Illusion of Truth: Blake Heira, #2

By Daniel Willers

No One is Above the Law

When an Eye of Law commits perjury, Blake must salvage the case against a crime lord. As the scandal expands, the legal system of Myos starts to collapse.

Everyone Deserves Justice

When Blake investigates, he discovers witnesses have gone missing. With more victims vanishing, Blake is caught between faith, duty, and a crime war. Can he find an elusive serial killer before he disappears, taking all evidence of his existance with him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spheryl Publishing
• Release date: Aug 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386370420

Book preview

Prologue

It had to be time. The Warden itched for this to be over. Cool air invigorated him as he went outside to pump water from the well. He was sure it would be over today. If it wasn’t, he had to be prepared. Looking up to the pre-dawn sky, he said a silent prayer today would be the last day of this interminable exercise. He enjoyed the flex of his muscles as the water rushed into the bucket with every stroke. The water had a reddish tinge when he looked at it. He’d have to filter it if he wanted to drink it.

He walked down the stairs into the heat. Sweat soaked through his undershirt, but did not touch the outer tunic. He put the bucket down and pulled down the sheets. Folding one carefully, he dipped it into the bucket, making sure it was not wet enough to drip onto the floor. Hanging the other three in turn, he thought he could feel the tunnel cool slightly, but the moisture in the air seemed to trap the heat.

He unlocked the door then took the bar off. The prisoner was already on his knees, praying. The Warden kept his patience and waited for the man to be ready. It was only a few seconds, but anger was touching his heart. He closed the steel door behind him. Another steel door was to his left, the cot and the prisoner to his right. The bucket of putrid night soil sat at the foot of the bed. The smell was strong, but he had long grown used to that. Only candles lit the gloom. The prisoner rose and stood with his eyes glued to the floor.

You are late.

Silence hang between the two.

I had hoped to reward you today. Should I do so?

The prisoner dropped to his knees, clasping his hands in front of him.

Please, sir. I meant only to pay my due to the gods, just as you instructed me, sir. I would never disrespect you, sir.

Do you think you deserve a reward?

No, sir.

Because of your lateness?

No, sir. Because I am beneath even contempt, sir.

You don’t really believe that, do you?

I, the prisoner’s voice caught. I’m sorry, sir.

A tear streaked the man’s face. The Warden’s heart sank. He was so close. Maybe another week? By the gods, this was taking forever.

Do you?

Yes, sir.

Are the Plains of the Abyss ready for you?

I don’t think I am good enough even for them, sir.

Bitterness tinged the prisoner’s words.

Do you think you should be in Tarsus, the personal plaything of Drakyr himself?

I would never think I deserve the attention of a god, sir.

So, you don’t deserve any punishment?

I want to spend eternity paying for my crime, sir.

You want?

I… I deserve it, sir.

You want the fire?

Yes, sir.

More tears. Hope.

You think laying forgotten in a pit of fire is good enough?

I don’t think I’m good enough for anything, sir.

But do you think the fire is sufficient?

I don’t know, sir.

Excitement sprung into the Warden’s heart. The end was here. He nodded.

I think you have earned another reward.

The Warden walked to the other steel door. The handle was hot, even in his gloved hand. Heat flowed out of the room like blood from a wound. Joy streaked the prisoner’s tear-stained face.

I’m free, sir?

Yes. You can go whenever you like.

Thank you, sir, the prisoner wept.

Do you want to stay for little? Gather your thoughts?

No. No, sir. I’m ready right now, sir.

Then, go ahead.

The prisoner stood, slightly awkward. He was careful to keep his eyes on the floor. The ecstasy on the man’s face was a wonder to behold. It reflected the Warden’s heart completely. He closed the steel door after the prisoner, then skipped down the tunnels and up the stairs. He contained himself enough when he got out into the desert night to walk calmly to the smithy. He selected a small metal bar and stuck it into the furnace. He then began working the bellows. The forge awakened with a slow build up. The metal started to glow. He pounded it, then replaced it in the forge, working the bellows some more. Screams, barely audible came up through the floor. Glorious screams. He worked the bellows some more, forging more screams, just for him.

Chapter 1

Blake Heira had never been afraid and enraged at the same time before. It was not a sensation he wanted to give a name to. He stood facing Devik Loanis. Devik’s face was an interesting shade of scarlet, not a hue Blake had ever seen before. He thanked the gods the anger was not directed at him, but near him. Devik fingered the axes on either side of his belt as he paced back and forth.

