After the three elders returned to the dais where they earlier sat, they muttered some words to themselves and after they seemingly attained a conclusion, one of them spoke, “Before we make the final verdict, we would like Sonya to step close to the dais," one of the three elders that sat on the high chairs said, his voice filled with authority.
Sonya took a deep breath and walked up, feeling a bit nervous at the expected verdict. As she went, she turned to look at Rafael, who stood at the edge of the courtroom. He nodded at her again, silently reassuring her.
When she stood before the dais, the three elders fixed their gaze upon her. One of them spoke again. "Sonya, before we make the final verdict, what do you have to say?"
Sonya hesitated for a while, her mind racing with thoughts.
