The Rogue Queen

Chapter 2 - The Verdict - Calliope

When the trial finally concluded, The Council of Elders called a recess as they went to deliberate. I was partially grateful, since it had been hours, and my legs were burning from having stood for so long. My body sharply reminded me that I was injured by each ache and pain.

While the council was in debate, I was to be led to a small, dimly lit room to await my fate. The guard ahead of me was someone I knew. Connor was my unit-brother. We fought together on more than one occasion. He removed the hood so I could see and gave me a sympathetic smile as we proceeded to the holding room. This gave me hope that the entire pack was not against me. Just most of them.

The hallway to the waiting room was long and bright white, cameras were lined and placed in a very particular pattern, my suggestion, to avoid blind spots.

We crossed paths with another unit, my shoulder getting bumped by one of them. Then our eyes met.

Almost instantly there was a spark between us.

His eyes were a golden brown, even with the artificial bland light they almost glowed with a warmth that called my attention. There was a feeling between us that seemed to last forever. He was just as shocked as I was at this feeling we shared. I could even feel Saga’s confusion as to what was going on.

"He is special to us." she said finally. I agreed with her, but my mouth was still bound. I couldn’t say anything to him. He was important somehow. I just didn’t know how. Just as I noticed he was about to say something, I felt a nudge on my back.

“Keep going, Monroe.” the guard I knew as Eli, spoke. “We don’t have all day.”

With a blink, I nodded to him and when I looked back, that guard was gone. I didn’t know who he was, though he struck my mind as familiar, and I weighed a moment from where I had seen those eyes before. He was not a pack member, so I held my tongue. Whatever he was doing here, it was no longer my business, and the pack made it clear that was the case.

Whatever had transpired between us threw me off guard. I had barely lost my connection to Asher, yet here I felt something deep and similar. It took away some of that pain I had felt yesterday when Asher had forced me to accept the rejection. I took a deep breath, and I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

There was no way I’d connect with someone again. It was super rare, and it was not like I was in a place to act on it currently. I didn’t even know if I’d live to tomorrow. I turned my focus back to my current situation. It was more pressing.

Arriving in the holding room and taking a glance around, there was not much in there. There were a couple of chairs around a table, a water cooler, and cups. A bathroom was attached. But that was it. A camera looked down from the upper corner.

The shackles were removed, allowing me to move and stretch my arms and hands. Then the gag was removed, and I absently rubbed my face where it had started to embed itself into my flesh.

Anderson's presence brought both comfort and then immediate sorrow; he had done everything in his power to support me, but even his strength could not change the overwhelming odds stacked against us.

I sank into a chair, resting my head on the table, my hands clenched together in silent prayer. I beseeched the Moon Goddess for help and guidance, seeking solace in her divine presence. My mind swirled with doubts, fears, and unanswered questions. Was I truly an abomination for possessing this magic? Or did the Moon Goddess have a greater purpose for me?

Amidst the uncertainty, a soft, warm glow filled the room, and a sense of reassurance washed over me. Somehow, I knew that no matter the outcome, I would find the strength to endure. I had to.

Hours had passed. To me, at least, this was a good thing. It meant that they were not sure what to do with me. I paced, my nerves on edge as I awaited the outcome that I hoped would set me free.

When the door finally opened, the pack guardians appeared ready to escort me out and to my fate. Their stoic expressions revealed nothing of the verdict they carried. Captain Rivers, my mentor, addressed me with a mix of sympathy and resignation. The warmth in his eyes, at least, reassured me that he was not against me, but I knew he would do his job no matter how he felt.

"The verdict has been decided, the Elders call you to stand before them. Let's go, Monroe."

Staring at him, I felt stunned, frozen in place until one of the guardians nudged me to move. I nodded at his request and moved as directed, following the captain. It wasn't lost on me; he had chosen not to put the hood or bindings back on me. He still trusted that I would behave honorably and not cause any trouble. He was right.

A glance back at Anderson, whose eyes filled with concern and but also with affection, I moved closer to where my fate would be read to me. With my head held high, I resolved to face what was to come with courage, trusting that whatever lay ahead, I would survive and emerge stronger than before.

I reached out and squeezed his hand to indicate that I would be okay. I could see tension release from him as his expression relaxed, and we continued down the long hall.

