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of spooled railings and stuffed brocade chairs that crowded the chamber at
floor level.
The image flickered and dimmed as he passed under the shadow of the far
balconies, then stepped through a narrow door into darkness.
The mirrowstone's image pooled like ink. Elienne heard the faint creak of wood
as Darion seated himself to wait. He intended to observe the proceedings for a
time before he made his presence known, so that his own strategy could be
timed to best advantage. Elienne spent the interval sampling the fruit
basket's contents. When she next consulted the mirrowstone, Darion was newly
visible, silhouetted against a narrow square of illumina-
tion. Beyond the door of the cubicle where he sat, servants could be seen
lighting the wall sconces in prep-
aration for Taroith's trial.
Elienne returned to her chair by the arrowslit and looked out. The hazy band
of a fog bank had erased the sea's horizon. Though blue sky and sunlight shone
fair over the castle's towers, Pendaire's coastal location made it a land
victimized by changeable weather. Elienne studied the brooding, gray curtain
of what surely ordained a squall, ears filled with the seethe of current over
the rocks below. She wished a fire still burned in the hearth.
It had been a mistake not to ask Darion for a maid.
In the chamber of Pendaire's Grand Justice, notables had beguin to gather.
Elienne leaned over the mirrow-
stone and tried to pick out faces amid the mottled patches of color that moved
on the dais, but the image was far too small for details. She used the link to
communicate her frustration to Darion.
Faisix is there, the one in the Regent's robes of gold, white, and black. The
red sleeves denote his own house of
Torkal. He will preside, today, over the Grand Judge, since the case is
treason against the crown. The Grand
Judge wears the white and silver, signifying impartiality.
The third member of the tribunal which heads the Grand
Justice is a Master. Emrith, the Sorcerer in green at Faisix' s left hand,
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will verify the truth of testimony, as necessary.
Unfortunately for us, he was lelond's most outspoken critic.
Elienne put her finger on the mirrowstone and mentally assumed the memory of
the Sorcerer who had directed the fiat, impersonal stare upon her at the
betrothal banquet.
He's the one, Darion sent. The row immediately oppo-
site the dais holds those who will testify. Garend and
Kennaird are there. Listen closely, they're starting.
Faintly Elienne heard the tap of the Regent's scepter.
The distant hum of background conversation subsided as
Faisix rose and began the opening ceremony. Yet he did not retire after the
closing line. The mirrowstone reflected
Darion's sudden uneasiness, and Elienne understood his additional speech was a
departure from strict custom.
'Your Lordships, honored members of the Collective, Excellencies, I ask your
attention this moment for an appeal.' The raw conviction of the words carried
clearly, even across the mirrowstone's tenuous link. 'We are gathered today to
pass judgement upon a member of the
Select of Pendaire's Grand Council, at a moment of grave and imminent
uncertainty. Until the royal succession is assured, we are a kingdom in peril,
vulnerable through
our lack of definitive sovereignty. I beg all of you to examine the accused's
case with extreme care, that the verdict not be influenced by the concern we
all share for our Prince. If treason has been committed against His
Grace, let us face it untempered by emotion. I personally
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hope Taroith proves innocent. Through his years of
Mastership, I believe he has served the crown faithfully and well. By
Ma'Diere's Grace, I would be pleased to grant an acquittal, and commend him to
more of the same.'
A low murmur swept the chamber as Faisix returned to his chair. Elienne swore
savagely, the mirrowstone heated as a coal in her hand by the resonance of the
Prince's anger. A court herald began to cite the charges of treason and
conspiracy, but the list was obliterated by the thought
Darion directed through the link.
Cleverness has always hallmarked our Regent's style.
The accumulated evidence will condemn all the more swiftly by contrast after
that brazen show of idealism. How
I long to break that facade.
The chamber quieted as the Grand Judge called for the accused to be brought
before the Tribunal. Bent intently over the mirrowstone, Elienne saw Taroith's
entry as a blur of gray flanked by the black and gold surcoats of guardsmen.
His soulfocus was either absent or dimmed to the point where it could not be
seen through the mirrowstone.
The herald's recitation was overlaid immediately by a strong surge of outrage
from Darion. They've fettered him. Damn them to Eternity, they'll soon regret
that piece o f foolishness.
A Master's word, E!ienne understood, was a bond after which the steel was an
insult. The Prince's fury bored through the interface with tangible force, but
the visual image of his person showed only flawlessly calm restraint.
Darion made a formidable opponent, Elienne observed~
suddenly glad her quick temper had not had the chance to alienate him.
The court will now hear testimony in defense of Taroith's innocence, Darion
sero, in answer to E~'~enne's ignorance of procedure. Then the opposing case
will be set forth, after which the accused may speak in his own behalf. The
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Tribunal then calls for a vote from the Collective gathering, the result of
which counts as one, followed by a vote of equal weight cast by each member of
the Tribunal. Three to one, guilty, and Taroith is condemned. A tie demands a
second hearing.
E!ienne listened with impatience through the two elders who spoke in Taroith's
behalf. They lectured in broadly general terms on the Sorcerer's good
character, and briefly listed charitable causes he had championed. The
Collective fretted in their chairs. Kennaird's statement was badly weakened by
his nervous delivery, and his description of Taroith's visit to Nairgen's
cottage was heard through an atmosphere of restless disbelief.
'Taroith acted in his Grace's best interests.' the appren-
tice said, over a rising barrier of background conversation.
Lamely he took his seat.
The Regent formally closed the defense proceedings.
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