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Post by Jacie Morralles on Oct 27, 2015 3:56:10 GMT
Jacie held her ground for a moment, staring down the Arbiter. While his position of mortal authority meant little to her, his resolve to stand between an Anathema, her guns, and a mob to protect what was basically due process was enough to give her pause. Not that she knew or much cared what due process was. Conviction was conviction.
But then, she could not stand by some lengthy trial, lest the Wyld Hunt descend on the town and slaughter everyone who may have supported her, indirectly or otherwise.
Her next few words were in a lower voice than her usual shouting, meant primarily for the Arbiter's ears. "You only draw out a process that could be solved tonight. Do you not see the army of witnesses ready to act against the Zaman family?" She pointed out sternly. Wisdom was wisdom, but action was necessary, too. Half of her wanted to light the haughty mortal up where he stood, but - he had noble convictions, even misguided as they were. She wouldn't burn him down for bravely sticking to them.
She raised her voice this time, addressing her mob - and those on the wall who might be listening. "First light tomorrow, there'll be a trial." Jacie declared, finally removing her hand from her gun. "The Arbiter here will oversee the proceedings. All of those who have a grievance are invited to speak your piece. Whatever the verdict of the populace is - lynch or forgive... I will abide."
The lawgiver pulled herself up onto her steed, pushing her hat down as her caste mark flickered out. "But the business will be settled and dealt with by sundown tomorrow, arbiter, or I will take it into my own two hands. Are we clear?"
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Post by Kajek on Oct 27, 2015 4:45:33 GMT
Kajek brought his hands together and bowed to the Solar. "I thank you, Pillar of the Sun. I will also make sure that it is known that any who flee before the tribunal begins at first light will be declared guilty by admission. You will be free to do with them as you see fit. Now, with your blessing, I will enter the property to begin ensuring that all the Zamans know that the law is being called. With another bow, he turned and marched towards the gates with a small smile. It was not much, but it was a start. There was hope for her yet. But first, there was the matter of this town to settle. He knew well enough from his years that there were going to be several members of the Zaman family who would be found guilty. They had made their decisions and would suffer the consequences. He was more interested in the children, those who had not yet had their hearts hardened from years of corruption and entitlements. As he entered the large, spacial mansion that the Zamans called home, he was immediate beset upon by a pair of mortal guards. The head of the house, a fat, disgusting slob of a man, came waddling over with his face already flush with indignation and shortness of breathe. "Y-You have no right to come in here! We will not be gutted by filthy peasants and rabble like this! I demand you leave at once." Several others, each bloated from avarice and sloth, nodded their many chins at the Arbiter while the guards foolishly brandished their weapons at him. "I am afraid I cannot do that. The law has been called, Lord Zaman, and you will answer its call no matter the consequences." Despite the graveness of the Arbiter's voice, the fat patriarch sputtered in outrage and pointed a stubby finger with the intent of making some foolish order. Rather than wait, Kajek decided that his authority needed to be asserted. In a single, fluid motion, he turned sideways and hit both of the hostile guards in the middle with closed fists. Harsh barks of air erupted from their mouths, each dancing with spittle, before he flipped in place and gave each a swift blow to the back of their exposed necks. It was all over in less than a second. There was a soft gasp from a woman on the second floor, the short heads of two children peering over the railing. Kajek made no further movement. Instead he simply gave an unflinching gaze that brokered no argument to Lord Zaman. "Your family has been accused of abusing this town for your own gain and selfishly casting aside all decency to gorge yourself on the wealth earned by others. You will answer these charges or you will be judged immediately." Jacie Morralles
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Post by Jacie Morralles on Oct 27, 2015 5:05:53 GMT
Once the Arbiter went issue, Jacie had the matter of a confused mob to deal with. "First light tomorrow, I except all of you in the town square." She ordered. "Justice is justice, and we'll see the abusers hang - but proper-like. Now go. Get your rest."
As the crowd dispersed, Jacie pulled aside three young men that she'd met the previous night. "Not y'all. I want you three to set a watch on the south gate. If anyone leaves this mansion, you come get me and I'll ride 'em down. Hear?" She ordered. Jacie, truthfully, was around their age or maybe even a year or two younger - but artifact guns and revolution had a way of lending weight to a Solar's already-weighty words. The boys - who she already knew to be on her side of things - went to do as they'd been told. Which left Jacie with a whole lot of nothing to do where she'd had bloody murder planned.
