The Wizards' War

by Angela Holder

  Nolaren gripped her arm so tightly she was sure it would leave a bruise and dragged her through the door. As soon as they were outside she tried to pull away, but he refused to let go.

  “How dare you disobey me?” he spat in Ramunnan. “No decent woman would speak so boldly. Davon told me you were a model of modesty and appropriate behavior, but apparently you deceived him. I suppose you think you can fool me as easily. Well, you’re wrong. I won’t tolerate my wife flirting with every man she sees. The Ordinances command me to control you if you won’t control yourself.”

  “Nolaren, please, be quiet,” Nirel begged. His voice had risen so much everyone nearby was turning curiously toward them. She spoke in Ramunnan, too, so they wouldn’t understand. “You’re making a scene.”

  “I’m not the one who started this.” He grabbed her shoulders and shook her so hard her head snapped back. “We’re going back to the ship. I’m going to stop this behavior right now. Perhaps if I punish you with the rod of justice you’ll think twice before shaming me again.”

  “No!” Dizziness and nausea swept over Nirel. On her back, the long-healed welts raised by her father’s belt burned as if they were new. A vivid image of Kabos’s fist raised over her mother’s cowering form flashed before her eyes. She struggled to break free from Nolaren’s grip, but it was unyielding. “Let go of me!”

  A woman in the red cloak of a watcher elbowed through the crowd gathering around them. “What’s this?” she demanded. “Sir, release her immediately.”

  Nolaren snarled, “She’s my betrothed. You have no right to interfere.”

  The watcher drew her long knife. With a swift smooth motion she pinned his free arm behind him and pressed the blade to his throat. “Release her.”

  Nolaren yelped and shoved Nirel away from him. “This is outrageous!” he cried. “Put that thing down before someone gets hurt.”

  “No one will get hurt if you cooperate.” The watcher sheathed her knife, but didn’t let go of his arm. “Ma’am, did this man assault you?”

  Nirel rubbed her upper arm, blinking to clear the tears from her eyes. She longed to say yes. Under Tevenaran law Nolaren would get a night in jail and a stiff fine for hurting her. All she had to do was display her bruises. If there was any question, a wizard’s window would confirm Nolaren’s actions and his threat.

  Instead she shook her head. “It was just a misunderstanding. We argued and he got angry. But I’m fine. I’m sure as soon as he calms down he’ll apologize.”

  The watcher looked narrowly at her, then with speculation at Nolaren. “I couldn’t understand what you were saying, and I didn’t see what happened clearly enough to know whether you’re telling the truth.” She looked around. “Did anyone witness him assault her?”

  Dozens of hands shot up and dozens of voices answered in the affirmative. The watcher nodded sharply. “That’s enough to take this before a wizard.”

  “No!” Nirel cried in horror. “You can’t! Please, I don’t need any help.”

  “If he’s guilty of a criminal act, he needs to be dealt with,” the watcher said. “The Wizard’s Court will determine the truth.”

  “But we’re not Tevenaran,” Nirel said desperately. “We’re Faithful. The wizards won’t use their power on us if we refuse.”

  “Surely being viewed in a window doesn’t violate your religious beliefs,” the watcher said. “But you can argue the point with the wizard on duty.” She addressed the crowd. “I’m taking him to the Mother’s Hall. Anyone who wishes to give testimony, come along.”

  “Please, at least send for Elder Davon,” Nirel begged.

  “Yes, woman,” Nolaren said. “Only the Elders have authority over me. Davon will tell you I committed no crime.”

  The watcher hesitated. “You should be represented by someone from your guild. I suppose that’s as close as we can get.” She beckoned to a member of the crowd wearing the yellow armband of a messenger. “Find this Elder Davon and bring him to the Mother’s Hall.”

  “He’s aboard our ship at the dock,” Nirel told the man. He nodded acknowledgment and raced off.

  “Let’s go,” the watcher ordered Nolaren. To Nirel she said, “You’re not required to come. But if you want to make your voice heard, the wizards will listen.”

