* - * - * - *
Time passed slowly. Again, Jesh paced his cell because he could not sit down. He thought back on the events of the day and tried to calculate the impact his words had made on the household. The tapes didn't exactly prove his innocence; they only proved that the Prenth had lied.
An hour later, they came for him and took him upstairs. Nothing had changed. They all seemed solemn.
"A final question," said Lady Tireth. "You said you were not allowed to come home, yet you have been gone for eleven years. Is this the soonest you could have returned?"
Jesh's heart skipped a beat. He had dreaded this question. He could lie, but decided against it. They were not fools. "No. I could have returned as early as seven years ago."
Murmurs came from members of the household at this. Jesh hoped this wouldn't be the deciding factor. The room quieted down.
"Why the delay?" asked Lady Tireth.
"I wanted to settle this thing, and for that I needed a good education. Also, I was afraid. I knew that if I came back, you would punish me."
"Then why have you come back?" her voice was softer.
Jesh paused. “Because . . . this is my home."
Silence came again, and Jesh waited.
"We have finished deliberating and have made our judgment," said Lady Tireth. "I will speak for you now. I remember you as a truthful child. I also know Lord Demmin trusted you deeply. We find you innocent of his murder."
It took a moment for this to sink in; Jesh realized he had been holding his breath. Slowly, he let it out.
"But," continued Lady Tireth. "In the other matters we find you guilty. You have damaged the reputation of this house; you willfully stayed on Prent when you should have returned. Therefore, you must suffer punishment: 30 lashes and three days confinement."
Jesh's mind thought quickly. Three days confinement--that was nothing, but 30 lashes would be difficult. 50 lashes had been known to kill a man. But still, he felt a tremendous relief. It could have been much worse.
"Lord Risser will administer the punishment," she continued.
That jarred Jesh. He knew Lord Risser would not be merciful. Still, he had a chance. Jesh stepped forward, and bowed to Lady Tireth. "Thank you, my Lady, for your faith. I am grateful."
She nodded. The judgment would be executed immediately. They led him back downstairs. He was glad they chose not to do it in public. They took off his shirt and made him wait while the others came down.
He tried not to think of his punishment. He would live; that was enough.
Only the men came to watch. To make sure it was done right, Lord Eshlar oversaw the punishment. When everyone was present, they gave the whip to Lord Risser. Jesh turned and faced the wall. The lashing began. Lord Risser did it slowly, aiming each blow for maximum effect, as though savoring each one.
The pain was great, but though he felt numb and weak, Jesh did not pass out when it ended. No one spoke. They took him to the room and laid him on a blanket on the floor, then shut the door and locked it. A man came in and cleaned the wounds on his back. No one came for three days. No one brought food.
The House of Hasson Page 5