"Prosecution, please give us your opening statement," instructed the judge.
A young man in formal robes of office stepped forward and addressed the judge and the assembled spectators.
"My Lord and fellow citizens, today I will prove beyond doubt that this band of ruffians," he said while pointing at the defendants, "willfully attacked the lawful laird of the quaint but lovely town of Duskshire and sacked his Lordship's home. While commencing their heinous crime, they brutally assaulted a score of Lord Preston's hired protectors, vandalized his residence, stole his property to include two of his valuable horses, set fire to his bed chamber, and for some perverted reason, his privy closet."
"That was an accident! I thought he may have hidden jewels down the privy hole and the torch set the lacquered wood of the seat on fire!" Borik shouted.
"Quiet! There is no defense or objections allowed during opening statements. Now sit down, sir!" the judge commanded, banging his gavel for order.
"My Lords and Ladies, I will bring forth the poor man whose home was invaded, his safety and his very life threatened, and his possessions stripped from him. He will give testimony to the terror that he endured at the hands of the defendants. It is my intent that his words sway our esteemed Lord Highworth to find them guilty and sentence them to hang."
"Lord Tarsley, if you please, sir," the judge invited.
"My Lord and fellow citizens, my clients do not deny the terrible accident that has occurred to the esteemed Lord Preston. What I will do today is show that it was a case of a great mistake brought about by rumors and wives' tales from his Lordship's own people. My clients acted under false information and with the best of intentions. I intend to prove that they are also victims of a great misunderstanding and that, while their intentions may not absolve them of civil liability, it must release them from criminal culpability," Lord Tarsley concluded and resumed his seat.
"Prosecutor, please introduce your first witness," the judge commanded.
"My Lord, I call Lord Preston, laird of the town of Duskshire, to the stand."
The hunched old man entered the courtroom through the ornate double doors at the rear of the vast justice chamber. He strode purposefully toward the witness chair, glaring daggers at the people who had recently disrupted his life.
"My Lord, are you the lawful lord of Duskshire?"
"I am."
"When did you assume lordship of Duskshire?"
"I inherited the responsibility from my father and was confirmed by his highness, King Rayburn forty-three years past."
"My Lord," the prosecutor said, addressing the judge, "I would like to submit Lord Preston's confirmation decree signed by His Majesty, King Rayburn, grandfather of King Jarvin, granting him lawful authority of the town of Duskshire," the prosecutor said, holding up a sheaf of papers.
"Lord Preston, you say your home was invaded and you were forced to flee in fear of your life?" the prosecutor asked his witness.
"That's right. It was shortly after breakfast."
"Did you see the faces of the people who attacked you?"
"Yes, except for the big one, she wore a full helm, but I recognize her voice," the old man answered.
"And do you see them in this courtroom today, Lord Preston?" the barrister continued.
"Yes, that's them sitting there," the laird replied, pointing a bony finger at Maude's group.
"I have no more questions, My Lord."
"Lord Tarsley, your witness."
The portly defense counselor strode toward the witness bench and addressed the bitter-looking old man.
"Lord Preston, have you ever been involved in the dark arts or necromancy?"
"Of course not, that is absurd!"
"We shall see. Have you ever abducted any of your townsfolk or held them against their will?"
"I have indentured some who have failed to pay their taxes or to work off a minor crime over the years as is my right."
"Indeed, we shall see. Lord Highworth, I have no more questions for this witness."
"Prosecutor, call your next witness."
"I call Sergeant Cooperson to the stand, My Lord." Maude recognized the gate guard from the manor take the stand. "Sergeant, please describe what you remember of the events of the day in question."
