Chapter Text
"By the authority granted to me by the Emperor, I, Overseer Bohai, acting as his representative, hereby declare the Discipline Session of Legacy's Landfall open for the case concerning Petty Officer Seyka's breach of Confidentiality Clause 2-A. This trial is now in session. All present, be seated."
The Board sat at a semi-circular table on the upper floor of the Ceo’s home. The room, while grandiose by the standards of Landfall, lacked the importance of the proper Courts in the capital of the Quen Empire. There they sat, mute and still, as though they could only be unfrozen by Bohai’s words—four figures of the highest Quen authority.
Compliance Officer Rheng sat at the farthest left, followed by Admiral Gerrit, Squad Leader Zeth, and, on the right, Bohai himself. Seyka, with her wrists and ankles bound and a dirty piece of cloth serving as a gag, knelt on the floor at the center of the circle. She dared not meet the eyes of her accusers. She knew there was no empathy to be found in them.
"I have in my hands the report written by Compliance on account of your actions, Petty Officer," Bohai said. "As expected from Officer Rheng’s people, it is quite a thorough piece of indictment. I shall not read it in its entirety, as it is my understanding that you have already been given the chance to do so."
Seyka snorted into the cloth.
"As such," he continued, unfazed, "I shall leave to the Board–"
"Overseer, if I may," Admiral Gerrit spoke up. "I believe it is important for this trial to be conducted according to Quen customs—with the crimes read aloud to inform the rest of the Board, remind the defendant, and provide them the opportunity for a proper defense."
Bohai tapped his fingers on the table. "Admiral, respectfully, you, as well as all present, have been informed on multiple occasions of the accusations and their severity."
"As a representative of the Emperor and, thus, the highest authority of the law within our expedition, you shall conduct this trial in accordance with the law," Gerrit said, his tone sharpening. "Remember, Bohai, that I, too, serve the Emperor, and I am well aware that while you represent such authority, you are not in that position."
There was a moment’s silence. Rheng and Zeth watched the scene with the detachment of a bored crowd at a game of Strike. Seyka didn’t miss the glint of excitement in their eyes when Bohai threatened to call for a voting session, only for that glint to vanish at Gerrit’s intervention. They were out for an execution, not a trial. Seyka’s fate had been sealed the moment she was captured, and this mockery of a trial was merely another theater to bolster Bohai’s delusion of power.
"Very well," Bohai drawled, finally losing the staring contest with the Admiral. "Following the law, I shall now read the accusations."
He rose from his seat and tapped the sheets of parchment against the table to straighten them. "Five days ago, Petty Officer Seyka of the Quen Naval Forces stole the Focus of a deceased Diviner. Upon discovering the Diviner’s corpse along a trail on the northern side of the island, Seyka chose not to report it to a superior. Instead, she retrieved the artifact and attached it to her own head, gaining access to forbidden knowledge."
"For the following days, Seyka abandoned her post in a time of need and ventured into the ruins of the Isle of Spires." Bohai glanced down his nose, as if Seyka were a squashed bug stuck to his soles. "With the power of the eye that reveals the Legacy, Seyka was able to navigate much of the uncharted terrain. She eventually returned to Landfall, where she was captured by Compliance Officer Rheng and imprisoned."
There was a beat of silence, broken only by Seyka’s muffled grunts of protest against the gag. Gerrit spoke up, as though reading her thoughts. "I believe there are several circumstances being glossed over in this account, Overseer."
Rheng furrowed his brows, his expression one of displeasure. "Are you questioning the actions of my team in capturing a criminal?" He cracked his knuckles. "Because I have the full backing of the Empire’s laws for imprisoning someone found guilty of committing a capital offense."
"My point precisely, Officer," Gerrit replied. "Up until that moment, you were unaware of the offenses Seyka had committed, nor were you informed of the circumstances that led her to make those decisions."
Zeth spoke up for the first time, his voice tainted with indignation. "Admiral, Seyka stole a Diviner’s Focus. This entire trial is a mockery of Compliance and the power granted to it by the Emperor. Seyka is a criminal, and this is over."
"Gerrit," Bohai said curtly. "Officer Rheng and Leader Zeth are correct. I will not entertain your sophisms."
"These aren’t sophisms; these are facts." Gerrit slammed his hands on the table. "What are your plans? To kill Seyka swiftly, in the dead of night, sparking fears of a witch hunt? Are any of you aware of what is afoot within our tribe? Very few people saw Seyka with the Focus. It will be difficult to convince our people that an execution was carried out for a crime with no victims. Pardon my language, gentlemen, but you are out of your depth."
Bohai pinched the skin between his eyes, as though he were being tested beyond the limits of his patience. "Where are you going with this, Admiral? Please, enlighten me on ‘what is afoot’ in our tribe, as I am taking offense at the mere suggestion that I have allowed something to go amiss."
"Respectfully, Bohai," Gerrit said, his tone softer this time. "I’m saying this as a colleague and, most importantly, as a Quen. The morale in our tribe is low; we’ve lost many people. People are afraid of Compliance, not respectful of it. If we kill Seyka—a known figure due to her association with one of our best navigators—we’ll spark a wave of fear."
