Episode "Sleep of the Just"

<Storyteller> Somewhere in New York
<Storyteller> The ambulance tears out of the driveway and into the street, lights flashing siren blaring
<Storyteller> The EMT jots down vitals as Emily reaches over and grabs his hand
<Storyteller> "Please oh god, don't let anything happen to my baby!"
* Daniel looks back at the others. "Line up. If we're going to meet our Lord's fate, we'd best do it with some pomp and ceremony."
* Brianna straightens and listens to Daniel
* Daniel sketches out a loose diamond formation with himself at the head
<Daniel> "Are we ready?"
* William nods firmly at Daniel and looks around in concern
<Angelo> "Always am."
<Storyteller> Hans nods, "I am."
* Brianna nods with determination, keeping her staff ready
<Daniel> "Then let us march."
* William stands just behind Daniel to his right
* Daniel begins a fast march to the Hall where the Anacerons meet
* Angelo keeps up, a grim look of determination on his face.
* Brianna 's eyes are constantly moving, alert to any possible danger
<Storyteller> You walk through the crowded streets, wraiths of all Legions, factions and kingdoms stand around the Hall
* Daniel heads for the entrance
* Brianna feels the tension in the air and keeps close to her companions
<Daniel> "Tighten our lines, everyone. I want us to stay close."
* William keeps his hand on the hilt of his sword, looking very tense
* Brianna steps closer to William
* Angelo flexes his hands, rubbing them together as if in anticipation.
<Storyteller> A tall wraith emerges from the building. His clothing old fashioned, his manner direct. He scans the crowd and unfurls a writ within his hands
* William notices Brianna near him and keeps his eye on her and the crowd in a protective manner
<Angelo> "Hey, it's everyone's favorite Inquisitor."
* Daniel shoots a glance at Angelo
* William gives a wry and appreciative smile to Angelo
<Puritan> "To the citizens of New York, this public trial is to commence immediately. Your Governor, Deter of the Grim Legion, has been accused of the following crime..."
<Puritan> "Association with known spectres, conspiracy, treason, and tampering with evidence. If convicted he shall be forged into the Tree of Sorrow for all time."
* Brianna swallows
* Daniel watches, face impassive
<Puritan> "Bring the accused!"
<Storyteller> Several Legionnaires escort Deter from the building into the square. He looks tired, beaten. His head hung low, he looks to no one.
* William tightens his grip on his sword, and looks like he's fighting an inner battle
<Storyteller> Another wraith sits in the far center. His mask reflecting within the greenish light of the torches. His mask those of a balance.
* Daniel places his hand on William's wrist and whispers "Calm."
<Puritan> "Deter of the Grim Legion, do you understand these charges?"
* Angelo tenses like a coiled spring.
* William glances at Daniel and exhales slowly
<Storyteller> Deter sighs, and stands to his full height. A look crosses his eyes, "Yes, I understand."
<Puritan> "How do you plead?"
<Storyteller> "Not guilty."
<Storyteller> The center wraith nods and writes something down.
<Puritan> "Bring the witnesses!"
* William wonders why the people outside were told the governor was going to be freed, and gets a hard look on his face
<Storyteller> Once again, legionnaires bring two women out from the Hall. Their faces are covered with large masks. Their deathmarks too are covered.
<Puritan> "Tell the magistrate your accounts of the night of the 19th this year of our lord."
<Storyteller> The two women each speak in turn, telling their testimony with low voices
* Daniel raises his hand. "Objection, your honour."
* William glances at the faces of each member of the cohort for reactions
* Puritan looks at Daniel
* Angelo quirks an eyebrow.
<Puritan> "You will have your turn to speak!"
<Storyteller> The magistrate look at Daniel
<Storyteller> "Who are you?"
* William gains more respect for Daniel
* Angelo grins.
* Daniel smiles slightly. "Centurion Daniel Connelly, of the 82nd. We were charged by the Anacerons to investigate this matter."
<Storyteller> "Yes, your testimony is next. Wait until then, Centurion."
* Daniel nods. "As you wish, m'Lord."
