Consequences

            Razer sat and stared at his shackles.  Desmond stood in the room with him, fiddling with a small figurine.

            “What is that?” Razer said.

            “A clockwork from Kronlandern.  It uses a new mineral they’ve been mining.”

            Razer sat back and looked at the ceiling.  “Did I do the right thing?”

            Desmond paused.  “You did what you felt was right.”  He set the clockwork on the table and removed the key.  It did a short dance but in a manner more graceful than any clockwork either had ever seen.

            “Seems the mineral’s enchantments aren’t affected by nulls,” Desmond said.  He picked the figurine up off the table.  “I’ll have to see how it works.”  He turned to the outer door.  “Just remember, old friend, I trust your judgment.”

            “Thank you,” Razer said as Desmond left.

            A few minutes later, Eris entered through the other door.  “It’s time, old man.”

            Razer nodded and stood with a groan.  “Wish me luck, girl.”

            She tried to smile.  “I won’t have to.  I’ll be in there with you.”

            The two walked through the door and into the courtroom.  Dark wood paneled the walls lit by narrow, tall windows over half covered by dark curtains.  The judge’s face, which seemed to be carved from the same wood paneling the walls, glared down at them.  Guards armed with long-bladed pole-arms flanked his elevated lectern.  One directed Razer and Eris to a table on their right.  Orlando, the Hunt Master of their House, already stood there.

            “You may be seated,” the other guard said.

            Razer sat with Orlando on his right and Eris on his left.

            “How are you, old friend?” Orlando whispered.

            “Tired of what they feed us in the prison,” Razer said.  “But alive.  You?”

            “Worried.”

            The judge rose and the room fell silent.  “We are here today on the matter of the Crown of Aragon and the Witch Hunter Razer of Arvanian.  Would the counsel for the crown present the charges and evidence.”

            A white haired man in a black robe seated at a table to Razer’s left stood and cleared his throat.  “The charges are thus: on February the twenty-ninth the Witch Hunters Razer and Eris were tasked with investigating reports of dangerous heretics in the city of Red Pine.  They arrived at that city on March the third and met with the heretics that same day.  They returned to the Arvanian House on March the fifth and reported that their investigation proved that heretics were non-dangerous.  Further, they had served these heretics with excommunication.  However, three weeks following their excommunication, the heretics published a journal entitled ‘King Ricadro’s Plans for Eternal War.’  After thorough examination, it has been determined that the publication was seditious and treasonous, and therefore classified as dangerous heresy.  We find that Hunter Razer and his apprentice Eris were both negligent in their duties in rooting out and terminating dangerous heretics for the Crown.”

            The judge nodded.  “What is the prescribed punishment for these crimes?”

            “Removal from active duty and being stripped of all titles, ranks, privileges, and salary.”

            The judge nodded again.  “Hunter Razer?  Hunter Eris?  Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

            Razer stood up.  “I claim full responsibility.  I had no knowledge of what they were planning, and I advised Eris and the Hunt Master of the non-dangerous nature of the heretics’ practices.”

            Eris stood up.  “That’s not true.  We heard them discussing their plans, but I had been expressing discontent with the mission and my own belief that the heretics weren’t a threat.  Razer allowed them to leave at my urging.”

            The judge glared down at them.  “I do find your sentiments noble, Hunters.”

            Orlando stood up.  “Sit down, both of you.”  He glared back up at the judge, then over at the Crown’s barrister.  “I disagree with the assessment that a group of non-violent academics seeking to publish an incendiary, but none-the-less true, evaluation of the King of Aragon are dangerous.  I agree with my Hunters’ assessment.  Further, the Witch Hunters grant their agents autonomy in the field.  Both to prevent bureaucratic red tape from tying up investigations and to prevent matters such as this trial from occurring.”  The ghost of a grin crossed his face.  “I have read the contract the heads of our order signed.  Countermanding our by-laws in this matter is a violation.”

            The barrister sneered.  “The heads of your order swore an oath!”

            The grin materialized and grew into a smile.  “They signed a contract.”  He pulled a large folio out of a satchel and placed it on the table.  “I have read it.  Page one-hundred and twenty three, paragraph four, line ten.  ‘No part of this contract shall force the Witch Hunters to violate their own by-laws and internal regulations.’”

            “May I see the passage, Hunt Master?” the Judge said.

            “Gladly, your honor,” Orlando said.  He opened the folio to a passage and handed it up to the judge.  The judge read it.

            “Indeed, Hunt Master.  You are correct.”  He sighed and passed the folio back.  “However, I find nothing in it challenging Barrister Cuero’s original point: that your Hunters failed to thoroughly evaluate the situation and the consequences of their actions.”

            Orlando nodded.  “Understood, your honor.”  He looked at Razer and Eris.  “They will be off active duty for a week at half pay for that period.”

            The judge nodded.  “They are your Hunters to discipline.  I find that a fair punishment.  Bailiff, remove the man’s shackles.  Razer and Eris, you are free to go.  Everyone else, dismissed.”

            Barrister Cuero seethed.  “How can you accept that?  These Hunters have shirked their duty to our King, our Nation, our God!”

            The judge turned a melting glare onto Cuero.  “They did what they thought was right, given their circumstances.  I suggest you keep silent from this point further, Barrister Cuero.”

            Cuero snarled.  “I will not forget this.”  He stormed out of the courtroom followed his assistant stuffing papers into a satchel.

            Orlando sighed.  “This isn’t over,” he said to Razer and Eris as he packed his folio.  “I’ll see you two back at the House.”

            Razer rubbed his wrists after the Bailiff removed his shackles.

            The judge descended from the podium and approached them.  “You ought to be more careful, Hunters.  There are men willing to murder for faith.”

            “I know,” Razer said.  “I was one.”

            The judge smiled, warming his wooden feature like a ray of sunlight.  “And I have a message for you from a mutual friend.  He thinks it’s time for you two to meet him.”  He placed a parchment envelope on the table and turned toward the door to his offices.”

            Eris looked at the envelope.  “You know the Pilgrim?”

            The judge shrugged.  “I might.  But be on your guard.”  He went into the door to his offices and closed it behind him.

            Razer picked up the envelope.  “Maybe we’ll get an answer.”