Refuge: Day in Court

Posted on 05 May 2022 @ 8:01pm by Commander Calliope Zahn & Lieutenant Theodore Winslow & Lieutenant Noah Khoroushi
Edited on on 01 Jul 2022 @ 12:38am

Mission: M3 - Into the Deep
Location: Kalara City, Planet Obsidian
Timeline: MD04 afternoon - following "Refuge: Guest Passes"
3477 words - 7 OF Standard Post Measure

When she recovered her feelings, Ayalou was set back on her own feet and kept up at a pace of nearly four steps to one of Theo's strides. Theo seemed to know where they were in the city up until they started climbing a lot of smooth stone-laid stairs. Lining either side of the broad staircase were some sort of huge statues. Deducing anything more about them wasn't very possible as they were all wrapped in thick cloth and bound, leaving Ayalou's curiosity piqued.

"Are they moving house?" she asked Noah, who had taken her other hand and occasionally lifted and swung her up a couple stairs with Theo to help her keep up and make her giggle.

Noah studied the figures casually, his gaze picking up on the damage evident even beneath the wrappings. "No, not exactly." After all, how did one explain regime change to a child?

Her eyes traced one of the larger-than-life hidden irregular shaped wrapped statue as they passed. "Then why are they packing the things?"

*You find a way, Khoroushi.* Ah well, what was the point of studying Diplomacy, after all? "See how those are all lopsided? I'd say there was an earthquake or ... perhaps a sandstorm that damaged the statues and they're taking them away."

Theo kept quiet. He was using his other senses to keep an eye on their surroundings to keep them all safe. He knew Noah had more answers to the questions than he did then and there. He knew the security of the planet but it was on his to do list to learn more about the customs now it looked like he was going to be staying on the base more long term.

As they climbed there were others along the stairs. It was a busy afternoon, following the mid day break everyone took for respite, with all of the administration and petitioners gathering back to their places. Along the funnel-like entry walk to the center foyer of the Capitol building, there was a broken pedestal and a solitary cracked stone on the ground that had the form of a face— with the eye gouged out with a chisel. Letting go of their hands, Ayalou approached the thing with curiosity, touching the sun warmed black stone with some intuition, as if approaching a hurt person. She looked into the empty socket and put her hand where the eye should have been.

"The statues got cracked in my old home too." She explained, matter-of-fact. "At the park, by the slides."

Noah's expression softened as he peered down at the girl. "Maybe when we find your people a new place to live, we can see about getting some new statues. Slides should be fairly easy to manage."

Theo noticed the tone change and squeezed Ayalou’s hand as he shared a looked with Noah. They both knew why those statues were cracked and covered. It was how any regime change got rid of anything they deemed not in with keeping with their ideals. “I am sure we can find familiar things to make your new home more homely.” He said with a nod just as matter of factly as her.

Ayalou liked the idea of new statues. "I want one of Yganoriv, the twelve legged horse!" It was a story she remembered from her early lessons. That Yganoriv was a shape-shifting liar from the underworld didn't matter to her. The story where he had twelve legs and outran everyone by setting the sky on fire had left an impression on her adventurous little imagination. She looked up at the gateway they finally entered into the building. The walls were highly ornate with motifs and mosaic tile work. Some panels had been excised from the design and left large bald squares in the otherwise detailed facade. The gates themselves were twisted and formed from iron into detailed filigree that threw artful shadows onto the walls they were opened against. Ayalou absorbed the organic designs in her mind's eye, already envisioning how she might copy them with her chalk on the sidewalks.

Her attention was so absorbed that she didn't much notice when two robbed men stopped their progress just inside the building's Lobby.

"Halt, Starfleet," said one, gravely. His deep voice echoed off the vaulted, white washed ceilings. Where light hit the strongest between the high beams, there were ghostly outlines of a hidden mural beneath the lime. "What is your business in the Kalaran Hall?"

“We are here to seek an audience.” Theo said and turned slightly to indicate the mark that was tied to their arms that they had been given assurance would get them to where they could make a case for Ayalou and her family. This was the moment of truth he supposed if it worked or did not. .

