The Trial at Dawn
December 430
Dawn came thin and colourless.
A sickly grey bled across the marshes as Thunorric was dragged into the courtyard of a half-ruined Roman hall. Once it had been a place of marble and banners. Now it was rot, cracked stone, and the stench of damp iron.
Chains cut into his wrists. His shirt clung cold to his skin.
They forced him to his knees. Before him was a raised platform where the hunter stood beside a thin man. The man wore a fine cloak and was one of Vortigern’s judges. Not a warrior. A quill-holder. The worst kind.
Villagers were dragged in to watch. Some forced. Some curious. Some frightened.
Public fear was part of the punishment.
The hunter shoved Thunorric ahead.
“On your knees,” he growled again.
Thunorric didn’t resist.
Didn’t bow. He just lowered himself like a storm choosing when to break.
The Charges
The judge unrolled a scroll.
“Thunorric Stormborne,” he began, voice sharp and cold,
“You stand accused of the following crimes against the crown of Mercia.”
Thun’s mouth twitched here it comes, he thought to himself. A slight smirk appeared on the corner of his mouth as his charges were read out.
“Sedition. For speaking openly against King Vortigern and encouraging defiance.”
“Guilty,” Thun muttered with a slight chuckle.
The hunter kicked him in the ribs.
“Silence!” the hunters voice rang throughout the courtyard as a chill ran down the witnesses back.
The judge continued.
“Murder of crown agents.
Messengers. Tax collectors. Soldiers.”
Thun lifted his eyes the smirk clear to see but sadness only those close to him understood.
“Shouldn’t wear a king’s badge if you’re robbin’ hungry folk.” thunnoric replied a tone of disobedience.
A ripple of unease moved through the crowd.
“Destruction of royal property.
Supply wagons burned. Roads sabotaged.”
Thun smiled faintly.
“Should’ve guarded ’em better.”
The hunter struck him across the face.
Blood split his lip.
The judge did not look away.
“Harbouring enemies of the crown.
Escaped slaves. Deserters. Outlaws.”
“Aye. And I’d do it again.” The prisoner said proudly as he spat blood into the mud.
The judge’s jaw tightened.
“And finally… treason.”
The word fell heavy.
“Acting against the crown in a time of war.”
The Sentence
The judge rolled up the scroll.
“For these crimes, you will be executed at dusk.”
People in the crowd gasped some placing their hand over their mouths. As another woman sobbed. A middle aged man cursed under their breath.
Thunorric exhaled slowly.
“Thought so.”
The hunter stepped ahead.
“Before that,” he said, voice low,
“the king demands a confession.”
An uncontrollable laugh came from Thunorric loud dismissive and rebellious .
Then a quiet, broken sound.
“I’ve nothin’ to confess. You listed it all.”
The hunter grabbed his hair and yanked his head back.
“You will kneel before the cross and beg forgiveness.”
Thunorric’s eyes burned.
“I don’t kneel to gods that bless chains and allow his people to go hungry ”
The hunter’s fist crashed into his mouth.
Teeth cut his tongue.
Blood ran warm.
Still, he smiled.
The Interruption
A shout broke through the crowd.
“STOP!” Leofric stormborne stepped ahead. He was a man who looked 40 years old. He had a slim build and raven black hair. He was a man of the church.
A muscular battle worn man with dark hair and eyes aged early to mid forties stood next to him. Dægan eyes wild, blade half-drawn.
Raegenwine held the boys behind him, faces tear-streaked.
The soldiers moved instantly. Spears raised.
The hunter sneered.
“More Stormborne rats.”
“You touch him again and I’ll carve you open.” Dægan roared.
The judge stood as he watched the event unfold.
“Any interference will be punished by death.”
“Dægan.” Thunorric turned his head slightly. His voice was weak. But firm.
“Don’t.”
Dægan froze.
“You can’t let them”
“I won’t have my lads watch you die too,” Thun whispered.
“Go.”
Leofric shook his head, tears spilling.
“This is wrong. You know it’s wrong.”
The judge snapped.
“Remove them.”
Soldiers surged forward.
Raegenwine pulled the boys back as they screamed.
“DA!”
“Don’t let them take you!”
“Please!”
Thun closed his eyes.
Just once.
Then opened them again.
Steel returned to his gaze.
The Cage
They dragged him away from the platform.
Toward an iron cage bolted into the old Roman wall.
“You’ll hang tonight.” The hunter leaned close.
“I’ve died before.” Thunorric smiled through blood.
The cage slammed shut.
Iron echoed.
Chains rattled.
The hunter turned to the crowd.
“Let this be a lesson.”
Then he left.
Alone
Thunorric sagged against the bars.
Breathing slow.
Counting heartbeats.
Outside, the rain started again.
Just a whisper at first.
Then harder.
As if the sky itself mourned him.
He lifted his head.
“Not today,” he murmured.
Not to them.
To fate.
© 2025 Emma Hewitt StormborneLore. The characters, stories, names, and world-building elements of the Stormborne Saga are original works.
This includes Thunorric, Dægan, Leofric, the Black Shields, and all associated lore.
They are owned exclusively by the author. Unauthorised copying, reposting, distribution, or adaptation of this content is strictly prohibited without written permission.
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