Scales Of Justice

by C. R. Daems

  She stood there for several minutes. She strained to see movement, listened in the silence for any sound that would betray the intruder, and breathed through her nose for a scent that would identify man or beast. Nothing.

  Enough, she told herself, as she let herself slide back down the wall. If it's a rat, I'll let it crawl up on me, and then grab it, strangle it, and eat it. She laughed silently as the thought crossed her mind that not only could she use meat in her diet, but it would also probably taste better than the slop they fed her. I can't and won't give the guards the satisfaction of showing fear, she chastised herself.

  On the floor, nothing happened for a minute, and then something slipped into her lap. She calmed herself, grabbed, and found that she held a snake. But what kind? Does it matter? The golden vipers had made her immune to any poisons. Oh, Naga, how I miss my golden viper. The snake had coiled itself around the hand that held it, but didn't bite her. Then she felt a snake wrap itself around her ankle. If the guards had planned to scare her with snakes, they had seriously misjudged her. With that thought, she lay back down with the snakes coiled around her, and went to sleep.

  She woke when she heard the morning food tray slide under the door.

  "Your morning meal, Mistress." She recognized the guard by his voice. He had been the most persistent, of the guards that wanted sex with her. His name was Adlar, and he had a scarred face and an ugly disposition to match. "If you treat me well, I can see that you get better food-or if not, I can see that your food gets worse. Maybe a bit of rat meat."

  "Rat meat sounds good. Maybe a few bugs to season it."

  "Bitch. Eventually His Grace will get tired of you and give you to us. You'll pay, now or later."

  "And could you turn down the heat? It's uncomfortably hot in here." Jola smiled. They may kill me, but they will never break me. The light in the cell was never better than dim, but in the daytime, she could at least make out objects like the food tray, her waste pot, and the rags she called a bed. She picked up her arm to see what variety of snake the idiot guards had found, only to discover that the two golden vipers had somehow found her. She pressed them to her face, kissing them with all the pent-up passion the past four eightdays had taken from her-Tenzen's fate, her wounds, the poor food, the cold, damp cell, and the physical and mental torment.

  She dropped to her knees and pressed the vipers to her. Thank you, Naga, for returning your envoys to me. I'll protect them with my life.

  * * *

  Jola slept well that night and she felt her strength returning, although her conditions hadn't changed. With her viper and Sister Tenzen's viper as companions, she was at peace, and was content to wait out Lord Chaney's next move. By his own admission, he wanted judicators who would administer his law throughout Tasman. Jola conjectured that he could train more women like Shalea to impersonate judicators, but their inability to ascertain the truth would, eventually, identify them as frauds. After Chaney had secured the province with an iron hand, it wouldn't matter. But she suspected that to start, he needed believable judicators who wouldn't alert the commoners to the rebellion-especially since Shalea had been discredited in Essam. If she was right, he would eventually turn up the pressure on her. At that point, she would have three options: one, to attempt an escape, now that she had two vipers; two, to attempt to kill Chaney; or three, to capitulate and join him. Until then, she could but wait.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Tasman Province

  "Your Grace," First Minister Alfred said as he entered Chaney's private study. Chaney's Corvus castle was smaller than Tarquay, his castle at the capital, but it was elaborate by any standard. Since his arrival at Corvus, Chaney had been in the process of obliterating his father's red and gold influence with his own silver and black decor. "I've a young lord, Loman, who wants an audience with you. He says he has information from Essam."

  "Bring him in, Alfred." Chaney did not look up from what he was reading.

  Alfred exited, and a few minutes later returned with the young noble, still dressed in his riding clothes and somewhat disheveled. Loman bowed. "Your Grace, Marquess Stassio asked me to bring you the latest news from Essam. He suggested that you make your move soon-" he began.

  "No one tells me what to do, Loman!" Chaney shouted, and banged his desk for emphasis, which caused several items to bounce up and off his desk.

  "Your Grace, a king's judicator exposed your judicator. She's declared you in violation of the Seven Provinces' Treaty," Loman said in a rush.