The two guards looked at one another, as if to ask if there was anything the other knew to deny the mark of one of the highest officials entry. There was almost no where bared from the Kalaran Council members. Such marks permitted entry to all but the Judge's chambers, the inner shrine, and the treasury.

"It appears authentic," they had to admit, and they moved on to police others in the building.

“It is.” Theo said to their retreating backs with a shake of his head as he looked at Noah and then smiled to Ayalou. “Onward.” He said squeezing her hand.

At least their entry ticket hadn't been a sham. Noah had wanted to trust Jiran, but a small, cynical tone at the back of his mind had cautioned against treachery. Admittedly, Noah'd kept the voice at bay; and now, as they strode down the halls under the varied gazes of councilmen and women, he inwardly crowed at the fact he had been right.

The meeting hall beyond the lobby was grand in size, but it appeared to have been recently amended. The back of the hall had a crescent-like room divider, a lace-like metallic lattice elegantly cutting off a crowd of persons from the heart of the chamber. With some effort it could be seen and heard through as proceedings were held within. Those present stood against particular gaps in the lattice when called on and there gave testimony or received responses before being sent out again. Some of the men in finer robes or robes of certain tribes or priesthood, were being given entry through heavy curtains.

A woman in expensive robes stopped in front of the new comers with some surprise in her face. A hand raised in reflex to cover her mouth. "Starfleet? They have permitted outsiders?" Others turned to look and a hushed murmur rippled across the outer court.

Theo looked at the woman and shook his head first before nodding. It was easier to give the positive. “We have been given a chance to make a case.” He explained watching as the outer court went silent people straining to hear what was being said.

Across the room, Noah caught the familiar gleam of Cyrus' dark skin reflected in the light. He could see Shirin sitting near at hand, though it was only her proximity to the former that helped him to identify her. Gone was the rough-edged street waif persona she typically presented; in its place was an elegant stateswoman with a sharp gaze cutting from an otherwise composed demeanor. She inclined her head in acknowledgement before turning back to the woman sitting near her, leaving Cyrus to be the one who legitimized their presence. "You made it, then."

The initial detractor turned, her gaze narrowing as the dark-skinned off-worlder approached. Of course *he* would have something to do with this. "I'm afraid Councilman Alinejad does not have-"

Drawing on every ounce of Parisian arrogance he could imitate, Noah peered down his nose at the woman before offering tight smile as he cut off her tirade. "Cyrus is a friend, but he did not compromise the rules to give us clearance. As the Lieutenant was saying, we have been granted passage by Jiran to make a case before the Council."

"It is unheard of! Anyone with a seal of the council is preferenced to be heard in the inner court immediately! They give honors to D'jinn!" The woman said with a curled lip before her outrage grew.

"Salla! They can punish you with the force of Jiran himself! Be silent!" A concerned woman caught her friend by the wrist and pulled her aside. "Please, sirs," she looked between Noah and Theo anxiously, bowing in triplicate to each in little dips of her head. "Do not be angry with Salla. She has come to court for many days and not been called upon."

Theo looked alarmed at the mere thought of the his actions punishing anyone. He held up his hand in a peaceful nature. “No one is going to be punished because of us.” He assured quickly with a sympathetic look to the woman who had been waiting for days but had yet to be seen. “You could come with us if that would help your cause?” He offered looking to Noah to see if that was appropriate. He was sure they either his fellow officer or one of the women would tell him.

"Of course." Noah regarded the woman and her friend. "Our purpose here is not to stir dissent; we are simply wishing for a fair judgment. And not," he added, his expression comfortably easing back to his typical ease, "at the expense of someone else." He nodded to Winslow. To be honest, more voices that might stand favorably with them could serve well.

Somewhat mollified, Salla peered at the newcomers, shooting a suspicious glare at Cyrus which was met only with a casual shrug as Shirin came to join him. "As you say. Might I presume that Trinda may accompany me as well?"

"Salla," her friend hissed - afraid pressing the matter would shatter the momentary peace.

"Of course." It was clear, after all, that Trinda was the voice of reason between the two and would likely help keeping Salla somewhat in check.

