Jagón's heart trembled from the very moment the light of that shield first washed over the spectators in the arena.
There was only one person, one family that could wield that bloodskill, and unfortunately for the panther knight, he wasn't the only to recognize the golden light of the Peacekeeper's Shield that day.
The sound of claws digging into wood filled his hearing from the seat beside him. Jagón turned to the knowing lion, only to be met with an intimidating scowl from his king.
Alocer's fists were clenching tightly upon the armrests of his seat, threatening to splinter the ornamental wood from the very force of the grip.
His upper lip was pulled back into a disdainful snarl, his eyes conveying exactly how pissed off at the other big cat's really big fuck-up he currently was.
Jagón lowered his head and stood, knowing what came next. If somehow his son survived this, the panther would kill him himself. Even through his anger, the great knight winced at his poor internal dialogue.
That was now the very likely outcome anyway. The panther shuddered as the crowd grew silent. Aster had been exposed as a human by the tiger, and everything after soon descended into madness.
The roaring, disdainful sounds of the crowd made the arena tremble. Many in attendance were shouting vulgarities and other such obscenities down at the young boy.
Aster tried to do exactly as his caretaker Javis had instructed him to in this situation, to stand and raise his head up high, meeting the roars of disapproval head on.
If he were to ever be a great warrior, he needed to prove his mettle... Yet hearing an entire arena full of people you've never even had the chance to be seen by suddenly demanding that you be put to death for merely existing would make most feel small.
Aster was no exception, but still, the human did manage to avoid looking too afraid for the most part, only flinching when the booming voice amplified by the magic silenced all in the area.
Aster turned to meet the gaze of the one that released such a thunderous roar, and saw the ruler of Alora himself pointing down at him. King Alocer only spoke four words.
"Bring him before me." Aster's heart froze, but he nonetheless kneeled, holding his hands up halfway in surrender and compliance. The boy was soon jerked to his feet by the grip of two guards at either arm, and led up the ascending stairway to the royal platform. To where the human's very fate would be determined.
Upon reaching the top, Aster was led to the center of the room, he saw his father was already kneeling in place as the boy was led beside him and forced down onto his knees by the same guards.
Aster took the same position his father was currently holding, down on one knee, with his right fist placed upon the earth before it. His head was bowed in obedience. The scared human dared a quick glance at his father, who was only looking ahead at the beastmen before them, bearing an unreadable expression.
Aster cast his gaze back down to the stone floor solemnly. Yep, he was pretty well dead no matter how this went. The boy almost jumped out of his skin when he heard the panther mutter something towards his direction in a tone laced with utter exasperation.
"Be silent. Comply by their orders. Do NOT lie, ONLY answer in truth." Aster was a bit relieved to hear his father was at least partially still on his side here, even under the current grim circumstances looming before them.
From the corners of his vision, Aster noticed that most of the guests inside of the royal platform were slowly being led out, with fewer remaining every passing moment.
Among those that remained, however, was Aster's older brother and Jagón's oldest son, Talan. He appeared to remain standing behind Prince Tyfin, which was nothing unusual considering that he was second in command of the Prince's own guard while only being twenty six.
Aster wouldn't dare look at the young panther, however, his attention was soon occupied anyways when King Alocer came into the boy's view for a moment, heading to stand on the designated rune that allowed one's voice to be magnified by the spell before making his declaration.
"Today, we shall hold a trial to determine whether any evident crimes were committed here, or if any threat to the prosperity of our great kingdom exists here today. This trial shall be held by a selected group of some of Alora's greatest names... However, as even I bear some responsibility in this... Unforeseen turn of events, I shall be abstaining from voting in the trial.
"I will remain a delegator, however. In my stead, I leave this matter in the hands of some of our mightiest warriors, our sharpest minds, and the very pillars that adamantly bear the weight of our great country, including my own son and heir, the next great ruler of Alora, Prince Tyfin Tonitrus."
The crowd murmured quietly amongst themselves as they processed the mighty King's words. Not many were expecting an actual trial for a human of all things.
The lion only continued, "My very own right hand man Jagón Venatus and his adoptive son Aster Venatus, the human that was just before you, will face their reckoning. Should a guilty verdict be declared by the end of this trial, I shall personally ensure swift judgement to all those deemed to be at fault of any such crimes on this day, in the name of preserving our peace."
The crowd roared in their thirst for blood at the lion's declaration. The great king simply turned from the overhanging balcony, and took a few paces to the center of the room.
Alocer stopped before Aster, and the boy soon felt the sharp claws of the feline king pressing into the tender flesh of his throat, tilting his head up as the massive lion veered down into his eyes, narrowing them for a moment after contact.
The king dropped the human's face and took a seat on the far right among those currently lined up to form a half-circle around the boy and the panther. The mixed bunch of beasts had all eyes on the boy, waiting to deliver judgement on him, and the great knight beside him.
Stahl listened to the King's words from the entrant seating with a sense of expectation. The chances for her weird little buddy seemed slim at best, but at least the odd creature would get a trial.
Stahl closed her right eye and focused, bringing her hand up to touch her eyelid. She felt around within herself, reaching out with her mind in search of a familiar presence. This was the bloodskill of the Aschefell family, "Shared Sense."
The she-wolf mentally tugged at the desired threads, sending with it the required key. "Bearer of my blood, Lend me your knowledge."
The she-wolf impatiently awaited her father's decision, smirking to herself as she felt the connection form. The she-wolf dropped her hand and opened her eye.
The vision in which was now replaced by that of her father, Byron, one of the selected judges that were to oversee the trial. Stahl felt her father push a thought to her, so she opened her mind and listened to what the older wolf had to say.
"This isn't your fight pup, why do you wish to insert yourself?"
Stahl sent her own mental message in response. "...I've just been sort of rooting for the little guy is all. I want to see what happens?"
Stahl held her breath as she felt the older wolf weighing the decision. Soon, she received her answer.
"Alright! Remain silent."
The she-wolf smiled at her persuasion's success.
"Awwn! Thanks daddy!"
***