  "WHAT!" Chaney came out of his chair, spilling more papers and books onto the floor. "Did no one stop her?"

  "We tried, Your Grace; however, she received support from the crowds and the city guard. Afterward, we blockaded the roads out of the city, but either she slipped past us, or she's found someplace in the city to hide. Marquess Stassio continues to search, but even if we find her, it'll at best delay word getting back to the king," Loman said.

  "What happened to Judicator Shalea and her guard?"

  "The king's judicator ordered her and her guard confined to await her judgment. And she no longer has her dagger, cape, mask, or snake."

  "It doesn't matter. Her credibility has been destroyed. I'll consider releasing her after we break the treaty." Chaney considered his alternatives. A town full of nobles couldn't stop one judicator. What fools, he thought. They definitely needed a strong, decisive leader like him. This fiasco didn't really change anything, but it did hasten the break with the king by a couple of seasons.

  "Tell Marquess Stassio to raise his Essam army and bring them into Tasman within the next eight eightdays. Our stand will have to be in Tasman, where we can consolidate the three armies. I'll meet him at Blueridge." Chaney looked up at the young noble. Pathetic-a weakling, and he smells, he noted as he rang for Alfred to get Loman out of his sight.

  Alfred arranged quarters for Loman, and returned to find Chaney pacing the floor.

  "Alfred, we've a problem. I need a judicator to go to Southgate. A just ruling or two will expand my support in Sattah. With the disaster in Gotter, we're going to need a sizeable army in place within the next eight eightdays. Nicolas will have no choice but to send a small army into Essam to punish me. I'll need a decisive victory to convince him it'll be prohibitively expensive to continue, and will be better for him to negotiate with me," Chaney said as he continued to develop his strategy. "How is that bitch, Jola? Five eightdays should have softened her up." Chaney imagined her in the bare-damp cell, harassed by the guards he had assigned and instructed.

  "She asks for nothing and never complains, Your Grace," Alfred said.

  "I think it's time to convince her she's been living in luxury." Chaney laughed. "Summon Sergeant Brokk, Alfred. Mistress Courageous will beg me to be my personal judicator."

  * * *

  The cell door opened to admit Chaney and three guards.

  "My dear, how do you like the accommodations?" Chaney asked. He smiled while he chewed on something sweet and gooey.

  Jola's mouth watered at the sight of it-undoubtedly, the effect Chaney had hoped to induce. "I've had better and I've had worse." She wasn't sure that was true, but he wouldn't learn it from her.

  "And the food?" Chaney licked his fingers and lips.

  "The rats are a bit stringy, and the bugs don't have enough substance, but the soup is excellent."

  Chaney chuckled. "And your guards?" Chaney chuckled again and smiled at something Jola couldn't see.

  Jola didn't think she was amusing Chaney. She doubted he was ever amused by any jokes except his own. He had something planned, which she doubted she was going to enjoy. She had no choice but to play the game, and wait to see what happened.

  "Those are guards? They've been so sweet, I thought they were servants." She continued to play the fool. She had learned never to let them see her pain-it just encouraged them.

  "I brought you a new servant." Chaney pointed to a man who trod into the cell-a monstrosity of a man, one that Jola had never encounter
ed before and never wanted to see again. He was huge, easily twenty stones, with the twisted and scarred face of a man who liked to fight. His eyes were devoid of emotion, and he was naked and aroused.

  "Before I give you your new personal servant-who will live with you in your spacious quarters-I thought you might want to consider my previous offer." Chaney grinned.

  Jola was speechless as her mind raced through her few alternatives. Chaney needed her desperately, she thought. Otherwise, why was he here, and why was he asking her to reconsider his offer? Maybe she could exploit the situation. The next move would determine the winner.

  "Last chance," Chaney said with a sneer.

  "He's a beautiful specimen, and I would like to keep him, but first, I would like to negotiate better terms," Jola said, pointing to the naked man.

