“This Blederak, was he a likable sort of fellow?” Brefreton asked.
Blez squawked. “Bless my feathers, that’s a laugh. Blederak were a bad one, right, Izil?”
Her sister nodded. “He were rotten, all right, and I ain’t tweaking my beak. Blederak weren’t nice to man nor monster. Stole the eggs from my nest more than once.”
“That is all the questions I have,” Brefreton said. “Thank you, ladies.”
“No furzer queshuns,” Gowyr said, wheezing.
To the relief of the assembly, the harpies were excused, and they flapped away. The harpy stink lingered, however, and braziers were brought out and sweet herbs tossed on the fires to eradicate the odor.
When the air was bearable once more, Gowyr removed his nose bag and called his next witness.
“The Inquisition calls the Durngesi, Alden Rathloren,” the unicorn said.
To the astonishment of the crowd, an enormous dog trotted across the grass and sat down in the circle.
“What is the meaning of this?” Gowyr demanded. “I called Alden Rathloren to the witness circle, not this mutt.”
Brefreton stood and addressed the judges. “This garhound and Alden Rathloren are one and the same, Your Honors. The Durngesi is a shapeshifter.”
“I cannot be expected to question a dog, Your Honors,” Gowyr objected. “No one will understand a thing he says.” He turned to Birch. “Does the court interpreter speak garhound?”
The woodling shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”
The unicorn pawed the ground. “The Inquisitor asks that the court order the witness to resume his human shape.”
Brefreton rose. “Your Honors, if you will examine the earlier testimony of the harpies, you will find the Durngesi was in dog form at the time of the incident.”
The court scribe, a gray-haired, officious-looking man, was brought forth to read the earlier testimony of Izil and Blez.
“The Inquisitor asked the witnesses to tell the court what happened between the rock troll, Blederak, and the human Reaven Gorne.” The scribe lowered his parchment. “To be precise, the word the Inquisitor used was ‘rog troll,’ which the witnesses interpreted as ‘rock troll.’” He continued, “The harpy, Izil, testified that the rock troll had been stuck to a wall when, and I quote, ‘We was thinking about having a bite or two of Blederak—harpies not being bothered by rock troll blood, you see—when along comes this delicious black-haired warrior and a great big dog.’”
The judges conferred.
“Since the witness was a dog when he witnessed the incident,” Stavv said, “it is only proper that he testify in that form.”
The garhound whined in approval.
Gowyr twitched in affront. “Very well. Kindly tell the court what happened between the rock troll, Blederak, and the accused on the day in question.”
The garhound began to bark excitedly.
“Stop,” Gowyr said over the noise. “Oh, this is useless. I can’t understand a thing he says. ʼTis of no moment. The testimony of the harpies is sufficient to convict the accused.” He looked down his long nose at Brefreton. “Your witness. I hope you speak dog.”
Brefreton strode up to the witness circle. “You were with the roark when he went looking for the Lady Raine, were you not?”
The garhound gave a sharp bark.
“You’ve had your fun, Alden,” Brefreton said. “Speak so that we may understand you, if you please.”
The garhound yawned. “If you insist,” he said, quite plainly.
Gowyr galloped up to the judges’ table. “Obstruction of justice,” he said, stamping his hooves. “This animal should be punished for refusing to cooperate with the Inquisitor.”
Brefreton raised his brows. “All the Inquisitor had to do was address the witness politely, instead of insulting him.”
Gowyr exhaled loudly. “How was I to know the hound was intelligent?”
“Indeed.” Brefreton gave the unicorn a chilly smile. “Assumptions are often misleading. One, for example, could easily mistake you for a jackass.” He turned to the judges’ table. “With the Court’s permission, I will proceed?”
The judges put their heads together. Two of the human judges, Malryn and Neld, could be heard arguing with the other judges, but they were ultimately overruled.
Stavv nodded to Brefreton. “Proceed.”
“Tell us about the search for Lady Raine,” Brefreton asked Alden.
