Path of the Berserker

I had a roiling mixture of emotions churning through my gut as I made my way towards the assembly quad behind Ling Wei. Perpetrating a fraud wasn’t my style. Straight up and direct was the Berserker way. But having a trump card to hold over the princess’s head wasn’t anything to sneeze at either.

Still, did I have the stomach to do this?

The story didn’t make sense to me, so how would it look to everyone else?

Plus, Blue Rose and Tu’lok had read the letter as well.

I wondered for a second if perhaps Tai Su Long and his lawyers had already figured this out. Proving the letter was a fake was damn near impossible. If that was going to be our defense, then I couldn’t see how it could possibly work.

But I was in Ling Wei’s hands now.

For the most part she said to keep quiet.

I might not even have to say anything.

And considering what I might need to say, that would be just fine with me.

We descended the stairs, and the wide expanse of the courtyard greeted me with more nostalgia. I could almost envision the ranks of Brown, White and Black Robes who had perhaps just left the bi-weekly assembly that had welcomed the 30th deployment home. Now, instead of ranks of tributes, there was an impromptu courtroom set up, complete with a dais for the magistrate and robed off boxes for the plaintiff and the accused.

I for once was in the plaintiff box, led by Ling Wei.

I looked around, hoping for some moral support from Blue Rose and Tu’lok, but Ling Wei cautioned that them being called as witnesses might work against us. I still didn’t have a good grasp of her plan, but I was going with the flow for now.

Across from me, Jei Su Long was gathered with his uncle and three barristers. The barristers were conferring with one another like crazy, almost seeming to be in an argument.

“That a good sign?” I asked, nudging Ling Wei towards them.

“Perhaps,” she said, “We won’t know until we present our case and see how they respond.”

The magistrate was joined by President Tzu Li Zen and Chief Yora and once they took seats flanking him, he banged his gavel.

“I now bring this court to order,” he said. “I, High Magistrate Dim Fok will now preside over this matter.”

I snorted out a laugh when I heard his name and had to stifle it quickly with a stone-cold grimace of [Indifference].

Ling Wei glared at me from the side.

“What is the matter with you?” she whispered in a hiss.

“Sorry,” I said. “His name sounds like something kind of funny in my native tongue.”

“Well, you’d better shape up. He is a high magistrate from the core worlds. You do not want to offend him, even in this makeshift court.”

Luckily old Dim Fok didn’t seem to hear me and continued on with the proceedings.

“I have with me two writs it seems today,” he said glancing over some documents in his hands. “A writ by the Iron Bull against Master Jei Su Long and a counter writ by the Su Long family against the Iron Bull. I will now allow the counsel for the Iron Bull to present their writ.”

“Thank you, your honor,” Ling Wei said with a bow. “Our case against Master Jei Su Long is a simple one. Jei Su Long falsely claimed that he witnessed the Iron Bull slay his entire platoon on the hell world of Fhae I’ung. He then further claimed that he fought and slew the Iron Bull himself and found a so-called official letter penned by Third Princess Lunalah on his body that commanded this action. Our claim is that none of that is true and the letter was falsified by Jei Su Long to cover his actions, which were to not only slay several of his own men, according to the testimony of the Iron Bull but to also leave him for dead.”

“And your evidence?” the magistrate asked.

“The fact the Iron Bull still lives is proof that Jei Su Long’s entire story was fabricated. How could he have found a letter on a body if there was no body? The entire story is fabricated in order to shift the blame of Jei Su Long’s crimes from himself to the Iron Bull. He is the one who should be charged with the loss of the 28th deployment and face the consequences of not only committing the act, but shamefully trying to cover it up.”

Ling Wei stepped back and I had to give her a little nod of appreciation.

She had mastered the details of everything already.

In like an hour.

“And the defense?” the Magistrate said, as he wrote something down.

One of the barristers from the Su Long family stepped forward. “Your honor, it is clear that this clanless native seeks to besmirch the name of the Su Long family, in an act of vengeance. Master Jei Su Long maintains his version of events. He caught the Iron Bull in the act of killing his own men, and in a selfless act of bravery, Master Jei Su Long took on the Iron Bull. Clearly with the evidence now presented. That of the Iron Bull being alive, the only logical conclusion is that Master Jei Su Long, weary from his battle, mistook the Iron Bull being simply unconscious, for dead. He found the letter and left. Somehow, the brute managed to survive and now here he is, furthering lies to protect himself from the truth.”

“And you also have a counter claim?”

“Yes,” the barrister said. “We now charge the Iron Bull with the crime of an unsanctioned assault against a fellow martial sect, crippling a member of the Twin River Clan in a senseless act of revenge. Clearly, he was not strong enough to defeat Jei Su Long before and resorted to this cowardly act so that the Young Master would not be able to defend himself under martial law.”