  "The only terms are my terms." Chaney pointed to himself. Jola wasn't sure if he'd prefer to have her agree to his terms, or to watch that monster savage her. In any event, he enjoyed the confrontation.

  "It's too bad, Duke Chaney. You don't trust me, and I don't trust you. It would be a perfect partnership." She knew that although he was desperate, he wouldn't trust her if she gave in too quickly.

  "She's yours, Sergeant Brokk. Two hundred silvers if she accepts in an eightday; four hundred if she accepts in three days... and one thousand if she accepts today." Chaney laughed again. His face reflected his excitement and delight in the game he played with her.

  Brokk wasn't waiting; he came charging across the room, arms spread wide, expecting her to try to run. Instead, she jumped up, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist-well, almost. The two vipers struck, one at his neck and the other at his arm. For ten seconds, nothing happened. Brokk stood there paralyzed, along with Chaney and the two guards. When he collapsed, Jola landed on her feet, straddling the dead sergeant.

  "Lord Chaney, I really need a personal servant with stamina," Jola said, blinking her eyes at him. Your move. Jola giggled quietly as she watched his response.

  Chaney backed up against the wall, his eyes wide with fear and his mouth hanging open, as he stared at the golden viper wrapped around her neck. The second viper had disappeared inside her rags.

  "How did she get a viper?" Chaney shouted, looking angrily at the guards. "I'm surrounded by fools. I'll have those responsible hanged when this is over."

  "What would a judicator be without a golden viper? A fake," Jola said as she stepped closer to the door, cutting off everyone's escape.

  "I'm willing to work for you, Your Grace, but only if I get rewarded. I lived in bondage as a child. The sisters gave me little more than food money, and you've had me in a cold, damp cell. Besides, if the king's army overruns yours, I'll be condemned to the iron mines with you." Jola paused as she gauged his face. "Or, kill me now."

  She could see Chaney mentally debating whatever issues he had, including his odds of killing her before she or her viper killed him. Several seconds passed as his eyes surveyed the cell, everyone's position, and Jola. He clearly was struggling with his decision. "You're obviously not a fool like those around me, but how can I trust you?" he asked.

  "Reward my services and keep me on a short chain, Your Grace." She had to convince Chaney he could manage her. Greed, Chaney would understand.

  "Alfred, take Mistress Jola to one of the guest bedrooms and get her whatever she needs. We'll talk tomorrow when you've rested and had a decent meal," Chaney said, as he squeezed against the wall to pass her, and then exited the cell.

  Alfred led her from the cell and up the stone stair to a narrow hallway-while watching to stay well ahead of her. It seemed to take forever, climbing stairs and negotiating hallways, to reach the room. By then, Jola was exhausted, and every muscle ached. Her muscles had weakened during her time in the dungeon. Alfred opened the door and stood back for her to enter.

  "Mistress Jola, if you will tell me what you need, I will see that you get it." Alfred smiled. Jola saw relief in Alfred's face. She surmised that it was because she was no longer following him, and he could now see her and her vipers.

  "Alfred. Let's start with dinner, wine, and of course, dessert. And a seamstress would be nice. Duke Chaney certainly wouldn't want to see me again in these rags. Oh, and a bath. I stink if you haven't noticed; I'm sure His Grace noticed. And maybe... no, that will be enough for now." Jola waved Alfred off, suppressing a giggle as he left. Naga, your timing was perfect.

  * * *

  The next morning, Alfred ushered Jola into Chaney's book-lined, private study-taking care to stay out of striking distance, much to her amusement. She bowed slightly, and then went to the seat furthest from Chaney's desk. The gown the seamstress had made for her overnight was a beautiful dark green silk that hugged her bodice and hips, and flowed to her ankles. It complemented her olive skin and black hair. At present, her vipers were coiled around her arms with their heads sticking out of her flared sleeves. She couldn't help but notice the two guards, one on either side of Chaney's desk-two very dangerous men by the look of them. "Your Grace," Jola said in her sweetest tone.

