Scales Of Justice

by C. R. Daems

  "Mistress, the noblemen Lord Baldric, Lord Hamlin, and Lord Wagner are charged with poisoning the Taru and Vahu springs," the captain read from his paper.

  "You can't try us without a representative from our liege lord," Baldric said.

  "And who do you claim is your liege lord, Lord Baldric?" Jola asked. The three noblemen were well dressed in brightly colored silk pants, shirts, and jackets-very expensive clothes, although not well suited for the desert heat.

  "Duke Chaney, of course." Baldric smirked.

  "Chaney is no longer titled. You can, therefore, see my dilemma. You're without a liege to appoint a representative. Therefore, you will have to be judged without a representative." Her viper's head appeared out of her blouse. Baldric and the other two remained silent as they looked at each other in shock.

  "Lord Baldric, did you poison the Taru or the Vahu spring?"

  "No," Baldric said, and Jola sensed the truth of the statement.

  "Lord Hamlin, did you poison the Taru or the Vahu spring?"

  "No," Hamlin replied, and Jola again sensed the truth of the statement.

  "Lord Wagner, did you poison the Taru or the Vahu spring?"

  "No," Wagner replied. Jola sensed the truth of the statement, and also a sense of satisfaction from each of the nobles. Something felt wrong-or could they be innocent?

  "Captain, what happened to suggest that these nobles poisoned the two springs?" Her viper slid into her lap and coiled into a circle.

  "The nobles paid the guide Jalal to escort ten horses across the desert from Southgate, to Three Springs, Kusor, and finally Lucien. When they reached Three Springs, they informed Jalal that they wanted to stay several nights before traveling on to Kusor. Two nights ago, a clansman found a dead horse in the Taru Spring and another in the Vahu Spring. Their bodies contaminated both. The two horses came from the nobles' string of horses."

  "They must have gotten lost and something killed them," Wagner said with a scowl.

  "Twenty-silvers fine, Lord Wagner, for interrupting the proceeding. When I want your opinion, I'll let you know."

  "He has a right to speak," Baldric said.

  "One hundred silvers fine, Lord Baldric; fifty for being rude and fifty for being stupid. Would you like to try for a caning?" Jola had stayed seated, and had said it in an even tone. Her viper rose up from her lap and hissed in apparent agreement.

  "No... Mistress," Baldric said, sputtering.

  "Lord Baldric, did you kill either of those horses?"

  "No . . . Mistress." Again, he radiated truth and satisfaction. Jola asked each of the others the same question, and received the same reply. She hoped the fact that she didn't like the three nobles wasn't affecting her judgment, and that they were, in fact, innocent. Or maybe...

  "Captain, how did the horses die?" Jola asked.

  "Mistress, it appears they were bitten by a poisonous snake."

  "Captain, only two springs have been poisoned?" Jola decided that if they were responsible, they had intended to poison all three. She didn't understand why anyone would want to poison the springs, but if they did, it would be all three.

  "Yes, Mistress."

  "Do they still have eight horses?"

  "Yes, Mistress."

  "Captain, please take me to see their horses and equipment." Jola rose, with her viper around her arm.

  The captain led her to a roped-off area across the square, where eight horses were tied. Jola walked around to where the noblemen's gear had been stored, and dropped her viper to the ground. It slid over and under the packs. Eventually, it stopped near a bag and began hissing. Jola walked over to where the viper was coiled. She grasped the edge of the bag and upended it. An asp fell out. Jola reached down and grabbed it behind the head. At the same time, her viper wound its way up her leg, through her clothes, and out onto the arm holding the asp. Jola walked slowly back to the platform and sat down.

  "I found your pet," Jola said to the three nobles. "I see why you could each truthfully answer that you didn't kill the horses or poison the water. The snake killed the horses, and the horses poisoned the water. Would you like to deny it?"

  No response came from the nobles, but they paled.

  "The question is, who dreamed up this scheme and why?"

  Again, no answer. Raw emotions flooded over her from them, feelings of anger, despair, and hate. She shrugged.

