THE THIRD TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE THIRD TRIAL

[The Conductor doesn't meet them when the chime rings. Instead, it is the Smiling Priest.]

Come. Though betrayal waits for no one, she is waiting for you.

[He motions towards the Synod, beckoning all to follow. Soon, everyone passes, almost painfully slowly, through the Seven Stations. They come to the sherd of the Mountain. Beyond that are 15 podiums, illuminated by its light. Around those are pews, with many hooded figures already sitting.

The Conductor is in a chair in front of the step to the well, looking absolutely angry and miserable. She speaks the info into her phone, but she sounds like she is being forced to say it, as opposed to simply going through the same rote routine. She takes deep breaths as the suspect list loads on everyone's cuffs.]

THE BRIGHT	THE WATCHFUL	THE DEIDRE	THE BRITTLE
				THE HALVED

A member of my crew is dead alongside your dead. Justice shall be served. I do hope you are proud of yourself, whoever committed this crime.

[She says nothing else. She looks like she's on tenterhooks. Looks like there's no point in delaying.

The trial for the murders of Konawa Talimo, The Deidre, and Zack Foster, The Watchful, has begun.]

Comments

[2/2]

[disregartist]

[Caleb will feel something heavy suddenly appear in his pocket.]

[katzenpfote]

[He reaches in and grabs it, pulling it out.]

[CW: body horror, gross] FALLEN LONDON SPOILERS

[disregartist]

[It's a heart. Shriveled, empty, green. There's no blood in it; it is dry.

He can hear Millicent's voice in his ear.]

(Our hollow Heart. Discarded with me in Nadir, so long ago, with the rest of what was me. Take it. Use it wisely. She is selfish; she has a promise to fulfill.

She will comply with what you wish as long as you possess our heart.)

[With that, the voice disappears like wind.]

[katzenpfote]

Answer. The questions.

[disregartist]

...

I. don't. know.

[Her teeth are clenched.]

Is that what you wanted to hear? To make me squirm. You are no better than I, no matter how put upon you feel about what we have been doing.

[katzenpfote]

I was trained as an executioner and a torturer, and much as I hate my past I will use it if I need to.

What are you hiding?