Thinking Outside the Box

Glad you could join us for the next verified episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Leaving his post at the Box’s door, the guard became the ancient wasp’s support, speaking quietly into his ear as he led the speaker to the platform to deliver the verdict.

Arturo’s whisper shook. “What do you think he’s saying to the old one?”

Elliot’s attention snapped back from the unanswered question still hanging in the air. “No matter what it is,” he assured Arturo, “you have our support. We can ask Queen Lilian to—” A concussive blast of coughing cut Elliot off.

After his parched hacking bent him nearly in half, the ancient wasp almost straightened. “We have heard each account of rebel brutality,” he wheezed. “We have wept with those who lost Unborn. We listened to their calls for justice and brought the accused before you to face judgment. We have considered the accused’s defense.”

His cloudy eyes drifted over the crowd, pausing now and again to rest their veiled sight on tear-stained cheeks and angry mouths, stopping full on Arturo’s anxious dread.

“Arturo, son of Miguel and Valeria, I have just learned that you might have been responsible for the demise of the rebel leader, Spike. Is this true?”

Arturo replied cautiously, “Yes, Honored One.”

“Can anyone here verify that?”

“Yes,” Cassandra declared, “I saw it happen.”

“And who are you?”

“I am Cassandra, a friend to Arturo and all who work for peace.”

Nodding, he acknowledged her. “What transpired?”

“The rebel leader was about to execute me, and this brave young wasp, who had suffered unspeakable abuse at the rebels’ hands, threw Spike to his own end inside a Bowl of Death.”

The gathered wasps inhaled a collective gasp.

The old one asked the assemblage, “Do you accept this statement as true and worthy of consideration?”

The air filled with their assent.

“Then, with the authority granted me as Head of the Apocritans, by the Communal Hierarchy, I hereby issue the final verdict.”

Silence blanketed the Arena.

To be continued. . .

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