Free Call of the Colossus: An epic fantasy novel (The Mindstream Chronicles Book 2) by K.C. May

today.”
    “This pardon is conditional,” Gastone said as he passed the paper to Elder Devarla. “Should she fail to adhere to its terms, it will be revoked. I call for a pronouncement of her sentence based on the Witness testimony.”
    “I concur,” Devarla said, handing the paper back to Tornal. “If the conditions for the pardon are not met, we should have the court record to fall back on.”
    “Very well.” Tornal motioned the enforcer flanking Jora’s right side to step up and retrieve the pardon, which the enforcer then handed back to Jora before taking his place once again. “Give us a moment to deliberate.” He and the two other elders huddled together, whispering amongst themselves.
    Rivva gave Jora a hopeful smile and a wink. What sentence did insubordination carry? It wasn’t a crime. She’d merely broken the rules of the Order—an Order from which she’d already been dismissed. No, they couldn’t punish her for that. They would have to set her free, though she had no idea where she would go. Perhaps to Halder in search of a leather worker with whom to finish her apprenticeship. Of course, the king would likely want her to remain in Jolver to confer with the Minister of War and whatnot. If that was true, she would start searching for the leather shops first thing in the morning.
    At last the elders retook their seats. Tornal cleared his throat. “Should Jora Lanseri fail to adhere to the terms of her pardon, she is sentenced to death by beheading. In compliance with the king’s pardon, however, she shall return to her duties as a member of the Order of Justice Officials.”
    They can’t put me to death, so they want me back? Jora laughed, unable to silence the outburst before it escaped her lips.
    Heads turned to regard her.
    “That’s preposterous,” Princess Rivva said. “You wanted to kill her a few minutes ago, and now you want her back among you?” She turned her fiery gaze to Milad. “Put that damned crossbow away before you accidentally shoot her.”
    The justice captain’s bushy eyebrows dipped for the briefest moment before he complied with her command.
    “How did you come to such a decision?” Rivva asked.
    “In light of the king’s pardon,” Tornal said, “we must consider her crimes uncommitted from a legal standpoint. If there’s no crime, then her dismissal from the Order is unjustified and is therefore reversed. Novice Jora will return to her studies here at the Justice Bureau. Is that acceptable, Princess Rivva?”
    Rivva looked pensive for a moment, before a pleased expression lit her face. “Yes,” she said, “that is acceptable to the crown.”
    Jora could hardly believe it. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or distressed. Were they supposed to simply forget that they’d judged her a murderer and go about their lives as if nothing had happened? She opened her mouth to ask whether she had any say in the matter but then shut it again, remembering Elder Gastone’s words when they’d first met. Her service is compulsory. She supposed she didn’t. “Who’s to be my elder?” she asked, awkwardly twisting the screws in the kendern. “Elder Kassyl was murdered, and Elder Sonnis is no longer capable of fulfilling those duties.”
    “I am,” Devarla said.
    One of the enforcers pushed her hands away and finished loosening the band of the kendern and lifted it from her head. Jora breathed her relief. At last, she felt like she could truly think.
    Gastone bent toward Tornal and whispered something. Tornal waved him off with an impatient expression.
    “Elder Devarla has come from Halder to assume Elder Kassyl’s hierarchy. I see no reason to move you to another. This proceeding is now concluded.” He banged his gavel and then rose.
    Jora looked around the courtroom as people stood and began to chatter. The enforcers who’d been guarding her ambled over to where Milad was standing, leaving her alone in the Accused’s chair. Assuming she was free to