***
It didn't take them long to find the Lawkeeper and his warriors. They were camped on a rocky slope less than a mile away. As they neared the circle of tents, the guards bellowed out a warning, and soon all of Bellis' fighters were gathered with weapons drawn. The Lawkeeper stood boldly at the forefront of the crowd, holding his leather satchel of books, the usual arrogant look on his face.
"Come," said Aldreya, to Lannon. "Just the two of us."
"Be cautious," Jace warned them in a low voice. "Remember, Bellis would love to have an excuse to break its agreement with Dremlock."
"I have your backs," said Prince Vannas, bringing forth the White Flamestone. "Any warrior who makes threatening move will die instantly."
"This may well come to bloodshed," said Daledus, a hint of eagerness in his voice. "If it does, bear in mind that it was justified and you are not to blame. Prison is too good for these devils. Only death will suffice."
"There will be no bloodshed this day," Aldreya insisted. "We will obey the Sacred Laws, for one thing. And we are only here to confront the Lawkeeper and his warriors, not attack them. Is that clearly understood? I know we're all saddened and angry by what happened, but we must stay focused on the future of our land and kingdom. I promise that eventually justice will be served."
"I promise it too," said Jerret, in a cold voice.
"I will be watching the Lawkeeper," said Lothrin, drawing an arrow from his quiver. "If he makes a move..." The lean Ranger seemed eager to see justice done, a cold and deadly glint in his eyes.
"I wish I had a weapon," said Vorden, with a sigh. "I really liked that battle shield. But I guess it served its purpose well in helping destroy the demon. King Gormanol would be proud of its fate."
"You can use my sword," said Prince Vannas. "It is made of stout Birlote steel." He reached for the jeweled hilt but Vorden shook his head.
"Don't bother," said Vorden. "Even Birlote steel cannot withstand my fire. That looks to be a very expensive sword, and I would just turn it to mush. If battle erupts, I will fight with my fists."
"If I die," said Jerret, "my blade is yours, Vorden."
"I make the same promise," said Lannon. "If I ever fall in battle, my sword passes to you, Vorden. You've earned it."
"Thank you," said Vorden. "I feel honored, and I mean that sincerely. But I would much rather you two stay alive."
"It is time," said Aldreya, again motioning to Lannon.
The two rode forward, and Jerret Dragonsbane followed.
"Go back and wait with the others," Aldreya commanded. "Lannon and I alone will deal with the Lawkeeper."
"Do what she says, Jerret," said Lannon. "I know you have a lot to say to the Lawkeeper, but now is not the time."
But Jerret refused to turn back. His hand was locked around the hilt of his broadsword, but he left the blade in its sheath--which Lannon took as a good sign that Jerret wasn't planning anything foolish. The Red Knight's face was sullen, but otherwise unreadable. He didn't look at them, his gaze on the Lawkeeper.
They dismounted and approached the Lawkeeper.
"Can I help you?" he snarled. "I am very busy right now and have no time for idle talk. So unless this is highly important, please leave."
Ethella took position beside him, crystal staff in hand. She exchanged an amused glance with the Lawkeeper. "What could these people have to say that would be highly important? Our time is certainly wasted." Blue fire shimmered along her crystal staff, warning Lannon and Aldreya to proceed carefully.
"I saw the crime you committed," said Lannon, whose face was partially shrouded by his hood. "The torture and execution of our Knights."
"I know nothing of that," said the Lawkeeper. "Who was tortured and executed? And when did it happen? Where is your proof?"
"We have all the proof we need," said Aldreya. "It was revealed to us through the Eye of Divinity. And by the word of a boy."
The Lawkeeper waved them away. "That's your only proof? The Eye of Divinity is not recognized by Bellis law as proof of anything. Too little is known about this type of sorcery, and it is too unreliable. If Lannon saw anything like what he describes, then his mind was clearly tricked by the Deep Shadow. And the word of a mere boy cannot be trusted. So you have no proof."
Two Golden Knights took position behind the Lawkeeper. The two Thallite Giants stood behind the Guardians, smug looks on their faces. Several warriors trained their crossbows on Prince Vannas. Lothrin readied his arrow in response, the shaft pointed at the Lawkeeper.
"Take your lies and go away," said Ethella.
"What I saw was the truth," said Lannon. "And by Dremlock law, you have committed punishable acts. We have the right to arrest you."
