Thursday, August 02, 2007

319. Judgment, in Red


Crimes of infidelity, as this case was classified, were always presided by a single judge, in red. John stood before the magistrate alone; consul not allowed, records not kept. John spoke. The judge listened from behind the concealment of his hood, his identity forever unknown. Query. Answer. Query. Explanation. And on and on as a river winding through a jungle valley. What was true, what was half true and what was false were not significant. Judgment. To Judge. Now that, that was important. And judgment they would have, and in the streets would be rejoicing, for judgment is what they wanted.

27 comments:

tkkerouac said...

Great writing and Pics!

Mona said...

Interesting. that seems similar ti the Final Judgement. It is interesting to see the Judge in Red.We imagine Him in white dont we? No councels, no records Only questions & answers & explainations!
Need we explain?
The Judge IN THE RED knows we dont...
The Judge in the red is in the red because He gave birth to Sin.
Why does He need expalinations to the things He already knows would happen?
Power Play
Some power Game!!1

Grace said...

Red is a very interesting color selection. It's the color most associated with Passion and violence. Cave painters associated it with magic. What a concoction. Especially if a 'crime' of infidelity has been allegedly committed. Infidelity - faithlessness, broken promises, falsehoods.

I'm wondering who the more stringent 'judge' of John is. The magistrate or himself? I wonder who will show the most mercy...

Autumn Storm said...

Like an old friend, :-), and yet this time he brings uneasiness. Hoping for understanding and leniency.
Very nicely done.

SaffronSaris said...

Ran here briefly yesterday with a small browser window, saw the fractal and I was thinking, hmmm, an anatomy class?
Magnified my window and realised that that wasn't the female reproductive system after all.
Opps, that happens when I don't open my browser windows properly ;p

Karen said...

One man's fate in another's hands. I have a feeling that he won't be safe either way.

*sitting on the edge of my seat here*

Trée said...

Tracey, thanks for the kind words. Love your avatar. I can't seem to stop staring at it and hoping that sooner or later that towel is going to slip. :-D

Trée said...

Hey Mona. I did this image almost two years ago and the red was just an accident. In this chapter, however, it is not. Judges who preside over crimes of infidelity always wear red for reasons I may explain in a future chapter but the short answer is red is seen as the color of fidelity (on this planet) and the judge is suppose to embody this quality. Perhaps in time we will learn more of this strange judicial custom. :-)

Trée said...

Oh Grace, you force me to play my hand. John will be found guilty, as will Rog. Both will we summarily executed in the morning, at dawn, with no fanfare, no publicity and dumped in unmarked graves. Of course, dawn has not yet arrived, and until it does, well, who knows what could happen in those early still hours. :-D

Trée said...

Sunshine, there will be understanding, the judges that is. As for leniency, the law is clear. If found guilty (see the comment above) and both will be found guilty before the suns set.

Trée said...

Hey Saffy. Always good to see you stopping by. :-)

Trée said...

Karen, the next several hours will be very trying for John and Rog. Not sure either is going to sleep much. :-)

Autumn Storm said...

I would be very worried, more worried, if they didn't both have Indiana Jones qualities. Would be interesting to sneak a peak into both Yul and Cait's minds when they hear the verdict.
I was thinking about Cait last night, the chapter below and what you wrote about loss of honour. It would be interesting too to see how the guys fare were the women to remain steadfast in their anger, feelings of betrayal, etc.
Hadn't contemplated a guilty verdict as far as the one were they in essence get off scot-free outside of the women, and so I shall be doing what I always do, eagerly awaiting the next chapter while still caught up in the ones before.

Trée said...

The time has come for Kyra to meet Cait. Stay tuned. ;-)

Autumn Storm said...

The very real response to that is;
oooooooooh

Dzeni said...

Wow! As always, a tight gripping chapter which leaves the reader too eager for more. The tantalising "hints" in your comments make the anticipation worse (or is that better).

Trée said...

You should see the look exchanged at first glance. :-D

After eleven hours in the car, I've mentally viewed the whole scene and about ten more. I feel like I have already lived these chapters to come and therefore feel no need to write them. ;-)

Trée said...

Jenni, be careful how you use "tight" and "gripping" in the same sentence. :-D

Stay tuned. Shouldn't be too long till we learn more. :-)

Grace said...

Trée..thank you so much for your thoughts and support today. And the offer of something amber :) It meant so much to me. I'm doing much better now, and I know it's because of all the wonderful healing energy sent to me by my friends. Forever grateful xoxox

Trée said...

Grace, you are more than welcome. One day, when I need a friend, I know you will be there for me. Love and hugs and kisses. :-)

Constance said...

Good Saturday morning to you Tree,
I don't ever think there is an excuse for infidelity. Explanations and rationalizations, yes. Excuses, no.
It is always a choice, a conscious choice. And one that ultimately causes pain and separation.

Trée said...

Annie, I think the state agrees with you, which is why the punishment, death without appeal, without notice is rendered in these cases. Of course the infidelity here is man against state rather than the more common use as we know it to indicate unfaithfulness in relationship. The state, in this case, sees John stealing the military vessel, especially after he was told this mission was unacceptable, as an infidelity to the state. Punishment will be swift. And punishment will be final for the state cannot tolerate betrayal at any level by any individual, regardless of rank or status.

Waiting on pins and needles to see how your date goes. I'm excited for you Annie and hope you have the time of your life. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi!
Amazing !
Unusual Image.

(*_*)

Uma

Trée said...

Thank you Uma. This was one of the very first images I ever did. And, it has remained one of my all time faves. :-)

Oliviah said...

Then he was not unfaithful to his wife with Kyra? For some reason I have never been able to find clarity in my mind about this. Perhaps he was unfaithful in his heart towards her yet not in the act, and perhaps that in itself tells Cait the depth of infidelity he feels. I don't think I am wording this well. I imagine you are sleeping all snuggly and warm right this moment. I hope it is a good sleep, maybe with sweet dreams or the kind of dreams that you will remember and smile about, that will make people wonder...what exactly is it you are grinning about? Hope you have a wonderful day!
O

Trée said...

O, not quite awake so I hope my comment makes sense. The infidelity, in this case, is to the state. Although John may have had a "Jimmy Carter" moment (lusting in his heart) he and Kyra never acted on it beyond the kiss, and even there they were set up by Yul and her nefarious used of the vial.

Kulmyk has a very old law on the books, one they had not enforced in a very long time called The Infidelity Law. In essence, it is what we would call treason. When John "stole" the military vessel to rescue Kyra, he was, so it was charged, in treason or, as the case in Kulmyk, in Infidelity.

Oliviah said...

Ah, ok, I see a little more clearly, maybe because I've had a little breakfast that has strengthened me.