"I had charge of the gates with instructions that My Lord not be disturbed. I seen that dwarf there dressed all flashy and strange like," he said as he pointed at Borik, "and that elf there dressed, well, pretty much the same as he is now. They both approached the gate and said they was mummers and wanted to put on a show for the amusement of Lord Preston. Well, I know that milord is not a man amused by anything, so I ordered them to be off. But instead of leaving, they start dancin’ around all weird like. The elf made little balls of light fly around and the dwarf was tumbling about like he was having some sort of fit. I shouted at them to take their foolery away or my men and I would remove them by force. The dwarf started cursing me and calling me foul names, saying that my mother copulated with a bugbear and that I was what was pulled out with a wire hook but was too stupid to die."
Angry mutters filled the courtroom behind them.
"Go on, Sergeant, then what happened?"
"Me and several of my men charged out the gate to drive em off, but we suddenly came under an enchantment, probably from that strange elf. The next thing I knew I was trussed up like a pig fit to be roasted next to my men. A couple hours later, some of the townsfolk came by and cut us free."
"Thank you, Sergeant. I have no more questions."
"Your witness, counselor."
"I have no questions at this time, My Lord," Lord Tarsley responded.
"Next witness if you please," the judge instructed.
"My Lord, I call guardsman first-class Ireson to the stand," the prosecutor continued. "Guardsman, please tell us what you recall of the events on the day in question."
"My Lords, I was responsible for the security of Lord Preston and the inside of his manor. I was walking my usual rounds when the kitchen staff burst into the sitting room screaming about intruders. I sent several men into the dining hall from which the staff had emerged and held several of my guards back in the sitting room to take up positions with crossbows to intercept anyone that got past my men. I heard sounds of battle as my men engaged the intruders. A few moments later, that lot there burst through the door. Me and my men fired our crossbows, but they ducked aside and charged us. We fought a retreating battle up the stairs, but the intruders overmatched us and brought us down. The dwarf tied us up and gagged us as the other three burst into Lord Preston's chambers. I heard an awful scream then heard my Lord running past with them following. They looted the house and set My Lord's bedchamber on fire."
"Objection, My Lord. Mister Ireson was blindfolded at the time and had no way of knowing who ran past, he never saw my clients remove anything from the manor, or set anything on fire," Lord Tarsley defended.
"Sustained. The witness assumes it was the defendants given the circumstances and what he personally witnessed previously. You may proceed."
"I have no more questions, My Lord."
"Defense, you may cross examine."
"Sir, did you or any members of the guard or household suffer any serious injury?"
"No, My Lord."
"Thank you, no more questions."
"Prosecutor, call your next witness."
"The prosecution calls no more witnesses at this time, My Lord."
"Defense counsel, you may call your witnesses at this time."
"Thank you, My Lord. Defense calls Miss Appleton to the stand." The attractive barmaid took a seat in the witness chair. "Miss Appleton, you were the first to speak with my clients regarding Lord Preston. What did you tell them?"
"I told them that Lord Preston was an evil man that oppressed his people with outrageous taxes, worked them like slaves, and held them against their will."
"Objection, My Lord, the court has already established that Lord Preston acted w
ithin his rights to levy taxes, indenture debtors, and punish any violation of the law."
"Overruled counselor, Miss Appleton is merely stating what was said not establishing legalities."
"You also stated that you believed he practiced evil magic and has lived an unnaturally long life," Lord Tarsley continued.
"Aye, m'lord, he has been laird of Duskshire as long as anyone can remember."
"Very well, I have no more questions," Lord Tarsley said as he finished with his witness.
Lord Highworth called the prosecutor to rebut the witness.
"Ms. Appleton, how old are you?"
"I'm twenty and three, m'lord."
"Lord Preston is seventy-four years old and has been laird for forty-three of them. Do you think that that may be why he is the only laird you and most all of your friends ever recall?"
"Um, aye, I suppose that makes sense, milord."
"No more questions, My Lord."
"Counselor, your next witness."
"I call Mrs. Tatum to the stand, My Lord."
The old crone from the inn shambled up to the witness stand holding her head as if she were royalty herself.
