Criminal's Law - Part 3 - Sacrifice (Jegg)

Criminal's Law - Part 3 – Sacrifice (Jegg)1

“Tonight we honor Derrick Home with a 5 minute silence. You may weep but you will be sent out of the room if you wail.”2

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We were all moved (all of us were still rubbing our hands furiously) to the Death Cite. We were strapped to our wooden stools. Jee hid inside my shirt as I tried to shut my eyes for the next one to die. But I couldn’t. Home was being carried, his face solemn and unmoved. I screamed, but nothing came out. My eyes seemed to flood, but I held them back. Helm was looking down. The King was sitting on his throne. One of his servants held out a scroll, and he read off it.4

“So, you do,” (He sounded like someone who was doing a wedding) “Derrick Home, plead guilty or innocent?” Home shook his head. The King continued. “So why have we found something like ‘Home killed Peter’ engraved on Peter James’s bed in a red substance?” Some one in the crowd called out, 5

“It’s blood you idiot!” All I saw was that he was being dragged away from guards. I snickered. In return I got a smack on the head. Crap, a guard’s behind me. Must be careful. The King cleared his voice.6

“You are hereby sentenced to death on the murder of Peter James,” Home nodded, tears trailing down his cheeks. I couldn’t do it. As they lifted him onto the rope, I closed my eyes shut as I heard a sound of the click that was the lever. Seela was sobbing as quietly as she could. Helm was looking at his feet, and I swear I could see drops falling. My eyes flooded unwillingly, and I bit my tongue. Hunter and Jay were stunned, horrified. Hunter bit her lip so hard it started bleeding. Jay remained silent, un-readable. I think I saw something twinkle (could it be tears?) in her eyes. Tay, who was behind me, was trying not to cry. Home was a good man.7

We all went back to camp with solemn looks with sorrow. Tay sent word out (an arrow went through the and missed me by a hair. I swear I’m going to kill him) that there was a meeting tonight. There were splotches and smears of ink. He had been crying. My sobbed myself to a disturbed sleep before I awoke at dawn.8

I entered C.L with Jee trying to cheer me up. It wasn’t really working. I patted her, and she gave a small grin at me. I smiled back, and pushed open the stump. I walked down the narrow, dark passageway until I found the dim light. I pushed open the door. No one was chatting happily, no one was getting drunk, no one was gambling. Everyone was drinking water and they were silent. I took a seat next to Tay and ordered some water. The eagle pecked at his shoulder, and he patted it once or twice. Jee tried making funny moves, but I patted her once more, my gaze in deep thought. She climbed on my shoulder and sat in silence. Helm stood up, and Seela shrieked slightly as she dropped her new weapon. It was an axe. Home used one. My eyes flooded with tears again and I bent down so no one could see me. Helm cleared his throat.9

“Tonight we honor Derrick Home with a 5 minute silence. You may weep but you will be sent out of the room if you wail.” He sat down. No one seemed to move. The world seemed still. Hunter was looking down at her feet. Jay was polishing her long sword. I beckoned Jee to my palm and patted her. Her tail curled and she walked along my arms. A tear dropped onto her hand. She looked at me, confused. She was trying to rub the tears out of my eyes, trying to make it stop. I smiled and laughed softly at her, and rubbed her head. Her brown eyes glittered up at mine. Helm cleared his voice. Everyone lifted their heads, some had tears like me. I didn’t usually cry when people got sacrificed, but Home was my friend. I wiped my tears away, and looked at Helm. His eyes were red.10

“Okay,” His voice was raspy. “Hunter, Jay, let’s have your test.” His voice was now confident and strong. There was a slightly quiver in his voice, but that didn’t bring him down. The girls stood up, their wooden chairs scarping on the ground. 11

“Seela?”12

“Yeah, I’ve got some volunteers.” Two big men stepped forward. They smiled, toothless. Jay and Hunter showed no emotion I could see. They were still. Jay brought out her sword, screeching as she lifted it out of its’ sheath. Hunter put some gloves on, and flexed them. They nodded at each other, then at Helm. 13

“You may—”14

“Wait.” Jay’s voice was calm. She smiled at Hunter. “If you two can cut my hat, then I’ll acknowledge you.”15

“And if you cut my ears, then I’ll do the same.” Her voice was confident. The men laughed. Everyone did. Helm and Tay kept silent. I was howling. I had never felt better—since Home died.16

“You may start.” Helm gave a wave and the two men lunged at them. Jay dropped her sword and lifted the man coming toward her, and she smashed him down at her side. She still kept that elegant stance, and she looked like she was stretching. Hunter had jumped so high she was face-to-face to her one. Her feet were closed up, and her arms were wide spread. Her sleek black hair was high in the air as she jumped so fast. Just like a cat. She smiled sweetly, and then launched a powerful kick in his face. He fell backward. Both men were unconscious. 17

