Path of the Magi (Tales of Tiberius) (41 page)

By the end of the day they were leading him up to the Lord’s seat in Castle Vonair.  Darras stepped up and presented the prisoner. 

“We believe this man guilty of cold blooded murder of the Queen’s subjects,” he said, handing Lord Brandon a list of the charges. 

Lord Brandon gave the paper a glance and then turned to the elf.

“These are serious charges against you.  Have you anything to say in your defense?  You need not speak now.   This is a preliminary hearing.  You are entitled to council, and as you are not one of the Queen’s subjects we will be happy to notify an ambassador of your own people if you so request.”

“I don’t speak with animals,” was the terse reply.

“I’ll take that as a ‘no contest’.  Very well, you’ll be held in our dungeons pending trial.  I advise you to speak with someone before your trial, if only a priest.  Get him out of my sight.” 

The guards took him away, but then Tiberius stepped up towards the lord.  

“Lord Brandon, a word,"  Tiberius said.

"What’s on your mind, Tiberius?" he answered.   

"This man's a rebel to King Oberon of the elves.  I think we should hand him over to the Alfaran authorities."

"Give him to the elves?” Darras frowned.  “Why?  He's murdered our people; we have every right to try him here."

"That's true.  But I was thinking of our people.  We want the Alfaran to deal gently with our people who trespass.  We need to give them something.  Returning a rebel would seem a gracious and appropriate gesture."

Lord Brandon considered a moment.  "It’s a good idea, but I’m not sure how to proceed.  We don’t have any sort of formal extradition treaty with the elves.  I suppose I could write to the capital.” 

“Pity Lord Gillyian’s run off who knows where,” Darras said.  “He could probably give us some good advice.”

"I've got a social contact among the Alfaran,”  Tiberius said.  “I can write and she can give us some advice.  At least she could tell us who to talk to.”

"All right.  Make it so.  But do it quickly.  The less time this man spends under our roof the happier I'll be,"  Lord Brandon said. 

Tiberius dashed off a note to Salina.  Her response was swift.

"I have informed the Countess of your request.  I have it on good authority that the Countess will look kindly on your case.  I am permitted to inform you that you have leave to appear before court to present your prisoner.  Lord Gillyian will meet you at the river and escort you, Lord Darras, and the prisoner to the local court.  God willing, I will have a chance to see you there." 

He showed the note to Darras and Lord Brandon. 

"Hmm, bit doubtful about seeing you, isn't she?  I'd feel better if we had more of a guide,"  Darras said.

"I know Lord Gillyian, too.  I'm sure he will assist us with protocol.  As to my Salina, she told me the Countess doesn't like her being at court.  Maybe doesn't like two people around with the same name?  I don't know.  I don't really know much about the Countess."

"None of us do,"  Lord Brandon said with a frown.  "We'll risk it, though.  We need better relations with the elves if we’re to bring any sort of peace to this land."

The next morning, Tiberius, Darras and the prisoner were across the river from Lord Gillyian and a small troop of Alfarans.  

The Rangers rowed them across the river.  The prisoner took a glance at Lord Gillyian.

“The King’s lackey himself.  How our race has fallen.”

“It’s on that subject the Countess would like a word with you.  We’ll make sure you don’t get lost along the way, brother.”

“Friends of animals are not my brothers.” 

“Mind your tongue, rebel.  If we’re no kin, I’ve no cause to keep you alive,” Gillyian snapped.  

It was a long, quiet ride thought the forest.  Darras had the impression that the paths they walked down were far from ordinary.  They rode for hours but they seemed to be deeper into the woods than they could have traveled in that time.  Still, it was hard to judge time or distance when surrounded by trees and brush.  By evening they stopped at a small village.   

The Alfaran seemed strangely subdued here.  The presence of the rebel seemed to disturb them all. 