* Puritan gives you a smug look and continues to question the two women
<William> A look of anger flashes across William's face for a moment, but quickly disappears
* Puritan finishes his line of questioning and then sits.
<Storyteller> The magistrate motions for you to come forward
* Daniel steps forward
<Storyteller> "Now is the time for your testimony, Centurion, speak if you will."
<Daniel> "On the basis of this testimony, I would request that the 'evidence' brought forth by the witnesses be stricken from the records."
<Daniel> "You will wonder what brings me to that radical conclusion."
<Storyteller> The magistrate nods
* William looks at Daniel in surprise and a smirk comes to his mouth as he glances back at the Puritan
<Storyteller> There is a murmur within the crowd
<Daniel> "When the charges were first brought against m'Lord Deter, the Anacerons were rightly suspicious of such heinous accusations against our noble Governor."
* Puritan lips tighten and he leans forward
* Angelo restrains himself from chuckling, but only barely.
<Daniel> "In response, myself and my companions were charged with investigating the matter, and given a writ to ensure we would have the freedom to do so unhindered."
<Storyteller> "Let us see this writ, Centurion."
<Daniel> "We first visited the accused, in an attempt to find out what he truly remembered."
* William stands tall and proud next to Daniel-- glancing at the anacerons' faces
* Daniel nods and withdraws it from his pocket
* Hans listens to Daniel.
<Storyteller> The magistrate motions you forward
* Daniel walks to the magistrate, hands him the writ, and resumes his former position
<Storyteller> The magistrate reads the writ and nods, "Continue..."
<Daniel> "As I have mentioned, our first stop was with the accused, our Lord Deter."
<Daniel> "We questioned him at length about the so-called memories that it was mentioned had been part of the evidence incriminating him."
* Angelo nods.
* Hans nods
<Daniel> "We were confused by the presence of a 'faceless stranger' that could not be wholly remembered."
* William glances at his companions and smiles grimly at them
<Daniel> "Before we could get much further, we ran into some resistance to our actions."
* Daniel glares meaningfully at the Puritan
* Brianna leans on her staff as she listens intently to the words being spoken
<Daniel> "At any rate, we continued our investigation, speaking to the witnesses that have just spoken."
<Daniel> "We learned that they, too, remembered a 'faceless stranger' visiting m'Lord Deter."
<Daniel> "However, one amongst my company was able to determine why such a stranger was so difficult to find."
* Hans nods
* Hans stands up.
<Storyteller> "Bring him forward."
<Daniel> "This stranger was so difficult to track down because...quite simply, he did not exist."
* Daniel nods to Hans, and motions him forward
<Storyteller> Another murmur in the crowd
* Hans walks forward.
* William wishes he had something to add to the case to help the governor
<Daniel> "In short, your honour...the memories were manufactured."
<Storyteller> "State your name and legion, legionnaire."
<Hans> "Hans Schmidt, from the Grim Legion."
<Storyteller> "State your case, Hans, of the Grim."
<Hans> "Yes your honour. I was able to determine that the memories were falsified in the minds of the two women. I was also able to determine with some difficulty that the governor's memories were also falsified. I, however, was unable to persue this due to an interruption." says Hans eyeing the Puritan.
<Storyteller> "I see, you are a practicer of the arts of Mnemoi?"
<Hans> "Yes."
<Storyteller> "You realise, Legionnaire that this is forbidden..."
* Daniel frowns slightly at the question
* Angelo winces.
<Hans> "Yes."
* William raises an eyebrow
<Hans> "But if you are so afraid of the truth..."
* Angelo mutters "Makes you wonder how the Inquisitor read Deter's mind to get this evidence..."
<Storyteller> The magistrate cocks his head and motions you towards the bench.
<Storyteller> "Come forward, closer, Legionnaire."
* Hans moves forward.
* William tenses again, watching Hans carefully
<Storyteller> The magistrate looks at you intently, you feel something touch your mind, then leave just as quickly.
<Storyteller> "You may return to your Cohort."
* Hans returns to his seat.
<Storyteller> The magistrate looks to Daniel, "Anything further to add before I consider judgement, Centurion?"
