501-10-08 The Ruling and carrying out of Phineas's punishment
From Crossroads Wiki
October 8th, 501
After a shocking confession made to his wife on the anniversary of their wedding, Phineas Ashlan is called to stand before the Emperor and receive his sentencing for the crime of murder.
Caspian heads in after Sir Brandon, holding in his hands a whip. He speaks to no one and keeps his eyes upon the knight and the royal couple, Mena and Rourke, face expressionless and eyes radiating seriousness.
Bellia enters quietly and offers a curtsey before looking towards the balcony.
Emperor Rourke crosses with the Empress to the two thrones occupying the area opposite the 'T' post, his steps firm and his expression carefully schooled against any emotion.
Gudrun is setting up a coal brazier, stoking the fires, and resting an ugly, long brand into the heat of the flames. A grim, almost distainful expression mars her honest face.
Black garb melts away the normally cheerful features of the Duchess of Green Fields to simple pallor. She pauses to curtsey to the royal couple and then lifts her brows for a cue as to where she and her sister should be.
The Empress does walk alongside her husband to those thrones, her gaze mostly remaining on the floor just in front of her. She does try to keep her features from betraying emotion, but is only somewhat successful.
Brandon follows behind Rourke, moving beside the throne to wait, watch and protect.
Emily clings to her sister's hand, looking around with pretty wide eyes at all of the nobles gathered here. She's suddenly quite shy, forgetting even to curtsey.
Two chairs are carried in and set to Rourke's side, a knight motioning to the two ladies to claim the seats.
Aileana's gaze lands on Gudrun and the branding, and for a moment her breath catches before she spots the arrival of chairs and nudges her sibling in that direction, murmuring softly to her as she does so.
Rourke settles Mena upon her seat before he claims his own, settling into the cushions to wait for the arrival of the condemned man.
Emily listens to Aileana and then a blush suffuses her cheeks, before she dips into a curtsey towards the Imperial Couple. "Sorry I forgot," she whispers.
Once Emily has given proper respect, she moves over to the chairs reserved for the Ashlan pair. Even as she sits, she keeps hold of the child's hand.
When Mena is seated, she fidgets for a moment before settling. Her hands come to rest on her lap, one fiddling with the cuff on the opposite wrist.
Gudrun finishes her preparations, holding a pair of thick leather gloves in her right hand. She gives a nod, and then goes to bow low before the Emperor and Empress. "I am ready, Yer Majesty" she says with a strained, tight voice which sort of catches in her throat.
Lyridon makes his way across the hall, pale and rather ill-looking, leaning heavily upon another man, presumably an advisor as he makes his way across the floor. He pauses as he passes the thrones, bowing as best he can while still being supported by the other man.
Once Emily has given proper respect, Aileana moves over to the chairs reserved for the Ashlan pair. Even as she sits, she keeps hold of the child's hand.
Caspian stands beside Brandon near the throne, but on the side furthest from the Emperor and wife. He watches as people pass by and go to their designated areas, but soon he ends up looking towards Gudrun as she heads forth.
Emperor Rourke's green eyes rest on Emily for a brief moment, offering her a gentle look of support through what comes next.
Rourke turns his gaze to Gudrun and nods, his voice low, "I will signal you when."
Emily looks at the Emperor as she takes her seat, her face set in an almost angry expression. She lets Aileana keep ahold of her hand and then she looks away from the Keeper, studying the new things on the council room floor as if trying to figure out what they are.
The Keeper is seated upon the throne, his hand lazily resting on that of his wife. His gaze turns to the large doors as they open to admit Phineas.
Gudrun bows again, and takes an unobtrusive position to the side of the coal braizier, slipping her gloves on her hands. She keeps her eyes on the floor, and her jaw set firm, gulping visibly.
Empress Mena doesn't do much looking around of any sort, keeping her gaze on her lap. She does not look up as her brother is lead in by Sigurd.
Emily looks away from the odd contraptions, now studying the arriving prisoner. Her chin starts to tremble a bit when she forces herself to look at Phineas, and none of the anger leaves her face - if anything, it becomes even more apparent.
Aileana's gaze lands on her husband and just remains there, a practiced stillness to her expression as her attention passes over him in prisoner's garb.
