by C. R. Daems
"I, Judicator Shalea, do call this judgment into session. Captain, read the charges," Shalea said in her best stage voice.
"Merchant Gilford is charged with the murder of Merchant Tilman," the captain read.
Shalea learned that the two merchants had decided to settle their disagreement with swords. The survivor, Gilford, was on trial for murder. A real judicator, having the ability to sense truth from fiction, would have settled the case quickly. Shalea took much longer, questioning everyone, even those only slightly involved. She came to the same conclusion the crowd had. Merchant Gilford had provoked Merchant Tilman into the fight and had killed him.
"Let it be known to all citizens of Pyxus that Judicator Shalea has resolved beyond any man's right to question the issue before her involving the killing of Merchant Tilman by Merchant Gilford," she chanted, as she had practiced a hundred times. "I decree the following:
"First, Merchant Gilford is to pay to Merchant Tilman's widow the sum of five hundred silvers.
"Second, Merchant Gilford shall receive twenty lashes in the town square and be confined by the city guard for one year.
"So say the Judicators of Pyxus."
Shalea thought her verdict was just and fair based on what she had been taught of Pyxus's law. The citizens of Warring agreed. She left the platform with a cat-like smile, more confident in her new role.
Over the next two days, Shalea heard three more cases in Warring involving commoners, and asked to preside over another involving a young Essam nobleman. The young nobleman, Kirill, was accused of beating a commoner who happened to be slow in moving out of his way. From the evidence, the nobleman had been drunk, belligerent, and aggressive. Shalea frowned over how to follow Chaney's order to demonstrate the benefits of supporting him. After a long pause, she announced a much higher than normal fine but no whipping, since money meant little to most nobles but a whipping would have been humiliating. She sent a glance of understanding to the beaming nobleman. The commoners left, whispering among themselves.
* * *
In his private office, Chaney sat relaxed in his dark-leather-covered chair. Animal hides hung on the walls along with two boar heads, trophies with fifteen-centimeter tusks. Although it was smaller than his private office in Tarquay, he loved this room. The shelves bulged with books. His favorite book lay on his desk, a tale of a noble who had ruled undisputed some three centuries ago after defeating a commoner rebellion, before the nonsense of combining the provinces under a weakling king.
He took a deep breath, sucking in the scent of leather. The captain stood at attention in front of his desk with the door shut behind him. The man had been head of his personal security detail for seven years prior to being given the responsibility to guard and watch his new judicator. He was a no-nonsense man, a master with sword and dagger.
"Well, Captain, how did she do? I've heard Mistress Shalea's version. What was your impression?" Answer carefully, Captain. Even you are watched. Chaney sat back, sipping his wine.
"Very well, Your Grace. The cases involving merchants and freemen were well received. The case involving the young Essam noble upset the commoners, of course. But the nobles were pleased. I talked to young Kirill after his trial. He and his friends were delighted. He said her verdict would help build general support for you across Essam. He rode out with friends to block other judicators from entering Warring," the captain said. He continued to stand straight with his eyes respectfully lowered.
"Excellent."
"One more piece of news, Your Grace."
Chaney motioned for the captain to continue.
"As we were leaving, I heard that he and his friends had killed one judicator and wounded another, as they attempted to enter Warring."
Chaney leaned back and nodded. "That is good news. You must continue to see that our judicator is well cared for." Chaney took two bags of gold coins out of a chest, which he handed to the captain. "I'm pleased, Fedor. You have done well."
Chaney nodded in dismissal. After the captain left, Chaney poured himself more wine and toasted his success. Most men were dwarfs who thought they were giants. They needed someone to form them into an effective force. Otherwise, they were just troublemakers. He was born to lead, to unite the unorganized masses, to provide the vision. He deserved to be recognized and honored as a great leader. In the end, they would kneel to him in gratitude. He smiled as he rose.
