THE TRIAL
Chapter 9
Diana’s face looked ashen and it seemed as if she was not breathing. All the blood drained from the face of the Queen of the Amazons. She felt her heart wrench and a pain knife her stomach.
Her precious daughter was dead!
Hippolyta turned swiftly to the mantle behind her where a long, broad sword rested on a bracket. She pulled it down and cried in Greek, eyes blazing, “I will cleave your head from your shoulders!”
Superman landed on the ground, still holding Diana to his chest and shouted swiftly, “I hope to God you can understand me! Your Majesty, your daughter was attacked …!”
Hipplyta gritted in heavily accented English, “I can see that, you filthy son of a sire…! Put her down!”
He took a step back. ”I don’t think so.”
“What???”
“I would like to but, like you said, you’ll have my head…and I would rather keep it thank you very much.”
” How dare you mock me?!” She rushed him to take a swing at him. He simply darted upwards. The sword hit a pillar and sliced it into two.
Superman yelled from where he hovered near the ceiling, ”Hey, I’m holding your daughter here! And she’s alive, damn it!”
Hippolyta snarled. “Alive? I’ll show you alive!” She hurled the sword at him. It missed his head by a hair’s breath as he lurched to the side. The sword buried itself into the wall.
Hippolyta moved to grab a spear. Rage, pain, and despair had clouded her judgment. She did not care about anything other than hurting him.
He shouted, “ Listen to me!!! We were attacked by a Mantikhoras and one of its spines hit her whilst we were trying to out-fly it.”
Hippolyta growled, ”What is this “we”? You lie!”
A hand moved from where it gripped under Diana’s back and he flung a blood- stained spine at the Queen’s feet. “Yes, and that is just a twig that happened to stick your very strong daughter in the back!”
Hippolyta froze and stared at it. She cautiously picked it up and studied it. It was indeed the spine of a Mantikhoras. It had been a long time ago when she had seen one but she would never forget it. It was responsible for the death of several Amazons centuries ago when they had been attacked by the creature during a routine hunt. Spines like this one had been kept and used to make an antidote just in case anyone ever got poisoned again.
“Gaea!!!”
Superman said grimly, “If I attacked your daughter, you think I would come here with her? I’m not that idiotic. Now please, I am not the enemy here. She could be dying. You need to help her!”
To show good faith, he landed gently onto the floor and walked over to the Queen so she could see and touch her daughter. Hippolyta dropped the spear and spine. Her shaking hands reached for Diana’s pallid cheeks. She was cold and clammy but Hippolyta could feel the faint pulse at her neck.
“Hera, when did she get hit with the spine?”
“Exactly three minutes ago. I flew here as fast as I could but we’ve wasted at least two already…Here, take her,” he said, as if to pass her over.
Dismayed eyes met his but she pushed Diana to him. “You must fly her at once to the sanitarium …It is on the Healing Isle…I cannot get there fast enough by myself…It is the small isle just across the …”
To Hippolyta’s shock, he put Diana over a shoulder while his free arm went around her waist. “ Begging your pardon, your Majesty, but you can show me where it is and keep your women off my back. I have no time to get into fights and give lengthy explanations to anyone!”
Hippolyta’ gasped as she felt him rise off the ground and head for the open terrace doors. She grabbed his uniform and held on. She pointed east. “There! It is that way.”
His eyes honed in on the smaller island half a mile out to sea. “I see it.”
Hippolyta gasped as she felt wind rush around her face and body. It stung as if the air itself was cutting her skin. She had flown with Diana and on their winged steeds but never in her life experienced speed like this. Before she knew it, they were hovering over the sanitarium and landing in an outer courtyard.
The Healing Isle was verdant and green. The sanitarium was surrounded by green foliage and flowers. The guardswomen who stood on the perimeters did not even see him land with the Queen. It was Epione’s helpers who were picking herbs from the gardens or tending to convalescing sisters on the shaded terrace who saw them first.
There were gasps of shock and disbelief as sisters grabbed whatever they could find at hand, from hoes to urns, to attack.
Hippolyta shouted as she felt her feet touch the ground, “NO!!!!”
They stared at her in confusion but obeyed.
“Where is Epione?” she demanded of a woman who stood closest to them.
The woman seemed to lose her powers of speech at finally seeing the man who was rumored to have destroyed the Temple of Apollo, escaped from the dungeons, and possibly abducted the Princess.
Hippolyta shouted, “Stop gaping like fish! Where is Epione?”
The woman stammered and pointed to the building. “In-Inside.”
They found Epione in her own chambers. She was looking over some recipes for potions when she heard the door push open. She looked up irritably.
“I said I need some time to …”
She saw Hippolyta and the man bearing the Princess behind her and her jaw dropped.
