Chapter 6

  Jonas was flabbergasted. He gave no outward indication of his shock just in case someone was watching. However, the message was clear and slightly disappointing. “Patience!” was not much, but it meant Erick was alive, and paying attention. Jonas popped the paper into his mouth and ate it.

  Not long after his meal, Jonas went to lie down with a small feeling of security. He was almost asleep when the click of the cell door was heard. Jonas cracked an eye, and saw an all too familiar person walked into his cell. It was Nia Horn. She served on the governing council of this region. She was also known to be quite ambitious and in opposition to some of Erick’s views and stances. For example, Erick wanted to dedicate some of the tax revenue towards tax breaks for the farmers and ranchers, but Nia opposed the idea and wanted to focus more on technological research, which was a more popular opinion.

  Of course, she, like the rest of them, also shared a corrupt side. Where Erick delt in contraband and secret libraries of knowledge. Hell, Jonas barely knew the scope of Ericks proclivic activities, and quite frankly didn’t want to know. Nia, on the other hand, was rumored to delve into blackmail, and slavery. None of that could be proven, of course. There was also the fact that witnesses tied to Nia alleged activities tended to disappear. Even if the rumors were just that, Jonas would need to be careful when dealing with her. He couldn’t show weakness, but caution was very much warranted.

  Right now, he was being accused of regicide. Jonas knew his day in court was going to be for show, and that his verdict had already been predetermined. In short, Jonas was the fall guy for some hidden agenda, and if he’d needed to take a guess, she was at the root of it all. She likely didn’t know Erick was alive, which played into Jonas’ favor, but that bit of knowledge was useless without the genuine article to prove it. Jonas cracked open an eye. “And, what has brought the honorable Nia to the cell of a doomed man?” Nia smiled a smile that did not meet her eyes.

  “Come now Jonas Skarts. You have something I want.” Jonas was now sitting up and getting to his feet. “You are a member of Glory’s ruling council. I am an archeologist that has been imprisoned likely at your behest. You have all my possessions. How could that possibly be?” It was a genuine question, but one Jonas had a niggling of an idea of what it might be. He just needed confirmation. He took a look past his cell just to get a better read of the situation. However, having a better read of the room couldn’t hurt.

  Jonas was right to look too. There were no police in earshot of his cell, but close enough to react if Jonas got violent. “I think you know, Jonas. I want the information you found from your journal.” Yup, so that’s what it was. Nia, and her people couldn’t break his cypher. He always took notes using his own secret written language. That little maneuver had kept him alive in the past and was paying dividends now. More importantly, Nia was here to bargain. Jonas could work with that. The thing was, he really didn’t need to worry… unless? A very unpleasant thought occurred. What if they poison me before the trial, and make it look like a suicide. That would be an expression of guilt.

  Nia would have people that could make that happen in her pocket. It was not a pleasant thought. Nia interrupted his thoughts. “I can see you working things out. See, the thing is. I can make all of this go away.” She motioned at the jail cell. “You just have to work with me.” Jonas acted interested as if nibbling the bait. “So, if I do what you ask, I walk free?” Jonas said playing naive. “Yes. It will be like you were never arrested. All you have to do is translate your notebook.” Jonas pretended to think on it until he could see her patience waning. “What assurances can you give me?” It was an unreasonable question, but it was both dangerous and calculated.

  If Nia deemed him as a lost cause, she could leave and there would be no buying time, but if Jonas could just put her on the back foot, it would give the archeologist the much-needed opening to go on the attack. After all, he did hold the cards. Jonas just needed the time. “Look, Nia I don’t mean any disrespect by the question. I guess my ambitions just got ahead of my tongue.” Nia’s scowl turned predatory as if sensing weakness. “Ambition is something I understand all too well. You see an opportunity and you take it with all you have. How’s this? Do as I ask and I can guarantee your trial will be thrown out, but I will paint you as the hero who was unjustly framed by Erick’s killer, Ms. Gabriel Walkins. How you bravely tried to save Erick, but couldn’t save him from the inferno. I will then support any bid you make for councilor.”

  That… was far more effective than he could have ever imagined. He also held no illusions that Nia would uphold that deal, but how do you say no to something like that? Well, in any case, anyone with any kind of political or political adjacent ambition couldn’t say no. There was also the illusion that Jonas had no choice, but he’d needed her on the back foot to attack, and he did just that with spectacular results. Now, Jonas just needed to seal his deceit with a chef’s kiss. ““I’ll do it. The thing is, my cypher was lost in wolf country after Erick tried to sell me off. I can translate it for you, but I will need the notebook, the book “Preserving America”, and the atlas I found to do it. Only I will know what means what in the journal.””

