by Sam Ferguson
Erik arched his eyebrow in Lepkin’s typical fashion. A part of him thoroughly enjoyed watching two grown men squirm in exactly the same way he had himself squirmed under Lepkin’s scrutinizing gaze. “I will be here for a few days. I am here in response to a summons from the senate.” Erik produced the summons momentarily and let the guards look at it. The guards each nodded and started to respond simultaneously. Erik turned away from them and nodded to Al. “Let’s go,” Erik said. He made a point of not waiting for the guards to finish their sentences. He was done. Al nodded and turned his horse to the gate. The two of them rode in and Al led them straight for the center of town, where a large, black spire towered over the rest of the city.
“”That is it?” Erik asked.
Al nodded grimly. “That’s the king’s tower. The senate hall is on the other side, adjacent to the tower.”
“What do I do?”
“I just told you this morning over breakfast,” Al quipped.
Erik nodded. “I’m nervous,” he admitted. “Just tell me again to make sure I have it all correct.”
“Well,” Al started. “The Keeper of Secrets has a unique role in these cases. You will stand on the floor of the senate hall and oversee the tribunal. You will be allowed a vote toward the verdict, but you don’t have the right to overrule the senate”
“Unless the senate has broken protocol,” Erik put in quickly.
“Aye,” Al replied. “Your role is also to ensure that proper protocol is followed.”
“How do I do that if I am not given a chance to speak or… what did you call it?”
“Give testimony,” Al said. “It is simpler than it sounds, lad,” Al began. “I will stand with you on the main floor near the doorway. I will help you observe the proceedings. If I sense something is amiss, I will let you know. Then you can order an injunction, which will stall the tribunal for three days while the king decides whether to order a review of the proceedings.”
“And if he does, the high judge will conduct the review, right?”
Al nodded again. “That’s right.” The dwarf leaned over and clapped Erik on the back. “You have it straight, boy, there is nothing to worry about.” Al nodded to a mounted guard as he rode past. “Besides, today we are just going to announce that we have come to answer the summons. The tribunal is set for tomorrow. So we have some time to go over the protocol in depth tonight.”
“What happens if the senate finds him guilty, and then the king declines the review? How do I save my father if that happens?” Erik asked.
Al shushed him with a stubby finger and stern look. “Keep your voice down.” Al shook his head and moved in close enough to be heard in a whisper. “If that happens…” Al paused for a moment. He thought to make something up, but he knew that Erik would be scanning him to see if he was lying. Finally he relented and told Erik the truth. “I don’t know that we can save him, I’m afraid.”
Erik turned and shot Al a menacing look. “Then why did we come?”
“Because if we didn’t come, then the senate could discredit Lepkin, and try to get the king to turn against him. If Lepkin were to ignore an official summons for such a monumental hearing, it would be a grave offense to the kingdom. Some might think it was the start of a declaration of war.”
“War? What are you talking about? Lepkin has no army, how could he start a war?”
Al patted Erik’s forearm and stopped him to ensure his next words would sink in. “My boy, a war of ideas is far more dangerous than a war of armies ever could be. There are many in the kingdom who follow the older traditions and hold them dear. With all this talk of the kingdom splintering apart, people may look to the last vestige of those traditions to lead them. Lepkin, as the Keeper of Secrets, embodies those traditions.”
“So you are saying the senate would claim that Lepkin was making a move on the throne by defying the senate? Why would the people believe that if Lepkin is already set to rule jointly with the senate in the event that the king passes away without a declared heir?”
Al shrugged. “I am not for knowing what you tall folk would do, but I do know that that is the scenario the senate would posit to the king if Lepkin fails to attend this tribunal. They would claim Lepkin was associated with Lord Lokton and preparing to advance against the king, or at least against the senate in a move to consolidate power.” Al sighed and shook his head. “It would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. As soon as the senate would make the claim, I am sure a sizeable number of people would seek Lepkin out to join him against the senate. There are many who are not happy with the current body of government. Many people believe that after King Mathias passes, the senate is the worst and last body that should be trusted to rule, even if they are only joint rulers with Lepkin. That is to say nothing of the several nobles who have made overtures of their own desires for power.”
“So,” Erik said with a nod. “We are here to delay the inevitable civil war. Either way, my father will die as the senate will find him guilty.”
“I don’t like it either,” Al said. “I won’t tell you how to feel about it, but you must see this through.”
“I’ll see it through,” Erik promised. “And I will find a way to set my father free.”
Al gripped Erik’s forearm tight. “You can’t break protocol. If you do, the senate could still claim that you are siding with rebels. You must remain in character the entire time. No matter what.”
Erik said nothing.
“Do you understand?” Al asked.
At last, Erik nodded. “I understand.”
“You should know, I spoke with Braun about this as well.”
“You told him who I really am?” Erik asked.
Al shook his head. “No, I mean I explained Lepkin’s role to him, so he also understands the constraints you will be under.”
A slight smirk flashed across Erik’s lips. “Are you telling me that Braun is devising a plan?”
Al shrugged and tried to hide his smile. “It is a lot easier to explain the actions of an overzealous bodyguard. A few people might get riled up, but nobody is going to start a civil war over it.”
