Hearthglen

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Sorry for the delay,” Sean said as he stepped fully into the room.

  “It’s fine, sir. You maid was kind enough to bring me some tea.” Setting his cup down, the guard got to his feet. “It’s always nice to get a small break in, but we’re already delayed. Do you understand why I’m here, sir?”

  “You are taking my apprentice to see a magistrate, is what I’ve been told. What is the charge?” Sean asked politely, his old habit of always being respectful to cops kicking in.

  “Battery. Are you going to accompany her to the magistrate, sir?”

  “Yes.”

  “Follow me, then,” the guard said as he went to the door, which Ryann opened for him. “Thank you, miss.”

  Ida followed the guard with Sean trailing her, and Ryann bringing up the rear. It was a bit of a walk to the magistrate center, which was near the general market. The sun was just cresting the horizon as the group entered the large stone building.

  Their steps echoed on the floor when they crossed the high-ceilinged lobby. The older guard nodded to another as he led them down one of the halls. Stopping just short of one of the doors, the guard knocked once before opening it.

  “Magistrate Amerut, I have brought the accused,” the guard said, entering the room. “Her Holder, Sean MacDougal, came with her, sir.”

  “Who is the other person with them?” Amerut asked, looking at Ryann.

  “She’s with me. She is another of my Bonded, sir. If you wish her to wait outside, she will,” Sean replied.

  “Please do so,” Amerut said, waving Ida forward. “Ida Bronzeshield, do you know why you are here before me?”

  “I slapped Colin Dominguez last night at the Oaken Glen, sir,” Ida said softly, keeping her eyes downcast.

  Amerut nodded. “It is good of you to admit to the crime so readily, Miss Bronzeshield. I have a declaration from the Dominguez family asking for you to be punished as harshly as possible. Do you wish to add anything before I render judgement?”

  “Sir, I am guilty of striking Dominguez in the face. I did so because he was denigrating my Holder and me, sir. I would ask that you take into account that it wasn’t malicious, but reactionary.”

  “The declaration from the Dominguez family states that you had previously threatened to, and here I quote; ‘Slap the stupid out of you, Dominguez.’ Did you previously make this statement?”

  “I did, sir. I made that statement a tenday before I slapped him. The statement was made because of the lies he uttered regarding how I had attained my apprenticeship. The full statement I made was that unless he wanted the stupid slapped out of him, he would refrain from making such statements about me to my face again.”

  “Which threat you then fulfilled last night. As I have all the evidence before me, I shall move on to judgement. You shall forfeit your apprenticeship, and for the term of three months, Bond to the Dominguez family—”

  “Sir,” Sean said, cutting into the sentence, “if I may speak?”

  Amerut’s eyes flickered to Sean, before he sat back in his chair. “You wish to offer evidence in this case?”

  “I’m new to this city, sir,” Sean said slowly, watching the magistrate’s face. “The town I came from didn’t have the same laws as here, so please forgive me if I’m in error. If the lesson is to punish Ida for a simple slap that did nothing but redden the boy’s face, breaking her current Bond, which is to me, and forcing her into a three-month Bond seems a bit extreme.”

  Amerut’s lip curled up slightly with disdain, “You are correct. You don’t know the laws here, MacDougal. If you did, you might have stopped your wayward apprentice from striking a man and almost putting his eye out.”

  Sean’s eyebrows shot up at that comment. “Excuse me, did you say the boy suffered significant eye damage?”

  “When the man in question was brought to me a couple of hours ago, his face was discolored and his eye was badly swollen. He has since been taken to a healer to be treated.”

  “I’d like to bring forth witnesses that can disprove that. The boy in question was healthy and well. His eye was fine, and his face bore only a red hand mark.” Sean stated, looking at Ida, who looked petrified.

  “I am not about to hold this simple case up because you wish to ‘find’ someone who will say what you wish, MacDougal.”

  A vicious smile came to Sean, “Ah. I see. It isn’t justice then, but a vendetta.”

  “What did you say? Are questioning my impartiality?”

  Sean looked at the old guard who was watching the entire scene. “Sir, has any magistrate ever disallowed for witnesses to an event to be brought forth?”

  “In very special cases. In something as minor as this, no.”

  “Huh. That seems odd in the extreme, then, doesn’t it?”

  Amerut glared at the guard, then turned a wintery gaze on Sean. “I shall grant you thirty minutes to bring in anyone not associated with you who can say otherwise.”

  Turning to Ida, Sean gave her a level look. “Don’t panic, we’ll beat this.”

  Sean opened the door; Ryann was just outside in the hall, talking with Ven. “Perfect. Ven, I need you to fly to the Oaken Glen. I need anyone who saw the dispute with Ida last night who can state what happened. As many of them as will come, in twenty minutes. They’re trying to break Ida’s Bond to me and force her to serve that idiot’s family.”

  “Yes, sir,” Ven said, leaving in a silvery blur.

