The Righteous Blade

20

There was no necessity to bring him in chains, but they did. Rukanis supposed it was to give the impression he was a dangerous man, deserving of punishment. But as he looked about the court from his place in the dock, saw the faces and sensed the atmosphere, he knew they need not have bothered. He doubted anyone here could be further prejudiced against him.

He had been tortured, and there were times when he’d come close to betraying others. Somehow, he had found the strength to resist. Even when they threatened to tear out his vocal cords and still his voice forever. He felt proud of his defiance, and thought it a triumph of sorts, though his body ached atrociously with every breath.

The courtroom’s public gallery was empty, and the desk where defence advocates normally sat was unoccupied. The officials of the court numbered just three. A single judge, enthroned higher than everyone else and looking stern; his clerk, seated below; and a scribe to write down the proceedings.

Three people sat at the prosecutor’s desk. He knew all of them. Ivak Bastorran, the chief of the paladins himself,

alongside his nephew and prospective heir, Devlor. And Commissioner Laffon, looking like a perched vulture. A pair of guards, one on each side of Kinsel, completed the cast.

The court wasted no time in beginning its proceedings.

Unrolling a vellum scroll, the clerk rose, cleared his throat and launched into the formalities. ‘You are Kinsel Rukanis, a singer by profession, and citizen of the Gath Tampoorian Empire, officially resident in the city of Merakasa?’

All Kinsel could do was stare at him. It was as though he’d forgotten how to talk.

‘You must answer,’ the judge grated harshly.

Kinsel swallowed. ‘I am.’ His voice sounded feeble and uncertain.

‘The charges will be put to you,’ the clerk continued, ‘and you will enter a plea. Do you understand?’

‘I protest,’ Kinsel managed. ‘I’ve been allowed no legal representation and-’

‘Silence!’

the judge bellowed, hammering his bench with a gavel. ‘This is not the time for speeches. You will answer the questions the clerk of the court puts to you. Read the indictment against the prisoner.’

‘Kinsel Rukanis. You are charged that on diverse dates and in concert with person or persons unknown you did deliberately and with calculated malice conspire to pass on, disseminate and otherwise broadcast certain confidential information in your trust, to the detriment, potential harm and embarrassment of the Empress, her servants and people. You are further charged with consorting with others with a view to plotting violent and disorderly acts directed at legally constituted authorities and various law enforcement agencies serving those authorities. You are lastly charged that you did scheme, conspire, offer aid to and generally abet designated enemies of the state to commit certain treasonable acts designed to disturb the peace of the realm with the object of

undermining and ultimately overthrowing the said state. How do you plead?’

‘The charges are meaningless. They imply anything you want them to.’

‘You will respond as directed!’

the judge thundered. ‘Do you plead guilty or not guilty?’

‘I’ve suffered ill treatment. Torture. My rights have been-’

‘The accused will be quiet or be silenced.

Guards!’

Kinsel’s warders moved in and painfully tightened his chains. They shoved him to the rail at the front of the dock, knocking the wind out of him.

‘How do you plead?’ the clerk repeated.

Kinsel sighed. ‘Not guilty.’

‘The prisoner will be seated.’

His shackles were sharply jerked, causing him to come down heavily on a wooden chair fixed to the floor.

‘The prosecution may summarise the state’s case,’ the judge directed.

Laffon got to his feet and, for the sake of the record, identified himself to the court. He added that under the newly instigated anti-insurgency laws the statutory right to act as prosecutor in cases relating to terrorist offences had been conferred on his office.

So it was that one of the supposed victims of conspiracy was also the gatherer of evidence against Kinsel, and his main accuser.

‘Despite the range and breadth of the charges against the prisoner,’ he began, ‘this case is essentially quite simple. It is our contention that the accused has long conspired with revolutionary and criminal elements whose sole aim is to bring about the downfall of our gracious Empress’ legally constituted government.’ He paused to let that soak in. The scribe’s quill scratched against his sheet of parchment.

‘We do not seek to weary the court with reams of

evidence,’ Laffon went on, ‘damning as that testimony undoubtedly is. Let one or two examples of this man’s treachery suffice. Your Honour, I beg leave to present the state’s first witness.’

‘Proceed.’

‘I call Ivak Bastorran, High Chief of the Paladin Clans.’

Bastorran stood up.

‘I see no necessity to insist on protocol,’ the judge told him. ‘You may give your evidence from where you are, Chief Bastorran. Please be seated.’

