Chương 29

Mallow walked forward, intent on the sound of heavy steps behind him even as his eyes seemed to sweep the area. It didn't matter that he didn't know where he was going. Because when those steps began to slow- Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Mallow pivoted, already bowing. Maester Oswald looked around, frowning.

"Truly, this hold is without any redeeming qualities. Must I truly dispense justice here?" In a brief moment of weakness, Mallow's focus dropped. A line of beleaguered Conduits stared back at him, stunned and bewildered. No, beleaguered undersold the plight of these Conduits. Many were wrapped in bloodstained bandages. Others seemed barely upright, requiring crutches or stools to remain standing.

"Hm." Mallow offered. The Maester opened his mouth to continue a tirade, but someone interrupted.

"This isn't a good place to dispense justice." Ah, the latest patsy, Mallow's gaze swung around. Directly in front of them were a score of pallets, populated with unconscious Conduits. Definitely, this was the healer's area. Beyond the pallets stood two individuals. First, a grumpy-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair. But the speaker was a young man with blonde hair and dark eyes. Yet the strangest thing happened. Outer Maester Oswald's thunderous expression melted into a calm smile.

"You- ah. Indeed, indeed, look at these sloppy Conduits. The scent of blood and filth- this is as far as a proper tribunal room as I could imagine! Young Master Albion, do you know a better place?"

"You recognize me?" The blonde-haired young man blinked. Outer Maester Oswald's smile widened.

"Of course! Who hasn't heard rumors of your- err, zeal for life?" Mallow noticed the Healer's look of derision toward the Maester. Meanwhile, Albion nodded.

"There is a spot. I'll show you." The Healer growled at Albion's back.

"Take care."

"Are you being nice?" Albion sounded bewildered. The Healer just snorted and crossed his arms.

"Young Master Albion, don't dwell on the locals' crass behaviors." Outer Maester Oswald waddled forward.

"How did one of your fine breeding end up here?"

"I don't remember," Albion replied. Then he pointed.

"There is a cleared area over there. Plus, it's near the merchant area, so you can purchase a chair easily-""A fellow connoisseur! Indeed, I could tell instantly that we are like-minded individuals. I, too, am very refined when it comes to my seating." The Maester's eyes brightened with enthusiasm.

"It is difficult to understand, but a seat is precisely like a scale, requiring wisdom and proper cushioning to utilize! Without a careful balancing of elements, the result can be so plush it coddles the recipient. Yet for one to rest directly on the scaffolding- it is harsh and uncomfortable." Mallow felt almost overwhelmed, for the bitter and small-minded Maester to suddenly become so… chatty. About chairs. But perhaps his enthusiasm hinted at how the Outer Maester believed himself to be to a promotion.

A word from an influential Albion might be just what he needed. Or he just loved chairs. Mallow wasn't sure which.

"Why do you spread word about pollution within the Rifts?" Albion said. Mallow gave the young man a sharp look at the abrupt shift in topic, but the Maester took it in stride, sighing heavily.

"It almost seems like a waste, does it not? Sure, there are side effects, but the more refined among us would benefit from stronger laborers. The erosion of their personality due to Archetypes matters little. Yet such is the order of the world." Albion furrowed his brow. But he pointed.

"This is the area. When the woman was being held, they chained her here."

"She was chained," the Maester hummed for a second.

"Yet no longer?" Albion gave the Maester a strange look. Further discussion ceased as Administrator Ranya, with a flurry of assistants and bureaucrats, arrived. Mallow didn't miss the frank dislike in the woman's expression as she looked at Kirk Albion before turning to the Maester.

"I've made the arrangements for the tribunal later this evening. We shall set down a feast for lunch. During that time, you can review the relevant documentation-""Hmm." Outer Maester Oswald looked at Mallow. Malow shook his head, even while he inwardly grimaced.

"That is unnecessary. Do you think that Maester Oswald is weak in body or resolve? A feast would only delay the execution of justice."

"Well said," Outer Maester nodded in approval. The trickle of sweat went down Mallow's back. It was Oswald's pettiness that caused him to prod Escort Mellow into these sorts of statements. In truth, it was inappropriate for the Maester to directly contradict an Administrator. That was how the tenuous balance of power between Maesters and secular leaders was maintained. Maesters were the judges, but Administrators handled the arrangements. So Oswald didn't say it.

Mallow kept his expression even as he met the gaze of the Administrator. With red eyes of an individual long overworked, she seemed to radiate pure resentment. As with all communications from the Outer Maester, it was a test. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Mallow was a sacrificial pawn. But what could he do?

"Your journey was surely long and difficult." The Administrator managed to squeeze the words out between her teeth.

"Please allow me the honor of hosting a small meal for you." Outer Maester Oswald smiled. Mellow knew how much the petty man enjoyed the Administrator forcing herself to say this. But what he would enjoy even more-"No." Outer Maester Oswald said. His gaze swiveled to the auburn-haired woman, her hands symbolically bound in front of her.

"You would be the accused, then? Alright, alright, Escort, clear a space. We shall have her enumerate the crimes levied against her, so I can pass judgment."

"Surely, a perusal of the materials I brought will be invaluable." The Administrator tried one more time, but Escort Mallow ignored her, using imperious waves of his arm to shoo away the many Conduits that had already gathered into an audience. Meanwhile, Kirk Albion looked at the Administrator.

"Can I see the documentation?"

"That-" Again, dislike twisted the Administrator's mouth.

"That wouldn't be appropriate. You, a Tier I Conduit- considering the privacy of the related parties-""See, this is exactly the sort of inflexible thinking that limits you to being the Administrator in a backwater like this," Oswald sniffed.

