by GG Shalton
“I don’t know how,” Joslyn pleaded urgently.
“I don’t want to hurt your feelings. But you look like a rag doll in that dress. The court will never listen to you. My grandfather told me a man’s appearance could decide their destiny.”
“It’s humiliating and may not even work. I will degrade myself and throw myself at the mercy of the court.” Tears flooded her eyes as desperation took over. She took a deep breath shaking her head. “I am no beauty. I am a poor girl from the farming villages. Destined to be a farmer’s wife.”
“You are more than that and you know it. Rubbing dirt on your face and hiding your hair will not keep men from noticing you. Samuel is over the moon with the thought of you. Josie, you have to try. It’s your parents.”
She took a moment trying to think of a retort. But helping her parents consumed her thoughts. As ridiculous as Sara’s plan seemed, she had to try. “Fine. I guess I have no choice.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Please give me the dress.”
Sara smiled and went to the front porch to retrieve the bag. “You need to bathe. I will go fetch some water while you undress in the bedroom.”
After her sponge bath, she put on the dress. It was light green with a low-neckline. A little too low for Joslyn’s taste. Beautiful beads were embroidered around the shoulders and it shimmered when the light hit it at certain angles. It was the most beautiful dress that she had ever worn. She remembered when Sara showed it to her last year. Her cousin James lived in the mining towns and came for a visit. He brought a bracelet from his mother as a gift for Sara. Sara traded it for the dress from the traveling caravans.
Sara walked around her reaching for a brush to fix her hair. She let the natural waves cascade down her back and only pinned it up on the sides. Taking some lotion, she had saved for a special occasion, she used it to smooth out her skin after the hard scrub. They had no jewelry or perfume, but the transformation was unbelievable. Joslyn was breathtaking.
She bit her thumbnail waiting for Sara to reply. “What do you think?”
“Hmm. Let’s ask Samuel.” She said sarcastically. “I am sure his first reaction will give you the answer.” Smiling coyly, she laughed out loud.
Dismissing her teasing, she turned away from her. “Let me see if the girls are ready.” Joslyn walked into the bedchamber and both girls gasped. Her sister Mary, at fifteen could not take her eyes off Joslyn. “Where did you get that dress, Josie?”
“Sara let me borrow it.” She said quickly trying to dismiss the question without giving an explanation. Watching Mary’s pout form on her face, she sighed loudly. “Please don’t make a fuss. Put on your Sunday dresses and hurry up. Samuel will be here any moment.”
Joslyn went into the kitchen and noticed Samuel standing in the doorway. He dropped his hat when he saw her. Embarrassed, he hurried and picked it up. “Hi, Josie, you look so nice. I barely recognized you.” He stuttered as his face turned red. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
She smiled at his awkwardness. “I know. Thank you.”
He held out his arm. “Are you ready?”
She nodded. “Yes, one moment. I need to put these coins in a bag and get the girls.”
Chapter 2
They rode to the village after settling into the cart. Joslyn winced at the bright sun thinking it should have been cloudy to match her mood. The wind was calm, and it appeared to be a perfect day for a village celebration. As they passed many residents on their way to the parade, she felt self-conscious. After receiving so many stares, she reached for her shawl, pulling it over her dress.
Sara protested. “No! You can’t cover your dress.”
“I’m cold,” she said pulling the shawl closer to her body. “Besides I don’t like everyone staring at me.”
Mary chuckled. “I will trade you, Josie.”
Joslyn rolled her eyes at Sara’s glowering face. “Oh, stop pouting. I will take the shawl off in front of the court.”
Sara smiled satisfactorily. “Very well.”
Samuel stole glances at her during their ride to the village, stumbling over his words when speaking to her. Joslyn’s heart warmed at his attempts to keep her mind occupied. She thought he would make a gentle husband and began to enjoy his attention.
