Chapter 9
The City’s Justice
It had been a week since the fight at the Shrine of Piety, and during that time Rynn had worked with Ranna to understand the newfound bond they had developed while fighting in the hidden chapel of the Reaper. His training under Arandur had taught him some of the ways of the ranger, but it had surprised him that he had already achieved such a new understanding of his own magical connection to the wild. Ranna embodied the strength that connection had gained of late. He thought back to his mentor and Arandur’s animal companion. Vanya had always been with the elven ranger, having joined Arandur decades before Rynn was even born, the gray hawk serving as a scout and loyal friend to the elven ranger. Rynn had always been amazed at how Vanya seemed to be instinctively responsive to Arandur’s thoughts and moods and even commands. But now that his connection with Ranna had developed, he had begun to understand some of the intricacies he had noticed and wondered on. He had even developed the ability to cast rudimentary spells. He had, just once, ventured outside the city to test out his new spellcasting ability by casting Speak with Animals. The experience had been slightly frustrating, since the local squirrels weren’t much for conversation, but it did show that his connection with the natural world was increasing in strength. This pleased him.
Amara disappeared every day for long hours with Master Hiddel, and Khaska and Jenika assisted as they could with the investigation into the Shrine of Piety. The city had shut the shrine down, and the clerics were gradually all moving to different locations as they could. Most of the clerics and acolytes had been cleared of any wrongdoing, including Arthur and Natalya, but Amara’s suspicions about Cerlis were correct. The morning after his arrest, unable to cast spells, an Undetectable Alignment spell wore off, and he was revealed as truly evil. Further investigation had uncovered a few more details.
Therylassa’s personal quarters contained stacks of the flyer, much like the one Jenika had found in the abandoned. They appeared to have been mass-produced, as they were all identical, except for information that may have been written on them by Therylassa. Cerlis, however, was not forthcoming with further information. The connection to the Peaceful Children and Therylassa had not been fully discovered. The Knights assured the party that they would investigate them further. Dragonrider Reitman himself had spoken briefly to Khaska on this issue, assuring the Maha’i that the Knights would make sure that the Peaceful Children were not a danger.
As to the identity of the zombies, nothing was known. The most disturbing portion of the investigation had been that the dead bodies hanging in that room had been killed by human bite marks. Apparently they had been chained in the room with the three zombies and left to be killed. When this news had been received, Khaska had gone to his bed, ill, for the remainder of the night. During the days, the cleric spent more time with the Knights and Sir Ing, or helping the displaced clerics from the Shrine of Piety with moving to other locations now that the city was dismantling the Shrine. He had attended the memorial service for the zombies and other victims in the secret chapel of the Reaper.
This morning found Rynn sitting at one of the tables in their inn. Amara had ghosted through on her way to Master Hiddel’s, having barely touched her breakfast. The ranger glanced down at Ranna. The two of them were getting a little restless. Hartwin had said that the preparations for the trial against the Sendylus guild might take some time, but still, Rynn was growing impatient. With the exception of the caravan trip, the few weeks he had spent in the city were really some of the most he had spent in one place in a long while, and his wanderlust was beginning to assert itself.
But he had made a commitment, and he wanted to finish this involvement with the Sendylus guild. They had caused enough heartbreak, and though his desire was to continue wandering, and help his newfound friends as he was able, he would see that commitment through. Khaska came down from his room to join the ranger for breakfast. They were eating and talking when a messenger came in, found them, and sat down. “I bring greetings from Hartwin, who brings tidings of the trial.”
The messenger spoke in hushed tones of some of the work that had gone on behind the scenes. The judge assigned to the case, a dwarf by the name of Hormon Stoneheart, was known for his quick sentencing, but was known for being fair about things in general. Hartwin was not overly excited about the selection of judge, but wasn’t disappointed either. They would likely be served with official summons later that day and would be expected to appear at the Hall of Justice near the center of Hammerdine at the appointed time, likely the day after next. They would appear and give testimony verifying their statements to the precinct captain, Lyndon Jespers, and then await the outcome based on Judge Stoneheart’s deliberations. After that, Hartwin was expecting them to make good on their promise to escort a caravan out of the city. There was a big shipment of goods bound for Tir’Kon by way of boat from Laishtek next week. Assuming the trial was over, which was expected, then that would be the best opportunity.