There was some sort of ruckus going on in the mansion, but the lawgiver decided to leave the Arbiter to the consequences of his actions. If the Zaman put him to the blade, she'd have all the fuel needed to reduce them to ashes. If they couldn't handle him, they'd be at the trial tomorrow. And if they tried to escape...
Well. Jacie had decided that a good place to set her camp was on the Zaman's front lawn. They had grass, after all. She left her horse to graze, found a nice place to sit, and watched the front door of the estate - daring the guards to do something about her presence while she watched the proceedings through a large glass window.
Whatever the Arbiter had said, Zaman had tried to gut him for it. Looked like the old man COULD take care of himself. The plot was just getting thicker! Jacie smirked and folded her arms, sitting in the crook of a mesquite tree.
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Post by Kajek on Oct 28, 2015 7:26:05 GMT
Most of the night was spent explaining to the Zamans that they were being put on trial by the people of Westwind for crimes and allegations of abuse. Some took the matter quite seriously, mostly the women with children. Some of the men, particularly the younger ones who had not had the years of excess to jade their hearts, took the matter at hand equally serious. Many of the older men, such as Lord Zaman, sputtered and complained about the affair but made no move to leave. A handful of the older, more greedy Zamans made the mistake of attempting to slip out into the night with bags of jade. Kajek had heard their mutters and watched them slip out with no problem. He could have stopped them, but they were the ones who were guilty of everything that the Solar girl charged. She'd have fun with them. Their fate was sealed the moment she walked into town. He did not relish in the idea of what exactly might be done to them, given the stories that followed the girl, but he had given them very clear instructions. Justice, then, was served and whatever befell them would be just. Morning broke to find Kajek convening the court at the entrance of the Zaman estate. During the night he had taken a desk from somewhere within the mansion and moved it out to the front foyer. While the sun was not unforgiving in the morning, by midday it would be bearing down on them with great vengeance. If this lasted that long, he did not want to subject the populace to such heat without reason. However, he felt certain that they would have their decision by midday. "We are convened this morning to discuss the matter of Westwind's future. Charges of corruption and excess have been levied against the Zaman Family. I will remind everyone present," Kajek continued with a voice of warning, "That this tribunal is impartial and shall not broker any disturbances or attacks. Those who cannot control themselves will forfeit their voice in the assembly and will be dealt with immediately." As he finished that, Kajek briefly rounded on the Solar girl and gave her a meaningful stare before continuing. "So then, Lord Zaman. Step forward." The fat man waddled forward, a gross mass of a man who could not decide if wanted to be outraged or wanted to lick the arbiter's boot to find favor. "You stand accused of using your family's station to extort from these people a fair life, trading their comfort for yours without a care for their well-being. What say you in your defense?" "Well your Golden Grace..." Already Kajek was not impressed with the man. His excess was on display for all to see with his gut pressing out desperately against the clothing he wore. That he would think that flowery speech and compliments would sway the arbiter... "My family has taken care of this city sine it was founded so many hundreds of years ago. Bandits were a terrible, terrible burden back then, you see. Everyone came together and elected my forefather the leader of the city in recognition for his deeds in protecting the city." As the fat man droned on, obviously attempting to spin things to his ultimate favor, Kajek directed his eyes to the documents that he had dug up in the course of his investigation during the night. There was some truth to what the bloated patriarch said. Westwind had been founded by the Zaman family, and records did seem to support the idea that the community had voluntarily elected the Zaman family into power. The problems started a little over a hundred twenty years ago. Lord Zaman's grandfather had, it seemed, invoked an old loophole that allowed him to add further power to the Zaman estate. Since then the city's prosperity had slowly been funneled into the single family's holdings while the common people suffered. It was certainly clear, then, that the Solar girl was not entirely wrong in her judgements the day before. He was certain that she'd have a large number of Zamans to handle at the end of this tribunal. Before he had to have Lord Zaman rolled away from exhaustion, Kajek dismissed the man and called others to defend the family. Many, particularly the older generation, had little to add other than further sickly sweet words and revision-attempts at history. Some, particularly the women and children, when called had the decency to acknowledge that there was suffering going on in the town and expressed a desire to try and help. Some of these statements were dubious, perhaps a simple play to earn mercy from the Solar's firewands. Others seemed sincere and genuine. They, at least, would be spared the worst. "Pillar of the Sun," Kajek said suddenly, turning his attention to the Solar. The sun had long since passed above the horizon and was well into its trek into the sky. Fortunate the placement of the house against the sun meant that they were all still in the shade for the time being. "I've heard enough for now from the Zamans. I would invite you to bring forward your witnesses and testimony. If nothing else need be addressed, I will render my verdict after you have finished speaking." Jacie Morralles
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Post by Jacie Morralles on Oct 28, 2015 22:06:13 GMT
A few had tried to escape in the night. They had been dealt with - each thunderous bang from Jacie's Plasma tongue repeaters echoing into the endless Southern night, and their ill-gotten gains left in a small pile... just outside of the Zaman estate grounds, begging for an enterprising young embezzler to try his hand and grabbing them and making for the hills for as long as his luck held out. Surprisingly, none had really been that eager to try, and in the morning, a servant had come to collect the loot before the tribunal.
