Grimond and his men entered Kalahath and were immediately taken into the custody of the constabulary, who escorted them to Lorvig’s ship at the docks.
“You will remain under house arrest,” the High Marshall ordered, “Until a judge can hear your case.”
“What about my brother?” Grimond demanded.
“He will remain with my healers until the Mage Hand can see him,” the High Ranger explained, “she is exceptionally skilled in these matters, and your father’s rank warrants her attention.”
“That horrible little girl!” Jarlen snapped as the generals and their men left them on deck and walked down the gangplank, “How dare she treat us like criminals! After we risked our lives to save that ungrateful wretch!”
“Watch your tongue. That ‘ungrateful wretch’ is the daughter of the Queen. You’d be wise to remember that. Besides, we’re not being treated like criminals, Jarlen,” Grimond replied calmly, “The constables only apply house arrest when they believe the victim to be innocent – it’s their not-so-subtle protest to being misused by noblemen.”
“And yet we still await judgement.”
The cold truth of Jarlen’s statement was undeniable. Despite their innocence and the constables’ agreement, they were still under house arrest to answer to charges of kidnapping and attempted murder – simply because they saved the princess’s life.
It was a boring and bitter three days aboard the Blessing of Altor before a squadron of soldiers made their way down the Blessing’s dock.
“REINFORCEMENTS!” Bramden called from the watch post on the bow of the Blessing.
Grimond rushed to the main rails. “Reinforcements” was the agreed upon signal that Lorvig had been seen, and he was indeed among the group coming to the Blessing of Altor. He was not alone; Lord Vanian walked beside his son, as well as two score soldiers in heavy armor, a collection of nobles in fine attire, and a Judge.
“It appears that our house arrest has come to an end,” Grimond muttered to his gathered men, “for better or worse.”
The Judge sat at the center of the serving table, having requisitioned the ship’s dining room to hold his court. The Queen of Urthendril sat to his right side, and the Battle Hand of Urthendril – the highest military authority in the Empire – sat beside her. To the judge’s left, the Mage Hand of Urthendril consulted with her pair of apprentices. Within the court however, the Judge’s authority outweighed the Queen and her counselors.
Grimond, Lorvig, and their guards all sat at the long dining table to the right of Judge and his retinue. Lord Vanian sat at the far end of their table with Larny and High Ranger Corlan, to provide witness to the court.
At the other long table sat the other gathered nobles that had been dragged along. Under the direction of a High Juror, the jury would allow the judge to pass sentence upon the Lordlings and their men.
“We shall begin with the statement of the accusations,” the judge began, unceremoniously, “Grimond ut Vanian of Kalahath, you and your men have been accused of kidnapping, mistreating, abusing, and attempting the murder of Princess Larny, Daughter of her Majesty the Queen and Heir of the Empire.
“What is your answer to these charges?”
“We are most definitely innocent, your honor!” Grimond exclaimed.
The look of shock on Lorvig’s face revealed that the healers had not informed him of the charges.
“High Ranger Corlan,” the Judge said, “You brought these charges before the court, did you not?”
“I did – based upon the testimony of Her Majesty the Princess.”
The Judge turned his attention to Larny, sitting at the foot of the dining table, looking small in the seat meant for a burly sailor.
“Come forward, Princess Larny,” the Judge ordered, “to testify before the court.”
Larny rose from her seat, walking slowly up the aisle between the two dining tables. She looked angrily at Grimond as she approached the head of the table, but then her gaze passed to Lorvig and she quickly, sheepishly looked down to the floor.
“Do you swear, Princess, that the charges you accused these soldiers of are true?”
Larny shifted nervously, looking sheepishly back toward Lorvig again before she replied, “I do.”
The banging of a chair sounded from the end of the table as Lord Vanian leapt to his feet, but the Queen immediately raised her hand to forestall the Lord’s objections.
“Need I remind you, child, that the accusation of perjury can fall even upon the Queen?”
Larny hung her head at her mother’s words, looking a third time toward Lorvig.
“I admit fault, your Honor.” Larny confessed, “In saving me, these men risked their lives, and one nearly died of his wounds. When they made to bring me home I was angered, and acted out against their leadership – it was childish of me, and further endangered Lord Lorvig’s life. I spoke out of anger when High Ranger Corlan arrived and made accusations that were mostly untrue. I was indeed mistreated...”
“Your testimony has been heard by the court and the jury,” the Judge said, cutting her short with a wave of his hand. “You are charged with perjury. High Juror, please allow the jury to consult and sentence the child.
“The charges against the Lordlings of Kalahath are dropped and they are to be commended for their valiant efforts to return her majesty to her rightful place.”
Grimond breathed a sigh of relief as Vanian made his way up the table to join his sons.
“What happened after I fell?” Lorvig exclaimed.
“We made a series of apparently stupid decisions,” Grimond replied simply.
“Bravery and stupidity are often similar in execution,” Vanian counseled as he sat beside his sons, “Though apparently our Princess was quite taken aback by your sacrifice Lorvig – I’m not sure events would have gone the same today without it.”
“Yes – just don’t make a habit out of trying to die to save us,” Jarlen chuckled, “That’s supposed to be MY job!”
Servants entered the dining room with trays of meats and breads and mugs of wine and ale, placing them first before the Judge and the Queen, then moving down the dining tables for the Lords of Kalahath and the jury.
They ate with vigor, grateful to be past the trial at last.
The High Juror stood as they were finishing their meal and the Judge waved everyone back to attention.
“As a child,” the High Juror announced, “The jury has determined that her Majesty is not subject to the full dictates of the law. The jury sentences Princess Larny to three weeks of solitary confinement under the jurisdiction of the constabulary.”
The Judge slammed his gavel on the table, “So ruled. This court is dismissed.”
The dining room emptied surprisingly quickly after the Judge rose and disembarked from the Blessing of Altor. The soldiers took Princess Larny into custody to deliver her to the constables, and Grimond and Lorvig were left with their guards and Lord Vanian as Grimond recounted their adventure to his brother and father.
“I had hoped you would have more time,” Lord Vanian admonished, “you’ve already missed three parties, though the attention lavished upon you by the royal family will likely make up for any lost momentum in society.
“We still have one invitation, though you’ll have to prepare yourselves quickly – Lady Qairli is hosting a party in an hour. You WILL be there.”