Hope returned as if on a warm summer breeze, washing over Erik in an instant. “Then let’s go.”
The two of them continued on their way until they reached the front gate. A trio of black uniformed guards approached them with a logbook. This time, they only needed to look at the pair before the guards scribbled the names in the book.
“Master dwarf,” one of the guards said. “You may wait in the antechamber outside the tribunal hall. Master Lepkin, you may assume your usual position inside.”
“No,” Erik said. “He will accompany me inside as well.”
“This is highly irregular,” the guard objected. Erik arched his eyebrow in the same, menacing way he had seen Lepkin do many times before. The guard shrank away from Erik’s gaze and nodded.
“Thank you,” Erik offered as he walked past.
“You may leave your sword with us,” one of the other guards said timidly.
Erik glanced to the guard. “My sword stays with me.” He walked through the great marble encrusted doors without so much as another word. The guards didn’t dare try to stop him.
“That was a little brash,” Al whispered after they were far enough inside not to be heard.
Erik shrugged. “After being caught without my sword yesterday, I feel better keeping it near. You never know what kind of trap may be ahead for us.”
Al raised his eyebrows and pursed his mouth for a moment before nodding and shrugging his shoulders. “Fair enough,” he said.
“Something feels wrong here,” Erik commented. “It is similar to the feeling I got before the Blacktongue attacked me by the brook.”
Al nodded and checked around. “Let’s hurry up then.”
The two of them stopped before a grand set of double doors. Erik pushed them open, not arrogantly, but with enough force that both doors creaked and parted before him. His heart leapt into his
throat at what he saw inside.
A senator stood behind a pulpit, obviously stopped in mid-sentence as his mouth was agape and his right hand was raised in the air. To his left was a man bent over and chained with his arms behind his back. The iron chains linked to a steel ring in the dais, keeping the man hunched over. It was hard to tell who it was at first. The bruises and lumps discolored Braun’s face so that Erik almost didn’t recognize him.
“They have Braun,” Al whispered in horror.
“And my father,” Erik said.
A few feet away from Braun, Lord Lokton was in much the same predicament. His face was swollen and purple around the eyes and cheekbones and he was also chained to the floor with a leash so tight that he had to rest upon his knees with his back hunched over.
“Master Lepkin,” the senator bellowed. “I did not think you were coming.”
Erik’s eyes locked on the man in white robes behind the wooden pulpit. If he could have, he would have melted the man into oblivion with his glare. Erik felt a sharp nudge in his side. He looked down to see Al motioning with his head.
“Say something,” Al whispered.
Erik collected his thoughts and put on his best impression of Master Lepkin. He cleared his throat and folded his arms across his chest. “I was unaware that the tribunal would start so soon. The summons I received informed me that the tribunal would commence tomorrow. I came today to announce that I am here in answer to your summons, and I would have assumed you would have either waited for me, or given me ample notice that you would start without me.”
“Here, here!” someone shouted from one of the balconies. “For the record, I objected to starting the tribunal without the Keeper of Secrets.”
“Senator Mickelson, hold your peace,” the senator at the pulpit said. “The senate voted to speed up the tribunal in order to avoid political ramifications, and the vote was in accordance with the law as it currently stands.”
“What political ramifications?” Erik asked. Al nudged him.
“Don’t speak too much,” Al cautioned.
“Senator Bracken thought that holding Lord Lokton might result in revolts in the streets,” Senator Mickelson said.
The old senator at the pulpit motioned for Senator Bracken to come up to the pulpit.
“Was I wrong to be careful?” Senator Bracken asked. He pointed to Braun. “This man here threatened city guards, and was found trying to sneak into this very building. What more proof do you need?”
No answer was given.
“I am here now,” Erik said.
Senator Bracken turned a steely gaze to him. “So you are.” He tapped his knuckles on the pulpit. “Perhaps you can be of assistance then, Keeper,” senator Bracken Said. “I was about to call the tribunal’s vote.”
“The trial is over?” Erik asked.
Senator Bracken looked at him for a moment, studying him carefully. “Perhaps I should remind you that the law allows the senate to accelerate the tribunal if there is sufficient reason to warrant such measures. But, do not worry, the senate understands that you put forth your best efforts to answer the summons we sent, and we find no fault in you for missing the hearing. However, in light of the fact that you did not witness the evidence presented, nor hear any of the testimonies given, it seems you may not wish to vote in this matter.”
“Or we could run through the evidence again,” Erik said. “For I wish to vote.”
Senator bracken sneered down at him. “There is no provision in the law for such a request, Keeper,” Bracken said.
“Be quiet,” Al whispered harshly.
Erik shook his head. “It is my job to ensure protocol is followed,” Erik said. “How is it that these prisoners have come by the bruises on their faces?”
Bracken turned to the other senator and stepped back from the pulpit. The old senator stepped forward and gripped the sides of the pulpit with his leathery, liver-spotted hands. “While normally it is your duty to ensure protocol is followed when summoned to a tribunal, you have no such authority when you miss the hearing.”
“You changed the date,” Erik growled.
