This is a fan made story. I don't own the rights to the Protector of the Small series, any of its characters belong to Tamora Pierce… Much to my disappointment. This goes AU about midway from the book Page. Fair warning. Constructive criticism is welcome but if you don't like it simply because you don't like the line of thinking, please don't attack me for it. This is mostly centered on Joren. This is also a slow build Kel/Joren.
Winter 456/457
Cleon and Joren's conversation brought a closer friendship between them and Cleon made a concentrated effort to ignore his feelings for Kel. The delay in her return caused them both no small amount of worry though, since the weather had turned bitterly cold and the snow fall was deep. Then the men hired to kidnap Lalasa came forward with who had hired them to do so. Joren wasn't surprised to know it was a noble. He even was certain he knew which noble it was, though it hadn't been announced.
Joren knew that word had been sent to Lord Raoul as Kel's knight-master. When the trials started, he offered to sit with Lalasa and Tian in moral support until Kel arrived. They seemed to greatly appreciate this. Two days after the trial began, a servant knocked on Joren's door and gave him a note from Lalasa telling him that Kel had returned.
The next day, he sat on Lalasa's left while Kel sat to her right. Lord Raoul sat on Kel's other side. Behind them sat Neal, Cleon, Tian, Gower, Kel's parents, Sir Inness and even Prince Roald, who had just arrived from Port Legann right before the beginning of the trial. Lord Wyldon also sat in the section for the wronged party.
Across the aisle was Sir Nualt of Rosemark, Vinson's knight-master. To his right was Vinson's uncle who was also Joren's father's steward to handle interests in Corus while he was away. Joren silently promised himself that he would get rid of the man once his father passed. Next to his steward was an advocate.
"Master Advocate Muirgen of Sigis Hold," Raoul whispered the name to Kel but Joren heard as well. "He's very good- the best money can buy."
"There's little he can do when everybody knows Vinson is guilty," Kel's response was a whisper too.
Duke Turomot scowled at them after giving the prayer to Mithros, "These proceedings are a matter of law, not of noble privilege. Should you have challenges to issue, make them elsewhere. We…"
What he was about to say next was not to be known because just then the King and Queen were announced, and everyone forced to rise and either bow or curtsy depending on their mode of dress. The King and Queen took a seat in the two thrones that normally were only there as a reminder of royal dominion. Duke Turomot resumed his seat only after the monarchs nodded to him and only then did everyone else sit as well.
First the two convicted kidnappers were admitted and announced before they announced why they were testifying. Next the clerk called out, "Admit the noble prisoner."
Out came Vinson of Genlith, arrogant and callus as usual. He bowed to the monarchs and Duke Turomot before taking a seat next to his uncle and advocate. He sat without even looking to the people that he was here for harming.
"Ivath Brand and Urfan Noll, do you see the man who paid you two gold nobles to kidnap Lalasa Isran?" demanded Clerk Hayward.
Both the convicted commoners pointed at Vinson without hesitations. Vinson's uncle stood at this point, "If I may speak, my lord Duke."
Turomot's nod of his head had the man continuing, "I am Ebroin of Genlith, uncle to Squire Vinson and standing in my brother's place as he is unable to be in Corus at the moment. With me is Master Advocate Muirgen of Sigis Hold, licensed to speak in law in Tortall, Tyra, Maren and Galla. He will serve on Squire Vinson's behalf."
"I know Master Advocate Muirgen," Duke Turomot acknowledged the man now bowing to the monarchs and himself. "He may speak as required."
Ebroin sat while the master advocate began his argument, "Your Majesties, my Lord Magistrate, the testimony of convicted men in such matters is a jest. They give Squire Vinson's name to please the Watch interrogators. They had to offer a truly big fish to justify any change in their sentence. They…"
The convicts spoke out at this point and after a little abuse and some complaints from the advocate were escorted out. The advocate tried next to argue there was no evidence connecting him to the crime only to have maps of the palace presented and requested truth spells deemed unusable since their users were clearly unfit for any form of decent living.
This was all interrupted by Vinson's cold voice, "Oh, stop it already. These two have been talking at me for days. I'm weary of it. I paid those idiots to steal the wench and stash her on Balor's Needle. I paid a…"
At this point both advocate and uncle tried to silence Vinson's arrogant tirade while Sir Nualt of Rosemark held his head in hands in shame.
"Squire Vinson, I beg you, not another word," Ebroin spoke hurriedly. "Think of our family and its honor! There are ways to handle…"
Vinson pushed his uncle away roughly, "For a man from a great family, you talk like a merchant. My Honor? What honor has a nation when a female lives among men and pretends to their profession of arms? What honor is there in forcing Lord Wyldon to accept this unnatural creature into training and to allow her to continue?" Kel looked at the floor, clearly enraged.
"I was not forced, Vinson," Lord Wyldon spoke against the squire's argument. "She earned her right to stay, as much, no, more than, you lads. Against odds that might have broken one of you."
"And you are honor bound to say that," Vinson stated though clearly not accepting it. He spat at the flagstones in front of her as Kel glared at him. "I had her coming and going. Either she failed in her duty to her servant and I'd have made sure the world knew how the wonderful Keladry had shirked her first obligation as a noble or she'd be so late she'd have to repeat the whole four years. No one would do that."
