Now Tipi's fortunes had risen along with her new mistress's and she treated everyoneùeven the Healed Oneùas if she herself was a greatly privileged person.
"I couldn't say," Tipi replied. Then offering a modicum of helpfulness, she gestured back into the roomy suite that was her mistress's private domain. "She's not here."
Toriovico leaned against the doorframe. He had come to his wife's suite from his own half of the complex. All afternoon he had been sweating over a new routine for this year's harvest festival. He had been hoping to get Melina's opinion on a particularly difficult segmentùone over which he and his Choreographer had been in fairly heated disagreement.
The Cloud Touching Spire had been arranged with the understanding that sometimes married couples got along better if each member had his or her own space. Melina shared a bed with Toriovico, but otherwise occupied her own elaborate suite. The arrangement had worked well, thus far. However, for the last several days Toriovico had not been finding Melina in when he sought her. More and more often Tipi didn't seem to know where to direct him.
Toriovico felt a surge of anger, the first he had ever felt toward his wife. Immediately, he felt guilty. Mingled guilt and anger roughened his words.
"Tipi," he said, stalking a few steps into the room, "I am not pleased with your attitude. Do you remember who I am?"
The woman immediately looked frightened.
"You are the Healed One."
"That's right. You, on the other hand, are a crossbreed slave, a discarded sex toy, andùif the condition of your mistress's footwear lately is any indicationùa less than attentive domestic."
Tipi fell to her knees and bent over, exposing her back while veiling her face in the cascade of her grey-streaked hair.
"Don't beat me, Master!"
For a confusing moment, Toriovico felt certain that Tipi wanted him to beat her. Why? Because she could then complain to Melina? Because she was genuinely contrite? Orùhe struggled to hold on to the thoughtùbecause she wanted to distract him?
What had he last said? Footwear. He'd commented on the condition of Melina's footwear.
As always, when Toriovico thought of his sweet and lovely wife, he found it difficult not to become distracted by a catalogue of Melina's many charms. This time an image of some of the astonishingly wonderful things she had insisted on doing to him last night in the privacy of their bedchamber threatened to lull him, but his anger, fading ember that it was, burned through.
Toriovico pushed pleasure away and found the memory he sought.
He had come to find Melina. She had been in her bath. On his way to her (he fought down images of her reclining in the scented water, of how she had opened her arms to him) Toriovico had passed a heap of discarded robes. Next to them had been shoes. Serviceable leather shoes, not the curly-toed slippers Melina usually wore. Even though the shoes had been cursorily scraped, he could see mud clinging to the instep and along the edges.
The robes hadn't been Melina's usual attire either. With summer Melina had discovered the joy of embroidered silks. Her coloring was such that she could wear anything but the most brilliant shades. Neither pastels nor jewel tones were barred to her and she had greedily accepted lavish gifts of robes, cloaks, and stockings.
No, the robes Toriovico had seen piled for the cleaners had been of utilitarian cotton dyed the same neutral tone that was worn by the Alchemists when they puttered about with some noxious blend that would ruin better fabrics. He knew Melina possessed a few sets of such robesùrelics of the aborted investigation of the artifacts last winterùbut why would she be wearing them now?
Toriovico stared down at Tipi's bent back, almost certain now that the maid wanted him to beat her, wanted to infuriate him so that he would forget his queries after her mistress. He was astonished that she would think it would be so easy. Then, uneasily, he wondered if she might have had reason.
He had been rather scatterbrained lately, but he'd put it down to adjusting to marriage.
He didn't want to think about that either. Instead he looked at the still-crouching Tipi. Resisting an urge to boot her in her spreading fundament, he strode past her into Melina's dressing room.
He had no idea just how many robes Melina possessed. Such were considered gifts in good taste, even to a woman of her unique status. What he was looking for were those cotton work robes and what he found quickly confirmed his vague conclusions.
