Scales Of Justice

by C. R. Daems

  "Judicator Jola, you are welcome to join us in my tent for a drink," Regina said into the resulting silence.

  "No thank you, Princess. I think I would like to be alone for a while, if you don't mind."

  "Of course not. I forget-you are still recovering from your injuries."

  Jola left the group and limped into the forest, which bordered the camp. She found a quiet clearing and unsheathed her sword. Her ten guards stopped and looked around nervously, until they realized that Jola had begun slowly working her sword in a set of exercises. It was so hard she wanted to cry. Her muscles ached; her side and arm were in pain. She was exhausted in minutes. She rested for five minutes before beginning again. Thirty minutes later, she wobbled as she stood; her clothes were soaking wet.

  "Mistress, you don't have to do this. We'll be here to protect you." Her captain walked up to her and took her sword.

  "I am honoring my sister Tenzen's memory and the gift she shared with me. We'll do this every night after dinner." Rankin held out his arm, and her legs felt so shaky that she took it gladly. When they reached the camp, Jola headed for her tent.

  "Captain, please get a jar of horse liniment for me." Jola entered her tent accompanied by two of her guards. When Rankin returned, he had a small jar. Jola sat on her mat and pulled her blouse over her head. "Please rub that into my back, side, and arm. My skin is very tight from the stitches."

  Everyone had averted their eyes.

  "Mistress, I can't do that," Rankin said in a shocked tone.

  "Sure you can, Captain Rankin. If needed, I have nine guards to defend my honor-and please hurry. I'm getting cold." Jola couldn't help her snort of laughter.

  * * *

  Since Candia wasn't large enough to accommodate one thousand soldiers, they continued moving toward Cape Storm.

  True to her word, every night after dinner Jola found a quiet area to work on her exercises. Each night, more of her guards followed her to watch. It kept her going through her exhaustion when they cheered her on. By the end of an eightday, Jola had increased her exercising to an hour.

  The next night, Jola carried a wrapped bundle with her to the clearing. She laid it on the ground and unwrapped two blunted practice swords.

  "Alright, who's first?" Her question was greeted with dead silence. No one moved for several heartbeats. Eventually, Captain Rankin stepped forward.

  "Mistress, are you ready to fight?" he asked with a deep frown.

  "How will I know unless I try?"

  Rankin sighed and motioned to one of the guards. Slowly, the guard came forward and picked up the practice sword. He parried her first two strikes but refused to counterattack. Jola's next move scored a winning hit. The second guard decided to show her that she was still too weak for a real fight. Although he and the next guard attacked aggressively, they quickly lost. After that, Jola called a halt.

  Because of her weakened condition and slower responses, Jola had gained an insight that had been just out of her reach. Speed, or reflexes, or strength don't make a master-it's clarity of mind, which enables you to sense your opponent's moves. She had thought she'd achieved it before, but now she realized that, while she had been close, the prize had until now eluded her.

  Today, the world around her had flared into real clarity, with infinite sounds, colors and shapes, and smells. It was almost unfair-she knew exactly what her opponent's next move would be before he made it. It was beautiful. It was intoxicating.

  "Thank you, Sister Tenzen!" she said, as she sank to her knees.

  "Mistress, are you all right?" Captain Rankin ran to her and dropped to a knee at her side.

  "Yes, thank you, Captain. I think it's time to go back."

  * * *

  The matches continued every night as the army moved through Sattah, advancing toward the capital, Cape Storm. Each night the audience grew as the rumors spread. Most nights, Jola remained undefeated. Her guards had affectionately named her "Red Viper." On the tenth night out, Regina, Greer, Kambiri, and Besnik joined Jola's little party.

  "Well, Mistress Jola, you appear to have recovered," Besnik said as he approached. "I understand you aren't only back to normal, but are much improved."

  "Thanks to your instruction and coaching, I now understand your sister's gift to me." Jola gave a sad smile. She did feel fully recovered, and felt she had honored her sister and her gift with her tenacity. Driven by grief and love, she found that action helped relieve the loneliness she felt without Tenzen.

  "Are you up to a demonstration with me, Mistress?"