I was rocked back on my heels with how much bullshit he had just spouted.

Ling Wei however, looked nonplussed.

“And evidence?” the Magistrate asked.

“We have the letter your honor,” the Barrister said. “Penned by Third Princess Lunalah herself.”

“Allegedly!” Ling Wei said. “There is no proof that letter is real.”

“It is marked with Princess Lunalah’s imperial seal,” the barrister said.

“Seals can be faked.”

The magistrate banged his gavel. “Order, these arguments are irrelevant to the claims before us. Are there any counter arguments from the plaintiff?”

“We have, your honor.”

“Speak then,” Dim Fok said, looking almost bored as he continued writing without looking up.

“Your honor, the defense has laid its cased based only upon the testimony of Jei Su Long. However, if there was any truth to Jei Su Long’s story, even if the Iron Bull miraculously survived his killing blow, would it not have served the Iron Bull’s interests to slay him, when he had a second chance?”

The magistrate finally looked up this time. “Second chance?”

“The Iron Bull saved Jei Su Long’s life during the 29th deployment. If the matters were as Jei Su Long claims, the Iron Bull would have sought to silence him through death. But he did not. He crippled him for safety but that is all. Also, how would it have been possible for Jei Su Long to even bring the Iron Bull to a state of unconsciousness? The Iron Bull at the time of the deployment was within the Sacred Soul Realm. Master Jei Su Long is still within the Core Realm. None of his testimony makes logical sense.”

“The letter does though, your honor,” one of the Barristers said. “There was no motive for Master Jei Su Long to do anything that the plaintiff claims. But there is plenty of motive held within that letter for the Iron Bull to do so.”

“A letter penned by the Su Long family, your honor,” Ling Wei said.

Tai Su Long suddenly burst into yells. “Blatant lies! That letter can stand for treason!”

“Order!” the magistrate yelled.

“Your honor,” one of the barristers said. “The defense stands by its testimony. The letter was clearly found on the unconscious body of the Iron Bull. He was in possession of it. Not Jei Su Long.”

“That’s Bullshit!” I shouted.

The courtyard went silent and I suddenly found myself on center stage.

Ling Wei was looking back at me with warning signs in her eyes, subtly shaking her head, but I didn’t care. That damn bastard had gotten away with far too much already.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Jei Su Long took that letter from me weeks ago. He hatched the plan because the letter gave him the idea. He’s a weak, pathetic piece of shit who killed his own men. If he can’t mount a proper defense then order him to sort it out in the ring! Because I’m damn well ready to fight him or whoever else he chooses to cover for his weak ass!”

The magistrate was banging his gavel like a blacksmith, trying to get control of the court as all manner of shouting words broke out. I got a little bit of lemonade from Chief Yora and the President, but inside Ling Wei all I could sense was fear.

“What the hell have you done!” she hissed at me in another whisper. “I told you not to say anything! Not only do you say something, but you say exactly what I told you not to say!!”

She was probably right, but I didn’t give a shit about the Princess either at the moment.

The pandemonium continued as Ling Wei banged her palms against her temples.

“The defense wishes to file a second counter claim, your honor,” one of the barristers said as the court settled down. “Based on the Iron Bull’s statement, we conclude that the letter is authentic. We thus file, on behalf of Second Princess Rheutera, a writ against Third Princess Lunalah for inciting treason against the throne.”

“Shit!” Ling Wei said. “Your honor that statement should not be allowed!”

“I’ll allow it,” he said.

Slowly I was beginning to see the bigger picture unfold.

Maybe that was what they were arguing about earlier. This thing seemed to have less to do with me and Jei Su Long and more about that letter and the princesses.

“Think, think,” Ling Wei said to herself as she paced in a circle. Suddenly she looked up at me, her eyes a deathly stare. “Alright Iron Bull. You said you’re looking for a fight. Then I hope you’re ready for one. A big one.”

Before I could even gather what she was saying, she yelled to the magistrate: “Your honor, I present this final argument. The defense is claiming two counter arguments that cannot co-exist. If their claim is that the letter is authentic based upon the Iron Bull’s statement, then that would mean the statement from Jei Su Long is false. So which is it? Is Jei Su Long a liar, leaving the letter to be true, or the opposite?” She then turned to look at Master Tai Su Long. “What say you, Governor Tai Su Long? Is your nephew a liar deserving of death? Or are you standing by his story, which proves the letter a fake. It can not be both.”

“Objection!” one of the barristers cried. “She should not be speaking directly to our client!”

The magistrate rubbed his beard. “I’ll allow it. Answer for your client. Is the boy lying or not?”

