Sir Gayan Kay, in full ornamental armour of silver plate, his broadsword by his side, told the court that witches were always demon-possessed, and that the only way to reach the truth was to drive the demon – albeit temporarily – from the body. This was done by the application of pain. Demons, being cowardly by nature, could not tolerate such pain, which left the human host able to answer questions with honesty.
Alterith tried to shut his ears to the nonsense as he scanned page after page of the Articles. Finally he found the section he needed. It came under the heading of Trials by Ordeal. He read it swiftly.
Sir Gayan concluded his statement and stepped back. The bishop conferred with the two abbots. Then he spoke. ‘We will allow Sir Gayan to conduct his examination this afternoon,’ he said.
Alterith rose. ‘May it please the court, I refer once more to Holy Law. Questioning under ordeal can only take place with the consent of the civilian authorities. Therefore no questioning under physical duress can take place without the permission of the Moidart. Any such questioning undertaken without permission would be in breach of the law, the results voided.’
‘With the court’s permission,’ said Arlin Bedver, ‘I could petition the Moidart for approval?’
Alterith watched the bishop intently. The Moidart had already found Maev Ring innocent of all charges. The bishop knew this. An application to the Moidart would almost certainly be refused.
‘That will not be necessary, Master Bedver,’ he said, at last. ‘We will delay no longer. Are your witnesses ready to give evidence?’
‘They are, my lord.’
‘Then let us move on.’
By the evening recess Alterith’s early jubilation at his successes was severely dented. Five witnesses had so far given evidence against Maev Ring, their testimonies – at least to Alterith Shaddler – appearing ludicrous in the extreme. One man had spoken of dreaming of a white goat which spoke to him, following the afternoon when Maev Ring had become his partner. After that, he said, he had felt compelled to abstain from church and became filled with the desire to frequent brothels.
What surprised Alterith, who felt like laughing out loud, was that no-one in the galleries seemed to find the evidence amusing. The spectators sat in grim silence, listening intently to every word.
‘How many dreams did you have of this white goat?’ asked Alterith.
‘Several,’ replied the witness, a thin man named Nade Holder, a ‘ carpet maker from the northern quarter.
‘And at what point did you begin to believe that the goat dream was a direct result of your partnership with Maev Ring?’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Shall I speak more slowly?’
‘I was bewitched by her,’ said Holder. ‘She cast a spell to steal my business.’
‘Would it surprise you, Master Holder, were I to tell you that I have statements claiming you have been visiting whorehouses for years?’
The man blinked and licked his lips. ‘But not as often as I have done since the spell was cast,’ he said.
‘So it was not a spell that first sent you to prostitutes?’
‘It was the devil tempting me,’ said Holder. He pointed at Maev Ring. ‘She is a servant of the devil.’
‘When did this become apparent to you? Two years ago when first she supplied you with capital to expand your business? A year ago when you began making handsome profits? When exactly?’
Holder looked uncomfortable. ‘I suppose it was when Parsis Feld died. Yes, around that time.’
‘After you had spoken to Jorain Feld?’
‘About the same time, yes.’
‘I see. So it was not when you dreamed of goats, or when you were rutting with whores, or when you were counting the large profits you had made from Maev Ring’s business acumen. How very revealing, Master Holder. How much do you expect to profit by this prosecution? Will it be worth ten pounds to you? A hundred? How much?’
‘I never gave it a moment’s thought,’ said Holder. ‘I am only here to do my civic duty.’
Alterith laughed scornfully. ‘You are scum, Holder. Of the worst kind. You are an ingrate and a liar, a whorer and a villain.’