by C. R. Daems
"Merchant Lamont, is that true?" Jola nearly snorted a laugh. Marriage is far more complicated than I thought.
"Yes, Mistress."
"There, I told you!" Astrid shouted.
The two whirled toward each other, shouting obscenities.
"Enough." Jola rose from her seat and motioned to two guards, who came running. The guards quickly separated the pair. The couple glared at each other. Once she felt the two wouldn't go for each other's throats, Jola waved the guards back.
"Freewoman Astrid, what did you do with the twenty silvers?"
"Bought new clothes." She pointed to her dress and blouse and turned in a circle.
"Both of you, approach the platform." Jola pointed to the front of the steps leading to the platform.
They edged forward as the viper coiled around Jola's ankle, head weaving back and forth in the direction of Lamont, and then Astrid. When they were within a few hands of the bottom stairs, Jola spoke softly, so only Lamont and his wife could hear. "You have two choices, and only two. The penalty for theft in this case will be five strokes of the cane. For choice one, therefore, Merchant Lamont, you can receive five strokes of the cane for burning Astrid's clothes."
"Good," Astrid said in a whisper.
"For you, Astrid, you can also receive five strokes for selling Lamont's rugs. For choice two, you can, Merchant Lamont and Freewoman Astrid, ignore the thefts and go free." Jola raised a hand, with her viper attached and one finger extended. "Either choice one," Jola said, and then extended a second finger, which the viper appraised from her wrist. "Or choice two. Now return to your places."
After they had returned to their places some three meters from the platform, Jola continued. "Astrid, did your husband steal your clothes?"
"Mistress... no."
"Merchant Lamont, did your wife steal your rugs?"
"No, Mistress." He stared glumly at his feet.
"I've reached my decision," Jola said, as she stood. These two deserve each other. Jola grinned to herself.
"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 theft of Freewoman Astrid's clothes and Merchant Lamont's rugs," Jola chanted. "I decree the following:
"First, that Merchant Lamont pays to the king the ten-silvers fine imposed by me.
"Second, that Merchant Lamont is judged innocent of the charge of theft.
"Third, that Freewoman Astrid is judged innocent of the charge of theft.
"Fourth, that Merchant Lamont pays to the king, for him and his wife, an additional twenty silvers for wasting this judicator's time.
"So say the Judicators of Pyxus."
Well, I now know more about marriage than I did yesterday, and I understand why Sister Kassandra didn't discuss it-it isn't logical. Jola shook her head as she walked from the platform.
* * *
The next morning, Jola and Tenzen sat down at one of the redwood tables and were served a breakfast of fruit and fragrant, fresh-baked bread.
Captain Davin walked to their table and bowed. "Mistresses, could I further impose on you?"
"If you join us, Captain, we can discuss it," Tenzen said, as she pointed to a chair.
"Thank you, Mistress," he said, sitting down. "As you know, Rador law allows dueling so long as both parties agree. First blood determines the winner and terminates the duel. I have two duels pending. Each individual has acknowledged his willingness to duel. But, my concern is over the complications that can arise, if the spirit of the dueling law isn't observed. I'd prefer not to have to make those decisions. It would be better if a judicator judged the duels."
"Sister Jola, would you like to judge the duels?" Tenzen said.
"With your guidance." Jola understood the Rador law and its intention, but with steel swords, the reality was that the difference between first blood and death was measured in seconds and centimeters.
"Where will the duels be held, Captain?" she asked, wondering what the participants expected to gain from dueling. Pride? Bragging rights? Glory? It certainly doesn't produce anything concrete. You can't eat it or sell it or wear it.
"Usually, we use the Red Horse Inn's outside stable, Mistress."
"Where spectators can watch?" Jola nodded. As she thought, duelists wanted an audience.
"Yes, Mistress."
"Is there a place where we can hold the duels where there will be no spectators?" Jola bit her lip while considering her choices.
"No spectators? Well, there is a clearing in the forest about a league from here." Davin frowned in obvious confusion.