<Daniel> "It is on the grounds of that evidence which my Legionnaire has provided that I call for the dismissal of all evidence based upon 'memories'."
* Brianna lays a sympathetic hand on Hans' arm
<Storyteller> The magistrate nods and stands. "I will retire to consider judgement."
* William hopes nothing was done to Hans' mind
* William moves to Daniel
<Storyteller> Styvesant memorial Hospital, New York
<Storyteller> Emily watches the ceiling tiles roll past her quickly as the orderlies rush her to the maternity room. Tom keeps up, holding her hand.
<Storyteller> "Oh Tom, oh please.." she whispers, tears streaming down her cheeks
<Storyteller> Tom squeezes her hand, "I'm here, baby, I'm here."
<Storyteller> Doctor James Littlefield staggers to his locker. The smell of alcohol permeates his clothes.
<Storyteller> Shaking his head, he begins to work the combination lock, but can't seem to get it to work. There is a tap on his shoulder
<Storyteller> He turns and darkness enfolds him as he falls to the floor.
<Storyteller> Judgement square, Necropolis New York the Cohort awaits
* William looks at Daniel, waiting for his response
* Daniel shakes his head to William. "Saying that won't help...they ordered us to hunt for evidence, and they can call it off at whim..."
<Angelo> "Hey, ace work there you guys. Let's just hope the magistrate will make an attempt at fairness."
<Angelo> "Sounds like you've played the politics game before, Daniel. You know when to shut up."
<Daniel> "It depends on how honourable he is. But our case isn't as good as I would have liked."
<William> "Yes, Daniel, You're doing an incredible job!"
* Brianna 's eyes narrow slightly as she stares at the wraiths on the platform
* Daniel smiles at Angelo. "I used to dabble in politics."
<Storyteller> The magistrate emerges from the Hall. The crowd quiets as he walks to his seat.
<Brianna> "The web tightens, choices are bound...."
* Angelo nods. "So we just wait, now?"
* Daniel runs a hand through his white hair and fingers the tip of a pointed ear
<Storyteller> "May the accused rise," he says
* Hans stays apart from the group, wondering just what the Magistrate did.
* William whispers to Daniel, "we've got to upset this somehow-- reveal the anaceron for the traitor he is!!"
<Storyteller> Deter walks towards the bench, his head held high, an apreciative look towards you and then back at the magistrate
* Daniel holds a finger to William's lips.
<Daniel> "Quiet, for now...we will reveal the traitors in a moment."
* Puritan stands as well a smile on his face
* Angelo keeps an eye on the Puritan.
<Storyteller> "Deter of the Grim Legion, do you understand the charges against you?"
<Storyteller> "Yes," he says nodding.
* William nods to Daniel in frustration but understanding
<Storyteller> "Do you understand what your punishment will entail?"
<Storyteller> "Yes, I do," he says with another nod
<Storyteller> The crowd is deathly quiet as the magistrate considers the Governor
* William grips his sword-hilt tightly
* Daniel puts his hand on William's. "Hold..."
<Storyteller> "Deter of the Grim Legion, after the testimony of the two witnesses and the testimony of the 82nd Cohort..."
* Angelo leans forward.
* William doesn't seem to feel Daniel's hand, but keeps staring intently ahead
<Storyteller> Styvesant Memorial Hospital
<Storyteller> The man walks out of the doctors lounge. Entering the matrenity room he looks to the nurse. "Let's begin,"
<Storyteller> "Where's Doctor Littlefield?"
<Storyteller> "He's...indesposed. I shall take over from here," he says narrowing his eyes at Emily
<Storyteller> Emily looks up, between her fastened legs, her eyes widen. "I don't know you! I want another doctor!"
<Storyteller> "Please miss.." he looks at her chart, "LeClaire..I am a professional."
<Storyteller> Judgement Square, Necropolis New York
<Storyteller> The magistrate continues, "On the charge of assosiation with known spectres I find you..."
* Daniel bites his lip
<Storyteller> "Not guilty."
* Brianna lets out the breath that until now she didn't know she was holding
* Hans jumps for joy.
<Storyteller> "On the charge of conspiracy I find you..."
