The Severed Realm

by Michael G. Manning

  Rose lifted her chin and addressed Lord Watson directly. “Your Honor, I would ask the court to remember that according to Mister Brimmon’s own answer to Lord Oswald a few minutes ago, he was the first to enter the bedroom and discover the Prince’s body.”

  The courtroom was so quiet I imagined I could have heard a pin drop. I certainly heard the rustle of Lord Watson’s robe as he nodded assent. Then Rose turned back to the witness.

  “Vander, when you went into the bedroom, you found the Prince, but he wasn’t dead yet, was he?” she asked him directly.

  “He was,” cried Vander, his voice nearly unintelligible through his tears. “The knife was in his chest.”

  “I think you’re lying, Vander,” said Rose sternly. “What man wouldn’t commit murder to protect his own children?” she asked rhetorically. “Who wouldn’t take the opportunity to protect his child from the depraved attentions of a sadistic child rapist?”

  Judge Watson stepped in then. “Lady Hightower, please save your rhetoric for the closing statements and stick to examining the witness.”

  She nodded. “Vander, did Lord Airedale encourage you to take revenge on Prince Leomund?”

  “No!”

  “Did the other servants know you murdered him? Did they promise to keep your secret for you?” she added.

  “No! I didn’t kill him!” yelled Vander.

  “No one would blame you, Vander,” said Rose, waving her arms at the gallery. “Any man or woman in this room would have killed him under those circumstances. Could you have done any less?”

  “I didn’t do it,” he answered, his voice nearly a whisper.

  “Your fellow servants didn’t blame you either, which is why they promised to protect you, isn’t that true?”

  Vander Brimmon began to sob uncontrollably, and after several minutes it became apparent he wouldn’t answer. Rose addressed the judge again, “Your Honor, let the record show that Mister Brimmon refused to answer the question.” Then she headed back toward me. “No further questions.”

  As I watched Rose sit down beside me, my own emotions were a confusing mix of admiration, surprise, and horror. I couldn’t help but feel enormous sympathy for Vander as they led him away from the witness stand, while at the same time I was relieved. My own trial wasn’t over, but it seemed almost certain they would have to acquit me.

  And after they did, Vander would very quickly stand trial for murdering the Prince-Consort. From my perspective, he had done nothing wrong, but I knew the law wouldn’t find it that way. Killing a prince, for whatever reason, was a capital crime. No matter how compelling the mitigating circumstances, Vander would be executed.

  Looking at Rose once more, I saw a faint tremor in her hand, and I knew she must be feeling the same. Without caring about the glares from my two guards, I reached out and covered her hand with my own, but Rose didn’t meet my eyes.

  She was quietly muttering to herself. “Anything.” She said it several times, and while I didn’t know the context, I understood her meaning.

  ***

  After a short recess everyone returned, and the trial resumed. I was to be the next witness to take the stand, though to my surprise, not at Rose’s behest. It had never occurred to me before, but I learned later that in Gododdin the defendant can’t be compelled to testify if they choose not to do so. If someone had told me that before my trial, I wouldn’t have understood. But within moments of facing Lord Oswald, I knew very well why Rose hadn’t wanted to examine me on the stand.

  The prosecutor ran through the obvious questions rather quickly, having me identify myself and give a quick recount of what I remembered. I answered honestly, with one exception. Rose had counseled me to feign confusion over one particular of my last moments in Leomund’s bedchamber. Brandon Oswald was quick to leap on that discrepancy.

  “Lord Cameron, according to witness statements, including that of Her Majesty, when you arrived in Albamarl with Roland, you stated that you cast a spell to put Millie into a state of slumber before you left Leomund’s bedroom. Are you disputing your previous account?” asked Lord Oswald.

  I shook my head. “No, I did say that, but I misspoke at the time.”

  Lord Oswald’s face grew stern. “Then you admit to lying to the Queen?”

  “No, sir,” I said confidently. “My memory of events was muddled by my emotions at the time. When I first recounted what happened, I was in a hurry. It was a simple mistake.”