"Tell them the duels will be at noon today, but they're required to be here two hours early to talk to the judicator." She smiled inwardly.
"An interesting ruse, Jola," Tenzen said with a laugh and a shake of her head. "I've always wondered what would happen if no one showed up to watch a duel. I guess I'm about to find out."
* * *
"Judicator Tenzen, Judicator Jola, these are the four men who have bespoken permission to duel under Rador law. The two nobles are Lord Invar and Lord Valerik; the two freemen are Garrson and Royd.
"Mistress Tenzen, Mistress Jola" was echoed by each of the men.
"Please mount up and follow me," Jola said as she mounted. She kneed her horse to a quick walk down the road, with Captain Davin and Tenzen following.
"Captain, where are we going?" Invar asked when he caught up. The captain didn't reply; he continued to follow the two judicators, who rode in silence.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at a clearing where four city guards stood next to a marked off dueling area.
Jola dismounted. "Who would like to go first?" She was glad she wore her judicator's mask to monitor the duels; otherwise, her whole face would have radiated the amusement she felt. She did manage to keep from smiling, but couldn't stop a minor twitch.
"We can't fight here!" Invar said, echoed by Valerik.
"Why is that, Lord Invar?" Jola struggled hard not to smile or laugh.
"Lady Agotha isn't here to watch." Valerik scowled.
"If this duel is your method of settling an argument, then this site is as good as any. If this duel is to show off for some woman, I won't allow it," Jola said.
"We'll just wait until you're gone." A sneer twisted Invar's face.
"It is my decision that you've wasted the time of two judicators. I, therefore, fine each of you one hundred silvers," Jola said, before they could recover their voices. "However, I'll defer those fines so long as you defer your duel, and I'll declare the duel a tie."
"She can't do that... can she, Invar?" Valerik asked.
"Yes, she can, young lords," Captain Davin said.
"You'll declare the match a draw?" Invar said with some relief in his voice.
"Yes. Captain Davin will post it under my name. Now, Freemen Garrson and Royd, I'll offer you the same arrangement."
"No, thank you, Mistress," the men replied simultaneously.
"Then let me officially remind you of the Rador laws for dueling. The winner is the man who draws blood first. When that happens, I'll call for you to stop, and will declare a winner. If you fail to stop immediately, I'll stop you even if it means killing you. If you live, you'll be subject to judgment, which can result in a fine, caning, imprisonment, or the iron mines." Jola paused for questions. She hoped the nobles who had stood aside to watch were beginning to understand that a duel was serious and dangerous. "Furthermore, if I determine that your blows were meant to kill, you'll be subject to judgment. Do you have any questions?"
"You're pretty strict, Mistress," Royd said.
"No, I'm explaining the Rador laws of dueling. I will enforce them. Would you mind telling me what happened that you feel is necessary to settle by dueling?"
"He cheated me when he sold me a ring for my new wife," Royd said, his chin jutting forward. Pride. Jola felt the truth of Royd's statement.
"Did you cheat Freeman Royd, Freeman Garrson?" Jola
asked. If he'd cheated Royd, she could call for a judgment and avoid the duel. Certainly, that would satisfy Royd.
"He paid more than most would. He bargained poorly," Garrson replied with a grin.
Shrewd bargaining isn't a crime. Jola looked over to Tenzen, who shrugged. Jola had no choice but to judge the match.
She led the men to the marked-off ring. "You may draw your swords, but you will not start until I give the command. If any man steps outside the ring, he forfeits the match. First blood will be assumed to have occurred." Jola drew her sword and held it between the men.
They drew their swords and took a fighting stance.
"Begin," Jola said as she lowered her sword and stepped back.
She watched every stroke, evaluating the men and their techniques. Neither man would last long against a veteran fighter. Their moves were too cautious and measured. It appeared, however, that Royd was the slightly better swordsman. No! Jola shook her head as Royd stepped back from a chance to draw blood. He was much better than Garrson, she realized.