“The gareeni had been captured by a group of Shads. We followed their trail into Northern Udom.”
“And gareeni means…”
“It’s a Durngesi term. It means pick of the litter.”
“And did you and Raven find the…er…gareeni?”
“No,” the garhound said. “In the hills, we came across some Shads. Sixteen in all, I believe, dead. Killed by a rock troll.”
“How did you know it was a rock troll that killed the Shads?”
“We found his claw marks in the rocks,” the hound said. “Also, the bodies had been dismembered and tossed about.”
“What was the roark’s reaction when he found the dead Shads?” Brefreton asked.
“He was not happy,” the garhound said. “He feared for the gareeni’s life.”
“And you? Did you fear for the gareeni?”
“Absolutely.”
The garhound went on to tell how they’d found Blederak pinned to the cliff, and of the conversation between Blederak and Raven. When Alden described the rock troll’s death at Raven’s hand, Gowyr lowered his head and sounded his horn.
“You heard him, Your Honors,” Gowyr said with a neigh of satisfaction. “The witness has testified that Reaven Gorne murdered the rock troll in cold blood.”
Brefreton held up his hand. “From what you’ve told us, Alden, Raven had turned his back on the rock troll to leave. What made him turn and slay Blederak?”
“Raven was enraged that the rock troll had tried to kill the gareeni,” the garhound said. “When Blederak made light of it, ʼtwas too much.”
“That is all,” Brefreton said.
Gowyr swished his tail. “No further questions.”
The garhound rose and stretched, then trotted from the witness circle.
Gowyr trotted before the judges’ table, his white coat shining in the sun.
“The Inquisition rests,” he said, dipping his horn to the judges. “The accused’s guilt has been established without question, by his own confession, and by the testimony of all three witnesses. He is foresworn and should be stoned forthwith.”
“You are hasty, Inquisitor,” the rowan said. “I would hear the witnesses on the roark’s behalf.”
“Is that wise, my king?” Hedda asked, resting the tips of her fingers on his arm. “You are no longer a young man. I fear the strain of the trial may be too much for you.”
“Thank you for your concern,” the rowan said, drawing away. “I shall muddle along, somehow.” He nodded at Brefreton. “Proceed.”
Brefreton looked uncomfortable. “This is awkward, Your Honors, but there has been some difficulty in locating my first witness.”
“I’ve got him, Bree.” Carr strode down the green. “Or mayhap I should say her. ʼTis hard to tell.”
“Well done,” Brefreton said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Something small fluttered into the air and buzzed angrily around Brefreton’s head.
“Watch it, human,” the tiny creature said. “You almost hit me with your paw.”
“Beg pardon,” Brefreton said. “I didn’t see you.”
“The human should open its eyes,” the creature said, “or it will get stung.”
Red-faced, Brefreton turned to the judges. “The defense calls the witness to the circle.”
“I object,” Gowyr said. “A remnant is not a proper witne
ss. It simply isn’t done.”
“The deceased is a remnant,” Brefreton pointed out, “as is one of the judges.”
The oculus gave Gowyr an unfriendly look with its fifty eyes.
“I meant no offense, Your Honor,” the unicorn said with a nervous whinny, “but ʼtis highly irregular.”
“Does the Inquisitor have something to offer besides prejudice against Second Mades?” Brefreton arched his brows. “No? Then, with the Court’s permission, I will question the witness.”
“Go ahead, wizard,” Stavv said.
Brefreton swept a hand toward the ring in the grass. “The defense calls…” He paused. “I beg your pardon. I don’t know your name.”
“Thrulphanspelzerglitz.” The tiny creature’s voice was a grating, metallic shriek. “But you can call me Glitz.”
“Very well,” Brefreton said. “The defense calls Glitz, the stone fairy, to the witness circle.”
Chapter 28
Censure
“Glitz, do you recall the day you found Blederak, the rock troll, stuck to a cliff?” Brefreton asked the stone fairy.