"Mrs. Tatum, you told my clients that you knew of several people, including children, who have disappeared and that you believe that Lord Preston was involved."
"Aye, I know for certain he done took them. He took my boy, Percy, and my friend Shandra's boy!"
The assembled onlookers started to mumble amongst themselves.
"You also claim that he is a vampire."
"Aye, he dresses all in black all the time and never comes out during the day."
"Interesting, you also recall that many years ago that he had a wife and child, but they disappeared around the same time that he cloistered himself within his manor and that screams were heard emanating from the house at the time of their disappearance. Is that so, Mrs. Tatum?"
"Aye, it was a horrible sound. I was delivering fresh fruit to the mansion that day and I heard the most awful shrieking. I dropped my wheelbarrow and ran for all I was worth. I never saw neither wife nor child after that day."
"And it was because of this that you and many of the people of Duskshire begged my clients to intervene on your behalf. Is that right?"
"Aye, m'lord, that's true. All know what an evil man the laird is."
"Thank you, Mrs. Tatum, I have no more questions."
"Prosecution, your witness."
"My Lord I have no questions for Mrs. Tatum. However, I would like to call two other witnesses in order to refute her testimony," the young prosecutor requested.
"I will allow it. Call your witnesses."
"My Lord, I call Mr. Tatum to the stand."
An old man hobbled to the stand bent over a crutch and took a seat.
"Mr. Tatum, do you know where your son is?"
"Of course I do. He got married and took work in Wrenwood, m'lord."
The subdued voices got a little louder.
"Can you prove that he is alive and well, Mr. Tatum?"
"Aye, he's standing right back there," the crowd burst into a dull cacophony of voices. "We rode in together, dear," the old man patiently explained, looking at his wife.
"How the hells do you forget your own son?" Maude demanded of the crone, jumping up from her seat.
"Well he been gone a long time!" Mrs. Tatum shouted back.
"He comes and visits us every winter and spring festival, dear," Mr. Tatum tried to explain over the vociferous voices of the assembled crowd.
"Quiet, I will have order!" Lord Highworth commanded.
"Mr. Tatum, do you know the other boy that your wife referred to as having gone missing?" the prosecutor asked.
"Aye, I do, m'lord."
"And what happened to him?"
"He took to the sea as a sailor out of Southport some thirty years ago m'lord. Got his own ship now, I hear his mother say."
"Thank you, sir, I have no more questions," the prosecutor said over the increasing murmuring of voices.
Maude glared at the old crone sitting near the back of the room with murder in her eyes. Borik just sat with his large head shaking in his stubby-fingered hands. Malek prayed to his god for deliverance while Tarth nit-picked the terrible fashion sense of most of those in attendance.
"My Lord, I would now like to call Lord Preston back to the stand."
The old laird returned to stand and took his seat once again.
"Lord Preston, I am almost afraid to ask this, but did you indeed have a wife and son those many years ago?"
"Aye, I did," the lord side quietly.
"Will you please tell us what happened to them?"
"It was a few years after I had been confirmed as laird. My beautiful wife and son had traveled here to Brightridge to visit her mother. On their return trip, bandits waylaid their carriage. Her, my son, and all six men at arms were slain. When I heard of what had happened to them I was distraught beyond reason. I screamed in anguish for the better part of that day, dressed in black, and have been in mourning ever since, hardly able to bear to leave my manor for nearly forty years. My wife and I shared the bed that those beasts burned!" the heartbroken laird wailed and buried his face in his hands and wept.
"You thrice-damned lying sow, I'll cut your liver out!" Maude jumped up ranting in uncontrolled fury. "If they hang me today I swear I'll come back as a ghost and haunt you till the day you die! Then I'll chase your departed spirit to the six hells where you must surely be sent and take great pleasure in ripping your guts out and making you eat them every day for all eternity!"
A thunder of voices erupted throughout the courtroom as the gathered crowd responded to the horror to which the poor laird had been subjected and Maude’s murderous outburst.
