by Farr, Cathy;
‘And does he have someone to defend him, Prosecutor Prinze?’ asked the man in the magenta robes, looking around the hall as if he expected someone to step forward. To Wil’s total surprise, someone did.
A cloaked figure at the back of the hall stood up and lowered the hood of her dove-grey hood.
‘Lady Élanor,’ said the man with a polite nod.
‘But I…’ said Wil, but an echo of the pain Tally had inflicted on him the day before crept into his head and he shut up. Confused, he glanced towards the gallery – there in the corner sat the silver-haired young girl he had met the day before. He looked back at Lady Élanor and then back to the gallery but the seat Tally had occupied was empty.
‘For the record, please state your name, boy,’ said the man in the magenta gown.
‘Wil Calloway… Sir, I, er…if I could explain…’
But the man ignored him and ploughed on.
‘As Grand Wizen of the Order of the Magewizen of Saran, I must inform you that you are here today charged with the attempted murder of Seth Tanner and of the theft of forty-three deer. How do you plead, Master Calloway?’
His watery eyes gazed at Wil over a pair of half-moon spectacles.
‘I….I didn’t…’ stammered Wil.
‘He pleads Not Guilty, your Worship,’ Lady Élanor announced. In a second she was at Wil’s side.
‘I see,’ said the Grand Wizen. He looked at Lady Élanor for a moment and then turned to Wil. ‘In that case, Master Calloway, you must stand trial for these charges. Prosecutor, are you ready to go straight into the trial or do you need any time to prepare?’
The Prosecutor was back on her feet before Wil could blink.
‘Oh yes, your Worship, I am indeed ready to proceed.’
Confusion and panic were now competing to take-over Wil’s mind – and at that moment they were level pegging!
‘I, too, am ready, your Worship,’ said Lady Élanor, bowing almost imperceptibly towards Wil.
‘Excellent, in that case we’ll go straight to Trial!’ announced the Grand Wizen.
The rest of the Order nodded in silent approval and a cheer erupted from the packed gallery. A few people clapped. Someone threw another tomato. This time the over-ripe fruit caught Wil squarely on the shoulder; it exploded on impact and plopped onto the floor. Pulp and pips dripped down Wil’s shirt and off his cheek. A girl giggled. Again no one objected.
‘Prosecutor Prinze… if you would like to state the case against Master Calloway,’ invited the Grand Wizen.
‘Yes, your Worships, thank you.’ The Prosecutor took centre stage. ‘This is a very straight forward situation, your Worships. Seth Tanner, as we all know, was up at Thesker Fell – on Tel Hireth, to be precise, your Worships. He had been sent there by your Worships to serve a term of two weeks tending the deer before they went up on to the Fells for the winter. This was a punishment for an earlier misdemeanour that does not have any bearing on today’s Trial.’
The Grand Wizen nodded and waved his hand for her to move on.
Everyone sat riveted. Wil listened in horror as Prosecutor Prinze shared her version of the previous day’s events with the packed hall.
‘Yesterday, as Seth Tanner entered into the final day of his punishment, this boy - Wil Calloway,’ she said with a grimace and pointed dramatically towards Wil, ‘accompanied by four other assailants, set upon Seth and his valuable Fellhound, Farrow. Both Farrow and Seth were badly injured in this unprovoked attack. Fortunately, four of the assailants were dispatched by the hound. Calloway - finding him alone - enchanted the hound in order to stop her from ripping-out his throat and then attempted to murder young Seth. Luckily Seth’s father and uncle arrived at that moment and found Calloway armed with his sword - clearly intent on mischief. But Cedric Tanner bravely knocked Calloway out before he could finish his murderous work.’
‘And what of the forty-two deer, Prosecutor?’ asked the Grand Wizen looking appalled.
‘Forty-three, your Worship - they were nowhere to be found. It is obvious that Calloway had other accomplices who stole them away during the fighting.’
‘I see,’ said the Grand Wizen, clearly happy with this explanation. ‘Would you like to add anything else for the prosecution, Miss Prinze?’
‘Not at this time, your Worship, but I would like to call Cedric and Arbert later.’ Then she sat down at a smaller, far less ornate table at the side of the hall.
‘Of course, but first we’d better hear the defence’s response,’ said the Grand Wizen and cast a disdainful eye at Wil before turning, more respectfully, towards Lady Élanor.
