And now it appeared that Derek’s successful return with a dragon orb had won the day. It had brought many knights into his camp who had been heading that direction anyway and actually enticed away some in Gunther’s s own faction. The only ones who opposed him still were the younger knights in the lowest order of the Knighthood-Knights of the Crown.
These young men had little use for the strict and rigid interpretation of the Measure that was life’s blood to tire older knights. They pushed for change-and had been severely chastened by Lard Derek Crownguard. Some came close to losing their knighthood. These young knights were firmly behind Lord Gunthar. Unfortunately, they were few in number and, for the most part, had more loyalty than money. The young knights had, however, adopted Sturm’s cause as their own.
But this was Derek Crownguard’s master stroke, Gunthar thought bitterly. With one slice of his sword, Derek was going to get rid of a man he hated and his chief rival as well.
Lord Gunthar was a well-known friend of the Brightblade family, a friendship that traced back generations. It was Gunthar who had advanced Sturm’s claim when the young man appeared out of nowhere five years before to seep his father and his inheritance. Sturm bad been able, with letters from his mother, to prove his right to the Brightblade name. A few insinuated this had been accomplished on the wrong side of the sheets, but Gunthar quickly squelched those rumors. The young man was obviously the son of his old friend-that much could be seen in Sturm’s face. By backing Sturm, however; the lord was risking a great deal.
Gunthar’s gaze went to Derek, walking among the knights- smiling and shaking hands. Yes, this trial was making him Lord Gunthar Ugh Wistan-appear a fool.
Worse still, Gunthar thought sadly, his eyes returning to Sturm, it was probably going to destroy the career of what he believed to be a very fine man, a man worthy of walking his father’s path.
“Sturm Brightblade.” Lord Gunthar said when silence descended on the hall, “you have heard the accusations made against you?”
“I have, my lord,” Sturm answered. His deep voice echoed eerily in the hall. Suddenly a log in the huge fireplace behind Gunthar split, sending a flare of heat and a shower of sparks up the chimney. Gunthar paused while the servants hustled in efficiently to add more wood. When the servants were gone, he continued the ritual questioning.
“Do you, Sturm Brightblade, understand the charges made against you, and do you further understand that these are grievous charges and could cause this Council to find you unfit for the knighthood?”
“I do.” Sturm started to reply. His voice brake. Coughing, he repeated more firmly, “I do, my lord.”
Gunthar smoothed his moustaches, trying to think how to lead into thus, knowing that anything the young man said against Derek was going to reflect badly upon Sturm himself.
“How old are you, Brightblade?” Gunthar asked.
Sturm blinked at this unexpected question.
“Over thirty I believe?” Gunthar continued, musing.
“Yes, my lord,” Sturm answered.
“And. from what Derek tells us about your exploits in Ice Wall Castle, a skilled warrior-”
“I never denied that, my lord,” Derek said, rising to his feet once again. His voice was tinged with impatience.
“Yet you accuse him of cowardice,” Gunthar snapped. “If my memory serves me correctly, you stated that when the foe attacked, he refused to obey your order to fight.”
Derek’s face was flushed. “May I remind your lordship that I am not on trial-”
“You charge Brightblade with cowardice on the face of the enemy,” Gunthar interrupted. “It has been many years since the elves were our enemies.”
Derek hesitated. The other knights appeared uncomfortable. The elves were members of the Council of Whitestone, but then were not allowed a vote. Because of the discovery of the dragon orb, the elves would be attending the upcoming Council, and it would never do to have word get back to them that the knights considered them enemies.
“Perhaps ‘enemy’ is too strong a word, my lord.” Derek recovered smoothly. “If I am at fault, it is simply that I am being forced to go by what is written in the Measure. At the time I speak of, the elves-though not our enemies in point of fact-were doing everything in their power to prevent us from bringing the dragon orb to Sancrist. Since this was my mission-and the elves opposed it-I therefore am forced to define them as ‘enemies’-according to the Measure.”
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