  "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 charges of poisoning the Taru and Vahu springs by the Lords Baldric, Hamlin, and Wagner." Jola paused to look at Tenzen and Kambiri, who only nodded. "I decree the following:

  "First, Lord Wagner pays to the king the twenty-silvers fine imposed by me.

  "Second, Lord Baldric pays to the king the one-hundred-silvers fine imposed by me.

  "Third, anything owned by Lords Wagner, Baldric, and Hamlin is the property of Duchess Kambiri, to dispose of as she wishes.

  "Fourth, for a deliberate act of war against the Kasavan people, and reckless disregard for lives, I do hereby sentence you to the traditional Kasava death by the sands.

  "So say the Judicators of Pyxus."

  "So say the Judicators of Pyxus," Tenzen echoed.

  Kambiri insisted that they both join her for one last cup of caffa before leaving; Jola and the two older women walked in silence back to the castle. Kambiri led Jola and Tenzen to her private office, where they were served steaming hot caffa.

  "How did you know, Jola?" Tenzen asked. "I detected no lies."

  "Nor did I. I began to doubt that the three nobles had been responsible for poisoning the springs. Although they were a bit too pleased with themselves, each answer they gave rang true."

  "What convinced you they were guilty?" Kambiri asked.

  "I realized that if they were responsible, they intended to poison all three springs. If so, then they needed a poisonous snake somewhere. If it really was an accident, there would be no poisonous snake," Jola said. "I didn't like to impose the death sentence, but the Kasavan people have a right to Kasava-style justice."

  "Your sister and I agreed with the sentence, Judicator Jola. Of course, I have to admit I am biased. The alternative would have been the iron mines for life, and while just, it wouldn't have been satisfying to Kasavans," Kambiri said, sipping her caffa.

  A short time later, as she rode out of town beside Tenzen, Jola could see the hill where the three nobles had been staked out on the sand. Three Kasava warriors stood guard. Jola turned her horse toward the hill, while Tenzen, Azizi, and their guard waited on the road. She dismounted and walked over to where the three nobles lay. They were already in pain, each suffering in his own way. Baldric screamed insults, Wagner begged, and Hamlin alternated between sobbing and screaming. Jola had sentenced the nobles to this punishment, and felt she must be willing to take responsibility. No one should give a sentence they aren't willing to face. She stood there for several minutes to absorb the cruelty of her decision. Finally, she remounted and walked her horse back to the group.

  "Excuse me, Mistress," Captain Azizi said when she returned. "It's a cruel way to die, but in the end, less cruel than the iron mines. For the Kasava people, it was demanded by the crime. We, the warriors of Kasava, thank you."

  Jola rode in silence for the rest of the day. She loved the judicator's role in determining the truth, freeing the innocent, and punishing the guilty. She had done the right thing, but she felt no joy in it.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Tyrol Province

  When Tenzen and Jola neared the gate of Lappin, a captain and a small detail of guards met them.

  "Mistresses, I'm Senior Captain Dannby. The king has asked me to escort you to the castle. He has canceled his appointments to meet with you, after you've had a chance to rest and refresh yourselves," Dannby said. "There have been disturbing rumors for many seasons from traders returning from Essam and Sattah. Then, your detail of Sattah soldiers arrived six eig
htdays ago. The king sent several Horse units to search for you, or for information about you. We'd heard nothing until several days ago, when we heard a rumor that you were arriving from Kasava. The king is anxious to speak to you."

  Jola could feel the city's tension as they rode through the streets on the way to the castle. It appeared that the king's apprehension had spread to the town's inhabitants. The market was crowded with people buying supplies, but then hurrying home. Few stood around to chat. As Jola and Tenzen entered the castle gate, the activity increased. Soldiers jammed the training areas, as they practiced, or cleaned and repaired stacks of equipment and weapons. Captain Dannby waved over a soldier as they reached the front entrance to the castle.

  "Sergeant, take care of the horses. Mistresses, I'll escort you to your assigned quarters." Dannby led them through several hallways and up stairways that looked like they were part of the wing the king and his family occupied. "I'll give you time to freshen up and change clothing, but I'm afraid it won't be long. The king has indicated that he is anxious to talk with you."

