Surprisingly, I had slept that night. It was the end goal of all my dealings yesterday. What would allow me to sleep at night? If I had been too lenient and not allowed justice to do its job of maintaining order I would have spent most nights worrying over my weakness. If I had condemned them to death, I am not sure if I would ever have slept again. As it was, the rest I did get was not peaceful, but it was enough. Or it would have been if it wasn't for that blasted kayver. Did they have to screech like that every morning?

It was later than I usually woke, but I still decided to follow my same morning routine. After breakfast, I went to the study. I no longer had Marcus to do the work. Now, I had to take on the role of Steward of the House of Bicman. Entering the study, I looked around and gave a deep sigh. I had no idea where to start. The first thing I noticed was that things were not orderly like Marcus had them; the bookshelf was moved, and all the books and scrolls were in stacks on the floor. The table was moved as well. I saw that there were a few compartments that were now visible on the stone floor. Also, there is one under the table where one of the legs used to rest. Well, I guess that was where they found all the money. They probably also searched the rooms of the steward's family. If the family had a huge sum of money this whole time, why didn't they leave earlier? They were Freeman. Maybe they thought that leaving would look suspicious. That is something I could ask them. I had a feeling I was going to have more unpleasant conversations with the family.

I went over to the table and looked at the papers on it. The top one was a letter from the Cofi Headman confirming their appointment today at noon for the Judgement. Crap! I had forgotten about that whole thing. On top of that, the judgment was today. I had no idea how to conduct this whole thing. I rushed out of the room to go find Draves. As I turned the corner to exit the family wing, I came face to face with a group of people in peasant garb. One wore the official sash of a headman. There were two wearing the Bicman guard uniform. All of them bowed to me as I stopped.

"Ah… Um… Welcome to my manor, Headman Jeffery," I said awkwardly. I am so glad he had put his name on the letter. All of them looked extremely nervous upon seeing me. I tried to give a reassuring smile. "I was on my way to find Captain Draves, so if you would like to join me in my search for the captain, we can get to know each other. The rest of you may take a seat in the great hall."

As the small group of two soldiers and seven others split off and entered the hall, we walked out the main doors and went to find the captain. As we were exiting the manor house, however, Draves was already on his way in with Lou, another one of his guards. "Excellent, Captain. We were just on our way to retrieve you."

I strode confidently back into the room—at least I faked it. I had no idea how to handle judging these people. I didn't even watch those TV judge shows with my mom. Captain Draves and I made our way to my chair while the others sat on benches. Before I sat down, I turned to Draves and whispered my doubts, "I have no idea how to handle this."

"I know," He said solemnly.

"So what do I say."

"Greet them and then ask them to speak. Your father was always quick and to the point. He never greeted anyone."

"Welcome to Bicman Hall. Headman Jeffery, please introduce the case."

It was evident that he was surprised by this. I can imagine my father just asking for the accusation from the aggrieved party. He got himself together quickly, though.

"My Lord, I have brought one of your peasants, Mary of Cofi. She has accused Bernum, a freeman of Cofi, of stealing her meat pies. My Lord, may I say that Bernum has always been an upstanding Citizen."

"Thank you, Jeffery; before I get your assessment, I would like to hear both the accusation and the defense." I looked at Mary and said, "Mary, please tell me why you are accusing Barnum."

"My Lord, I am the widow of your late peasant, Michael of Cofi. Part of how I support my family is by making meat pies and trading them for things we need. Barnum was seen trading my pies with other members of the community after I had four of my pies stolen. My friend Marie said she saw Bernum giving a meat pie to Arthur the very day mine went missing."

"Bernum, what is your defense against this accusation?"

"My defense?"

"Yes, why did you steal the pies?" I hoped to trip him up by accusing him.

He looked down and then back up and said, "I didn't take any pies from your peasant, My Lord."

"Then where did you get the pies?" I said.

"My wife made them."

"That's a lie. Your wife doesn't know how to make meat pies."

I was about to tell her to be quiet when Barnum spoke up. "Silence, woman. How dare you speak ill of my wife in the presence of the lord," Then he went to one knee, "Your lordship, I request that you punish this woman for speaking that way about my wife."

"Mary, you have spoken out of turn, and if you do so again, I will have to punish you," I said, trying to seem stern. This caused her to collapse to her knees and bow her head. Now I felt bad. I had to continue, though, and uncover the truth. I asked another question to the now satisfied Barnum. "Does your wife know how to cook meat pies?"

"Of course, My Lord," Barnum said more hesitantly.