  “You said something that wasn’t true, Lord Cameron. I believe everyone would agree that that is the very definition of a lie. Don’t you agree?” insisted the prosecutor.

  I could see Rose tensing. If she could have, she probably would have liked to answer my questions for me. Don’t worry, Rose, I thought silently. I’ve got this one. “No, sir, I don’t. A lie is a false statement with the intention to deceive. I had no such intention. As a barrister, surely you’re aware of this?”

  “Your intention is still very much in question,” said Lord Oswald. “When you first returned with Duke Roland, you admitted to spying on Prince Leomund and then forcing your way into his hunting lodge and then assaulting him. You very nearly convicted yourself with those statements, so it seems strange that you would suddenly change this one detail, a detail that neatly prevents the only witness in the room from coming to your defense. I find that curious. Don’t you, Lord Cameron?”

  I was ready for this one. “No, Lord Oswald, I don’t. When I met the Queen, I freely admitted to everything I knew, because at the time I had no knowledge of Prince Leomund’s murder. If I had intended to lie, my story would have been different from the beginning. My statement that Millie was asleep before I left was a simple mistake, one I would not have made if I had been trying to conceal a crime.”

  Lord Oswald looked unhappy with my response. “A convenient answer,” he replied. “Let’s move on to something more pertinent. You weren’t very fond of Prince Leomund, were you?”

  “I barely knew him,” I said honestly. “I only met him on a few occasions, but he definitely did not make a good impression on me.”

  “You’re understating your animosity toward the Prince, aren’t you, Lord Cameron? Others have said you hated the Queen’s husband with a fierce passion.”

  While that was essentially true in the present, I didn’t actually recall feeling so strong in the past, nor had I ever said as much to anyone else. Giving the prosecutor a look of puzzlement, I asked, “Which others?”

  “I ask the questions, Lord Cameron. Please answer.”

  “I’m trying to,” I replied. “To my knowledge, I have never displayed or communicated such a feeling of vituperation toward the Prince, so for me to address your question you need to specify who made such a claim, unless you’re simply fabricating rumors to further your position.”

  Lord Oswald’s face turned purple, but Judge Watson leaned forward. “Please inform the court of the sources of your claim, Lord Oswald. I’m curious.”

  “I’m sure there were several,” said the prosecutor, let me check my papers. He stumbled as he went to his table, causing a titter to rise from the gallery. After a moment he lifted a sheet of parchment. “Yes, here it is. Lord Airedale. Now answer the question, Lord Cameron.”

  I smiled. “I have never spoken to Lord Airedale regarding the Prince. His only basis for making such a claim would be the fact that he saw me break into the Prince’s lodge. At the time, I was furious over the abuse occurring there. I suspect he may have other reasons for remembering conversations that we didn’t have in the past.”

  The prosecutor moved on from there, and while I felt good about what had gone on so far, things began to get ugly. “Lord Cameron, you’re very fond of the Queen, aren’t you?”

  “She is my cousin,” I answered immediately. “I love her dearly.”

  “Your first cousin, once removed, to be precise. Is that
correct?”

  “Her mother, Queen Genevieve, was my grandmother’s sister,” I said firmly.

  “Would you describe her as beautiful?” asked Lord Oswald.

  I had no idea where he was leading, but apparently Rose did. Before I could answer, she leapt to her feet. “Objection. The Queen’s appearance has no relevance.”

  The judge nodded. “Sustained.”

  Lord Oswald smirked, then moved on. “Your wife died recently, did she not?”

  “Almost four months ago,” I said firmly. “I believe everyone is aware of that already.”

  “Have you considered remarrying, Lord Cameron?”

  His questions were beginning to make me angry, but I knew better than to let it show. “Certainly not. I loved my wife more than I can say. I have not recovered from her loss yet.”

  “With your obvious knowledge of the law, you are doubtless aware that first cousins once removed are legally allowed to marry, are you not?” asked Lord Oswald.

  Frowning, I replied, “Yes, but the Queen is like a sister to me. It had never occurred to me, plus she was married already.”

