Foundling Wizard (Book 1) (17 page)

“We always feel welcome, Brother Usule,” she said. “But thanks for the words, nonetheless.”

“You’re one of the few guests who return on a regular basis, and the only one who truly appreciates our efforts,” he answered. “So tell me. How can we help you, other than through our meager efforts to produce a palatable meal?”

“I’m headed up to the Lake District to meet up with a young wizard and his charges. I was on my way to deliver young Chedel to Amedon, but now I must alter my plans. I fear that it may be dangerous for him to accompany me.”

Several monks dressed similar to Brother Usule appeared. They wore white aprons over their brown robes. Each one carried a platter loaded with jams, jellies, syrups and confections. One of the monks stopped at their table. He placed the tray in the center and quickly left. He returned moments later with a second platter laden with pancakes, egg toast, biscuits, muffins and an assortment of breads. After placing them on the table, the monk who served them bowed deeply and addressed them.

“Please, accept my humble attempts to achieve perfection here, on earth. While we accept that perfection is beyond the reach of the living, it still remains a worthy goal.” He waved his arm towards the table and continued, “May these humble efforts please you and bring you closer to perfection yourself.”

“I have some winter gear I would like to store with you for a while,” Rotiaqua said around a mouthful of pancakes slathered in tart grape syrup. “I don’t want to haul it all the way to the Lake District and back.”

“We would be pleased to be of service Maestra. But I guess that this isn’t the extent of your desire,” Brother Usule said, giving Rotiaqua a look of concern.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you keep the lad safe here for a while?” she asked. “I’m loath to take him into danger with me. He’s just a lad and with his power so freshly awakened, he is a defenseless target.”

“Please, don’t leave me behind,” Chedel begged. “I want to stay with you. I want to meet up with Lorit.” He tugged at Rotiaqua’s robe. “Please.”

“Chedel, please calm down. It’s only for a short while,” she said, dislodging his hands from her robe.

“Please Brother; you know I wouldn’t ask unless it was important.”

“Indeed it is a lot to ask,” Brother Usule replied. “We have maintained a strained truce with the temple of Ran by staying outside of your struggle. You know that.”

“I understand, I wouldn’t ask this if it were not important to me,” she answered.

“I'll have to discuss this with the elders,” Brother Usule said. “It’s not my decision. I fear that we both already know which way they will decide.”

He stabbed a small biscuit with his knife, deftly splitting it in half and slathered it with jam. “Let’s not let such talk disturb our enjoyments, shall we?” he suggested.

They discussed niceties during the rest of the meal. Rotiaqua shared the location of a small shop she’d encountered outside of Ruton End that made the most delightful spiced gravy. Brother Usule described the best way to find and harvest the night blooming mushrooms that were poisonous during daylight hours, but by the light of the full moon opened their caps to spread their poisonous spores thereby rendering them edible for just a few hours one night each month.

After the meal, Rotiaqua and Chedel assisted the monks who were cleaning the dining area. They were particular about their cooking, and they would accept no help in meal preparation, but they had no such restrictions about cleaning up.

Shortly after cleanup was finished, Brother Usule returned. From the look on his face, Rotiaqua could tell that her request was going to be denied.

“I have conferred with the elders,” Brother Usule said. “As I feared, they feel this would prejudice our neutrality with the Temple, and open us to interference. Our sovereignty is almost as important to us as our culinary striving.”

“I understand, Brother. I will take the boy with me.” She patted the monk heartily on the back. Brother Usule stumbled under the impact. “Don’t worry, Brother, this doesn’t affect our friendship. I would not have asked this of you, were it not important, but I also respect your decision. I didn’t really expect anything else. I just had to make the attempt, for my conscience, if nothing else.”

“I am glad to hear that,” he said, straightening up. “We always enjoy your company. You will always be welcome here.”

“Come on, boy,” she said, grabbing Chedel by the arm and pushing him towards his horse. “We have a long way to go and not a lot more time.”

“Farewell Maestra,” Brother Usule called as they rode back down the road towards the gate.

