BRUTUS

Five grizzled judges entered the dim chamber. Single file their hooded robes dragged the floor. With hunching backs and moving slowly, they limped on two legs or on canes. Lanterns flickered their twisted figures about the large room. They clambered past the curtained stage, up the stairs of the judges’ platform, and into their ornate seats. With hidden countenances and silent mouths they waited for the two bailiffs to pull at the ropes, raise the stage curtain, and reveal yet another hooded figure.

“Sirs. In secret conference we have determined the temple girl’s guilt,” spoke a young man’s voice. “Because she is unmarried and with child, having conceived while in service to the gods, as two priests have avowed upon seal, death by exposure is required.”

“Unless she offers a sign,” one of the five hoarsely spoke, as he raised a dark sleeve to reveal a bony finger.

“Yes. Unless she offers a sign.”

“Bring her forward.”

The two bailiffs bowed, clicked their heels and disappeared into the shadows beyond the raised curtain. A large door creaked open and slammed shut. Chains rattled until the bailiffs returned with the gaunt figure of a tall girl. She wore shackles around her ankles and a sullied temple robe hung from her emaciated body. Her matted, black hair concealed her down turned face, but did not cover her swollen belly.

“We did not order this girl be starved. She is nothing but bone with child.”

“She refuses to eat,” explained the young voice. He then he turned to her and spoke,

“Girl for your iniquity, you have been condemned to death by exposure. However, the Laws provide that should you offer a sign, the penalty may be mitigated.”

“A sign?” whispered Gayla.

“Yes, a sign. For instance, should a raven appear, fly down and land upon your shoulder, or should a holy voice speak in your defense from vacant air, the Court may be convinced you should not be exposed.”

Gayla slowly nodded, raised her head and moved her hair aside to reveal her unaffected face. Though it was nothing more than skin and skull, her beauty had somehow remained. Her weakened thighs trembled as she began to lower her body to the floor. The bailiffs assisted. Each took an arm and helped her to her knees. Gayla clasped her hands in prayer and her hair fell back over her face as she bowed.

“Caelum,
Lord of the Four Winds, Heaven, and Sky,
Please open your holy mouth,
Inhale the body of the dove for succor,
Exhale the answers to our prayers,
Offer our devout ears the rustling leaves,
The whispering wind,
Amen.”

The chamber remained silent. Motionless.

The bailiffs glanced to one another with softened countenances.

Hooded face turned to hooded face and heads shook.

“There is no sign,” spoke a stoic, old voice.

“Agreed. There is no sign.”

“Agreed.”

“Aye.”

“Aye.”

And so Gayla, gravid of belly and too weak to stand, was gently helped to her feet by the two bailiffs and led back to prison.

The bailiffs went to a tavern for ale. Both were filled with sorrow at their table and they didn’t clank their mugs together, as they always had before, before taking a swill.

“I don’t know about you, but there was something about that girl. I felt it in my belly when she prayed. Or maybe it was her face? It just doesn’t seem right, her being condemned and all.”

“I know what you mean. It probably was a priest that knocked her up. No other men could have gotten to her in the temple. She was so young, and beautiful.”

“The judges didn’t seem to care. They never do. Maybe it’s because they don’t have to show their faces.”

“I know. We did. We couldn’t hide from her. We didn’t get to hide in robes and be the Law instead of men. We had to be men.”

“I’m never going to forget her face.”

“I know. I know. Me either. I wish we got to wear hoods too. Be something else when being part of somebody dying.”

“Barmaid! Two more of your darkest in your biggest bowls! Swine need to swill!”