Mageborn The Line of Illeniel by Michael Manning (top novels of all time TXT) 📗

a small box, apart and behind the central dais. Theoretically he could intervene and overrule any decisions made, but James made it clear to me that such things rarely happened. The proceedings and the final decision would be made by the Lord High-Justicer, the Earl of Winfield.

The justicer was not the most highly ranked peer of course, that would have been James, or the Duke of Tremont, but apparently the position was not hereditary. It was by appointment of the king himself that a new justicer was chosen when necessary.

I leaned over to James, “What’s going to happen exactly?”

“A lot of rigmarole first, and then they’ll call Tremont up to make his case. After that I respond and then the justicer starts asking questions. We take turns calling witnesses if necessary. I hope you stopped by the privies before you arrived,” he winked at me.

“Where is Marc at?”

James frowned at that, “No idea, I sent him a message yesterday telling him to be here. I suppose his goddess is more important than keeping his father’s trust. Where’s Penny?”

“Point taken,” I responded. It wouldn’t look good for us if half our witnesses didn’t appear. The ‘rigmarole’ that James had mentioned was even more boring than I had imagined. After several minutes of introductions and speeches I was glad it was over. At last Lord Winfield got down to business.

“I believe Lord Tremont has a case to present before the court, please step up and make your claim clear.” The elder Tremont took the floor. He was a well-built man, close to James’ age, in his early forties at the oldest. He bore a presence of power and confidence around him, reminding me of James.

“I stand before you today to ask for justice. My son was slain while staying with the Lancaster’s and his murderer sits proudly here among us, with no shame for his crime,” he pointed at me disdainfully. “According to the reports given by Lancaster’s own servants, my son was threatened twice by different members of the duke’s household. First he was threatened by the man who eventually slew him...,” another nod in my direction, “...then by Dorian Thornbear.”

I started to stand but James put his hand on my shoulder, “Not yet, you’ll get your chance.”

Tremont continued, “This man threatened my son for no reason a few days before his murder, then declined an honorably given challenge. Instead he enticed my son into a chess match whereby he swindled him out of two hundred gold marks. Adding insult to injury Dorian Thornbear, another of Lancaster’s vassals, threatened to kill my son when he attempted to help the new Count di’Cameron after he had suffered an accident while hunting.”

He paused for a moment to survey the room, “I see young Thornbear has declined to appear today. No matter, doubtless his testimony would have only made the case more clear. Not only did he threaten my son’s life, but a Miss Penelope Cooper, the fiancée of young Lord Cameron, attempted to assassinate my son just a short time before Lord Cameron succeeded in the deed. She was seen attempting to stab my son with a dagger at the ball that evening. Reportedly it was his act of self-defense that finally drove Lord Cameron to murder him. It has been said that a small army of assassins attacked the Lancaster household that day, but it is my belief that Lord Cameron used the attack as an opportunity to carry out his plan for murder.”

Lord Tremont returned to his place and Lord Winfield stood up, “Lord Lancaster, how do you respond to these accusations?” James stood and took the floor.

“I declare them false, in their entirety. Those things mentioned by Lord Tremont that did hold some truth were twisted in their meaning and intention to cast guilt upon innocent. Devon Tremont used my invitation to bring assassins into my home in an attempt to wipe out the Lancaster family. While he was there he insulted my son and young Lord Cameron, which resulted in their disagreement. He attempted to murder Lord Cameron using magic during a boar hunt. Dorian Thornbear prevented him from finishing his task and showed remarkable restraint in not slaying Devon at that point. I invite you to call any of the principals named by Lord Tremont who are present today and I will stand behind their word.” James took a deep breath and looked across the assembled lords.

“Considering what occurred it is I who should be laying charges of wrongdoing at Tremont’s doorstep, if I were fool enough to believe him guilty of his son’s crimes.” He stepped back.

The justicer responded, “Do you wish to levy counter charges against Lord Tremont?”

“I do not, out of respect for our past friendship and the knowledge that he did not have any part in his son’s crimes,” James answered.

“How do you answer the charge that Dorian Thornbear threatened Devon Tremont’s life, or that Lord Cameron did the same, before eventually making good on his threat?” Lord Winfield would seek an explanation for each particular it seemed.

“Dorian Thornbear is not here to answer that charge, but I will call his friend and the other principal, Lord Cameron to respond,” James replied looking at me.

That was my cue so I approached the floor. Earlier I had feared I would be too nervous to speak, but anger had replaced my anxiety. “I am Mordecai Illeniel, the new Count di’Cameron. Devon Tremont insulted my adoptive parents and I did threaten him, but only with a beating. He challenged me to a duel and then agreed to a chess match in its place. He also suggested the wager of one hundred gold marks. I did not swindle him, I merely raised the stakes,” I took a moment to breathe and I could hear a few scattered chuckles amongst the crowd.

“How do you respond to the charge that Dorian Thornbear also threatened his life?”

“I am a wizard just as Devon Tremont was. He ambushed me during the boar