The Elder Blood Chronicles Bk 1 In Shades of Grey by Melissa Myers

believe it represents Justice, it
actually provides a shield against Justice to the High Lords. The
laws have loopholes, you see, and Justicars must have permission
before they can enter a High Lord’s land. The only place they have
full authority is the heart of Sanctuary, and few High Lords break
laws in that particular area. So by the time Fiona joined up, the
Order of Justicars was rather corrupt. Upon seeing this, she began
to try to cleanse it. Over the course of a few years, she had
gained a reputation as well as the love of the High Commander of
the Justicars himself. He respected her for her efforts, and helped
her where he could. For the most part, the laws had his hands tied,
though, and he refused to break the law, despite her pleas for true
Justice. And while she had gained his love she had at the same time
gained the hatred of several very important people. It wasn’t long
after she had married the High Commander that she was framed and
arrested. She had gained too much power in that marriage, though
she had not married for power. The crimes they claimed she had
committed were heinous ones and the charges could not be ignored.”
He paused in the story and took another drag from his cigarette.
His expression was disgusted as if the story left a bad taste in
his mouth. Jala leaned forward in her seat silently, willing him to
continue.
    He gave her a slight nod and in a quieter
voice spoke again. “For the first time ever, her husband, the Lord
Commander, offered to break the law. He pleaded with her to run,
and swore that he would prevent them from following. She refused
him, saying, if it would remove his blinders to what the Justicars
really were, she would pay the price gladly.” He paused again
looking a bit pained and cleared his throat before he
continued.
    “He prayed often throughout the trial that
she would relent and take his offer to flee. In the end, despite
evidence otherwise, she was found guilty and sentenced to death.
Once again, he begged her to flee and once again she refused. If
nothing else, the Veirasha Bloodline is well known for their
stubbornness, and Fiona was a perfect example of her Bloodline.
When she set her mind, nothing in this world could change it.
    On the day of the execution, only one of the
High Lords that had demanded her death was present. He stood beside
the judge who had sentenced her and watched as the High Commander
led his wife onto the dais for execution before the whole of the
city. Normally, there is an executioner for these things, but the
High Lord refused to have one. Saying, if it must be done, he would
do it, so he knew the blow fell true and she did not suffer.
    She stood before him with no malice and
kissed him firmly before the city and all the gods. ‘I love you
Caspian, and I know you do as you feel you must. Twice you have
asked me to run, and both times I have refused you. Had I accepted
that offer you would always have a part of yourself that hated me
for forcing you to sacrifice your honor. If my death is what it
takes to open your eyes, then I accept that. Do not let my death be
in vain, Love. See them for what they are, all of them. See what
corruption you feed with your loyalty and duty. See how they abuse
your honor, and remember how I tried to preserve it.’ And with
those words spoken she knelt and pulled her long raven hair from
her neck and offered her life to him. Many in the crowd thought he
would disobey. I think I would have in his place. But Caspian, the
High Commander, did not. With tears showing clearly in his eyes, he
drew his sword and removed his beloved wife’s head with one clean
stroke. With her blood still fresh on the blade, he turned to the
High Lord and the Judge and removed the pin of office from his
cloak. They watched him in confusion as his pristine white cloak
dropped to the bloodstained ground. He tossed the pin at their feet
and stared at them with open contempt. ‘I have performed my last
duty of office as I have