The meeting square was situated in the exact middle of Ja'la. An open dirt area that normally held the market or festivals during special times of the year.
And this was a very special time of year indeed.
A large wooden platform dominated the northern side of the square. The rest of the space was left to allow the villagers a place to see the trial.
Sophia was brought outside by two guards. The bright sun burned her eyes but she couldn't cover them since her hands were cuffed behind her back. They marched her through the empty village until they came to the meeting square.
Sophia's eyes had adjusted to see the entire village standing in the meeting square, their eyes staring firmly on her. The whole place was quiet.
The guards created a pathway through the crowd, dragging Sophia behind them.
She expected rotten fruit to be thrown at her or someone to spit in her face. But the audience was silent. They just watched her walk by with no reaction at all. Sophia guessed that could be a good thing. Meant that they didn't hate her as much as the Council of Elders made it out to seem.
The guards and Sophia made it to the wooden platform but stopped right before the steps. The Council of Elders were situated on one side, standing at wooden lecterns with large hoods covering their faces. They looked a lot different in direct sunlight, older and more decrepit. Not as scary as when they are looming ten feet above you.
On the other side stood Tyrex, chains around his hands and feet, his head lowered. He didn't expect to feel so much shame, standing in front of his parents and the entire village.
But when he saw Sophia standing at the base of the platform, a smile appeared on his face and everything was forgotten.
“Will the guards please bring the alien here.”
Sophia was pushed up the steps to stand next to Tyrex. They ran a chain around her feet and locked her to the platform the same as Tyrex.
“Not the kind of date I was expecting to go on,” Tyrex whispered out of the side of his mouth.
Sophia tried to laugh but almost ended up crying instead. “I missed you so much.”
“They didn't hurt you did they?”
Sophia shook her head. “No. But that green sludge they made me eat could be considered torture.”
Tyrex let out a deep laugh. “Kunan doesn't taste good to Jeorns either.”
The lead Elder walked to the front of the platform. He was dressed in long white robes and sunlight beamed off his hood. “We are gathered here today, for the trial of Tyrex Luk'ta and the alien. Tyrex has taken it upon himself to ignore our laws and pick this alien as his Intended. We are requesting that the people of Ja'la decide that they are both guilty. The punishment for this crime is death.”
The Elder looked to Tyrex. “If you would please come forward and testify before the village.”
Tyrex glanced at Sophia and gave a slight smile. “We'll be okay.”
Tyrex walked in front of the entire village and stood in the same spot the Elder had. He felt naked up there with his hands cuffed behind his back.
“Do you deny the charges that have been placed upon you, Tyrex Luk'ta?” a sweaty Elder asked.
Tyrex took a deep breath. “I do not, my lords.”
“Then will you explain to the village your actions.”
Tyrex looked out at all the faces watching him in silence. They seemed indifferent to his situation. “As a Jeorn male I was to find my Intended for the Joining. I met this alien in my quest and did not expect what happened next. She was like any other Jeorn female. Yes, her skin color is different. But the qualities she possesses are the same.”
Sophia felt everyone's eyes on her all at once. She couldn't help but blush.
Tyrex continued, “Our laws never stated that a male cannot be Joined with an alien. We've never met an alien before. I hope that my fellow villagers will be kind and grant me this request.”
“Your time is up, Tyrex Luk'ta,” a council member screamed.
Sophia expected to be called to testify and then realized that they weren't going to let her. “I would like to speak.”
The Council of Elders ignored her.
Sophia spoke louder. “I would like to speak.”
“Let her testify,” someone in the crowd yelled.
Another joined, and another, until the entire village were chanting, “Let her testify!”
Tyrex had never experienced this level of defiance of the Council of Elders. He felt that maybe they actually had a chance now.
The Council of Elders talked amongst themselves. “We will let the alien speak.”
Sophia's palms were sweaty as she stood in front of the village. She didn't even know what to say. “On the planet I came from, we don't have your Intended or the Joining.”
The crowd looked at one another in confusion. They couldn't comprehend life without the Intended or Joining.
“But Earth does have marriage. We have love which is the connection you feel between mates.” Sophia looked back at Tyrex. He gave her all the strength she needed. “I love Tyrex Luk'ta. I will do whatever it takes to become his Intended.”
Villagers in the crowd had smiles on their faces. Sophia wasn't afraid of the Council of Elders anymore. But she should have been.
“We will hear no more from this alien,” the lead Elder announced. “The time for witnesses has come. The Council of Elders calls on Rajla Cut'ha.”