‘Thank you, Your Honour.’ Bastorran sat again.

‘I understand all witnesses have been sworn-in prior to this hearing,’ the judge said.

‘That is so, Your Honour,’ Laffon confirmed.

‘Then let’s get on with it, shall we?’

Laffon turned to the paladin and smiled. ‘I think we can keep this fairly brief. Be so kind as to look at the man in the dock and tell us whether you recognise him.’

‘I do.’

‘And how do you know him?’

‘As a public figure, naturally, whom I have in fact met on several occasions. Social functions, that kind of thing. I also know of him in my official capacity as a law enforcer.’

‘Perhaps you could elaborate on that.’

‘His name has featured in reports compiled by paladin operatives assigned to combating terrorist activities. I’m also aware that other law enforcement agencies have taken an interest in him for similar reasons.’

‘And how frequently has his name appeared in these reports?’

‘Oh, on numerous occasions. There are copious references to him in our files. The paladins have long harboured grave suspicions about him.’

‘How would you characterise the accused?’

‘As a fellow traveller at best, and at worst an active participant in illegality. But up to now he’s proved both too cunning and too well shielded by his dissident cohorts for us to bring charges against him.’

‘Do you regard him as a danger to the state?’

‘There’s no doubt about it. And I base that opinion not only on the evidence, but on the experience I’ve gathered during the many years in which it has been my honour to lead the clans.’

‘Thank you, Chief Bastorran.’

‘The accused may question the witness,’ the judge announced.

Kinsel was startled. No one had told him he would have an opportunity to question his accusers. The guards hoisted him to his feet.

‘Well?’ the judge said. ‘This is a busy court and we don’t have all day. Speak or lose the privilege.’

Kinsel took a breath. ‘You say, Chief Bastorran, that accusations have appeared about me in various reports. Can you tell me what the nature of these reports is?’

‘I can’t answer that question on the grounds of state security.’

‘Would it not be possible, then, to produce these reports here in court so that the judge might see for himself the allegations they contain?’

‘Again, state security forbids such documents being made public.’

‘But surely there’s no one here who could be considered a security risk. Why can’t-’

‘Overruled!’

The judge underlined his decision with a rap of the gavel. ‘The records are secret for sound reasons. The accused will pursue another line of questioning or withdraw.’

‘The people who compiled these reports,’ Kinsel said. ‘Couldn’t they attend court to-’

Laffon was on his feet. ‘I object, Your Honour. The accused is asking the same question differently expressed.’

‘I agree with you, Commissioner. Your objection is upheld. The accused must confine his questions to areas other than those covered by matters of state security.’

‘If I had an advocate,’ Kinsel complained, ‘perhaps the right questions would be asked.’

‘That is not germane. Be seated.’

The guards dumped Kinsel back in his chair.

‘Call your next witness, Commissioner.’

‘Thank you, sir. I call Devlor Bastorran, General-in-Chief of the paladin clans. Tell me, General, from your knowledge of the state’s anti-terrorist efforts, can you corroborate what your unc-what High Chief Bastorran has said about the accused?’

‘I can.’

‘You know Kinsel Rukanis to be a man the security services have taken an interest in for some considerable time, and whom you suspect to have been involved in insurgency?’

‘I do.’

‘Can you add anything to the portrait, so to speak?’

‘Yes. Rukanis’ name has been mentioned on several occasions by people under interrogation. These were felons and enemies of the state who were subsequently found to be culpable in matters of terrorism.’

‘In what context did these criminals refer to the accused?’

‘As a co-conspirator, a comrade-in-arms. Someone as deeply involved in deeds of civil insubordination as they were. But also as a man whom it was hard to gather evidence against. There were even hints that he might be protected by people in positions of influence.’

‘That’s an interesting line of inquiry, General. But one for another occasion, I think. So, to sum up, you’re saying that your assessment of the accused accords with that given by Chief Bastorran?’

‘I am saying that. The man’s a menace to decent folk going about their lawful business.’

‘Thank you, General.’

The judge glared down at Kinsel. ‘Questions?’ he snapped.

‘These people you claim named me under interrogation. Can you produce any of them in court?’

‘Regrettably, no,’ Devlor Bastorran responded, his face a picture of contriteness. ‘You have to understand that they were hardened revolutionaries and outlaws. Some were sentenced to long prison terms in various of the colonies. Several had the death sentence passed on them. Quite justifiably in my opinion. And one or two of the others, sadly, resisted questioning to the extent of deliberately forfeiting their lives.’