"And what are you proposing!?" Zeth cried. "That we ignore our laws just because a criminal has a famous sister!?"
"Zeth," Bohai interjected, his tone stern. "let the Admiral continue. He might—and I say might —have a point."
For the first time since this circus had begun, Seyka raised her head. She cast a glance at the Admiral, trying to figure out his game.
Gerrit’s eyes met hers, though they quickly darted away. He continued, "As I was saying, morale is low. People are afraid of where we are, and we should not give them reasons to fear those they stand with. As the Board, it is our job to make our people feel safe. Seyka’s offense left no victims, and in fact, she was responsible for rescuing ten people. Had she not stolen the Focus, we would have lost one of our best navigators. Why are we so eager to dismiss such a fact? Is her execution merely a thirst for a display of power?"
Rheng’s nostrils flared. "Are you suggesting that my desire to abide by the Empire’s laws is a power play!? Are you mad!?"
"I’m saying killing Seyka will only make things worse. I’m not excusing her crimes," Gerrit replied, now meditative. "An execution is not a decision to be made lightly. Stealing a Focus is one of the greatest offenses in the eyes of the Empire, and I, too, must abide by the law. However, our circumstances are dire. As a tactician, it’s my job to see the big picture."
"Gerrit," Bohai warned. "The point, please."
"The point is," Gerrit barked, "kill Seyka in private, away from the eyes of the tribe, and you’ll have a rumor mill, with people whispering about what Compliance did to a woman who saved their friends and loved ones. Distrust will fester. Kill her before a crowd, and you’ll earn our tribe’s fear forever, not their respect. What would the method be? Hanging? Drowning? Any public display of murder would shock our people, who are already traumatized enough. Killing Seyka would not be a reckoning; it would be political suicide."
Seyka nodded to herself. For a fleeting moment, she had allowed herself to believe the Admiral was genuinely siding with her, perhaps understanding the reasons behind her actions. She had been made a fool once again. His defense hadn’t come from compassion.
Bohai tapped his fingers on the table, pondering the silence that followed Gerrit’s outburst. "I must say, I agree."
"Bohai!?"
"Overseer, Sir—"
"Silence, both of you," Bohai snapped at Rheng and Zeth. "Gerrit sees reason, as twisted as it may seem."
"I refuse to see any of this as ‘reason’" Rheng said, passionately. "This is a direct violation of our law. Seyka will be executed, and that is final."
"Rheng, I’ve always taken you for a fool, as gullible as a trout, yet you continue to amaze me with your displays of sheer stupidity. This isn’t about our laws; it’s about whether our tribe survives.” Bohai’s voice dripped with contempt. “What is ‘final’ will be my decision to remove you from this room with a harpoon up your bottom for defying a direct superior appointed by the Emperor. Another word, and that will be so. Understood?"
Rheng’s cheeks flushed the color of arterial blood. He nodded silently.
Bohai turned to Gerrit. "How much does the tribe know about Seyka and the Focus, exactly?"
The Admiral’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. Bohai wasn’t one step behind; he was a full mile behind. "The only civilians aware of the theft are the ten who were rescued. As for Compliance, only the officers involved in the arrest—correct, Rheng?"
Rheng nodded, still mute with embarrassment.
Gerrit continued. "The rescued have sworn their lives to Seyka and would never turn her in. As I said, a crime with no victims."
Bohai stood up and paced with purpose, though lacking direction. His hands were folded behind his back. "I see your reasoning, Admiral, and I must say I agree. However, I cannot, in good conscience, leave this crime unpunished. I, too, have a commitment to Compliance. There is no weak link in this situation. We need our tribe to remain united, and we must also abide by the law, for that is what Compliance is all about. We cannot afford to make enemies of one another. We all share a common goal, as I’m sure you understand."
Seyka swallowed hard. His tone had turned final.
Zeth spoke up, carefully choosing his words. "I disagree with all of you, but I understand the line of reasoning, at least. But if we’re not killing this woman, then what? Imprison her for life? Throw her into forced labor? We don’t have the infrastructure for that."
"A capital crime requires capital punishment." Bohai stopped in his tracks and let out a deep sigh. "Though, as we’ve discussed, that shall not be the case. I call for the banishment of Petty Officer Seyka—to be stripped of rank, cast out of the tribe, and removed from all official records."
"I agree," said Gerrit, somber. "That is the most reasonable option."
Rheng nodded, hesitating as though still wary of the metaphorical harpoon-up-the-bottom threat Bohai had made moments earlier. "I’m not a man of politics, so I can’t speak to the political motivations behind this. But this seems like an appropriate punishment, since execution is off the table."
All eyes turned to Zeth. He was outnumbered, and despite Quen law stating that the punishment of banishment required a unanimous vote, there was no scenario in which he could leave the room without siding with Bohai’s decision.
A mischievous glint flickered in Zeth’s eyes. For a moment, a smirk tugged at his lips. "Casting her out is really just killing her with extra steps. I agree."
"It is now time for the defense, then." Bohai said, gesturing to the guards standing by the doors. "Officers, remove her gag."