Then breakfast, and listen to a bunch of sputtering bureaucrats kiss ass like their lives depended on it. Which was quite true. Jacie elected to sit with the crowd and, when the floor was yielded to her, motioned to the man on her left.
She wouldn't be speaking today. The matter had been left in the hands of the Arbiter and the mortals of Westwind, so anything she had to say on the matter was superfluous. When a verdict was reached, she would abide it. And if called upon? She'd carry it out. Until then, Jacie would let Westwind do Westwind's business, as the Arbiter wanted. Besides, she'd likely just accidentally provoke a lynch mob without trying.
What followed was a long line of civilians and other townsfolk with grievances - a parade of complaints. Some were valid, others were not. This man's daughter had been knocked up by a Zaman, who refused to acknowledge the child. This woman's saloon was regularly trashed by aggressive young noblemen who's parents would not intervene. This family had been taxed into the poorhouse, and lashed when those taxes were unpaid. A mother crying for a child she might have saved, with a loan that had been refused her. A man with a taste for the good life that he would never be able to indulge. A whole litany of problems, indeed. Only some of them could be laid at the feet of the Zaman family, some could be blamed on ill luck or tough times, but it was clear that the Zaman family had not, historically, troubled itself to help thy neighbor much if at all. Whether that was a hanging offense depended on who you asked.
Jacie, in the front row with one leg folded over the other and her hat's brim covering her eyes, remained silent and kept her eyes focused on The Accused. Was she sulking? Maybe a little bit. Whether or not a person was guilty under the eyes of the law, the wicked deserved to be punished - and she could have been done with this business the night before. As the afternoon droned on and grew hotter, the testimonies grew less fiery and more subdued - the heat sucked the resolve out of the crowd. And perhaps nobody felt the sun's rays more than the Zaman family, displayed as they were for all assembled to take the measure of. Finally, there came a long pause after a woman's complaint that she'd been fired for false pretenses by the Zaman family - nobody else rushed up to the stage.
Jacie sat up and pushed her hat up, glancing to the Arbiter. Westwind had spoken it's piece - the sun would set within a couple hours. It was time to levy his judgement.
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Post by Kajek on Nov 7, 2015 20:20:42 GMT
Having hear enough, Kajek signaled an end to the testimony and rose from his seat. The sun had long since passed from its height and was well on its way to slipping beneath the horizon. There were stories here that he knew to be true and would condemn those guilty to the Solar girl's brand of justice. Others were questionable at best, perhaps merely a gross coincidence or ill-timing. And some still were obvious ploys for power and money. But he had taken it upon himself to render a sentence upon the Zaman family, and justice would be served in its full glory today.
"It is a sin to take a life needlessly. Taking a life need not always mean that a corpse is left behind. To rob a family of its prosperity and future is no different than driving a blade through its heart." As he turned his eyes from Zaman to Zaman, something began to stir within him. The sand on which he stood began to rise. The sun, though long past its full glory, began to radiate a brilliance far beyond that of its time, more akin to the dawn of a new day than its encroaching demise. "There are those among you who are not guilty of these charges, who have done nothing to wrong the people of Westwind. Let the sands of justice show those who are spared."
As the sands began to swirl around the Zaman family, somehow there was no sting or cut to the sands. Instead they clung to certain individuals, each speck gleaming like the sun itself. By now Kajek was raised on a pillar of golden sand some ten yards high. A golden glow had surrounded him and was only growing more brilliant by the second. The innocent people of Westwind and those marked by the sands would see only the magnificence of the Unconquered Sun's grace. Those guilty however could do naught but cast their eyes down.
A brilliant sun crest appeared over his Arbiter mark, completely obscuring it with the radiance that surrounded him. "There are those among you who have not yet taken a life, merely made it miserable for these people. You shall be marked now." Sand once more whipped up, but this time it clung to them dully, almost like manure for its lifeless color. "Your fate shall be decided separately. Those left unmarked..." The glow around Kajek became almost unbearably bright now as the spectral image of a golden gauntlet rising from a mountain radiated behind him.
