Wizard King of the North by Charles Lamb

Author:Charles Lamb [Lamb, Charles]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“Just kill me now and get it over with!” Joey moaned as she squirmed in her seat next to the central chair on the raised dais.

“A common sentiment among monarchs,” Amelia replied calmly as she dismissed the petitioner before them and waved for the next in line to take his place.

For the last few hours, the pair had been listening to a never-ending stream of complaints from various citizens and merchants of Windfall. Today’s cast of characters included a tradesman who wished to get his son a guild apprenticeship after having been previously denied and a miller who wished to transition his mill from animal power to water power. The mill change required he gain royal permission to build near the millhouse Alex had already in place.

Beyond that there were the constant general complaints, first those of the merchants with one another, each claiming financial injury due to the behavior of their unethical practices. Then there were the guilds pursuing individuals practicing their trade outside of guild membership. These were particularly concerning when the freelancer was a magic wielder.

Finally, there were the residential complaints, neighbor versus neighbor or landlord and tenant disputes. These complaints were typically addressed at the local level but in severe cases, they could be brought before the royal court for final determination. It was one such issue that was currently presented before the pair.

“My Lady Amelia. I come before you to petition a just resolution to my dilemma. I have pled my case to the local magistrate with no success and now I beseech you to intervene on my behalf,” the man began.

“Your grievance?” Amelia asked flatly, obviously unimpressed with the man’s lack of sincerity as an injured party.

“I am accused of adultery and abandonment. This woman has made a claim against my estate by accusing me of fathering her unborn child,” came the explanation.

“Ooooh, domestic strife! My favorite,” Joey whispered to Amelia in an excited voice with renewed interest.

“I am Rian…” the man started.

“Girl please come forward,” Amelia proclaimed, waving the man to one side and cutting him off as he began to continue his defense.

Joey watched as a young woman no more than twenty years of age weaved her way forward, doing her best to avoid the man challenging her accusation. Considering herself a good judge of bad character, particularly in the area of seduction and manipulation, she just didn’t see the woman as a viable candidate.

Behind the young woman, Joey noted another female, a good ten years her senior and with two children clutching at her waist. Similar in appearance to the woman before them, it suggests to Joey that she was telling the truth. This man had a type he favored as exhibited by selecting a younger version of his current wife.

“You are not of Windfall?” Amelia asked softly once the young woman stepped forward, passing a nervous glance at the man attempting to disavow her.

“No, Your Grace. I am from Freeport,” came the anxious reply.

“And how do you come to know this man?” Amelia continued.

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