  "Thank you, Captain. We will be quick," Tenzen said as they entered the room. Their quarters were spacious, luxurious, and exquisitely decorated. Steaming water awaited them in large basins, and clothes were laid out on the bed. True to his word, a short time later Captain Dannby knocked and asked them to follow him to see the king.

  Dannby bowed them into the private parlor where King Nicolas, Princess Regina, and Prince Aquila were seated. Jola and Tenzen each knelt on one knee, heads bent.

  "Greetings, ladies. Please rise." King Nicolas smiled as he stood. "I hope we've given you sufficient time to refresh yourselves."

  "Thank you, Your Highness," Tenzen said as they rose.

  "Please sit." He waved toward two cushioned chairs near his. "We've much to discuss. We need your assessment. Based on the report we received from your Sattah detail, I imagine the news isn't good."

  "The leader of the revolt is Chaney, previous Duke of Tasman. Mistress Jola declared him a traitor and stripped him of title and lands. He has gathered support in Sattah and Essam. The active support in Essam is primarily from southern cities. The support in Sattah seems to come from the Hygorge area. Of course, individual nobles from other areas of Sattah and Essam may be involved, as well. We didn't travel through Manito, but Rador and Kasava are loyal to you, and we noted no sign of rebellion there."

  Tenzen and Jola spent the next hour detailing their experiences in Rador, Kasava, Essam, and Sattah, and ending with Jola's escape from Tasman.

  While they spoke, the king's jaw knotted with anger, and he jumped to his feet to pace around the room. After a few times around the room, he seemed to have spent his temper somewhat, and turned back to them. "They attacked my representatives... open rebellion!"

  He shook his head and resumed his seat. "Pyxus owes you a very large debt for your faithfulness to duty, and for risking your lives to uncover their treachery."

  Again he paused, and tapped his fingers on the scrolled arm of his chair, frowning deeply. "At least we now have a clear picture of the rebellion. Chaney fancies himself a king in his own right. He must have been planning this rebellion for a long time. I'm not surprised that he's garnered support from nobles in Essam and Sattah. Many nobles resent the Seven Provinces' Treaty, since it holds them to the same laws as the commoners."

  Tenzen nodded. "That's true, Your Majesty."

  "This revolt must be put down, but the question is, how? Do I remove every nobleman in Essam, Tasman, and Sattah? Do I only remove those who have actively supported Chaney? Do I charge everyone in their families with treason?"

  "Guilt can be very elusive, Your Majesty," Tenzen said. "A man is guilty if he actually commits a crime. However, what about a man who plans to commit a crime but doesn't, or a man who will, given the opportunity? Today, they're innocent until they act, but should that be true when it involves treason?"

  "Excellent questions-questions best answered by a senior judicator, not a nobleman or a commoner." Nicolas gave a harsh laugh. "First, I have a rebellion to put down."

  He stood. "Aquila, you'll devise a military plan to enter Rador, Kasava, Essam, and then Tasman, and subdue any resistance there. Regina, you will need a plan to enter Manito and Sattah, and subdue any resistance you encounter there, prior to arriving in Tasman. If this two-prong attack on Tasman from Essam and Sattah is going to work, you and Aquila will need to carefully coordinate your movements prior to the invasion. In addition, I would like you to consider whether commoners need to be brought into the plan. And Mistress Tenzen, bring me a plan to determine who is loyal to the kingdom. I expect your plans in two days' time."

  As they strode back to their suite, Tenzen spoke to Jola over her shoulder. "I see several criteria for judgments as the armies move through the provinces. I see all the difficulties, but no good solution."

  Tenzen closed the door behind them and turned to her. "You've proven yourself during our travels, and have earned the right to be heard in this matter." Jola thought Tenzen still looked tired from her injuries, and from their hard travel. I'd be in favor of doing away with all nobility, Jola wanted to say. Of course, she knew that wasn't going to happen.

  "In my opinion, every noble in Sattah, Essam, and Tasman needs to be judged," Jola said. It was the closest she could get to doing away with the whole institution. "They'll object on principle, of course. But how else can we separate the good from the bad?"

  "That's contrary to our laws. We only have judgments when a person has been accused of a crime."