It can not be said that Phineas Ashlan has ever been shy about taking positions or making scenes where every eye would turn towards him. Perhaps this is not an instance of such that he would have chosen, but the solid, unyielding pride of the man keeps his back ramrod straight and his jaw firm as he follows with the knight. Manacles about his wrists bear heavy chains, the iron making a clanging sound when he bows towards the thrones and chairs present.
Sir Sigurd, escorting the prisoner Phineas bows beside the prisoner and then continues to move the man forward, to the appointed spot where such men are to be presented. Standing to the prisoner's side, he holds his pike in one hand and the other is prepared to intercept the prisoner, but doesn't hold him. The man can stand on his own, and the knight doesn't suspect he'll try anything.
The Emperor waits as Sir Sigurd escorts the man forward to face the Empire's justice. Rourke places his hands on the arms of the chair and pushes to his feet. He stares hard at Phineas, "Phineas Caspian Emrys Dante Forester Ashlan, you have been charged of the murders of Marquis Aaron Ashlan, and Duke Newton Ashlan." He allows the space of a heartbeat then asks, "How do you plead?"
Upon hearing the name of her father, Emily looks quickly down at the floor, and squeezes her eyes tightly shut.
As Rourke stands, Mena's hands come together upon her lap, folding tightly around a piece of cloth. She still finds her lap the safest place to focus upon.
If there is any measure of surprise in Aileana's features at the question asked, she manages it to school it quickly as she looks to the Emperor and then her spouse.
One dark brow arches above the even darker eyes of the accused, and Phineas's gaze wanders over to that of Aileana. "It is a little late, I suppose, to claim this is all some mistake, to begin with the trappings of a trial," he drawls while watching the duchess, a.k.a. his wife. "We've gone to such trouble already. Guilty as charged."
Emily's face just collapses. A sob is caught in her throat, choked back, and tears start to fall from her eyes despite how hard she squeezes them shut.
Aileana inclines her head once to Phineas and then turns to the Emperor for the sentencing. There is a slight increase in the pace of her breathing as she wraps an arm around Emily's shoulder to squeeze her gently, murmuring to her.
Caspian squares his shoulders and lightly lifts his chin while watching Phineas evenly, perhaps one of the very few who actually seems wholly unaffected by the whole ordeal. He holds the whip quietly, solemnly almost while listening, keeping a close eye on Brandon, not wanting to miss any signals the knight may give to him.
Rourke eyes the man before him for a long moment, his features expressionless, except for the minute clenching of his jaw. Breathing in, the Emperor speaks, his voice carrying to the balconies, "In punishment for this high crim, I hereby strip you of title and land. You will be given thirty lashes, five of which will be here in public for all to observe the justice of the Empire." His eyes darken to shades of black, "The Duchess Green Fields as asked for mercy for you, Phineas Ashlan. In this, I sentence you to ten years of indentured servitude to the Duchess Green Fields. You will remain husband to the Duchess with no power or authority that position normally gives to its bearer." Rourke's tone is ice, "So smote it be." He motions to Sir Brandon to begin the whipping.
Emperor Rourke's gaze finds Gudrun, signalling her to prepare the brand, "All will know of your crime as you will bear the brand... the 'M' for murderer."
Brandon holds out his hand to his Squire for the whip. Eyes cold and unemotional.
Emily pulls away from Aileana, giving her sister a look of betrayal. She scoots as far from Aileana as she can get, considering that their chairs are next to each other, and opens her eyes once more - albeit with difficulty - to focus on Phineas.
Brows lower as Caspian watches the former Duke, though as Rourke's words continue his eyes soon turn to Sir Brandon. There. As the knight's hand is held out, the squire hands over the said whip wordlessly and steps back once it's in his posession, hands at his side and gaze even.
Phineas's focus is upon the Emperor as his sentence is read off. There is no regret and no apology about his features or form, and he bows again to the man who delivers his sentence. He looks to the knight for direction of where to stand and what to do, the exact mechanics of the whipping a bit beyond him.
Aileana's breathing becomes much quicker for a moment as she looks completely and totally surprised at something the Emperor said in his decree. Her brows draw together for a moment and then she just looks to her sister, at a loss for words for a moment. She just shakes her head, but releases the hold on her sister.
