The young man standing next to the accused was named Conrad. His last name is irrelevant to this account and need not be given. He was a tall, lanky youth, only sixteen years old, with dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. But perhaps his most striking feature was his eyes, there was something odd about them. He tended to go through life with a slight smile on his face, as though there was some private joke that only he understood. He was dressed in black from head to foot, and the black coat he wore reached to the floor, moving gently in the slight draft.
Beside him, the woman named Koume rattled the shackles about her wrists, scowling at the heavy chains.
"We still coulda taken them." She muttered, eyeing the two guardsmen standing nearby. The taller of the two, a woman, held a large tube that was Koume's prize weapon.
"We could have yes, but how far do you think a group of strangers in odd clothing could have gotten?" Koume's brows furrowed. "In any case, Conrad continued, they seem to be more surprised that the fountain blew up then at what was used. That means that they're used to stuff like this, and that makes me curious."
"That's what you said on the Starship with the pointy eared guy." Koume muttered. "And look what happened."
"Well how was I supposed to know that would happen?" Any reply Koume might have made was cut off by the blat of a poorly tuned trumpet and the bellowing of the herald.
"Her Majesty, Ameila, Queen of Sailoon, Champion of Justice, Captain of the Western Islands, and Governor of the Brodaboon Territories!"
The curtains parted, revealing a short woman, her stomach protruding before her. Her face was tanned and framed neatly by her short black hair. Despite her obvious pregnancy, her build was solidly muscled and her eyes were alert. Though she waddled, no fault of her own, she still moved in that fashion peculiar only to trained fighters and warriors. Her eyes were bright, and alert as they focused on Koume and Conrad.
"What's the charge Magistrate?" She asked. The Magistrate, a tall, fat man with a bulbous red nose and thick mustache unrolled the scroll.
"The defendant is charged with one count of destruction of public property," The Magistrate, said, his deep voice booming throughout the room. "And one count of resisting arrest! The defendant has legal representation and had entered a plea of not guilty for both counts."
"Any witnesses?" Asked the Queen.
"Yes your Majesty, Sergeant Major Nic Eybos and Private Janyce Iberuven."
"Are they present?"
"Yes Highness." Said the Magistrate, turning and beckoning.
In response, the two members of the City gaurd. "Give your account of what happened this afternoon." Said the Magistrate.
"Yes your Honor. Said the man. "At approximately the fourth hour past midday, Private Iberuven and I entered the town square on routine patrol. As we reached the fountain, Private Iberuven noticed a vortex."
"And that's when they destroyed the fountain?" The magistrate pressed, his eyes strangely intent.
"In a sense, your honor." Nic said. "As the Vortex dissolved, I heard someone yell out the defendants name there was a bright flash and a loud roar and then that's when the fountain blew up."
"So she is responsible for its destruction?"
"I can't swear to that my lord. Private Iberuven tackled me to the ground and as such, I didn't see the defendant actually destroy the fountain."
And you Private Iberuven," Said the Queen. "What is your account?"
"As Sergeant Major Eybos said, we entered the town square at approximately the fourth hour past midday on routine patrol and paused at the fountain. At that point, I noticed the vortex forming. When it dissolved I witnessed the defendant pointing this tube in my hands at us, so I reacted instinctively and tackled the Sergeant Major to the ground."
"And is it your wont to tackle people to the ground when someone points a weapon at you?" The Magistrate asked. "That hardly seems like the proper behavior for a member of the city gaurd." Janyce's face flushed.
"I can hardly do my job if I make myself a target for every weapon pointed at me." She said with perhaps more force then she intended.
"So you would never place yourself in danger?"
"That's enough!" The Queen snapped, her voice cracking like a whip. "Now, what else happened?
"If it please the court Majesty," Conrad said, stepping forward. I believe I can shed some light on this matter."
"Oh can you?" Asked the Queen, amusement tinting her words.
"Conrad smiled.
"Trust me."