  Nia Horn was hesitant, but she had him trapped. Jonas had nowhere to go. It just felt like a trap somehow. The thing was, she just didn’t know how. Nia held all the power here, and no matter how she reasoned it, Jonas really was their only way to translate that infernal godsend of a notebook. She bit her lip in consternation. “Dam! I really want what he found. That mythical library could give me the world with the knowledge it holds. I could even destroy my rivals.” Nia’s deliberation came to an end. “Done, but you have until the trial to finish it. The trial begins in 3 days.

  Jonas gave a mental cheer. He was going to make it. All Jonas had to do was make marginal progress to sell his claim, and all would end well for him and his dream would remain intact. Jonas just had one regret. Her offer was very tempting. It was a shame she’d only betray Jonas. Hell, the only reason they were even having this conversation, was because she knew what he found, and wanted it for herself. He held out his hand. “Well, shit. I guess you have a deal.” They shook hands, and Nia Horn left his cell while wiping her hand on her dress, smirking like she’d just found a small fortune.

  Days went by as Erick got his body into the shape he desired. His little birds had come and gone, delivering news and updates on the political climate within Glory, as well as the in fighting within the council. Erick found it hilarious. They were split down the middle, and yet, they were united on one thing. Half wanted to crucify Jonas immediately and hold elections, while the other half, wanted to hold the trial, kill him, and then hold elections the day after.

  Of course, they all gave empty platitudes in Erick’s honor and all that. Erick couldn’t help but laugh. Their true colors were definitely on display for all to see. He also had to admit, the idea of delegitimizing an entire election just by showing up at the polls, writing his own name in, and contesting the results would be pretty damn hilarious, but alas, he wouldn’t let Jonas be executed for the ambitions of another. Erick also wanted that library. The changes he could enact, and the power. Oh, the power it would give him. Those were just dreams, though. Reachable dreams, sure should Jonas succeed, but what would fallow would be much worse. Hell, the truth was much worse. The secrets he’d learned upon taking office were too horrible to even think about. It was why he couldn’t just heal himself to perfect health.

  The other thing he learned, was that Nia Horn had paid Jonas a visit. Now, that was interesting. Apparently, she wanted him to translate his journal. That meant she likely knew the nature of his discovery, but nothing else. It also confirmed some things. Nia was the one pushing for the trial, which meant, she was the one who tried to have Erick assassinated. It was going to be so worth it to see Nia’s face when he made his move.

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  Erick took a sip of wine. “At least Jonas solved my immediate problem.” Having Peter slip an antidote into Jonas’ drink would have been way too suspicious. It would have also increased the odds of exposing Peter, which would just cause more problems. For now, Erick would just play it as modified. All in all, this whole affair, as unplanned as it was, played into his hands. “Well, time for me to rise from the dead.” Erick proclaimed, getting to his feet.

  The next three days flew by, and Jonas’ court date was upon him. His lawyer was a piece of shit. Who’d have guessed? She walked in, took a look at Jonas’ barely-translated notebook and walked out. She didn’t even introduce herself. That was ok, though. Jonas had already figured that Nia was planning to stab him in the back regardless. He’d also figured this lawyer was working for Nia. Oh well, it was a nice, “Fuck you” in case Erick failed to pull through, or Jonas failed to interpret the message. There were moments when Jonas had contemplated escape, but Erick was right they either succeeded together or went down together.

  He couldn’t just go it alone, either. Too many people already knew about his discovery, and Jonas would also need supplies, which required funding. If he was right, that meant explosives, transportation, food, water, and manpower. It was not going to be a small undertaking by no stretch of the word. It also added a layer of political protection from power hungry fucks like Nia… and Erick, but he didn’t count. At least right know, anyway.

  His thoughts were interrupted when peter walked in, jingling a set of keys and some cuffs. “Since were alone, I can talk to you more openly. Erick is on the way. I’ve also been tasked with holding onto the journal as well as the research material. I’ll see that it makes it to Erick.” Peter said this while clamping the cuffs around Jonas. Jonas was half tempted to fry the man where he stood, but restrained the instinct. Peter hooked a leading chain down to the ankles. “By the way, I’m never watching your dog again. I don’t care how cute it is.” The statement came out of nowhere. Jonas was thoroughly confused until he looked down at Peter’s boot. “That little shit.” Jonas thought with a smile. The boot wasn’t badly damaged or anything like that, but it smelt like piss. He Looked up at Peter. “So that’s where that smell was coming from.” Peter just scowled and yanked the lead with a little too much enthusiasm.

  The courtroom was packed. Many people looked at Jonas in silence. They looked at him as if silently judging him guilty of a crime, he’d never committed in the first place. Their quiet judgement stung him. Jonas felt betrayal, and hate for the people behind this, but Jonas had been feeling these feelings since the arrest, and indulging his outrage without leverage would only hinder without gain.

