Read Online Dark Haven by Gail Z. Martin - Free Book Online Page B

everything about the glint in the man’s eyes, his posture, and the slight turn of his lip made it easy to guess his thoughts. Prove it.
    “Not guilty, Your Majesty.”
    Tris nodded. The bailiff produced a sheaf of parchment, and laid it in front of Kalay. “We have copies of your orders. We have documentation of your route. Do you wish to change your plea?”
    “No.”
    Tris met Kalay’s eyes. “Then we will call the witnesses.”
    The gallery grew still. The temperature in the courtroom fell. As the spectators and jurists watched, a mist began to coalesce in the space between the throne and the defendant’s seat.
    The mist began to glow. Gradually, men, women, children, and elders gathered until the ghosts of an entire fishing village stood before the court.
    Tris channeled power to the ghosts, and they became more solid. A gasp arose from the gallery, 59

    and sobs could be heard from among the Scirranish. The ghosts appeared with their death wounds. Men with skulls split open by battle axes, women and children run through by swords.
    Young girls dishonored and beaten. Blind old men and bent old women with the mark of a noose around their necks.
    “Villagers of Rohndle’s Ferry,” Tris said. “Tell us how you died.”
    Even knowing what would come next, Tris struggled to retain his composure. He had already seen the villagers’ memories of their deaths. Months ago, when he and his companions had made landfall after their journey down the Nu, they had chanced upon this desolate village and found what remained of the corpses. It did not make it easier to hear each person in turn come forward to tell the story.
    “Soldiers came to our village in the uniform of the king of Margolan,” said a village elder. Half of his skull was torn away. “They demanded money. We had already paid both first and second taxes—we had no more coin to give. First, they burned our homes. Then they chased down our livestock and our children for sport. They took our daughters into the forest. We heard them screaming.” He looked at Kalay. “This man was their leader. He was angry. He gave the order, and his men set about with their axes and swords. Those who did not die immediately they hanged in the barn. This is the man.”
    Kalay’s face was pale. His eyes were wide. Several of Kalay’s soldiers were weeping with their heads in their hands, shaking in fear of judgment.
    “Do I need to have the others tell their tale?” Tris struggled to keep his tone civil.
    “I did as my king commanded. I followed my orders. I have done nothing wrong.” His lip curled.
    “My allegiance is to King Jared.”
    So many of the onlookers in the gallery rose to their feet and surged forward that the guards 60

    were hard pressed to restore order. In the gallery, the Scirranish muffled their sobbing. Tris met Kalay’s eyes.
    “The crown finds you and your men guilty of murder as charged. You’ll be hanged this afternoon.”
    “I did nothing wrong,” Kalay snarled. The guards grabbed him by the arms and pushed him toward the door. “Nothing. All who opposed King Jared deserved to die. I have served my king.”
    Kalay was still shouting when the door swung shut behind him. Guards dragged Kalay’s condemned soldiers to their feet. Despite their tears, none begged the crown for forgiveness.
    When they were gone, Tris looked to the ghosts that still remained in the front of the courtroom. The same village elder who had testified and who had first appeared to Tris in the village approached the throne.
    “Thank you, my king. If you would, we’re ready to make the passage. We have seen justice.”
    Tris closed his eyes, murmuring the passing over ritual. As he let the images of the wraiths dissipate, he met them in the Plains of Spirit. In the distance, he could hear the soulsong of the Lady. As the spirits passed and bowed in gratitude, Tris could feel their burden lift. The moment passed, and they were gone. Tris returned his attention to the