And thus, the epic plot begins. [b]Part Thirteen - Trial and punishment[/b] [i]Holy city of High Charity, Council Chambers, 9th Age of Reclamation.[/i] "Sorran Mahaf'ee, you stand as the accused. Do you understand why you are here?" the Prophet taking precedence over the trial spoke, and Sorran's mouth dried. This was it; he was on trial. Sorran remembered visiting such an event involving a Kig-Yar who had spilt the blood of an Elite a few years ago. It had not bode well for the defendant. To make matters worse, the Prophet monitoring the hearing was none other than the High Prophet of Truth. [i]Truth![/i] He had been a ruthless conciliator before he had ascended to the seat of power, and even now still enjoyed dallying in the occasional trial. Finally, Sorran found his voice. "I understand, noble Prophet." the disgraced Sangheili Minor murmured, bowing his head. The councillors started talking amongst themselves. Brutes hung in the dark recesses of the chamber; looking bloodthirsty. "And do you plead guilty or not, to the accusation that but three days ago, upon the human planet of Eridanus II, you slew a Jiralhanae in cold blood to protect the life of a [i]human[/i]?" Truth demanded, a sly smile on his face. Sorran frowned. "A human [i]child[/i]--" he began to protest, before being interrupted by the High Prophet. "Be silent!" Truth shrieked, anger displaying across his face. "Do you confess to the crime?" There was a pause, as Sorran lifted his head up and stared Truth in the eyes. "I do." The hall burst into a wave of commotion, the Sangheili Councillors on one side, and the Prophet Councillors on the other. Sorran stared at the two groups appealingly, but could not read their emotions. They were, after all, politicians. "And you confess to the crime knowing that the ultimate punishment, should the council so decide it, is death?" Truth whispered, leaning forward in his chair, bony fingertips tapping against each other. [i]He is truly enjoying my suffering![/i] Sorran realised, suddenly feeling a surge of anger towards this Prophet who would be so quick as to condemn him. At the back of the hall, a voice cried out angrily; that of a Brute's. "This should not be a decision of the council! This Sangheili spilled Jiralhanae blood! I demand his death!" the Brute cried out, striding forward to wear Sorran stood. Five Honour Guard moved before him before the raging Jiralhanae could do so however. This heartened Sorran, to know that the Sangheili at least placed the value of his life over that of a mongrel Brute's. Sorran then stared at the Jiralhanae. He was tall, with grey hair, and a large wave of white hair upon his head. Upon his back was strapped a stone hammer as tall as Sorran. The Brute looked as if he were about to disembowel Sorran at a moments notice. "Tartarus; you know the Jiralhanae are not permitted to approach the inner circle of the council chamber." Truth chastised, but with no real anger in his voice. Indeed, Sorran may have been imagining things, but he could have sworn he saw the Prophet give a secretive nod to the Brute. "As it is, you may remain; such is the uniqueness of the situation." [i]So this was the Chieftain of the Brutes.[/i] Sorran thought, looking with speculation at Tartarus as he nodded, and took a seat next to a Sangheili Councillor, who looked appalled. "Do you have anything to say in your defence, Sangheili?" Truth asked of Sorran, who was taken aback slightly. He hesitated before nodding. "I do. I and the Stealth Operative Ahkrin were searching a human residency when we heard a crash at the door. Together, we raised our rifles in anticipation of a squad of humans, only to find it was a Brute named Hestaphus, who claimed to have been ordered by a the Chieftain of the Brutes to scour the nearby houses." at this Tartarus' expression showed surprise, as if he didn't remember giving such a command. The Council noticed it, and he quickly masked it with one of faked understanding. "I remember giving such an order." the Chieftain of the Brutes called out, and Sorran glared at him. Liar! Still, Sorran had no way of proving otherwise, so he continued with his recount of the events. "As it was, I invited the Brute to join us. After finding nothing of import in the downstairs area, we preceded upstairs. I and the Jiralhanae Hestaphus searched what I can assume to have been a bedroom, and I noticed a stirring behind a curtain. Wary, I approached said curtain, and drew it back, only to have a knife embed itself in my leg. The only factor which stayed my wrath was that I saw the assailant was but a small child. My honour would not allow me to kill such a helpless creature, and I ordered the Brute, as is my right as Sangheili, to leave the child alone." Sorran took a deep breath, looking at Truth, who motioned him to go on wearily. "However, Hestaphus seemed unable to comply with this order, and seized the child by the neck, despite my commands to leave him. From thereon, the Brute was guilty of committing insubordination, an act which, under sector nine of the Writ, is an execution-able offence. I merely carried out the law our forefathers imposed." It was a nice, persuasive speech, which Zharn and Ahkrin had run by him many times as he had been taken to High Charity aboard a Phantom. Hopefully, it would hold. The clamour in the hall began once again, this time seemingly incessant. Truth grew wary and banged a mallet upon the podium he sat before. "There will be order in this council!" the High Prophet cried angrily, and the crowd instantly fell silent, all eyes once again on Sorran. [Edited on 10.12.2009 2:21 PM PDT]