  Jonas was led to his bench. Peter gave him a respectful nod and secured the lead to an iron rung and walked away. The archeologist looked over at his lawyer and found his nameless defender sitting disinterested in her seat next to Jonas. He wanted to wring her neck. Hell, he could probably do it too, but again, his satisfaction would have to wait. Suddenly everyone in the room, even his corrupt layer, stood up at the announcement of the judge. “Everyone rise for the honorable judge Decathis.”

  The judge strolled in with a dignified poise. When he reached his station, the judge took his seat, and called upon the prosecution and the defense for their opening statements. The prosecution naturally declared Jonas’ guilt, while Jonas’s lawyer agreed and tried to make a guilty plea on his behalf, which seemed to please the judge. Fuck that. Jonas wasn’t playing that game. He knew his rights. “I wish to exercise my right to a knew attorney, and if this is not permissible, then I wish for my council to represent me properly and without bias.”

  Both Lawyers shot Jonas a dirty look, and as controlled as Judge Decathis’ expression was, even his facade slipped just a little. Jonas knew this was a charade for a predetermined outcome. He just needed to buy time for Erick. Fuck everyone else. This was happening, and Jonas would see this was dragged out for as long as possible. “Ms. Fayrat, please adhere to your defendants wishes.” The judge looked like he had just swallowed something disgusting. It mattered little to Jonas how the judge and these two fucks felt. He was walking out of this farse a free man. Weather they liked it or not.

  The trial progressed throughout the better part of the day. Jonas was curious how they were going to spin his guilt. The answer was simple. Money. There was also the fact that Jonas had no alibi or evidence to contradict each testimony against him. He was the perfect target, and they knew it. Jonas’ lawyer, Ms. Fayrat would even take the time to remind him of it by reminding Jonas of his failed opportunity by saying things like, “You blew your only chance to get out of this.” Jonas just kept himself calm, but it was dam hard. Between his lawyer’s provocations, and Nia’s gloating smile, Jonas knew what they were doing. They were trying to provoke him into lashing out or act out in a way that would provoke the judge in a favorable manner. I.E. Contempt of court.

  This concept didn’t hold true in today’s court system. If a plaintiff or defendant couldn’t maintain decorum, the judge could end the trial early and force the jury to deliberate early, and Jonas wasn’t about to let that happen. He would just have to be content with his earlier fuck you to Nia. Jonas looked up and saw his lawyer get up after the prosecutor’s lawyer handed their sham whiteness off. He had made it clear to Ms. Fayrat, much to her great displeasure, that she was to attack the witnesses from every angle. If he had to sit there and buy time, Jonas could, at the very least, get something out of this. After all, seeing his tormenter in some manner of displeasure was a little satisfying.

  When his lawyer was done the whiteness was released and Ms. Fayrat returned to her client. The Judge then asked a question, that made Jonas’ heart sink. “Are there any further witnesses?” “No, your honor.” The plaintiff said. Jonas was out of time. The trial had only taken nine hours, and he feared that wasn’t enough time. Though, it tended to be that way when you had no witnesses and a lawyer that wanted your demise. Were they really going to be that transparent? Jonas met Nia’s eyes. She looked delighted at today’s soon to be verdict. Her smirk even said as much. Jonas had never wanted to kill a person more than he did right at this moment. If only he had his artifact. Jonas would kill that bitch right where she sat, and give this trial legitimacy.

  But, before Jonas could act on his baser instincts, and his lawyer, Ms. Fayrat could also declare no more witnesses, a man in a bailiff’s uniform, came into the courtroom, and made his way to the judge, and whispered something into Decathis’ ear. His face turned beat red. “She’s sitting right there. If they had a witness, Mr. Skarts and his attorney would have submitted them during discovery. Now, get out.”

  Jonas just gawked at the judge’s words. “Discovery? What Discovery? I haven’t even been in jail long enough for that, and even if I was, why wasn’t I apart of it?” is what Jonas wanted to say, but kept quiet, and took some deep breaths. “Your honor, what is happening?” Jonas’ attorney asked, but the judge ignored her in favor of the bailiff, which caused Nia to frown. The conniving council woman, having sensed something was amiss, got up and left. The people in the Court room began talking, clearly surprised at the sudden interruption.

  Jonas had to admit, whatever spurred the bailiff into action, wasn’t going over well with the judge. Whatever it was, it had something to do with a witness. That confused Jonas. There had not been a single witness for his side this whole time, and it wasn’t like Erick had shown. So, just what was going on? Jonas had to be sure. He turned and faced his useless lawyer. “What witness?” His question seemed to shock the woman out of her stupor. “Witness?” she repeated. Once she was a little more collected, she sneered, “There are no witnesses for our side.” It took Jonas all he had not to grab the woman’s neck and fry her, but at the very least, it confirmed one thing. It was not Nia’s doing. Someone was interfering, but before Jonas could question things further, Jonas heard Judge Decathis’ voice. “Court is adjourned for the evening.”