  "I'd be honored." Jola entered the ring and picked up her practice sword. The audience was alive with guards exchanging wagers. Jola wasn't sure why anyone would bet against Besnik.

  They took their places and saluted, and then took ready positions. Several moments passed. Besnik came in hard and level with a stroke toward her belly; a flurry of strokes followed with no point scored. This went on for several exchanges with no winner. Then, Besnik stepped back and saluted.

  "My sister would be very proud of you, Mistress Jola," Besnik said with a slight bow. The ground shook with stomping feet and swords thumped on shields as he turned and strode from the ring.

  "Mistress, you've a lot of happy troopers. They made many silvers off your performance against the commander," her captain said with a huge smile.

  "I'm happy for them. Maybe it makes up for the boring work of babysitting me." Jola smiled as they walked back toward her tent. It was wonderful to have her strength back.

  "I know I speak for the entire troop when I say that babysitting you is anything but boring," Rankin said, and then laughed.

  * * *

  The army passed through several small villages on the way to Cape Storm. The villagers were reserved until they realized the army meant them no harm. Princess Regina stopped in each one, and had Jola accompany her to buy fruit, bread or sweets. The risk was too great to mingle too closely, but she made sure that the citizens saw them. She gave each merchants' guild an opportunity to select a representative to accompany them. But none of the merchants cared to take a chance, since the princess made it plain that they were headed for battle. These were merchants, not fighters-but they supported the king, and trusted his judicators.

  On the tenth day after crossing into Sattah, they reached the capital, Cape Storm. A spectacular sight, it sat on a plateau that seemed to extend out into the ocean. Only one road led to the plateau, because of its steep sides and rocky outcroppings.

  The army made camp on the open plain at the foot of the plateau while Regina and six Horse units advanced on the city. By the time they reached the gates an hour later, a small detachment was waiting to escort Regina and her party to the castle. Two Horse units remained to secure the gate, if necessary, while Regina and her troop continued on.

  The streets were empty as they rode through the city. When they entered the castle bailey, Duke Waller met them.

  "Greetings, Your Highness, Duke Greer, Duchess Kambiri. To what do I owe this pleasure? It looks as if you're expecting trouble," Waller said with a smile and a wave of his hand in the general direction of the army camped outside his city.

  "Greetings, Duke Waller. No, we aren't anticipating any trouble. Quite the contrary-it appears that you and the leaders of Essam and Tasman have let your nobles get out of hand. We're here to settle them," Regina said with her own smile.

  "I resent that. I'm the Duke of Sattah, and it's my province to run as I see fit." Waller's voice was under control, but color rose in his face.

  "Sattah Province is yours to run as you see fit so long as you obey the king's edicts, live up to the Seven Provinces' Treaty, and don't infringe on your neighbors. My father, the king, has evidence that your nobles are in rebellion. By his edict, every noble in Sattah, Tasman, and Essam will stand judgment for suspected violation of the Severn Provinces' Treaty. You will have all of your nobles within two days' ride report here for judgment five days hence."

  "Under whose authority?"
/>
  Regina tossed a copy of the king's edict at his feet. "Has your hearing failed, Waller? I have one thousand troops here to support the king's edict and the judicator's decision. Those who refuse or fail to report for judgment will be branded outlaws. They will be stripped of title and lands by the authority of the king. Is that clear, Duke Waller?"

  Waller stuttered twice before being able to speak. "What have my nobles done to justify this action?" Waller managed to say when he regained control.

  "You continue to question the authority of the king?" Regina's voice would have frozen over the hells. "I'll answer your questions this once. But be clear. We will follow the king's edict.

  "Your young nobles, along with their retainers, attempted to assassinate two judicators. They killed soldiers you yourself sent with the judicators to Hygorge to protect them. Later, they succeeded in assassinating a judicator. Duke Greer and Duchess Kambiri witnessed the judgments against the assassins who survived. Now, I'm here representing the king." Her face was set and stern.

  "If that's your judicator," Waller said, pointing at Jola, "I object. She's too young, and lacks the experience to judge nobles. Besides, I reserve the right to determine whether she's been prejudiced by the acts against her and other judicators."