‘If their…

interrogation

was anything like mine, I’m not surprised.’

The judge’s gavel pounded his bench again. ‘The accused will refrain from making frivolous and irrelevant comments.’

‘If you can’t bring any of these people here, General,’ Kinsel said, ‘at least name them.’

‘Can’t be done, I’m afraid. That could compromise ongoing investigations. It’s a matter of-’

‘State security, yes. But perhaps you

could

tell the court who the persons of influence were who supposedly protected me?’

‘Objection!’ Laffon stated. ‘It must be obvious even to the accused that such sensitive information couldn’t possibly be exposed to public gaze.’

‘Where are the public?’ Kinsel argued. ‘I see none here.’

‘We’ll have no facetious remarks,’ the judge barked. ‘You’re right, Commissioner. Questions on this subject will not be pursued.’ He eyed Kinsel. ‘Do you have anything else to ask? Anything sensible, that is?’

‘I…’

‘I thought not. Do you have any further witnesses, Commissioner?’

‘Just one, Your Honour. He’s waiting outside.’

‘Well, bring him in, bring him in.’

‘Call Aido Brendall.’

The name meant nothing to Kinsel. But as the clerk directed the man to the witness stand, he recognised him. He was probably in his thirties. His build was average, his clothes unremarkable and his features nondescript. Except for one thing. He had a black leather protuberance in place of a nose. It seemed to be padded, and was held fast by narrow ties that ran round to the back of his head.

‘You are Aido Brendall, a corporal with the harbour watch patrol?’ Laffon asked.

‘I am, sir.’ It came as no surprise to anyone that his voice had a distinctly muffled quality.

‘I’ll not beat about the bush, Corporal. It’s evident to all present that you’ve suffered an injury. Tell me, did this come about whilst carrying out your duties on behalf of the citizens of Valdarr?’

‘It did, sir. I was disfigured in the line of duty.’

‘And was it not the case that several of your colleagues actually lost their lives in the same incident?’

‘They did, sir. Two of ’em, and a grievous loss to the watch patrol they were, sir.’

‘I believe a member of the paladin clans was also murdered that night.’

‘Yes, sir. Died heroically, he did.’

‘Please tell the court, in your own words, how this tragedy occurred.’

‘There’s not a lot to tell, sir. It was last summer, and my unit was patrolling the central docks when we got word of an illegal entrant getting off one of the ships. A woman, it was, along with a couple of children. Quite young they were, those

kids. Anyway, we spotted her and gave chase. We had a paladin assigned to our unit that night and he came along too. We caught up with the illegal, and she’d been joined by a man.’

‘Can you identify that man?’

‘Yes, sir. It was him.’ He pointed at Kinsel.

‘You’re sure?’

‘I’m not likely to forget, sir, seeing as what happened next.’

‘Do carry on.’

‘Well, we confronted him and the woman with the kids, and the next thing we know

another

woman turned up. I reckon she knew ’em. Was one of ’em, if you ask me. Because when we ordered her to stand aside, she attacked us.’

‘And as a result of that unprovoked attack, your two comrades and the gallant paladin officer gave their lives, and you were left badly wounded?’

‘Yes, sir. Scarred for life, sir.’

‘What part did the accused play in the assault?’

‘He egged her on, sir. No doubt about that.’

‘You saw him as the one behind the attack? The driving force, so to speak?’

‘I don’t reckon the one who did all the damage would have tangled with us otherwise, sir.’

‘To sum up: the accused, whom you have just identified, was deeply involved in an altercation that saw the deaths of three brave defenders of the peace and the severe injury of another, namely yourself?’

‘That’s just how it was, sir.’

‘I think the testimony of this witness, a man who puts himself at risk every day in order to preserve the peace and safeguard the good citizens of Valdarr, gives the lie to the accused’s protestations of innocence. Thank you, Corporal.’

‘Your witness,’ the judge rumbled, nodding at Kinsel.

‘You’ve told the court that you confronted five people that night. Two women, two small children and a man.’

‘You should know; you were the man.’

‘I want to establish something. Your group consisted of three harbour watchmen and a paladin, all of you trained fighters. In the case of the paladin, a highly experienced swordsman, I imagine. Is that right?’

‘That’s right.’