CHAPTER THREE
Tyrol Province
After a stay in Ironwood, where Jola practiced her swordplay until every muscle ached, they rode toward the capital. They passed wagons and riders almost continually on the heavily traveled route. Most nights they camped along the side of the road, since many of the villages they passed were too small to have inns. She enjoyed sitting next to a small fire eating, and talking with Tenzen was more fun than staying in a room alone, anyway. On two nights, merchants' caravans shared meals with them, happy for their company. They seemed pleased to see and eat with the judicators. Jola hid a smile as she ate. They called her "mistress" and deferred to her as they talked. Tenzen received most of the attention, although she as a new judicator got some stares. She sat quiet, letting Tenzen do most of the talking unless someone spoke to her. Talking to strangers made her palms sweat.
The well-traveled road skirted the bank of a stream, since the hills were steep and well wooded. They made good progress and came to the small village of Woodlay midmorning on the eighth day. A dozen wooden cottages huddled around a stone-built forge and an inn, which was large enough for most of the town to gather in the evening.
Jola followed Tenzen into the market square in front of the inn. No one seemed to be selling anything. A handful of men and women going about their business stopped long enough to give them curious stares. Tenzen sat tall in her saddle and looked around with a smile.
"Where might I find Baron Srecko?" she asked a man working at the forge.
"I'll send my apprentice to get him, Mistress." The smith stepped away, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
Jola gripped her reins hard as she waited, uncomfortable to be the center of attention of the small crowd. People around them shuffled and muttered. The crowd had grown large by the time the baron strode toward them. In his sturdy green broadcloth, he was only a little better dressed than the commoners around him. He beamed when he saw Tenzen.
"Mistress," the baron said. "You honor us by stopping."
Tenzen stepped from her horse. "You rarely need our services, but I do like to check before moving on."
"I regret to say that we have a case for you to hear this year." The baron frowned. "Would you like to stay at my manor until you're ready to hear it?"
"One case? We can hear it today if the parties are at hand."
They tied their horses to a rail in front of the inn and Jola followed Tenzen inside. The innkeeper hurried everyone out so they would have the place to themselves to relax. He set a flagon of white wine and a plate of cheese and bread before them. They heard pounding and shouting coming from outside in the square.
Within the hour, the baron came to escort them to the simple platform in front of the inn where an elaborate chair sat.
"Judicator Jola will hear the case," Tenzen said to the baron, and then motioned Jola forward.
She gasped. Did Tenzen really think she was ready? Tenzen gave her a slight smile, so she stepped onto the platform and faced the crowd. The whole town stood around the square. Jola felt waves of heat and cold washing over her. She had never been so excited or scared. Her viper, however, seemed relaxed as it wound itself around her neck, with its head on her shoulder looking at the gathered crowd.
"In the name of King Nicolas, I, Judicator Jola, do hereby call this judgment in session. Captain, please read the charges," Jola said. She tried her best to look calm. She mustn't embarrass Tenzen.
"Merchant Aeson accuses Commoner Hugo of attacking and beating him," the captain read from his parchment. Aeson did have a purpling bru
ise on his face and his arm was in a sling.
Well, start with the obvious. "Commoner Hugo, did you beat Merchant Aeson?"
"Mistress, he attacked me. I have a right to defend myself." His words brought a warm flush to her body. He spoke the truth. But she also saw something else in his face: amusement. She reached up and stroked her viper, which gently curled around her hand.
"Merchant Aeson, did you attack him?"
"Yes, Mistress. He called me a son of a pig." Again, she felt the warmth of truth. Anger simmered in his voice. She paused for a moment, puzzled.
"Commoner Hugo, why did you hit Merchant Aeson so many times that you caused him injuries?"
"When he attacked me, I had a right to defend myself. I may have hit him a few times too many." Jola sensed truth and amusement again. She pressed her viper's head to her cheek.
"Commoner Hugo, had you done business with Merchant Aeson before the fight?"
"No...yes. He...he sold me some merchandise," Hugo said.
"And were you happy with the merchandise?"
