Stabenow, Dana - Powers Of Detection (Editor)

by Powers Of Detection (Editor)(lit)

  She had apologized when she brought the mare back. He eyed her for a long, uncomfortable moment before stumping over to the wall where his sword hung, still in the scabbard in which he had last sheathed it. He pulled it free and in the same motion sent it hurtling at her. It spun, point over hilt, to smack into her open palm. She had gazed at it in astonishment, unable to remember raising her hand.

  She smiled now, remembering doughty old Nicodemus and the long, sweaty hours of schooling in the training area he built in back of the barn. Riding, horse care, use of sword and shield and knife and quarterstaff and longbow and crossbow and a hundred other weapons that she would probably never encounter. “But if you lose your sword and your shield and the only weapon you can lay hand to is a Yranean war club, Nicodemus had said, “then youd better by the gods know how to use it.

  Her mother had wept when her daughters Talent had been revealed. Her father had been proud, especially when she was named head of her own cohort in the last war. She was an only child, and her mother still yearned for grandchildren, making visits home a nightmarish progression of eligible suitors. Her village was too near the capital, it made visits home too easy, so when the king had called for volunteers to bear the Swords of Justice she had seen a job that would keep her on the road for the better part of every year. Shed been second to sign up, and still took a certain amount of pride in the fact that she had been the first to pass successfully through the Ten Trials of the Sword.

  Zeno was regarding the sword with a fascinated eye. “Its beautiful. My friend Elias is a smith, but he does nothing like that.

  “All the Swords come from the Magi Guilds forge, she said. “They do good work.

  They grinned at each other, and he went back to polishing. “How do you get to be a Sword, anyway?

  “Didnt your mayor publish the Treaty and the Charter?

  He hunched an impatient shoulder. “Who has time for all that reading?

  She sat down next to him in the straw, setting the sword beside her, the hilt ready to hand. Education was part and parcel of their charter, and besides, Blancas tack hadnt looked this good since it was first made. Blanca, her great white head hooked over the stall, whickered agreement down the back of Crows neck. Crow reached up to rub the velvety nose. “You know about the wars.

  He nodded emphatically. “We all do. This is the first year in the last twenty that my father was able to sell all our wheat to the miller, and for a good price, too. Course the tithe to the king comes out of that, but its half of what it was before. He scrubbed at a bit of stubborn tarnish. “Its why my father was able to apprentice me out when my Talent revealed itself. Father can afford to hire someone over the next few years.

  She nodded. “King Loukas thinks that your father ought to be able to sell his grain without tithing to maintain an army. Thats why he proposed the Treaty of the Nine.

  “Yeah, but the king wasnt the one fighting the wars, that was the wizards. Zeno looked uncertain. “Wasnt it?

  “It was the wizards, Crow said. “Not all of them, but some. A few very great, very evil wizards, who were fighting each other for power and control.

  “They wanted to be king?

  It was a lot more complicated than that, but close enough. “They did. So the king tithed the people to pay the army, then directed the army to fight the wizards.

  “And they won.

  “And we won, Crow agreed.

  “We won? Zeno said.

  “I was a soldier in the kings army.

  “Really? he said, eyes wide. “Did you kill anybody?

  “Only enemies of the king, she said, and hoped it was true. “And yes, we won, but the problem still remained.

  “The wizards.

  “Yes. Two died in battle, and the third was tried, convicted, and executed in Hestia. She had been on duty at that execution and still remembered the curses with which Nyssa had fouled the air as she burned. The circle of wizards surrounding her pyre had been hard put to keep up with the counterspells. Even now Crow wondered if theyd managed to get them all.

  “And then the king figured out a way to stop the wars.

  “He hopes so. Everyone was tired of war, like you and your father. It was expensive, and destructive, and it killed too many of us. How much do you get paid to work here?

  He grinned. “A lot. Enough for me to send half home to my mother every week.

  She smiled. “The king will be pleased to hear it. That was what he had in mind when he brought the Nine Provinces together to sign the Treaty, and when he worked with them to write the Charter.