‘Lady Élanor, before you start, are you sure that you are happy to do this? I am quite satisfied that, with your formidable talents, this boy is unlikely to have bewitched you; however, I must be sure that you have good reason for attempting to defend this villain.’
‘I do not believe that this boy is guilty of the crimes put before you today, your Worship, and I believe that I will be able to convince you all that I am right to stand in his defence.’ As Lady Élanor answered, she looked at each of the Wizens in turn.
‘Very well… if you are sure, but I must warn you that the case against him is very strong,’ said the Grand Wizen, looking to his companions who again nodded silently.
‘I am sure, your Worships,’ answered Lady Élanor.
The Grand Wizen turned back to the Prosecutor with his eyebrows raised and his hands out – palms up. In response to his invitation she sprang to her feet.
‘First, I would like to call Cedric Tanner, your Worships.’
Opposite, below the gallery, a battered door creaked open and a pale, tired-looking man shuffled in. He stood just inside the doorway and dragged his cap off his head, wringing it in his hands while he waited to be told what to do next.
‘Good morning, Cedric. Come, come in,’ said the Grand Wizen kindly. ‘How is your son today?’
Wil did a double-take – it was almost impossible to believe that this was the same bullying brute who had captured and taunted him the previous day!
‘Good morning, Morten. He’s not too good. Still not said anything - Lady Élanor says there’s no permanent harm done, but we’ll have to see. Bless ‘im. Lyin’ there, white as a ghost and there’s nothing I can do to ‘elp ‘im!’
With that he broke down and sobbed into his crushed hat.
‘I’m sorry, but I jus’ feel so helpless,’ wailed Cedric. Prosecutor Prinze rushed to comfort him and threw an apologetic glance at the Grand Wizen.
‘I suggest that we start with Arbert Pernell, your Worships, while Mr Tanner takes a moment to compose himself. This is, after all, a very difficult time for him, especially with his son’s attacker standing in this very room…’ she said.
‘I must object to this theatre, your Worships,’ interrupted Lady Élanor rising to her feet - calm but clearly concerned.
‘I can assure everyone that Seth’s life is not in any danger. As I have already explained quite clearly to Mister Tanner, he will be up on his feet in a matter of days. In the meantime, I must remind everyone that while Master Calloway is here on trial - he has not yet been judged!’
‘Quite, quite,’ agreed the Grand Wizen hastily. He turned back to the Prosecutor and smiled kindly. ‘Annabel - give Cedric a chair and call Arbert.’
‘Certainly, your Worship, but I must object to Lady Élanor’s reference to ‘theatre’ – I think that was quite unnecessary!’ said the Prosecutor hotly.
‘So were the tears!’ said Lady Élanor under her breath.
‘Your Worships, I call Arbert Pernell,’ announced the Prosecutor, slightly pink cheeked.
While Arbert, also cap-in-hand, scuttled in slowly Prosecutor Prinze gently directed Cedric to a seat at the edge of the room; he sat down sniffing loudly and wiped his nose with his hat. She then turned to address Arbert, who jumped when he heard his name echo through the huge hall.
‘Mr Pernell, please could you tell us what happened yesterday when
you went up to see Seth on Thesker Fell?’
‘Yes, Ma’am, I, er… we… er… we went up to see Seth ‘cos Cedric was worried about ‘im. ‘e’d been gone two ‘ole weeks and ‘is mother – my sister - was right worried. Hadn’t baked a decent loaf since ‘e went – never does when she’s fretting about somat. Flat as pancakes – jus’ like our mam. She was exactly the same! Our Dad always used to say -’
The Grand Wizen cut in with a fixed smile, ‘Yes, I’m sure he did, Arbert, but could we go back to when you and Cedric got up onto the Fells?’
‘Sorry, my Lord…I mean, my Worship. Well, we got up to Tel Hireth about mid morning. The sun was really ‘ot and I was glad to get off Daisy ‘cos me saddle was really starting to chafe me -’
‘Mr Pernell!’ Miss Prinze cut in this time, looking even more flushed. Lady Élanor looked down smiling. ‘I think it might be a bit easier if I ask some questions for you to answer?’
‘Oh, all right, yes,’ nodded Arbert, eager to please.
‘Arbert, when you arrived, what was Seth doing?’
