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.That man Ythnel had never seen before.A square jaw, blunt nose, and bushy eyebrows all fought for dominance under a mass of dark, curly hair held back by a thin circlet of gold.There was some resemblance to Naeros, but this face was older, both in years and wisdom.It could only be his father, Jaerios Karanok.That made the elderly man sitting in the middle chair above the others Maelos Karanok, and to the right of him sat Kaestra.The last chair was empty.The guards halted a few feet from the bottom of the dais and took up flanking positions slightly behind Ythnel.Kaestra got up from her chair and stepped down to the main floor, stopping in front of Ythnel."You are here because an accusation of witchcraft has been brought against you," she said in a stiff and formal voice that echoed back louder than she had spoken."Is there anything you would like to say before judgment is pronounced?" Ythnel nodded."Know this, then.Should you try to cast a spell once your gag is removed, you will be killed before you complete the first syllable." Kaestra waited, her eyes locked with Ythnel's.Ythnel did not waver, and Kaestra looked away first, motioning one of the guards to remove the gag."I am innocent," Ythnel croaked.It was the first time she had used her voice in.she wasn't sure how long."Innocent? Lies will not help your case.There were witnesses.Lord Naeros saw you cast a spell in the marketplace.""No he didn't.In fact, your brother and your sister both know that I am a handmaiden of Loviatar."The smug look on Kaestra's face vanished.Her eyes widened, her lips parted slightly, and she turned to look at Naeros.He returned the look with a shrug of his shoulders."No matter.My brother may not have seen your wizardry, but I have other witnesses." Kaestra waved at a guard standing near a door on the wall to Ythnel's right.The door was opened and two figures shuffled out.Their hair was matted and their clothes were in disarray, but Ythnel could still recognize Master Saelis and Iuna.They were escorted up to the front of the dais and halted a few feet from Ythnel.Kaestra strode over to stand before Iuna.She bent over and cupped the girl's face with her hand, lifting it up until their eyes met."You saw this witch casting spells, didn't you, little one?"Iuna bit her lip and tried to turn her head to look at her father, but Kaestra kept their gazes locked."Uh-huh," Iuna mumbled."Speak louder, child.""Yes," Iuna quavered."I saw her casting a spell in-""She doesn't know what she's saying! Be quiet, Iuna," Master Saelis interrupted."The woman is a Loviatan.I hired her as a governess.Do you think I would bring a wizard into this city, into my home? I know the penalty.I don't want to die.Please, you have to believe me.This is all a big mistake." Master Saelis's voice quickly rose in pitch as he spoke faster."I don't want to die.If you don't believe me, you can search through her belongings.I'm sure you'll find something that verifies what I'm saying.""Silence!" Lord Jaerios's voice boomed out as he rose from his seat."I've had enough."Kaestra looked questioningly at her father as he approached, but he dismissed her with a wave of his hand.She bowed out of the way and took her seat.He reached into his robe and produced something hidden in his fist."Is this yours?" He opened his hand to reveal Ythnel's scourge medallion.She nodded, a wave of relief washing over her.They knew who she really was.Now they'd have to set her free.Lord Jaerios closed his fist and tucked the medallion back into his robe.Ythnel looked up to see his face twisted in contempt."The cult of Loviatar and its practices are as degenerate and corrupt as those of wizardry.I will not have it in this city, and those I find involved in it I will execute." He returned to his seat."I order all three of you to be burned at the stake," Lord Jaerios pronounced.Master Saelis moaned, and Ythnel's heart sank.She could see a smirk forming on Kaestra's lips."But I didn't do anything wrong," Iuna wailed."I tried to tell Daddy to get rid of her, and.and I turned her in.It's not fair."Maelos Karanok leaned forward in his seat and whispered something to his son, who nodded."You are correct, child.You did your best to root out this disease and should be rewarded
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