They pulled up near the outskirts of the village. Swarms of villagers filled the square dressed in their Sunday best. The smells of sugar meats cooking in huge kettle pots made her mouth water. She glanced at her sisters’ longing eyes for such a tasty treat but knew they could not spend the few precious coins she had on such luxuries. They needed it just in case they had to pay a fine.
Samuel parked the cart and helped them get out. Vendors were set up everywhere selling goods to the locals and visitors. Even some west merchants came to celebrate, hoping to make some extra coin. Joslyn had never seen so many people attend and knew it had to be because of the expected noble visitors. Sara pointed at some white silken tents set up next to the mayor’s home, and Joslyn knew the royals had really come. Their huge horses and decorated saddles were a dead giveaway to the nobility in the area.
Sara whispered. “Look at the dresses some of the visitors are wearing. Can you imagine such finery?”
Joslyn kept a hold of her youngest sister’s hand and tried to look around for familiar faces. “Do you think they are from Locket?”
“Probably not.” Sara shook her head, whispering, “Just overprivileged west visitors trying to catch a royal eye.”
They giggled, and as they continued walking, Sara saw a friend working in one of the tents. “There’s Tracy working in her father’s tent. Let’s go speak to her.”
Joslyn waved her hand. “You go ahead. I want to speak to my sisters.” Samuel followed Sara and left Joslyn alone.
She gathered her sisters in a tight circle, her hand resting on each of their shoulders. “Listen carefully. When the court convenes, we must be strong. The guards will bring Papa and Mama out in chains and we mustn’t bring any attention to ourselves. They could arrest us if we interfere in a public court proceeding. The mayor will ask the audience if anyone will say anything on their behalf before the final sentencing. Then I will speak for all of us. But you must not say anything. If something happens to me, then go with Sara and Samuel. They will protect you.”
Susanna’s eyes started to tear. “No, Josie. Don’t say anything to the court. We can’t lose you too.”
Joslyn squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “I will watch my tongue, but I can’t let them hang our parents without at least trying to save them.”
Mary sniffed, trying hard not to cry. “I hate Mallard. When I grow up, I will leave and never look back.”
Joslyn’s eyes widened. “Shh. Watch your tongue, you know it’s against the law to leave Mallard.”
Mary protested. “Soldiers leave when they fight battles.”
Joslyn brought her head closer to speak to her sisters. “Those are men with the king’s permission. He would never allow a woman from the east to leave, so get those ideas out of your head. And please don’t speak of them again. It could be considered treason to go against the king’s laws.”
Mary looked away not meeting her sister’s eyes. Crossing her arms, she stood in defiance—not defending her statement, but certainly not taking it back. Joslyn wrung her hands in worry looking over her shoulder to make sure no one overheard them.
Sara approached them breathing heavily. “Hey! I found out the Royal Duke arrived early this morning.”
The tension subsided between Joslyn and her sister with Sara’s interruption. Joslyn turned to her. “Did you find out why he is here?”
Sara cocked her eyebrow, and lowered her voice. “Supposedly, they were traveling to Norris, the west village near the country of Burra. They were meeting with some of Burra’s dignitaries for peace talks.” Taking a moment to make sure no one was listening arou
nd her, she huddled closer before continuing. “The war has taken a toll on Mallard and the king sent the Royal Duke as a sign of his commitment to end the war. Part of the deal was not only copper and coal in huge quantities, but they wanted cotton. Mallard’s war commander did not have enough to fulfill the peace payment, so they came to Merle to get the remaining amount. Many of the other towns did not have good crops this year, so they are taking it from our supply barns.”
“What will we do when we need to trade the cotton?” Joslyn questioned, looking at the many farmers who gathered near the square.
Sara shook her head. “I don’t know. Surely, the crown will pay us for it?”
“I hope you’re right,” Joslyn whispered looking toward the tents.
Samuel joined the group holding four skewers of sweet meat in his hands. Mary and Susanna’s faces lit up at the thought of tasting the treat. He handed one to each of them. “I can’t let you spend your money on us, Samuel.” Joslyn protested as she held up her hand in refusal.