What in Morn’s name do we do, now?

It’s only one of us, Blake said.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Surely the actions of one can’t…

Trollbane is the advocate, Devik raged.

Blake’s heart stopped for a beat.

How far is she pushing this?

She is calling for an immediate hearing.

Ah, Blake said, nodding.

Trius Methys is the justice.

I see.

Blake wasn’t sure he should say much more. As things went, he could not imagine how it could get worse. Advocate Annika Trollbane was one of the best defense legal minds in Myos. She also hated Blake and everything he represented. Trius Methys was the appellate judge who was responsible for constructing most of the rules of evidence in the legal system after Myos rose out of the chaos of the Druid Wars. She took a dim view of people subverting those rules. Annika was someone who could prove that his very existence was just such a subversion. Fear and rage.

Where is Eye of Law Sandmaster? Blake asked.

Before the finding came down, he left.

Left?

The bastard walked out of the building without anyone stopping him.

How? He broke the law.

There were no warrants issued, Devik said. He left before anyone could arrest him.

Are you telling me that an Eye of Law, a Priest of Justice, is actually on the run?

The bastard should be put away for life.

Perjury isn’t a high crime, Devik.

How many cases do you think he investigated?

I don’t…

Forty-five. Forty-five cases where suddenly we have to figure out if the evidence is tainted.

I under…

That’s just the beginning! What if the Trius rules that Eyes of Law can’t give evidence anymore! What about those cases!

Devik, I under…

No! You don’t understand. Not if you’re sitting there understanding. This is a disaster. Every case you’ve worked on. Every case every Eye of Law testified in, all of them will be reviewed.

We aren’t there, yet.

A witness lies, and we expect it, Devik said. You guys are supposed to be above that.

Don’t put me in with him.

You reviewed the files.

That doesn’t mean I knew he was going to lie.

You know when people lie, Heira. That’s your job.

I’m supposed to assume that members of the Order are lying to me?

Yes, no. I don’t know!

Devik, I don’t have the magical power to use my Voice of Morn spell all day. No one does. Plus, I’m required to announce when I’m using it, per Trius Methys’s rules. No one will work with an Eye of Law if they think we’re monitoring every word they speak. We’d be on our own for every investigation.

We need to come up with something. Immediately.

For this case or for all cases?

Let’s start with this case. If we can salvage it, maybe the whole thing goes away.

Fire smoldered in Blake’s stomach.

We could start with finding Rankin. Interviewing him would let me know where the evidence is tainted. From there, I could corroborate the others.

And if he’s left the country?

Blake shrugged. That’s a possibility.

Give me something else.

I could go over the evidence, corroborate his testimony and let that stand.

I have a hearing in an hour to figure out what can be left in. Can you do that in an hour?

Blake’s heart froze. Every Eye of Law put together couldn’t do that in an hour. He’s been working this case for months.

What else?

We could start over.

Tetrarch Deltix is the presiding judge. He has given us two weeks to get this figured out.

I can’t rebuild a case like this in two weeks. Not if all the evidence is thrown out. I need something to work with.

What else have we got?

We let Dane Markstone go. Rebuild the case from scratch, try him when we’re ready.

Devik let out a puff of air and slumped into his chair.

The man is a murderer and leader of a syndicate. Extortion, prostitution, executions on demand.

I’ve been reading the files.

You think we should let him go?

Devik, it doesn’t matter what we know. It doesn’t matter what we believe about him. The only thing that matters is what we can prove him to be. The only thing that matters is what Tetrarch Deltix accepts as evidence.

Silence filled the room like a nighttime vapor. Devik looked up into Blake’s eyes.

I can’t let this happen. Get to the evidence. See what you can find that can hold up without Rankin’s testimony. Start a list of witnesses or accomplices you can talk to.

What about the hearing?

Be fast.

You can’t want me to testify at that hearing.

Yes, I can.

Devik, I only have an hour.

Then move.

But…

Eye of Law Heira, I am your Captain. Morn works through us to achieve justice in this world. Move.

Blake started with the summaries of the case as presented in court. Eye of Law Rankin Sandmaster had perjured himself about what evidence had been collected and when. He had used fake evidence to convince the court of the guilt of the accused, Dane Markstone. On top of that, he had lied to the accused about what he had told his advocate.

He read Annika Trollbane’s motion to suppress all the evidence based on discrepancies during her examination of the chain of custody. The extremely neat and efficient scribes had tagged every item as it had come in. Blake couldn’t imagine the amount paperwork she sifted through, but she proved there was no way that Rankin had the evidence he used to get Dane into the interrogation chamber.

