The old justicer took the sheet and read through it. “That’s acceptable. I would strike the phrase ‘who must be a High Holder.’ The high justicer always is, for the reasons we discussed earlier, and that wording is unnecessary.”
After that, Aextyl made several other small corrections.
“Is there anything else I should be worried about?”
“There are a number of motions he could make, but we don’t have time to discuss them all. Besides, you’d likely get confused. At times, I got confused.”
While Aextyl’s remark was light and meant to be humorous, Quaeryt still worried. He wasn’t a justicer, and he definitely needed to find one he could trust to be honest and impartial.
After another quint, Pharyl rapped on the door, and Quaeryt and Aextyl walked into the chamber and to the dais. As he and Aextyl seated themselves behind the simple table desk, Quaeryt glanced toward Caesyt, whose face had registered a momentary frown, followed by an impartial expression.
Quaeryt picked up the sheet he had drafted the day before, the one Aextyl had corrected, and began to read. “The justicing hearing in the city of Extela, the province of Montagne, will commence. I am Governor Quaeryt, acting as justicer. The first hearing is the petition of Holders Yepryl, Huslup, and Graustyrk versus High Holder Aramyn in the matter of the use of the waters of Minawa Creek.” He looked up. “Who represents the petitioners?”
Immediately, the stocky Caesyt, again in the black robe of an advocate, stepped forward. “Caesyt Klaesyn, representing the petitioners.”
“The petition you have lodged requests that the defendant, High Holder Aramyn, cease and desist in diverting a fourth part of the waters of Minawa Creek, reserving those waters for stakeholders downstream, to wit, Holders Yepryl, Huslup, and Graustyrk. Is that correct, Advocate Caesyt?”
“It is, Honorable Justicer.”
Before Quaeryt could say another word, Caesyt immediately added, “In view of the gravity of the situation, with spring planting already under way, I would move, in view of the fact that the defendant has not responded to the petition, that you grant the terms of the petition in summary judgment.” The advocate smiled politely.
“Your motion is noted,” Quaeryt replied, then leaned toward Aextyl, murmuring, “denied, because the defendant has responded?”
Aextyl nodded.
“Advocate Caesyt, because the defendant has offered a rebuttal to your petition, your motion is denied.”
“Honorable Justicer, I move that the petition be forwarded to the High Justicer of Telaryn, without recommendation, on the grounds that, as governor, your interest in the resolution of the petition cannot be impartial.”
“Your motion is noted.” Quaeryt didn’t even try to suggest a response, but again leaned toward Aextyl.
Aextyl murmured a suggested response, and Quaeryt repeated it.
“Advocate Caesyt, your motion is denied, under the precedent of Gubernatorial Supersedense, which provides that a provincial governor may act as justicer for up to two months after his appointment.” Quaeryt’s eyes flicked momentarily to Aextyl, who watched Caesyt intently. “In accordance with the laws of Telaryn, which require any petition or case involving the person or the rights of a High Holder be referred to the High Justicer of Telaryn, I am hereby making such a referral, along with my recommendation for a finding. You will be provided a copy of that recommendation in due order, according to the laws of Telaryn.” He paused briefly, then added, “The hearing on the petition is concluded. There will be a brief recess before the next hearing.”
Caesyt looked hard at Quaeryt, then at Aextyl, before inclining his head briefly, then saying politely, “Good day, Honorable Justicer.”
Quaeryt offered Aextyl a hand to help the old justicer off the dais. “Thank you.”
“I did very little.”
“Your presence kept Caesyt from offering motions that I wouldn’t have known what to do with.” He paused. “I think I may ride out to see that young advocate you mentioned. Tomorrow, in fact.”
Aextyl laughed softly. “I wrote him that you might.”
“Good.”
Quaeryt walked slowly beside Aextyl, out through the Civic Patrol station, outside and then helped him onto the wagon. Once Aextyl was settled on the seat beside the teamster, Quaeryt handed a small cloth bag to the justicer. “Your fee, counselor.”
Aextyl eased open the bag, then shook his head. “That’s too much.”
“Not with Caesyt waiting to pounce on any legal irregularity it isn’t. I do appreciate your counsel and your presence. All I ask is that you ride home and get some rest.”
“I can do that, Governor.” Aextyl smiled widely.
“Good.”
Quaeryt waited until the wagon and the two escort troopers were on their way before turning and walking back to the patrol station. He was relieved that he’d dispatched the petition, but worried about how tired Aextyl had been. Still … without the advice of the former justicer, things might well have gone differently, and not nearly so well.
He still needed to hear the three other offenses.
49
Late on Mardi, just before Quaeryt was ready to leave for the villa, Pharyl appeared to pass on a few more bits of information about Factor Andryt, all of which attested to the man’s reputation, and also the fact that his widow had declared that, in respect for her husband, the family would be in seclusion for a month. While all that he had learned wasn’t absolute proof, it was more than enough for Quaeryt.
Meredi morning, Quaeryt lingered over breakfast for a time, talking with Vaelora, but not about Lysienk or Andryt, since they might be overheard, but about the previous day’s hearings, not only the one involving Caesyt, but the others. He had acquitted the cooper on grounds of self-defense, and after seeing the burn marks and whip scars on the back of the pleasure girl, found her guilty of assault, rather than murder, and sentenced her to time served, a hand-branding, and a recommendation to leave Extela. That sentence had bothered him, but it was the least he could plausibly do, and again he was wishing more and more that he could find a justicer who was honest and trustworthy.
A quint or so before seventh glass, he made his way out to the stable, where the rankers had already saddled the mare. Quaeryt didn’t see any sign of Lysienk or the guards who reputedly rode with the factor as he and the two rankers who escorted him rode eastward along the avenue toward the post. He did note where there appeared to be peach trees, as he had previously on other streets around the villa. After five blocks, he reined up. “Wait here, if you would.”
“Sir…?”
“I need to take care of something, and I’d prefer that you remain here.”
The two troopers looked at each other and then at Quaeryt.
He looked back at them and projected total assurance. Then he turned and rode back toward the villa, easing the mare toward the north side of the avenue. A block later he eased his mount close to a large fir and then behind it. Seeing no one near, he raised a concealment shield to cover both himself and the mare and continued riding until he neared the side street on which the villa was located.
Even from the avenue he could see four riders-guards in black, and another riderless mount. Holding the concealment shield, Quaeryt reined up and waited.
A quint passed, and still Lysienk did not appear. Finally, the slender blond figure stepped down from the portico and walked up the drive to the bay gelding, mounted and then gestured to the guards. The five rode in Quaeryt’s direction. None of them spoke as they passed, clearly not seeing or sensing him.
Quaeryt waited until the factor and his guards were well past him, then eased the mare forward.
Lysienk looked back, a half-puzzled expression on his face, then shook his head and continued riding, turning westward on the avenue. Quaeryt followed them, some fifteen yards back, until they were a good two blocks from