His smile faded. “Nonsense. I can spend my money on what or who I want to. Now please enjoy it. That is my pleasure.”
She smiled and took a bite of the sweet delight, closing her eyes to commit such decadence on her tongue to memory. The flavor exploded in her mouth and she savored it for a few moments before swallowing it.
A trumpet sounded, and men came out of the court building. Lining up in the middle of the square, she noticed the mayor and a few of the Merle officials. Crowds gathered in a circle to hear the court proceedings. Special chairs sat in the back of the dais under a covering and a special viewing area was set up for the duke and his friends. She watched them enter the enclosure with the confidence of nobility. The Royal Duke had a special chair and his guards stood beside him. Other members of nobility filled the benches laughing and joking before the court. It made Joslyn sick to see them use this opportunity for their entertainment. People could lose their lives today or face being maimed for the rest of their life. It was barbaric to use this as a place to amuse themselves.
She watched as servants brought the nobles skewers of sweet meat along with trays of food and drink. The Royal Duke held up his hand and whispered to his friends. One of his companions dressed in a yellow robe clapped his hand to notify the mayor that they were ready to begin the proceedings.
The mayor gathered the council and they all bowed to the duke as they took their seats. Joslyn’s confidence began to dissolve. She placed a hand on her nervous stomach, trying to take quick gasps of air as she braced herself waiting for her parents’ names to be called.
Time stood still as she heard each name announced. It was torture for her to watch each prisoner being escorted or dragged in front of the dais. Barely a word was spoken in defense of the prisoners and quickly their punishments were divvied out. Where was the justice in that? Thievery was the main culprit of the day. Joslyn had counted the first five trials were for stealing. Men losing hands and arms depending on how many times they were arrested. The ax was bloody, and the audience was relentless in their pursuit of harsh punishments. Another three prisoners came forward; one was arrested for planting crops on his neighbor’s land. He was punished with one year of hard labor working for his neighbor. The next prisoner was a woman; she had been caught committing adultery and was sentenced to a life of slavery in the mining towns. The next prisoner was caught slandering the mayor and was sentenced to two years of hard labor. The audience was restless. The noose hung from the podium as a sign of the ultimate punishment in the middle of the village square, though Joslyn refused to look at it.
One of the noblemen, dressed in a ridiculous velvet outfit, yelled out. “No hangings today? We want to see someone lose their neck.” He made a gesture of his finger slicing his neck with a twisted face. “This court is boring!” He looked up from his seat toward the Royal Duke who laughed at him. Laughed! Joslyn felt bile come up into her throat. Death was not entertainment. How cruel these nobles could be to make fun of someone losing their loved ones? It was a travesty. She had heard about their zeal for life and uncharitable feelings to those below them. But she had never witnessed it until today.
The mayor cleared his throat and looked to the duke for approval before announcing, “We have our last case. This one you may enjoy.”
He looked at the guards. “Bring them out.”
Joslyn’s heart pounded against her chest. Her parents had chains on their hands and feet, her father had a collar around his neck. His eyes were black and blue and the marks on his face showed he had been beaten severely. Her mother stumbled over her feet as she was dragged to the middle of the court. Joslyn noticed her hair matted against her head and the blood stains on her ripped dress. She heard her sisters cry out and felt their hands grab hold of her. Taking a deep breath, she braced herself for the mayor to begin.
“Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes. You assaulted a mining commander and an official of Mallard. How do you plead?”
“Not guilty.” Her father’s whimpered response broke her heart.
“What is your defense?” the mayor asked in a mocking tone.
Her father tried to stand upright and cleared his throat. “The commander assaulted my wife.” The sound of his hoarse voice was barely audible. Taking a moment, he continued. “I tried to help her get away from him when he struck me. I… I tried… I tried to defend myself.”