"You would attempt that?" said the Lawkeeper, with a look of disbelief. "And risk war coming to Dremlock? You are more of a fool than I had assumed. But go ahead and do what you must. It won't be easy to arrest us. We will fight. And even if we lose, King Verlamer will soon know of your treachery."
A moment of tense silence followed.
"Have you even considered," said the Lawkeeper, "that these mountains are crawling with various horrors? How do you know it wasn't some foul monsters that slew your Knights? Did you examine the wounds?"
"The bodies were gone," said Aldreya. "You burned them to ash."
"So no bodies," said the Lawkeeper, shaking his head. "And it was pouring rain all night, so how could we burn anything? Your so-called proof grows less credible by the moment."
"She burned them with sorcery," said Aldreya, pointing at Ethella.
Ethella laughed. "Don't be absurd. I'm not that powerful, that I can make fire burn in the middle of a fierce downpour. Could you do that?"
Aldreya didn't answer.
"You did it somehow," said Lannon. "The Eye saw it."
Unable to contain himself any longer, Jerret growled, "This is a waste of time. You know what you did, and you will die for it. Here and now."
"Silence, barbarian," said the Lawkeeper. "Let the intelligent amongst you speak. Go drink some ale or find some poor man or beast to bully. Go punch someone in a tavern. It's all you're good for."
Jerret gazed at him coldly, but didn't reply.
Aldreya pulled Lannon aside to whisper to him. "We must send a Hawk first, Lannon. If we arrest him, it will mean war."
Reluctantly, Lannon nodded. The arrogance of the Lawkeeper and Ethella was maddening, and his heart was flooded with the desire for justice--but not at the risk of war against a kingdom that nearly ruled the entire continent.
"Is your business here finished?" asked the Lawkeeper. "I am a busy man with important things to do--and I haven't had my breakfast yet. Hot tea and cake await me in my tent. Either arrest us, or leave my campsite."
"You are free to go," Aldreya said. "For now. But eventually you will pay for your crimes. Such evil cannot go unpunished."
Jerret turned his sullen gaze toward Aldreya. "If we don't arrest him, I will be forced to finish this myself."
"If you do anything foolish, Jerret," Aldreya warned, "you will be permanently stripped of your Knighthood. You will lose everything."
"Get on your horse, Jerret," said Lannon.
"Be gone with you, savage," said the Lawkeeper, motioning Jerret away. "I have no time to deal with such a dull-minded oaf."
"Galvia was worth more than all of you," said Jerret, making a sweeping gesture toward Bellis' fighters. He swallowed, overcome by emotion for an instant.
"Apparently not," said the Lawkeeper, "if she is amongst the dead. Apparently she's not worth the dirt beneath my boots these days. She is nothing now." He grinned.
Jerret sat like a statue, knuckles white as he gripped his sword. "She was a friend unlike any other. We shared a bond between warriors that you can never know. And you took that away in the most cowardly fashion."
Ethella laughed. "I think the dumb oaf is angry. He lost his girlfriend and he wants to blame someone for it."
Jerret didn't look
at her. His gaze was focused on the Lawkeeper--and there was death in that gaze.
The grin vanished from the Lawkeeper's face, as he looked into Jerret's icy eyes. He turned to Aldreya. "Better rein in your savage before--"
Jerret's broadsword cleared its sheath, catching the light of dawn for a moment before erupting into crimson flames. And then it tore through the air with a speed that no one--not even Lannon--had a chance to interfere with.
The Glaetherin broadsword passed through the Lawkeeper's neck. His body collapsed, as his head rolled down the rocky slope.
A gasp arose from the onlookers.
Ethella lunged at Jerret with her glowing staff--but Lannon was there in an instant, his sword blocking her attack.
Ethella backed away from Lannon, a look of fear in her eyes.
"Order a retreat!" Lannon commanded. "Or you will all be arrested!"
Prince Vannas rode forward, the White Flamestone blazing.
Bellis' warriors had started forward, but Ethella waved them back. "I am in command now," she told them. "We will not fight."
Reluctantly, the warriors lowered their weapons.
Ethella sneered at the Lawkeeper's body. "I hated that old fool anyway. I'm glad he's dead." Laughing, she motioned the Divine Knights to leave. "Ride away, little Knights. Your time will come soon enough."
As the Knights departed, Aldreya's face showed deep disappointment.