The next morning they reached the Alfaran city.  Tiberius had never been here before; indeed, few humans had ever been allowed this deep inside King Oberon’s territories.  It was a wondrous sight, a mixture of classical architecture woven with greenery.  It was as if the whole city was a garden. 

Some of the guards stopped them at the entrance. There seemed to be no central keep in this city, but they were led to an ornate building which seemed to be in the city's center.  There were fountains in front of it at least, and guards at the entrance.  The guards came up to them as they approached.    

"We will take custody of the prisoner,”  the guards said.  “The Countess wants a word with you before the prisoner is brought in." 

Darras looked at Tiberius who nodded assent.  The prisoner was given to the guards and Darras and Tiberius were led forward.

The formal chambers seemed much like any other courtroom hall, save that there were a lot of plants around.  The countess was on a throne ahead of them.  She was wearing a dress of white and gold and a matching white veil which was draped over her head, which was tipped down, so they still had no idea what she looked like.  They were led forward to the very edge of the throne.  Darras was very nervous; he'd had his problems with dignitaries and he certainly didn't want to make a bad impression now.  The Alfarans were proud and powerful.  Tiberius's face seemed a bit out of joint as they approached.   Had he sensed some danger to them? 

One of the elves made the introduction. 

"Captain Darras Walker, representing the Stewardship, delivering a prisoner for justice, M'lady.  Escorting him, Tiberius the Magus.  Gentlemen, I present the Countess Salina." 

Darras stepped forward and bowed.  "It is an honor and a privilege to make your acquaintance, Countess…"

That was as far as he got in his speech as he realized that no one was paying any attention to him.  As soon as he started to speak, the countess rose from her throne and threw off her veil.   It was the Salina that Tiberius knew and loved.  She almost skipped down the last two steps as she ran to him and threw her arms around him.  Darras had the surprise of his life as the countess gave a passionate kiss of greeting to his companion, who returned her greeting. 

"I gather you've met?"  was all he could say.

"You look so surprised,"  Salina said, laughing, to Tiberius.  Their lips had parted but she held onto his hand like a schoolgirl.  "He thinks the woods are filled with Salinas!" she said to the court, who laughed at the jest.

"You said you weren't the countess,"  Tiberius answered, still a bit stunned.

"I said no such thing.  I told you we were acquainted.  We are acquainted, yes?  It is, I permit, an intimate acquaintance.  But I did not lie," Salina said.

"You said she didn't like you being at court," Tiberius continued.

"La, who likes work?  Court for me is a job.  I much prefer dancing.  Don't be mad that I was evasive.  I did not wish to talk politics with you, and you thought too highly of me already.  This is your friend, yes?" 

She held out a hand, and Darras, with just a touch of hesitation, gripped hers in turn.  A moment later she smiled at him.  "A worthy companion.  We should be dancing now, but that must wait.   You bring me work, not presents," she said, frowning.  Salina stepped back up to the throne, and tried to put on her business face.  "Bring in the prisoner."

A distinguished elf lord stepped forward and bowed. 

"Countess, will you not recluse yourself from the case?  Obviously you are well acquainted with this gentleman who brings charges before the court,"  the distinguished Alfaran lord stated. 

"Certainly not," Salina said curtly.  "Tiberius, will you take the rod and speak the truth under oath before God?"

"I will," he said.

Salina waved and the rod was brought for him to hold.

"Do I give you everything you want?" Salina asked.

"Assuredly not," he answered.

"Do I ever hesitate to tell you when I think you are in error?" she said.

"No." 

"Have you known me to place duty to my king before our friendship?"

"Yes, frequently,"  Tiberius answered, yet again.

Salina turned back to the distinguished elf.  "La, you see.  No more of this.  Councilor will recall I have some history of placing the King’s wishes before my own desires.  Bring the prisoner forward."

Two guards escorted the prisoner down the aisle.  Darras and Tiberius were led to the side. 

"You stand accused of treason and making war upon our friends.  How do you answer."