The arrest warrant seemed innocent enough. The evidence presented looked strong. But it had been made up. Blake skimmed the motion, showing how the evidence used for the warrant was logged after the confession, not before. It was everything he could do not to tear the sheets into bits and scream.

Blake rubbed his eyes. He tried to focus on the files. There was still a lot of evidence. The Order had been following the business of Dane Markstone for months. He found lists of couriers, names of victims, and some possible accomplices. There was even some circumstantial evidence tying him to the murder for hire of two businessmen. He skimmed as quickly as he could.

All the interrogations and interviews had been done by Eye of Law Rankin Sandmaster, perjurer. Blake had other names for him, too, but he did his best to focus on at least getting through the summaries. Stacks of paper closed in on him.

How many times had he convicted someone based entirely on the evidence of his word? He had lost count in the hundreds somewhere. It was his sacred duty, one that he could not believe someone would subvert. Blake wondered what it would take for someone to use the authority of his position to wrongfully convict someone of a crime. Coin? He had inherited wealth at the end of the Druid Wars when his family had been killed. He wondered about Rankin. He didn’t seem to want for much. Perhaps someone threatened his family, if he had any left. Someone had convinced Rankin Sandmaster to turn his back on everything he believed to convict this man. That had to be the key to the whole thing. Blake had to know.

Focus, Blake, he thought. Devik will skin you alive if you aren’t ready for this.

A page’s shadow moved over Blake’s desk. He would have guessed that no more than ten minutes had passed.

Eye of Law, sir. Captain Devik says it’s time.

Chapter 2

Courtrooms had never frightened Blake as much as this one did today. He took a breath and opened the door.

He had not expected so much emptiness. The room could hold as many as fifty people in the gallery. Today, no one sat waiting for judgment. No victims. No witnesses. Trius Methys sat behind the ornately carved bench. In front of her stood Devik Loanis and Annika Trollbane, both in full dress uniform. Annika looked as if she had been given the Award for Valor. Devik appeared to have eaten some sort of slug. The gods were not looking with kindness on Blake today.

His steps echoed across the chamber in a manner that made him lose even more confidence. He was in his normal work clothes, his tunic emblazoned with the Eye that was both the symbol of his god and his order, plain loose cotton pants, leather shoes, and his saber. He should have been in his dress uniform, but had not had time to change. The Trius wore an expression of barely contained anger. She did not seem at all interested to hear any excuses concerning his apparent lack of decorum.

Sagacity, Eye of Law Blake Heira, Devik stated.

Eye of Law, you are familiar with the case before me? Trius Methys had a voice that held people’s hearts in their throats.

I am, Sagacity.

I wish to hear your interpretation of the facts at hand.

I renew my objection, Sagacity.

Noted, advocate. I will rule when I have more information.

Morn, please help me, Blake thought.

Sagacity, I wish to offer the following evidence has been corroborated by members of the Order who are still in good standing. As such, it is not associated with the perjury, and should be considered admissible. Blake placed a list of items on the bench. He hoped his scrawling was legible.

I do not have a copy of this list of evidence, Sagacity, Annika interjected. How am I to argue against it?

By letting the appellate justice read it and decide for herself, Trius Methys snapped.

Blake allowed himself some hope. This may not be bad. Even if she kicked out a quarter of it, he’d have enough to present to Tetrach Deltix. It may mean not sleeping for the next month, but he could do it, or at least attempt it. Hope died when he saw her grey eyes look between Annika and Devik.

Have either of you seen this?

No, Sagacity, they both said at once.

Advocate Trollbane, you may have the list. You have three minutes to read it. Then Captain Loanis will have three minutes. Ms. Trollbane, you then have a five-minute response. Captain Loanis will have five minutes to respond. You will each make the positive case for what you believe should be on this list. Then she will rebut for three minutes, he will rebut for three minutes. I will then retire to make my decision. Eye of Law Heira, you will sit. You will be silent. Understood?

I understand, Sagacity.

She pulled out two hourglasses, one larger than the other. She turned over the smaller and handed Annika the list. Blake could tell she scanned the list, picking up parts to study in more detail. She read the entire time. When her time was up, she handed the list to Devik, who read each line methodically. Blake was certain the room was somehow cooling. Myos was in a desert, where Myril’s gift of sunlight was rarely interrupted.

Time slowly expired. Trius Methys looked almost serene.

Advocate, you have five minutes, she said as she turned over the glass.