  Sean looked back at the judge, “I’ll have your witnesses soon.” Stepping into the hall and shutting the door, Sean looked at Ryann, who looked shocked. “What are the normal punishments for battery?”

  “A fine, maybe a day or two in service to the injured. They mean to break her Bond?”

  “Yes. I think the magistrate is being swayed.”

  Ryann’s eyes bulged and her voice was a horrified whisper, “If you say that, you can be held on traducement, which is a serious charge.”

  “Traducement?”

  “Damaging a magistrate’s reputation,” Ryann said.

  “What else could it be if he is trying to break my Bond and put her into service to them for three months?”

  Ryann’s jaw dropped when she heard what the punishment was going to be. “That is too much! She didn’t even dislodge a tooth.”

  “Which is my problem with what’s happening. On top of that, he tried to stop me bringing witnesses.”

  Shaking her head, Ryann looked appalled. “What you’re saying is…” Words failing her, she could only stare at Sean.

  “I’m going back in to try to keep Ida calm.”

  “I’ll keep an eye out for the barmaids or anyone else.”

  Opening the door, Sean went back into the room, his face a cold mask as he met the magistrate’s gaze. Going to Ida, Sean stood beside her, “Keep your head up and don’t worry. I will fight this for you.” Placing his hand on her shoulder, he met her tear-filled eyes. “Faith, Ida.”

  Sniffling, Ida nodded, trying and failing to give him a smile. “I will hold faith in you, as Fiona and Myna do.”

  Glancing to the guard, Sean coughed once. “Excuse me, sir. What is the worst you’ve seen battery punished for?”

  The guard looked at the magistrate before shaking his head, refusing to answer.

  “He was told to not talk or he’d be held in contempt,” Ida told Sean.

  “Interesting,” Sean said. “That is very interesting. Ida, if a person is sentenced and wishes to appeal, who do they see?”

  “One of the high magistrates,” Ida said.

  “I’ll be right back,” Sean said, going to the door. “Ryann, see if you can get me before a high magistrate in about twenty minutes.”

  “What?! You would dare schedule to see one of them before this case is closed?” Amerut snapped.

  “You were just barely stopped from sentencing my apprentice,” Sean replied coldly. “You also objected to my bringing witnesses forward before grudgingly agreeing and giving me a ridiculous window to do so.
All in all, it seems prudent to arrange to see another magistrate as soon as I can… sir.”

  The old guard against the wall was pale and seemingly trying to press himself into the stone. Ida was pale, but held her head high even as tears trickled from her eyes. Ryann was staring at Sean, but she nodded. “I’ll return as quickly as I can, Sean.”

  A silver blur caught Sean’s attention; Ven had returned. “Sir, three of the Oaken Glen staff are on their way here.”

  “Thank you, Ven. You might have saved Ida. I didn’t know you’d come with us.”

  “Fiona sent me, thinking you might need to send word,” Ven replied.

  “Gods, I love that woman,” Sean smiled.

  “You have ten minutes,” the magistrate snapped.

  “What are you using to tell time?” Sean asked as he spun back to Amerut. “Are you deliberately cutting time off to stop the witnesses from coming? Did you not hear my Messenger Fairy state that witnesses are coming?”

  “This is my bailiwick. My word is law here,” Amerut snarled.

  “Of course, far be it from me to say otherwise. The magistrate has been honest and fair so far…”

  Face purpling, Amerut stood and leaned on his desk. “Do you imply that I’m anything other than fair?” Sean shook his head and went back to Ida’s side. “Answer me!” Amerut snarled.

  “I’m not implying that,” Sean said stiffly.

  Seething as he took his seat, Amerut glared at Sean like he was the devil. As time ticked away, the magistrate seemed to grow smug. Opening his mouth to speak, Amerut was stopped by a knock on the door.

  “Excuse us, sir. We have been asked to come speak on behalf of Ida Bronzeshield,” Allonen said. Lilly and another maid stood behind him. “Do we have your permission to address you, sir?”

  “Come in and shut the door,” Amerut managed to say through clenched teeth.

  “Of course,” Allonen moved aside and let the women enter, closing the door behind them.

  “Did the defendant strike Colin Dominguez last night?” Amerut asked.

  “She did,” Allonen replied, the maids nodding.

  “Did she strike him hard enough to leave a mark?”

  “Her blow did color his cheek,” Allonen said.

  Amerut smiled darkly, eyes on Sean. “It seems your witnesses are not as good as you hoped for.”

  “Allonen, did the blow to Dominguez cause him lasting harm?” Sean asked.

  Brow furrowing, Allonen shook his head. “Outside of his pride, no.”

  “I saw the man this morning,” Amerut said firmly. “His cheek was discolored, and his eye was swollen shut. Are you saying I’m wrong?”

  “Of course not, sir,” Allonen replied, bowing his head.

  “Are you saying my staff is lying?” Dame Mageeyes was smiling at Amerut from next to the door.

  “Mageeyes? When did you get here?”

  “I came with my staff,” she replied, her friendly tone disappearing. “Now, did you just question the veracity of my staff?”

