>>5205065Half-an-hour later everyone seated back in the courtroom.
Surveying the scene before her, Sathriel could tell that the mood was tense and heavy. Scripts and runes bearing "condemnation" and "sin" floated in the air like a plague. More damningly were the ones that bore "regret", "trauma", "terror", and "despair" that clung to Lisa and Grizzie Baerns. All in all, it was a pitiful sight. Sathriel's heart couldn't help but wince in pain and sympathy.
"Court is now back in session. With all the facts that have been established, It is now clear that Millie is in fact not the thief. while the real culprit of this crime spree is Lisa with Officer Grizzie Baerns serving as an accomplice." Sathriel announced. "Which leads us to the next question...Grimm, can you explain your complicity to the crime?"
"I can." Grizzie Baerns answered, the officer looking more weary and haggard as the need to keep a formal appearance seemingly evaporated along with her intimidating bulk. "And...I would like to make a plea bargain-"
"Wait!" interrupted Lisa. "Let me confess too. Please."
"Are you sure? There's a difference between simply speaking up and speaking out with meaning. Speaking with meaning means to tell the truth." warned the Obsidian Arbiter.
"The purpose of a court is not only to listen to the voices spoken, but also to determine if those statements are truths or lies. And to separate the two, everyone's statements has to be cross-examined to ensure that the narrative is supported by the evidence gathered in relation to what happened during the crime. If there is something, anything suspicious in a statement and doesn't match up to the evidence presented in court, then it is considered a lie and gets ruled out. What's left after all the lies are taken out is the truth."
"That said, all of the facts that have been established point towards your guilt in the crime. If you wish to make a plea bargain, I can accept it. However..."
Sathriel snapped her fingers. All at once, the ground beneath Lisa and Officer Baerns lit up as runes upon runes made their presence known in glowing bloody gold in a mesmerizing array spread throughout the courtroom, arcane power swelling and coalescing into a smothering pall that threatened to implode the pair by dint of its sheer invisible weight. Such a stunning display of complex spellwork could only be possible if the Obsidian Arbiter had time to painstakingly carve them out under everyone's noses. Time she had plenty of during the trial when everyone else's attentions were focused on Solomon and Yan Wong's riveting performance on the courtroom floor and during the half-hour recess.
"I will be judging your words carefully and personally with the full weight of my power. Should you utter a single lie within your confession that contradicts all facts established in this case, your life will be forfeit. Do you understand?"
(cont.)