“That’s what happens when you underestimate your enemies.” The girls looked at each other and looked at Helm.18

Hunter glared at him before speaking. “I thought, at least you, Leader, could see that we were strong. But you thought the same as everyone else.” 19

“See what it feels like to be smacked in the face.” “And literally.” She added, glancing at Hunter. The girls turned once more and stormed out. Helm tried to stop them, but they said in union;20

“I’m not going to listen to anyone and that means you as well.” They disappeared ‘round the corner. Seela was tending to the unconscious men.21

“They’re really knocked out. This one is going to need a lot of healing,” She pointed at the one who had been kicked by Hunter. “They’re really strong.” 22

“Obviously,” I replied to her. She turned to me, a big grin on her face.23

“Alright,” Helm said. We turned to him. “Someone has to say sorry.” Everyone shuffled in their seats. No one liked to admit they were wrong. Helm met my eye. “Jegg?” I cast a painful look at him.24

“Oh alright.” I ran my fingers through my hair, and smiled. I got up. “Wish me luck,” I murmured, loud enough for everyone to hear. They muttered in agreement. Seela patted my shoulder, raising her brow. I saw her look. “For fun.”25

“I still don’t think that’s the right answer.” She grinned. “Oh well.” I put my hands in my pockets and walked out.26

I crept in the darkness, Jee bouncing along in front of me. She scurried along the dirt and we entered the camp. I kept to the walls, sinking low and high. I turned to go to the boy’s side of the camp (there was one side for men and women) but Jee tugged on my sleeve shaking her head. I nodded and crept to the women’s side. I glanced in each room, and alas – I found it. I could hear them talking.27

“Stupid… Think we’re useless hey? I’ll show ‘em…” That was Jay. They noticed me.28

“What?” Hunter asked impatiently. I walked in, a smile on my face. Jee leapt onto Hunter’s lap.29

“Look…” I started. Jay held out her hand. 30

“We don’t need apology,” She turned to meet my eye, grinning for once. “We’ll be fine if you let us do something.”31

I was taken aback. That’s all? Woah. I cleared my throat. Jee scrambled up my arm. “Okay then… Here.” I tossed the Rule booklet to them. I smiled. “Also… you might find more than ten rules in there… I’m not sure why Helm didn’t take it off.” I lifted the curtain and I was consumed by the morning darkness.32

Morning.33

I was waken by the guards screaming at me. “Shut up you mup!” I shouted. I climbed out of my ‘bed’ and stood outside, like everyone does at the start of the day. The Chief was smiling today. Oh, great.34

“Today,” The Chief happily said. “After breakfast, you’re going to be helping us do some work.” Yeah right. That means torture. I groaned. Slumping on the bench next to Tay, I put my head in my hands. He was silent. 35

“We’ll soon show them.” Tay said through his gritted teeth, although he was innocently patting his eagle.36

“When we find that blasted killer. D’ya think it’s that Officer?” I asked quietly. Tay shook his head.37

“No, I found out that he’s just a common thief, trying to steal things under the King’s nose.” 38

“Did he get caught?”39

“No, not yet. I can’t wait to see the King’s face when he does.”40

“At least he deserves to get caught,” I muttered, and poked my porridge with the straw they had given us. Some people were given forks. I sucked up the cold essence, and yawned. That was a good meal – since I came here. 41

Fifteen minutes later the Chief clapped his hands for silent. We put our utensils down. “Group one, please follow Mr. Brown please.” A group of outlaws stood up and followed him. They were building a wall. So no one can escape. These people are stupid. Some of us here are masterminds. We could get out easy if we wanted. But C.L held them firm. After lots of people went, there were only six of us. Tay, Helm, Seela, Hunter, Jay and myself. Seems like we’re buddies for life.42

“Follow me,” The Chief said. We were pulling rocks. Hm.. seemed alright. I put Jee on the ground and she scurried up a tree, following us as we went. I glared at her. She pouted, but she stayed out of sight.43

There were fifty large boulders awaiting for us. I stretched my fingers. This was easy work. In the mines, they had large boulders which had the gems inside. I had to lift them aside for the uncovered ones. They were twice this size. Jay and Hunter seemed calm. Tay and Seela seemed uneasy, but trying to look confident. Helm was emotionless as usual. “Drag these boulders to the wall builders. Collect your tag in case someone asks you who you are.” He pointed to a box. I picked mine up. It was a piece of wood with string hung around. I hung it around my neck. It read; Boulder-puller. Chief attached us to strings and put us to work.44