‘When the fighting began, did either of the children join in and attack you?’

‘That’s ridiculous. Of course they didn’t.’

‘Did both of the women attack you?’

‘Just the one.’

‘And what about the man? Did he take part in this brawl?’

‘You know you didn’t.’

‘So the fact is that four very experienced law enforcers faced one woman, who killed three and dealt you a serious injury?’

‘Well…yes. But she was good. By which I mean she was wild. Deranged, possibly. There was no reasoning with her.’

‘Did you

try

to reason with her? Or did you simply order her aside so you could get at the non-combatants? Isn’t it possible that-’

‘Objection, my lord!’ Laffon was up again. ‘It seems the accused is trying to imply a justification of self-defence for this terrible event. And if he is, isn’t that as good as admitting that he was present?’

‘I’m inclined to agree,’ the judge replied. ‘Also, the exact circumstances of the incident are secondary to the fact that three law-keepers were killed. There can be no justification for that, and anyone present, in whatever capacity, must be seen as an accessory. This line of questioning will cease. Does the accused have any more questions?’

Kinsel wearily shook his head and sank back onto his chair.

The harbour watchman was dismissed. Then the judge instructed Laffon to deliver his final arguments.

‘Your Honour, I do not propose wasting the court’s precious time on a lengthy summation of the prosecution’s case. The facts speak for themselves. We have heard from the two highest officials of the esteemed paladin clans, and they left us in no doubt of their conviction that Kinsel Rukanis is a dangerous and manipulative individual. In respect of the evidence of Aido Brendall, the court was presented with the testimony of a dedicated and courageous public servant who related how the accused was involved in a vicious act of violence. And you will have noted, Your Honour, that Rukanis did not deny being present at the docks the night murder and mayhem were doled out. My lord, the fact that Kinsel Rukanis is a man of some notoriety makes his crimes all the worse, for such as he should always set a law-abiding and patriotic example. One element of the accused’s personality has not been mentioned in court today, but is well known. I refer to his espousal of pacifism. This, too, has a bearing on the issue of patriotism. For how can a man be called a patriot if he does not believe in fighting for his country, and who, indeed, encourages others to embrace his skewed doctrine? What distorted view of the world is it that sees cowardice and contempt for one’s homeland as virtues to be championed? For such a philosophy, if it can be dignified with so noble a title, and for the evidence we have heard today, there can be only one verdict.’

‘The accused may speak in his defence,’ the judge directed.

Kinsel turned weary eyes upon the judge. ‘Is there any point?’

‘The people must be satisfied that the due process of law has been observed. I won’t have it said that a defendant in my court was not allowed to put his case.’

‘My lord, I’m sure that’s what the people say already. The difference between me and all here is that I regard my fellow citizens as possessing the intelligence to decide between true

justice and a sham. And I believe, passionately, that genuine justice is the birthright of every man and woman, whatever their walk of life, and however their hopes and aspirations are seen by their rulers. I didn’t expect a fair trial. I wasn’t disappointed in that.’

‘A pretty speech, and one not designed to wring sympathy from this court. The scribe will strike that portion of the proceedings from the record, and say only that the accused turned down the opportunity to speak on his own behalf.’

The scribe gave him a small bow and scored through what he had written.

‘I see no need to retire and contemplate the evidence presented here,’ the judge declared. ‘The facts seem clear cut to me. However, as no direct evidence has been presented that portrays you as an actual participant in violence, I am minded to be lenient.’

A tiny spark of hope was ignited in Kinsel’s breast.

‘Nevertheless, the charges

are

grave, and a law lord must always be aware that the punishments he hands down should act as a deterrent to others. Kinsel Rukanis, I find you guilty as charged. By virtue of the powers invested in me by the constitution of Gath Tampoor and its protectorates, I sentence you to be delivered into the custody of the naval branch of the correctional system. You will serve an indefinite term of hard labour as part of a galley crew. And may the gods show you mercy for the wrongs you have committed.’

It was a false hope. Being condemned to work as a galley slave was as final as a direct death sentence. The only difference was that working the galleys meant a death more lingering, more prolonged than one by the rope or block.

‘It is the wish of this court that the sentence be carried out without delay. Take the prisoner away.’

All Kinsel could think of as they manhandled him from

the dock was Tanalvah and the children. And of the child she carried, that he would never see.

As he was led past the Bastorrans and Laffon, he saw that they were in good spirits.