An Eye for an Eye[Open/Ki'sha]

The first law of Ki'shan civilization. The Kuz'a's word is law. She herself is a gift from the gods, cherish it. To insult the Kuz'a is to insult the Ki'sha, to insult the gods themselves. And when you insult the gods, the gods fight back. And damn, do they fight back with a power and ferocity ten fold from the insults you lay upon the Kuz'a.

Basically, you insult the Kuz'a, you're dead. Especially if you're a shemscaluri.

But something was different about the one on trial today. Scortia had seen a spunk, a fire in her. A fire she wasn't about to throw away. But still, this shemscaluri needed to be taught a lesson in respect. She would receive the proper punishment for failing to recognize her own ruler, and to blindly disregard her to her face.

And so the trials began.

The dragon in question, Ardent, would be in shackles, her wings chained to her sides so she couldn't fly. Two Ugaan Ki'sha would walk by her sides, wearing fullbody armor, ready to discipline her at a moment's notice were she to try anything. She was walked down a narrow, dirt pathway, towards a raised stand that had been set up at the center of town.

Scortia herself was overlooking the ceremony. However, she was watching from her palace balcony, quietly observing the trial. She had already decided the verdict herself, but she would not be carrying out the punishment. Let the shemscaluri lie in wait, unsure if she'd live or die.

It was amusing.

Dragon onlookers had gathered from their homes, watching with varied expressions. Some showed horror, others showed confusion, and some displayed indifference, perhaps even a sick pleasure in seeing someone else suffer.

Even with her body bound, Ardent watched her two 'guards' with mild amusement. They'll cook like fish in their own scales… she thought to herself in amusement, as she mused over how much power she was truly left with. Her stars didn't require her movements, nor even any large amount of time. A few moments, at maximum, and her two 'guards' would have holes the size of her fist burnt through their chests… but as always, it came back to a simple thing. Where would she go then? A murder, although, that was the lesser of two charges, in the middle of the Ki'Sha… ironically enough. But regardless, that would end in her death. Instead, she lowered her head with a smirk, acting as defeated as her guards expected her to be.

Of course, she twitched, ever so slightly, as she felt the gaze of her Kuz'a, like something cold boring into her spine. Slowly lifting her head, she looked only to the balcony on which Scortia was sitting, unwilling and knowing full well that meeting her eyes would only merit something bad, and that was if it wasn't taken as some sort of challenge or acknowledgement of equality, which was likely. As she stood there, gazing at the balcony, and every now and then the dragons around her, those treated with cold indifference, she waited, the twitching, of just the tip of her tail, betraying how unsure she was.

Yk'skez. The name might ring a bell to some, and ignite respect in others. He was a high ranking Aliugaan, one of Scortia's most trusted accomplices. He, along with the royal Safuz'a, were usually present at public executions or trials. Normally, this might seem excessive to any other tribe, considering how high ranking the two were, and how many strict laws there were in Ki'sha culture. But because of these strict rules, and how severe the punishment was, it was unusual to see crimes committed, and thus the reasoning behind the appearances of the two high ranking officers.

The earthy wyvern approached the stand where Ardent would be positioned. He was an earth wyvern, a native of Verula. His green scales were light, and gave an almost dusty, dry appearance, as compared to the lush, vibrant green of his Shveki forest dragon counterparts. He was also quite smaller compared to the guards. He was only about 40-60 feet tall. His face expressed a serious demeanor, eyeing the shemscaluri with a curious expression. One that didn't really display distaste or anything that could be expected of a possible executioner.

He remained silent as he watched the guards bring Ardent up to the stage. He mildly flicked his tail as one dragon from the crowd scoffed at her. Peasants... think they have it lucky... he thought with an indifferent expression.

Uh. Ki'Shas out there, please join. --

Ayato had made his appearance the moment Ardent was brought forward by two Ugaan, clothed in thick armour that looked heavy and uncomfortable, their faces expressionless, something that he was quite used to seeing in the Ki'Sha. The Shemscaluri's wings were locked to her sides with thick, heavy chains which restricted her wing movement, the metal clanking against each other as she stepped closer to the stand where Yk'Skez stood, a small figure that had a big presence, exuding confidence in every inch of his being - someone you would not want to challenge. Even Ayato was inferior to his rank, though in battle skill he was not sure (not was he that eager to find out). The appearance of this figure signaled the importance of this trial, for Yk'Skez was known by most Ki'Shans as one of the rare few that were close to the Kuz'a herself, trusted and regarded with respect by the rest.

Ayato took his pace next to Yk'Skez, giving the slightly smaller Aliugaan a bow of his head, before turning his attention back to the lowly Shemscaluri - was that a smirk glimmering on her lowered face? He could not be sure, though, and his gaze lifted, noticing the heads peeking out of homes - only a fool would stay cooped in and not watch, especially with both a highly respected Aliugaan and the Kuz'a herself overseeing this trial. He knew Scortia was here. Could feel the weight her gaze as it momentarily rested on him and returned to Ardent, and he tucked his wings close to his body, his expression as blank as the Ugaan on each side of the Shemscaluri as he waited.