Rynn and Khaska assured the messenger that they would pass the word along to their friends, and then the man got up, bowed, and left.
“Good,” said Rynn. “I’m looking forward to moving on. I’ve enjoyed the city, but the open road still calls to me. And Laishtek, that will be good for your investigations into Tawru, right?”
“Yes, I think it will,” said Khaska. “It is where I wanted to go next, so that will be good. Hopefully Teresh will look kindly on us at the trial. I fear too much evil has come from the Sendylus guild’s manipulations. It is time for them to pay the price for their misdeeds. I am glad to have participated in this investigation.”
“Have you told any of the others about your discoveries?”
“I have not. I am not sure if I want to.”
Rynn nodded. They were silent for a moment, both thinking. Jenika joined them at that point, and together they reminisced about the events in Hammerdine. Jenika mentioned Orensland, and they all hoped the quirky rogue was doing well with his new friends.
True to the messenger’s word, a member of the city watch came to their inn later that afternoon to deliver direct summons to the three of them. He left to go directly to Master Hiddel’s mansion to deliver the summons to Amara, as he could not give it to another to give to her. Khaska opened his scroll and read the clean, crisp lettering.
By order of the honorable Hormon Stoneheart, you are hearby ordered to his courtroom, in the Hall of Justice, at 10 am the morning of June 4th. You will give testimony verifying your statements given to Captain Lyndon Jespers. Failure to appear will result in a warrant for your arrest, upon which you will be held in the stockades for a week. If you do not give testimony after your arrest, you will be sentenced to a month in the city stockades.
“Looks like the trial is about to begin,” said Rynn.
“I hope these Sendylus people get what’s coming to them” Jenika replied.
“Yes. This city has seen enough evil of late,” replied Khaska.
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Amara had clearly spent a little extra time on herself that morning. She had done an okay job at not scoffing at the fact that Rynn looked like he did every day, but did give Khaska credit for making sure his armor had been given a polish. Jenika, like Rynn, didn’t have much in the way of clothes, but had made sure that her monk’s outfit had been cleaned the day before.
The party had arrived at the Hall of Justice an hour early. A towering, imposing structure, it was one of the two major buildings that dominated the skyline of Hammerdine—the other being the chapterhouse of the Knights of the Silver Dragons. A clerk had ushered them into a courtroom, where Hartwin joined them shortly after. The elf introduced them to the Faatin Merchant House lawyer, a snappily-dressed human with slightly grayed hair near his temples by the name of Adelfi Bertrand. Opposite them were the Sendylus guild lawyer and representative. The circular room had stadium seats on each side of it. There was a doorway on one side, between the seats, and at the other end head of it was a large stone chair with a desk-obviously the judge’s chair. A small door to the side of the judge’s chair was presumably where Stoneheart and the other officials would enter. There was a small place off to the side with iron links embedded in the ground for where prisoners were held.
At about 9:50 the doors opened and the mercenaries from the attack were lead in, chained together. Each was in simple prisoner’s clothing. The man with the tattoos glared at Rynn as he entered. In fact, the man kept staring at Rynn.
At 10 on the nose a clerk entered and announced in a booming voice that Judge Stoneheart was calling the trial to order. The Dwarf entered, encumbered by various papers and documents, which he set on the table in front of him. A lovely young human woman accompanied him, a tall, pale thing with raven hair and very white skin. She stood behind him, unmoving, apparently an assistant of some kind.
The trial proceeded very quickly. Stoneheart was a gruff, no-nonsense kind of guy. Rynn found himself liking the dwarf as he cut the chatter from the lawyers and proceeded to get to the heart of the situation. Each of the party was called up, one by one, and was made to swear that the statements they had given to Captain Jespers were true. Jespers himself was on hand to verify that they had done so previously in a Zone of Truth, and apparently Judge Stoneheart had their statements in written form as part of his paperwork.
