6 Chapter 6- Corruption of the Innocen (1/2)

Frederic stared blankly at the iron bars of his cell as he heard the footsteps of the captain of his platoon slowly grow quieter and quieter.

His mind was hazy, and he attempted to remember what had happened last night. Memories came flooding back to him as he recalled his renouncing of the surfacers guild, and his conversation with his wife.

He thought back to his fight with the assassins, and couldn't remember anything past the fight. He clearly had not been taken captive by the surfacers, as he was within the empires prison, and the one who came to see him was the captain of the empires 3rd platoon, of which he was a distinguished soldier.

He deduced that either the empire had discovered his identity as a surfacer, or that they had witnessed his abilities and deemed him to be a threat to the empire, particularly because he had hidden the abilities to prevent suspicion.

Frederic laid down on the hard concrete slab, and twisted and turned as he wondered what would become of his family.

As worries filled his mind, he made the resolve to turn himself in, and to beg for the lives of his family.

He would plea that they had no relation with him or the surfacers, and beg that they be freed and allowed to live peacefully.

Frederic turned once more, and as he decided this, peace filled his mind, knowing that there was at least hope for his family.

After being threatened by the surfacer assassins to sacrifice his family, and fighting to the death to protect them, this was a fitting end for someone like him who had come to disturb the peace within the empire. Comforted, he fell asleep.

Morning came quickly, and the captain of the guard banged on the iron bars to wake Frederic. Startled, he awoke to the sound of the captains voice.

”Get up Frederic. Its time for the trial. I don't know what you have to say for yourself, but whatever you're guilty of, you had better turn yourself in for.”

Frederic lightly smiled, accepting his fate, and was lead out by the captain and two other soldiers.

He was lead down a long corridor which lead to some large wooden doors, carved with intricate designs. Passing through the doors, a large courtroom was laid out before his eyes, and the judge sat at the center podium, ready to begin the hearing.

To the left side was a group of nobles, all outfitted in suits and ties, and to his right stood his wife, who was also bound by handcuffs, and the children were nowhere to be seen.

Frederic could not see that his wife's hands had been mutilated, as they were behind her back, but he gave her a reassuring look, as if to say ”This is my problem, and I will take care of it.”

The guards pressed him down onto a kneeler, and attached his legs to it with cuffs so that he would stay kneeling. The judge brought down the hammer with a ”knock”, and began the hearing

”We shall now begin the trial of Frederic Ruffield, who stands accused of unknown affiliations with an assassin group, and of withholding magical power from the empires knowledge, despite being a Lieutenant in the empires 3rd infantry platoon. Everyone, please rise”.

The nobles and the various groups who were in the stands all stood, and the judge continued.

”We will begin with a witness testimony. Miss Patricia Larkins, you may come forward and state what you witnessed.”

The woman who had passed by the previous day, and called for the guards stepped forward. She was a poor woman, dressed in a ragged dress, with long black hair.

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