* William almost falls forward in his readiness to spring forward
<Storyteller> "Not guilty."
* Angelo waits for it...
<Angelo> "Yes!"
* William slumps back
<Storyteller> "On the charge of treason, I find you..."
* Daniel watches, a thin smile on his lips
<Storyteller> "Not guilty."
* Hans hugs the nearest person.
* William stands for a moment and cheers, then looks around him and sits down quickly.
<Storyteller> "On the charge of tampering with evidence I find you..."
<Storyteller> "Not guily."
<Storyteller> The crowd jumps from their seats, cheering wildly
* Angelo watches the Inquisitor.
* Brianna stands detached, watching the proceedings with a slight frown on her face
* Puritan frowns in anger and walks back within the hall
* Daniel smiles at the Cohort, then steps away, moving toward the Inquisitor
* William smiles openly at Puritan
<Daniel> "Excuse me, sir!"
<Storyteller> The Governor looks to the crowd and they fall silent
* Hans whispers to Daniel and William, "It looks like our Puritan friend is about to depart."
<Storyteller> "May I say something, magistrate?"
* Angelo slips off after the Puritan.
* William watches Puritan leave with some concern
<Storyteller> "Certainly," he says
* William clinks off after Angelo
<Storyteller> "Get these fucking chains off me."
* Daniel watches the others move off after the Puritan and stays behind, watching Deter
* Daniel chuckles
<Storyteller> The crowd begins to cheer again as Deter smiles as two legionnaires remove his chains.
* Daniel approaches Deter, the smile vanishing
* William walks rapidly with Angelo, searching for Puritan
<Daniel> "My Lord, may I have a moment of your time? Preferably in private..."
* Brianna keeps close behind Daniel
<Storyteller> Deter clasps Daniels hands, "Good work! Centurion!"
* Hans follows William and Angelo after the Puritan.
<Storyteller> "Yes you may Daniel, but give me one moment."
<Daniel> "I would be wary of early celebrations, m'Lord. But thank you."
<Storyteller> Deter walks into the Hall triumphantly
<Storyteller> The crowd envelopes itself in celebration
* Daniel follows behind Deter
<Storyteller> You follow the Puritan and he stops looking at you
<Puritan> "Is there a problem?"
<Angelo> "Just wondering where you're going in such a hurry, pal."
<Angelo> "Y'see, there's some questions still not answered."
* William moves around to the other side of Puritan with his hand on the hilt again
<Puritan> "My job here is done here."
* Angelo shakes his head at William.
<Puritan> "I lost the case, the truth revealed."
<William> "And what job would that be?"
<Puritan> "To get to the truth."
<Angelo> "Well, then your job isn't done, is it?"
<Angelo> "Seems like you're in an awful hurry to get away before some uncomfortable questions are asked."
<William> "You seem very convinced of the governor's guilt, in spite of the false memories."
<Puritan> "For his guilt of innocence it is."
<Puritan> "You have no right to question me."
* William lets out a loud laugh
* Puritan turns to leave
<William> "How does it feel, Puritan?"
* Angelo grabs at the Puritan.
<Angelo> "Hold on there, buddy."
<Puritan> "I am comfortable with the truth, Legionnaire, are you?"
* William watches carefully in case Angelo needs help
<Puritan> A few legionnaire step in between you and he. He smiles, "Fight the darkness, not the bringers of light."
* Angelo frowns.
<William> "I don't know what the truth is, other than you're case smells rotten.."
<Angelo> "Let him go, Willy."
<Storyteller> The Governor reaches the Anacerons smiling
<Storyteller> "Thank you all for believeing in me."
* Daniel frowns. "My Lord Deter..."
<Storyteller> Sanders smiles and walks over
* Angelo walks back, looking for Deter and the rest of the cohort.
<Storyteller> "Always, Governor," he says clasping the Governor's arm.
<Storyteller> Deter smiles and turns to look at you when suddenly Sanders twists the arm and brings Deter to him
* Brianna swiftly moves forward and stands protectively near Daniel
<Sanders> "Anyone move, and he becomes Oblivion!"
