Page 16 - Book of Ancient Stars, Litria's Note Section

The trial of Melina:

The woman who was thrown in front of me was of the lower classes, crying

and messy. I interrupted the words of the elven lady before she even began

speaking, as I preferred to hear the woman’s side of the story first.

Melina, no surname, has had two failed harvests in a row, making her

unable to make ends meet. Therefore, she gathered a crew and broke into a

merchant warehouse, looking for bread and other foods.

Before exfiltration, they encountered a problem: a guard at the place.

Melina, without much careful consideration, went up and stabbed him. The

boy was of nineteen summers, and died of blood loss after the intruder

attacked him with a rusty knife.

Melina showed much regret.

She has four children, with the eldest being of thirteen summers.

The crew numbered five people, including Melina.

The only stolen items were food.

Melina had the initiative to thrust the blade forth, but no intention of

staying to help or try to save the boy. She let him die.

I asked the elven lady if the care-taking of her children could be arranged.

In a short answer: no.

Final Verdict: twenty winters in prison.