"Stop!" Jola stepped forward, stopping the fight by thrusting her sword between the two men. "I declare that Freeman Royd has drawn first blood."
From behind her, she heard the captain's gasp of surprise.
"He never touched me," Garrson said, looking down at himself.
"I never touched him, Mistress." Royd glared at Garrson.
"Freeman Royd, I just saved you ten years in the iron mines. You had several opportunities to draw blood, but ignored them. You were waiting for an opportunity to deliver a killing blow." She gave Royd a long stare before continuing. "I wouldn't have hesitated to sentence you for it."
She waited until Royd nodded before she turned to Garrson. "Freeman Garrson, you're an extremely poor swordsman, and should stay away from duels. I've just saved your life."
Royd changed his stance. Jola tightened her grip on her sword at the narrowing of his eyes. He raised his sword to lunge at Garrson's chest. Jola drove her sword under his, lifting it up and away from Garrson and slicing Royd's exposed arm.
His sword clattered to the ground and he gripped his arm with a groan. The guards, meanwhile, were still in the process of drawing their swords.
The ride back to Redwood was quiet. When they entered the stables, a crowd there milled in anticipation of watching the duels. Jola dismounted and walked to the center of the ring.
"Let it be known to all citizens of Pyxus that Judicator Jola has resolved beyond any man's right to question the duels between Lord Invar and Lord Valerik and between Freeman Royd and Freeman Garrson," Jola chanted. "I decree the following:
"First, that the duel between Lord Invar and Lord Valerik was a draw. If they duel again, they'll pay the king one hundred silvers each.
"Second, that in the duel between Freeman Royd and Freeman Garrson, Freeman Royd drew first blood.
"Third, that Freeman Royd attempted to murder Freeman Garrson after I had stopped the match. Freeman Royd will receive ten strokes of the cane, to be administered by the town guard, and is sentenced to one year of confinement.
"So say the Judicators of Pyxus."
Jola strolled out of the ring amidst stunned silence.
"I didn't know you could stop a duel when no blood had been drawn," Captain Davin said as they walked back to the inn.
"Judicator Jola is an excellent sword fighter, as you observed. It was obvious that Royd was a far better swordsman, and had several opportunities to draw blood. He intentionally passed them up. Why? The only explanation: he was waiting for a killing blow. Freeman Garrson may not be a nice person, but he doesn't deserve to die over the price of a ring," Tenzen said. "All in all, both duels were nicely handled, Sister Jola."
"I thank you for your help, Mistresses. If I had attempted to handle them, I'm afraid to think what might have happened," Davin said with a grateful smile.
* * *
At breakfast the next day, Jola had just taken her first bite of warm bread topped with a greenberry jam when two well-dressed women walked up to their table. Tenzen nodded to them.
"We wanted to thank you for whatever you did to avoid the duel between her Invar and my Valerik," one of them said. "They're good friends, but are in competition for a certain young woman."
"I'm glad that we could." Tenzen frowned. "I hope they learned something from what happened."
The other twisted her hands together in distress. "Because they train with wooden swords, they fail to realize what can happen with steel. And their foolish fathers are no better. If my son is to be killed or maimed, let it be for a valid cause."
"The fine was an excellent idea, Mistress Jola; not even our husbands want to pay one hundred silvers for our sons to show off. Thank you," Valerik's mother said with a small bow.
The two women bowed again and walked away, chatting softly as they went. Jola frowned down at the food in her hand.
"Why so quiet?" Tenzen asked.
"I wonder if I handled the duels right. Should a judicator interfere the way I did?" Jola knew she had a tendency to act first and think later. On the streets and as a virtual slave, acting on instinct had kept her alive. Now, she couldn't be sure it would serve her as well.
"We're judicators administering the law, but we're also thinking women. You didn't stop the young nobles from dueling. You did force them to realize why they wanted to duel-to impress their woman friend." Tenzen leaned her chin on her clasped hands. "You stopped the other duel to prevent a premeditated murder. Each of us is a unique individual. No two of us will act the same all the time. I believe you handled them well, and no one could have achieved better outcomes."
