The trial (2)

The trial starts soon after Ignis and I sit at our places. We have snacks and wine, so this feels like watching a show rather than a massive execution. The Priests and attendants from the Temple are especially polite while pouring wine to Ignis, while they mostly ignore me.

Not that I'm that thirsty, either way. They can keep their wine, for what concerns me.

When it's time to start, finally, Arabeus Malva appears on the other platform, the one facing ours at the other end of the square. There's a female Priest next to him, a Mage. She's not very powerful, not enough to pose a threat. But she must be there for a reason, right?

And it's soon revealed when Arabeus says a few words.

«We shall begin,» he declares, and his voice echoes throughout the whole place. It invades our ears and explores the streets, reaching far away.