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knows how to conduct such a hearing.”
    Behind, while Obrist Wellach spoke, Hem Duro was instructing two kerns where to place his chair, before the food table, facing the room. Despite his words outside the fort, it seemed, at least for now, that he was there to listen rather than to speak.
    Two lesser scribes, one a young woman, settled at a special table to write down the proceedings. Then the obrist held up his hand for silence. Master de Reece stepped forward and spoke in clear ringing tones.
    “We will not have the witnesses sworn just at first,” he said easily. “I will begin with the person who was closest to Lord Knaar—first gentleman of the bedchamber, Valent Harrad.”
    The handsome young fellow in blue stood up and answered
to his name. Yes, it was just as the procession turned to make the approach to the fortress. He was behind Lord Knaar, who turned aside to receive flowers from some country wives and their children. No, he had seen nothing amiss until two kedran came riding from the barriers and pushed into the crowd just beyond the women. And then? Yes, indeed, said young Harrad, tossing his long scented locks. He saw the attackers, two men in dark clothes, perhaps hunting dress. He saw that one had a great spear and came at the Lord Knaar, although the kedran would have prevented it.
    “So the red-haired one struck him down!” he finished.
    “Do you see this kedran?” inquired Master de Reece.
    The young man’s gaze flicked over those present in the wide sunny room, and he pointed eagerly, smiled and nodded.
    “There she is, Master de Reece, and her companion too …”
    Gael held up her head and prayed for strength.
    “Kedran?”
    Master de Reece made a gesture; she stood up, saluted, and gave her name.
    “Gael Maddoc, kedran recruit from Coombe village!”
    She was echoed by Jehane springing up at her side:
    “Jehane Vey, kedran recruit from Veyna!”
    De Reece nodded to Huw Mentle, including him in the group of witnesses.
    “Yes, Master Scribe,” said the old man, “I first saw the danger when these two brave kedran came through and held the two brigands. Some of our citizens from the garrison village came to their aid and took hold of one of the men. The younger of the two, in a close-fitting hood, held up his sword to heaven and made some incantation. Then the pair of them made off, and two of the lord’s escort, two Sword Lilies, came amongst us and ordered the kedran to declare themselves!”
    Only one of the Sword Lilies, a fierce old captain called Lockie, told the tale from their side.
    “Yes, Master de Reece,” she said in her hoarse voice, “we had not seen anything of an attack or an attacker. We did not recognize these two recruits.”
    She gave Gael and Jehane a curt nod—it was recognition at last, and they acknowledged it thankfully.
    “Now, was there a pursuit of these two men?” asked de Reece.
    “There was,” said Captain Lockie. “Two of our troop went after them and some citizens before. They had taken to a narrow alley called Oldwall that leads to the fields. The men were not found.”
    “They had hidden themselves? Reached the fields?”
    The captain was already embarrassed by the questions. Reeve Mentle signed to de Reece and spoke up seriously, looking at Hem Duro.
    “I know that our noble Lord Knaar is no friend of such talk, but it must be said. That short street, Oldwall, is bare of any doorway or possible hiding place. The younger fugitive was heard speaking strange words. Hem Duro—your father’s attackers escaped with the help of magic!”
    Duro gave a short laugh and shook his head.
    “Yes,” he said. To everyone’s relief, he had taken no offense at the reeve’s uncomfortable disclosure. “My father does not encourage magicians. But magic is used all throughout the lands of Hylor. Two enemies of Val’Nur might be just the fellows to fight against us with such tricks!”
    As he spoke, the trumpet call sounded below, and bells were rung. The