"Thank you, Sister. I'm thankful you're here to guide and counsel me. My first years will form the foundation for my years as a judicator. I want it to be a good foundation." Could she someday be a wise judicator, delivering justice across Pyxus? She hoped with all her heart that Tenzen could help her achieve that lofty goal. She had to shake her head at a goal like that for herself.
"I'll do my best," Tenzen said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Stag Bluff. We leave tomorrow?"
Tenzen nodded as she took a sip of her juice.
"How long do you think it'll take us to get there?" Jola asked, eager for the next adventure. Seeing new lands was exciting. Until recently, she had been confined to a city and a monastery. She felt like a bird freed from a cage.
"About an eightday. The road is well traveled and not difficult, but we'll continue to stop early and practice when we make camp. I believe you're prepared for most encounters, but your sister can use the practice. And we still have the question of a rebellion to settle."
Jola had to laugh at the thought of Tenzen needing to improve. Then she sobered at the thought of a rebellion.
CHAPTER SIX
Rador Province
The city of Stag Bluff rested on the side of a mountain, cut off from the valley below by a wide, swift-moving river. The castle perched midway up the mountain, with the town spreading out below it like a white and green filigree fan.
"It's beautiful." Jola stared at the city, hoping to commit every detail to memory.
"It's also as close to impregnable as a city can be. The river not only provides the water the city needs, but also disposes of waste. The green areas were created to grow produce. In the event of an attack, the city could sustain itself for years. The river prevents a frontal attack, while the mountain prevents an attack from the rear," Tenzen said as she pointed to each area.
"Will we be able to visit the castle? The view from there must be breathtaking."
"I'm sure Duchess Olinda will invite us to stay at the castle while we're here. She's supportive of the judicators. She received her early training at the Monastery of Astraea."
Tenzen nudged her horse into a walk and they started toward the only access to Stag Bluff-the wooden drawbridge spanning the river. Four guards in green and white uniforms stood at attention at the entrance to the bridge.
"Thos
e emblems on the soldiers' uniforms look like white horses." Jola strained to make out the design.
"Those are single-horned warhorses on a green field, Rador's crest."
Of course. She had been so enthralled with the magnificent spectacle the city presented that she had forgotten her provincial heraldry. Each province had an animal on its crest.
The guards smiled and waved them through. At the other end of the bridge, Tenzen refused an offer of escort, assuring the guards that she knew her way to the castle.
They wound their way through streets crowded with carts and shoppers, alternately passing areas of houses, markets, and cultivated fields. The buildings were of good gray stone and the streets well cobbled, with water running through gutters down the sides. As they rose higher into the city, the houses were bigger, the markets more colorful, and the fields fewer. It took nearly two hours to reach the castle's barbican, where the guards waved them through.
A uniformed captain, her graying hair in a braid wrapped around her head, bowed to them as they entered the bailey. "Judicator Tenzen, Her Grace sends greeting and invites you to stay at Stag Castle while you're here." She motioned forward a sergeant behind her. "The sergeant will see to your horses, Mistresses. I'm Captain Agnese. I've been assigned to you while you're here."
"Thank you, Captain. This is Judicator Jola. Do I know you?"
"I was a sergeant when you last visited. You inspired me when I saw how you could win match after match against experienced male fighters that were younger and stronger. I'd love to work with your protege, if Mistress Jola is willing." Agnese bowed to Jola.
"I'd like that, Captain," Jola said as they walked toward the castle, while the sergeant led their horses away.
Captain Agnese gave them a brief tour of the castle, guiding them under stone vaults supported by massive stonework and faceted columns. Then, she led them to three attached rooms-two bedrooms and a sitting area-with snowy bed linens, polished marble floors and satiny curtains embroidered with Rador's horned warhorses. Jola still had trouble reconciling the way the nobles lived compared to the common folks, and this defied comparison.