Lorit and Chihon entered the court house along with a crowd of people returning to their business after lunch. There were several court rooms where trials were held. They found Ryvor by peering through the observation ports until they located him in the third one.

When they approached the door, the Patroller stopped them by lowering his spear. “State your business,” he demanded. “Only persons on official court business are allowed inside. Are you a victim or a witness?”

“I’m a witness,” Lorit answered. “And she’s with me,” he continued, indicating Chihon.

“What matter are you a witness in?”

“Ryvor. I was there when the brigands attacked his family,” Lorit explained.

“Your name?”

“My name is Lorit.”

“Just a moment,” the Patroller said. He stepped inside the court room pulling the door shut behind him. The second Patroller stepped in front of the door, continuing to block the way. After a few moments, the first Patroller returned. “Sit there.” He pointed to a bench across the hall from the court room. “Your name will be called when the time comes.”

“What will happen once I’m called?”

“You’ll be asked to recount your witness of the events,” the Patroller explained. “The judge will hear your witness, along with all concerned parties. Once he’s heard everyone, he’ll make his ruling.”

“I’ve never been in a trial before. What’s it like?” Lorit asked.

The Patroller looked at Lorit with a wry smile. “Your friend is fortunate to have the Honorable Hatith as a judge. Most judges don’t even entertain witnesses. Hatith is one of the better ones,” he said.

“He will hear arguments from the witnesses and the accused. Then he will decide if your friend is innocent or guilty. If he’s found guilty, the judge will decide if he gets life at hard labor or death,” the guard explained. “Just answer the questions he asks and don’t, for any reason, argue with the judge, unless you want to find yourself in jail along with your friend.”

“Thank you,” Lorit said. He took a seat on the bench, and Chihon sat beside him. The courtroom doors were solid oak, banded with brass and much heavier than Lorit would have expected. They must be meant to serve as a stronghold in times of need.

They sat patiently most of the afternoon before Lorit’s name was called. He rose and headed towards the Patroller. When he reached the door, the Patroller lowered his spear, once again barring entrance. “Just you,” he said, pointing to Lorit. “You have to wait outside,” he said, looking at Chihon.

“Why must I wait here?” she asked.

“Are you a victim or a witness?”

“Neither,” she replied.

“Please, wait there,” he said, once again indicating that she should take a seat on the bench.

“I won’t be long,” Lorit said. He reached out and squeezed her hand as he gently guided her towards the bench. “Wait for me.”

The Patroller raised his spear and opened the door for Lorit. As Lorit stepped into the room, he called out “Lorit! Witness!” The patroller closed the door behind him with a solid thud.

The judge sat behind a large desk that rested on a platform at the front of the room. Next to the judge, there was a seat in a boxed-in enclosure. At a table facing the judge, sat Ryvor. His legs were chained together through a loop of iron embedded in the floor. His hands were chained together through a large iron ring built into the table.

“Lorit. Witness. Please take the stand,” the judge said as he waved Lorit to the stand.

Lorit crossed the room and stepped into the witness stand. He quietly took his seat, looking at the judge. He’d never been in a court room and didn’t know what to expect.

The judge looked him over slowly. “Lorit?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Your Honor,” the judge said. “My name is Hatith, but you address me as Your Honor.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Lorit replied.

“That is your name?” the judge asked.

“Yes, Your Honor. My name is Lorit. I was witness to the attack on Ryvor’s family.”

“Are you in any way related to this man?” he asked, pointing to Ryvor. “A cousin? The son of some distant relative?”

“No, Your Honor, I’m not.”

“You witnessed the actions of Emundo and Rakkun that precipitated the actions of Ryvor?” the judge asked.

“I did, Your Honor,” Lorit answered.

“How did you come to be present when these actions took place?”

“Ryvor was kind enough to offer me a ride on his barge. I was headed this way and encountered them several leagues south of here.”

“Please, describe the actions of Emundo and Rakkun for the court,” the Judge requested.

Lorit described how the brigands had stealthily made their way onto the barge and held Ryvor’s daughter at knife point, how they had tied the family members to the chairs, and how they had used the amulets to subdue the man and his sons. Lorit left out the part where he’d used his powers to escape, implying rather that the magic of the amulets somehow simply faded over time.

