Earthborn (Homecoming) by Orson Scott Card

Author:Orson Scott Card [Card, Orson Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781429965460
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 1996-05-15T06:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

TRIALS

As soon as Didul reached the court, Pabul ushered him into his private chamber. “Did you see how many guards were stationed around the court?”

“I assume you’ve been getting death threats.”

“I’m flattered by them—not a single bribe. They know I can’t be bought. They’re going to find out I can’t be terrified.”

“I can.”

“You know what I mean,” said Pabul. “I’m afraid, yes, of course, but my fear won’t make me judge any differently than I would have.”

“This trial is famous already,” said Didul. “And it doesn’t even begin till tomorrow.”

Pabul sighed. “Everyone knows what’s at stake. All the laws protecting the old order are being used to block the new. I have no idea what kind of defense Shedemei is planning, but I can’t imagine what she’ll say that can overbalance the plain truth that she’s guilty.”

“Guilty,” said Didul. “Guilty of being a remarkable woman. Among the Kept in Bodika, she’s already being touted as a martyr.”

“I keep hoping that Motiak will take the matter out of my hands by simply announcing that the old laws are repealed.”

“He won’t,” said Didul. “He’s trying to stay above the whole thing.”

“He knows he can’t, Didul.” Pabul fumbled through some of the barks lying on his table. “No matter what I decide, the loser will appeal.”

“Even if you give Shedemei no penalty at all?”

“Have you met her?” asked Pabul sharply.

Didul laughed. “This morning, before coming here.”

“Then you know she’ll appeal even if I pay a fine to her. I think she’s enjoying this.”

“Poor Pabul.”

Pabul grimaced. “We’ve dedicated our lives to being the opposite of Father. And now I have to sit in judgment on a follower of Binaro, just as Father sat in judgment on Binaro himself.”

“Nobody will be burned to death this time.”

“No—the treason charge is the one I can dismiss easily enough. But I still have to convict her of all the others.”

“Isn’t there some law about bringing false charges maliciously?” asked Didul.

“The operative word there is false. These charges are true.”

“Malicious mischief. Trying to disrupt the public order of the kingdom. And as you said, the treason charge is there only to make it a capital crime.”

“What are you suggesting? That I bring charges against the people who are charging Shedemei?”

Didul shrugged. “It might induce them to drop their petition against her.”

“I don’t know how likely that is,” said Pabul. “But if I could find a way to complicate things further, so that there’s no possibility of a clearcut victory or defeat for anybody . . .”

Didul waited for a while, watching Pabul read bark after bark. Finally he patted his older brother’s shoulder and made his way to Akmaro’s house. He came to the back, as he usually did, and waited in silence in the shade of a tree until someone inside the house noticed him. It was Luet who finally came out and greeted him. “Didul, why don’t you just come to the front of the house and clap your hands like anyone else?”

“And what if it’s Akma who answers the door?”

“He’s never here.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.