  "What if we accuse every noble of violating the Seven Provinces' Treaty? The judgments will clear those who are innocent," Jola said with a frown. "I believe there's cause, with the provinces in rebellion. Besides, we have the authority during a judgment to expand our questioning to persons related to the case. In this case, we assume all nobles are related to the issue."

  "How would we establish who is innocent? Many want the treaty broken, but would never take any action. Others may want to take action, but won't once the army arrives."

  Jola laughed. To her, it seemed so simple. "You treat it like a story. Rather than look to see if someone is innocent or guilty, you follow the story to its conclusion, and then reach a decision."

  "That does seem to be your predilection, and it works for you. I'm not sure it would for me."

  The discussion went on for several hours. However, in the end it came back to Jola's suggestion to question every noble, and her technique of reserving judgment until the whole story was understood.

  "Jola, let's take a break. We could both use a rest, and maybe a break will give us a fresh perspective." Tenzen rang for a servant to bring them a meal; as they ate at the table in their little parlor, Jola could see her mulling over what they had discussed.

  "Jola, unless you have any new ideas, I would like to stop for today. I'm tired and would like to sleep on our discussions."

  "Good night, Sister," Jola said.

  * * *

  "Jola, the king expects an answer today. I've agonized over the alternatives, but have been unable to come up with anything better than your solution. It may not be ideal, but it is the best we can conceive on such short notice," Tenzen said as they sat eating breakfast. "You conduct the judgments and I will supervise."

  Later that day, Jola walked beside Tenzen into the great hall. The king was already seated on the dais, with the princess and prince at the foot and a handful of nobles in attendance.

  They each dropped to a knee, and he waved them to their feet.

  "This rebellion has to be stopped before it has time to gain strength," the king said. "So tell me how you will do this for me."

  He nodded to his son and general to proceed.

  The prince quickly set out a straightforward plan to commit most of the king's two thousand mounted cavalry to the campaign, half to be led by him and half by his sister. She would move through Manito, while he moved in a pincher action through Rador. They could count
on adding loyal forces on their way, and would join forces before attacking the main rebellion in Tasman.

  "How does this fit with your plans, daughter?" the king asked Princess Regina.

  "We discussed it, and it fits well. The judicators will accompany me, and in each town we will invite a representative of the merchants' guild to join us, although we won't promise their safety in a battle. I want to ensure that they understand that we are taking necessary actions. I believe we have the loyalty of the commoners. The important thing is to find the nobles who support the rebellion."

  The king nodded to Tenzen.

  "Your Majesty, I believe that we'll have to hold all the nobles in the hostile provinces up for judgment, including the dukes and duchesses. I know of no other way to discover who is loyal and who is not. After the rebellion is put down, we'll have to circle back through Essam to make sure all are held accountable. It will be a difficult business-but otherwise the guilty will escape."

  "Yes. I agree to your plans." The king turned to one of his counselors. "Prepare the edicts for me."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Tyrol Province

  As the gray light of dawn crept across the land, Jola and Tenzen joined the prince, princess and their captains in the castle courtyard. From the balcony above, King Nicolas saluted them as they rode through the castle gates, on their way to join the army that had assembled just outside the city. Even if nothing went wrong, it would be a season or two before they returned.

  An hour later, Prince Aquila and his seven-hundred-man army moved west toward Rador and Essam, and Princess Regina and her six-hundred-man army moved south toward Manito and Sattah.

  Tenzen and Jola rode with Regina's party at the head of the column. The party included Regina's tactical commander, Besnik, several nobles, her security, and a Royal Horse unit that consisted of a captain, an undercaptain, and forty-eight mounted soldiers. To Jola, Regina's party was like the head of a viper, and the column, which stretched for leagues behind them, its body. Jola found traveling with the princess very different from her journeys with Sister Tenzen. Regina had cooks and servants who did most of the work. Jola wasn't comfortable doing nothing while others worked, and found it difficult to relax. She was thankful when after dinner, Tenzen collected her for their evening sword practice. Before too long, they had a small audience that included several of Regina's off-duty guards, their captain, and a couple of nobles. Tenzen stopped after thirty minutes and looked around the audience.