Chapter 51

The Queen’s Guard acted at once, and the sound of chains filled Kit with dread as they brought Jecobian out a door beneath the dais, one that led deeper into the castle, down dark corridors toward the prison cells below. That didn’t necessarily mean he’d been held there since yesterday, but wherever he had been, she was certain his experience had not been pleasant.

Seeing him confirmed her suspicions. He was chained at the hands and ankles and was having trouble walking. His hair was no longer a lustrous blond but held the filth one might expect from a prisoner. When he turned to look her direction, she could see a blackened eye, as well as a busted lip and blood stains down his blue tunic, which no longer looked royal at all. He didn’t look directly at her, and she was glad for it because she thought she might burst into tears, and now was not the time to lose her resolve.

The guards brought him to a wooden stand just below the dais, dragging him up the steps as the chains interfered with his ability to walk. He stood about twenty yards in front of her, though quite a bit lower than where she was positioned, and the other Representatives were situated between the stand and the dais so that they might have a clear view. She was certain this was to serve as a reminder to them of what could happen if they chose to break any of the rules of the Choosing or the laws of the land.

“Ladies and men, I present to you, Jecobian Noblewood from the province of Eastbury, traitor to the crown and criminal guilty of attempted murder of the princess!”

Once again, there was an initial gasp as the crowd processed who the villain was, and then the shouts broke out again. Kit turned to her mother, pleading for her opportunity, but her mother’s hand on her arm stilled her. She wasn’t done yet.

“Look! Look at him! He who sought to marry my daughter and has now betrayed his province, his realm, and all of you! His grandmother is here today.” She gestured to where Lita stood near the front of the crowd, protected by Kit’s guardsman. “Think of her shame!” A few people tried to get to the poor woman, but Galter stopped that quickly with his sword, and they backed off.

“Let there be no doubt that this man has committed an egregious offense! Guards, show them, show the people the evidence our physician has uncovered!”

Kit could hardly believe her ears. “No!” she shouted, but once again, her mother’s hand stopped her, squeezing hard enough that she was certain there would be marks latter. It didn’t matter how loudly Kit protested. The guards did as they were instructed, ripping Jecobian’s trousers down to his knees, along with his breeches, so that he stood bare naked from the waist down in front of everyone.

The princess refused to look, keeping her eyes focused just above Jecob’s head. She wouldn’t look him in the eye, but she imagined his humiliation. The guardsman spun him around harshly so that he was facing the crowd, and rotten vegetables came flying his direction until the guardsmen gave a gesture for the people to stop as they were being pummeled as well. When they turned Jecob back around, Kit finally met his eyes and saw tears rolling down his face. He didn’t look at her long before he shifted his gaze away, and she could hardly blame him.

“Now, ladies and men, I ask for you to quiet down. Quiet down! As I said, my daughter, the princess, would like to speak to you regarding this criminal, this vile creature. And because I am a merciful queen, I have agreed to give her the opportunity to do so. The law does allow for an alternative punishment if it can be shown that the criminal did not act with malice, and Princess Katrinetta believes she can convince you that this is the case with Jecobian Noblewood. Let us listen to what she has to say, and then we will make our decision!”

Her feet felt as if they were made of stone as she stumbled to take a step forward. Deep breaths escaped her, and Kit thought her lungs were closing in. How could she possibly persuade this angry mob that Jecob should live? She looked around for a moment, tried to open her mouth, stuttered, and then felt her stomach lurch.

She forced herself to look at Jecob, hoping the sight of him standing there so pathetically would spur her on, but the words still seemed caught in her throat. Her eyes trailed over the faces of her other Representatives, and she heard her mother chuckle in her throat, as if she knew Kit wouldn’t be able to handle the task. Kit’s eyes flickered over to the chopping block and landed on Eli. It was difficult to see him, though he had moved so that he was as close to her as possible without leaving his station, and the reassuring nod of his head brought back everything he had told her the day before. She could do this. She had to do it. Kit cleared her throat and turned back to the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” she shouted, gaining their attention. “Thank you for lending me your attention for just a few moments as I attempt to inform you as to why I believe this man, Jecobian Noblewood, should be allowed to leave here today with his head on his shoulders.” She had their attention now; they were listening, and so she grew braver, stepped closer, and continued.

“It is true that the law is very specific that anyone who threatens the life of a noblewoman should be put to death. The laws that discuss venereal disease and a Choosing are even more specific, as they should be. As you all know, being part of a Choosing is a privilege all men are required to take seriously. Each of these men you see before you were chosen by their provinces as the very best candidates, the ones who would represent the people from which they hail above all others, and I assure you all forty-one of these men in front of me have done a fine job of doing so.”

The crowd cheered then, and Kit thought perhaps she could use that momentum, their support of all of the others, to move toward bridging the distance from Jecob to the rest of the men. “However, in the case of Jecobian Noblewood, it is clear that the best candidate was not chosen. I do believe the physician, Armant, when he says Jecob is afflicted with tingo.” They began to shout angrily again. “Nevertheless,” she continued, louder now, stronger, “I have every reason to believe Jecob was not aware of his ailment until it was diagnosed yesterday morning. Armant has stated that the breakout is new, that the obvious signs are fresh, and that Jecob himself was surprised to hear of the diagnosis. Likewise, other Representatives who were present, as well as some of my own guardsman, can also attest to the obvious astonishment of Jecobian when he learned of the findings. Therefore, I think it is quite clear that he did not present himself as a member of my Choosing in order to harm me or the crown but that he is also a victim himself here, having been afflicted with a horrible disease through no fault of his own.” It was a stretch, she knew, but she hoped they would follow along with her, and she began to see some positive signs, head nodding, thoughtful looks, and less angry yelling.

“Here in Yewforia, we are a civilized people, not quick to pass judgment or disdain on others. Through the example of our queen, we have learned to show mercy and kindness whenever possible. Through the teachings of our religion and the grace of our goddesses, we have been taught to practice compassion. Do I feel that Jecobian Noblewood of Eastbury deserves to be punished for this most serious crime? Yes, of course he does. But does he deserve to die here today, to lose his head, because of a simple mistake? No! By no means is that the sort of punishment a civilized, gracious people such as you and I should impart upon a man who is clearly remorseful, full of shame and regret. And so, my people, I ask of you to please, for me, your Princess, and for your children, for the future of our mighty realm, I ask you to show mercy to this man before you now. Think of him as if he were your own son, your own brother, your own friend, and give to him the same grace you would wish for your own loved one who stood before you guilty, not of attempted murder, but of making a foolish choice. I thank you for your time, and I thank the queen for her continued mercy and allowing me to speak to you today.”

Kit drew in a deep breath and stepped back, glad to be finished but waiting to see how the crowd would react.