‘Well, nothing, Ma’am. ‘e was lyin’ on the ground with that boy over there leanin’ over ‘im all threatenin’ like,’ answered Arbert, wide-eyed.
‘Were there any other people there, when you arrived, Arbert?’ asked the Prosecutor carefully.
‘Well, yes, but they was all dead! Four of ‘em – in a right state too! Errch!’
‘And did you think that Master Calloway, the person over there, was responsible for the deaths of those men?’ asked Miss Prinze, gesturing the Wil. Arbert squinted over towards Wil and then shook his head.
‘Na - looked like Farrow ‘ad been doin’ ‘er job and protectin’ Seth, like she were trained. You did a grand job with that one, Bryn Draxton!’ Arbert answered and waved towards a man with a berry-brown face sitting in the gallery in the front row. The man next to Bryn patted him on the shoulder and another shook his hand. Bryn Draxton waved modestly.
‘One more question, Mr Pernell – do you think that Master Calloway would have murdered young Seth if you had not arrived to stop him?’
‘Oh yes - without a doubt. I’m glad I ‘it ‘im when I did, although ‘e didn’t look so tall when he was bending down – might of thought twice if I’d known! Good job I didn’t, hey?’ answered Arbert, grinning up towards the gallery in response to a murmur of approval.
The Prosecutor looked satisfied, ‘Thank you Mr Pernell. I have no further questions for this person, your Worships,’ she said, addressing the Order.
‘Lady Élanor, do you have any questions for Mr Pernell, before we let him get back to his work?’ asked the Grand Wizen, clearly hoping that she would decline the offer.
‘Only two questions, your Worship.’
She approached Arbert, who visibly withered.
‘Mr Pernell – Arbert.’ Wil’s ears pricked up - he had heard that tone before! ‘Was Master Calloway carrying a weapon when you saw him with Seth?’
‘Um…I’m…not sure…’ said the little man. Speaking slowly, he closed one eye and wrinkled his nose in an effort to remember. ‘I think ‘is sword was on the ground by Seth’s campfire – a bit of a way off… … no, no, I don’t think ‘e ‘ad anything else on ‘im, Ma’am, eh….’
He paused. Lady Élanor waited. Arbert squinted up at the rafters while he pondered and then stuck his finger in the air. Lady Élanor raised an eyebrow.
‘In fact, I remember now, sayin’ to Cedric, after I’d ‘it ‘im…I said, ‘Great Moons, Cedric, the villain ain’t armed!’ … cos ‘e wasn’t, Ma’am,’ he added helpfully.
‘So, Arbert, why did you think he was going to kill Seth?’ asked Lady Élanor innocently.
“Cos Cedric said ‘e was, an ‘e told me to stop ‘im – so I did – I ‘it ‘im with a lump o’ wood from the fire.’ Arbert was starting to enjoy himself now. He had answered all of Lady Élanor’s questions and he hadn’t made her cross once!
Wil listened intently.
‘I have no further questions for Mr Pernell, your Worships,’ Lady Élanor announced and turned back to her seat without casting a glance in Wil’s direction.
‘In that case - Thank you Arbert, you may go now,’ said Prosecutor Prinze, springing to her feet before Lady Élanor had a chance to change her mind. ‘Cedric, do you think you are ready now to tell us what you saw?’
She nodded at Seth’s father. He moved to get to his feet and then seemed to have second thoughts.
‘Yes, I’m alright now, thanks Annabel. But can I sit down? My legs are still a bit wobbly from the shock of it all.’
Cedric started to weep again.
‘Would you like some elder wine, Cedric, before we continue?’ asked the Grand Wizen.
‘No, I’ll be fine now.’
He blew his nose into his hat and then absentmindedly jammed the crumpled hat into his pocket.
‘Very well, if you’re sure, Cedric - Madam Prinze, please continue.’
Prosecutor Prinze stood for a moment, without saying a word, leaving space in the silence for Cedric’s sniffs and sighs, as he regained his composure. Wil looked at Lady Élanor – her cream, silken cheeks and pale blue eyes gave nothing away.
The gallery was in rapt silence - several women dabbed handkerchiefs to their eyes and a man at the back wiped his nose in his sleeve. Finally, the Prosecutor broke the silence.
‘Cedric, in your own words, could you tell us what happened when you arrived on Thesker Fell yesterday morning?’