"You are guilty of senseless murder, robbing people of their livelihood or sacred breathe itself. You have had every chance to repent and change your ways, yet the evil within you has only been allowed to fester and grow. For those of you marked by black sand, your fate shall be decided solely by the Pillar of the Sun. Whatever action she brings upon you is just and righteous. For the Unconquered Sun is just and righteous. Let none here speak against his divine will, or they shall surely be sundered."
Black sand swirled around the remaining Zaman, but it was already clear now who it would cling to. Lord Zaman seemed beside himself, not sure whether to wet himself in fear or gnash his teeth in impotent rage. The pillar of sand that had raised Kajek up now lowered him back to the earth. While the radiant imagine faded, there was still the unmistakable glow and the mark upon his brow that showed his truly, Exalted self.
He looked to his fellow Solar and gave a bow. "Their fates are now in your hands. The Unconquered Sun protects."
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Post by Jacie Morralles on Nov 10, 2015 2:19:25 GMT
Well. That explained a great deal - such as how a mere mortal had the temerity and courage to stand between a Solar backed by the mob and some corrupt fatcats. When is a door not a door? When it's empowered by divine right to be the ruler of all doors. Jacie, in spite of herself, was a great deal less invested in the happenings of the trial than she'd been to start with, if only because she'd never actually encountered another Solar Exalted before. Heck, the only other 'Celestial' Exalted she'd crossed path with had been her Lunar mate, Shairre. She wasn't sure how to handle this. Did she chide the Arbiter for horning in on her territory? Did she challenge him to a fight just because? None of those things? How long had he been around? What did he know that she might be able to absorb and make her own knowledge?
Oh, right. People were being put to death, as per the trial's results.
Jacie stood from her relaxed position and shot Lord Zaman a withering glare, resting her hands on her oversized guns. "Chie, Yakol - escort Lord Zaman to the gallows." She directed, motioning to the two young men that'd been her assistance since setting foot in town. When she raised her voice to the assembled crowd, she didn't need essence to make her words count and be heard. "Those found guilty by Westwind's justice will face her punishment. Death will be swift, it will be humane - needless cruelty is the province of those we punish. Men and women who live in the light of the sun, who look after one another and their town, are better than that." She intoned firmly, as her helpers began dragging off those marked by black sand for their punishment.
Sure, Jacie could incinerate them where they stood. But that wouldn't teach Westwind to clean up after itself. Besides, what would the Arbiter say if she just drew and blasted Lord Zaman apart in front of all the children in the audience? Needlessly gruesome. Macabre, even. The crowd hauled those guilty off for their righteous punishment, while Jacie kept a weather eye on the proceedings - and another on the Arbiter. The young woman's gaze was clear in intention, even as she strode off to make sure things were handled smoothly and humanely. You and I need to have us a little palaver, pal.
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Post by Kajek on Nov 10, 2015 2:46:02 GMT
If she affixed him with a particular gaze, either he did not notice or did not respond. Instead his attention lay with those whose fate had yet to be decided. The air around them was at war between feelings of relief and fear. Many stared at the still glowing Arbiter while others cast furtive glances at their doomed family members. Though he looked at no one Zaman more than another, each felt as though his gaze were boring into their soul.
"Justice is not cruel. Where redemption is possible, where reparations can be made, justice allows it. However, justice cannot bring these things to you. Only you have that power." He walked amongst the marked Zamans, his eyes turned to the distance. "Your fate is left up to you. If you do not intend to change your ways, the corruption and evil that lay sleeping in your hearts will come forth. Should such a thing come to pass, your ultimate fate is no different than those you watched have their fates sealed."
"But take heart. Redemption is still within reach for you." Hope began to replace the fear as Kajek continued to speak. "On your lives do swear a solemn oath to the Unconquered Sun. Swear, on penalty of death, to work for the betterment of yourselves, your family, and the people of Westwind. Your lives need not be wasted in displays of greed and vice, though they need not be spent under endless work. The Unconquered Sun is not cruel. Those of you who cannot find it within yourselves to make such an oath will be cast out of the city on the morrow with provisions enough to reach the next city. For a year and one day, you will be forbidden from returning to Westwind under pain of death. After this time has passed, should you wish to return, you will be allowed entry once more with open arms and all sins forgiven. The Unconquered Sun protects."
