Fedora lay exposed and trembling on the ice cold grate.  Her discarded clothing was scattered over the floor beside her.  She sobbed and retched uncontrollably in fear laden anticipation of her fate.  Her tear stained eyes were riveted on her attacker standing silently over her.  He was breathing hard through clenched teeth.  Why was he hesitating?

            He shrugged off his jacket never taking his eyes off her.

            She moaned a pleading 'no'.

            He lowered his head and raised his left arm to his face.  He grimaced and stepped forward.

            Fedora cried out and cringed shutting her eyes tight.  Her sobs became painful shudders that wracked her body.

            Blink.

            Blink.

            Blink.

            A scattering of warm wetness...

            Fedora opened her eyes and stared in morbid fascination at the bright red spots that splattered across her bare thighs.

            She looked up at the boy standing above her.  She saw blood oozing out from a bitten gash in his wrist.

The court room erupted in jeers and for cries for vengeance as every man in the pews leapt to their feet.  Several guards stepped forward, hands on weapons, ready to restrain the mob if needed. Fedora was sobbing uncontrollably, her face buried in her hands.  On the witness table the dark furred vulpine was trembling, looking everywhere but at the condemned boy standing chained before them. 

The Magistrate struck his gavel for silence.  Many blows rang out before the court room finally quietened.

“No,” silently pleaded Leeza.  He couldn't have, he just couldn't.

Could he?

She looked beseechingly at Terinu.

The youth's eyes flickered towards her for a single second and before returning to stare blankly at the wall ahead of him.  Leeza's hands clenched tight, her finger nails biting into the skin.  Rufus held them firmly though his hard gaze remained fixed on the proceedings in front of them.

Regina set her data pad down and stood up.  'Your honour, I am Regina Fieldmaster of Vulpine Prime.  I have been engaged by the party for the defendant as legal counsel.  May I speak?”

Magistrate Abelard looked quizzically at her.  He considered the request for a moment before nodding.  “Seeing as this case concerns an offworlder and in respect to off world customs I shall allow this.”

Regina bowed her head in appreciation.  'Your Honour,” she began.  “I wish to draw to your attention to the mitigating circumstances related to my client's case…”

The Magistrate raised the palm of his hand signalling her for silence.  “Councillor, I take it you are referring to the document you had delivered to me this morning.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Regina.

Magistrate Abelard nodded.  “I have read your submission and have already taken it into consideration.  That will be all.”

“But your Honour… “

“That will be all councillor.  Be seated.”

Reluctantly Regina obeyed the Magistrate.  She turned to Leeza and Rufus and shook her head sadly.

Magistrate Abelard made a short entry onto the data pad in front of him.  He looked up again at the sea of expectant faces before him and cleared his throat.  “On this day here before all assembled witnesses, defendant Terinu has been accused of the crime of rape against an innocent girl.  By his own voice he has freely confessed his guilt.  This court will now pass sentence to be commenced immediately upon the conclusion of this session.

“Terinu of the Ferin, I hereby sentence you to taken from here to the Dais of Shame to which you will be bound hand and foot.  There at the Hand of Justice you will receive fifty-one lashes from a knotted leather whip.”

Leeza felt like she had been kicked solidly in the chest.

An ugly cheer started to rise from the assembled men but was quickly silenced by several more blows from the Magistrates gavel.

Abelard continued.  “On reviewing the facts of this case I have decided that the secondary punishment, that of five years hard labour, will be mitigated due to the defendant's age and the unfortunate influences he was exposed to prior to the crime taking place.”

“This is outrageous!”  Scandalised Valdon leapt to his feet.  “That boy is guilty, he admits it!  I demand that he feels the full wrath of the law.”

“Be at peace, Valdon.”  The Magistrate's voice had a warning edge to it.  “My decision has been made.  Justice will be done.”

“Justice!” shrieked Valdon.  “What do you mean by 'justice'?!  Have you no understanding of the agony that cur has visited upon me?  How he has ruined the life of my child.  She was betrothed to be married to wealthy man.  A revered business man who could well keep her in the luxury she deserves.  Now she is sullied, worthless, and unmarriageable except to the lowest castes.  The shame my family is beyond bearing.”

“Stop!”

Fedora climbed shakily to her feet.  Tears streamed down her face.

“Stop this, please stop this.”  She sobbed.  “I can't bear this any longer.”

“Fedora?” asked Valdon puzzled.  She ignored him and stumbled over to the Magistrates table.

“Please let me speak.  Terinu did not rape me.  He is innocent.  He is innocent!”