“We have all groups here,” Gabe said. “Who are you with?”
“My name is Halina, and I am Navanese. Until yesterday, I was a half-life. Kestra restored me; I am here on behalf of those she has restored, and those she did not.”
Gabe nodded. “Someone get us a sixth chair.”
As they did, I glanced over at Kestra, whose eyes betrayed a greater fear at seeing Halina than anyone else. And she likely had a good reason to be nervous, based on Halina’s cold expression.
“Let’s begin,” Gabe said. “Kestra Dallisor, what can you offer us in your defense?”
Gabe had to ask the question a second time before Kestra tore her attention away from Halina. But when she did, she spoke calmly. “I can offer nothing at all until I know who you are putting on trial, and for what charges.”
Gabe’s brows furrowed. “The answer to who is on trial should be obvious.”
“But it’s not. Am I on trial for being a Dallisor, for having been raised in the Dominion? Or am I being tried as a half-Endrean, for having a similar bloodline as Lord Endrick? I am also half-Halderian as well as the heir to Woodcourt, which, in the absence of both Lord Endrick and my adoptive father, makes me the heir to the Scarlet Throne. So do you try me as your queen?”
Gabe said, “Defend yourself with whichever of those identities best justifies your actions. For the charges against you are many, and they are serious. You are charged with treason, with the murder of hundreds of Ironhearts, not to mention all those who were assaulted by your magic. You are charged with the attempted murder of Simon Hatch, now a king. And with the attempted possession of a throne that does not belong to you, but to the people of Antora to choose for themselves who will rule there. How do you plead for these crimes?”
“I cannot deny anything that I have done,” she said. “But I will deny that they were crimes.”
Gabe had been studying the reaction of the audience to her confession of guilt, but now he turned back to her, genuinely confused. “Treason? Murder? Corruption—you deny these are crimes?”
“Is treason a crime when the Coracks seek to replace the ruler?” She looked at Gabe directly. “Are you a traitor, Gabe? Or a patriot?”
Caught off guard, he stumbled through his words. “I am … I have only sought for … for what I believe is best for my country.”
“If that is the standard, then you must either pronounce me innocent or else offer your own neck beside mine when we hang.”
I glanced over at the judges. All of them were nodding except for Halina and Imri, who exchanged a brief whispered conversation. That worried me.
Recovering, Gabe said, “There is also murder. Do you deny poisoning Simon Hatch last fall, the effects of which nearly killed him?”
Kestra looked down at me, attempting to remain calm, but I saw the sorrow in her eyes and I shook my head back at her, hoping she knew that I understood why she had done it. She said, “I concede that I was attempting to escape after Simon kidnapped me.”
“And what of the Ironheart soldiers you tricked into lowering their weapons only five nights ago? After they did, you and Joth ordered their slaughter.”
That prompted Kestra’s first big reaction. She sat up straighter and vehemently shook her head. “I swear that I did not know Joth was going to kill them. When I made the offer to set them free, that was sincere.”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed, and he stared directly at her. “If that is true, then why did you leave with him? If you were truly shocked by those actions, I’d expect you to get as far away from Joth as you could.”
“That wasn’t possible,” she said. “We were about to attack Lord Endrick. If I changed plans then, the attack would have failed!”
From the line of judges, Halina said, “And during that attack, you ordered half-lives into your service. You must have known what Endrick would do to them.”
“I didn’t know!”
“The judges may not speak,” Gabe said, though it was too late. The damage had been done.
Gabe continued. “How many of our own people did you assault with your magic, stealing as much strength as you needed for yourself, no matter the cost to them? Either you killed them, or you nearly did, on more than one occasion.”
“I took nothing more than I needed, and only when I needed it.” Kestra’s tone was becoming increasingly anxious.
“But when was it your right to take anything from them at all?” Gabe asked.
“When I became the Infidante!” Kestra nearly shouted the words, though in frustration more than anger. “When suddenly I became this person who alone could kill Lord Endrick! Did anyone really believe there would be no price for that, that no sacrifices would have to be made other than by me? Gabe, you have seen me in battle, and you have been with me when I have had to make those decisions. You know for yourself that I never touched any life without a reason.”
Gabe let the effect of her words settle in the room before he said, “I saw it when the reason was selfishness. What about those who have been killed in your place when you refused to come forward?”
She tilted her head. “Who do you mean?”