I’m sure. That young man’s got himself more work than he can handle.”
If he can get it all done before . . oh, the jury’s back.” The twelve
men and women, picked at random by straw from those who had come to
observe, had listened to all the evidence. Tashvi, Bridgely and Franco
had sat as judges. Now a silence descended over the room, so intense
that a cough was quickly muffled.
The three rapists were accounted guilty as charged and three more were
sentenced as accessories, since they had helped pin the victims down.
The penalty for the rape of a pregnant woman was castration, which was
to be carried out immediately. The others were to receive forty lashes,
well laid on by Telgar’s large and strong stewards.
They were lucky there isn’t Fall,’ Zulaya remarked to Irene, Lady Thea
and K’vin. Otherwise they could also have been tied out during the
next Fall.
Despite herself, Thea gave a shudder. Which is probably why there are
so few cases of rape recorded in our Hold’s annals.” Small wonder,’
K’vin said, crossing his legs again. Zulaya had noticed his defensive
position and her lips twitched briefly. He turned away. His Weyrmate
had nearly cheered -aloud when the verdict was dive red
You can’t do that to me,’ one of the guards was roaring now as he
belatedly realized the significance of the verdict.
He had been the leader of the men stationed at the eastern border
crossing. The other defendants were too stunned, their mouths moving in
soundless protest, Morinst being loud enough to drown out any complaint
they could voice. You’re none of you my Lord,’ he’d railed at three
Lord Holder iudges. You’ve got no right to do this.” And you had no
right to rape a pregnant woman!” But Chalkin ain’t even here.” The man
writhed in the grip of his guards.
Chalkin’s presence would have had no effect on the trial )r the
verdict,’ said Tashvi, at his most repressive.
But he should’ve been here!” Morinst protested.
He was invited to attend,’ Tashvi said without regret.
He’s gotta know. You can’t do nuthin’ without him knowing. I gotta
contract with him.
To rape, torture and humiliate?” Bridgely asked in too soft a voice.
Morinst clamped his lips shut. He struggled more violently as the
bailiffs aimed him towards the exit . . . And his punishment. Not
that he could escape either the sentence or the Weyr. The other two
were still too stunned to resist their removal to the infirmary where
the verdict would be carried out. Those to be lashed were brought
outside, though not all the audience followed to witness the corporal
punishment.
When that, too, had been completed and the men removed to have their
wounds treated, the observers filed back into the Lower Cavern.
While this was scarcely an occasion for celebration, except that justice
had been served, a substantial meal had been prepared. Wine was the
first item sought and served.
You were superb, M’shall, said Irene when her Weyrmate joined her, a
newly opened skin of Benden wine on his shoulder, and do please give me
a glass. Though I’m sure you need one more than I. Nice of Bridgely to
supply it,’ she added to Zulaya.
I think we all need it,’ the Telgar Weyrwoman said, glancing over to
where the three plaintiffs were celebrating with considerable
enthusiasm. Well, let them. Now what do we do’?” Well, we’ve the
second trial to get through. I hope it goes as well,’ M’shall said.
NO, with them,’ and his Weyrmate pointed to the three women.
Oh. That them. They say they just want to go back to their homes. Not
going to let Chalkin take it because they’re not there holding their
places.” He made a grimace. Some of them don’t really have much to go
back to. Chalkin’s bullies burned what was flammable and pulled down
what they could. I’d say the storms kept more damage from being done.
But,’ and he altered the grimace to a grin, give em credit. They do
own what they hold, and now they know it. It may give them a tad more