"Order, order in my court! One more outburst from you, my lady, and I will clear this court and render my verdict!" Lord Highworth shouted above the tumult, banging his gavel until the handle broke.
Guards finally brought order to the pandemonium that erupted. It took three large men to pull Maude's hands from around the old crone's lying throat.
"Prosecution, do you have any more witnesses to call?" Lord Highworth asked.
"No, My Lord, the prosecution rests."
"Defense counsel, have you any further arguments?"
"No, My Lord, the defense rests."
"Is there anything that the defendants wish the court to consider before I retire to deliberate my findings?"
A hush fell over the crowd as the adventurers looked at each other. Tarth finally stood up, cleared his throat, his eyes sharp, and focused for once, the timeless wisdom of several centuries of long life plain on his sharp elven features. The assembled crowd held its collective breath, straining to hear the soft-spoken, near mystical being.
"My Lord, I would like you to consider just one thing when you pass judgment upon us," the elf asked in regal dignity. He looked to each of his companions in turn who gave him a slight nod of the head, knowing that his words may well be the only thing between them and a shameful execution. "I beg of you, please use a silk rope when you hang me. I fear hemp will chafe something awful."
"Stupid bird-brained daft elf! No wonder your kind is damned near extinct!" Borik shouted as he lunged for the lithe elf's delicate throat. "I'll chafe your damned throat! I'll chafe it till my fingertips touch each other!"
"Control that dwarf! I shall retire to my chambers to deliberate. Escort the prisoners to their cells."
Guards led the adventurers back to their cells, certain in the knowledge that their execution was imminent.
"Stupid thrice-damned peasants, I should have known better!" Maude raged, kicking over their water bucket and throwing straw about the small cell.
Other than Maude's ranting, no one said anything to each other. A little over an hour later, they heard someone unlocking the door to their cells. Several guards escorted them out of their cells and up to the large magistrate building above. It soon became apparent that the guards were not leadi
ng them back to the courtroom.
"You taking us straight to the gallows are you?” Borik asked without receiving a reply from the guards.
The guards deposited them in a smaller chamber and told them to wait. It was the better part of an hour before anyone else entered the rom. A tall man strode in, dressed in fine clothing of silks and well-spun cotton. A signet ring adorned one finger and a great gold chain of office encircled his neck. He had auburn hair that fell just short of his collar and a beard cut to about an inch in length covered his strong jaw. The guards just inside the door snapped to attention as the stranger entered the room then took positions outside.
"Good afternoon, I am Jarvin Ollandar. I trust you have heard of me," the king of all Valeria stated.
"Of course, Your Majesty, please forgive us for not recognizing you. We did not expect such auspicious company, Your Majesty," Malek said diplomatically and dropped to one knee.
"Please, sit back down, all of you. I attended today's fiasco they call a trial. You are an unusual group of people, I must confess. Unorthodox to be certain but effective in your own way, and I feel that perhaps something unorthodox is precisely what I need."
The King paused and studied the rag tag group before him for a moment. Maude and her crew just sat in silence trying to figure out what the King could possibly want with them.
"In a few minutes, Lord Highworth is going to summon you back to the courtroom and sentence you to hang," the King informed them without a hint of doubt in his voice. "However, he has graciously allowed me to offer you an alternative. I have need of special people with special abilities to help me locate a valuable treasure. You may die in the attempt; in fact, the odds are you will almost certainly die. I have lost two score and more of my own special guard on this quest, but considering your alternative, I suggest you take the opportunity I grant you."
"Of course we will, Your Majesty! It will be our pleasure and honor to serve you!" Maude insisted, knowing that an infinitesimal chance at living beyond tomorrow was better than none at all.
"You will still be required to pay restitution for all the damage you caused as well as making a personal apology to Lord Preston."
The Sorcerer's Ascension (The Sorcerer's Path) Page 24
