The Totem-Maker (part twenty-nine)

The Totem-Maker

Chapter Four

To Be and to Choose

(part twenty-nine)

Lady Nyma’s assize was of high ceremony, a sober weight to impress itself on any accusant entering lightly. I entered in fear. I must be dressed in a blue and yellow garment, with high collar and ornamented fastenings, that designated me Petitioner. I was assigned counsel; I had not expected it.

By his title, his stoniness of manner, and these competent mysteries urged upon me, I felt that Vranga-lan Banche wanted his part done….to his standards, yes. But rid of, and quickly.

“The law requires no ignorant person be done a misjustice for ignorance alone.”

“I admire the sound of these phrases,” I said.

“We may survive this case without hearing from you…do yourself that favor. And bear in mind what we win, when we win.”

Stand and sit when ordered, allow Banche all speech, answer only Lady Nyma—

“Now, something may occur, on the side of Mumas. His counsel, a friend he produces, Mumas himself… May mumble a certain thing, and hope you understand what can be denied. A provoking thing…you were fond of Lom. An ugly thing.”

By this picture I was provoked. Banche nodded, and nodded, pleased enough almost to smile. When my face had changed through embarrassment, anger, disgust…then grown calm and ready, he said: “What will you say?”

I made a gesture. But told him: “Nothing.”

He was reining me in, as did my shorn hair and stiff coat. Banche sourly expected I would surprise. “You have no pockets. Your hands are at your sides.” He squatted, in an old man’s way, grunting. He patted my shoes.

“But I could tell you. What would I hide? An amulet, a tile?”

“I don’t want your word. My task is to do my best, and trusting you is not that. Will you invoke Lotoq?”

“Blasphemy, my lord.” A moment passed. “And no.”

We entered the pillared hall of the Villa Montadta. The Prince had made a gift of this house, from Cerus Montadta to himself. Cerus was honored with a general’s post, to a far corner of the Emperor’s wars. In his absence, strange furnishings had attached, skulls in burnished helmets, hides of animals I’d thought myth.

Mumas as Respondent was costumed in brown. He was allowed a sash in his family’s colors. Citizens packed the far wall, benches were filled with non-Monsecchereans; no proper aisle lay between sides. Mumas and his counsel were crowded to an edge.

31

To Be and to Choose

The Totem-Maker (part thirty)

(2018, Stephanie Foster)