Stoneheart put his glasses down—he had been wearing them as he looked over the various papers—and began to speak. “Rynn, Amara, Khaska, and Jenika, please step forward, as you are the prime witnesses for the case against the Sendylus guild.”
The part came down from their seats and stood in front of him.
“So, what we have is this. You,” he indicated the party, “found out that you were being followed. Discovered that there was a kidnapping and extortion going on, rescued the boy that had been kidnapped, caught these mercenaries,” he indicated the prisoners, “and now are claiming that they were hired by the Sendylus guild.
“But I have a few questions for you.” He glared.
“Where is this boy, who was kidnapped? And his mother, who was being blackmailed.”
The party glanced at each other. It was Jenika who replied.
“Sir, they have left the city for their own protection.”
“So you cannot produce anybody to verify your claim about kidnapping and extortion?”
Bertrand stepped forward from where he was standing to the side. “I remind his excellency that they have sworn to these statements in a Zone of Truth.”
“I am aware of that, Mr. Bertrand.” Stoneheart shut him down with a dismissive wave.
“And when you rescued the boy, Jenika, you were with another fellow, this Orensland. Where is he?”
“He has also left the city for his own protection. Family problems, sir. His father and he had a falling out some time ago, and his father wants to kill him and tracked him down here.”
“So he’s gone as well. And he was the one who set fire to the Sendylus building?”
Jenika looked down. “Yes sir, he was.”
“Did he say why?”
“Irrelevant,” said the Sendylus guild’s lawyer. “It doesn’t matter why he cost my employers thousands of gold in damages. He did so! And as his companion, Jenika should be held responsible in his absence!”
Stoneheart also shut him down with a single glance, then turned back to Jenika.
“He said they deserved it, sir,” she continued. “He has a soft spot for children in danger, and Zeke had been unnecessarily placed in danger.”
Stoneheart hrumphed at that, but then continued.
“And who was it who said that the Sendylus guild was also responsible for hiring Jonathan of the Wastes?”
“The man, Adrian,” said Khaska.
“And you were the one who heard him say this?”
“No sir. That was Orensland.”
Stonehearted glared at him. “Might have been better if Orensland had stayed. I also wanted to speak to you about this Adrian fellow.”
Rynn’s expression did not change, but Amara grimaced. Khaska looked over at the ranger, and Jenika studiously examined her feet.
“You captured him alive, did you not, Mister Fowler?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, I don’t see him here.”
“That would be difficult, your excellency, because I killed him.”
“And was that during the battle?”
“No, sir.”
“Please explain to me the circumstances of this man’s death.”
Rynn did so, matter-of-factly. The tattoed man stood, his chains rattling, and he bared his teeth as Rynn spoke. He even growled at the ranger. Ranna took a step forward and growled back, but Rynn reached out to calm her.
“So you admit to killing this man when he was tied, up, unarmed, and had just woken from serious wounds. No trial. No courts. Just you as judge, jury, and executioner?”
“I did what I felt best, your excellency, as a ranger. He needed to be put down for the good of all.”
“And who gives you the right to make such judgments? Can all rangers just kill whomever they please?”
“Someone needed to make the judgment. I was there. I made it.”
“So, you have a tale of kidnapping and extortion, except those who kidnapped and extorted and those who were kidnapped and extorted are either gone or dead. You have a witness who claims that the Sendylus guild also hired Jonathan of the Wastes, but he’s gone too. Further, that witness did a significant amount of damage to property that was not his own.”
“I remind your excellency,” Bertrand said, “that these were all sworn to in a Zone of . . .”
“Yes, yes,” the judge cut him off. “The funny thing about that spell is that it doesn’t actually represent reality. You can be perfectly honest about what you believe, but have been deceived. The only evidence we have of the most serious charges against the Sendylus guild is either gone or dead.”
“Your excellency,” the lawyer from the Sendylus guild stood, “if I may interject. We have not heard any evidence that we were behind even the attack. These people were not hired by us.”
“Don’t get me started on you.” He glanced down his papers, fiddling with them. His assistant reached over and pushed one forward in front of him. “Esme?”