The Queen announced urgently, “Epione, Diana was poisoned by a Mantikhoras.”
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Superman now stood outside the room. He folded his arms and leaned against the wall as he waited. They had him put Diana on the nearest bed and then waved him away. He could hear and see the urgency in their movements as he backed out respectfully. They spoke Greek now and he could not decipher what they were saying but attendants came in and out of the room, bearing trays with water, herbs, salves and potions.
They stared at him suspiciously as they walked past him and he tried not to give into the temptation of looking past the walls. He could have easily flown away after he dropped her off, but part of him needed to hear she would be okay as well as the part of him that always shouldered responsibility for his actions.
It must have been a good half hour later when the door opened and Hippolyta emerged. She looked pale but from her steadier respiration and heartbeats, he could see that she was not as worked up as when he first appeared with Diana.
“How is she?”
Hippolyta nodded. “She will live. Epione has administered the antidote and it seems to be working. You got her here in time. Another five minutes and Epione said the poison would have claimed her life. Diana only survived because she is stronger than any of us.”
He nodded. “Glad I could help.”
Hippolyta looked at him intently, as if trying to get her head around the fact he was standing there calmly and had not tried to leave. She said grimly, “You have saved my daughter’s life. I thank you but you have much to answer for.”
“I know. Your daughter told me about the Temple and your laws. I know I have to stand trial.”
Hippolyta frowned. “She did?! Humph…Have you a name?”
“My name is Kal-el of Krypton. I am also known by the name of Superman in the outside world.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “How did my daughter get attacked by a Mantikhoras? And where was she all this time?”
Superman explained what happened from the time they collided each other to getting lost in the forest, the sudden thunder storm and having to spend the night in a cave. He explained how the creature came upon them and how Diana got hit.
Hippolyta’s face was rigid. The idea of Diana sitting with this strange man in a cave and actually talking to him was aggravating. Didn’t she teach her better?!! A good warrior would never let down her guard, no matter how charming the foe could be. Hippolyta, the Queen, knew this, much to her own detriment.
But Hippolyta, the woman, noted his chiseled jaw and cerulean blue eyes and his well developed body under the tight uniform. She snorted inwardly. Humph, he’s as compelling a man as ever I saw one...strong and beautiful…like a fine, young stallion. How much did Diana even tell him?! And how in Zeus’ name is he so powerful?
She frowned suddenly. “There was no storm here.”
“Well, there was one where we were.”
Hippolyta looked skeptical. She said, “The skies remained clear over Themyscira all night. If I learn you are lying and tried to take advantage of my daughter…”
Superman almost laughed. “Take advantage of the Princess? Me? Queen Hippolyta, I pity the fool to try to take advantage of her.”
Hippolyta looked at him nonplussed. What was there to smile about?
He apologized for his abrupt departure. “I only broke down your walls because I didn’t know where I was and your women were attacking me. I came upon your island by accident and I’m sorry if I caused any damage or trouble.”
Before she could say something, the doors at the end of the corridor were pushed open. In trooped Phillipus, leading a contingent of women, swords drawn.
“My Queen, we got here as fast as we heard!!!”
“ How is the Princess? We heard she was hurt!!!”
“ Sisters, there he is!!!”
Superman murmured, “Uh-oh.”
Hippolyta put up her hand to stop them. “Stay your weapons!”
The General blinked and they came to an abrupt halt. “Your Majesty?”
“He brought Diana in. She was attacked by a Mantikhoras.”
The women looked at each other in confusion. Hippolyta announced, “He has agreed to stand his trial.” She turned to Superman and looked at him gravely, “You must go with them now. Later, I will convene the Senate and you will represent your case. I need to get back to my daughter now.” She said to Phillipus, “Escort him to the Senate chamber and let him wait there.”
“The Senate chamber, your Majesty?” the General asked dubiously.
Hippolyta nodded. “Yes. He will not try to escape this time.”
Her eyes held Superman’s while he simply walked towards Phillipus and held his wrists out to her. Phillipus and her women blinked and looked at Hippolyta, as if not knowing what to do.
The Queen inclined her head.
Phillipus took a deep breath and gestured for one of her guards to put on a pair of magical manacles that they specifically had for his wrists and ankles. They then escorted him out as ordered by the Queen.
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“What do we do with him?”
The Senate looked at each other in some bemusement. For once they were in doubt and could not come to a consensus.
Their Princess was back and lying in the sanitarium of the Healing Isle after being treated by Epione for Mantikhoras poisoning. Had she been brought in five minutes later, she would have been dead. The healer was able to administer the antidote and the Princess was now sleeping off the effects of the draught.
The man had undoubtedly saved her life. Which he clearly did not have to do.