  She propelled Nolaren along the street toward the Hall. Nirel hurried behind them, along with a number of witnesses from the crowd. Her mind raced. How could she get them out of this mess? If the wizards opened a window and observed the way Nolaren had manhandled her, he’d get in trouble. But they wouldn’t hold him more than a day or two. As soon as he was free they’d sail for Faithhome. Nolaren would be furious, and Davon would support his right to punish her. As her betrothed, his word was to her as the word of the Lord of Justice.

  She cringed, imagining what he’d do. She silently recited the Ordinance that placed him in authority over her, but it gave her no comfort.

  They reached the imposing rectangular building and the watcher ushered Nolaren through the big double doors. She addressed a woman sitting behind a small desk just inside. “I have an assault case to be tried. Witnesses differ on what happened, so we’ll need confirmation from a window. And they were speaking Ramunnan, so we’ll need someone who can translate.”

  “Elkan’s fluent in Ramunnan. He can try the case. All the courtrooms are occupied at the moment, but I’ll put you next in line for number three. There should be room for all of you to wait inside.” The woman gestured toward a door in the wall to the right.

  “Thank you,” the watcher said. She hustled Nolaren in the indicated direction. Nirel trailed after, falling to the back of the group of witnesses. She looked up at the high ceiling and around at the rows of screens that divided the huge space into many neat cubicles. People were everywhere, waiting in line or hurrying about on business. She didn’t see any wizards openly using the Mother’s power, but she spotted a number of animals, both alone and at people’s sides. She shivered. This was a dangerous place. The sooner they were finished and gone, the better.

  In the courtroom, a scattering of people sat in rows of chairs, intently watching the front of the room where a trial was in progress. Nirel gulped when she saw a big shimmering ball of light hovering over a wizard’s hand. The watcher took Nolaren to a seat near the front. The other witnesses settled near them. Nirel slid into a chair in the back row and made herself as small as possible.

  Voices rose as first one person, then another gave their interpretations of what the scene in the window meant. The wizard caused the window to replay it over and over from different angles. Despite herself, Nirel grew interested. She’d seen the wizards do a lot of healing in Ramunna, but they hadn’t used windows much while she was helping. Apparently even being able to see the objective truth of what had happened didn’t always make people agree.

  The trial seemed to be nearing its conclusion when Elder Davon walked in and sat next to Nirel. He took her hand and squeezed it. “Don’t worry, daughter. We’ll sort this out.”

  She squeezed back. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sure you did nothing worthy of blame. But even if you did, confession and penance will balance the scales of justice. You need have no fear.”

  Nirel breathed a little easier. Surely once Davon saw how Nolaren had treated her, he’d realize that he’d badly misjudged the man and insist on breaking the betrothal.

  As the trial ended, the door opened and Elkan strode in with Tobi. Close behind them came Josiah and Sar. Elkan strode down the aisle and approached the presiding wizard. “I’m taking this one, Drona. They need someone who speaks Ramunnan. And I’ve worked with the Faithful before and know what the Law requires in their case.”

  “Cali and I will appreciate the break.” She patted the dog at her side, and they joined the people making their way into the aisle and toward the door.

  The watcher conducted Nolaren forward. Next to Nirel, Davon rose and pushed into the crowded aisle. She was about to follow him when a
soft voice in her ear made her jump. “Nirel?”

  She turned to glare at Josiah, who’d squeezed between the chairs to her side. “What?”

  “I didn’t know you’d come back. Why are you here?”

  She gestured at Nolaren, who was twisting his shoulder in an attempt to break the watcher’s unyielding grip. “They say he assaulted me, but he didn’t. It’s all a misunderstanding.”

  “Don’t worry, then. A window will clear it up easily enough.”

  She scowled. “I thought wizards were supposed to stay out of people’s private business.”

  “Not when there’s a witness to an incident. Especially a watcher; they’re trained to know when something’s serious enough for us to investigate.”

  “Well, this one was wrong. You’ll see.” Nirel turned her back on him and hurried to catch up with Davon. Her stomach was a cold knot in her belly. The wizards would agree with the watcher when they saw what Nolaren had done.

  The crowd cleared and they reached the front. Elkan nodded to the watcher. “This is the accused?”

  “That’s right.” She escorted Nolaren to the arc of chairs.

  “What about you, Nirel? Are you a witness?”