Annika immediately tore into every section of the list as if she had prepared for the last week just for this. Not only would allowing these items be a breach of jurisprudence, it would be a travesty to justice itself. Examples of how each item on the list were either fruits of the poison tree, uncorroborated - unless we took the word of an all but convicted liar, or irrelevant without the testimony of the same man.

Sagacity, there is nothing here that even warrants being included. I rest my case, she said as the last grain of sand landed in the bottom of the glass.

By the gods, even Blake believed her. How could he have been so deluded to think there was any chance of winning this case? He hoped Devik was a better man than he was. He was ready to drop the case and start with new surveillance.

Captain, you have five minutes.

Devik started slowly, saying there were certainly items that could reasonably be struck, but the evidence itself showed the pattern of guilt for the accused. Just because Rankin was a perjurer did not mean the others in the Order should be painted with the same brush.

There were several pieces of hard evidence found completely independently of any questioning from Eye of Law Sandmaster. There were also many precedents regarding the admissibility of evidence found during an investigation. Surely those applied here. Eyes of Law were also allowed to lie to those they interrogated within certain parameters. While these were breached in the one case, there was no evidence they were breached in every case. Devik ended midsentence when Trius Methys rapped her gavel.

Watch the timing, Captain.

My apologies, Sagacity.

Blake had to admit Captain Loanis was quite a speaker. He hoped having the last point would be an advantage.

Advocate, your rebuttal.

A turning of the glass. A turning of the tide. No point was above reproach. Precedent after precedent was brought up showing how every legal theory the Captain had put forth was flawed. Again, her last words fell with the final grain of sand. No wonder Annika won so many cases. This woman was the Valkyrie of the court room.

Captain, your rebuttal.

Devik began with the history of the Eyes of Law, how they had been an invaluable force for justice in Myos since the end of the Druid Wars. He worked more with appeals to history, common sense, and tradition. If the Trius struck down everything the Eyes of Law were, the entire system may collapse. How could justice be done if one of the most effective tools was removed? He concluded with a statement about how Blake was the most honorable and trusted of the Order of the Eye in his command. He still had twenty seconds when he was done. Silence permeated the court until the sand finally fell.

Thank you both. I will consider in my chambers. You are forbidden to discuss this case with anyone outside of this room until I have rendered my decision. I suggest you sequester yourselves here.

She left without another word. Annika went to her desk and started writing on a scroll with a self-satisfied smile. Blake sat next to her. He ignored Devik’s glare.

Is there something you wanted? she asked without looking up.

Why are you doing this?

I believe in justice.

And you don’t think I do?

Annika put the quill down and looked Blake up and down.

Not in the way I do.

How can you say that? I’m allowed to give evidence for the defense or the prosecution.

Do you?

Of course.

Really? When was the last time you gave evidence in defense of the accused?

Two months ago. It was even your case. The Druid with the Chaos sorcery case.

How many cases have you testified in since?

I don’t know, a dozen or so.

Seventeen.

So?

Annika leaned forward and looked him straight in the eye.

So, you’re testifying seventeen to one for the prosecution. I don’t get my own Eye of Law to rebut what you say. The court just takes your word for it. Now we know, definitively know, Eyes of Law can and do lie on the stand, misuse their authority, and try to railroad anyone into a conviction.

One time.

How do you know?

You can’t possibly accuse me of committing perjury or misusing my authority.

I didn’t, but how would I know?

Blake just stared at her, mouth agape. How could he know? Zealotry, bribery, incompetence. Why had Rankin done it?

We aren’t all corrupt, he said, believing it as the words came out of his mouth.

Annika leaned forward and looked him without a flinch.

Listen to me very carefully, Eye of Law. Magic is what nearly destroyed Myos. Magic is what the Druids used to drop those mountains on us. Magic is what they were trying to stop. Magic is what tore into us two months ago. I’ll let Drakyr torture me in Tarsus before I let magic be the arbiter of guilt and innocence in this country. Now, skitter away to your boss before his face starts to bleed.

His legs barely worked as he walked to the opposite side of the room, Devik following him. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. Merely talking was out of the question. Screaming was a definite possibility. When he got to the wall, he slid down and sat facing the room.

It won’t help, Devik said.

Blake stared straight ahead.

When the Trius makes her ruling, we need to be ready to do whatever we need to.

Blake just nodded.

She’s wrong, Devik tried. But you’ll never convince her of it.

The problem is that bastard proved her right. If I ever get my hands on that idiot, I’ll wring his neck.