  "You look well, Mistress Jola. I trust you slept comfortably."

  "Very well, Your Grace. Your accommodations are superb. I'm rather looking forward to becoming accustomed to them."

  "You will, if we can find mutual grounds for an agreement." Chaney waved at her to sit.

  "With your permission, I'll start," Jola said, and received a nod from Chaney. "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to be elevated to noble status-we must observe appearances. However, I'd like to live like one. I want a villa with servants and, say, twenty guards for my protection, and your peace of mind. Oh, and a reasonable allowance, please."

  Chaney laughed long and hard. "You don't want much, do you? All right, I agree. You will be available to travel where and when I want. Unless I inform you otherwise, you may use your own judgment on cases involving the commoners. Judgments involving nobles will always be subject to my wishes. Your twenty troops will be there for your protection, but will be under orders to kill you if you defy me in any way. In addition, you'll assist me in keeping the king's judicators out of my territory."

  "Agreed. I do hope I've chosen correctly, and you do eventually win your freedom from the king. I hate my hair knotted and dirty, like it would become in the iron mines." She examined a strand.

  "If I can ever come to trust you, I think I could enjoy your quick wit and sense of humor," Chaney said with a laugh. "It would help if you would leave those vipers in a cage when you're in the same room with me."

  "I'm afraid my vipers would sulk if I left them alone. I think I could get fond of you, Your Grace, if I could ever trust you. In the meantime, you can always seat me at the far end of the table and provide me with a couple of personal body guards, like those two beauties at your side."

  The game continued, but had reached a stalemate.

  They dined that night in a large room, the deep windows framed with black and silver draperies and the chair cushions covered in black satin. Jola found herself seated at the end of a very long table, with Chaney's two beauties standing to either side of her. She smiled her sweetest and fluttered her eyelids at each guard, but received no reaction. She was surprised when she couldn't sense any emotions from either one. Chaney had chosen well. These were indeed dangerous men.

  "Your Grace, I thank you for your generosity. They're lovely."

  "I'm glad you like them. Time will tell whether you get to keep them. They're exceptional warriors." Chaney smiled for the benefit of his guests. "They're born killers, my Jola." Tasked with seeing that I behave, she added to herself.

  The other ten nobles at the table remained quiet during the exchange. The ones at her end of the table were transfixed by her two vipers, which seemed restless and kept slithering up and down her arms. While she didn't recognize any of the nobles, she thought five were from Sattah, judging from their dress and manner.

  "I'd love to see my new villa and meet my new servants, bu
t I'll bet Your Grace has urgent work for me."

  Chaney stared at her for several seconds before replying. "I hadn't realized how astute judicators can be-or are you an exception?"

  "Your Sattah guests must have petitioned you for your assistance. And in your generous way, you have agreed to help." She doubted generosity had anything to do with it. He needed Sattah's support for his rebellion, and she somehow helped secure it.

  "True. You'll get a chance to get acquainted with your new soldiers on the way to Southgate. I'm afraid the commoners have wrongly accused Lord Kafele of stealing." Chaney sat back and waited for a reply.

  "That's terrible, my Lord Chaney. Everyone knows Lord Kafele has no need to steal from a commoner. Pretty soon the commoners will want titles too." Jola stroked one of the vipers, which had wound its way up to her neck. The reaction around the table varied from laughter, to nodded agreement, to anger, she presumed at the commoners' audacity. Watching Chaney smile, she understood she was on display for the benefit of Chaney's allies. Tonight was the first of many tests. She found that she enjoyed the game-a story she had become personally involved in-and looked forward to influencing its outcome.

  * * *

  That evening, Jola again sat in Chaney's private office in the chair furthest from his desk, with a guard on either side of her. Chaney spent several minutes watching her before speaking. "You are as dangerous as your vipers. Never mind, my dear Jola, your performance tonight almost earned you your villa and servants. It was excellent. My guests were most impressed with you, and are looking forward to you being their judicator. What do you expect your judgment will be concerning Lord Kafele?"