"I don't answer the charges of animals,” the Redcap replied, snarling at the Sons of Adam in the court. 

"It is your king who accuses you,” Salina snapped back angrily.  “It is him you betray by your reckless actions.  Do you wish to plead guilty?"

"I've done nothing wrong," was the prisoner’s reply. 

"Is that so?"  Salina said rising.  She walked right up to the prisoner.  "Give me your hand then."

The prisoner tried to take a step back, but the guards restrained him.  "Why?  So you can betray me like you did your husband?  Is it true that you sleep with animals, now that you've murdered him?" he said with a glance at Tiberius.

Salina slapped him across the face.  "You torture the defenseless?" he shot back.

"You insult a lady.  I treat you better than you deserve.  Give me your hand," she ordered.

Reluctantly he held it out.  Salina grasped it only a moment before throwing it from her like some dead animal she'd stumbled across while cleaning.   

"Simply for seeing your heart is so rotted I would sentence you to instruction by the elders.  Have you nothing to say in your defense?"  She said, looking at him with genuine horror and astonishment. 

"I have nothing to say to those without honor,” the prisoner stated, his face filled with pride.  “You lower yourself to the animals.  You betrayed your love…"

"HE BETRAYED ME!" Salina shouted.  The fire in her eyes silenced the prisoner, as it did all in the hall.  She was a woman of great passion and that passion had now been fully aroused as pure anger poured from her voice, trembling with rage.  "He betrayed his king; he dishonored our home.  I well know the signs of an animal.  Creatures like you who will not look beyond their emotions.  Consider his fate and know that I loved him far more than you!" she shouted. 

The hall was completely silent for another moment as Salina struggled to regain her composure.  At last she took a deep breath and slowly forced herself to turn from him.  "Take him to the…"

Just then the prisoner surged into one of his guards.  Knocking the guard down, he grabbed a knife and turned to Salina. 

“Venu!”  Tiberius shouted, and the Redcap was spun around as the knife was ripped from his hand by Tiberius’ telekinetic command.   The other guard decked the prisoner with a mailed fist.  He was subdued in an instant.  Salina turned back to the prisoner.  She was speechless with fury. 

"Would you be a kin slayer?" she asked in a menacing whisper.   

"I would avenge and purify our species," the prisoner shouted back. 

"Purify your heart!  I should mix your blood with the Sons of Adam.  Maybe then you would treat them with more respect.  You have a cousin, do you not?  On the spot I should order her wed to this man," she said, pointing towards Tiberius. 

"You wouldn't dare!" the prisoner answered.  For the first time, Tiberius thought he looked frightened. 

"Why wouldn't I?  La, your blood is not fit for it!”  She turned to the guards.  “Get this creature out of my sight.  Give him to the elders, if any are willing to look on him.  If I do not hear good reports of your penance I shall ask the high king for your head!"

The prisoner was lead away, none too gently.  Salina resumed her seat.  She called Captain Darras before her. 

"I am sorry I cannot return his head with you.  I have not the power to order death of a kinsman for the slaying of outlanders.  But he shall be punished.  He will do many years repentance for his crimes.  More than the lifespan of one of Adam's offspring.  He will pay a blood price, too, that the kin of his victims will have some recompense.  If they wish to pursue the matter something might be arranged.  I can promise nothing but an audience with the High King, though.  He has his own mind."

Darras bowed.  "We are satisfied with your own judgment, Ma'am.  We seek only justice and peace with your people."

She nodded and Darras stepped back; then she beckoned Tiberius forward. 

"Give me your hand a moment.  I need to wash the feel of that viper from my skin."

He put his hand in hers and she closed her eyes a moment.  "That's better."

"I'm sorry he upset you," he said. 

"My duties are not always pleasant.  But at least they have brought you to me for a change.  We will dine together in a bit.  Go now, though.  I have a trade case up next.  This will be wearisome. Better you see some of our gardens."