by C. R. Daems
"I'm tired, too. But I've had years of conditioning; besides, I've learned to stay relaxed. You still get tense. It's causing you to tire faster than you would otherwise," Tenzen said.
"The water snake exercise," Jola said with a laugh. "You called it moving meditation-slow and graceful, with an empty mind, and tension free. I seem to have forgotten that lesson. I hope I'm finally ready to learn what you tried to teach me years ago."
"A valuable lesson, Jola. You'll find that people often hear the words but don't understand the concept behind the words. Sometimes a person's background precludes understanding, sometimes a person doesn't want to understand, and sometimes it requires maturation to understand. You're learning that with the nobility. It's one thing to be taught their titles and social customs, but until you socialize with them, it's impossible to see life from their perspective. You'll hear their words, but you won't really understand their context." Tenzen paused. When Jola said nothing, she continued. "Tomorrow, we'll revisit the water snake exercise. I think you're ready to make practical use of it."
* * *
Three mornings out of Northgate, they heard the clatter of hoofbeats behind them on the rocky road. Jola twisted in her saddle, and watched twelve riders on warhorses cantering down the slope toward them.
"Stop in the name of Count Lazare," a middle-aged captain shouted as he pulled up alongside Tenzen and Jola. They reined their horses to a stop and waited. A silver-haired man rode in front of them and pointed at Jola.
"Are you the Judicator Jola?"
"Yes, I am," Jola said as she surveyed the riders and calmed herself to prepare for whatever trouble was coming. She knew it was trouble when she recognized Kedge among the riders. He was obviously enjoying himself, because he was giving her his best sneer, making him look drunk and childish.
"My son demands satisfaction, Judicator Jola. And I intend to see that he gets it." Lazare's face twisted in anger, red with rage.
"Well, Count Lazare, would you like me to lie on the ground so your son can kick me to death?" Jola couldn't help her outburst. She remembered Kedge's vicious attack on a defenseless man.
"You insult my son, Judicator." The rage turned the veins in his face a shade of purple.
"Count Lazare, Princess Regina and I, Senior Judicator Tenzen, agreed that your son was treated fairly," Tenzen said.
"Caning my son wasn't fair. The man he beat was a thief!" Lazare panted with rage. "He'll have his justice."
"Let's call it what it is, Count Lazare-revenge," Tenzen said.
"Judicator Jola, you'll get down off your horse and fight my son, or I'll have you cut down like the coward you are."
"What if Judicator Jola kills your son, Count Lazare?"
"Kills my son? Nonsense! Judicators are high and mighty, sitting on their raised platforms judging their betters. My son's an expert swordsman. She'll die screaming as he cuts her to pieces."
"You've not answered my question, Count Lazare. Or do you have no honor, sending ten men on warhorses to murder two judicators?"
"My honor is above reproach. If Judicator Jola agrees to a duel to the death and wins, and you agree there will be no judgment for the duel, we'll leave afterward with honor satisfied. I, Count Lazare, swear it."
Tenzen's hand was on her sword and her viper as she looked to Jola. "What do you say, Sister?"
Jola looked around the group. She and Tenzen couldn't hope to win against ten soldiers on warhorses. She doubted that Lazare and his son knew that judicators were trained to fight with longswords. Kedge must assume that he would have the advantage and that she would be an easy kill. Obviously, Kedge thought a fair fight was one that he won. She nodded to herself. She could relate to that. However, saving Sister Tenzen was the most important consideration, even if it increased her own risk.
"I'd change the rules of the duel-" Jola said.
"Coward!" Kedge yelled, his face still twisted in a sneer.
Jola wondered whether Kedge practiced sneering, or whether he'd inherited it. "I'd change the rules to allow Count Lazare the right to spare the loser's life, if the loser hasn't been killed."
Tenzen nodded agreement. A slight smile touched her lips.
"Do you think I'm going to save you, woman?" Count Lazare laughed.
"Do you agree that you've the power to end the match without a death occurring?"
"I agree. Now get on with it." Lazare flapped his hand at Jola.
