept my proposal in this case.”

The Sage stood up and nodded. “Thank you Magistratus.” All eyes turned towards him as he wrapped both hands around the rail. “I am afraid that I cannot permit mercy in this case. An example must be made so that it sends a powerful message to any others who might seek to attack our organisation. The death penalty stands.”

The room burst into a cacophony of noise. The majority of the Guardians shouted their disapproval; a few others stamped their feet against the wooden floorboards in support.

The Magistratus looked taken aback. “Sage, I think killing a scared sixteen-year-old girl conveys an entirely different message.”

Sage Blackwood did not even bother to face the Magistratus. “I have made my decision.”

This is it. I am actually going to die.

Scarlett had yearned for death after the Silver-Eyed Man had changed her; she had even to force it with her own hand. But it was death on her own terms, not at the whim of some malicious aristocrat.

It is better this way; my family will never have to see what I became, Scarlett tried to convince herself. The single thing that she could not reconcile, which hurt more than she could bear, was the fact that she would never get the chance to say goodbye.

The Magistratus sighed and raised his gavel. “Then by the words of the treaty, I am sentencing you Miss Scarlett Reid to the fire pits, where you will lay until body has burned and soul has departed.” The crowd was deafening in its shouts of protest. “At this moment any may contest the sentencing if they have legitimate grounds. Or all shall put the matter to rest.”

“I contest!”

The voice boomed out across the courtroom, dwarfing all other sounds. In an instant it was as if the entire crowd had been rendered dumb. They stared in shocked silence at the source of the voice. Scarlett’s eyes went wide when she saw who was speaking.

Huntmaster Solignis.

“On what grounds do you contest this sentencing?”

“I wish to invoke the Right of Burden.”

Gasps rang around the court and Sage Blackwood’s face flushed with rage. “You cannot do that!” he barked.

“On the contrary, my position allows me to do exactly that.”

“You would take this girl as your ward, knowing what it means?” warned the Magistratus.

“Yes.”

Scarlett looked around her in confusion as the court descended into chaos. What is happening?

“It is settled then.” Magistratus Tull rapped his Gavel down on the sounding block. “Xandis please fetch the keys.”

The red giant appeared beside the cage soon afterwards. There were a series of clicks and then the wooden chains fell loose from her wrists like ribbon from a gift. The Magistratus turned to face her.

“Miss Reid, you are free to go.”