  '"The king sent her to make judgment and I support her. I did not ask your consent. Perhaps you want to be found in rebellion." She gave Waller a hard stare. "We'll begin tomorrow with you, Duke Waller, and any other nobles in the castle."

  "You had best caution your guards and nobles not to stray through the hallways. I've ordered my guards to kill anyone who strays near our rooms," Besnik said into the silence.

  * * *

  Jola sat in an elaborately decorated chair, which had replaced Duke Waller's throne on the dais. Fifty soldiers surrounded the platform with hands on their sabers as they scowled at the onlookers. Princess Regina, Duke Greer, and Duchess Kambiri were seated to her left. Another fifty guards were stationed at the entrances to the hall, ensuring that no one entered with a weapon.

  Heraldic banners in grays and blues, Sattah's colors, draped the stone walls of the reception hall. The carved, dark wood double doors gleamed with years of polishing beneath a vaulted ceiling held up by old-fashioned, unfaceted columns. For all its size, the hall was crowded to capacity. It appeared the local nobles had taken Regina seriously, and were present. Regina had sent several of her nobles into town to announce the judgment, and many of the town residents had chosen to attend. They had also announced to the merchants' guild that it could select a member to represent Cape Storm as the army moved across the provinces.

  When the princess and the duke and duchess had made themselves comfortable, Jola rose and waited for the crowd to quiet down. She tried to settle the conflicting emotions that raged in her. She felt too young and inexperienced. Her decisions wouldn't only affect nobles, but also their families and their dependents. This intertwined with her sorrow and anger-a sister she loved was dead and deserved retribution. Calm won out. She wouldn't shame her sisters. Let the story begin.

  "In the name of King Nicolas, I, Judicator Jola, do hereby call this judgment in session. This judgment will identify those individuals who have acted in rebellion against the king and attempted to break the Seven Provinces' Treaty. Captain, you'll record the name of each individual called to judgment, and my verdict. Those who fail to report for judgment will be judged guilty by their absence. Captain, who is first?"

  "Duke Waller," the captain called out. Jola took her seat as Waller walked to a spot in front of the platform.

  "Duke Waller, is it true that you resisted providing Judicator Tenzen and me with assistance in apprehending several nobles who had threatened us?" Jola settled her mind to follow the story. Her viper had twisted into her hair and had its head on hers, while the other viper was coiled in her lap.

  "Yes... Mistress. I thought it was a mistake or a prank, and didn't consider it serious. She subsequently convinced me that it was serious, so I provided her with a troop of soldiers," Waller said, a smug look coming over his face. Jola felt the warmth of truth in the initial yes, a strong falseness during the next part, and the truth of the ending remark. Jola had never been able to separate pieces of a statement before-she wondered if it was because of Tenzen's viper, or because of the combined strength of the two vipers. She also felt Waller's strong satisfaction at the end of the statement sweep over her. But why satisfaction? Is he satisfied that he sent the troops in the end? Or that he can say he sent them?

  "How many troops did you sent with the judicators?" Jola wasn't sure what she was trying to discover, but she felt something was there to find.

  "Twenty-five, Mistress," Waller said, and again Jola sensed that same sense of satisfaction and humor in his answer. Why humor, she wondered. What is funny about sending twenty-five troopers? Unless...

  "Did you believe that twenty-five troopers were sufficient to protect the judicators?"

  "... yes, more than adequate, Mistress," Waller said, and Jola sensed the falseness.

  Jola stood up abruptly. "This judgment is suspended until tomorrow morning." Jola strode from the platform, with her guards rushing to catch up. Regina exited the platform close behind her.

  "Mistress Jola, stop for a minute, please!" Regina half shouted, and Jola stopped walking to let her catch up.

  "Why?" Regina asked. "What did you find out?"

  "Princess, I need to think about what Lord Waller said; part was true and part lies. This judgment is very complicated. I don't want to tarnish the memory of my sister by rushing to a decision that I might later regret." Jola walked out of the castle.

  "Where to, Mistress?" the captain asked as they reached the courtyard.