One of the prisoners stood. Khaska recognized her as the one who had burst into tears at seeing Adrian killed. “Is this your statement?” She nodded. “Captain Jespers, can you swear that this was also Zone of Truthed?”
Jespers stood and nodded. “I can, your excellency.”
“Esme here says that this man, Adrian hired her. There was never any mention of the Sendylus guild.” The lawyer for the Sendylus guild beamed and looked over at a well-dressed man on their side of the courtroom—the representative from the guild. “But, she saw him coming out of the Sendylus guild with his two buddies, Kyllys and Fynn a little bit later. You were following him to make sure he was a good investment, right?”
“Yes, your excellency,” she squeaked out. At this the tattooed man screamed at her and bolted towards her. He was in the middle of the chain gang, so there was a little bit of slack. He managed to smash her in the face with his elbow, knocking her down, and kick her twice on the ground before some of the guards managed to bring him under control—or at least away from her. She curled up on the ground, crying, holding her side and breathing in a labored way.
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“Not helping your cause, Kyllys,” the judge said.
“You are a coward and a weakling!” The tattoed man yelled at the dwarven judge. “This man kills a person in cold blood and he walks free, while I languish here in chains?” He lunged forward at Rynn. “I’ll have your head, ranger! I swear by the Gods of the North!”
Stoneheart rose, his face growing red and flushed. “You call me a coward? I was fighting wars for this city long before your father and mother rutted in your unholy rites and spawned you, you Dergon dog!”
Kyllys roared and continued forward, again dragging the group with him. This time the guards were on him in moments, bearing him to the ground.
“That’s quite enough out of you,” the Judge said. “Muzzle him.” The guards forced a rag into his mouth, silencing the stream of profanities that had made Khaska’s eyes widen and caused Jenika to blush.
“What’s obvious from the facts are these. The Sendylus guild hired this group to attack your caravan, Mr. Hartwin. As usual, it helps keep the right hands clean to hire people to do your dirty work. I cannot, however substantiate the claim of kidnapping and extortion. Besides which, Adrian would have taken the blame for that, and he’s, well, dead. Not the sentence I would have given him, but I guess it will do. Mister Fowler, you would do well not to take the law into your own hands again.”
“He was a despicable person,” said Rynn.
“I have no doubt of that, but we don’t just go around killing despicable people. The world’s full of them.
“Continuing on. However, Mr. Hartwin, you have hired these folks to keep your own hands clean.” Stoneheart indicated the party. “This was not as deliberate on your part, however, and I see no indication that their crimes were under your orders. We cannot substantiate the claim that the Sendylus guild hired Jonathan of the Wastes to harass caravans, though that would fit with their other activities. Orensland was the one responsible for the damage to the Sendylus guild’s buildings, but he’s not here, so we can’t hold him responsible.” He stood. “I pronounce my judgment. In the name of Markus, I fine the Sendylus guild 5,000 gold pieces, payable to the city treasury. This for deliberately hiring mercenaries to disturb the peace. In the name of Markus, I fine the Faatin Merchant House 1,000 gold pieces, payable to the city treasury, for not being careful enough about the mercenaries they hired. In the name of Markus, I sentence all of you except for Esme,” he indicated the prisoners, “to conscription in the Army of Hammerdine. The Dark Times are upon us, and you will fight to defend us! Esme will serve a sentence of one year hard labor working on the new defenses of our city. Mister Fowler, for the crime of vigilantism, I find you 300 gold pieces. Had the evidence against this Adrian character been less, you would have found yourself conscripted as well!”
He glanced around the room. “By the authority of the city council of Hammerdine, and in the name of Markus the noble, I declare it to be so. This I speak! My assistant, Veleria, will write and deliver official verdicts to each of you.” He indicated the dark-haired woman at his side, who had been furiously writing on her own sheet of paper as he had pronounced his verdicts. “Thus is our session concluded. Markus be with you all.” He turned and left, leaving the papers scattered across the desk. Veleria began to clean up.
Hartwin was conferring with Bertrand, the elf and the human speaking in soft tones. Hartwin left, he was clearly unhappy, and Bertrand approached the group as the guards began leading the prisoners out. Kyllys was still glaring daggers at Rynn.