A mischievous grin spread across Ling Wei’s face and in that moment, I understood how this unassuming woman was a true genius in disguise.

“We need a brief recess your honor!” one of the barristers said and as soon as it was granted, they went into a huddle.

“What the hell is going on?” I asked.

“You’ll see,” Ling Wei said. “Just be ready for what comes next.”

My curiosity was piqued and when the other side finally got their act together, it looked as if Tai Su Long had swallowed a cactus. His face was red and he looked like he wanted to die. Jei Su Long however was in a much worse state. He was shaking visibly and tears were streaming from his eyes.

“Your honor, I wish to address the court directly,” Tai Su Long said.

“You may, governor. What say you to the accusations?”

“The Iron Bull’s statement is proof that letter is authentic,” he said and then paused a moment. “Which makes it clear, that my nephew… has lied.”

I laughed inwardly as Jei Su Long burst into sobs like the damn crybaby he was.

“We wish to now claim a martial defense, your honor,” one of the barristers took over. “But more importantly we wish to officiate the writ against Third Princess Lunalah as a result.”

“A martial defense?” the magistrate said. “And who will stand for the defendant seeing as he is a cripple?”

“We will need time to summon a suitable proxy,” the barrister said. “As you rightly said, Jei Su Long is now a cripple and—”

“His uncle is suitable, your honor,” Ling Wei said. “To claim a martial defense mid-trial they must have a proxy ready to stand, else Jei Su Long must face the full consequences of the sentence.”

“I will have to agree,” the magistrate said. “A proxy must be put forth, but is the Iron Bull of equal standing to Master Tai Su Long?”

“He is of the diamond bracket now, your honor,” Ling Wei said. “Having completed his tour of the hell worlds.”

“Yes, but I am a governor,” Tai Su Long said. “I can not be dragged into martial combat with a man of such lowly standing as the Iron Bull.”

“I beg to differ, your honor.”

All eyes turned to President Tzu Li Zen who had spoken.

The magistrate wrinkled his brow at him. “You wish to speak in my court, Master Tzu Li Zen?”

“I do,” he said and then stood.

“Go ahead.”

“Your honor, the Iron Bull has accomplished something this four thousand year old institution has never seen before. He has survived for over forty days on a hell world and saw to the survival of others as well. A single tour is but a day upon such a place. While unofficially this breaks every measure we have, officially he survived three tours. As such, his return here today, makes him not just a legionnaire, but an Imperial Marshal.”

Hushed whispers went through the court as chills went up my spine.

Holy shit… I wasn’t even considering that.

“As such,” Tzu Li Zen continued. “He would be more than equal to face a mere governor. He in fact should officially outrank me. Or any who have come before me. He should be considered not just a Grand Marshal, but a High Grand Marshal and perhaps the first and only in history to accomplish such a ranking.”

As Tzu Li Zen sat back down, I could sense the lemonade in the air.

They all looked at me like I was a god.

A huge spike of fear came from Tai Su Long.

He was looking at me with new eyes as well.

And I pressed it by letting him have a glimpse into the [Focused Fury] of my [Burning Soul]. As my eyes lit up, he seemed to take an involuntary step back.

“Your honor,” Ling Wei said. “I believe that more than settles the matter. In fact, it may be clear that the governor is not of high enough ranking to face the Iron Bull and unable to mount a martial defense.”

“Yes!” Tai Su Long suddenly blurted. “I… I do not have the standing.”

Well holy shit… I thought. The apple really didn’t fall too far from the tree. The cowardly assed bitch.

“Uncle?” Jei Su long said. “What are you saying?”

“Governor, will you no longer mount a martial defense?” the magistrate asked.

All eyes turned to Tai Su Long and the cowardly piece of shit folded like tissue paper. “It is clear, this… this trick has rendered me unsuitable at the moment.”

The magistrate harrumphed unimpressed.

“Then your nephew shall face the full consequences of the charges raised against him,” Dim Fok said. “Do you understand?”

The pathetic nephew and uncle duo shared one final sad look, before Tai Su Long responded. “I do.”

“Uncle!” Jei Su Long cried.

The magistrate banged his gavel. “I rule in favor of the Iron Bull. You, Young Master Jei Su Long have been found guilty of the murder of your platoon and will be sentenced for your crimes.”

“Wait, your honor,” Tai Su Long spoke again. “We beseech your mercy in sentencing. The boy is already rendered a cripple. The Iron Bull has had his revenge. Please allow him to return home to his family.”

The magistrate shrugged. “That decision is not mine to make. I was summoned to discern the truth of this matter and I have. As Jei Su Long is still an official ward of Du Gok Bhong, I will leave it to the president to determine his fate.”

