1 Samuel 19:4
DAVID SHEPHERD ARRESTED
Shiloh (RKG) - Captain David Shepherd was arrested yesterday by the King's Own Guardsmen at his apartment in downtown Shiloh on charges of espionage and high treason. In addition to his duties as the press liaison officer for the military, Captain Shepherd serves as counsel to King Silas. Considered to be a trusted member of Silas's inner circle, the allegations that he has been spying against Gilboa caused shock waves across the nation.
The protesters are already gathering. The first trickle begins just after the papers go out, pensive mothers and bitter veterans testing the sidewalk before Altar Mansion in an fluctuating wisp of a crowd. The palace guards asks a few to leave, to keep walking, and they do so peaceably. Others replace them. More linger at Unity Hall. Their king has allowed their charter to be stolen, their taxes wasted on failed reforms, their land promised to the enemy, and now their golden boy put on trial. They trust him still, but they question. In the long moments after waking, Jack looks out at them across the courtyard, distant coats and ungloved fingers finding the harsh wrought iron bars of the gates in the cold. He watches them pull away like sand and brine in anticipation of the swell.
Today, Unity Hall released an official statement:
Citizens of Gilboa, information concerning Captain David Shepherd's activities prior to the events leading up to the cease-fire with Gath has come to light, and has raised serious questions as to Captain Shepherd's loyalties. We, as a nation, cannot let our affection for the Captain interfere with the public good, and must take the legitimate information into account. Therefore, a trial will take place in the Court of King Silas, on the charges of Treason and Conspiracy to Commit Espionage, where this information will be presented into the public record and Captain Shepherd will have opportunity to defend himself.
The kitchen is alive with chopping and sizzling when he arrives, the scent of meat thick in the air and its raw remnants strewn across the counters beside well-sharpened knives. Silas doesn't care if he's getting grease on his suit. The king doesn't as cook often anymore, not like he did when the family was young, but when he does, he does so with vigor. He's creating a masterpiece no matter the mess. Jack greets his father with the usual 'Sir,' and gets a plate of steak and hash browns for his trouble; soon after follow eggs with extra butter, just the way Jack likes. It's surreal and invariably temporary, but that doesn't mean Jack can't enjoy it--the meal, his mother's serene presence, his father's ferocity--Michelle's absence.
"There will be a trial," Silas begins, offering the Shiloh Guardian to his son when he's settled. David's headline screams across the full width of the page. "You will be asked to recall your time with Shepherd."
"I'm not sure how I'll remember it." Jack sidesteps because he can, because so seldom is he in any position to oscillate.
Silas is patient, but not very. "You choose how you remember it."
"I find him interesting--" 'Interesting' is not what Silas is looking for and he knows it, but Jack will make him wait and listen this once, "His devotion to you, to doing the right thing, even when he has no idea what that is."
"You're my heir; you have something to lose in his success." A reminder edged in a threat, but the fact that Silas only barely veils either shows more cards than he means. The king is strong, his mind sharp and focused on the hunt ahead, but he needs Jack to be the javelin. Fine.
"Not much success in an execution." This shouldn't trouble him. How many men has Jack condemned to death for less? How many more have died at his own hand?
"You see the way the people look at him? We have to slit the throat on the legend." 'We,' he says, as if their wills were one -- are they?
"And that falls to me." Funny, Silas called them brothers once. In the house of God his hands rested heavy upon their shoulders--one on Jack's, one on David's--and he told them to trust each other with their lives. David showed himself deserving of that trust.
"All the ingredients are there," Silas assures him now. "All that's required is the correct application of heat."
[dialogue © canon; article © UNN]
Shiloh (RKG) - Captain David Shepherd was arrested yesterday by the King's Own Guardsmen at his apartment in downtown Shiloh on charges of espionage and high treason. In addition to his duties as the press liaison officer for the military, Captain Shepherd serves as counsel to King Silas. Considered to be a trusted member of Silas's inner circle, the allegations that he has been spying against Gilboa caused shock waves across the nation.
The protesters are already gathering. The first trickle begins just after the papers go out, pensive mothers and bitter veterans testing the sidewalk before Altar Mansion in an fluctuating wisp of a crowd. The palace guards asks a few to leave, to keep walking, and they do so peaceably. Others replace them. More linger at Unity Hall. Their king has allowed their charter to be stolen, their taxes wasted on failed reforms, their land promised to the enemy, and now their golden boy put on trial. They trust him still, but they question. In the long moments after waking, Jack looks out at them across the courtyard, distant coats and ungloved fingers finding the harsh wrought iron bars of the gates in the cold. He watches them pull away like sand and brine in anticipation of the swell.
Today, Unity Hall released an official statement:
Citizens of Gilboa, information concerning Captain David Shepherd's activities prior to the events leading up to the cease-fire with Gath has come to light, and has raised serious questions as to Captain Shepherd's loyalties. We, as a nation, cannot let our affection for the Captain interfere with the public good, and must take the legitimate information into account. Therefore, a trial will take place in the Court of King Silas, on the charges of Treason and Conspiracy to Commit Espionage, where this information will be presented into the public record and Captain Shepherd will have opportunity to defend himself.
The kitchen is alive with chopping and sizzling when he arrives, the scent of meat thick in the air and its raw remnants strewn across the counters beside well-sharpened knives. Silas doesn't care if he's getting grease on his suit. The king doesn't as cook often anymore, not like he did when the family was young, but when he does, he does so with vigor. He's creating a masterpiece no matter the mess. Jack greets his father with the usual 'Sir,' and gets a plate of steak and hash browns for his trouble; soon after follow eggs with extra butter, just the way Jack likes. It's surreal and invariably temporary, but that doesn't mean Jack can't enjoy it--the meal, his mother's serene presence, his father's ferocity--Michelle's absence.
"There will be a trial," Silas begins, offering the Shiloh Guardian to his son when he's settled. David's headline screams across the full width of the page. "You will be asked to recall your time with Shepherd."
"I'm not sure how I'll remember it." Jack sidesteps because he can, because so seldom is he in any position to oscillate.
Silas is patient, but not very. "You choose how you remember it."
"I find him interesting--" 'Interesting' is not what Silas is looking for and he knows it, but Jack will make him wait and listen this once, "His devotion to you, to doing the right thing, even when he has no idea what that is."
"You're my heir; you have something to lose in his success." A reminder edged in a threat, but the fact that Silas only barely veils either shows more cards than he means. The king is strong, his mind sharp and focused on the hunt ahead, but he needs Jack to be the javelin. Fine.
"Not much success in an execution." This shouldn't trouble him. How many men has Jack condemned to death for less? How many more have died at his own hand?
"You see the way the people look at him? We have to slit the throat on the legend." 'We,' he says, as if their wills were one -- are they?
"And that falls to me." Funny, Silas called them brothers once. In the house of God his hands rested heavy upon their shoulders--one on Jack's, one on David's--and he told them to trust each other with their lives. David showed himself deserving of that trust.
"All the ingredients are there," Silas assures him now. "All that's required is the correct application of heat."
[dialogue © canon; article © UNN]