The inner court was dim, lit by traditional lamp light which flickered and cast shadows. There were no permanently installed furnishings apart from a series of eleven carved obsidian pedestals each one holding a precious sacramental item contained in an ornate display or vessel, under the light of eleven lamps. laid on the floor were rugs and cushions, around which were sprawled the noble men- chieftains of privileged tribes who had either considered it their duty or to their advantage to attend and hold court, as no one could really require it of them. A musician with a priestly stole played a lyre, and several men in fighting attire stood bearing ornate spears in sturdy, muscled arms.

A courtier rushed ahead of the unannounced guests to bow low to the ground repeatedly before the noblemen and hurriedly try to make introductions when he knew not who he was introducing. "These...! The privileged guests... of Councilman Jiran! Seek court for... uh... matters..."

Theo took in every detail he could commit to memory for his report whilst keeping Ayalou close to him. It was ornate but beautiful to the man used to rustic and simplicity from his home world that he had never been able to shift. “We wish to discuss the settlement rights for people on Obsidian Command. My name is Lieutenant Theodore Winslow.” Theo said stepping forward from the introduction.

"Lieutenant Noah Khoroushi," Noah offered when attention was passed to him as well. "And these are friends of ours - some who have come in support of our cause, others with cause of their own to be heard."

The sitting nobility shifted their lax postures, their guard clearly drawn due to the allowance of the women and the outsiders into the inner court. A man in rust-red robes frowned intensely beneath his beard, shadowing his entire face. "We recognize no such settlement 'rights'. Off worlders have no rights to Obsidian. Only Grants of stay. *Privileges*" He emphasized, to indicated the kind of allowances that could be given... or retracted.

"And yet," Noah offered, "You have made allowances for settlement in the Kalara region." A not-so-moderate clearing of throats indicated that this was a probable sore point for the council and Noah left his 'offering' as it were for their consideration.

"It was decided—" The russet-robed man said over top of the murmurs, "That foundations were laid and thereby certified the grant. All other grants were dismissed as *unfounded*." It had been a long, politically heated debate when the Council had formed new lines in the desert sands to try to extricate off worlders. The language itself seemed to supply their solution. "It has been so decided."

"It is so, It is so." Confirmed the other voices in the circle.

Noah glanced at Winslow. Well, at least Jiran had promised them it wouldn't be easy. No wonder the man opted to let them sort the matter themselves. "But the fact of the matter is that the grant does stand. Land was granted to off-worlders, if only to serve a purpose for the council itself. My questions are as such: what purposes were served, and what parameters set to the initial grant. If the current residing party were to create an easement in their approved territory."

"Easement?" The stern figure boomed darkly. The word was less question than disdain at the concept. A knot of three figures to the far left of the room gathered privately between one another, speaking in low tones apart from the ears of their fellow chieftains.

Theo stayed quiet and squeezed the little girls hand for a second before he moved her in front of him to remind the men present that there was a child with them. “Yes easement. What do you have to lose from asking that party?” Theodore asked.

The speaking Chieftain's eyes became slits. This Theodore Winslow, Lieutenant, was not akin to the sidewinding talkers of the outer dark. That he had befriended Jiran made the matter more difficult than it otherwise would have been to dismiss him from the court entirely. He lifted a hand, in a traditional motion to proclaim his final ruling against the request when the three other members conferring with one another lifted voices at once.

"The Halluman, Kiri, and Essir Tribes wish to sponsor the request of Jiran's guests!" At the Essirian Chief's declaration, the man in red sneered as if a stinging Hikiri had gotten into his hood. Jiran had made too many friends among the chieftains. The Essirian Tribal leader didn't in fact care for the outsiders as much as he found this a ready opportunity to undermine his political opponent. "If it is agreeable to the El Aurian party, then we do move to rule that they may share tent poles."

"The El Aurian party has no objection to the child's people sharing our poles." Shirin fought the urge to glower at the fool. She and Cyrus had worked hard to make inroads with these people, but she wasn't about to let them rail-road other off-worlders - especially when there was more than enough space in the Bajada. Only belatedly did she consider that her compatriots might have other opinions; thankfully, a side glance at Cyrus caught him nodding his head.