There was only one such robe hanging in her wardrobe. Another, quite possibly the very one he had seen last night, was crumpled in the wicker laundry basket. Melina could well be wearing a third.
He heard a sound behind him and wheeled. Tipi had risen from her abasement and stood timidly in the doorway to the dressing room.
"Where is your mistress?" Toriovico demanded and his tone brooked no evasion.
"I don't know!" Tipi wailed. "The revered Consolor does not tell me, her most humble slave, where she goes. All I know is that for several days she has dressed herself in those ugly robes and ugly shoes, covered this with a light outer robe, and gone from here commanding me to await her and keep ready warm water so that she might bathe upon her return."
"That is all?"
"Yes, gracious Healed One."
Toriovico wasn't certain. There was a knowing glint in Tipi's eye, but he didn't care to beat her. He might learn some small detail more, but not enough to merit having to explain to Melina that he had beaten her slave because she didn't keep close enough tabs on her mistress. That wouldn't do at all.
From the first, Melina had demanded a certain degree of autonomy, explaining that she had been accustomed to such for many years now and was reluctant to change. Toriovico had been content to give her what she wished. Not only did he wish time for himselfùtime he would not have if a wife clung to him at every stepùbut he was not brother to six sisters for nothing. An unhappy woman could make a man consider the most horrible torments ever devised a welcome relief.
Instead of questioning Tipi further, Torio took the dirty robe from the laundry hamper. Mud clung to its hem, carrying with it a slight sewer stench.
The Healed One pursed his lips thoughtfully and wished that Grateful Peace, the Dragon's Eye, had not turned traitor. Although his post was within the administration of the Dragon Speaker, he had always been a good servant to both aspects of the government. He would know where this mud came fromùor if he didn't, he would have a fair idea where to inquire.
But Grateful Peace was far away and his post had not been filled. Instead, Apheros had appointed Siyago of the Artificers into his Three, naming him the Dragon's Fire. For the first time, Toriovico wondered at this. The Dragon's Fire was usually a war leader and New Kelvin was at peace with all her neighbors. Did Apheros think it might soon be otherwise? Perhaps such concerns were wise when one so trusted as Grateful Peace defected to another kingdom.
Toriovico asked no more after Melina's whereabouts, but left, taking with him the dirty robe. He didn't bother to order Tipi to say nothing of his actions. She would disobey him if she feared her mistress more, and such an order would only make her sneaky.
He resolved to make some inquiries after what might be behind Melina's actions. Perhaps Xarxius would know something. He knew about foreigners. Maybe there was some odd ritual that Melina needed to attend to at this time of year, some Pellish thing that she was ashamed to mention.
The idea comforted the Healed One as he made his way back to his studio and to the still unresolved dispute with his personal Choreographer.
ELISE COULD SEE that it took every bit of courage that Firekeeper possessed to restrain herself from bolting when she realized the threat her surrender offered Blind Seer. Elise laid her hand protectively on the younger woman's arm, then turned to Captain Brotius.
"Lady Blysse will not permit Blind Seer to be locked up," Elise said in New Kelvinese, "and if you value your life I would not press her on this matter. In any case, do you really want to risk harming the chosen daughter of a noble house?"
"We would not harm even the dog," he replied stubbornly, "if it cooperates."
"Blind Seer will not cooperate," Elise said. "It is against his training. The only one he obeys is Lady Blysse and she will not give the orders."
"Then what harm comes to the dog is on her head," Brotius said triumphantly. "Tell her that."
Elise nodded. "I will, but first let me warn you that any harm that comes to your men will be on your head."
She spoke loudly enough that she was certain the captain's men could hear. Brotius scowled at her.
"We will restrain the dog with nets. Perhaps we will set dogs on him."
"I was not talking about any injury Blind Seer might give you," Elise said with false sweetness, "but what Lady Blysse will do if you attack her pet. As you have said over and over again these last few days, she did kill a man for threatening her dog. Why do you think she will not do the same again?"
