The great bandit Trial, part 1

Writers: Eimi, Estelle, Paula
Date Posted: 4th June 2019
Series: The Great Bandit Trial

Characters: Corowal, Zandan, Tasni, Jihan, Hakob, Terren, Tedek, Neliar
Description: The great bandit trial is finally being held.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 22 of Turn 9
Notes: Part 1 of 4 , yes it got that long which is why it's back dated.

The trial of holdless bandit was attracting so much attention and
there was so many of them to judge that the grand dining hall had been
converted to a court room. Usually Corowal used council chamber but
today it wasn't large enough. The Hold's banners hung from the walls,
the high table were Lord Holder and his family ate was now the judge's
seat. Most of the tables been carried out, just leaving smaller one
for the steward representing the Hold and other one for the defence.
Chairs were re-arranged to a semicircular stand for the audience and
witnesses.

Zandan and his men escorted the prisoners in, all chained up. He and
his guards were all wearing their parade uniforms. They were armed to
teeth and wore leather armour under their coats. Once the prisoners
were seat near the harper platform, Zandan took his place behind the
Judge's seat. Corowal was still waiting to make a grand entrance.

Hakob, captain of the riverboat Cornflower, was sitting among the
witnesses. He had already identified the prisoners as the ones that
raided his riverboat. Especially, the female bandit, and the man who
had hold a knife against his darling wife's throat.

Smartly dressed in harper blue, Tasni looked out over the crowd, paying
particular attention to the witnesses. She hadn't expected so many. But
then, if the bandits had managed to steal the tithe and made the roads
unsafe for traders, she imagined that the holders would be eager to see
justice done. She saw Terren's wife, Lirena, and her dragonrider son
sitting about halfway back. Both looked pale and tense, in contrast to
the excitement of those around them.

She did her best to ignore her nerves, knowing that they would disappear
once the trial got underway. At least she wasn't representing the
holdless ones; they had been assigned to one of the hold's harpers, and
he would have an even more difficult job trying to prove their
innocence. She glanced over at the steward's table, wondering how he
planned to argue his case, and how she'd be able to respond.

Jihan made sure to make no eye contact with anyone. Though he had
assisted in many trials, this was the first time he would be front and
center. He knew what to do. His whole career had been preparing him
for this moment. But that didn't mean on the inside he was half as
calm as he was projecting on the outside. He took deliberate slow
deep breaths as he went over once more in his mind exactly what he
would say.

Corowal entering, wearing somber clothes suitable for the occasion.
After he had taken his seat, Zandan declared the trial open.

The assistant steward stood, raising his usually soft baritone voice
so it could be heard throughout the chamber. "My Lord, the accused,
Adrik, Arvidon, Deeton, Gasvia, Podick, Tedek, and Zurui, all
Holdless, are charged with the hijacking of the riverboat Cornflower,
the kidnapping of it's crew, and the theft of it's cargo. In addition
they stand accused of stopping a trading caravan, causing bodily harm
to its members, and stealing property, including a necklace of
considerable value. Cotholder Terren of Emerald Falls Hold is accused
of hiding stolen goods and giving aid and shelter to known criminals.
All of the accused previously named are charged with resisting arrest,
resulting the serious injury of one of Emerald Fall's guards. That,
my Lord, concludes the charges."

"And how do they plead? Defence?" Corowal asked and looked the harpers.

"Not guilty, on behalf of Adrik, Arvidon, Deeton, Gasvia, Podick and
Zurui," The Hold's harper; Neliar, replied, as expected and then
waited Tasni to plead for her client.

Tasni stood. "Cotholder Terren also pleads not guilty, my Lord." As she
resumed her seat, she glanced out at the crowd. There were some
surprised expressions and frowns, but whether that was at the pleas or
the sight of a female harper speaking up in the Lord Holder's court, she
couldn't tell.

"Duly noted," Corowal said and glanced the scribe that was recording
the trial. He gave discreet nod that he had everything down and they
continued with witness testimonials and presenting the gathered
evidence.

Jihan rose to his feet. "If it should please you my Lord, I should
like to begin with the witnesses to Cornflower incident."

Hakub, by his own request, was called to witness first. He recounted
how Cornflower was hijacked and robbed, he confidently identified
several of the prisoners, especially the man who had held a knife at
his wife's throat. Several of his crew members witnessed after him,
some of them pointing out bandits who were missing among the accused
ones, like the second female.

When Neliar's turn to cross-examine came, he found it hard to find
anything to say. Hakub was respected captain of a riverboat whit
spotless reputation.

**** continues ****

Last updated on the June 24th 2019

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The great bandit Trial, part 1