  Amerut took a long moment to reply. Licking his lips, he shook his head, “No, of course not. I merely question if your staff might not have been too busy to notice how injured Dominguez was before he left. If I recall, your bar is not exactly close to the tables.”

  “You are absolutely correct,” Mageeyes nodded. “However, Bemin here was the one who stopped Dominguez from striking Bronzeshield back. She was directly beside him, and got a good look at him.”

  Amerut glanced at the second maid. “Did you see the damage that was inflicted on Dominguez?”

  “Yes, sir,” Bemin nodded. “He had a handprint, here on his jaw.” She touched her face where Ida had struck. “She didn’t come near his eye, sir.”

  “I... see,” Amerut said slowly. “I might have been misled. My previous judgement, which was interrupted, is suspended. In its place, I level a twenty bronze fine on the defendant, and order her to twelve hours of service to the Dominguez family.”

  “I wish a clarification, sir,” Sean interjected. “What kind of service is my apprentice to do for them?”

  “Labor only,” Amerut replied. “She will be acting as a cleaner or laborer during her time. Is there anything else?”

  “No.”

  “Case closed. Bronzeshield, you are to report to the Dominguez family tomorrow morning at sunrise.”

  “Yes sir,” Ida managed to say as she cried, happy that she wasn’t going to be forced to break her Bond after all.

  “You are to pay the desk when you leave, MacDougal,” Amerut snapped. “Now clear the room.”

  Sean, hand on Ida’s shoulder, waited for Mageeyes and the others to precede him from the room. Sean was aware of the guard falling in behind him as he left the room. As the door closed behind them all, Sean looked back at him. “Care to go with me to verify how odd the magistrate was acting?”

  Eyes widening, the guard shook his head and walked quickly away from the group. Mageeyes watched the guard go. “Was it worse before we showed up?”

  “Much. My deepest thanks, Dame Mageeyes,” he replied. “I’m not sure how that would have gone if not for you and your staff coming.”

  “I’m sure you can repay me in time, MacDougal,” Mageeyes said as she turned to leave. “These last few tendays have been exciting. I look forward to what will happen next.”

  A shiver ran down Sean’s spine at her words. “Have a good day.”

  Ryann came jogging toward him, passing the departing group. “None of the higher magistrates wished to be seen at the moment.”

  “Not surprising. Luckily, Mageeyes was able to get us a favorable verdict.”

  “I’ll pay you back for the fine, sir,” Ida said as she wiped the remnants of her tears away.

  “No need,” Sean said. “I will always protect family and friends, Ida. Can one pay their way out of a judgement?”

  “No,” Ryann replied. “Not unless the one owed the service agrees to it.”

  “Not likely,” Sean sighed. “We’ll make do. Let’s go see about breakfast. Can you show me where to go to pay the fine?”

  “Follow me, sir,” Ida said, taking the lead.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Fiona, Myna, and Chastity were waiting when they got back to the house. “Andrea will be done with food shortly. We’ve been waiting. What happened?” Fiona asked as she ushered them into the dining room.

  Sean gave them a summary of what had transpired. Everyone was shocked at how excessively the magistrate tried to punish Ida. Myna was growling softly, her eyes focused on something distant. Chastity looked a little anxious, and Fiona was grim.

  “We owe Dame Mageeyes for her intervention,” Fiona said.

  “That was the same magistrate that sentenced my mother,” Chastity commented. “He’s well known for pushing the boundaries of what he can sentence people to.”

  “More reason to hate him,” Myna growled.

  “Easy, kitty,” Sean said, reaching over to rub her head. “We don’t need to paint a larger target on ourselves. I think he was influenced to push further than normal, especially since he was being unreasonable about witnesses, which means we’ll need to be extra careful about our interactions with people.” Sighing, Sean turned to Fiona, “How do we pay her back without it biting us in the ass?”

  “Wait until she comes to us. It’ll be easiest that way,” Fiona replied. “She does seem to be getting some entertainment out of you stirring things up.”

  “Breakfast,” Andrea said, coming out of the kitchen with a pot. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Not at the moment,” Sean replied. “I have to train Hans today. It’ll be interesting to see how much he can do now.”

  “What do you want me to do today?” Ida asked softly.

  “Continue making the pipes,” Sean told her. “Ida…” he waited for her to look up, “if any of them so much as make you uncomfortable tomorrow, you come home. I’ll deal with what might happen, but I won’t tolerate them doing
anything to you.”

  “I’m sorry, sir,” Ida whispered. “None of this would have—”

  “Stop it,” Myna said, her voice hard. “Master has declared you part of our family. Or did you wish not to be?”

  “Myna,” Fiona said softly, “gentle. She is uncertain of her place. Think of how many people would distance themselves from her.”

  Ida sat hunched in her chair and Myna deflated. “I’m sorry, Ida. The question is still valid. Sean isn’t turning away from you, and if anything, he is going to protect you more. He will never turn away from one he values, but you can push him away if you aren’t careful.”