Jola removed her golden viper from her hair, brushing it against her cheek and then handing it to Tenzen. Removing her dagger and hat, she reinforced the calm she would need for this fight as she dismounted. She felt confident she could kill Kedge, but killing him outright would probably incite Lazare to have both her and Tenzen killed. Disabling Kedge, a good swordsman, would be more difficult.
The captain approached her with what was obviously a spare sword brought specifically for her. She took the sword and tested its weight and flexibility. She almost laughed. They weren't taking any chances. The sword metal was poorly tempered, and might well shatter in a fight. Jola handed it back to the captain.
"I hope Count Lazare supplies you and your troops with better quality weapons, Captain." She drew her own sword and dropped her cape. She strolled to the spot in the road where Kedge awaited her. Lazare and the captain followed.
"My captain will referee the duel," Lazare said.
Tenzen held up a hand. "If you want no judgment from this duel, I, Judicator Tenzen, will referee the duel. You, your son, and your troops have already attempted to fix it by offering a defective weapon. You've given me no reason to trust you. If that isn't acceptable, we are better off fighting you to our death and yours." Tenzen grasped one viper in each hand and prepared to throw them.
Lazare paled and backed up a step from the threat of the vipers. "All right, you can referee, but we will cut you down if you do anything to interfere."
"No, Count, I have the right to kill either contestant if they violate the rules of the duel." Tenzen stepped closer to Lazare. "And I seriously doubt your soldiers are foolish enough to risk the punishment for laying hands on a judicator."
"All right, you may judge the duel. Why would my son need any advantage?" Lazare said as he backed away another step.
Tenzen walked to where Kedge and Jola stood and raised her sword between them. "When I lower my sword you'll begin. This is a match to the death unless Count Lazare intervenes. You may use only your sword or body to fight. If I see another weapon drawn or used, I'll kill the offender. If I call 'stop,' you'll cease or I'll stop you, even if it's necessary to kill you. Do you understand?" When they both nodded, Tenzen dropped her sword and stepped back.
Jola stood poised, her vision narrowed to Kedge, her breathing slowed by the time Tenzen lowered her sword. Kedge stood with his sword pointing awkwardly downward-or stood like someone pretending to be awkward. The deception became obvious when Kedge shifted his weight and gave his sword a twist. She had seen this when practicing it with the soldiers-an old trick. He would slice upward across her body, and then twist and drive down through her neck. He would be open for the kill, but she wouldn't be able to do that without risking her life and Tenzen's. She would have to wound him sufficiently to stop the fight.
She parried, knocking his sword outward. Off balance and unable to strike at her neck, he swung hard at her waist. She blocked it, but the shock radiated up her arm. If she hadn't had her sword angled up, dissipating some of the force, it could have knocked the sword from her hand.
He pulled his sword back and lunged for her stomach. She turned a second late, and his sword ripped her shirt; she felt a burning sensation as the sword slid along her stomach, tearing the skin. He smiled and lunged again. This time she cut his arm, but not enough for him to drop his sword. He stepped back, eyes wide, fear showing in his face. Yes. Real sharp steel; you could die and so could I. If so, will Lazare let Tenzen live? No. Determination flared. Kedge struck again at her waist, and then stepped back and lunged at her
chest. Jola twisted, letting the sword slide by, and dragged her sword across the inside of his elbow. He dropped his sword.
She stood there, with her sword pointed at his chest. The urge to run him through overwhelmed her. He and his father planned to kill her and Tenzen. They were worse than gutter rats. She lunged downward, driving it into his knee.
He screamed and fell forward onto his hands. Jola pressed the point of her sword to his neck. His eyes widened, and sweat beaded his forehead and lips. She could smell the fear radiating from him.
Exhilaration flooded through her. She had won her first match against a real opponent, thanks to Sister Tenzen's many hours of training and her bouts with the soldiers. Kedge, on the other hand, probably spent his time training against his father's retainers-who would be afraid of embarrassing him-and his friends, who were likely afraid of his temper. Kedge couldn't win against an old lady with a butcher knife. She snickered, and then immediately sobered. Don't get too cocky, girl. Fighting is no joke. Even an amateur can kill you.