“Hartwin is understandably disappointed,” the lawyer said, “but honestly, with the evidence at hand, I think it was as good an outcome as we could expect. And I’m sure Hartwin will realize that he can get the rumor mill going to indict the Sendylus guild in the court of public opinion. That will be good for business. They were, after all, found guilty of deliberately hiring mercenaries for nefarious purposes. Will merchants want to use such a group for the transportation of goods? I think not. Esme was the only one of the mercenaries who turned state’s evidence, and it wasn’t that great of evidence at that, but enough to get her off with a lighter sentence.”
Khaska was half-listening. He was instead watching the woman, Veleria, as she organized and arranged the papers. She stared right back at him, then grabbed a single stack of the papers and left. The only ones left in the room were the party and Bertrand. A lone guard stood by the judge’s seat.
“That’s it?” sputtered Rynn. “This is what passes for justice in this city? This is why we waited around so long?”
“We waited at the request of Hartwin. To have done different would have been dishonorable,” Khaska intoned. Still, the Maha’i’s ears were still flat against his head, indicating frustration to the rest of the group. Jenika nodded at this.
“And what does money have to do with justice?” Rynn continued, this time asking the question of Bertrand. “My new backpack is worth more than the fine our friend Hartwin will be paying. I can’t believe that the Sendylus guild will miss such a small amount — small compared to what they own, that is.”
“Well, at least they still have to repair their buildings,” Bertrand said. “Was that more the kind of justice you had in mind?”
“Better at least than some small fine.” Rynn snorted. “The judge didn’t seem to care about our word, saying it wasn’t good evidence. So then why would it have mattered if Orensland or Adrian were present other than to be punished? Their evidence would have also just been mere testimony.”
“That,” Bertrand said, “is not entirely true. Judge Stoneheart is correct, the Zone of Truth spell merely conveys whether one thinks one is speaking the truth. In the case of Adrian, we could possibly have discovered whether his actions were dictated by the guild, or whether he had been hired and then let loose. That is a very different set of charges for the guild, even if they let him keep a child prisoner in their complex. If Orensland had been here, he likely would face charges of arson. Justice in this city should be served by the guards, the city militia, the judges, and the Knights, not random vigilantes.”
“So we are not to dispense what we see as justice while we’re here because we’re not members of the militia?” asked Jenika.
Rynn was aghast. “What will happen with that cleric of the Laughing God? More of this?”
“That,” Bertrand’s face darkened, “is another matter entirely. He was serving the Reaper, not the Laughing God, and was aware of the secret chambers. Those zombies you slew were citizens of Hammerdine. He will pay for his crimes. At the very least he was aiding and abetting Therylassa. The evidence against him is substantially more than the evidence against the Sendylus guild. All we can conclusively prove of them is that they hired this Adrian.”
Rynn shouldered his bow, a signal to leave. “Well, I’m not quite sure what I’m being fined for, but I’ll pay my dues for this ‘civilized’ city. But I think it’s time to put Hammerdine behind me.”
“I’m sure you’ll be served with an official court document about your fine soon,” said Bertrand.
Bertrand thanked each of the party for their help as they left the room. Rynn shook his hand as they exited, then turned and walked off briskly.
Khaska had to jog to catch up. “Are we off to Laishtek, then?” asked the Maha’i.
“It would seem so. We still owe Hartwin guard duty for his scrying on Zeke.” Rynn glanced at Khaska, and continued more mutedly. “Perhaps we can find some answers to your questions about Tawru.”
“Yes. And at least the boy and his family are safe. Our involvement in these affairs has not been without benefit.”
Jenika caught up to them, having lingered a moment with Bertrand. “Yes, we have that to be thankful for.” She glanced at Amara, who had been silent. The sorceress was keeping her own council on the outcome of the trial, and nobody bothered to ask her as they exited the building past two armored guards stationed at the entrance.
The sun was high in the sky, and there was not any shadow in the courtyard. However the gallery just behind the arcade of arches in the front of the building still gave shade. Rynn winced as he glanced at the guards standing in front of each pillar. It must be hot. He hoped they would be spelled off as the sun baked the courtyard.