The tiny creature’s eyes were hard as currants. “ʼCourse Glitz remembers.”
“Excellent. Tell the judges about that.”
“Why should I?”
Gowyr stamped his hooves. “I object. This potato with wings has nothing of value to add to the proceedings.”
The stone fairy regarded the unicorn with dislike. “If I tells you what happened, can Glitz sting the unicorn?”
“I’m afraid not,” Brefreton said, “but your testimony may hurt his case, and that’s a sting of a different sort.”
Glitz gave a shivery little laugh. “I will do it, then—and I hopes the old bag has the spavins.” The stone fairy folded its small, webbed hands. “It was like this, see. I found Blederak stuck to the cliff bawling like a baby. Then, I sees her.”
“Her?” Brefreton said.
“The human what got lost in the mountains.” The stone fairy pointed a sharp little finger at Raine. “That’s her, there.”
“Let the record reflect the witness has indicated the Lady Raine,” Brefreton said. “What was the lady doing when you happened upon her?”
“Crying.” The stone fairy’s brown face wrinkled. “She said she was lost and that a rock troll tried to eat her.”
“Which rock troll?”
“Blederak, o’ course. He tried to kill the stupid human, and she pegged him to the wall.”
“Blederak tried to kill her?”
“Bleck, has you no ears? I said so, didn’t I? Glitz took the human to the Smith of the Mountains and left.”
“Thank you, Glitz.” Brefreton turned to the judges. “That is all I have for the witness.”
The judges looked at Gowyr.
“No questions,” he neighed.
Glitz made a face at the unicorn and flew up to Raine.
“Stay out of Udom,” the stone fairy chirped. “You bring trouble on our kind. Next time, I will leave you for the chimera.”
With that, Glitz darted away.
“Touchy little blowfly, ain’t it?” Mauric said.
“Hush,” Glory said. “Bree’s about to call Raven.”
Brefreton cleared his throat. “The defense calls the accused, Reaven Gorne, also known as Raven, natural son of Gorne Lindar, to the circle.”
A party of guards marched Raven to the witness circle. The crowd murmured. Despite the chains at his hands and feet, he looked dangerous.
“Did you kill the rock troll Blederak?” Brefreton asked Raven without preamble when the mob had settled down.
“Aye.”
“Did you kill him because he butchered the Shads?”
“No.”
“Really? You did not find the wholesale slaughter of sixteen men offensive?”
“Rock trolls are predators,” Raven said with a shrug. “The Shads had no business in Udom.”
“Then why did you slay him?”
“He needed killing.”
Brefreton’s brows rose. “Why?”
“Because he tried to hurt her.”
“Her?”
“The Lady Raine.”
“Hmm.” Brefreton paced in front of the circle, his hands at his back. “You are something of a warrior, are you not?”
“I have some skill at arms,” Raven said.
“Come now, Roark, don’t be modest,” Brefreton said. “You served as captain of the guard. You presently run a shipping empire and act as emissary on the rowan’s behalf. You have fought countless battles on land and at sea.” He turned to face the stands. “What think you—is this man a hero?”
The crowd answered with a deafening roar.
Judge Relkin raised a horn to his lips. “Silence.”
“You took an oath to protect the Kronlings?” Brefreton asked Raven when the crowd had quieted.
“Yes.”
“Did you take the oath seriously?”
“Always.”
“And now?” Brefreton said. “Do you still consider yourself bound by the oath?”
“Until the day I die.”
“Which, conveniently, is today,” Gowyr said with a snigger.
Brefreton ignored the unicorn. “I don’t understand,” he said, gazing intently at Raven. “You broke your oath when you killed the rock troll. You are foresworn.”
A muscle twitched in Raven’s jaw. “Yes.”
Gowyr wheeled to face the judges. “How many times must we hear this man confess before he is punished? Stone him.”
“Brefreton?” Stavv said. “What say you?”
Brefreton bowed. “I ask the court’s indulgence but a little longer.” Turning back to Raven, he said, “Do you regret breaking your oath?”