"He cheated me." His face flushed a bright red. "He told me the tack was good leather, only a little used and in good condition. It broke the third time I used it. I busted a rib when it broke." She saw his anger in his reddened face.
"So, you incited Merchant Aeson into a fight so you would be justified in beating him?" Her lips twitched as her viper slid off her hand and disappeared into a pocket. Obviously, it considered the interesting part over.
"No...yes, Mistress. But he deserved it." Cords stood out in his neck as his face reddened further.
"And you broke a rib." Jola rose and walked down the platform to Tenzen. "What do you suggest?"
"It's your judgment." Tenzen shrugged.
"They are both wrong." Jola returned to the platform, since Tenzen didn't seem willing to help.
"Let it be known to all citizens of Pyxus that Judicator Jola has resolved beyond any man's right to question the issue before her involving the assault of Commoner Hugo on Merchant Aeson," Jola chanted. "I decree the following:
"First, Commoner Hugo is guilty of provoking a fight with Merchant Aeson and beating him when he responded. For that, Commoner Hugo is sentenced to five strokes of the cane.
"Second, Merchant Aeson is guilty of selling Commoner Hugo faulty merchandise under false pretensions. For that, Merchant Aeson is sentenced to five strokes of the cane.
"Third, Commoner Hugo's injuries resulting from the faulty merchandise are considered equal to five strokes of the cane, and Merchant Aeson's beating is considered equal to five strokes of the cane.
"Fourth, the transaction is void. Commoner Hugo will return the merchandise to Merchant Aeson, who will refund the purchase price.
"So say the Judicators of Pyxus."
Taking care to walk with great dignity, and keeping her back very straight, Jola left the platform. She couldn't help beaming when she met Tenzen's eyes. "It was wonderful. And my viper seemed interested in what I was doing. Did you see it when Hugo admitted he had been cheated? It disappeared into my clothes as if to say 'the fun's over.' I nearly laughed."
Tenzen chuckled.
That night, they stayed at the village's small, rustic inn. It had no name, just "the Inn." The rooms were small and plain, but the roast chicken was tasty and filling.
* * *
Around noon on the sixth day, they emerged from the forest, and Jola had her first look at city of Lappin. It filled the entire landscape as far as the sea. To the north of the city, on a peninsula, rose a huge castle surrounded by high stone walls. Jola stared, open-mouthed.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Tenzen said. "That's the royal castle that houses the king's substantial army. It's a city within a city."
Upon entering through the city gates, Jola followed Tenzen through a maze of cobblestone streets. The myriad scents of the city that she hadn't smelled in so long-sweat, horses' droppings, meat cooking on a vendor's brazier-swept over her like a tide. She shook her head. It was as though her city life had happened only a few days ago instead of many years.
Eventually, they reached the streets that opened onto the peninsula and the towering gates to King Nicolas's castle. Jola was sweating with nerves. She knew the streets and the markets, but not nobility. A baron wouldn't invite her into his home, much less the ruler of Pyxus. She gasped when a guard ushered them through marble hallways, adorned with statues and colorful rugs and hangings. They came to a door guarded by two men with naked swords at their sides.
Their escort knocked at the door. Another guard opened it only enough to admit him. A minute later, the doors swung open wide. Heart pounding, she followed Tenzen into a warm, comfortable room. Shelves loaded with books covered the walls between beautiful paneling, paintings framed in gold, and a wall of long, narrow windows. In the center of the room, a tall woman sat behind a large wooden desk. She had long brown hair pulled back and tied with black and yellow ribbons-Tyrol's colors-and she wore a yellow silk shirt. As she stood to greet them, a smile lit her narrow, hawk-like face.
"Judicator Tenzen, what an unexpected pleasure. It's been a long time since you visited. I had thought your years on the circuit were over." The woman hugged Tenzen.
Jola felt nervous sweat begin to trickle down her ribs. This was obviously a very important woman.