* Daniel places his hand on the hilt of Nocturne
<Brianna> The tension that has been surrounding Brianna now fades away as the source of her doubts has surfaced
<Daniel> "You have sealed your doom, Anaceron Sanders."
<Storyteller> The MET Necropolis New York
<Storyteller> Ahuru sits eyes closed upon her throne when suddenly her eyes snap open and she stands. The slaves stop their work. She walks slowly down the steps and towards the door. The slaves follow
<Storyteller> Soon the entire street is filled with Amenti citizens all looking towards the heavens
<Storyteller> The Hall of Order Necropolis New York
* Sanders backs away keeping Deter within his arms
<Sanders> "I cannot believe they sent you to investigate! After all we did, after all the planning!"
<Storyteller> Deter's face is a mask of rage
<Storyteller> "You traitor!"
<Sanders> "Oh no, Gov, I have always followed my god's beliefs. Never yours."
* William hears a yell come from the hall and looks from Angelo to the Puritan
<William> "Should we just let this scum go?"
* Angelo walks in from a door behind Sanders, and suddenly things seem to move in slow motion.
* Angelo crosses the room in two steps, and lunges forward, faster than you've ever seen him move before.
* William looks around for Angelo, gives Puritan a shove, and runs back to the chambers
<Angelo> "Let him go, asshole," Angelo says through gritted teeth, and from the front it looks as though he twists something.
* William thinks of how good that shove felt as he runs
* Sanders cries out in pain and shoves the Governor into Brianna and the emerging William
* Sanders turns and begins to fly towards the top of the building, his argos wings flapping madly
* William stumbles into Deter and Brianna, catching Deter
* Brianna catches the Governor awkwardly
* Brianna lets William take Sanders and pulls an impossibly fine spiderweb from her pocket
* Sanders wings begin to falter as he lands upon a ledge
* Angelo shakes his gladius at the departing Sanders, corpus dripping from its blade.
<Brianna> With deft fingers she twists & weaves the web into new patterns
<Brianna> "Quickly! I can't hold him much longer!"
<Storyteller> Styvesant Memorial Hospital
<Storyteller> Emily screams as she pushes, he face contorting in pain
<Storyteller> Tom watches in amazement his face a mask of pain as Emily squeezes his hand painfully
<Storyteller> The Doctor looks up, "I see a head."
<Storyteller> The nurse look down and drops the tray
<Storyteller> "Doctor there's something wrong!!"
<Storyteller> The Hall of Order Necropolis New York
<Storyteller> Deter turns as wings emerge from his back, grabbing Brianna's gladius he flies straight to the ledge
* Sanders watches as Deter gets closer, he pulls his weapons
* Angelo paces back and forth below the two, cursing under his breath.
<Storyteller> The two square off as Deter lands
* Brianna glances up, and then tries something new with the web, twisting the strands and braiding them anew
<Storyteller> "You'll never beat me, I was always better."
<Sanders> "I killed the Amenti, and I'll kill you too."
* Brianna holds back a sob
* William stretches out his arms as large, white, feathery wings sprout from his back, and he leaps from the ground, flying towards Sanders with sword drawn
<Storyteller> Deter swings his gladius
* William lets out a battle-cry and points the sword at Sanders
<Storyteller> Styvesant Memorial Hospital
* Teric is getting a headache from all of the location jumps.
<Storyteller> The nurse looks at the doctor, "Look, doctor! Look at his eyes!"
<Storyteller> The doctor touches her forehead, "Sleep," and the nurse cumples to the floor
<Storyteller> "Now, Emily, it's is time for you to fulfill your destiny," he says as he pulls a ceremonial dagger.
<Storyteller> Tom looks wide eyed, "Noo-" he begins as he too crumples
<Storyteller> MET necropolis New York
<Storyteller> The Amenti open their eyes and their mouths, a falling star blazes across the sky
<Storyteller> Ledge on top of the Hall of Order
<Storyteller> The Gladius misses as Deter falters, Sanders laughs firing his weapon into him
<Sanders> "it's over now, Governor. Pray it is quick," he says pointing his weapon at the fallen man
* William wings and tries to block Sanders
<Sanders> William misses crashing through the wall
<Angelo> "Dammit!"