  “How does it work?

  She had repeated it so many times over the past three months that it rolled off her tongue like a monks evening prayers. “In the Treaty, the Nine Provinces acknowledge the sovereign rule of Hestia. In exchange, the ruler in Hestia agrees to keep the peace.

  “And you do that.

  “And the Sword and Seer do that.

  “How many Swords are there?

  “Nine Swords and nine Seers, one pair for each province.

  His eyes slid to her sword.

  “What? she said, stifling a yawn. It was late, and Makarioss beer was finally catching up with her.

  “How does it work, exactly? Is it permitted to say?

  She chuckled. “I am no wizard, young Zeno. I bear the Sword of Justice. It speaks through me. The Guild of the Magi has laid it under the most powerful of enchantments. Its power draws on theirs. And hers, and the Seers.

  “In Hestia? All that way away?

  “Yes.

  “I didnt know magic could be made at such a distance.

  “I dont think the wizards knew it, either, until the king wrote the Charter, and they had to find a way. She got to her feet. “And now, young Zeno, Im for my bed, as you should be for yours.

  “Whats that? he said, his head turning toward the stable door.

  She heard it, too, a rising tide of sound with the unpleasant smell of riot about it. The hilt of the Sword slid into her hand.

  A crowd was gathering, lit by torches held high. More people were emptying out of buildings, flooding down narrow streets to gather in the square, jerkins pulled hastily over nightgowns, confusion growing into an ugly, palpable anger. Crow saw Cornelius hurrying out of the inn and caught his elbow. “What is it? Whats wrong?

  He halted, looking relieved to see her. “Someone has been killed, a girl, they say.

  Behind him Crow saw Sharryn, staff in hand, Makarios at her heels. Both were dressed, barely. Sharryn heard Corneliuss words. “Theres been a murder?

  Crowfoot climbed to the floor of a vendors stand at the edge of the square and looked over the heads of the crowd.

  The canvas roof over the dais from which the Kalliopean poet had been holding forth earlier in the day had been removed and a rope tossed over one of crosspieces. The noose at the end encircled the neck of a thin man with a bruised and bleeding face and both arms tied behind his back.

  “Elias! Zeno said, who had boosted himself up beside her, and disappeared into the crowd, heading in the direction of the man.

  Crow swore. “Cornelius! Announce us!

  His eyes widened, and he stood up straight. Crows request was in the nature of being appointed bailiff by royal command. “Make way for the Seer and Sword! he called, and proved to have a bullfrog bellow that was admirably suited to the task. “Make way! Make way for the kings justice!

  Crow raised the Sword over her head, hand clasped around the scabbard, and followed him. Heads turned, eyes widened, people took involuntary steps back, and if a respectful silence did not fall, then at least a path was cleared to the focal point of the hubbub. Sharryn was at Crows heels, and they both heard Blancas urgent neigh and Pedros whinnies. The crowd was surly and hostile, but they pushed through to stand in the small space created for them by Cornelius before the poets dais, and the tableau waiting there.

  The dead girl was blond and buxom. Her skirts were ruffled and dirtied, her bodice torn, and there were
dark marks around her throat. The tip of her tongue protruded from her mouth in a manner that put Crowfoot forcibly in mind of the statues of the stone gargoyles lining the cornice of the roof of the Guild of the Magi back in Hestia. Those gargoyles, however, formed a ring of power designed to keep the forces of darkness from penetrating the sanctuary. This girl had had no such defense.

  A man stood next to the body, tall, muscles going to fat. He had a heavy jaw and dark eyes set deep beneath a shelf of a brow. Collapsed against his side, tears sliding down her face, was a plump, blond woman, older than the girl but so similar in form and feature that the relationship was obvious.

  Sharryn leaned down to close the girls wide, staring blue eyes with a gentle hand. This small act of compassion had a soothing effect on the crowd, and Crow could feel a palpable easing of tension.