Adder wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this entourage. He was watching from the sidelines. The dragoness who was on trial, no doubt, was quite large, larger than most Ki'sha, even. Large size wasn't exactly a favorable trait out in the desert, where food was scarce and water scarcer. Though, that didn't mean there weren't many large Ki'sha. Adder himself was about 30-40 feet, maybe. But something was off about this trial.

The dragoness who was on trial, probably having disrespected the Kuz'a, no doubt, didn't seem as worried as most might be. In fact, she almost looked smug. It made Adder narrow his eyes. She wasn't planning something, was she? To attack someone at a trial, surrounded by hundred of trained soldiers.... that'd be a death wish, no matter how skilled she thought she was. Though, Adder did have to admire the bravery she displayed.

He remained quiet, part of the crowd, watching, and observing, nothing more.

Bump? >.>

Liella was not out hunting at the moment, instead staying in the heart of the tribes territory to gather supplies for a longer hunting trip. However a trial was underway and though she disliked them sometimes Gamliella felt the need to always be there when they happened.

Hoisting her supplies over her shoulders and back, the slender dragoness slipped through the throng of fellow tribe members to find a place where she could see. Her eyes darted to and fro making sure that she didn't run into particular members of the brutal tribe who didn't seem to like her, and one red colored western she never wanted to go near again.

Ever since she had joined the Ki'Sha there had been tribe members opposing her entry. However it had been a long time since then and her hard work had proven to many that she was a good tribe mate. That didn't mean that she wanted to fan any old enemies flames by bumping into them and chatting. Liella mostly kept to herself and her friends within the tribe to keep out of trouble.

As she gazed up at the dragon who was receiving punishment the lean woman listened to the higher ranking members who no doubt were there to keep things safe, and possibly to give out the punishment. Settling herself in comfortably to watch the spectacle, Gamliella coiled herself up tightly to keep others from tripping over her long body.

(Ooc: feel free to skip her as she isn't doing much to contribute)

Scortia continued to watch the approaching dragoness, her eyes slit. She coiled her tail beneath her. She was eager to get this trial started. She honestly wasn't sure herself why she still graced scum like this with trials. When such filth as a shemscaluri committed a crime, she should give the vermin no trial. Rather, her soldiers should be able to put them down right then and there. But of course, Scortia sought to amuse herself. She did have to admit she liked this dragon's spirit. Perhaps that was why she was giving them a trial.

That being said, to call it a trial would be silly. Ardent's sentence had already been decided by Scortia. Of course, the dragon she had selected to perform the trial, Yk'skez, her most trusted Aliugaan, would still speak the words Scortia's citizens wanted to hear. After all, it was unusual to punish a shemscaluri like this. Shemscaluri rarely got public trials. Rather, they simply went... well, missing. But the Ki'sha were a proud, dignified people. She would give her people the entertainment, the drama, that they so much craved.

Usually, the Safuz'a was the one performing trials, but Yk'skez had stepped forward to do it due to the Safuz'a currently being very invested in their work. So he would simply be the one to do it then. But Yk'skez was no less skilled in speaking to the public.

Ardent would be led up the ramp, positioned so that all dragons could see her. Of course, the 'stage' as you might call it was positioned so that Ardent would be below Yk'skez, and clear within the sight of the onlooking Scortia, who would not say a word during this trial.

"Ardent, Shemscaluri of the Ki'sha. You have been tried for personally making destructive comments against your Kuz'a, and thus have insulted the gods themselves. Such an attack cannot go unpunished. How dost you justify your actions?" Yk'skez said. Of course, he wasn't interested in hearing what Ardent had to say. There was no jury for this trial. No matter what Ardent said, she was already sentenced to a punishment of some kind.

(sorry for late post. Was waiting on somebody who ended up scrapping their character.)

Although Sekta has hosted several trials in his time as Safuz'a he had an emergency patient and knew he couldn't make it in time, so he gladly let Yk'skez take over this trial. But it was a trial that you shouldn't miss and Sekta hopefully wanted the patient to recover from his wounds successfully so they can both go or only Sekta could if the patient was too tired. Performing the Circle of Healing, the patient would be in the centre of the circles and have his wounds healed by the glowing flames that seemed to come from the gemstones. Luckily the patient has been successfully healed, allowing the worn out Sekta to leave his den for the trial, though the patient ended up staying behind.

He hurried over to the trial area, seeing that it was already full of dragons and the shemscaluri was on the stage. Sekta made his way through the crowd and eventually finding a spot that is somewhat close to the ongoing trial. Unlike most Ki'sha members, Sekta was very big for his size thus making him very easy to spot with his colourful feathers that stand out against the sandy environment. Having only been here to watch the trial go underhand, Sekta uttered no words and observed with apathetic eyes.

Apparently she had just made it in time for the start of the trial as her Kuz'a Scortia began to speak. The females words boomed over the audience and would have frightened most dragons up on stage, on trial for whatever crime they'd committed. However as Liella watched, she seemed to notice that the low ranking dragon wasn't too frightened looking. Hell they seemed almost smug. If they had really slandered their leader Gamli was sure they were okay with it, having no regrets. Except maybe getting caught.

She shifted slightly to get more comfortable. Personally The snake-like she dragon did not like dragons bold and stupid enough to slander dragons they don't care for in public. She tended to keep rude or other such remarks to herself. Maybe however this dragon meant to make a seen? Liella wasn't sure as she watched on.

(wanted to keep this moving)