Brotius gaped at Elise, his glance flicking over to where Firekeeper stood tense and alert, her hand curled in the thick fur of Blind Seer's ruff, her dark gaze unreadable.
Perhaps he realized that Elise's warning was not without reason. Perhaps he feared his own men might mutiny. In the end, Brotius accepted Firekeeper's surrender of the knife in her sheath along with her promise to keep Blind Seer on collar and leash at all times. Then the two groups settled into an uneasy stalemate, waiting for the arrival of the judge.
For the better health of all their sanities, the judge arrived the next day. Judge Ulia was a tall woman past middle years but very fit. She sat her dapple grey with the posture of one who spent much time in the saddle. Her hair was the color of cold ash and her eyes a neutral brown. Her long, oval face was divided down the middle by a solid black bar, symbolizingùso Peace told themùthe balance of justice.
This bar was a tattoo, not face paint as Elise had initially thought. Judges, Peace explained, were elected for life. If they were proven corrupt or impulsive, then they were executed, the axe brought down to meet that black line and slice the skull in two. Condemned judges were restrained so that they could not move their heads and drops were put in their eyes so they could not blink.
It was an ugly death and the incidence of corruption among judges was quite low.
As unsettled as Elise was by this evidence of the brutal side of New Kelvinese law, she was also comforted by it. Surely Judge Ulia would be very careful in whatever decision she made.
Judge Ulia spoke Pellish fairly well, a necessity given that her jurisdiction contained numerous traders. In answer to Elise's rather anxious inquiries, Ulia explained the procedure she would follow.
In private Judge Ulia would talk to the prisoners, both Firekeeper and the surviving bandits. Then she would question any associated with the incident.
"Given," Ulia said, her accent giving the words an odd music, "that you are foreigners and that Lady Blysse is odd even for a citizen of Hawk Haven I may have many questions."
The formal hearing would be very limited. There would be no jury, and the judge would be the only one to ask for testimony. After offering what evidence she thought was important, Judge Ulia would then publicly give her decision on the matter. If there was disagreement from any in the audience, she would defend her judgment immediately. Once that was done, sentence would be passed and any punishment carried out as soon as was reasonably possible.
The entire procedure seemed a bit abrupt to Elise, to give too much power to one person's judgment, but when she remembered that tattooed black line and what it symbolized she allowed herself to hope.
Judge Ulia spent the full day following her arrival interviewing prisoners and witnesses. Of Firekeeper's friends she spoke longest to Elise and Wendee since they could answer her in New Kelvinese, thus eliminating at least some misunderstandings that might arise from the different values each language gave to words. Ulia even spent a fairly long time talking with Edlin about dogs. On the morning following her arrival, she convened her court in the public room of the inn.
By now Elise was aware that more than Firekeeper were on trial. The bandits were as well, and even Captain Brotius stood to be censured if Judge Ulia thought he had acted outside his area of responsibility.
First called forth was Firekeeper, who tersely reported what had led her to kill the one man and to Blind Seer's maiming of the other.
Next called was Lucho, the man whose arm had been maimed. In assisting Doc to save Lucho's life, if not his arm, Elise had spent a great deal of time with Lucho and she had seen the near worship with which he now regarded the healer.
Lucho's testimony confirmed the truth of Firekeeper's version of the story. Judge Ulia asked him if his version of events had been in any way coerced, "even by kindness."
Lucho shook his head.
"No, Judge. That's how it happened. Nobody made me tell it that way."
Lucho's fellows looked at him with such hatred that Elise feared for the man's life if they were set free.
Judge Ulia then called on Captain Brotius. He reported what they had encountered.
"You saw Lady Blysse and her dog running after the fleeing men?"
"Yes, Judge."
"Was she aware you were there?"
"I think so, Judge, but I can't be certain."
"Did she have the opportunity to kill or harm the remaining four men?"