"There is a long tradition of a representative from one of the four Great Families assisting in Maester's Councils. You nag about how important these documents are, yet now you refuse to share them?"

"There are secrets relating to the Kingdom. Kirkland can't just-""Call me Kirk." Kirk Albion frowned. The Outer Maester offered a small smile; he obviously enjoyed the Administrator's frustration. Mellow stepped forward again and pressed the issue.

"Do you or do you not wish to provide the documentation? Hiding evidence from a Maester can be considered a grave crime." For a tense stretch, the Administrator just stood. All the Conduits, those who had to follow her dictates, watched. Even the wind stilled. This was the true goal of the Outer Maester, Mellow knew. To erode Ranya's authority, however he could. In the end, she handed Kirk Albion the documents with shaking hands. Then she pivoted on her heel and walked a short distance away.

Oswald opened his mouth to mock her, but before he could speak, Maylor Balkan caught the Maester's eye. Oswald flinched, coughed, and then folded his hands behind his back and attempted to look dignified. At Mallow's direction, an area had been cleared. Several chairs were hauled out by the Administrator's people. Oswald swaggered forward and took the most cushioned one that had been clearly intended for the Administrator. Without missing a beat, Kirk Albion came over and joined the Maester in a similar chair.

Her expression stiff, the Administrator seated herself in a wooden chair off to the side. After giving Kirk an approving smile, Oswald cleared his throat.

"I officially designate this tribunal as begun. The Maester Council closely watches proceedings such as these; the administration of justice is to a country what breathing is to a body-- only through its routine repetition will the filth be cleansed, will the truly important muscles be allowed unfettered execution." A crowd of Conduits peered around each other to get a better look at the action.

The auburn-haired woman swallowed and looked at the Outer Maester, who smiled into the middle distance, allowing the moment to stretch. Only Albion seemed immune to the stillness, rifling through and frowning at the papers given to him by the Administrator. Finally, Outer Maester Oswald pointed.

"Announce your crimes, so the tribunal may continue."

"I…" The woman licked her lips.

"I have committed no-""Levy," Oswald's false smile dropped.

"Your actions have necessitated that I, a respected Maester, journey to Peakhold. You cannot be unaware of the inconvenience." When the woman still hesitated, he began to glare.

"At our doorstep is an envoy of the Imperial Sanctum. Do you expect me to believe they are simply out taking a stroll? Enunciate your crimes." The crowd muttered and swayed. The woman's face reddened even more. She looked at the Outer Maester for a few seconds but turned away. Her face resembled a tomato. But after biting her lip, she seemed prepared to object again. Oswald spoke before she could even begin.

"Maesters have many tools at their disposal to handle the uncooperative. So continue to act impertinent and I'll rip off your robes and whip your back until you are blubbering and broken. And everyone here will simply watch." The Conduits swayed, but remained silent. On Eira, offending the Maesters could earn you only misery. The Outer Maester grinned. His eyes flicked to a conspicuous group of armored individuals at the edge of the crowd.

"Ah, Terreo, of the Dragon Spine Troop. What brought you out to this edge of the world?" A tall, grey-haired man nodded and stepped forward.

"The rates paid by Peakhold to Troops are quite competitive."

"Indeed? How interesting." Already, Mallow could see Oswald becoming bored with the interaction. Instead, he gestured, almost helplessly, at the woman in the middle.

"Anyway, you can see my struggles, I'm sure. Should she continue to resist, will the Dragon Spine Troop handle this?"

"If that is what is required, Maester." The man spoke without a change in expression. Mallow hid a sneer. Everyone needs just one favor for their big break. For the first time in a while, Kirk Albion looked up. His eyes were inscrutable as he looked from Oswald to the Troop members stepping forward. With a frown, he returned to the papers in front of him. Oswald kept his eerie grin in place and looked back toward the auburn-haired woman. The Outer Maester flicked his fingers and Mallow took his cue.

He cleared his throat.

"Read your crimes to the tribunal."

"I-" The woman gulped. Her gaze roved through the crowd. But the Conduits and laborers of Peakhold kept their mouths shut. Her chin dropped and she stared at the scroll.

"I am accused of thievery, capitol- capitol treachery, and conspiracy to wound the Kingdom."

"Indeed?" The Outer Maester nodded.

"If such are your crimes, then this tribunal will be simplicity itself. Considering your confession, you are found guilty. Your punishment-""What?" The woman blinked.

"I didn't confess." Mallow stepped forward again, glowering.

"You just announced your crimes. We all saw your expression- you looked proud of what you had done. What was that if not a confession?"

"My expression?" The woman trembled. The crowd muttered to each other.

"This same impudence. Time and time again, you interrupt me." The Outer Maester leaned forward, his fingers tightening on the arms of his chair.

"For that, your punishment will be exacerbated. I sentence you-""Outer Maester Oswald." This time, Administrator Ranya intervened. Her gaze was vicious.

"This hardly seems appropriate. You compelled her to read out her crimes and then misconstrued them as a confession?"

"You are not part of the Tribunal. Your quibbling is irrelevant." The Maester flicked his fingers.

"Troop Leader Terreo. Apprehend the convicted. You wield a heavy club, do you not? That seems appropriate." To Terreo's credit, he hesitated. But, when the accused's expression finally brightened, the Troop Leader lowered his hand and gripped the handle of his club.

"You-," The Administrator hissed.

"A civilian official cannot intervene in a Tribunal. This is justice." Oswald chuckled.

"I'm on the tribunal, right?" Kirk Albion looked up for the second time.

"This is not justice."