<Storyteller> Deter makes on last sweep, knocking Sanders from his feet and he falls catching the ledge
* William shakes his head, trying to clear it and focus on Sanders again

* Sanders drops his weapon and hold on to the ledge
* Brianna stares helplessly up at the fight on the ledge, fists clenched tightly at her sides
<Storyteller> Deter leans forward and grabs his wings
<Storyteller> he leans into Sanders face
<Storyteller> "See you in hell." and slices his gladius downward cutting off Sander's grasping hands.
* Sanders screams the entire way down
<Storyteller> Styvesant memorial Hospital
<Storyteller> Emily pushes and feels fear as she see the knife, the doctor smiles as the knife glints once and slashes downward
<Storyteller> her eyes roll back in her head, darkness overwhelms her
<Storyteller> MET Necropolis New York
<Storyteller> There is a sound
<Storyteller> a small sound as notes begin to emerge from their mouths
<Storyteller> Song fills the air as they sing to the sky
<Storyteller> Even to this day some say they could hear it all over New York and they say it filled their eyes with tears
<Storyteller> Styvesant Memorial Hospital
<Storyteller> The Nurse opens her eyes as the doctor smiles beneath his mask at her
<Storyteller> He removes it and helps her up
<Storyteller> "What happened?"
<Storyteller> "You fainted, new here are you?"
<Storyteller> "Yes, ahh this is my first."
<Storyteller> "You'll do fine," he says
<Storyteller> The nurse smiles, "I didn't catch your name..."
<Storyteller> The doctor smiles and takes off his operating robe, "You can call me..."
<Storyteller> "Amon."
<Storyteller> The Hall of Order Necropolis New York
<Storyteller> Deter glides down ans stands over the fading body of Sanders
<Deter> "It is good to be back.."
* William flies down next to him. "Are you all right, sir?"
<Storyteller> The crowd of legionnaires rush him as he smiles looking over his men
<Angelo> "Good to have you back, Governor."
<Deter> "Fine, William, just fine."
* Brianna smiles slightly & carefully puts the spiderweb back in her pocket
* William smiles and claps the governor on the back
* Deter looks to Daniel, "I believe you and I need to talk, the Grim Legion needs a new Anaceron...and I believe you have your marshals?" he says looking over the Cohort
* Angelo grins.
* Brianna looks at Daniel. "You will make a fine Anaceron!"
* Brianna congratulates him
<Storyteller> Daniel smiles at his friends
* William looks surprised and feels a pang of sadness at the thought of Daniel not being in the cohort any longer
<Angelo> "You're the right man for the job, Danny."
<Storyteller> "I think I have three candidates for my marshals," he says looking at Angelo, Hans and William
* Angelo grins.
<William> "Daniel, you're one of the best men I've known. I'll miss your restraining hand....but we're all better off with you as anaceron."
* Brianna nods, approving of his choice
<Storyteller> "What about you, Brianna, what are you going to do?"
<Angelo> "You twisted my arm," Angelo says with a grin.
* William looks very humbled
* Brianna gets a faraway look in her eyes
<Brianna> "I made a promise to Remy," she says. "But I have some unfinished business back in Salt Lake.."
* William looks up
<William> "Speaking of unfinished business, we need to check on Emily soon."
* Brianna nods
<Angelo> "That's where I was headed. We wanna go together?"
* William nods
<William> "Yes, very much so."
<Brianna> "Yes."
* Hans nods "I'm with you..."
<Angelo> "Well then, lead the way Anaceron."
* Daniel smiles as he leads the way
* William flutters back into the air a couple feet and flies towards the door
<Storyteller> Styvesant Memorial Hospital
<Storyteller> Tom sleeps his head upon Emily's leg, Emily smiles within her sleep as she holds Matthew to her
<Storyteller> Matthew looks up, his eyes change for just a moment as he touches her face, "Anutep, aban, Maat-a...apenti." *Rest well my beloved mother* Matthew speaks and then Atepa closes his eyes and sleeps, the sleep of the just
<Storyteller> the end