"Count Lazare, it's your decision. Does he live or die?" Tenzen said.
Lazare's mouth moved but no sound came.
"Your decision is needed to end the duel. Live or die."
"Live!" he finally shouted. Jola removed the sword from Kedge's throat and stepped back, as Tenzen tossed her viper to her.
"Your son kicked a man into unconsciousness who was lying on the ground defenseless. You've broken Pyxus's law by threatening judicators and planning murder. You would do well to examine the honor of your house," Tenzen said, loudly enough to be heard by all.
One of the soldiers had dismounted and was examining Kedge, who lay moaning on the ground. "He's all right, my Lord. He's bleeding, but he'll live."
Lazare only nodded, his face pasty.
His captain picked up Jola's things, grabbed the judicators' horses, and led them to where Tenzen and Jola were standing. "You're free to go, Mistresses. No one will stop you. You have my word."
Jola put on her hat, dagger and cape as they rode away without looking back. Neither spoke for a while, but a spot between her shoulder blades twitched.
"That was a very clever and very dangerous deception you pulled off back there. If you had killed Kedge, his father would certainly have ordered his troops to attack us. I don't think they would have followed such an order. But it was a danger. Neatly handled," Tenzen said.
Jola frowned. What's the right thing to do in this situation? "Are we precluded from reporting this incident because of our promise?"
"No. It's our duty to see that the law is enforced. If we allowed judicators to be attacked, then soon we would all be dead and there would be no law. But we do have a dilemma. Although the promise we made was under duress, we did make a promise. Therefore, I will not myself bring them to justice."
"It doesn't seem fair. Even street rats have more honor than they do."
"This monastery rat says we'll document the incident and send it to the king. Let the king decide the appropriate punishment. Thus, I will not directly break my word, but a noble will not be allowed to attack a judicator with impunity." Tenzen laughed.
* * *
The narrow road wound through looming redwood giants. Jola kept craning her neck as she stared up at them. She'd never seen anything so big in her life. Several times each day, a wagon passed, groaning under the weight of huge redwood logs on their way to the town to be milled. The eightday journey had left Jola tired, and yet she was fascinated with the amazing forest.
At last, she saw the town at the bottom of a long slope. Mills and lumber yards surrounded the town, and the sound of sawing and hammering echoed. The smell of pitch and fresh cut wood permeated the air.
They entered the town near evening and rode to the local inn, the Red Horse. For a rustic, small town inn, the Red Horse was beautiful. Instead of the typical sign giving the name of the inn, a full-size horse carved out of redwood stood in the courtyard with a welcome sign hanging from its mouth. Inside the tavern, the chairs and tables were made of solid redwood, and each had a unique design of vines, faces, or flowers carved into it.
The innkeeper led them up to a pleasant room. All the furniture was made from redwood, and the room had a pleasant, newly cut wood smell.
When they came downstairs for dinner, a short, stocky man with gray hair and a weathered face, wearing a captain's uniform, awaited them.
"Good evening, Mistresses. I'm Captain Davin of Redwood's town guard. At your convenience, I'd like to talk to you about a case that needs a judicator," he said in a deep bass voice.
"Captain, please join us for dinner-or a drink, if you've already eaten-and we can discuss your case. I'm Judicator Tenzen and this is Judicator Jola."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Tenzen, Mistress Jola. I thank you for the offer," Davin said as he sat and waved to the server to bring some wine. "We have two cases of theft pending. What makes them somewhat unusual is that a man's wife is claiming that he stole her property, and he's claiming she stole his property. I admit this case would be too complicated for me even if either or both admitted they were guilty-which they don't."
"Your problem is solved, Captain. Judicator Jola will be glad to hear the case," Tenzen said, followed by a broad smile, before she resumed eating.
Jola sighed. Great. I understand theft, but what do I know about marriage? I don't remember Sister Kassandra ever discussing laws governing marital disputes.