The red-robed man watched as the rest of the tribal chiefs expressed their agreement with the proposal and knew that he had lost ground entirely to Noah Khoroushi and Theodore Winslow. He allowed their faces to burn into his memory.

"I, Hazami, do not affirm this." He boomed darkly. It seemed to have little sway, and he regretted not anticipating this particular guest at court- As a powerful Suarnji, a chief of chiefs, he would have insisted the other Chieftains in his sway would have attended and crushed this matter. But he was quickly finding his influence drowned out by the rest.

"The court wishes to certify it." The Essirian Chief pressed, motioning for a page to bring implements for agreement. On a tray, two soft pieces of clay were provided- and two small ceremonial bone-knives. Ayalou looked at the tray curiously as the page knelt low enough for her to see the materials.

The Obsidian women they had brought with them had stood in silent amazement as the sitting Chieftains had all turned on the powerful Hazami. Before Starfleet had left orbit of the world, Salla herself had once been an advocate and understood the court proceedings. Now Salla leaned in to explain. "A drop of blood from each party must be pressed into the clay, and the clay with one another. Since it is an Easement on the El Aurian settlement, the agreement to be witnessed is between One of the El Aurians... and the child. On behalf of her tribe."

“She is a child and under the age of being able to understand and consent. She is in my guardianship so I can speak on behalf of her tribe. I will do it.” Theo said quickly.

At a nod from The Essirian Chief, the Page lifted his tray between Theo and Cyrus.

Theo took the offered knife and pricked his finger to draw the required blood and put it quickly on the clay. He glanced down at Ayalou and smiled. “We have some good news to give when we are back.” He explained gently.

With as much gravity as she could draw up, Ayalou nodded back at him. She didn't fully understand everything transpiring as much as she was absorbing all of the bright colors, rich tapestries, strange people, and the important feelings in the room. She looked at Theo's bleeding finger with some sympathy and whispered, "Haven't they got any bandages?"

"It will stop in a moment." The man assured pressing it against his trousers to stem the blood and to hide it from the girls eyes.

Cyrus liked this man; considering he typically found officers overly pedantic and slow to actually act in the face of established governments for fear of losing credibility in their own part, Cyrus was grateful at least that these men tended to fall more in with his own people's way of thinking. Taking the knife from the Lieutenant, he drew his own blood to press into the clay before setting the blade back down and making his mark. "It is done, then."

As they returned the clay mixed with blood to the tray, the young Obsidian page took the tray around the circle of Chieftains, most of them adding the impression of a seal to the clay. When it came to Hazami, the man put both hands within his robe and the boy passed him over. But there were more than enough marks to form a complete spiral of witnesses.

When the page returned to Cyrus, Salla explained. "It is for you to keep, as the easement is yours to grant. Let it harden under the eye of Loki. Should you wish to end the easement, you may break it among witnesses and be released of the agreement."

Cyrus took up the tablet, then handed it to Shirin. "We both know how clumsy I am with breakable things. I'll leave this to you." Turning back to the Lieutenants, he inclined his head. "We will let Captain Dhow know of this so his team can begin arrangements. Do you have an approximate number I can give him in preparation of allotting space?"

Theo offered a smile at the clumsy comment. He could have similar moments and why his quarters were set the way it was to avoid clumsy moments before he was awake. "There are currently a couple of hundred, but more arrive all the time as this was meant to be a big venture," Theo explained. "Will that be a problem?"

"This here," Cyrus indicated the tablet, "gives us the right to absorb as many as we see fit. And as long as they're willing to help with food production and maintaining water supply for the whole community, we will find space as needed."

"Abide in Peace." said the Essirian Chief, closing the matter to hear the next case, exceedingly pleased all the while as his political rival, Hazami, fumed silently over the upset.

As they took their leave, Ayalou watched everyone triple-nodding and thought all of the head bobbing was funny. Like a lot of birds with beards. She giggled as she found Theo's hand again. When she went to hold his big fingers she found the one that was still bleeding and patted it sympathetically. In the voice her mother always used when she'd scraped a knee, or as she used just that morning when Ayalou was asking after her uncle in the medical bay, Ayalou said reassuringly, "We always heal again."