The presiding Judge over my trial was none other than Shining Armor, Captain of the Guard. Impartial, but gruff, this ludicrously attractive stallion (pity he was already taken) sat at his stand looking over a number of papers that I presumed were evidence dossiers and case notes.
“Silent Sword, you have entered a plea of ‘Not Guilty’, am I correct?”
Of course I did, jackass. I had nothing to do with the bloody thing.
I swallowed the potentially damning expletive I so wanted to yell out.
“Yes sir, I did. I was not involved in the theft of the so-called ‘Archer Ruby’.” I so eloquently said.
“And yet so many pieces of evidence point to the contrary, and you were on-duty, as well as equipped with arcane Equipment that could very well have produced the effects that the alleged thief was described as creating. Coupled with the fact that you had no alibi and could have very well stolen it, your case is not looking good.”
“Sir, I did not take the blasted ruby! I swear on my bloody honor as a Royal Guardsmare!!” I shouted, just a bit louder than I probably should have.
I don’t know why this is getting to me. In the field, I keep my emotions tightly in check. It seems that everything I’ve repressed is coming out.
Apparently the Prosecutor, a Public Lawyer by the name of Lawful Lectern, felt a need to speak up to my outburst.
“The plantiff is again reminded that any outbursts will be held against her with prejudice.”
I shutted up and fumed quietly. I hate Lectern. He’s more concerned with Rules and Regulations than helping ponies. To me, he’s just another Fukken bureaucrat that steps on good mares and stallions being accused of absolute hogwash.
Shining Armor spoke up again in his usual dignified voice.
“While your service record in Their Majesties’ Royal Guard up to a few years ago is upstanding and dignified, the more recent records are sealed by a Context-sensitive spell that for some reason, I am not authorized to break open. The spell is similar to that used by Valkyries, female Guards who operate above the auspices of the main branch of the Royal Guard, answering only the Princesses and their closest Aides. However, upon your recent incarceration, your Valkyrie status was revoked permanently, and you are once again under the auspices of the Main branch of the Royal Guard. While your service record is indeed honorable, the theft of the Archer Ruby simply has too much evidence against you, and the magnitude of the crimes is subject to the harshest punishments in the Land of Equestria.”
No. Please, No.
“Based on the evidence presented against you, I, Shining Armor, Captain of the Guard and being of sound mind and body, hereby strip you of your rank…”
The bailiff strutted up to me and tore off my Corporal’s Rank insignia from my dress uniform.
“And dishonorably discharge you.”
The bailiff tore off the Guardsmare’s patch, that denoted I was a guard at all.
“In addition, due to the gravity of your crimes, it is decided by somepony higher up that you are to be imprisoned indefinitely with no civilian visitors and in the Maximum Security prison Arkhoof Rock. Your sentence is to begin immediately.”
NONONONONO-
The thud of Shining Armor’s gavel blasted through my mind in a sense of finality, of fate cruelly stacking the last card against me.
“Alright, c’mon yeh criminal scum.” The bailiff said as he escorted me out in a gruff manner.
“I don’t blame you, Shining. I would have done the same.” I said softly.
I don’t think he heard me at all.
I glance over my haunches at Lectern’s stand. He should be looking at me with a smug look of malevolent victory. I saw nothing but a previously occupied patch of air at the Prosecutor’s stand.
He was gone. Odd. I guess he must really not have enough compassion to see it through to the very end.
Resigned to my fate, I went without a fight with the Bailiff.
Wasn’t my fault, but if it’s all the same, I’m sorry.