Gudrun nods, a frown of displeasure at the task at hand as she moves the brand heating within the coals to pick up the fire, glowing to a deep red, with her gloved hands. Though she seems not at all pleased, it is a grim determination that keeps her hands rock steady and to the task.
Emperor Rourke reclaims his chair, his lashes lowering as he reaches for his wife's hand in silent comfort.
Brandon steps forward, "You have chosen to forego bindings, grip the bar before you." He uncurls the whip and like a snake it slithers across the floor. The leather shines from a recent oiling.
Mena does look at Rourke when he sits back down, her hand joining his own tightly. She does then glance at Phineas and the Knight taking position for the lashings, but only briefly.
Phineas's head tilts downwards slightly as he considers the uncoiling whip that is held by the knight. He tips his head and steps towards the post. His chest rises and falls over a slow, deep breath, and he reaches to settle hands upon the wood. He glances towards the noble balcony, eyes aimed upwards at it when he braces himself.
Aileana hurriedly whispers to her sister as her gaze flicks to the Emperor briefly, brows pinned together in easily readable confusion.
Brandon circles around to make sure everything is in place, the whip dragging behind him. "Squire Caspian, slit his shirt down the back."
Emperor Rourke's gaze never leaves Phineas, intent on observing that which he has given as sentence.
"You stay away from me," Emily's voice says, perhaps louder than she had intended as she responds to her sister's whisper.
Emperor Rourke's eyes narrow and he shoots Emily a warning look.
Aileana backs away from her sister and just swipes a hand over her face for a moment before she takes a deep breath and turns full attention on her husband.
Caspian's pale eyes look to Brandon as he's given a task, and soon his attention drifts back to Phineas with a frown. "Aye sir," is mouthed more than spoken as the squire steps forth with his hand moving to his shielded dagger. Upon reaching the accused, he pauses and grasps at the man's shirt with his free hand, pulling it away from his skin. The sharp end of the knife pierces the fabric none too gently up near the neck, though he doesn't puncture the skin. The dagger is dragged roughly down to slit open the shirt all the way until it hangs like open curtains, revealing the skin. This done, he steps back and away from the man, putting away the dagger, and reclaiming his spot near the thrones.
At the sound of the blade cutting through the cloth of Phineas' shirt, Mena's head bows, her eyes closing against the upcoming sights.
Brandon looks back to Rourke to make sure everything meets his desires as he pulls his hand up and back.
Phineas's eyes flick for a moment towards the knight who will mete out the sentence, the slightest shift taking place when his shirt is cut asunder. Not his shirt truly, though. The plain gray garb of a prisoner. His throat shifts as the cooler air hits the skin of his back, chin lifting marginally higher. Eyes stay on the balcony.
Emperor Rourke nods for Brandon to administer the lash.
Brandon lets the whip fly, it whistles in the air. It sings forth and bites into the accused's flesh. "One." He announces and pulls his hand back, preparing the next, shifting his aim.
No amount of preparation is quite enough for the first tongue of flame that licks across his skin. Phineas arches, breath leaving him in a rush, his hands whitening upon the post. Feet shift slightly and knees lock as he strains a little more into the wood. The touch of the leather leaves behind a line of pink fire, the skin not split yet.
Emily stiffens in her seat, her eyes going wide. For a moment she doesn't even seem to breathe - she just sits frozen in her chair, a look of horror slowly washing over her young face as she watches the man who killed her father, and then for all intents and purposes replaced him, accept the first lash.
Mena visibly winces upon hearing the sounds of the first lash being administered. She still keeps her eyes closed to the sight of it.
The sound of the whip causes Aileana's jaw to tighten, or that could be for other reasons, but she just stares at the punishment being administered.
Caspian watches very intently the giving of the lashes, though not out of entertainment or because of the appeasement of any grudge held towards the former Duke. A squire's duty is to learn, and well, how can one learn if one does not pay attention?
Brandon snaps his hand forward again, the lash taking another part of his back, "Two." He announces and draws back for the next. His eyes bear no emotion.
One booted foot presses firmly into the stone beneath Rourke's left boot. His knuckles white as he grasps the arm of his chair, the other remaining gentle upon his wife's hand. He purposefully relaxes, gaze locked on the back of his brother-in-law.
