Read Online Challenges by Sharon Green - Free Book Online Page B

took their places. Once they were seated, everyone in the courtroom stood up and bowed their respect. The judge in the center, the presiding judge, nodded acknowledgment to let everyone sit again. The judge on the right, who oversaw the procedures used by the prosecution, and the judge on the left, charged with looking out for the accused, made no effort to add their own nods.
    “Now,” the presiding judge said once everyone was settled. “Will someone please tell me why we’re all here this morning?”
    “The circumstances are rather special, Your Honor,” the chief prosecutor said after getting to his feet. The man had Spirit magic, and although he was no more than a Low to Middle talent, he must certainly be able to feel the judge’s vast annoyance.
    “As I’m sure the court knows,” he continued, “we’re in the midst of preparing for the competitions which will choose our next Seated Blending. The matter before you this morning concerns the attempted kidnapping of one of the participants who qualified for the competitions. The special section of Advisory law therefore comes into play, which mandates the speediest trial possible.”
    “I can’t see that waiting one more day would have caused the entire system to break down,” the judge grumbled, dissatisfaction clear on his broad, middle-aged face. “But since we’re already here, we might as well get on with it. Go ahead and start giving us the facts.”
    “Really, Judge, this is all such foolishness,” Allestine interrupted as she rose gracefully to her feet. “The charges are absolutely untrue, and—”
    “Dama, this isn’t the time,” the judge on the left interrupted in turn, his face expressionless. “You’ll be allowed your say, but not until the prosecutor has his. Sit down now, and wait until you’re asked to speak.”
    Allestine was extremely annoyed, but she still nodded and smiled at the judge and resumed her seat. She seemed to think that she’d done something to help her cause, but Jovvi knew better. All three of the judges were Low talent Spirit magic users, and not one of them had missed Allestine’s very transparent emotions.
    The prosecutor went on to describe the attempted kidnapping in surprising detail, ending with the fact that the victim hadn’t tried to press charges. That was why the empire, much less soft-hearted and forgiving than a young, inexperienced woman, was bringing the matter before the bar.
    “Very simply put, Your Honor, this isn’t an attempt that can, or should be, overlooked,” the prosecutor wound up. “Qualified participants for the competitions are rare enough that they must be thoroughly protected, to be certain that no one tries the same again. We respectfully ask the court to make an example of this woman and her cohorts.”
    “Why are the two men in chains?” the judge on the right asked after the prosecutor bowed. “Since there’s a squad of guardsmen around them, chains seem rather unnecessary.”
    “A squad of guardsmen was also sent to arrest the three, Your Honor,” the prosecutor explained, faint embarrassment over the omission clear in the man’s thoughts. “The two men still tried to resist, apparently at the orders of the defendant. They’re in chains now to avoid a repetition of the incident.”
    “Very commendable,” the judge on the right commented dryly, his tone telling the prosecutor that the point was an important one and shouldn’t have been overlooked. His thoughts seemed to indicate that the man was new, and therefore wasn’t yet used to all parts of the proper procedures.
    “All right, Dama, now it’s your turn,” the judge on the left said to Allestine. “Were you telling us earlier that the charges are a bit harsh?”
    “Not harsh, Judge, completely untrue,” Allestine said as she rose again, completely ignoring the hint given her by the judge. “That silly bit of fluff was lying when she told everyone what happened. The truth is that I’d come to say