  She crossed her arms and refused to answer.

  “She’s the alleged victim,” the watcher put in quickly.

  Elkan hesitated. “I know her. Do any of you object to me trying the case, since I may be biased?”

  Davon inclined his head. “Not at all. I’m sure your acquaintance with Nirel will motivate you to be particularly careful to reach the correct conclusion.”

  “And why are you here?” Elkan asked.

  “I wish to speak for both Nirel and Nolaren in the same fashion a guild representative would.”

  Elkan’s brow furrowed, but he said, “That seems reasonable.” He gestured to seats. Nirel glanced at Davon for confirmation. At his reassuring nod, she took the indicated place.

  Elkan called the rest of the witnesses forward and assigned them seats. Josiah sat down in the first observer’s row and Sar stationed himself at his side. Josiah kept looking back and forth from Nirel to Nolaren, with an occasional glance at Davon.

  When all was arranged to his liking, Elkan faced the rows of chairs, where a small audience had gathered. “I call this trial to order. Journeyman Filand Sailorkin Watcher, please describe the alleged crime.”

  The watcher rose, her relaxed demeanor evidence that she’d testified like this many times. “I was on duty in the market. I noticed a crowd gathering, so I went to investigate. As I approached, I heard raised voices, male and female. They were speaking Ramunnan, so I couldn’t understand what they said, but they sounded upset. When I reached the front of the crowd, I saw the accused holding that woman by the shoulders.” She pointed to Nirel. “She appeared distressed to me, and he appeared belligerent. So I ordered him to release her, and when he refused to comply, I enforced my demand.”

  “She put a knife to my throat,” Nolaren said in an outraged tone.

  “Please be quiet,” Elkan told him. “You’ll have your turn to speak in a moment.”

  Nolaren glowered, but he kept his mouth closed. Elkan turned back to the watcher. “Continue.”

  She shot Nolaren a look of dislike. “I asked the woman if he’d assaulted her, and she denied it. But a number of witnesses in the crowd maintained he had. Since the evidence was disputed, I brought the matter here.”

  “As was her obligation,” Elkan said, glancing at Davon. The Elder inclined his head. Elkan turned back to the watcher. “Do you have anything else to add?”

  She looked at Nirel. “This woman’s reactions lead me to suspect, in my professional opinion, that this is a case of chronic abuse. As such I ask that anything she says in the accused’s defense be disregarded.”

  Nirel jerked upright, opening her mouth. Davon laid a hand on her arm. She glared at him, but his expression remained calm and certain, so she sank back without speaking.

  “Understood,” Elkan said grimly. He turned to the first of the witnesses. “Based on what you observed, do you confirm the watcher’s account?”

  The woman forcefully assented. Each of the rest did the same. A few added indignant descriptions of Nolaren’s conduct.

  When all the witnesses had testified, Elkan turned to Nirel. “Do you wish to describe what happened?”

  Perhaps she ought to defend Nolaren, but no one would believe her. Besides, whatever story she made up to soften the impact of what he’d done would be quickly contradicted by a window. She shook her head.

  Elkan turned to Nolaren. “Now you may answer the charges, if you wish.”

  Nolaren leapt to his feet. “This is ridiculous. I was shopping with my betrothed, both of us minding our own business. We had a small disagreement, and I dealt with it in the manner consistent with our people’s laws and customs. There was no problem until that woman interfered.” He jerked his head at the watcher.

  Out of the corner of her eye Nirel caught Josiah looking horrified. She glanced at him. Silently he mouthed, “Betrothed?” She shrugged and looked away.

  “Thank you.” Elkan looked at Davon. “I intend to open a window and observe the incident in question. The Mother’s power will remain here, over my hand. It will not enter anyone’s body. Nolaren and Nirel will be visible, but they will remain untouched by the Mother’s power. Does this violate your beliefs in any way?”

  Davon shook his head. “No Ordinance commands the Faithful to remain unobserved by the Lady’s windows, nor requires any punishment if we are.”

  “Good. Do you have anything else to say?”

  “Not at this time.”

  “Very well. Observe, everyone.” He set his hand on Tobi’s head, and a window bloomed over his hand.

