Hung Jury 2

"You have chosen to abstain from the vote?" Firche found himself more baffled than any other. "Is that even an option available to us?"

"Of course it is, Firche. Those in attendance are permitted to admit they lack the required understanding and abstain from voting, and so are we. Just as they are, we too are only human. It is not our right but our obligation to admit where we are lacking. I doubt you would be comfortable with someone judging another's fate without first understanding why they do so, correct?"

Both Larson and Firche nodded in unison. Where once they were practically at each other's throats, they now were being lectured as one.

"From my perspective, both of your arguments were wrong, and both were right. As Firche said, we cannot justify the rampant spending the Oberlux would induce, and I have no doubt that there would be tragedies born from the deficits it would cause. However at the same time I must concede that a tragedy on the level we have witnessed must not be allowed to manifest itself either.

There must be a balance somewhere that would satisfy both of these conditions, but I do not have the requisite knowledge to know where this balance lies. For all I know, this may be the rare situation without precedent where it is not capability but understanding that led to this result, and as much as I would like to trust your judgement's, I am unable to."

"Even though we are the authorities on our respective fields?"

"Indeed Larson, even though you have the most knowledge about the subject matter. The fact of the matter is that I simply cannot trust the information you would give me now, in voting you have shown bias. I may not even take the Scholar's word as gospel in this situation, tempted as I am.

I feel my knowledge to be exact, but I cannot discount the possibility my mental faculties may be failing me. It would be unwise to ignore the effects of aging after all. If I am to make a proper judgement, I will need to conduct my own research on this issue. I suggest the two of you do the same."

With this she fell silent, waiting for a response or rebuttal.

None came.

"In that case what are we to do? Should we reconvene at another time?" Firche was still unfamiliar with this process.

"I feel a month would be wise, Grandmother Ashes. Will that be enough time for you to come to a decision?"

"That should be enough time. Shall we reconvene when our schedules best match? I understand Firche will be quite busy in the coming months." Both assented to her suggestion. "In that case the rest of you are dismissed. You won't be bothered to come back, it would be unreasonable of us to ask you to perform the same level of research as I will be doing."

With the go-ahead to return to whatever duty or activity they had planned, those sitting in the stands filtered out through the openings in the back.

Once Szirpty was confident in the privacy of the room, she once again began to address the Scholar and Captain. "Captain, while we cannot place you in prison as we have not yet convicted you, we cannot simply let you roam free. We do not question your loyalty, nor do we believe you would attempt to run, but we must abide by protocol and appearances. As such, we ask that you maintain residence aboard the Oberlux until we reach a verdict."

"I understand." The Captain, still on his knees and facing the stand, did not have much say in the matter anyways.

"While I still think you are guilty, I will make sure your reputation will remain intact amongst your peers until you are convicted or acquitted."

"Similarly, I will only be able to provide you the essentials."

Grandmother Ashes nodded, approving of their judgements. "Just so."

"A-and what shall I do in the intervening time?" The Scholar was almost at the point of shaking. There was no doubt this was the most stressful and labor intensive time of his life.

"I am not one to forbid you to fortify your position with adequate information. Sift through the records in the library as you please."

A light tapping could be heard from the crevasse below the Grand Elders.

"I don't think that will be necessary, Librarian."

A voice, one which those in the room had rarely ever heard, if they had the pleasure of doing so in the past.

"The Great Csillacra and I know the truth, the Captain is blameless. I can assure you there is nothing more he or any other could have done to save the children of Earth."

The tapping of wooden shoes and the chime of metal rings slowly got louder as the Arboreal Maiden made her way towards the podium. Her emergence from the shadows was met with a gasp from the Scholar, the only one in a position to see her.

The only person he thought might rival the grace on display was one of his most recent acquaintances.

"Rise, Captain. I know the stone must be hard on your knees."

The tone of the tapping changed when she began to climb onto the pedestal, the sight of her eliciting a submissive posture from the Grand Elders.

"Marshal, Merchant, Librarian," She nodded to each of them in turn, "I applaud you for your adherence to the processes inherent in your duties. With this I feel I have properly verified the integrity of the judicial system. Captain I *insist* that you stand."

"I am sorry my lady, I just can't feel my legs." Struggling, the captain toppled to the side. "Scholar, a hand?"

As the Captain was helped to his feet, he began to shake. This wasn't born of fear, his legs had simply fallen asleep. They were covered by his pants, But the Captain was confident that his knees were probably an ugly purple.

"Perhaps we will have to consider letting the accused kneel on a cushion in the future..." The Arboreal Maiden took note of the Captain's state.

"I think it would be best not to, my Lady." Much to her surprise, the Captain himself was the one who voiced an objection. "The whole purpose of the trial is to be made uncomfortable."

"If you say so. Truth be told I have become somewhat swayed by our charge's culture. They have some interesting philosophies, especially in regards to the justice system."