"Mary, did your friend really see Barnum giving a meat pie to Arthur or did she only see him give something to Arthur? Was she close enough to see what it was?"

"My Lord, forgive me." She practically wept, "It is what she told me."

"And what did you do when you found out?"

"I accused him of taking my pies."

"And what was his response?"

"He said that he did not, and a peasant should not accuse a freeman of such things."

I was starting to really not like this guy, but I had to be fair.

"Have the witnesses been brought?" I asked Jeffery, looking at the remaining few people in the party.

"The who?" He asked.

"I would like to hear from witnesses, people who can vouch for either side of the story. I would like to hear from people other than the plaintiff and defendant."

The head man looked utterly confused. At first, I was upset. How was I supposed to figure this out without more information? Then it dawned on me. This actually might work out in my favor. If they didn't think to bring witnesses, then nobody prepped them on what to say.

"I will have one of my guards travel to Cofi and interrogate Arthur, Marie, and Barnum's wife. To Barnum's wife, he will ask if she makes meat pies for him. To Arthur, he will ask if Barnum shared one of his wife's meat pies, and to Mary, he shall ask if she could, in fact, identify the gift as a pie. I will figure out if the pie was, in fact, one that Barnum's wife made. Do both of you know what will happen if you are caught lying to a noble?" Both of them looked at me, eyes wide. "Good, so let's be honest from this point forward. Now, do I need to go through all the trouble of having a soldier go to Cofi to investigate, or perhaps do one of you want to make an amendment to your statement?"

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Barnum's face turned white, and he looked uneasily at Jeffery. He was about to say something. But Jeffery's face turned a slight shade of pink, and he growled something at the frightened Mary.

"Headman Jeffery, do not threaten her. I may come to the conclusion that you are favoring one side over the other. Justice is no respecter of status."

"I did take the pies, My Lord. If I had known she was going to make such a big fuss over it, to the point she would waste all of our time, I wouldn't have done it. I am sorry you had to be disturbed by this woman's whining. I have brought you some of my finest cider for your inconvenience." Barnum said, trying to smooth things over.

What to do here? He was trying to bribe me. Should I lash him? "Captain, are there laws regarding trying to bribe a nobleman?" I said for all to hear.

"There is no redress for a peasant, such as Mary, if you feel the cider is sufficient compensation, My Lord."

"So our laws are left up for my interpretation? Just great," I grumbled under my breath. I needed to create hard-coded laws. I couldn't punish the guy for trying to bribe me when bribes were standard.

"What is the punishment for theft?" I said.

"Ten lashings for a first offense."

"And for lying to a noble?"

"It is up to the interpretation of your lordship. As this is a court, your father would usually behead the man."

Barnum fell to his knees and started to blubber, but I ignored him. Thinking for a moment about what to say next, I turned to Jeffery.

"Headman Jeffery, did you know of this crime? Answer carefully, as there will be an investigation. I would hate to have to hang two men for lying today."

"My Lord," He said, falling to his knees, "I did not ask. I just assumed that you would not care if a freeman took a few pies even if it was true."

"Headman, know this," I said firmly, "I will defend each of my citizens no matter their status. If you had committed a crime against a freeman, I would punish you. If a nobleman committed a crime against you, I would defend you. As a Headman, you have the responsibility of keeping the peace over the village of Cofi. When you ignore your responsibilities, it is not only a stain on your character but also reflects poorly on me. For this offense, I will give you a warning, but if I find that you are mismanaging the village of Cofi, you will be stripped of your title and reduced to the rank of a common peasant. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, My Lord." he gulped

Looking at the man weeping on the floor. I sighed. The law says I should kill him. If I don't, I will come across as a weak baron. Rumors would spread that I could be taken advantage of. I couldn't kill him. It churned my stomach and made me want to vomit thinking of this man hanging on a rope. I had an idea I hoped would work. "As for you, Barnum, I believe your status has blinded you to the suffering of others. You are to turn in your status papers. I will issue papers signifying you have been reduced to the status of a peasant. I will not submit the redaction of your title of freeman to the dukedom, but I will hold your papers for five years. If you commit no further crimes, then in five years, you will be given the papers back. If, however, there are more complaints about your actions, I will hang you for your crimes. Secondly, you are to pay Mary twice the price of the pies as well as give her the jug of wine you tried to bribe me with. Always remember you have been shown mercy when you should have been hanged."

"Yes, My Lord." he choked out.

"Mary, as I understand it you are widowed, is that correct?"

Yes, My Lord."

"I need extra help in my household. Would you be willing to help in the kitchen and garden?" I asked, praying she would say yes. I had been racking my brains over how to replace Patricia.