“Incompetent fool!” a voice cried out. “Pull around again. You know how sensitive my skin is to the sunlight!”
The party glanced to their left, to see Veleria standing just inside the shaded area of the gallery, holding a large leather folder full of papers. She waved her hand at a coach nearby, an elegant black thing with dark velvet curtains just outside the shade from the gallery, and the driver goaded the horses forward, moving past the party before circling around the fountain in the center of the courtyard and angling into the shade.
Rynn and Khaska both caught a glimpse of the man’s face. He saw them, and saw that they had seen him, before he ducked his face down.
It was Seth Mytor, Orensland’s friend from their first inn in this city. Rynn had played cards with him a few times. They had not seen him since they had left that inn for the good of Amy and her family. As he pulled up, he bit his fingers and nervously twisted the reigns, trying to not look at the party directly. He was wearing a tunic that had the same symbol on it as the carriage doors.
Rynn and Khaska exchanged looks as Veleria climbed into the carriage and shut the door. “He is up to something,” the cleric said.
“Let’s go driver,” Veleria’s voice called out from inside the carriage.
“Who’s up to what?” asked Amara.
Rynn pointed at Seth as the carriage pulled by them. Seth was visibly relieved that he was on his way, his body becoming less stiff. Now alerted to his presence, Jenika watched him as he shifted and sat back into his seat, his body slumping into more of a casual position. He had been tensed up for something.
“Well, I’m going back to the inn,” said Rynn. He strode out into the light just as the carriage disappeared around a bend outside the courtyard.
The party walked in silence, their thoughts mirroring their own individual responses to the trial. Khaska was dissatisfied, as was Rynn. Jenika was more neutral, and Amara was more concerned about the future with the upcoming caravan escort. But she was slightly confused at what had happened with Seth back at the Hall of Justice.
“Rynn, maybe you should go talk to him later,” Amara said. “Back at our old inn.”
“Who?”
“Seth.”
“Oh. Maybe. I’m not sure I want to go looking for trouble anymore, lest I get slapped with more of this city’s so-called justice.”
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Later that evening, as Rynn began work on a new bow, Jenika had gone to her room, and Khaska was conversing with one of the displaced acolytes from the now-defunct Shrine of Piety. Amara came back from her studies with Master Hiddel a little out of sorts, and grabbed dinner and sat alone in the corner. That was when the doors burst open and a cadre of city watch soldiers entered.
“Rynn Fowler!” the first one called out, a stocky dwarf short even by dwarven standards, but he had a scar across his face and didn’t look like one to mess with.
Ranna growled, the hair on the back of her neck raising a little. Rynn’s demeanor grew cold and hard. He stood.
“That would be me.”
“You and your friends are wanted for questioning. You are under suspicion of kidnapping an officer of the court. You are to come with us immediately by the orders of Judge Stoneheart!”
Khaska stood, walking right up to the dwarf, his tall slender frame dwarfing the soldier. “We have done no such thing. We have been here in our inn ever since this morning . . .”
The dwarf waved him off. “I don’t make the rules or argue the charges. You are to come with me. Now.” He hefted the axe at his side, making serious his order. “And your friends.”
“Ugh, can I finish my dinner?” Amara practically spat at the soldier.
“No.” The sorceress unceremoniously crammed a piece of bread in her mouth as she stood up. She walked over to the innkeeper and, through a partially chewed mouthful, gave him a copper piece. “Please send someone to inform Hartwin at the Faatin Merchant House that we have been arrested.” He nodded, and with that she whirled.
“Do we have to give up our weapons?” asked Rynn. His frustration with this city was about to boil over.
“That won’t be necessary. I’m not arresting you, just bringing you in for questioning. Come with me, but don’t cause any trouble.” The dwarf was not about to take any guff, and the party followed, all slightly seething. He didn’t let them talk to each other, ordering them to shut up every time they tried to speak. He set a brisk pace and they were at the Hall of Justice just as the final light from the sun was dimming. The party was led to a different set of hallways a few stories up, they looked more like offices than the nice hallways and rooms that made up the courts on the lower levels. The dwarf soldier knocked on the door loudly. Amara pointed out that on the door was the same symbol that had been on the carriage.