As we walked back into the main chamber, the tension was palpable. The entire pack, my former family, watched with a mix of anticipation and judgment. Murmurs could be heard in anticipation of what would happen to me, the majority hoping for my execution, but a few spoke back, reminding them of my time served, risking my life to protect the pack and my long list of good deeds should not be forgotten. I was almost certain a fight might just break out over this.

Elder Aspen, the imposing figure at the center of the council, cleared his throat, signaling for silence. The room fell still. I wondered if everyone would hear my heart ready to beat its way out of my chest.

"I will be with you always." Saga reassured me.

"Thank you, sister of my soul." I responded as my eyes focused only on the Grand Elder of the Council.

Elder Aspen had a reputation for fairness, regardless of the consequences. He was one of the only reasons I had to hope I would walk out of here today, the other being Elder Esther, who was known for her empathy and willingness to see good in every situation. The others were known to be extremely harsh in their views. This often led to the council challenging each other during deliberations.

I had no doubt in my mind, a challenge took place today, if not more than one.

"Calliope Monroe, step forward." he said, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

Without needing prompting, I took a step forward, looking at him. He didn't look at me, and that act alone gave me chills. Was I going to die after all? Then he glanced in my direction, and I could read him clearly. This renewed my hope that maybe I would not die today.

"After careful deliberation and consideration of all the evidence, the council has reached a decision. I want it to be clear to everyone here this was not a decision we take lightly. Three of your packmates are no longer with us, intended or not. Magic is forbidden in our community, and those wielding it are counted as the enemy due to the dangers and troubles magic brings to the communities it touches. I fully expect for order in this room to remain as the verdict is read. Elder Esther, if you would please read the verdict." He then released the stage to her.

Elder Esther stepped forward with a piece of paper in her hands. It was the verdict of the council. Nine members, nine votes that decided if I live or go to meet the Goddess in person.

I looked up at her and read her face, searching for any clue about what was about to unfold. Her demeanor was gentler than the others. A kindness behind her eyes and a sorrow as if she understood me but was just as powerless as I was to do anything about it.

"Calliope Monroe, Guardian of the Rising Sun pack. We, the council, find you guilty of all three counts of murder, the charge of possessing forbidden magic and we find you guilty of unintentionally aiding the enemy in their escape. While finding the escape and deaths were not premeditated and that the situation was not directly of your making, we cannot stand by and let such things happen again, or go unmet with justice."

Whispers around the room erupted. Some were surprised, many were angered by the verdict, having already judged me far worse than the council had just done now. But there was nothing anyone could do; their rule was law. Their word was the foundation of our life, and no one could question it without finding themselves in a challenge of their own.

She glared out at the room, and once more silence befell them. Only then did she continue. "We, the council, met, debated, and decided. While we understand that you do not have control over what you are blessed or cursed with, you still killed three of our own, and you are still considered a threat to our people due to your actions." A pause. My throat tightened.

When she let her words fade, Elder Damien spoke up and continued, "Thus, while we will not put you to death, we have no other choice and have decided that you will be exiled, effective immediately. You will be stripped of all honors and rank. Any attempt to return will be a forfeit of the generosity of this court, and you will be put to death without trial, hesitation, or care."

‘You will be exiled.’ the words rang in my ears, my head began to swirl, panic was just under the surface, and I was barely able to keep it under control. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened in the dungeons.

I could see Elder Esther noticing my fear and heartbreak as her eyes held sorrow and compassion. But she continued where Elder Damien left off, “You have until the next full moon in three days to leave our kingdom." she said. "Elder Esther has kindly stated that she will ensure you have enough supplies for your journey out of our lands, but after that, you are on your own. Until then, you are not allowed to go near any other pack members. May the Moon Goddess help your soul."

Exile. The word echoed in my mind like a death knell. I felt my throat constrict, and hot tears welled up in my eyes. Banished from the only home I had ever known, the place where I had grown up, made friends, and fought for the pack. It was a fate worse than death, a lonely existence with no sense of belonging.

My heart pounded in my chest; each beat a painful reminder of everything I was about to lose.

As the council members retired. The pack began to disperse, their gazes a mix of anger, pity, fear, and relief. I was set free to go home and pack what I could. I was an outcast now, a pariah, and their once-loving glances were replaced by wary ones. I was then led out of the great hall not as a pack member but as a rogue.