The old senator rapped a stone sphere onto a metal disc. The jarring sound echoed through the chamber. “All that has been done is in accordance with the law and the protocol. We have finished the hearing and now it is time for a vote. If you feel so strongly, you may cast your vote along with us, but I would advise against it as you have not been present for the entire proceeding.”
Erik bristled and wiped away Al’s relentless elbow. “This isn’t right,” Erik whispered to Al.
Al nodded. “We can still ask the king for a review, just keep calm.”
Senator Bracken made his way back to the pulpit and looked at them both for a moment before turning his attention to the balconies. “All of those who believe Lord Lokton is innocent, please raise the white flag on your balconies.”
Senator Mickelson was the first to display a white flag. Three others slowly followed suit. Each flag drew Bracken’s ire visibly. The senator’s face grew red and he tapped his knuckles on the pulpit before continuing.
“Something is wrong,” Erik whispered.
“Quiet!” Al responded in a harsh whisper.
Erik couldn’t shake the feeling. Something was terribly wrong. He searched the room and tried to scan for anything that might be out of place. He couldn’t find anything. The stone sphere smacked against the metal disc one time, ripping Erik back to the present.
“Those who find Lord Lokton guilty, please present your vote by raising the black flag.”
Thirty black flags appeared over the front of each balcony. A wide smile pulled the corners of Bracken’s mouth out toward his ears. He nodded, satisfied at the outcome. Then he added his own black flag, displaying it proudly over the front of the pulpit.
“Lord Lokton, you are hereby found guilty of inciting rebellion. You are forthwith deemed a traitor, and sentenced to death.”
“No!” Erik shouted.
“Shut it!” Al pleaded, but it was too late. Erik was walking forward to the pulpit.
“Interesting,” Bracken said. “So, does this plot go beyond a nobleman and his retinue then?” Bracken swept his arm out to the floor and pointed to Erik. “Fellow members of the senate, what think we about this?”
The room was silent.
“I am no traitor, neither is that man there,” Erik said. “Your trial is a sham. You have no proof of anything.”
“Oh but we do,” Bracken shot back. “You would have seen our evidence had you been more diligent in answering our summons. But I wonder whether you would have accepted the proof? For now it appears that you have thrown in with him.”
“This is madness,” Senator Mickelson shouted out. “The Keeper has only acted in the interest of the kingdom!”
“And yet, he holds himself above the kingdom,” Senator Bracken retorted. “Isn’t that right, Master Lepkin?” Senator Bracken walked out from behind the pulpit. “At Roegudok Hall, you recently told me that you were autonomous from the senate, and from the kingdom as a whole. Could it be that you think yourself capable of taking the throne for yourself.”
“I do not want the throne,” Erik said. He tried to think of something quick to say that would help him out of the predicament and still give him the chance to save his father. “I want only justice. A fair trial, held in accordance with the law. Even your fellow senator said there was a protest against the way this tribunal was conducted.”
“You want justice?” Bracken repeated.
“Yes,” Erik said.
“You would see justice done in all circumstances?”
“Of course,” Erik said.
“As you are aware, a formal protest may be overcome with a senate vote. I had all the requisite votes to proceed with accelerating the tribunal despite senator Mickelson’s protest. That means that this tribunal was fair, and in accordance with the law. Now, if you want justice I have one proposal that will satisfy both of us.”
“What is it?” Erik asked.
“The sentence stands. It is a lawful verdict, reached by majority vote of this senate. If you want justice, then use your sword to take this traitor’s head.”
Erik’s heart fell into his feet. His hands went numb and his throat dried out. He looked to his father’s silent, waiting face. He swore he could see Tukai’s ghost standing on the dais, laughing with his wicked grin.
Erik shook his head. “I will order a review of this tribunal,” he promised.
Senator Bracken pointed and shook his hand. “You refuse to carry out justice? Why would you stall for a review when the verdict was reached by the vast majority of senators present? Are you a traitor, or do you serve the king?”
“There is only one way the Keeper can prove himself loyal to the king!” another senator shouted from the right side of the room.
“Enact the sentence or you will stand trial beside the traitor!” another shouted.
“Oh laddie,” Al sighed.
Erik glanced around the room. He could see the senators shouting, pumping their fists in the air or spitting on the ground in his direction, but he could no longer hear them. Something pulled at his heart, warning him of an unseen danger. He hadn’t identified it yet, but he was searching, scanning each balcony. He called upon his inner power as he tried to discern the truth of the matter.
All became clear as his eyes returned to Senator Bracken. The man’s white robes turned dark, the skin on his hands aged and gnarled. His face withered and wrinkled beyond what it had been, and his eyes became black as death.
Erik drew his sword. The heat of his anger coursed through his right arm, down to his hand until the blade itself awoke with a white hot sheath of living fire that swirled over the blade.
“I see the truth,” Erik said. “Reveal yourself, warlock!”
“Warlock?” Senator Bracken repeated. “He throws blame from himself by casting spurious accusations! There are no warlocks here, only loyalists and traitors.” Senator Bracken motioned to someone that Erik could not see. “Kill them both,” he said, pointing to Lord Lokton and Braun.