  Sharryn stood up, leaning on her staff, and looked at the couple. “Your daughter? she said gently.

  He jerked his head at the blond woman. “Hers.

  “I am so sorry, Sharryn told her.

  The woman continued to weep with no reply.

  Sharryn looked at the man. “Your name, goodman?

  His expression was not friendly, but he said civilly enough, “Nestor. This is my wife, Agathi.

  “And this was...

  “Agathis daughter, Nella.

  “Not your daughter.

  He shook his head. “From her first marriage.

  “Ah. Sharryn looked around for her new bailiff. “Goodman, a blanket or a cloak, if you please.

  Cornelius nodded, picked up the canvas that had been the roof of the dais, and spread it over Nellas body without waiting to be told.

  “Now then, Sharryn said, looking at the young man with the noose around his neck. “I see you have determined who committed this foul deed.

  “We have, Nestor growled.

  “Good, Sharryn said. “You have proof, of course.

  “He was found standing over the body.

  “Ah. Who found him?

  “I did.

  The crowd had crept closer again, the better to hear every word. “I see, Sharryn said.

  He stuck out a truculent jaw. “It is our right, under the Charter, to exact justice.

  “It is, Sharryn told him, “when it is justice.

  Nestors face darkened, and there was a corresponding mutter from the crowd.

  The young man with the noose around his neck began to struggle against it and received a cuff on one ear in response from one of the two men holding him. Crow recognized him, and then knew the man he was preparing to hang. These were the two who had fought over the girl in the square that afternoon. She looked down at the canvas-covered body. This girl.

  Sharryn looked up at the young man in the noose. “Do you deny these charges, goodman?

  His mouth opened, and a kind of animal grunting came out, impassioned, forceful, but sounding more like a pig than a man. Sharryn looked at Nestor.

  “A demon has him by the tongue, he said. There was a murmured chorus of agreement.

  “Elias is possessed of no demon! Zeno said hotly, forcing his way forward. “He is my friend, and a good man! He loved Nella! He would never have hurt her! He looked around and found Crowfoot. “In the name of the Charter that binds the Nine Provinces, I call for justice! I call for the justice of the Seer and the Sword! He ran to Crows side. “You have to, he said in an urgent whisper. “Crowfoot, you must help him, he cant speak for himself!

  “Shut up, you little brat, someone growled, to a chorus of muttered approval.

  “Hang him, then! someone shouted, and others took up the cry. “Hang him! “Hang the murdering bastard!

  “No! Zeno cried.

  Someone cuffed the boy across the face, and he flew backward into the crowd. Zeno was lost in a trample of feet.

  Crow drew the Sword. She held it point up, hilt before her face, and cried, “Let the Sword sing!

  The moon, a new crescent, was well up in the sky, and its light danced along the blade. A single severe, sustained note sliced through the uproar like a sharp edge through flesh. The crowd melted back at Crows approach, revealing Zeno prone on the ground. His mouth was bleeding, his cheek was bruised, and he winced and clasped his side when she nudged him to his feet, but he was ambulatory, and he followed her back to Sharryn. The Sword remained unsheathed, and Crow felt the link kick in solidly, with all the weight of Sharryns considerable exasperation behind it.

  Did you have to do that?

  What did you expect, that I would let the child be trampled? Crowfoot kept her face impassive, but in truth she was as annoyed as the Seer was. Now the Sword could not be sheathed again until a verdict had been reached and a judgment rendered. She let the flat of the blade rest lightly against her left shoulder, both hands clasped on the hilt.

  “We need no diviners here, Nestor said. “We can hang a murderer without your help. Yes, and bury our dead, too.

  His wife sobbed out loud, but there was a growl of agreement from the crowd. They had been cowed by the Swords song, but there would have to be some resolution of the murder or, Crow had no doubt, there would be more murder done.

  Sharryn kept her tone mild. “You live under the protection of the king, goodman. You are, as are we all, subject to the Treaty of the Nine and the Great Charter. She added distinctly, her eyes hard, “And you will address me as Seer.

