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CHAPTER 18 (one more chapter! OMFG!)



The families walked in and took their seats. My assumption on the seating arrangements was pretty much 100%. Weird. Anarya wasn't there. Once everyone was in their place, the Emperor began.

"You have committed the high crime of taking royal blood from the premises. No less into enemy territory!" he said calmly. He sat quiet for a minute. Then he looked at the guards and waved. They yanked at my arms and pulled me closer to him.

I was now only 3 ft. away from him. For the first time I noticed how dressed up everyone was. The sisters were dressed in long elegant gowns. They looked really nice. So did Rena, as always. "Anarya has chosen not to join us, as this is too much for her to bear," he said finally.

"I understand," I said. I wouldn't have done the same, but I bet she feels the worst. I wish i could just take all her pain right now. "If I may ask, what is the update on the war?" I inquired. I, for some odd reason, couldn't help but crack a smile. But to hide it, I kept my head down.

The Emperor shifted in his seat. He looked at the HW. The HW cleared his throat and answered, "Well, a battle ensued. On one of the larger planets of Dytarius. We were victorious!" He seemed very pleased without showing it very much.

"Good!" I replied.

"Are children such as yourself so reckless on Earth?" he asked this time.

I lifted my head and sat up on my knees. "When we are young, we are taught to ask questions. It is said to be a vital part of learning!" I began. "But when rules or laws are questioned, authority puts a hold on it. I guess it is wrong to question authority here. Usually, if we don't like a rule, we disobey and break it. If not, we find a loophole and go around the rule!" I explained.

"We'll take that as a yes!" the High Priest remarked.

"Is it not also a crime to question authority?" I asked.

They seemed to agree with a nod. There was some form of punishment for it. It may vary from where you live.

Finally, I asked, "So...what is my punishment?" and sat down on my heels. "Enough small talk!" I thought.

Just as the Emperor was about to speak, Anarya burst into the room! "No!" she screamed. She ran to me, the guards letting me go and dropped down beside me and wrapped her arms around my waist. Just like back at my house.

"A-Anarya?" I whispered. She was crying long sorrowful sobs and tears wet the back of my shirt. "Please. Don't cry for me! I broke the law and put our friends in danger!" I said even though I knew it was no use.

"You saved lives! You changed their lives and gave them a second chance!" she managed to say through her sobs. She knew I knew that.

Out of nowhere, the sisters sprang out of their seats and hugged around me. "Yes, it is true, you did break the law! But for a legitimate cause!" Tera said beginning to cry as well.

Pretty soon, all the girls were making a circle of tears around me. I couldn't cry though. Something wouldn't let me. The rest of them sat there, a bit astonished that they would make such a fuss over some boy who they'd only known a few days.

The Emperor rose and said, "Enough! I see your feelings have grown strong! Not only that, but I have seen the errors of my own ways!" His voice was strong, yet understanding. "Guards! Unrestrain him!" he ordered.

They did as they were told without a moment of hesitation. "Thank you!" was about all I could say at the time.

"This is my final decision! Brandon is to be cleared of his crimes! He will not be looked at as 'reckless' or 'a disgrace to his own kind'! But a hero and a legend who is to be looked up to!" The Emperor annouced. A second of silence passed. After that, applause and cheering echoed throughout the room.