For a few minutes the group contemplated and spoke to one another. A few gave pained looks and stepped out of the circle. They would be cast out come morning. It eased their fears that Kajek had not thrown them all to the fire, nor had he thrown those unable to swear the oath to death just yet. Some looked dejected to be forced away, while others seemed relieved. Redemption was something uniquely experienced by every person. For his part, Kajek took the time to lay a hand on the ones who would be leaving in the morning and gave them reassurances that their lives were not yet forfeit.
"Before I release you all, I would ask that you join me in prayer to the Unconquered Sun. May He bless Westwind on this new beginning with prosperity and grace. May He shelter those who march tomorrow towards their futures and, should He will it, may He bring them home safely with humility and a calm heart. May He show mercy on those who leave us today, and may they be given a better life and a better heart in the next life. The Unconquered Sun protects."
There were a handful of muttered echoes of his last line before the remaining Zamans began to filter back into their home. A few turned to walk towards the gallows to watch the departure of their relatives. For his part, Kajek turned and marched to the gallows with a level gaze and waited until the last one fell still before he moved his attention to the Solar girl. He said nothing, simply staring absently in her direction as if waiting for her to speak.
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Post by Jacie Morralles on Nov 10, 2015 3:06:30 GMT
This was a feeling that Jacie wasn't sure how to feel about. Not the hangman's justice going on in the town square - that was familiar. Or the exile of those who wouldn't play ball. Hell, she'd been driven out of Paragon in much the same sort of way, just with more 'immediate threat of death' to discourage return than anything else. No, the young woman wasn't sure how she felt about another Solar in such proximity. She wasn't sure how she felt about him telling her how things were going to be last night. From the moment of her Exaltation, Jacie had enjoyed being MORE. She wasn't just above the law, she WAS the law. The mores and habits of mortality had no power over her, and the shackles of society were hers to jangle, not to be captured by.
She might be a teenager, but she was also demigod, after all. Freedom was hers to grasp. And Shairre didn't seem to take issue with it. But the Arbiter was also a demigod, and that even 'come on, speak your peace' gaze he was giving her reminded her entirely too much of her father, of her grandfathers and her uncles. It was the look authority and experience gave to a noisome child, of which she absolutely was not. It was a look that made her heart boil quietly, and for a moment, Jacie considered turning on her heel and leaving the preachy old man standing in the dust with his flowery speeches and judgmental looks to keep him company. How'd he feel about that, huh?
No. She was better. Jacie marshaled every inch of height and authority her young frame could produce and strode over to the Sunblade, a thumb hooked into her beltloop and a stern look of disapproval clouding her features. A teenage demigod and an old demigod did not result in a teenager and an adult - her words carried just as much weight as his did, and they were at least equals. "You aught to have revealed what you were before now." She stated flatly, once her dusty old boots carried her to within conversation's distance of the old man. "I don't appreciate being gamed, especially not by a stranger interrupting my work."
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Post by Kajek on Nov 10, 2015 4:31:39 GMT
"And what would have changed if I had done so? You certainly seemed sure of your rightness before I revealed myself as one of the Unconquered Sun's Chosen. Is my status as a Solar so significant that your rightness changes because of it?" He raised an eyebrow in her direction while leaving the question to float on the desert wind.
Kajek gave a throaty chuckle and smiled briefly, moving the discussion away from the question. "I do not care to announce my presence quite so overtly. I have found that not everyone is receptive to the Unconquered Sun's Chosen." Though the Realm's reach did not extend so far south, it was not uncommon to hear of Wyld Hunts coming out to stamp out rogue gods or Anathema if enough of a fuss was made. "I have lived a long time, even before my Second Breathe. Some would welcome my appearance with open arms. Some would shun me. Others still would attack me."
"Though I am above the mortals, marked by the Unconquered Sun Himself to be one of Creation's rulers, I am not totally beyond the morality of mortals. If I were, then what would separate me, or you, from Lord Zaman?" He gave that question some pointed emphasis before he turned and gazed towards the gallows. "If our rightness can so easily be changed, then we open ourselves up to the evils we judged here today. If we are above mortal morals, then what is to stop us from declaring murder a common act, or love an unforgivable sin? How then can we call ourselves just?"
He turned back to her, again not quite finding her gaze. "I did what I did because you seem to still be finding your new self. Your deeds are already on the winds, but they are not long. You are not long into your Exaltation, and I suspect you have not found a proper challenge to your powers. But be warned, if I have so readily heard of your exploits, then you would be a fool to believe that the Realm has not heard of them either. The Bull of the North has aggravated the Realm and reminded them of what happens when they let us act uncontested. They have already began a more aggressive campaign against us, and I do not doubt that if you do not learn these lessons now, you will find yourself against many Immaculate monks. What will you do then?"
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