He was now standing quietly in the middle of the floor of the Senate chamber still manacled. The lasso of truth had been used on him, whilst he had been interrogated by Hippolyta and her senior Amazons for over two whole hours. He had told them all they needed to know and they could not contradict him as he spoke the truth. What he had told them of Krypton and the outside world had surprised them.
Phillipus said grimly, “We have our laws but this is difficult as he clearly falls outside the normal circumstances. He is not as hostile as we believed.”
Euboea interrupted, “At least not yet.”
Penelope said, “He did not have to come back, but he did.”
Cleo nodded. “And his recovery was miraculous. The Fates definitely did not think it time for him to die.”
“Still, he did do a lot of damage and the Bana are not happy with us,” said Timandra, the architect, who was slightly put out at having to redesign and rebuild the Temple again.
“Yes but he did not fall on purpose nor did he know who we were or why we attacked him,” persisted Penelope.
“Will we risk fallout with the Bana for him?” mused Pallas. “They know he is back here and are not amused we still have him alive.”
Hippolyta sighed and looked at the lasso of truth now in her grasp. It was a difficult decision. Why could he not just be a brute? It would make it so easy. No one’s conscience would bother them then. In actual fact it made her realize how long it had been since they had even lifted a sword to anyone. It was one thing saying they would do it. It was another actually doing the act and on a man who was not the monster they believed him to be.
Superman, meanwhile, had not a clue about what they were saying as they spoke in their native tongue. He just wondered why he didn’t just leave when he had the chance of dropping Diana off. It was not as if his remaining would have helped heal her. He could have been out of there in seconds. Another person would. Bruce would. You know what he would say? Typical Boyscout, Kent! Well, I’m not him. I don’t mysteriously appear or disappear and just not get involved once the mission is over. I always stay back to clean up my messes. Besides, I couldn’t leave without knowing she was going to be okay. She faced the creature to protect me after all. Let’s hope my luck holds out here. They’re debating. That’s a good sign…I hope.
“I think having him here too long will not be a good idea. Already the younger Sisters are showing a curiosity I am not too happy about. He needs to be ejected from here as soon possible,” said Helene, one of the priestesses. Several of the younger Amazons had tried to get close to the Senate to catch a glimpse of him. Hearing he might have actually saved the Princess’ life made him seem rather intriguing.
Mnemosyne said wryly, “I find it ironic that we are sending our Princess out into a world full of these men and one just instills panic amongst us. Let us face it, Sisters, our world and life is destined to change.”
“Trying to preserve peace and our way of life is not some sin, “replied Euboea.
Penelope argued, “Our way of life according to the Gods is threatened already. Ares’ power threatens to rise and this man is an enforcer of justice and champion of innocents himself…that makes him vital in preserving peace. I say nothing happens before it is time or without good cause.”
Hippolyta raised her hand for silence. She said, “We have heard from all sides and it is indeed one of the most challenging decisions we have ever had to face. We vote now. Do divide your selves accordingly. Is this Superman guilty or not guilty of breaching our laws and should he face the penalty.”
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Diana’s eyes fluttered open and she looked up to see a white ceiling above her head. She immediately realized she was lying on a bed. She stared around her. She knew this place! She was home!
She sat upright, clutching the sheet to her nude body and crinkled her brow. The last thing she remembered was being hit by something sharp and painful. Hera, she had been attacked by the Mantikhoras! She touched the place at her scapula and felt a kind of poultice under a bandage. She yanked it off and felt the spot. The skin felt slightly sore but there was no wound.
Diana closed her eyes in relief. She had been treated in time!
And he must have brought her here. A worried look crossed her face. If Superman brought her here, where was he now? She threw the sheet off her and rose quickly. She dreaded the thought of the reception he must have gotten appearing with her as if she was at death’s door.
Diana jumped off the bed and grabbed her tunic now hanging off the back of a chair and slipped her foot in the sandals near the bed. Her bracelets and tiara were on the bedside table but her lasso was nowhere to be seen. She put them on and hurried out of the room only to collide into Epione coming around the corner.
“Princess!!! You are awake!!! Thank Hera! How do you feel?”
“Epione!” Diana halted abruptly.
The woman began solicitously, “Your Highness, you really should not be up. You should come back and let me examine you…It is rare anyone survive Mantikhorian poisoning. Thank the Gods we had an antidote. ”
“I am fine. I feel fine. Truly. The antidote has done its work. My shoulder feels a little sore but otherwise I feel like myself. How did I get here, Epione?”
The Healer sobered. “That man flew in with you some hours ago.”
Diana’s fingers dug in her arm. “Where is he?”
“He is having his trial at the moment. The Senate is going to decide what to do with him. Word is they have been questioning him for some two hours. ”
“They know he brought me home?”