Phineas might not be breathing at all right now, eyes squeezing shut and a slight sound coming from between gritted teeth. Sweat breaks out on his forehead. It's going to be a long, painful night.
Brandon adjusts and his wrist moves like a snake. The leather whip whistles again and the *crack* echoes as he calls out, "Three." He draws back again.
The Empress can be seen breathing in deeply and releasing those breaths slowly. Her fingers curl tightly against the hand of her husband, once more briefly glancing in Rourke's direction.
Aileana slips one hand to her swelled stomach as she watches each lash in silence, her gaze slowly turning more glassy.
The muscles in Phineas's legs tighten and he arches to his toes. His breathing is rapid and shallow, lips parted over the fast breaths. Another line, not truly a welt yet, raises along the skin of his back.
"DON'T! Stop, please, stop!" Emily sobs suddenly, tears bursting forth without hindrance as she jerks her eyes away from Phineas and looks between her sister and the Emperor, her tiny voice pleading. "It's enough, it's enough, please make it be enough! Phineas! Say you're sorry! You're sorry, right? Please say you're sorry so they'll stop ..." She scoots to the very edge of her seat, obviously on the verge of running - though where is uncertain.
Aileana doesn't look at her sibling though does once again try to grab her and pull her close to her side to whisper fiercely.
Emperor Rourke's gaze finds the sobbing Lady Emily, resting there. He motions to Brandon to take the final stroke as he silently looks back to the striped back of the former Duke Green Fields.
Brandon pauses and steels himself as Emily cries out. The whips moves quickly and bites into Phineas's back again, "Four." He announces loudly and pulls back for the final public stroke.
Emily doesn't fight her sister's hold this time, burying her face in Aileana's shoulder and sobbing so hard her whole body shakes with it.
With the call from Emily, Phineas's head drops and his teeth grit. His voice is ragged and hoarse as he calls to her between one lash and the next, "Look..away.. Emmers. It's alright, love, don't watch." And words are driven from him with the next lash, his eyes closing tightly again.
Brandon moves quickly for the final strike, "Five." He steps away and moves back to his spot. Bowing to the Emperor.
Tears start to stream down Aileana's face though she doesn't look away from the lashing. She just clings to her sister, using her arms to cover the little girl's ears in a shield from even the sounds of the room.
Caspian's eyes dart to the child, tensing a little as if prepared for her to do something foolish. Like run towards the man and perhaps dangerously getting in the way of that biting whip. But as she relents, the squire tenses and he withdraws a breath, looking back in time to see the fifth lash.
Phineas sags just slightly against the post when the last of the public lashings are done. There's a drop of blood at his lower lip. He straightens after a few seconds, gathering strength again to stand before Emperor and court.
Rourke hardens against the pain of a sobbing child and woman. He turns his glittering emerald eyes on Gudrun, motioning for her to prepare the branding iron.
Gudrun takes the red hot brand out of the coals at the signal from the emperor, holding it with a firm grip in her heavily gloves hands. Her face is set in an unreadable stony mask at this point, eyes still on the floor. Approaching the prisoner, she clears her throat, saying with an odd huskiness "I need someone ta hold his head steady, please, fer his own good." She looks up at Brandon and Caspian.
As the brand is gestured to, Aileana just squeezes her sister a little tighter and whispers to her.
Mena blows out a breath between pursed lips, still keeping her gaze far away from the punishment. She is a bit paler than she was at the start of all this punishing.
Emily clings to her sister, face well hidden and even her ears covered by Aileana's arms and hands.
Emperor Rourke's own gaze never leaves the man he has sentenced with such pain.
Brandon moves forward and takes Phineas head in his hands gently and holds it with strength. He nods to the blacksmith.
Caspian lifts his head, seemingly ready to go forth if needed. But as Brandon does so, the squire obediently hangs back, taking the whip as the first knight hands it to him before he moves off. He quietly rolls it up for the time being, knowing very well it won't be laid to rest just yet.
Phineas's gaze is drawn to the glow of the brand, consumed by it as if he cannot look anywhere else. It reflects in his midnight eyes. He almost doesn't notice Brandon's movement, but a whisper of faint gratitude comes from him.