Trius Methys opened the door to her chambers and calmly walked to the bench.

Chapter 3

There was a look of pain on the Trius’s face that told Blake he was going to hate what she was about to say more than she hated saying it. His only hope was there would be something left for him to use when he tried to piece together something resembling a case in the next two weeks. It was a fool’s hope. He said a prayer to Morn for strength.

After review and looking at what few precedents seem to apply, I have determined all of the testimony from Eye of Law Rankin Sandmaster will be struck as evidence.

Not a catastrophe.

In addition, all testimony from witnesses interviewed by the Eye of Law will be stricken.

Still, could be worse.

All evidence discovered after the initial perjury will be suppressed.

Oh, no.

I also rule all testimony from the accused, Dane Markstone, is irretrievably tainted. Not only will it be stricken, the Order of the Eye will not be allowed to question the accused.

Sagacity, please, Devik began.

I’m not through, Captain. The initial warrant for the accused was brought forth under false pretenses. Therefore, that warrant is quashed. I am sending the case back to Tetrarch Deltix for review under the evidence presented.

The Nine Hells could not possibly hurt this much.

As to the role of the Order of the Eye in future prosecutions, I am delaying any ruling until I have fully reviewed the implications of this grievous breach of trust and subversion of justice. I have never been ashamed of my Priesthood. Today, my faith has been shaken. Eye of Law Heira.

Blake barely felt his feet as he stood.

I have heard good things about you.

Thank you, Sagacity. His voice sounded even more hollow than he felt.

I want a brief from you concerning the continuing role of the Order of the Eye one week from today. This simply cannot happen again. It will not happen again. I will tear apart and rebuild the entire court system if I must. Do I make myself clear?

Yes, Sagacity.

I leave it to you, but I suggest talking to Tetrarch Deltix about this. Advocate Trollbane would also be a resource.

When the heavens burn, Blake thought. Annika looked at him with utter contempt.

One week, to the hour.

Yes, Sagacity.

We are in recess.

The rapping of the gavel stabbed him in the chest. Blake looked at Devik, blood somehow pooling in his stomach.

Good luck, Heira, Annika said, picking up her files. I’ll give you my advice for free. Eyes of Law should be removed from the system. End of brief. Have a good week. I know I will.

She practically skipped out of the room.

Get to work, Devik said. You have two weeks to salvage the Markstone case and one week to save the Order of the Eye. Let me know what you need.

Someone else to do one of these.

Can’t. You were assigned this by the Trius and the Tetrarch. I don’t have the authority to overrule either of them.

It can’t be done, Devik. There aren’t enough hours between now and then.

You’ll get help.

Who?

Me.

The world must be ending, that was it. There were no other plausible explanations.

Uh, I appreciate the offer…

It was a joke, Heira. I’m a Captain. If I could investigate something, I wouldn’t need you. Apparently, if I could prepare a decent brief, we wouldn’t be in this situation. If you know of someone who can help you, tell me. I’ll get them assigned to you. Now, move.

Blake ran down to the common room. His desk was piled high with the evidence from the Markstone case. It was more or less still organized, but he only had enough space for a single scroll. He could read or take notes, but not both. On the other side of the pile was a woman. Her hair was curiously red and her cheeks were blotched from crying. Apparently, no one had been informed that he already had two impossible cases. Devik would tell him they were the same case, just two different arguments. Sometimes, Blake really hated Devik.

Ma’am, I’m sorry, but is there something you need? Blake asked.

I’m looking for someone who can find my husband. I was told you could help me.

Well, I don’t think I am the right person today. Blake waved at the mess.

Please. No one believes me. I know you’ll be able to help me.

Look, miss?

Mrs. Adrienne Faen.

Mrs. Faen. Normally, I would look into this myself, but I have some very serious cases that ne-

My husband has been murdered.

Cold air seemed to pour down his tunic.

I thought you needed me to find him.

I know it, he’s dead.

But, you didn’t actually see anyone-

I know it.

Delusions, just what I needed today, he thought.

Mrs. Faen, if you didn’t see anything, isn’t it possible-

No! she shouted. It isn’t possible. He would never leave me. He would never leave his son. Something happened to him. Why doesn’t anyone believe me?

Blake sighed. She had no idea how many times he had seen this play out. The denial. The anger. The realization they had been abandoned. The best he could do was help her go through the stages. Hopefully quickly.

Let’s go to one of the rooms over there so we can talk privately.

She nodded and stood. Blake had to admit, she was