The Merchant Prince: Tales of the Misplaced - Book 2 by Adam K. Watts

Author:Adam K. Watts [Watts, Adam K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

RISPAN

It was hard to tell how fast we were moving, but Ogaré could take huge strides. From what I could see from my position, we were ascending quickly. It’s not that the Ogaré were particularly fast in their movement, but they were relentless, and they didn’t slow or pause.

Maybe if I could move like Mira, I could have done something when they grabbed us. She was also really good at talking her way out of things. Of course, I was pretty good at that, too. But not like Mira. The Ogaré went on and on for hours. I was tired and wished I could sleep, but it was far too uncomfortable and had way too much jostling to be able to sleep. We just had to ride it out.

As the sun began to rise, our captors stopped in front of a large hut. From my understanding, their communities didn’t really have towns. They simply set up homes in the vicinity of each other. They had a main person, like a chief or a mayor. If they needed him, they went to his house. For legal issues, they went to the home of the Justice. From what they had said the night before, I guessed that’s where we were now.

We were put unceremoniously in the bare space in front of the hut.

“We call for justice!” It was the same one that had spoken the night before.

After a few moments, the door to the hut opened. A gnarled Ogaré stepped out and looked over everyone in front of his house. He ran a hand through his wiry hair with a sigh. He sat down on his porch with his legs dangling off the edge.

“What is your grievance, Chevis?” the Justice asked.

“Blood!” Chevis answered.

“Whose blood is shed?”

Chevis motioned for a young Ogaré to step forward. I could see he had bandages on his chest and shoulder, and on one of his arms.

“Gaetan has been attacked!” Chevis proclaimed. “Three days ago, by a Darakanos! That Darakanos!” He pointed at Genevané.

The Justice looked at Genevané. Then he looked at me and Kiarash before he turned his attention back to Chevis.

“And these others assisted?”

“No,” Chevis answered. “She came upon them yesterday and —”

“If they did not assist, then they are dismissed from this trial. Release them.”

Chevis bristled at that, but Kiarash and I were freed from our bindings.

“What is the damage?” the Justice asked.

“Gaetan’s shoulder was deeply injured,” Chevis said. “He may never regain full use of his arm. His scars will be lifelong.”

“What was the provocation?”

Chevis looked at Gaetan and then back at the Justice. “None. He was simply climbing the peaks.”

“What says the accused?” asked the Justice.

Everyone looked at Genevané. She made no reaction.

“The accused offers no defense,” the Justice said, “Therefore—”

“Wait a minute!” I jumped up. This wasn’t justice. This was a joke. “First of all, they already wounded her with a similar injury. Do you deny that?” I asked Chevis.

“That is true,” he said, “but that was in defense.”

“Secondly,” I turned back to the Justice, “she doesn’t even know what you’re saying.

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