* * *
"In the name of King Nicolas, I, Judicator Jola, do hereby call this judgment in session," Jola said from her seat on the raised platform, which, with the chair she sat on and its companion table, had been built from local redwood. She had hesitated before sitting on the chair. It had looked too beautiful to use, with its intricately carved animal and floral designs. When she did sit, it was rock solid and fit as if it had been made for her. She hoped it helped her look the part.
Maybe she could fake her way through the judgment between husband and wife. Her viper brushed her cheek as it made its way into her hair to lay its head on hers, as if getting ready to listen. You're right, my friend. I'm here to hear the story and follow it to its end. Let the tale begin.
"Captain Davin, please read the charges."
"Merchant Lamont is accused by his wife, Astrid, of having stolen her clothes and burned them. Merchant Lamont accuses his wife of stealing five handwoven rugs and selling them for twenty silvers, which she kept," the captain read from the paper that contained the formal complaint.
Jola smiled at the captain's obvious relief at handing over responsibility for the case. He stepped back. The man and woman stood some six meters apart, glaring at each other.
"Merchant Lamont, did you take your wife's clothes and burn them?"
"Mistress, I was justified-" Lamont started, but stopped when Jola raised a hand with a very much alive, golden viper attached.
"Merchant Lamont, please answer the question. Now, did you take your wife's clothes and burn them?"
"Mistress, she had-" Lamont started again, but stopped when Jola raised her finger-viper still attached-to her lips, indicating silence.
"A five-silvers fine for failing to answer my question. If you continue, I'll stop this case, pronounce you guilty of theft, sentence you to the maximum punishment, and dismiss your charge against your wife," Jola said. Her viper disappeared up her sleeve, out of her blouse neckline, and into her hair, appearing again to peek out from behind her ear. She could just imagine it saying, I want to hear this.
Lamont's mouth worked up and down but no sound escaped. Eventually, he managed to choke out a strangled "I apologize, Mistress."
"Good. We're making progress. Now, did you burn your wife's clothes?" Jola tried again, hoping she wouldn't have to follow up on her threat.
"Yes, Mistress." Lamont opened his mouth to say something more, but he reconsidered when he looked at Jola and then at her viper, now resting on the top of her head looking in his direction.
"Now,
Merchant Lamont, why did you burn Freewoman Astrid's clothing?" Her lips twitched below her golden-scaled mask, and she controlled the incipient smile.
"Because I heard from several people that she was seeing another man," Lamont half-shouted, before adding, "Sorry, Mistress." Jola sensed the unequivocal truth of the statement. Now the story gets interesting. She loved the "why" part; it made cases fun because of the twists it produced-twists that led to true justice, not blind compliance to a law.
"Freewoman Astrid, did you take five handwoven rugs from your husband's merchandise and sell them for twenty silvers?" Jola leaned forward with her viper's head resting now on her shoulder.
"No, Mistress, he's lying," Astrid said.
The feel of the lie on Jola's skin made her shiver. She took a minute to consider Astrid. She wore expensive clothes, had a voluptuous figure, and appeared to be in her early twenties. However, she wasn't too smart, attempting to lie to a judicator. Jola reached up and her viper flowed willingly into her hand. She moved her hand to her face and slowly rubbed the viper against her cheek as she continued to consider Astrid. Silly woman. She's probably lied her way through life's little problems.
Astrid's eyes went big and her mouth hung open as she watched Jola rub the viper across her cheek and lips. "Yes, Mistress," Astrid said in a wavering voice.
"Thank you, Astrid. Now that you've seen the wisdom of not lying to a judicator, were you seeing another man?" Jola asked, noting that the story wasn't finished yet.
"No." Astrid stared at the golden viper, which stared back, its tongue flickering in and out. "Well sort of, Mistress."
"You unfaithful doxy-" Lamont shouted.
"Another five silvers, Merchant Lamont, and you're lucky I don't stop the judgment and sentence you."
"She... yes, Mistress." Lamont gritted his teeth, continuing to stare at his wife.
Jola smiled to herself as she considered the situation.
"Freewoman Astrid, what do you mean by 'sort of?'" Jola asked.
"Lamont has been flirting with other women, so I decided I would flirt with men. That's fair, isn't it?"