  “Was is the operative word here, Lord Cameron. You have had tender feelings for our Queen for a long time, haven’t you, Lord Cameron?” said Lord Oswald accusingly.

  “Not of the kind you suggest,” I insisted.

  “Yet you created a special portal to allow the Queen to visit your home whenever she wished, did you not?”

  “Well, yes,” I answered. “Are you accusing the Queen of impropriety?”

  Lord Oswald smiled. “I’m just establishing the situation for the court’s enlightenment. You created a portal between your home and the Queen’s chambers. She occasionally used this to sleep in your home, is that correct?”

  “My wife and family were all aware of the portal,” I declared. “We built an extra room for her convenience. There was nothing improper about it.”

  The gallery was awash with whispers and muttering now. Then the prosecutor continued, “Lord Cameron, if there was something improper going on, do you think your now-departed wife would have dared challenge you on it?”

  Furious, I stood up. “Lord Oswald, if you had ever met my wife, you would know better. She was no shrinking violet. She’d have had my balls if such a thing were occurring.”

  That brought a loud round of laughter from the gallery, and it took Judge Watson several minutes to restore order. When calm had returned, Lord Oswald asked his next question. “You claim your wife would have stood up to you, Lord Cameron, yet she allowed another unmarried woman to live with you for a considerable length of time, didn’t she?”

  “Objection,” said Rose. “The Count’s family matters are irrelevant.”

  Judge Watson gave her a look of undisguised glee. “Overruled. Please continue, Lord Oswald.”

  The prosecutor nodded. “Let me clarify my question, Lord Cameron. The unmarried woman who lived with you and your family is here in the court today, is she not?”

  Slowly, I nodded. “Yes.”

  “Please name her for the court, Lord Cameron.”

  The words were like ashes in my mouth. “Lady Rose Thornbear.”

  Lord Oswald leered at me. “Did you begin having sexual relations as soon as she moved into your home, or did you wait until after your wife had died?”

  “Objection!”

  “Overruled,” snapped Lord Watson.

  My eyes burned as I glared my hatred at Lord Oswald. “I have never had sexual relations with anyone other than my late-wife.”

  “That seems difficult to believe, Lord Cameron, given that you have had upwards of at least three different unmarried women living at your home at any given time, not to mention occasional nighttime visits from our Queen. You expect us to believe that your relations with all of these women are innocent?”

  “I do.”

  The prosecutor continued, “Are any of your family in the courtroom today, to show support?”

  The sudden shift made me blink. “Just my younger son, Conall.”

  “Who also happens to be one of the men who arrested you,” pointed out Lord Oswald. “Lord Cameron, why do you think the rest of your family was too ashamed to be seen here today?”

  “My older son, Matthew, is still in Lancaster, protecting the duke’s estate. My younger daughter Irene is there with him,” I explained.

  “And what of your adopted daughter, Moira?”

  “She’s currently at home,” I admitted.

  “Even though she could have been here today?”

  “Yes,” I replied. “I prefer she not have to witness this.”

  Lord Oswald leaned forward, inches from my face. “But you haven’t spoken with her, have you, Lord Cameron? In fact, she is not present today of her own choice.”

  “Not directly, no.”

  The prosecutor shifted his line of questioning once more. “Lord Cameron, after murdering the Prince, did you hope that the Queen’s familial love for you would become something more? Perhaps enough to garner you a new place in the palace?”

  “No!” I exclaimed.

  “No, you didn’t hope to marry her, or no you didn’t kill the Prince, Lord Cameron? Which is it?”

  “No, to both,” I answered, struggling to calm myself. “I didn’t kill the Prince, nor have I ever wished for a marital arrangement with the Queen. I’ve never loved anyone other than my wife.”

  “Lord Cameron, if your devotion to your wife was so great, why have you been meeting with Lady Hightower?” asked Lord Oswald.

  My eyes went to Rose. “She’s my legal counsel, and a good friend.”

