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One year ago on the planet Yagras…
The courtroom swam beforemy eyes. A sea of gray-skinned Rock Dwellers stared down at me from their steep seats. Three vertical inclines, filled with pinch-lipped faces, surrounded the podium I stood on far below. Their haughty gazes, magnified by sheer numbers, diminished my worthiness to a speck. I swallowed hard.
“I did not commit this crime.” My voice rang loud and clear through the amplifier. I ignored the citizens in the crowd and turned toward the councillors, willing them to see the truth.
Light glinted off the polished head of the Rock Dweller standing on the raised dais before me. Devile. His sharply pressed sash cut across the deep indigo of the representative uniform he wore—a slash of bloodroot fungus red. Behind him, seven supreme councillors fanned out—one for each Yagras district. Draped red cloth hooded their heads, cloaking their decisions with anonymity.
“The time for pleading your case has concluded. A verdict has been passed.” The more the public nodded, the louder Devile’s voice grew, bolstered by the hive-mind energy of his large audience. “For the calculated planning that led to a female’s death, the supreme councillors of Yagras have come to their decision—”
The crowd roared along with my racing mind. Surely this can’t be happening.
Devile raised a three-fingered hand to hush the districts’ eager citizens.
My heart thundered inside my rib cage. Sweat stung my eyes as I scanned the crowd for the distinctive white worm emblazoned over the hearts of my soldiers’ uniforms. Every time I caught a glimpse of white, my shallow breathing eased.
Frowns etched the hard mouths of my elite guard. Strewn among citizens demanding answers and retribution, they were the voice of reason. With their unconditional solidarity anchoring me, my breaths grew deeper. I stood taller, shoulders squared. My team would not see me falter under pressure.
How could I have fallen from hero to hated in such a short time?
The crowd grew riotous. Under my tight grip, the podium vibrated. Representative Devile waved his raised fist to no effect.
I hope he’s trampled under the masses. I aimed all the hatred firing through my veins at Devile.
As the citizens’ rage built to a deafening roar, the supreme councillors rose and turned as one. The crowd went silent. Seven shrouded heads nodded at representative Devile to continue.
Devile swept his hand down the length of his red sash. “For the intent to kill a sentient being, a female…”
Females are revered. Who would stoop so low? My legs grew weak, and I leaned into the podium. Blant that lying bastard!
Livid, the crowd surged forward, their wrath-filled words hurled at me like poison darts. “Kill him. Kill him. Kill him.” Even as a respected male commanding many guards, their misplaced hatred pierced through my brain, sharper than any headache.
Each supreme councillor unfolded their draped hood. Bloodroot-red fabric dripped down their backs as they exposed their stony faces to the mob. Without a word uttered, the citizens of Yagras calmed.
Devile circled the raised dais like a stage. “The Rock Dweller before us—” He paused and turned his wrist in a theatrical gesture aimed my way. “—Lead Protector of the Yagras Elite Guard, JayJay Atlason, shall be exiled to Tern.”
Exiled to Tern? But who will take my command?
The crowd sighed in collective relief, and an arrogant sneer curled the representative’s upper lip. I didn’t take it personally. The citizens needed someone to be punished. Anyone would’ve done.
At the supreme councillors’ nods, guards approached me from each side. My second-in- command gathered one arm.
“I do not wish to cuff you, Lead Protector.” Though his gruff words said ‘Lead Protector,’ his glassy eyes and gentle grip said ‘friend.’ A new recruit hooked his arm through my other elbow.
The supreme councillor’s ruling was final. No matter how much I wanted to scream, ‘I’d never kill a female,’ a lead protector would never debase himself with such a show of emotion.
I cleared my throat. “I will not fight.”
Empty-handed, chin high, I walked the long hall, exiting the courtroom. Behind me, boots pounded metal stands as hundreds of Rock Dwellers stomped out their support for the verdict. A hovercar awaited. Numbness spread through my bones.
Stunned, I flew through the arched gate lined with sharp teeth. Loss prickled my skin as I passed through the barrier constructed in the image of a hellsna’s giant mouth—the beast I was charged with protecting Yagras’ citizens from. My people, what would become of them?
My friend’s warm hand landed on my lower back as I exited the hovercar. He ushered me through the departure bay, up the grated ramp and into the shuttle. Bent on one knee, an arm crossed to his opposite shoulder, he bowed his head. “Until I see you again, Lead Protector.”
With every silent step he took away from me, I wondered, Is this the last time I will set eyes on a Rock Dweller?
The small shuttle jolted skyward. Alone, with only a pilot behind cockpit doors, I dropped my face into trembling hands and scrubbed my head.