"Yes, Judge."
"But they were not harmed beyond the bruises and scrapes that occurred when they were prevented from fleeing."
"Yes, Judge."
"Thank you, Captain."
Those flat brown eyes surveyed the gathered people, stilling with a glance those observers who had begun to whisper.
"I am prepared to pass judgment," Judge Ulia said. "As is only right, the New Kelvinese should be judged first. All evidence agrees that Lady Blysse and her dog were attacked. The men who came upon her possessed dogs which were trained fighters, and show the scars of pit fights and bear baiting. Moreover, I have discovered that several of these men have been before a judge for other infractions of the peace.
"Therefore, I rule that all five of these men shall work a term of hard labor in the glass foundries of Urnacia, their services to be bid upon by appropriate persons. Until that bidding can take place, they are to be kept in the custody of Captain Brotius, who will arrange for their transfer. They may be worked sufficiently to cover the expense of their care, but should not be exhausted or underfed."
The New Kelvinese bullies did not look happy. Knowing a little about the heat at which glass was made, Elise did not fancy that their work would be at all pleasant. She wondered how Lucho would manage with his maimed arm. From the look on his face, he was wondering this as well.
"Lucho," the judge continued, motioning him forward. "You have already been at least somewhat punished for your role in this assault. Moreover, your testimony gave me information that I was able to use to break down the lies told by some of your former associates. Therefore, I offer you a different sentence.
"If you so choose, you may work your term here as a servant of the guard under the supervision of Captain Brotius. Understand that any further trouble from you will lead to you being given not one but two terms at a glass foundry.
"Are you interested in accepting this alternate sentence?"
"Yes, Judge Ulia," Lucho said, stepping sideways to avoid a sharp kick from one of his former associates. "I won't cause any trouble and I'll work as hard as I can with this arm."
Judge Ulia made a note, then looked up.
"Don't use that arm as an excuse for shirking, Lucho. I pass through this area regularly and I'll be checking on your behavior with Captain Brotius."
Lucho nodded and, in response to her gesture, stepped back, careful to take up a stand nearer to the guards, who had now become his protectors instead of his enemies.
Judge Ulia now turned her atten
tion on Captain Brotius.
"Captain, it has come to my notice that in your eagerness to make certain that these foreigners did not defy our law with impunity you nearlyùvery nearlyùcreated an international diplomatic incident. This will go on your permanent record and will be considered in your next posting. Careful handling of the prisoner Lucho and any other foreign travelers might well mitigate any charges that you were imprudent. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Judge Ulia."
The look Captain Brotius turned on the Hawk Havenese when he was certain the judge's attention was back on her notes was not at all kind.
I don't think we've made a friend there, Elise thought despairingly.
Looking up from her papers, Judge Ulia continued:
"Lord Edlin Kestrel has advised me that the dogs owned by these men are all fighting animals. It is his expert opinion, supported by local authorities, that these dogs cannot be retrained for another type of work. Since they are apparently accustomed to being set on humans, they must be destroyed lest they do injury to an innocent."
"I say!" Edlin began, but he was silenced by a single look from the judge. No one else felt moved to protest.
Elise felt a cold twist in her belly at what this last judgment foreshadowed for Blind Seer, but she knew she must not say anything until the judge was done speaking.
"Lady Blysse Kestrel," Judge Ulia said.
Firekeeper stepped forward and curtsied. She was wearing a gown today out of deference to the formal occasion and had, after great resistance, agreed to leave Blind Seer outside. She had only made this concession after Doc had offered to stay with Blind Seer so that no harm could come to the wolf unwitnessed.
Judge Ulia studied Firekeeper for a moment, then said:
"All the evidence says that you are innocent of anything but being somewhat beforehand in your self-defense. Since you could have disabled the man who threatened you and your pet or even screamed for help, my belief is that you overreacted."
The Dragon of Despair Page 34