The door burst open and Judge Stoneheart looked out. “Are they here?”
He looked like hell. His eyes were bloodshot, and his skin had a sallow tone to it even in the everburning torchlight. He took two steps into the hallway and grabbed Rynn by the shirt. “What have you done with her? Where is Veleria?” Rynn noticed that his hands were shaking fiercely. He could barely hold onto the ranger’s shirt.
The soldiers seemed a bit taken back by this outburst. Ranna growled and crouched down. “I need her back!” He shouted, spittle flying into Rynn’s face.
Both the soldier captain and Jenika moved to break them up as Rynn shoved him away. “Your excellency, that’s quite enough,” the dwarf said.
“What has happened?” Khaska said, watching Jenika and the soldier wrestling the judge away. Rynn took a step back, straightening his tunic, his eyes flashing from outrage to confusion. Amara just raised an eyebrow.
“It had to be you! She was supposed to go back home for the day, but she never showed up. It had to be you! Who else had reason to attack her?”
Rynn stepped forward, his temper flashing and Ranna began to bark. “I didn’t do anything with your stupid assistant. I want to pay my gold and get out of this gods-forsaken city!”
“What is going on!” came a voice. The party and the soldiers all turned to see another man standing in the hallway. The soldiers all saluted, except the captain, who was still restraining Judge Stoneheart with Jenika.
“High Justice, I was ordered to bring these people here, and have done so.”
“Hormon, what are the charges against them?”
“Kidnapping an officer of the court!”
“We did no such thing,” said Amara. “And we have witnesses to prove our alibis if you want.”
“What officer?” asked the Justice.
“My assistant, Veleria!”
“She is missing?”
“Yes, and they took her.” The Justice was now close enough to see Stoneheart up close.
“By Markus, what has happened to you?” By now Stoneheart was also sweating profusely.
“I need her back!” Stoneheart leapt back at Rynn, but Jenika was able to manhandle him to a kneeling position. “What have you done with her?” He continued to struggle.
“Guards,” the Justice said. “Please take Judge Stoneheart into my office. Put him on the couch. You,” he pointed at one of them, “go find a cleric. Something is obviously wrong here.”
The judge stopped struggling, and began to weep. His mood seemed to have turned on a dime, just like that. He allowed himself to be led away by the soldiers.
“My apologies, good citizens,” the Justice said. “I do not know what has happened, but it is clear that my compatriot is not in his right mind. You may go. I am sorry for this trouble.” He turned to follow the judge and the soldiers.
“Sir!” Amara’s voice rang out. The Justice turned. “We have information that may be of use.”
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow.
“What do you know about Veleria’s staff?”
“Her staff? Nothing I’m afraid. I’m not even sure she has anybody. She is staff to Hormon. I do not know if she has assistants. Why do you ask?”
“We saw a friend, well, an acquaintance, really, of ours driving her carriage.”
“Yes,” said Khaska. “A man by the name of Seth Mytor. We knew him from the inn we stayed in when we first came to this city. I saw him driving the carriage, and his behavior seemed odd. He recognized us, and apparently did not want to be seen.”
“When was this?”
“Just after the trial this morning, High Justice. Just before noon, I would think, though I cannot remember the exact time,” the cleric replied.
“And you know where this Seth is staying?” asked the Justice.
“Where he was staying. It has been many days since we were at that particular inn.”
“So, this afternoon, around or just before high noon, you saw this Seth driving Veleria’s carriage. And since, she has gone missing. Seth was also acting strangely, like he did not want to be seen. Am I correct?”
“Yes, High Justice,” said Amara. “Do you know anything about why Seth might be driving the carriage? Who hired him to do so?”
“I’m afraid I don’t keep track of the other Judge’s assistants and servants. I cannot help answer such questions at all, though perhaps one of Hormon’s head servants could.”