"My Lord, she said hesitantly," I have three children that would need tending to. I would have to bring them with me."

"That is acceptable. They will be cared for. Will you take the position?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Excellent, this case is dismissed. "Headman Jeffery, who are these others?"

"These others are petitioners," he said while still on his knees with his head bowed.

"Well, stand up and present them."

Mary sat down on a bench, but Barnum was still too shocked to move. Jeffery presented a young couple to me.

"My Lord, Amos," the young man said in a shaky voice, "I request permission to marry Jodi."

This lifted my mood a little. But it also gave me concern.

"Young man, I would love to approve of this marriage, but I must ask you if you have a way of supporting your young bride."

"I do," he said more confidently. "I have plowed and seeded 10 acres and assisted my father in his field this spring, and I will be able to increase that next year."

I could see pride in the eyes of the woman next to him.

"Do you promise to provide for her and your children for the rest of your days?" I think he was surprised by the question but answered in the affirmative.

"And do you, young lady, promise to care for and support your husband and future children?"

She answered in almost a whisper. "Yes?"

"Then I pronounce you married. Go with my blessing."

The young man grasped his new bride's hand and sat back down.

The next petition was the same, except the young man was a cobbler's son who had a place already set up in Melnon. That was good to know. I readily approved their marriage.

The last petitioner was a middle-aged man who immediately fell to his knees. "My Lord, my son has broken his arm while working in the field. I have nothing to give, but I plead that you send the medicine woman and… "here he paused, gathering his courage for some reason. "He has a wife and two children to support, my lord, you see." He licked his lips. Why was he so nervous?

"I beg you send for a bonesetter," he said in a rush.

Everyone in the room looked surprised. Even Draves could not hide his shock.

I called over Draves and whispered in his ear. "What is the deal?"

"Setters are very expensive. They're more money than a peasant would ever see at one time. Probably fifty silver pennies." My eyebrows rose in shock.

"I see," I said softly. Then louder, I said, "Your petition is granted. I will send for a Bonesetter and see whether or not he can help your son. In the meantime, go to the medicine woman on the way out of the village and get what you need. I will pay for it."

The man began to weep.

I really wanted to have a "Bonesetter" come anyway so I could pick their brains about what medical knowledge they had. I was no doctor, but I had watched plenty of doctor shows on TV. Even if half of it was fake, it was probably more realistic than whatever the people here practiced. I also watched a few live surgery streams on the internet. I probably couldn't pull off that heart transplant, though. I watched it since I wasn't awake for my own. As soon as I thought that, I clamped down on my emotions. I was not going down that depressing road. That event needed to be locked away.

I need to get out of here. "Since there are no more cases and all judgments have passed, you are all dismissed. You may all pass along the news that some laws will be made clearer in the next few days. Captain Draves, join me in my study."

The Captain and I went to my study, and I slumped in my chair. "Tell me, captain, how bad did I screw that up."

"You should have killed that man for lying to you. Others may get the idea that lying to you is okay."

I sighed, "I know, I just… Draves, I couldn't do it. I should have, but I couldn't."

He just nodded. "Other than that, I found the way that you were able to uncover the truth impressive. In a situation like that, your father would have fined the lady for wasting his time. Even if the man had confessed without trying to lie, he would have accepted the bribe and told the man not to do it again. But, My Lord, why are you sending for a bonesetter? It would be cheaper to give them money to hold them over for a year. You could even probably buy a few more serfs to cover the labor."

"I want to see the knowledge of this bonesetter. Whenever I talk with people, it helps me remember things that I might be able to use here."

"People may start expecting you to send for a medic for other things. It may increase petitions?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "It may. And people will be disappointed, but I'll do what I can. It's not as if they're any worse off if I can't help them."

"True."

"Okay, I am off to play with Aaron for a bit to relax, and then I need to head to my study and get back to work."

Playing with Aaron was fun. It really took my mind off of the whole trial thing. It also kept me from running away from it all. I really hated most of this stuff. I wanted to take some money and maybe go to the capitol. I could set up an art studio and then paint amazing pictures for nobility.

I am sure I could make enough money for Aaron and me to be happy. But was it stupid that I wanted to try and hold on to his inheritance for him? I could give my nephew a barony when he grew up. How cool would that be? I looked down at him as he was sitting on the ground, pushing some small blocks of wood around, and smiled. Why did I care about him so much? Why did I want so badly to provide the best life I could for this little kid? He wasn't my son. He wasn't even my real nephew. But as I looked at him, I just knew I had to make this work. I would make this work.