Fools! Every single one of those who carried in their minds the power of weapons and private justice—because that was what royalty believed. They came here seeking power—the power they did not have in Greenleaf. Incredible that they forced me. It was time they learned what the Dark Forest was and where they had come.
Onyx followed my actions with some caution. Despite knowing that I did not usually let my emotions dominate me, he knew there were things I could not stand, and he was ready to contain anything that got out of control. I appreciated his concern. His magic handling as a phoenix "contaminated" with my power was capable of finding leaks in my field—not to mention his great ability to follow my lines of thought. We were more united than if we were family.
Everyone followed me to where I held trials. As I walked, they did not stop murmuring, but they were not seeking my forgiveness or anyone's condemnation. They were in communication with their respective gods. All were asking for help. I let them—this time, I was not interested in depriving them of what awaited them.
When I sat down, I began to explain. I told them that in this place, we were not happy people. It was stupid to think we could offer universal protection against evil. I told them that evil was brought by every culture, every knowledge, every desire for power or security. Here, we sought balance—an equilibrium where everyone could learn to be happy or miserable, equally, without accusing everyone of what happens or fails to happen.
The species living here had a desire to hunt. Many of them needed to do so because they were animals whose diet left them no other choice. The peasants also wanted to protect their livestock, so they would try to eliminate those who liked to steal their sustenance. It was impossible for me to choose who was right. One of the two would lose their life if they did not eat. Some would say humanoids had privileges, but they should know that this place was meant to help everyone live. That was why they were not happy—they were alive.
Now there was only one law. When someone asked for justice, justice would be applied in that case. No matter who asked, they had to know that if they were wrong in their accusation, they would be killed. There were no prisons here. I had no one to guard prisoners. There was no reason to think about their rehabilitation. If you accused for personal benefit, tried to be a victim, or escape being the victimizer, then you would be subject to punishment—death. There was no other punishment in this place. Do you still want justice?
"My lady, I only wish to clarify that I accuse the envoys of that blasphemous nation of trying to boycott the efforts of my people and the rest to win your favor... By Phaladine! If it were up to me, I would eliminate them this very instant."
Very well, I answered. Since that is the crime of which he is accused, I will begin with the resolutions. I concentrated the phoenix's field. The two of us could influence each other's field. He allowed me to do so, and I knew that when he did, he knew why, and it was always in my favor. In this case, what I wanted was to remove a substance found in the guests' bodies. They all began to be frightened when green drops came out of their bodies, concentrating in my hand. Finally, a sphere the size of an apple was there.
I told them that a dozen people from the continent that attacked my allies in Stormhammer had put a narcotic agent in the food, which had slowed movements and hindered the exhibition capacity that the other continents present here would have. This was a clear sign of their guilt in the accusation. As I spoke these words, the sphere separated into twelve, which began to harden. I cooled them below their freezing point. Then I said that with their weapons, they would die. The spheres were fired. Six women, five men, and a young man fell with a hole in their skulls. Everyone remained silent. They knew I had just been angered. They hoped to come out unscathed.
Now I changed the field's properties. Purple drops began to appear. Several of the guests began to retreat. The quantity was very large. I told them this was a slow-acting poison—that more than fifty guests from the Fiery continent, from some Blood Elves disguised as a fictitious Wind Nation, had been involved. Some lunged to attack me; others tried to escape. But even though the phoenix's field was not as large as mine, there was no way they could escape. Some raised their voices, but only to be allowed to leave—I was not finished.
Finally, I began to tell them that I knew who had consumed the antidote, who had prepared everything—not only those present, but also those who had kidnapped people for the pleasure of doing so, to have more slaves at the service of themselves or their gods, trying in this way to unbalance my kingdom's equilibrium. But they should know, stupid power obsessives—I was not their queen. I was their sword, their power, and their punishment. Everyone was pale as the Night Elves began to emerge from the various windows of the hall. Each carried the head of all who had killed and died on my lands. I raised my voice and said, "Understand! Justice is for everyone!" Those who attacked and asked for clemency in this country would receive nothing. Those who did so to survive would be on their own. But those who asked for justice would have it, even if they died in the process.
By the way—I addressed Phaladine's ambassador—the day you arrived here, your people eliminated the rotational crop fields. While you destroyed them, you gave the people fifty silver coins as payment. But that family ate from there. Money had no value here. They also asked for justice. You should know that you are guilty. I fear all the ambassadors are guilty, so their bodies will rest here. Remember, gods, justice has no privileges. Attack and die. Aggress and suffer. Harm the life of the Dark Forest, and my fury will have no limits. Say goodbye to your subjects.
As I walked to my chambers, I knew within myself that this was not the justice I wanted. But for beings so vile, this was the only one I would offer.