“You there, with the wolf. Ranger or Druid?” the Justice was looking at Rynn. Amara and Khaska turned to look at their friend. He was leaning against the wall, his arms folded. Jenika was merely standing in the middle of the hallway.
“What?”
“Are you a ranger or a druid? I assume that you are one or the other because of your wolf friend. Am I not correct in my assumptions?”
Rynn pushed off of the wall. “I am a ranger. What of it?”
The Justice frowned. “A bit testy today, or are you always this friendly?”
Amara stepped between them, smiling broadly. “Rynn was fined 300 gold pieces today for the crime of vigilantism. He still doesn’t think it fair.”
“The man I killed was a manipulative coward who kidnapped a child, blackmailed a single mother, and organized for us to be attacked and killed while escorting a caravan. He didn’t deserve to live.”
The Justice stared at him. “I see.”
“And now I’ve just been dragged here and blamed for something that I didn’t do.”
“A bad day for you all around.” The Justice was not smiling.
“Yes.” Rynn’s reply was frosty, and he leaned back against the wall.
“I can help,” said Amara. “If Judge Stoneheart is incapacitated, perhaps I could be of assistance. I could step in for Veleria, or something.”
The Justice turned to her. “Qualifications?”
“I am a daughter of the Paladilla House of the Third Citadel of Eskele. I am fluent in Common, Draconic, and Elven, and am apprenticed to Solus Hiddel here in the city.”
“A sorceress, then?”
“Yes.”
“What need does a sorceress have for doing legal paperwork?”
She paused for a moment. “None, sir. But I offer my assistance as a gesture of goodwill.”
“I too, can be of assistance,” said Khaska, “though perhaps we could help investigate what has happened here with Veleria and Judge Stoneheart.”
“A white-haired sorceress, a female monk, a ranger with a wolf, and a Maha’i cleric.” The Justice smiled. “It was you who all discovered what was happening in the Shrine of Piety, am I correct?”
“Yes, sir,” said Amara. “That was us.”
“And Hormon fined you 300 gold pieces? Hrm.” The Justice pondered for a moment, but just for a moment. “Time may be of the essence, so I will go with my first instinct on this matter.”
“Rynn, I cannot guarantee that a revisiting of your punishment will result in a different outcome, but I am in need of your assistance in particular right now. I know you are not beholden to me, nor to the city, and you are not a city watchman. However, if this Seth is to be tracked, then the sooner we send someone the better. If you will take your friends and track this man, with one of my city guards, I promise that I will personally look at your case again. If that offer will not work, perhaps I can simply implore you as one who is deeply worried about his friend,” at that he turned back to look at his door, which was slightly cracked open, shedding a small ray of light into the hallway, “and as one concerned for the safety of the city. You have already done us a great favor in uncovering the horrors in the Shrine of Piety. I ask you for another favor … will you track down this Seth? I fear if I sent for one of the city rangers the trail will have grown colder by the time one was found. It is late, and most likely there are none in the building. But you can leave right now, and know where this inn is.” He turned his head to look at Amara.
“Amara Palladia, your offer of assistance is most generous, but we have plenty of legal assistants who can step in to help. However, perhaps you could go to Judge Stoneheart’s house and retrieve whatever paperwork he and Veleria kept there. I know they worked from the house some days when there was no need to be here in the Hall of Justice.”
He swept his eyes over the group, and smiled at Jenika. “The silent type,” he said. “I assume you stand with your friends. That is good.”
Then he looked right at Rynn. “Will you help, Rynn? Please.”
Rynn unfolded his arms. “I will, if nothing else to save Veleria and clear my name.”
The Justice nodded solemnly. “One moment. Captain!”
The captain of the guards came out of his office. “Sir?”
“Accompany these people. They will be tracking someone who may be responsible for Judge Stoneheart’s condition and the loss of his assistant.”
“Yes sir.” He stepped forward. “Where to?”
“Follow me,” said Rynn.
“Shall I go to Judge Stoneheart’s?” asked Amara.
“Yes, let me write you an official note to that effect. I will also send you with one of the city watchmen.”
“Be well,” intoned Khaska, as he turned to follow Rynn’s retreating form.