Mike Shevdon: Strangeness and Charm

"There is the matter of Fellstamp," said Garvin from the darkness behind them. "He has not woken."

"That is not a matter for the High Court," said Yonna.

"He serves the High Court," said Garvin, a note of challenge in his voice, "and deserves your protection and favour."

"Garvin has a point," said Krane.

Kimlesh ignored Krane. "The Warders place themselves in danger," she said. "We acknowledge their service, but we cannot demand blood price for every slight, no matter how grievous."

"The Warders serve only the High Court, Lady. Can we not rely on the Court's protection in return?"

"You have our protection and confidence, Garvin, as you well know, but injuries happen. We have every hope and confidence that Fellstamp will recover and rejoin your ranks."

"And if he doesn't?" said Garvin.

"Then we will hear your petition at that time," said Yonna.

"This does not resolve the issue before us," said Barthia.

"We are not here to consider the injury done to Fellstamp, but to consider the fate of these two, who have transgressed but also given good service."

"Only through a desire to save their own skin," said Krane.

"Can you support that statement?" asked Yonna.

Krane waved a hand. "I am merely stating the obvious."

"Then we agree, it is insupportable," she said.

"Not insupportable," said Teoth, "just difficult to verify."

"Are we allowing conjecture, now?" she asked Teoth.

Teoth folded his arms, refusing to be drawn to comment.

"The girl has said that she declines an offer of a place in the Courts," said Krane, "and the boy never earned one. We are here to consider the matter of disposition. Come, this is hardly complex. Are they more dangerous alive or dead? While admittedly they played a part in preventing calamity, they also came perilously close to precipitating the end of the everything. The two do not bear comparison."

Mellion gestured, using one brown hand to separate two imaginary parts, one from the other.

"I think what Lord Mellion means, is that one happened," said Yonna, "and the other did not."

"You are splitting whiskers," said Teoth.

"She is stating truth," said Barthia. "One is fact, the other is extrapolation."

"You know what I think," said Alex, in a voice that cut across the argument.

They stopped arguing and turned their attention on her.

"I think," she said, "that you have no idea what you're talking about. You're all sitting here pontificating about something when you weren't there. You don't know what happened, or why? Do you?"

"We have a thorough report from Garvin," said Barthia.

Alex gave a bitter laugh. "What? The same Garvin that stayed down the bottom of the hill out of sight? That Garvin? He doesn't know what happened," she turned. "Do you?"

"I have reported as I witnessed," said Garvin.

"Just say no," said Alex. "It's easier to understand."

"While it's clear you played a significant role…" said Garvin.

Alex ignored him, turning back to the array of faces at the edge of the darkness. "You take a half-seen story from someone who's already said that he wants revenge for the injury to Fellstamp," said Alex,"which conveniently neglects to account for the fact that Fellstamp and Fionh attacked us. Fellstamp was holding a knife to my friend's throat," she said. "Did you forget to mention that as well, Garvin?"

"Is that true, Garvin?" asked Kimlesh.

"The Warders were doing their job," he replied.

"So he was, then," said Yonna.

Krane cut across them, "The issue here is not whether Garvin's testimony is accurate. The child has already admitted her part in what happened. This is not in dispute. Rather, we are here to decide what must be done and I think that, at least, is clear."

"But you still don't know…" said Alex.

"Enough!" bellowed Barthia, in a voice which even quieted Alex. "Krane is right, the issue is clear. We must decide."

From the back of the room, a small disturbance was developing. The main doors opened onto the corridor. Alex turned to see her father entering behind her, initially with relief, but then with confusion. Beyond him, a number of disreputable looking people were being held back by Tate and Amber, filling the corridor beyond them. Even Garvin was taken aback, until he stepped forward, long blade drawn.

"What is the meaning of this?" Garvin demanded.

• • • •

As I entered the court, I wondered for a moment whether Garvin would lose it and precipitate a bloodbath. I was relying on him to be his usual dispassionate self, but it was clear that I'd hit a nerve. His face was flushed and I thought I saw the reflection of light from the long blade quivering with contained rage.

"Lords, Ladies," I said quickly, "I beg your indulgence and your consideration."

"Warder Dogstar," said Kimlesh. "Please explain yourself. Who are these people?"

"And what are they doing in Court?" asked Garvin.

I turned briefly to Garvin. "You asked for them," I said. "You said they were all to be brought before the court — without exception."

His face registered surprise, then anger.

I turned quickly back to the High Court. "If I may explain?"

"I wish you would," said Teoth.

"These," I said, "are the children of mixed blood, those that some call mongrels and others call half-breeds. Each of them has been through a great deal, not least because they were imprisoned and subjected to experiments at the research facility at Porton Down. They are the children of both humanity and the Feyre."

"Get these people out of here," said Krane to Garvin.

"Wait," said Kimlesh. "I would like to hear what Dogstar has to say."

"And I," said Yonna.

"Are we in danger?" said Barthia.

"I will vouch for their conduct," I said. "I have persuaded them to come before you to hear your deliberations on their fate, not one by one, case by case, but first-hand as a group of people who share a common cause and a common heritage."

"This is preposterous," said Krane. "How can we deliberate their fate when they are standing there watching us?" he asked.

"How can you deliberate their fate without seeing them?" asked Kimlesh. "Come forward, all of you, into the light, if you will."

They filed into the court around Alex and Sparky, until they were arrayed in a semi-circle that echoed the thrones before them.

"Have you a speaker?" asked Kimlesh.

There was muttering between them and I caught Andy's eye. He stepped forward. "I'll speak, if you'll let me?" There was a general muttering of assent.

"What is your name?" asked Kimlesh.

"Andy — Andy Warner, from Southwark."

"And what are your sympathies, Andy of Southwark?" she asked.

"My sympathies?" he said.

"What are the aspects of your power?" she asked. "What elements call to you?"

"I don't know what you mean," he said. "I keep bees. Is that what you want?"

"An honourable craft," said Yonna, "and an ancient one."

He smiled at that.

"Do you know who we are?" asked Yonna.

"Not so much," said Andy. "Niall here, he explained some of it, but there wasn't much time."

"Do you know why you are here?" asked Barthia.

"Maybe," said Andy. "It's to do with all of us, isn't it? Whether we'll be able to live in peace and keep to ourselves." The others murmured agreement around him.

There was another commotion at the back. I saw Angela coming forward into the group.

"You I do know," said Teoth, recognising her.

"I have been your guest, my Lord," said Angela, "but though the accommodation is more comfortable, and the regime kinder, perhaps, I find a prison is still a prison."

"You rush to judgement at your peril," said Teoth.

"I do not rush, my Lord," she said. "It's been some days and I have had no word."