The War Without End – Episode 1.10

The young Med-Jai spend a few hours in the library at the Fortress of the Second researching their next course of action, aided by Ledger 23. They decide that they will attempt to obtain the fifth ingredient from Derioch’s list by going after a Night Hag called Lee’Ath, who is known to be terrorising travellers near the town of Tradegate in the Outlands.

Ebon asks and receives Heiron’s permission to undertake the mission and then assembles a team of volunteers including Shilaze, Korbin, Elsabeth, Kai and Graffan, who all set off for the Outlands.

Much to everyone’s surprise, when they step through the portal that Fallana has led them to, the Night Hag Lee’Ath is waiting for them. It is not clear whether this was coincidence or whether she was somehow expecting them. A fight ensues, though it isn’t much of one. Whenever the companions start to make any headway against Lee’Ath, she becomes ethereal and escapes to a safe distance, before taunting them about eating them all for dinner.

On one occasion the stalemate is almost broken when Elsabeth’s magic momentarily prevents Lee’Ath from getting away, but even then the Night Hag manages to escape before Ebon and Shilaze can finish her.

The young Med-Jai have almost given up when a Lupinal Guardinal arrives through the portal. He is Canus, the same Lupinal that Shilaze, Ebon and Massingleigh encountered when they first arrived in Sigil.

Once he has been apprised of Lee’Ath’s presence, Canus shifts into the Ethereal Plane in order to find the Night Hag himself. At which point Lee’Ath, who is more afraid of the Lupinal than the young Med-Jai, returns to the Material Plane. This turns out to be a serious miscalculation on her part however, when Shilaze promptly decapitates her.

Ebon then recovers the heart-stone while Canus re-materialises and makes a startling announcement.

“Shilaze Newdawn, serious charges have been levelled against you. As a member of the Fourth Tribe, I am lawfully appointed by the Eleventh tribe to ensure your attendance at the Court of the Med-Jai, where your guilt or innocence will be judged. I warn you that if you choose to resist I am authorised to use whatever means necessary to take you into custody. ”

The young Med-Jai are stunned. Except perhaps for Shilaze. It is difficult to read her emotions. She agrees to go quietly, apparently resigned to submit to the Court of the Med-Jai’s judgement, though she does ask Canus whether it is possible for her to complete the quest to help Blanca before going with him. Canus says that she cannot. Her attendance at the court is required immediately.

Ebon and Elsabeth want to know what is going on and ask if they can go with Shilaze but Canus tells them it is not permitted for them to enter the courtroom. Shilaze must face the tribunal alone. Ebon starts to protest but Shilaze tells him to concentrate on getting the ingredients for his sister.

“You cannot help me Ebon”, she says. “There is nothing that can be done. Do not desert your sister because of me”

“I have no intention of deserting either Blanca or you, Shilaze” Ebon assures her.

However for the time being there is nothing he can do. Fortunately Canus reveals that he is going to collect another defendant from the Fortress of the Second and suggests that for the time being they travel together.

Gratefully the friends accompany him, hoping that Heiron will be able to sort things out when he learns of what is happening. However, when they reach the Fortress of the Second, there is another surprise in store for them. Heiron is the second defendant.

“What’s going on?” Ebon protests once again.

“Promise me that you will not attempt anything until I return” Heiron commands authoritatively.

Reluctantly Ebon acknowledges the instruction with a nod.

And so Heiron departs with Canus and Shilaze. Only Graffan is allowed to accompany them because of his “special relationship” with Shilaze, whatever that is?

The others are left alone in the hall.

Some time later, a figure in a plain white smock stands before two massive iron bound doors. The figure is Shilaze. The doors open and she is ushered into the bright light beyond. There is a feeling of pain and she drops to her knees in front of the three cowled figures who stand before her. This is the court of the Med-Jai. The trial begins.

A number of charges are read. Most of them pertain to murders or consorting with demons. After each charge one of the three figures, the Examining Member, questions Shilaze. In his mind her guilt is already evident. When his examination is complete the Rebutting Member follows with further questions clarifying certain aspects of her testimony. During the entire process there are spells in place within the courtroom that strip away falsehood and draw out the truth. Overseeing the proceedings is the third figure, an austere presence, the Presiding Member of the tribunal. After each charge has been examined the three figures deliberate and come to a verdict.

Under the magical scrutiny of the court Shilaze is not herself. It is apparent that mysterious forces are at work, and the strain of the cross-examination draws a second identity to the surface. From deep within her subconscious another persona emerges. At odds with Shilaze this woman, called Rae, is a worshipper of the dark god Hextor, patron of the Twelfth Tribe of the Med-Jai. She is callous and twisted and detests the pathetic followers of Heironeous. She freely admits committing a number of the murders from Shilaze’s past.

However, the court makes no attempt to get to the bottom of this shocking revelation, simply taking Rae’s admissions as proof of Shilaze’s guilt. The dual personalities are never explored. As the trial continues the strain causes Shilaze’s psyche to deteriorate even further, to the point where she becomes a lost little girl. Dispassionately the tribunal continues, ultimately finding Shilaze guilty of a number of the charges and pronouncing sentence upon her.

Meanwhile, back at the Fortress of the Second, Ebon, Elsabeth, Kai and Korbin wait impatiently through the night for word of what has happened. They are joined by another new member of the tribe, a burly druid named Growler Greenleaf, who has recently arrived there.

The next morning, Heiron returns. The old man looks drawn and weary. He reveals that Shilaze has been found guilty by the Court of the Med-Jai and sentenced to imprisonment on the plane of Carceri. The dissenting voices of the young Med-Jai are quietened when Heiron informs them that the verdict is not altogether unjust. He himself was not present at the trial but reportedly the evidence against Shilaze was compelling.

Ebon stubbornly refuses to believe that Shilaze is guilty however and Heiron admits that he is also suspicious. There was certainly some skulduggery afoot. The charges levelled against him were blatantly a ruse to keep him distracted and prevent him from intervening on Shilaze’s behalf.

Heiron promises to do everything in his power to help her, but for the time being the young Med-Jai must be patient. Rash action will only make things worse. He suggests that for now Ebon should concentrate on getting the remaining ingredients to help Blanca. Grudgingly Ebon complies.

Notes:

When Heiron departs for the Court of the Med-Jai he leaves behind a letter of explanation for Ebon. The letter reveals that Shilaze is Heiron’s grand-daughter and Ebon’s half-sister Grae (see notes at end of Episode 1.4)

First appearance of Growler Greenleaf (Brian Blessed) and Shredda the Velociraptor.