Epione said gravely, “Yes, they do know it and it is what saved your life. But the law is the law and he is responsible for destroying the Temple and parts of the Palace…Your Highness, where are you going?”
Diana was already heading for the nearest window. “To the Senate!”
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Diana landed outside the Senate building to see a crowd gathered. It was curious Amazons who were waiting to hear the outcome of the trial. In the crowd was none other than Mala and Artemis.
Mala shouted in relief, “Diana!!! We were so worried!! Are you alright? How do you feel?”
All eyes turned to stare as Diana was hugged by her friend and they sighed in relief. It was known that the Princess had been attacked and was recuperating on the Healing Isle.
“Mala…Yes, yes, I am.“ She accepted her friend’s enthusiastic hug with a smile and then saw Artemis looking at her with a stony expression. They had not spoken since the day of the Contest.
Diana turned to her. “Artemis, I hope you are well…”
She said coldly, “I will be well when that man is taken to the block and pays for his crimes.”
Diana’s stiffened. “Crimes? “
“Yes. I do not know why it is taking your Senate so long to do what is simple. The law was not laid down for anyone’s amusement.”
Mala frowned. “They say he saved Diana’s life. Just by coming back with her. If he was so bad, surely he would have left her to die and escaped himself and not come to face us when he knows we might sentence him to death? Surely you cannot be so heartless, Artemis? The penalty needs to be equivalent to the crime.”
Artemis sneered. “He carries the legacy of all men. And if they do not want to execute him out of some bizarre sense of gratitude then he needs to be punished for his destruction of your God’s temple and attacking your guardswomen.”
Diana gritted. ”He was defending himself.”
Artemis gave her a scathing look. “We Bana would have him severely chastised and then imprisoned for many years. “
“Your sense of justice, Artemis, is clouded by bitterness,“ Diana said coldly.
“And your sense of it seems to have been affected by that big oaf in blue and red. I wonder what you two really did out there. Taking your role as Emissary to the world of men a little too seriously, are we not?” she mocked.
Diana’s fingers curled into a fist and would have landed one on Artemis’ smug face but Mala caught it. “Diana! No! “
Artemis’ face turned an ugly shade of red and she taunted. “Go ahead, Princess. But that will not help him if your mother is a true Amazon. He will pay.”
Diana shook Mala off her gently but firmly and stiffly said, “Excuse me.”
She hurried up the steps of the Senate and was running to the main chamber. She must go and add her voice to his defense! She could not stand there and let them put him to death or even imprison him again. She would tell them what happened out in the mystical areas.
Hera, please do not let them sentence him already! Once the Senate was in session, no one was allowed to interrupt unless it was urgent.
Guards bowed as Diana appeared. Against protocol, she stunned them when she reached the doors and pushed them open. Phillipus was near him as he stood in the middle of the floor. Phillipus was holding up a sword that she recognized as a magical one that belonged to the Queen. Hippolyta was giving her a nod.
Diana yelled, “Stop!!!”
All eyes turned to see her fly across the floor and land before her mother where she sat and cried, “You cannot kill him!”
Hippolyta’s face took on a look of slight irritation. “Diana…”
Diana began heatedly, “How could you? He saved my life!! “
“Diana…”
“I know what our law says but it was an accident and he bears us no ill will. He promises to help us rebuild the Temple! You must have used the Lariat and realized that he is not the enemy! If you kill him you are worse than Heracles!”
Diana saw several half amused smiles, disapproving frowns and some heads shake with disbelief. Several sisters shifted uneasily and looked at the Queen to see her reaction.
Hippolyta said coolly, “Daughter, I am glad to see you recovered but you will lower your voice and passions before the Senate.”
“But…”
“Diana, if you had waited like the majority of your sisters, in a few minutes we would have come outside and announced our decision. But you chose to bolt in here like some wild savage and interrupt proceedings. I will not tolerate it!“ Hippolyta looked at Phillipus and said calmly, “Go ahead.”
Diana’s hands clenched and she was about to shout, when to her amazement, she saw Superman hold out his wrists to the General and the sword slice through the magical manacles. The chains and cuffs fell to the floor. Phillipus then cut the chains at his ankles.
Superman rubbed his chafing wrists. He bowed to her and the Senate. “I thank you and the Senate for you leniency, your Majesty.”
Diana felt a heat begin to travel up her neck and face.
Hippolyta looked at her daughter and queried acidly, “Have you nothing to say?”
“I…”
Hippolyta continued dryly, “He has been pardoned, my daughter. But I am sure Superman appreciates your bursting in here to speak up for him.”
Diana’s eyes met Superman’s. She saw his eyes had a quizzical look and his lips seemed to twitch. For the first time in her life, Princess Diana longed for the floor to open up and swallow her alive.
