Three - Tristram

     I stood before my King awaiting my sentence. The audience was quiet. A crime like mine hasn't happened  for several centuries. There have been many charged with abuse or disrespect, but no Brackin has been charged with the murder of a Palkin scientist since the Great war. It was disgraceful upon our people to have sunk once again to murder, but the most disgraceful part was that I was guilty and everyone knew it. I had pleaded to King Nami to spare my life; that I had no intention of harming the Palkin, that he wounded my men's honor who I was bound to protect, but my anger got the best of me and my rock hit the head rather than the cliff wall next to him. I begged, pleaded, and groveled at the feet of the King, for my honor was already gone and it was all I could do to save my life. Now I stand, ready to take the judgment he will pass on me. I see the troops under me whose honor I had tried to protect. They had stood up for me during the trial knowing my true intentions. It seems like every Brackin in the crowd understands too, even the king. But politics with the Palkins have become messy and the King doesn't want another Great war. I must be punished to defend the honor of the Brackins as well as the national army whom I serve. The King stands. The silence feels more oppressive. Even the flies and crickets seem to grow silent to hear of my fate. King Nami looks out to the crowd. He speaks of the honor of the people, how no crime like this has been heard of in centuries. He looks at me now. "The law demands death of the guilty even for a general in our army, but I cannot kill you for that would disgrace us all. Instead you will be stripped of all honor, ranks, titles, and names. You will be henceforth banished from Brackin and Palkin land, and all Brackin will be honor bound to kill you upon sight." The silence ends now as the crowd expresses their shock. As King Nami leaves the court, two of the prison guards remove me from the stock. I make no attempt to hide my tears. My honor is gone and the king has betrayed me. He has sentenced me to a fate worse than death. Banishment.