  “Did any of your other friends visit you for an hour every evening this week, Lord Cameron?”

  “Objection!” shouted Rose.

  But Lord Oswald wasn’t waiting for my answer, he bulled onward. “Did any of your other friends offer to bathe you before your day in court, Lord Cameron? Is that what good friends do?”

  Belatedly, Judge Watson responded, “Sustained. Lord Oswald, please refrain from speculation.”

  “Forgive me, Your Honor. I have no further questions,” said the prosecutor, a look of victory in his eyes.

  It was Rose’s turn after that, but all she could do was force me to recount my story once more, in the hopes it would wash away some of the stain from Lord Oswald’s leading questions. From the mutters in the gallery, I held out little hope of that. After a few minutes, she sat down and I was released from the stand.

  Chapter 35

  Back in my seat, I looked around the room. Almost everyone was engaged with those beside them in hushed conversations. When I looked to the Queen, she met my eyes, but her expression was cold. Conall stood to one side of her, and he refused to meet my gaze. I could only wonder what he was thinking.

  “If there are no further witnesses, I will adjourn to make my deliberations,” said Lord Watson, beginning to rise.

  Rose was on her feet immediately. “Begging your pardon, Your Honor. I would like to call one further witness.”

  The judge gave her a disapproving look. “Your witness is not on my list.”

  “I only received a response last night, Your Honor,” said Rose. “If it please you, I would like to call Millie, the girl rescued by Lord Cameron, to the stand to testify.” Turning, she directed his attention to the back of the room.

  I followed her eyes, and there I saw Karen standing, with Millie beside her. They began to make their way down the aisle toward the bench.

  Lord Oswald was immediately alarmed, and he stood to protest. “Your Honor, I have not been given an opportunity to meet with this witness in advance of the trial. Her testimony should not be allowed.”

  Rose dipped her head apologetically. “Forgive me, Lord Oswald. I only managed to contact her last night. Given that she is one of the principal wit
nesses, I feel it is of importance we hear what she has to say.”

  Lord Watson shifted his eyes between the two of them for a moment, then took to his feet. “Lady Hightower, Lord Oswald, please join me in my chambers.” He walked away and the two of them followed him, leaving the courtroom. Loud whispering broke out and soon rose to a cacophonous discussion as everyone talked at once.

  With nothing to do and no one to talk to, I kept my eyes forward, unsure what to do with myself, but Gareth leaned toward me, his eyes on Karen. “I’m starting to understand what Rose is thinking.”

  I kept my face blank. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  He grinned at me. “I think you do, so I’ll give you a word of advice. The indomitable Lady Rose has made a mistake in her planning. What she’s considering won’t work. It will only lead to her imprisonment after your execution.”

  I didn’t answer, but I felt my jaw clench.

  “Make no mistake,” said Gareth. “As I said before, I’m not entirely unsympathetic. If I were, I would point out that your surprise witness has spent the past week in the company of your daughter. While that means little to these people at present, if I wanted, I could easily inform them that she’s a mind-witch. Little Millie’s words would count for nothing then.”

  “What are you saying, Gareth?” I asked.

  “You’d better hope that abomination of a daughter you live with did a good job. If the girl’s false testimony isn’t enough to sway the judge, you’re going to hang. And if Rose attempts to get you out of here with Karen’s assistance, she will likely hang as well.” He straightened up then and proceeded to ignore my angry glare.

  Giving up on Gareth, I returned my eyes to front, but my mind was working furiously as I considered what he had said. It didn’t take me long to remember that he had been the one to craft my enchanted manacles. If it had been anyone else, it might not have mattered, but Gareth had been born during the golden age of magic. Mordan mages were plentiful then, and any method of imprisoning a wizard would have to take that fact into account.

  Closing my eyes, I focused my magesight on the manacles again, but I didn’t learn anything new. I had already figured out the proper method for opening them, though it would require another mage to do so. Aythar had to be channeled into each manacle at the proper points, creating a link between the two cuffs. Only then could the proper command be given so that they would open without killing the person wearing them.