“No,” Raven said. “Had I to do it over, I would do the same.”
The crowd gasped, and Brefreton motioned for silence.
“You’d do it again?” he said in a tone of disbelief. “Lose your honor. Suffer the condemnation of your countrymen. Face a painful death? In the name of the gods, why?”
Raven shrugged. “Some things are worth dying for.”
Brefreton glanced at the crowd. “Including the Lady Raine?”
“Aye. Of a certainty.”
The stands erupted. This time, it took more than a single blast from Relkin’s horn to restore order. At last, the noise subsided.
Stavv rose to his feet. “Does the Inquisitor wish to question the accused?”
“Na-a-a-y.”
Chains clanking, Raven was marched out of the circle and back to his former place.
Stavv turned to Brefreton. “Is the defense finished?”
“Not quite, Your Honor.” Brefreton faced the tent. “Counsel for the accused calls the Lady Raine to the circle.”
“I object,” Gowyr said, tossing his head. “She is neither Finlar nor Kronling and has no place in these proceedings.”
“She is a key witness for the accused,” Brefreton said. “And, I may point out, the Inquisitor called the Durngesi to the circle, and he is neither of those things.”
Brefreton and Gowyr began to argue, their voices rising.
Stavv slammed his hand on the judges’ table. “The judges will withdraw to deliberate.”
The judges rose from the table and gathered in a tight circle to decide the issue. Raine watched them anxiously. Lord Malryn, the satyr, and Neld, another of the human judges, obviously did not want her to testify.
“Pssst, Rainey.”
Tiny’s disembodied head appeared in an opening in the tent. The rest of the giant was invisible.
“Tiny,” Raine said, rising and hurrying to the flap in the canvas. “What are you doing here?”
“I be looking fer Mauric,” Tiny said. “Has y
ou seen him? Want him to know I be primed and ready. Operation Crow Flight, don’t you know.”
“No, I don’t. What are you talking about?”
“Nothing for you to worry about,” Mauric said, striding up. “Be a good fellow, Tiny, and run along.”
“Mauric Lindar,” Raine said. “What are you up to?”
Gertie materialized unexpectedly, making Raine jump. “Making sure Raven don’t get petrified, that’s what.”
“Your preparations are needless,” Glory said, strolling over. “Raine will save Raven. I have seen it.”
Gertie rounded on her. “Bah, I ain’t trusting my son’s life to the mouthings of a seer. There’s an army of trolls waiting to take the field should they try and stone him.”
Glory made a sound of dismay. “You cannot, Gertie. Such a course would be disastrous. You and every troll with you will be foresworn.”
“Much I care. Raven will be alive,” Gertie snapped. “What’s more, I’ll wager Gorne has a plan of his own. A melee between the Royal Guard and Hedda’s men would prove a nice distraction, wouldn’t it?” She showed her teeth. “Gorne’s been looking for an excuse to rid himself of Hedda’s faction these fifty years and more.”
“The rowan spoke to you in the old language,” Glory said. “What did he say?”
“He said…” Gertie’s lips trembled. “He said he’d sooner die than hurt me or Raven.”
“You see?” Glory said. “Violence is unnecessary. Raine will save Raven from the basilisk.”
“Horse apples. You don’t know that.” Gertie thumped her chest. “At least, we’ve got a plan in case things go widdershins.”
The judges filed back to the table and Relkin blew the horn.
“The witness may testify,” Stavv said.
Legs trembling, Raine left the pavilion and crossed the green to the witness circle.
“Steady,” Brefreton murmured. “You can do this.” Lifting his voice, he said, “Lady Raine, we have heard from several witnesses today, including the accused, who have related the events of that day, so we will not plow that row again. One thing, however, has not been clarified.” He paused for effect. “I am curious. Explain, if you would, how you stuck the rock troll to the cliff wall? Did you tie him there? Nail him? Stick him to the cliff with tar?”
A Muddle of Magic Page 42