The mayor snorted loudly. “You dare accuse the mining commander of assaulting your wife?” He looked out into the audience as he mocked her father. Smiling, he raised his hand dismissively. “That is absurd.” Looking back into the audience, he yelled louder, “Do we have any witnesses?”
Joslyn looked around the crowd, silently pleading for someone to defend her family. No one said anything. No one came forward. No one dared defy the mining commander.
The commander stepped forward also wearing a black eye. He puffed out his chest arrogantly as his voice roared across the court, “This man’s claims are false!”
The audience gasped at his declaration and the court gave him their full attention. He turned toward the mayor. “I simply complimented his wife when she slapped me unprovoked. Then this heathen came out of his blacksmith’s shop and attacked me like an animal. His behavior cannot be allowed, and I ask that the court punish them to the harshest penalty allowed for both. Death!”
There were many voices talking at once. The mayor held up his hand to the crowd. “Silence!” he commanded, before turning toward the commander. “Please finish.”
The commander straightened his jacket. “They both attacked me and now I am forced to present myself with a black eye to the Royal Duke.” He looked up to the duke. “A black eye against me is a black eye against you. I represent your laws.” The duke nodded his approval.
The mayor scanned the audience. “Do we have any further comments before I give out the punishment?”
Joslyn’s legs wobbled, and she grabbed hold of Samuel to steady herself. He whispered, “You don’t have to do it.”
“Yes, I do.” She threw off the shawl and ran to the front.
The mayor saw her as the villagers moved out of her way. Joslyn yelled out, “I will speak.” Gasps could be heard and small murmurs of whispers in the crowd.
Her father yelled, “Josie! No! Go back.”
The mayor narrowed his eyes at her, looking at her from top to bottom. “Who are you?”
Joslyn took a few steps closer to the dais. “My name is Joslyn Rhodes, and I am their daughter. The commander lies.”
The commander’s nose flared as he took a step toward her in anger, his fists clenched to his side. Joslyn stepped back from his approach.
The duke whispered to a guard who screamed, “Halt!” The commander stopped and looked up to the nobles.
He pointed at Joslyn. “This girl just insulted me. An insult to me is an insult to the duke.”
The duke stood. “I wa
nt to hear the girl.”
The mayor shifted on his feet. The commander gritted his teeth and his jaw flexed in anger. Joslyn kept her chin up refusing to be intimidated. This may cost her all she had, but she would try.
The mayor looked at Joslyn and nodded. “Proceed. But be quick.”
“The commander did not just give my mother a greeting. He grabbed her, and my father was only trying to help her. The commander had his men beat my father. He has never had any problems with the law before. His character can be sworn on by many. He was only trying to help his wife.” A sob escaped as she tried to catch her breath. “Please, sir, have mercy. My sisters and I need our parents. Please don’t give them the harshest punishment. I beg you.” She fell on her knees crying.
The mayor shook his head. “We have laws for a reason, young lady. They broke the law and there are no witnesses to your fabricated story. I will take the word of a respected commander over an outspoken daughter of a blacksmith. Your insolence today will cost you as well. Trying to smear the reputation of an official of Mallard has consequences. Guards take her to the jail.”
Joslyn panicked as the guards approached her. “No! You can’t do this. Our laws state that you must wait seven days after the crime to try harsh penalties.”
The mayor narrowed his eyes. “That is not the law.”
Joslyn yelled as the guards grabbed her and held her arms. “Yes, it is! It is in the Marches of Mallard book.”
The mayor yelled out, “Travis!” The court clerk came to the dais and lowered his head to whisper, “She is correct. The old law does say that.”
The mayor’s face turned red in embarrassment. The duke stood up and walked down the stairs. Silence hung over the proceedings as they watched him leave the enclosure to climb up on the dais. “I request that this trial be postponed until I can personally speak to the commander and Miss Rhodes in my tent.” He looked at the guards. “Please escort the prisoners back to the jail, there will be no hanging today.”