‘Yes, Ma’am. As you know, Arbert and I went up to Tel Hireth to join Seth. When we got there – as we approached – we thought it was odd because we couldn’t see any of the deer, then we saw two men - dead on the ground. It wasn’t a pretty sight, I can tell you!’ He grimaced at the memory. ‘We was worried then, so we crept up the last rise to where Seth was supposed to be watching the animals and we found another one. Then we saw Seth lyin’ on the ground, still as anything, and that boy there, was kneeling over with his hands around my son’s throat.’
‘I was not, that’s wrong!’ Wil jumped up, unable to contain himself any longer.
‘That’s quite enough, Master Calloway!’ The Grand Wizen’s jowls wobbled. Horrified at Wil’s outburst, one of the wizens muttered something to the man sitting next to her. He replied with a grave shake of his head. Wil saw red.
‘But I wasn’t trying to kill him – I was trying to help him! I keep trying to tell you! WHY WON’T YOU LISTEN?’
The Grand Wizen banged sharply on the table with a small silver hammer.
‘Master Calloway, if you do not resume your seat I will be forced to halt this trial and you will go back to the jail until you calm down!’
Utter frustration was threatening to completely consume Wil when he felt a cool hand on his arm. Gentle and soft, it instantly made him think of his mother.
‘It’s alright Wil,’ said a voice in his head. A dull ache behind his eyes came and went in a heart-beat. ‘Everything will be alright but Lady Élanor cannot help unless you sit down and trust her.’
Wil looked around. It was Lady Élanor’s hand, but her lips weren’t moving – neither were those of Miss Prinze. He stood, frozen – now was not a good time to start hearing voices!
The voice whispered again, ‘Sit down Wil. Let my sister help you, trust her.’
He looked around for the source of the voice, beads of sweat broke out on his forehead – was he going mad? Then he saw her again – that pale face - silently sitting in the corner of the gallery where she had been earlier. Tally looked directly into Wil’s eyes and gave him the tiniest of nods. He sat back down. His hands were shaking.
‘I must apologise on behalf of Master Calloway, your Worships. I can assure you it will not happen again. Cedric, please continue.’ Calm as Lady Élanor sounded, she remained very close to Wil and kept her hand on his arm until Wil’s pounding heart slowed.
Cedric, white faced, continued to share his version of the events of the previous day and once he’d
started his words gathered momentum and tumbled out of his mouth. The Prosecutor walked slowly around the hall nodding solemnly as he spoke.
‘I told Arbert to stop him before he murdered Seth. Arbert hit him over the head with a branch. When we were sure that he was out cold, we tied him up and then did our best to help my boy. Then we brought him back with Seth and called for you, Lady Élanor, but Tally came instead. All she did was look at the Calloway boy and he collapsed on the floor, and then Tally gave the order for him to be taken him away - so we knew then we were right!’
‘Thank you, Cedric,’ said the Prosecutor, obviously delighted with her star-witness. ‘I have no further questions, your Worships.’
‘Lady Élanor?’ invited the Grand Wizen in a cautionary tone.
‘Thank you, your Worship,’ said Lady Élanor, throwing Wil a warning glance that told him in no uncertain terms that another outburst would be an extremely bad move. Then she walked past Cedric, her eyes fixed on some indistinct point in the gallery.
‘Cedric, you said you found the bodies of four men when you found Seth,’ she said, in a very clear voice for, Wil was sure, the benefit of everyone - not just Cedric.
‘Yes, Ma’am,’ replied Cedric. His voice was wary now and he listened carefully.
‘And these bodies, were they about the same age as Wil here, or were they the bodies of grown men?’
‘Oh, they were older than the boy, Ma’am. Grown men, for sure,’ he replied with a confident nod.
‘So why do you think grown men were accompanied by a boy who, it seems, they were relying on to finish their work if their own efforts met with failure?’
‘I wouldn’t know, Ma’am,’ said Cedric. For the first time since Wil had met him, Cedric looked genuinely mystified. Lady Élanor continued.
‘Hmm…. and Farrow; clearly she has been trained well and did her job to protect Seth - how long has Seth been her master?’
‘Four years this spring, Ma’am. She will fight to the death if she has to – that’s how they’re trained, as you know.’ Cedric’s voice was full of pride.