  "Into town, please." She paced back and forth as she waited for the horses to be saddled, and remained quiet all the way into town. The problem was, she didn't like Waller. Furthermore, he had attempted to get rid of Tenzen and her by providing them with an inadequate guard for Hygorge. Jola's mind was in turmoil. Is a man guilty if he knows a crime will happen but does nothing? Is a man guilty if he plans a crime but it's interrupted? Or, is a man guilty if he ignores injustice?

  "Mistress, where to?" the captain asked again, interrupting her thoughts.

  "To the marketplace, captain," Jola said. They found it ten minutes later. Jola dismounted, handing the reins to one of the soldiers, and wandered down the street. Few people had ventured into the market, and those who were there backed away at the sight of the guard troop.

  "If it isn't our little god." A dark-haired young man dressed in silk, with a heraldic insignia on his chest, stood staring at Jola. "Very brave with your army at your back. I'll bet that sword is a fake like you." He snickered.

  "I see your problem, my friend," Jola said to a merchant in a stall stacked with clothing, "if you've to deal with nobles this stupid."

  "You bitch, you're nothing, and a coward besides," the noble shouted.

  "Yes, stupid. I've thirty veteran soldiers who will cut your throat if I nod," Jola said, and thirty swords left their sheaths.

  "Yes, stupid. Thirty veteran soldiers who know me are at my back, and they would bet a year's salary that you would die with the first thrust." There were chuckles from her guards, which she ignored.

  "Yes, stupid. Tomorrow you'll stand in front of me for judgment. I can take your title and lands, and send you to the iron mines with a word, and no one can dispute my decision. Fortunately for you, I'm tired of killing stupid young men." Jola continued to walk, leaving the young man stunned. It didn't help him that everyone either laughed or nodded in agreement.

  The vendors and other people in the street were suddenly friendly. Jola's easy manner and lack of pretense had the people involved as she bought fruit, examined clothes, admired artisans' works, and joked with the merchants as she shopped. She already knew that there was tension between nobles and commoners. The outing was her way of avoiding the problem while hoping for inspiration.

  Unin
tentionally, she found herself in a run-down area of the city. Her guards had become even more alert than they'd been in the markets. Jola continued walking as she reminisced about her early life before Sister Kassandra had saved her. She missed Kassandra. She snapped back to the present as thirty guards drew their swords. Jola reflexively whirled toward the noise that had alerted her guards. She saw three young boys running down the alley, and a sobbing child huddled against the wall next to a lot of rubbish.

  "They stole my food!" the child said, indignant between her sobs and hiccups. Her nose was bleeding, her clothes were rags, and she was dirtier than the ground she sat on. Jola walked over to the girl and knelt before her. As she did, the girl tried to squeeze herself more tightly against the wall, her eyes on the two vipers.

  "I didn't do it. Please, don't hurt me. I won't do it again," she babbled, as Tenzen's viper twisted down Jola's arm and rested its head on the back of her hand. Jola didn't understand why; she knew, however, that the vipers weren't arbitrary or vicious.

  "It won't hurt you, child. What is your name?" Jola asked.

  "Kit." The little girl stared at the vipers in hypnotized horror.

  "Give me your hand, Kit," Jola said softly, as she extended the hand with the viper. She heard a sharp inhale from several of the soldiers. "It won't hurt you, Kit."

  Slowly the little girl reached out her hand. Jola grasped it lightly but securely. It was almost like grasping her own hand, as a remembrance of her own pain and helplessness as a child washed over her. The viper slid down further and twisted around the girl's arm, working its way up. It touched the girl's face with its tongue and then slithered back onto Jola's arm. Her viper was around her neck, watching the whole time. "Kit, where is your mother?"

  "I think she's dead."

  "Kit, how would you like to come live with me?"

  "What do I have to do for you?" Kit asked, looking at Jola with narrowed eyes.

  "It'll be better than the streets."

  "Can I have something to eat?"

  "That, we can do." Jola held the little girl's hand as they started back down the street toward the vendors. She bought Kit the smallest meat pie she could find so the girl's stomach wouldn't rebel. Then they shopped for simple cotton trousers and shirts in the girl's size, and returned to the castle. Kit protested loudly at being put into a tub of steaming hot water, but seemed to decide it wasn't so bad as Jola washed her hair. Later, Jola had dinner in her rooms with Kit. The princess arrived after dinner.