  The window picked up with Nirel and Nolaren in the bookseller’s shop. It showed their interaction and followed them outside. When Nolaren spoke in Ramunnan, Elkan paused the window and translated, relaying the heated words in a flat voice.

  Nirel flinched when she saw Nolaren grab her. It looked even rougher than it had felt. She seemed so small and defenseless, he so big and overpowering. The audience gasped when he shook her, Josiah louder than anyone.

  Elder Davon put his hand on hers. The knots in her stomach relaxed. He understood. He wouldn’t force her to remain betrothed to such a cruel man.

  The window reached the point when everyone set out for the Mother’s Hall. It dwindled to a bright point and died. Elkan dropped his hand. “Does anyone dispute that an assault occurred?”

  Elder Davon rose. “Under the laws the Faithful are required to obey, what we just saw was not an assault. The Ordinances command a husband to discipline his wife if she disobeys him. That obligation begins as soon as they are betrothed. We clearly witnessed Nirel disobey Nolaren’s direct order. He was bound by the Lord of Justice’s law to punish her. If he had failed in that duty, he would have been required to confess and do penance. In fact, the slight chastisement he delivered was not sufficient to fulfill the demands of the Ordinance. He will need to finish what he began once we return to our ship.”

  Elkan blinked. “Excuse me?”

  Davon inclined his head. “Nolaren was observing the laws of the Faithful. The Lady’s laws do not apply to him. You must release him without penalty.”

  Josiah jumped to his feet. “You can’t let him get away with—”

  Elkan cut him off with a curt gesture. “You’re not a party to this, Josiah. Sit down and be quiet.”

  Josiah scowled and shot Nolaren a poisonous glare, but he sank into his seat. Elkan turned back to Davon. “Everyone in Tevenar must observe our laws, Faithful included. Nothing in the agreement you and I reached states otherwise. If you came to a different agreement with Guildmaster Hanion when he allowed you to return, I can summon him to testify concerning it.”

  “We did not address the matter directly. I had no idea you might wish to punish one of my people for his adherence to his duties.” Davon put outraged
innocence into his tone, but Nirel suspected it was largely feigned. He was too shrewd to have overlooked this possibility. “I was under the impression you disapproved of the sort of religious discrimination we faced in Ramunna.”

  “This has nothing to do with your religion.” Elkan remained calm, but Nirel could hear the strain in his voice.

  “It is entirely about our religion. You are saying that what Nolaren did in obedience to our Faith is a criminal act. This sort of oppression is what forced us to seek our own land. You wish to believe that you are more righteous than the Matriarch, but in fact you are equally tyrannical.”

  Elkan studied him for a long time. Elder Davon gazed back, composed.

  Finally Elkan turned to address the others. “I propose this settlement. Nolaren shall be confined at Watch headquarters for one night. In the morning he shall be escorted directly to the Faithful ship, where he will remain until it departs from Tevenar. As he is not a citizen of Tevenar, he will not be required to attend the usual mandatory counseling sessions with a wizard. But he will pay the standard fine for assault to Nirel. Do we have a consensus?”

  The watcher indicated her assent. The witnesses from the market all enthusiastically approved. Nolaren said, “Absolutely not!” Davon shook his head. Elkan turned to Nirel and waited for her response.

  The Elder’s words hadn’t really been for Elkan, Nirel realized with a hollow sensation in the pit of her stomach. They’d been for her. She was angry at Nolaren, and feared what he would do to her as soon as they were back aboard the ship, but she had to defend him. Otherwise she’d be condoning oppression of the Faithful.

  She looked at her betrothed. He was watching her intently. She’d suffer if she said anything other than what he wanted.

  She took a deep breath. “I do not consent. My betrothed did nothing wrong. He should be released without punishment.”

  Elkan nodded slowly. “Normally the victim’s voice would be given significant weight in determining the outcome. However, Watcher Filand has declared that her professional experience leads her to believe Nirel is a victim of chronic abuse and should be disregarded if she defends her abuser. I agree with her determination. The window showed an undeniable act of violence against Nirel, in clear violation of Tevenar’s laws. Therefore I must discount both the accused’s and the victim’s refusal to assent to the consensus.”