I had never been so angry with my brother in my life. I was infuriated he did not seem the slightest bit interested in fighting for himself, despite his having every right for himself because, as I was maintaining before the entire Council for him, he had done nothing wrong. What had happened was unfortunate, but it was not criminal, and he seemed completely unwilling to insist his innocence.

I was also angry with the Council, but that was to be expected. They were behaving exactly as I had predicted they would. Their lack of interest in learning anything new about the case was not only angering but also disgusting. These were the A’li-uud who were supposed to lead our world. These were the A’li-uud who were supposed to be fair and just. I saw no justice.

That is, I saw no justice until Phoebe was asked to speak.

I watched their faces as they listened to her. For the most part, they were enraptured. When she was finished, I saw no doubt or suspicion in any Elder’s expression, and, when they began asking her questions directly regarding the disease, I noticed they were all staring at her intently. They trusted her. They thought her credible. Venan, whether he wanted it or not, may have actually had a chance at freedom again.

When they were done interrogating Phoebe, Vi’den thanked her. He then turned his gaze to me and said, “We would be glad to hear your account of the event, Zuran, but I must ask you remain calm and collected.”

I sneered, but I did not argue. I was going to tell my story and, if being calm and collected would be what made the Council listen, I would oblige.

I told them what had happened very similarly to Phoebe’s recounting, though I included the extra details of the time spent running through the palace with Venan and the other guard in search of the Novai. When I reached the part about finding Kharid locked in battle with the Novai, however, I became impassioned.

“They were hand-to-hand,” I said. “The Novai was gaining on him, pushing him backward. It was only a matter of seconds before the Novai would have had the advantage and, at that point, it may have been too late. The Novai have been known to be very quick to attack, and Venan did what he needed to do to stop the Novai from killing an Elder.”

“By killing the Elder himself?”

I snarled, whipping my head around to see the mean-faced Sevani glaring at me. If I had not been on a podium in front of the entire Council fighting for my brother’s exoneration, I would have pounced on him and torn him limb from limb just to relieve the anger that was boiling within me. As it were, that was not an option, nor was becoming hostile with him.

“He killed Kharid by mistake,” I said. I spoke very slowly, as if the Elders would have a difficult time understanding me otherwise. I wanted to impress upon them how sincerely I meant my words. “The sword was too long and too sharp. It went through the Novai and entered into Kharid’s chest before Venan knew what had happened. His only intention was to rescue our Elder from what could have been a very violent, unnecessary death.”

Sevani made a noise in his throat, clearly disbelieving my perspective, but I opted not to respond. I was mad, but this was the moment I had been waiting for, the moment when I would be able to address the Elders and tell them my story to get Venan out from behind bars where he never deserved to be. I would not ruin it now.

They did not ask me questions as they had the other two. Either they assumed I was too emotionally unstable to withstand an interrogation, or they simply felt they had all the information they needed. Vi’den looked from me to Phoebe and back again.

“Is there anything else you feel the Council needs to know?” he asked politely.

Phoebe shook her head, but I hesitated. I went over everything in my mind to make sure I had indeed imparted all of my knowledge. When I could think of nothing more, I said, “That is all.”

“Thank you,” Vi’den acknowledged, graciously inclining his head. “Please take your seats again.”

We did as he requested. I helped Phoebe step off the platform first, then I followed, and we sat down to watch the rest of the trial. I was now nervous rather than furious. It was now I would find out if Venan would be returning home of his own accord or if I would need to become the criminal I had never wanted to become again and break him out.

“Have you anything else to say, Venan?” Vi’den asked.

I expected Venan to say no, to say that everything that needed to be said had been said. I did not want him to go into further detail about anything for fear he would implicate himself by wording something incorrectly that would give the Elders the wrong impression. To my dismay, he began to speak.

“I would like the Council to know I accept full responsibility for the passing of Elder Kharid,” he said. His voice was still monotone, but he stared hard at Vi’den in unblinking earnest. “I will accept any consequences doled to me without argument.”

I tensed. I was willing Vi’den to say there would be no consequences, but he did not. Instead, after a brief look around the room, he told Venan, “The Council will need time to consider everything we have heard.”

My jaw dropped. I had heard that, many years ago, there were trials in which a judgment was not made immediately. As far as I knew, though, that had not happened during my lifetime. Every trial I had had of my own, and every trial of others I knew, had ended with a firm ruling.

Vi’den turned and whistled through the corner of his lips. The young A’li-uud appeared, and Vi’den told him in our language, “Please summon the guards to have Venan escorted back to his cell.”

I jumped to my feet, ready to scream again, but, this time, Phoebe’s tug on my arm pulled me back down.

“You need to stay in control of yourself,” she whispered. “For Venan’s sake.”

She was right, regrettably. I gritted my teeth, shook my head, and closed my eyes. I had thought I was furious with Venan before, but it was nothing to how furious I was with him now. It was as if he did not care I wanted him free, that our parents needed him free.

Venan was escorted from the podium by four guards. I recognized Feq amongst them. He met my eyes, but he did not smile, nor did he say anything. I understood, as he needed to maintain his cover. Once Venan was led away, Vi’den told Phoebe and me we were excused while the Council deliberated. We got to our feet, and, again, I considered saying something, but Phoebe’s words came back to me in a rush, and I opted against it.

The boy was present again, ready to lead us back into the small round room. Before we could go, however, Ma’ris, the Elder beside Vi’den, called out to Phoebe.

“Have there been any new developments?” he asked. “Any cures?”

She looked at him and said ruefully, “No.”

I saw Ma’ris exchange a look with Vi’den, but I did not have a chance to ask why they wanted to know or how this was relevant to Venan’s trial before the boy opened the door to the room and we were ushered in. I was going to have to wait.