  He stared at her, his expression unpleasant. What he might have said next was drowned out by the crowd.

  “To hell with this talk! Killer! Murderer! Hang him! someone yelled, and there was another movement to press forward. Crowfoot stepped in front of Sharryn and raised the Sword. It sang again, the pure note descending into a clear baritone, a long, low pitch of warning that reverberated in the back teeth of everyone in the square. Many clapped their hands to their ears, a few were brought to their knees. A girl screamed, and babies wept.

  It was a warning, as sharp as the edge of the Sword itself. It was the first time the Sword had been heard in Daean, but none who heard it could fail to understand it. The crowd fell back as one. The mob lust for blood had been broken with a single note.

  “Sorcery, Nestor said, though he was as pale and shaken as the rest.

  “Yes, said Sharryn. “Of the very strongest. Remember that, goodman. She turned to the dais. “Bring him down.

  They brought Elias down forthwith and no arguing. Sharryn regarded the man who stood before her. He was looking at the canvas-covered body with tears tracing down his cheeks. She pulled the noose from his neck. There was another angry rumble from the crowd.

  Crowfoot stepped forward. “Good people, she said. “You stand in the presence of the Seer of Truth and the Sword of Justice. By the pledge of the King, there will be order.

  A translucent aura enveloped both women in a haze of light, casting their features in bold relief. Staff and Sword gleamed as if dipped in quicksilver. The illusion was gone in an instant, leaving only a tenuous memory of itself behind. Later, some would dismiss it as simple magic, a glamour conjured up to intimidate the ignorant and the foolish, yet another example of the wizarding sleight of hand that, out of control, had led to the last series of wars that had brought Mnemosynea to its knees. Others wouldnt be so sure. “I had my doubts about the Charter, old Pavlos said, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand after downing a tankard of Makarioss best. “But after watching those two witches at work the other night Im thinking weve got a king we should keep.

  “Bring a chair for the Seer, Crow said to Cornelius in a quiet voice. “Set it up on the dais. And cause torches to be lit, as many as may be found, and set them about the square.

  It was done. Sharryn took the seat, staff in hand. Crowfoot stood a little behind her on her right, Sword held in front of her. “I will hear witnesses in this matter, Sharryn said. It was all very irregular, lacking in the formality the king wanted to mark the dignity of the judicial process, and it was also night, a thing the Council would have abhorred. King and Council both w
anted the Seer and the Sword to hold court in the full light of day, beneath the clear gaze of the full populace. But the Sword was out, and its appetite for justice, laid on by powerful geas, must be satisfied.

  Corneliuss voice rang out. “All witnesses having knowledge in the matter of the foul murder of Nella, daughter of Agathi, stepdaughter of Nestor, come forward to be heard.

  “When and where was the girls body found, and who found it? Sharryn said.

  Nestor stepped forward. “I found it.

  “Lay your hand upon my staff, Sharryn said.

  He hesitated, and did as he was told. “State your name.

  “I am Nestor, of the town of Daean, of the province of Kleonea. He looked at the staff as if afraid it might refute his words. It remained inert, a length of polished, knotted pine, gleaming coldly in the moonlight. He gained courage. “I own a bakery. Agathi is my wife. Nella was her daughter. Agathi sobbed into the shoulder of another woman, who patted her back.

  “Tell us where and when you found Nellas body.

  He looked at the staff, at his hand resting gingerly upon it, and swallowed. “Seer, she was in the bakery when I went to close the shop. She was supposed to do it, but she was ever a flighty piece, more interested in flirting than she was in selling bread. He pulled his hand free and pointed at Elias. “And I found him with her, crouched over her, interfering with her!

  The crowd erupted. “Pervert! “Hang him! “Filthy murderer! “Killer! “Hang him now!

  Sharryn waited with flinty composure until the cries died down. “Replace your hand upon the staff. Did you see him kill her, goodman?

  He hesitated, looked at Elias, back at the staff. “Seer. No. I did not see him kill her.