"Thank you, Princess Regina, you are more the monarch each time I see you. With your permission, let me introduce our newest judicator, Jola. I have her letter of authorization to be inscribed into the official records." Tenzen nodded toward Jola.
"I am pleased to meet you, Judicator Jola. You are welcome here anytime."
Jola flushed with embarrassment as the princess scrutinized her. She was glad for the training the sisters had provided her. Otherwise, she would have been groveling on the floor before Regina-the heir to the king and the current Duchess of Tyrol. However, she was required to kneel before the king and no one else. She bowed her head slightly. "It's my honor to meet you, Your Highness."
"I am glad you are here. We have several cases that require a judicator. It would be an excellent opportunity for our newest judicator to gain experience," Regina said. "We'll hold the trial in the castle courtyard, since I plan to attend." Her face brightened again with a smile. "If you would both join me for lunch, I would like to get to know Judicator Jola."
They ate lunch in a room that could have easily accommodated fifteen people. The eating utensils and plates were heavy silver embossed with scrollwork, and the glasses were crystal. A lace cloth covered the table.
When she wasn't eating, Jola kept her trembling hands folded firmly in her lap. Her life in bondage was less stressful than talking about herself with a princess. After a feast that Regina called "lunch," Tenzen took Jola down to the army training yard looking for her older brother, Besnik, the senior weapons master.
The area looked like a small city. Row upon row of barracks, each with an adjoining stable and workout corral, surrounded the huge field used to exercise the horses and conduct drills. Hundreds of men and women strode about. At the edge of the field stood an enclosed ring with seating for hundreds.
A man with long dark hair tied back in a tail stood in the middle of the ring, demonstrating a curved blade technique to a group of soldiers.
"My brother, Besnik," Tenzen said with a smile.
Besnik was several fingers taller than Tenzen, and thinner. Otherwise, the family resemblance was strong: black hair, black piercing eyes, and a tanned complexion.
"That isn't a longsword he's using," Jola said with a frown.
"The military mostly use sabers."
"Tenzen!" Besnik walked across the ring to join them at the rail. He grabbed Tenzen into a tight embrace. "It is wonderful to see you. You've been hiding at the monastery for too many years."
Another man had followed her brother. "I agree with your brother, Judicator Tenzen. It's been too many years between visits," the other man said, grinning at her. "I don't believe I've met your sister."
"Excuse me, Prince Aquila. This is our newest judicator, Jola. Judicator Jola, this is Prince Aquila, the king's son and the commander of Tyrol's army," Tenzen said, by way of introduction. Jola could hardly miss the similarity between Princess Regina and Prince Aquila. He stood a few fingers taller, but his face was narrow and hawkish like his sister's.
"I'm honored to meet you, Prince Aquila. I read about your distinguished army career while studying at the monastery." Jola made a slight bow.
"How would you like to begin your career on a distinguished note, Judicator Jola?" Aquila grinned.
"I'm at your service." She felt weak in the knees and anything but confident. Somehow, this didn't sound like a normal judgment. Well, what choice did she have?
"During our last inventory, we discovered that three swords had been stolen. We conducted an investigation, but we have been unable to discover the thief or thieves. We do not know when the swords were stolen; it was probably sometime between the last inventory and the current one. And there are more than one thousand soldiers who had access to the weapons during that period." Aquila gave an apologetic shrug.
Jola stood quiet for several minutes while everyone awaited her response. This wasn't exactly a judicator's case, but the prince had requested her help. It would take several eightdays to interview one thousand men and women. Tenzen's calm expression conveyed no hint to what she should do. Even if she could somehow quickly eliminate several hundred or so, that would still leave hundreds to interview. As she stood there, her mind in turmoil, her viper wove itself into her hair and rested its head on hers. Its tongue flicked her ear, and she felt the tension in her shoulders fade away. She straightened her back and smiled at the prince. She would do the best she could.
"Prince Aquila, I would like to meet the person who is responsible for the weapons." She had to start somewhere, so why not start where the problem was discovered? Maybe she could find a way of eliminating some soldiers.