A cold chill blew through the courtyard as a smile drew across President Tzu Li Zen’s face. He then stood. “The legionnaires are a brotherhood. The actions of Jei Su Long go against everything this institution stands for and his punishment shall be fitting of such.”

“President!” Tai Su Long said. “Remember whose domain you dwell within. We ask for mercy.”

Tzu Li Zen’s face became grave. “Those ties no longer extend to behind these walls, Governor. Not for this. As Jei Su Long chose to execute his peers, so too will he be executed before them.”

Jei Su Long’s mouth hung open. “What?”

“A general assembly will be called at sunset,” Tzu Li Zen said. “To suffer the same fate as those he left behind on the Hell World of Fhae I’ung, Jei Su Long will face the horrors of the Bloodmoon as a mortal.”

“No!” Jei Su Long cried. “You can’t do this! I’m innocent!”

“Silence!” the magistrate shouted.

But Jei Su Long kept up his rant, now pulling on Tai Su Long’s robes. “Why didn’t you fight, uncle? You need to fight for me! What will my mother say? Are you a cowa—!”

The ringing backhand from Tai Su Long sent his nephew sprawling across the ground.

“Idiot!” Tai Su Long shouted down at him. “Face your destiny like a man. It’s your foolish actions that led to this and now your sacrifice is necessary for the greater good of Lui Shui and the princess. For the sake of my sister, I’ve done everything I could to protect you. But you have gone too far this time.”

Jei Su Long held his face to his hand in stunned silence.

I could almost feel sorry for the bastard.

Almost.

That piece of shit deserved everything he had coming to him. Even the betrayal by his pussy of an uncle. But at the moment, I couldn’t tell who the bigger piece of shit was between the two of them.

I looked at Tai Su Long and smirked as I shook my head.

The bastard avoided eye contact like the plague, and I could sense his soul shriveling up with fear inside of him.

You got off light for now, Tai Su Long, I thought. But your ass will face a comeuppance one day.

And soon I hoped.

The magistrate banged his gavel. “The sentence for Jei Su Long is death. President, you may remand Jei Su Long into custody until his execution.”

The kid began to scream and wail, then suddenly he was on his feet and running towards me.

“You did this!” he screamed. “You did all of this, you bastard!”

I responded with a shit eating grin. “Damn right, skippy. And I hope you burn in hell.”

I said the words with [Torment of the Frenzied Flame] and he stopped dead in his tracks as if struck by a bullet. He fell to his knees then, curling into a ball and crying.

“He is not natural!” he screamed. “There is something wrong with him. Don’t you all see it? He’s some kind of demon. A monster!”

I chuckled.

For once the kid wasn’t wrong, but Chief Yora was already on her way to collect him from the ground.

As she picked him up, I gave him a final nod and smile.

Checkmate bitch.

A cold realization filled his eyes then and he looked beside himself.

I chuckled. “So long, Jei Su Long.”

He didn’t respond right away.

Merely looked back at me perplexed.

“What the devil are you?” he said.

As Yora led him away I felt a sense of both closure and emptiness run through me.

The asshole was getting what he deserved, but that wouldn’t bring my men back.

Dim Wei. Juk Sui. All of them

I prayed this would at least bring them some comfort.

Wherever their souls might be.

* * *

The law had worked in my favor for once, but not without a price it seemed. After Jei Su Long was led away, the lawyers went back at it, discussing the matter of the princesses and the damn letter. I could barely keep track of it all, but eventually the magistrate banged his gavel again.

“Madam counselor,” Dim Fok said to Ling Wei. “We have gone back and forth over the arguments several times now. How do you respond to the writ against the Third Princess Lunalah? The accusation is serious and would have to go before a high council.”

That did sound serious.

I didn’t even know what the hell a high council was.

“We wish to raise a defense by martial means,” Ling Wei said without skipping a beat. “And the Princess’s proxy will be none other than the Imperial Marshal known as the Iron Bull.”

I looked down at her. “Wait, what?”

“I told you to be ready for a fight,” she said. “A big one.”

“I ain’t got time for this shit!”

“We have no other choice.”

“What do you mean ‘we’?”

“We accept the challenge, your honor,” one of the barristers said. “We will await the summons from the High Council and identify a suitable proxy to represent the Princess Rheutera to face the Iron Bull within that time.”

“Very well,” Dim Fok said. “The matter is adjourned for now. Both parties should expect a summons before the High Council within eight months. I suggest both parties use that time to prepare.” He then banged his gavel one last time. “Court dismissed.”

As the various parties went to their respective corners, I couldn’t help but think I had just gotten myself screwed over again. I had a wife to marry, a son to raise and a planet to free from a degenerate princess, that I was now forced to defend before a High Council?

“Shit,” I cursed, causing Ling Wei to jump. “Maybe I’m the real Dim Fok here.”