The judge seemed inclined to believe the story as he told it. Cheap street-grade magic was subject to some unreliability, it seemed.

The judge dismissed Lorit as soon as he’d finished his witness. As Lorit left the witness box, the judge rapped his gavel on the desk and said, “I will render my ruling in a moment.” He took a drink from a large flagon that had appeared on the desk, beside him, during the proceedings.

Almost immediately, Hatith grabbed his throat with one hand and his stomach with the other. He doubled over, coughing and wheezing as he collapsed on the floor. Lorit jumped up from the witness box and rushed over to the man. He could smell the acrid smell on his breath and knew that the judge had been poisoned.

Lorit rolled him onto his back, extending his senses to encompass the judge. He was careful to extend his shields to protect the two of them in case of attack, but also to prevent any of the priests from detecting what he attempted.

He reached out until he could feel the poison in the judge’s system. He could see it as a malignant dark green color flowing from his stomach to his extremities, spreading rapidly. Lorit grabbed at the color with his power, slowly forcing the dark green from the color of decay towards the bright cheerful color of spring.

“Bring some fresh water,” Lorit called out to no one in particular.

He continued his examination and intervention. As the color lightened, the judge seemed to relax a little and the wheezing lightened. A Patroller arrived with a flagon of water. Lorit helped the judge sit up as the Patroller held the flagon to let him drink. As the cool, clear water flowed into the man’s body, Lorit could feel the poison dissipate.

The Judge sat in repose for a bit, finally catching his breath. He reached up towards Lorit, indicating that he felt he was strong enough to stand. Lorit extended his hand and helped the judge back to his seat.

“Thank you, young man,” Hatith said. “I don’t know what happened, but I think I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Lorit headed towards the doors when Hatith stopped him. “I think I’m ready to rule now,” he said. He stood and looked at Ryvor.

“This young man describes a situation where a man and his family are accosted, tied up, beaten, threatened and mistreated by a pair of bounty hunters,” he proclaimed. “While this court does condone the practice of bounty hunting, we do not condone the violent tactics used by the two men in question.

“In the matter of Ryvor for the murder of Emundo and Rakkun, I find that the man Ryvor acted out of defense of his family,” he said. He sat once again and banged the gavel. “Release the prisoner. You are free to go.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Lorit said.

The Judge thanked him and turned to the clerk to prepare for the next trial.

Lorit walked over to the table where Ryvor was being released from his chains. Ryvor rubbed his wrists as soon as the shackles were off. He stretched and twisted his body to relieve the cramps from sitting bound for the entire day.

“I thought you were gone,” Ryvor said. “What happened?”

“They have Ardser in the jail,” Lorit answered. “We were on our way out of town when the Patrollers grabbed him. We found out he was going to be turned over to the priests and that you were to be judged today.” Lorit turned and headed for the doors.

“How are we going to get Ardser out of jail?” Ryvor asked.

“We’re going to get him out of the temple tonight,” Lorit answered. “I have done this before, and I think that is our best option. I needed to get you out of here today, or else Ardser would have to go through life with no Pa.”

As they emerged from the courtroom, Chihon stood looking from Lorit to Ryvor. “Ryvor?” she asked.

“Yes,” Lorit replied.

“Ardser looks just like you,” she said. “I’m Chihon. I’m helping Lorit get Ardser to Amedon.”

“Thank you for your help,” he said.

Ryvor turned to Lorit and said, “And thank YOU for your help. I don’t know what I would have done without your assistance today.”

Lorit, Chihon and Ryvor sat patiently in the square, waiting for the sun to set. They sat under the same tree where Chihon had waited for Lorit to return from his earlier foray.

“Do you think he’s in there or did they already take him to the temple?” Chihon asked.

“I don’t sense him in there. That means they’ve probably already moved him.” Lorit stood up and shouldered his pack. “I think it will soon be time for Evening Prayer. That’s when I’ll enter the temple,” he explained.

They walked the few blocks to the temple, waiting across the street. Families dressed in their finery entered in small clusters as carriages dropped off more.