Aileana continues to shield her sister though her own regard lingers on her husband as small lines of silent tears stain her cheeks.
Gudrun gives a seemingly cleansing exhale of breath, now lifting her eyes up off the floor to look directly into Phineas's face. She also, places a steadying gloved hand to his face, positioning it so his lower right cheek is exposed. Bringing up the glowing brand, it is a long poker handle, black and foreboding, with a large simply stylized "M" worked into it's tip. She hesitates for a quick second, before straight and true with her practiced hands, thrusts it forward, hitting the mark perfectly with a searing hiss of burning flesh, gripping his chin fast as contact is made, her own eyes squinting in sorrow and horror.
With the touch of the branding iron to his features, Phineas goes shock-white. It is good he is held, as the man does not suppress a slight jolt. A hissing groan comes from him, a step down from a scream, and his eyes close tightly. The mark of his crime sears into his flesh, giving its own hiss with the rising scent of burnt flesh.
Rourke tips his head down, though he continues to watch, he might not be breathing too deeply as the scent of burned human flesh rises into the air of the Hall.
Brandon grimaces, but continues to watch, making sure Phineas does not make it worse. Even the acting First Knight goes white a bit and he blinks at the stench.
Caspian's eyes narrow in a slight wince as the brand makes its mark. Whips he can watch witout a flinch, but this is beyond lashing. Although he is nowhere near, he feels as if he himself can feel the burn and heat that radiates, and his eyes halfway veil as he lifts his head up but turns his eyes briefly down.
Mena's eyes squeeze tightly shut, her own head bowing again. At the sound of the branding and her brother's reaction to it, her free hand lifts to her face, making a quick swipe with the cloth held within.
Gudrun separates the brand from Phineas's face, the work done, lowering it as the glow recedes into the iron. A plainly disgusted look on the honest smith's face, and a gulp to stop the bile from raising in her throat, she releases his chin and steps away after giving the briefest critique of her mark on the man's face, a blackened ulgy brand covering his lower right cheek. Silently, she resumes her study of the floor and walks back over to the braizier, a bow to the throne on her way.
Aileana just continues to hold her sibling and watch the fresh brand as it lands on Phineas's cheek. It's a good thing she's past her first trimester of pregnancy, or that smell would be causing some very bad reactions with her stomach. For now, she just swallows hard and takes steadying breaths through her mouth.
Emily's racking sobs have stopped, though she still cries silently against her sister. She's protected thus far from the sound and the scent, wrapped in Aileana's arms as she is.
Emperor Rourke holds his silence until the brand is removed from Phineas cheek, the 'M' burned deeply into the flesh. He nods regally to the departing blacksmith. His tone when he speaks holds a harsh, raw quality, "Remove the murderer to the dungeon where he will receive his remaining lashes."
The Empress leans toward her husband, whispering close to his ear.
Emperor Rourke cants his head toward Mena though his gaze remains on Phineas.
Brandon nods to Sigurd as he moves forward to take Phineas's right side, to help him to the dungeon. He indicates for his squire to follow.
Sir Sigurd strides forward to take the prisoner to his cell, seemingly unphased by the whole affair, still holding his pike in one hand and air in the other. Taking the man's arm, he nods to Brandon and starts to lead the prisoner out, half-carrying if necessary.
Phineas's eyes stay tightly closed, his hands whitely clenching to the post in desperation while he works to surmount the waves of agony. Trails of liquid slip down his features, sweat and tears both, and both likely stinging across the freshly tormented flesh. Then, he forces his eyes open and locks them on the Emperor. A hand holds to the post for balance as he folds in a bow, the last action before the knights bear him from the room.
Emperor Rourke gives Mena's hand a squeeze and he nods to his lady, assenting to her request.
Caspian gives a bow to both the Emperor and Empress before he moves to take a spot behind Sigurd, Brandon and the prisoner
Aileana looks briefly to the Emperor for any indication that she should follow her spouse, or perhaps just visually asking permission to do so.
Mena gives the Emperor a grateful look before pushing up to her feet to curtsey in his direction.
Emperor Rourke shakes his head to Aileana, pushing to his feet and offering Mena a hand up before letting her go.
Mena gives Rourke's hand a squeeze before releasing it and taking her leave of the hall.