One officer stalked forward, untied the cloth from behind Seyka’s neck, and yanked the gag from her mouth with more force than necessary. She heaved and coughed for a long moment, giving her jaw time to adjust to the possibility of movement again. Then she raised her head to meet the disgusted eyes of Bohai, Zeth, and Rheng—and the shamed ones of Gerrit.
"Defendant, you are now free to state your defense. Please make clear why you should be considered innocent," the Overseer said.
"I am innocent," Seyka began, her voice raspy. "We had ten people missing, my sister included, our best navigator. I tried going through the proper channels multiple times. I didn’t kill anyone," she stressed. "I was investigating the disappearances on my own when I stumbled upon the body. I retrieved the Focus because I was four days into trekking across the island, on a hot trail, with our first real chance of finding our people. Going back to Landfall would’ve risked the trail going cold. I knew they were close, and I did find them. They had been trapped in an enclave by a Slaughterspine, with no hunters among them. They were going to die."
Gerrit gestured for the rest of the group to remain quiet. Seyka coughed again before continuing. "I brought them all back, and I came willingly to Compliance to return the Focus. I was doing the right thing. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for the sake of the Quen. I am innocent."
Seyka didn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing her act desperate. Her tone was neutral and matter-of-fact. Inside her head, however, it took every neuron in her brain not to break into a fit of anger. And then, her eyes met Bohai’s, and she knew her fate had been sealed.
The Overseer clasped his hands. "Your defense has been denied. The banishment ceremony will be held before the tribe today at dusk."
–
Seyka stood before the gates of Landfall. She didn’t dare look behind her, where her tribe stood in a circle, watching her intently. Every Quen, pulled from their homes or interrupted in whatever they had been doing, had been compelled to witness the ceremony. Bohai stood on a makeshift pulpit before her, his posture so rigid one might think his spine had turned to ice.
"Quen," he projected his voice. "today, the Board calls for the banishment of Seyka, former Petty Officer of the Quen navy. Her trial was conducted fairly and in full compliance with the law, with ample opportunity for her defense."
What a joke.
"After extensive investigation and a long debate in the Court, the Board has decided that Seyka will be stripped of her rank, cast out of the tribe, and removed from all records, both private and public. This punishment comes as a response to the heinous act of stealing a Diviner’s Focus."
Bohai paused, letting the gasps of shock fill the silence he had carefully cultivated in his speech. With smug satisfaction at his own theatrics, he continued. "It is by the mercy of the Emperor that her life shall be spared, but she will be left to obscurity—the ultimate punishment. To be forgotten by the tribe that thrives on the knowledge of memories. From the moment Seyka crosses this bridge, her name shall never be spoken again, her words never echoed. Anyone who holds a token or memento of her is to dispose of it or face reprimand by Compliance."
Seyka tried not to pay attention to the murmurs coming from the crowd—a cacophony of indignation at seeing the sister of beloved Kina cast out into the wilds. Gerrit had been right: killing her would have caused mayhem. Yet casting her out was a mere palliative. The Quen were doomed as long as Compliance stood around.
Up until this point, Seyka had been numb to it all. It wasn’t until she was made to return her Quen navy armor that she was shaken from her stupor. They had dressed her in flimsy white linen garments, the kind one would wear to sleep. As she slipped into those clothes, she realized, with raw bitterness, that she would stand out in the forest like a sore thumb.
Zeth was painting a target on her back.
"As is customary, Seyka will be handed a weapon. Nothing more shall be given to her, for she is to carve her own path in the world, detached from any comfort the Quen can provide." He paused, drawing a breath. "I now pronounce Seyka an outcast."
Seyka faced the bridge before her, Bohai's words echoing in her head.
She would never be back.
It was over.
She heard hurried footsteps behind her but dared not look. Too many thoughts swirled inside her head at once. She flinched, however, when strong arms enveloped her.
Breaking every protocol in the book, Gerrit swept her into an embrace. They had never been close, not exactly. However, Seyka would be lying to herself if she said she didn’t take inspiration from her—now former—boss’ sense of duty. Crossing an entire ocean was no small feat, and it was impossible not to grow attached to your mates once you emerged on the other side of the shore. The Admiral had been a good leader.
He discreetly whispered in her ear, "It was the only way you’d have a chance to survive. I’m sorry. Good luck." Seyka furrowed her brows as she realized he had slipped something into her pocket, but she didn’t dare check it. Gerrit spared Bohai a defiant look as he paced slowly back into the crowd, which parted in his wake as if the mere act of touching him would turn someone into a pariah themselves.
The vein crossing Bohai’s forehead threatened to pop, but he schooled his expression, refusing to acknowledge the interaction. At last, he spoke: "Seyka, do you have any last words?"
Seyka shot a glance at her sister, standing at the back of the crowd, wailing in panic, her face smudged with tears and snot.
"Can I give my sister a hug?" Seyka asked.
"You no longer have a family within the Quen. So, no."
"Alright," Seyka nodded. She glanced over her shoulder, and with no restraint left, her voice rose, venom dripping from her words. "Long live the Quen Empire!"
She turned and walked towards the bridge, never to return.