Trial of Amos Part 2

Epis looked up nervously, his sister Enisia gave him a little shove forward. He then regained a smile as he faced the stoney council.

"What is your vote Epis?" Dauntice asked. His words were laced with anger at Onicent's trick.

Epis cleared his throat, he was thinking about what he had seen.

On the other side of the room Neonee sat quietly. Neonee had realized Onicent was up to something. Onicent clearly favoured Amos, and would do anything to save him. Epis was his next move, he was assuming that Epis would side with him.

That was when Epis spoke, "I witnessed the aftermath of the attack of Neonee."

He paused suddenly.

Onicent glanced at Ilodeena.

"Go on," Dauntice said, sounding excited.

"Though he is my brother, unfortunately I must vote, Amos is... Innocent."

There was beat of silence. Dauntice blinked in confusion.

Ilo leaned forward on her elbows. "Could you repeat the last sentence love?" She fluttered her eyelashes.

"Amos is innocent." Epis had a blank look on his face. He then sat down on his seat.

"Trickery!" Dauntice declared.

"The boy has spoken, that brings our vote to even." Onicent mused. "four vote innocent and four guilty."

"Amos is guilty!" Iyora cried out suddenly. There was a beat of silence, but Airabella did not silence the girl for once.

"Silence!" Onicent said at last. "As the leader of this assembly I will make the final decision. We shall review the evidence. There was a second sword."

He directed his question at Feia. Feia raised her head and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Was there a second sword?"

Feia nodded and opened her mouth to say more, she was at once drowned out by Airabella's sobbing.

Dauntice was looking increasingly angry.

"I am lead to the conclusion then that there was a fight, perhaps my son Amos went too far. For that he will be punished. But I believe he is innocent. He will be further more confined to the castle." Onicent clasped his hands together.

Ilodeena broke into tears, she thanked Onicent repeatedly. But Dauntice and Alora grumbled. Little Iyora clenched her fists with anger. Even Serse looked appalled.

"This is not justice," Iyora said.

But at last the ruling was made. Amos would stay in the castle for a time, comfortably accommodated with Ilo and their son. When Onicent and Airabella walked away from the throne room she turned to him.

"What have you done?" She said, her voice rising. "You have done everything our mother told us not too. You have made us enemies on the council."

"I have made us strong allies." Onicent countered.

"At what cost. My sisters have turned on me now." Airabella screamed at him.

"You don't need your sisters." Onicent growled, "and I don't need my brothers either!"

"This will come back on you and I Onicent. They know Amos was guilty, we have tarnished our morals." Airabella said. She gripped Onicent's arm. "Do you have any idea the damage you've done! I don't understand why our mother made you our leader!"

Onicent froze.

"You question Mother?" He said, his voice was dangerous now.

Airabella nodded slowly.

"You know nothing!" Onicent screamed, lightning struck nearby. "I will not be told what to do!" He looked deadly.

Airabella backed away from him, feeling him pulse with energy. "I didn't mean it." She pleaded.

Onicent's face twisted into a smile.

Somewhere behind them something shifted in the shadows.