her fertile years: sufficient to substantially increase the borders of
the Hold when the children were old enough to claim their land grants.
Held in the capacious Lower Cavern at Benden Weyr, the first of the two
trials was a sobering, well-conducted affair. At one time there had
been trained legists on Pern, but the need for such persons had waned.
Most arguments were settled by negotiated compromise or, when all
negotiation efforts failed, by hand-to-hand combat.
Consequently a spokesperson for the accused guards had to be found: one
of the teachers from Fort Hold who specialized in legal contracts and
land deeds reluctantly agreed to officiate.
Gardner had not been very enthusiastic about involving himself, however
briefly, with rapists but he recognized the necessity for representation
and did his best. He had perfunctorily questioned the victims as to the
identity of their alleged assailants and tried to shake their testimony.
The three women were no longer the frightened, half-starved wretches who
had been so abused. Their time in the Weyr had done wonders for their
courage, self-esteem and appearance.
Gardner even insisted that the had been rehearsed in their testimony,
but that did not m gate the circumstances of the grievous bodily and
mental harm inflicted on them.
Sure I rehearsed,’ the oldest of the women said loudly. In me mind,
night after night, how I was flung down and .
done by dirty men as wouldn’t have dared step inside a decent woman’s
hold with such notions in their head. I ache still rehearsing . . .
and she spat the word at him, what they again and again and again.” For
emphasis she slammed one fist into the other hand. Gardner ceased that
line of questioning.
In the end, he managed one small concession for the the right to be
returned to their Contract Hold, following the trial, rather than have
to make their own way back to Bitra.
Fat lot of good that’ll do them,’ Zulaya muttered under breath when he
won that point. Chalkin hates losers and e guys have lost a lot more
than their contract.
I wonder what sort of tone Chalkin’s next letter of protest will take,’
Irene said with a malicious chuckle. Paulin had received a thick screed
from the Bitran Holder when he discovered the unmitigated interference
of assorted renegade dragon riders in his affairs and the abduction of
loyal holders from their premises’. If he dares make one . . . She
went on.
Oh, why did it have to snow so hard? I’d love to have had him here
when his guards said they “was only following orders to keep the holders
from leaving”! M’shall would have gathered him up in a ball and
rendered him spit less M’shall had assumed the role of prosecutor,
claiming that right since it had been his riders who were first on the
scene.
He had been exceedingly precise in manner and in his questioning.
Poring over the Charter and what books Clisser could send him on legal
procedures,’ Irene told Zulaya with a broad grin.
It’s done him a world of good. Taken his mind off the spring, you
know.
Zulaya had nodded approvingly. He’d have been a good legi st or did
they call them lawyers? No, barristers.” Yes, barristers stood before
the judge and handled the trial procedures,’ Irene replied.
Gardner wasn’t half bad, you know. He tried,’ Zulaya remarked.
I’ll even forgive him asking for mercy for those miserable clods.
After all, he had to appear to work for his clients,’ she added
tolerantly. I’m glad we had lantine sit up close. I want to see his
sketches of the trial. I could wish he worked as fast with my
portrait., Your portrait is scarcely the same thing as annotating a
trial. And he’s to come to Benden when he’s finished with you two, you
know.
Zulaya was pleased to hear the pride in Irene’s voice when she mentioned
lantine. He was a Bendenian.
You mean, when he’s finished sketching our riders?” Irene gave a
wistful smile, tinged with sadness. You’ll be glad he did. I wonder
will he do the same thing for us at Benden?” Whatever he can fit in,