L. Modesitt - Imager's challenge

“Good morning, Captain,” I said as I took a seat on the other end of the bench on which he sat.

“Good morning, Master Rhennthyl.” Harraf’s voice was pleasant, and he actually smiled as if he meant it.

I wondered if he’d been wanting to strike a blow at the scripties for years.

A few moments later Major Trowyn stepped into the room and sat down on the other bench. He did not address us, nor did he look in our direction.

No one else entered the witness chamber.

Somewhat later, outside the closed door, I heard the bailiff. “All rise!”

A time of silence was followed by the bailiff’s next words, somewhat muffled. “You may be seated. Bring forth the accused.”

We sat there for some time before the bailiff opened the door to the witness chamber, and a voice, presumably that of the prosecuting advocate, announced, “Naval Marine Major Trowyn to the bar.”

The major rose and, without looking at the rest of us, left the witness chamber. The bailiff closed the door.

Close to a glass and a half passed before the door opened, but the major did not return. The bailiff left the door open, and the prosecuting advocate announced, “Maitre D’Aspect Rhennthyl to the bar.”

I stepped out and walked down the center aisle until I was standing below the dais. I inclined my head politely to the justice, whom I had never seen before.

“Master Rhennthyl,” began the justice, “do you understand that you are required to tell the whole truth, and that your words must not deceive, either by elaboration or omission?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Proceed.”

The prosecutor turned to me. “Please recount what occurred on the morning of Vendrei, sixth Finitas, after you reported to the Third District station, with particular attention as to how those occurrences relate to the Temple of Puryon and the naval conscription efforts scheduled to begin nearby.”

“Yes, sir. When I reached Third District station, Captain Harraf explained to me that the Navy was concerned about what might happen in the taudis because there was already a group of taudis-dwellers gathered around the Temple of Puryon. He had already requested that a squad of mounted riot patrollers be dispatched to the area, but only half a squad had arrived. I told him that I had concerns about what the Tiempran priests might be planning because of the reports about what the First Speaker of Tiempre had said earlier. . . .” I went on to explain what had occurred once Harraf and I had arrived to observe, emphasizing that both the captain and I had suggested that the chanting taudis-dwellers did not pose a threat and that the colonel had ignored our warning. Then I just detailed what had happened and what I had done after that, all the way through to the capture, preliminary charging, and transport of the three priests, Saelyhd, and Donmass.

“Thank you, Master Rhennthyl,” the prosecutor said. “Can you explain in more detail how you managed to come into possession, as it were, of the three Tiempran priests and the so-called taudischef Saelyhd?”

“Yes, sir. I knew from questions I’d asked of various people in the taudis that Saelyhd’s predecessor-that was Youdh-had been working with the Tiemprans. I thought it was likely that Saelyhd was as well. After the explosion, I went into the taudis to see if I could find them. I was fortunate enough to find one of the other taudischefs. He was deeply concerned that he and his people would be blamed for the explosion. They had nothing to do with it, but he realized that unless some of the priests could be found and brought to justice, the entire taudis would suffer . . .” That and what followed was oversimplified, but essentially true. “. . . because of the justifiable anger of the marines, I managed to sneak the priests and Saelyhd into Third District station.”

“They did not give you any trouble?”

“The men with the taudischef helped tie them up. Saelyhd did object, and it took several men to march him to where the patrollers could bring him in.”

“Master Rhennthyl . . . we understand that you advised Captain Harraf not to aid the marines. Why not?”

“First, I believed that attacking those who were chanting was not justified unless they blocked the marines from doing their duty, or resisted in some way, and at that time, the taudis-dwellers were not. Second, as I mentioned earlier and told the captain, there were rumors that the Tiemprans had placed explosives in the Temple. While I could not verify that, it seemed unwise to attack people who were not an immediate threat, especially that close to the Temple.”

“Master Rhennthyl . . . do you have any experience in conducting conscription?”

“No, sir.”

“Then why did you see fit to recommend what you did?”

“Sir . . . the colonel wanted to make an example of people. I had learned earlier that the First Speaker of Tiempre had vowed to strike at the heart of Solidar. There had already been one riot in the taudis, over a month ago, and it was caused when the Civic Patrol tried to put down another demonstration by force incited by the Tiempran priests. This looked to be uglier than the last one because the taudis-dwellers hate the conscription teams.”

“Master Rhennthyl . . . what happened with the conscription efforts on Lundi and Mardi?”

“I accompanied the first teams through the taudis. There was no violence.”

“And how did this marvelous change come to pass?”

“I told some of the local leaders that any more violence would likely result in the marines leveling the entire South Middle taudis, that peaceful cooperation was their last chance.”

“Why would they believe you?”

“I can’t explain that, sir, except that I have been accompanying the local patrollers through part of the taudis for nearly a month. I wasn’t going to question why they cooperated, not after what had already happened.”

The questions seemed to go on forever.

When the prosecuting advocate finished, the advocate for the defense stepped forward.

“Master Rhennthyl, as an imager for the Collegium, you are known to be able to protect yourself from weapons. Why did you not employ your abilities to contain the damage and protect the marines?”

“Sir, contrary to stories and popular belief, the abilities that we as imagers have are often overestimated. I did attempt to use those abilities. Even at the distance we were from the Temple, when it exploded, I was only able to offer limited protection to Captain Harraf and the patrollers close by. Had we been closer, I would not have been that successful.”

“How did you come to the remarkable conclusion that this explosion was caused by those accused?”

“First, as I mentioned earlier, there were public statements by the First Speaker of Tiempre. Second, in accompanying patrollers past the Temple in the days previous to the explosion, we had noted that the Temple had been closed and shuttered, as if the priests had advance knowledge of the arrival of the conscription teams. Third, I had heard the statements of those involved in the earlier riots that they had been incited by the priests. At the very least, the priests had to have some knowledge of what was in their Temple, and I thought that by capturing them, the Patrol would have a chance to determine how much they knew and how involved they were . . . ”

After another half glass of questions, the advocate for the defense stepped back and turned to the justice. “I have no more questions for this witness, Your Honor.”

The justice looked to me. “You are excused, Master Rhennthyl. You may leave the hall, but you may be recalled at a later date. If so, you will be notified.”

“Yes, sir.”

I had the feeling that wouldn’t happen, that no one really wanted to see my face there again anytime soon, but I was more than relieved to be able to walk out of the hearing chamber and then out into a sunny, if chill, afternoon.