Vinson paused in his rant before continuing, "My Lord Duke, you and the other examiners made allowance for her, because certain interests in this kingdom mean her to succeed. You allowed her to take the big examinations alone. Of course, she passed. So, I paid those men. I give you leave to sentence me under the law."
Duke Turomot looked ready to spit venom at Vinson's arrogant display, "You are fortunate that, by law, a magistrate may not challenge for insult, Vinson of Genlith. I submit you knew that much before you found the courage insult to such to me and my examiners. But Mithros waits in judgement, you arrogant puppy. You may twist our law to suit you, but he weighs your every act, and will find you wanting.
"With regard to your actions, the law is specific. According to The Laws of Tortall, section five, chapter twelve, paragraph two, in the matter of one noble's interference with the body servant of another noble: the offending noble must pay recompense for the loss of that servant for that period of time, in addition to the time which other servants spend attempting to help find the servant thus interfered with; the expense of any care of the servant following the interference; all expenses incurred by the noble with regard to court prosecution; and those costs incurred to bring said noble to court. I therefore fine Genlith one hundred gold crowns, fifty of which are to be paid to Squire Keladry of Mindelan, five to the woman Lalasa Isran and four-five of which will be paid to this court for its expenses and those of the Watch."
"One hundred gold crowns!" gasped Ebroin of Genlith. "The wench was gone not even a full day!"
"Silence!" barked Duke Turomot, slamming the granite ball to brass disk. "You lost the right to speak when your nephew confessed! The Isran woman earns commissions as a dressmaker to ladies, including, at the time of the interference, her royal majesty. I but included due concern for those delayed commissions."
"Just pay them their cursed money, Uncle," Vinson snapped arrogantly. "It hardly matters."
He then strode out through the same door he had entered by. Duke Turomot looked ready to summon him back in rage. King Jonathan clearing his throat caught the magistrate's attention however and the queen shook her head in a negative.
Sir Nualt stood, his face pale with shame, "Your Majesties, your grace, Squire Keladry, I beg your pardon for my squire's behavior. I didn't know of his crime. Had I known he would have behaved thusly, I would have gagged him."
"No noble is responsible for the utterances of another noble in court, unless there is proof that they are cohorts in the endeavor under study. It is known that you persuaded your squire to face this court and you are a knight of good character. No one believes you knew of Squire Vinson's behavior. I would suggest, however, that you use the time remaining of his service to school him in humility and respect," Duke Turomot's words were ones of contained rage over Vinson's behavior.
Sir Nualt bowed in embarrassment before turning and leaving. Turomot looked to Ebroin of Genlith, "Your dispositions, sir?"
Ebroin had been in heated discussion with the Master Advocate. He looked up, "If it pleases the court, I require three days to raise so great a sum."
"You have until sunset of the first night of Midwinter," Duke Turomot snapped. "Each half-day you are late, a third of the sum will be added as penalty, subject to the same division as the original sum."
"A third?!" Ebroin screeched. He then bowed his head as Duke Turomot glared at him. "Very well, my lord Duke."
Joren had watched as Kel became stiffer and stiffer as the trial had proceeded. Now she stood, "My Lord, I would like a question answered, please."
The magistrate's expression was odd as he responded, "Speak, Squire Keladry of Mindelan."
"Did I hear correctly?" Joren could tell that Kel was struggling to maintain her blank exterior. "Vinson had Lalasa kidnapped, bound, gagged, blindfolded, and dragged all about the palace grounds in the dark. Then, she was left on an open platform where she could have rolled into the opening to the stairs and fallen to her death, and all he gets is a fine? For the inconvenience?"
"That is that law," the Duke reluctantly responded in discomfort. "A maidservant belongs to her mistress. Squire Vinson deprived you of her services, I understand she worked at the time on a gown for her majesty and it caused disruption to her work later as a result of disordered nerves. I remind you the woman was also granted five gold crowns in my judgement."
"Lady Kel, please, hush," Lalasa begged, tugging on Kel's arm. "The ones who did it are going to hard labor, that's what matters."
"They wouldn't have touched you if he hadn't paid them," Kel tried to explain to Lalasa before turning back to the magistrate. "If he'd kidnapped me, he'd have gotten prison or trial by combat. But for her he tosses a few coins in our laps and goes on his way."
"Your tone borders on the insubordinate," Duke Turomot stated coldly. "My clerk will send you the law pertinent to cases in which nobles interfere with those of common blood under the protection of other nobles. These laws have been in our codes for centuries, squire, worked out by men far wiser than you. If you have no more questions…?"
Lalasa and Raoul tugged Kel back down on the bench and Raoul leant into her ear whispering low enough that Joren couldn't hear him being on the far side of Lalasa. He did hear what Lalasa added to it, "It's like me giving you my wages. I told you, most nobles keep nearly all of what their servants earn, it's their right. Maybe you're too full of ideals to do it, but other nobles aren't. My lady, don't make enemies here because of me!"
As they talked, Duke Turomot had ended the trial, giving instructions to his clerk and the Master Advocate. Joren resisted adding his two coppers to the discussion recognizing the expression of Kel fighting the urge to give into her emotions. Apparently, emotion and her sense of justice won out because, before either Lalasa or Joren could do anything, Kel was around them and up to the king and queen.
"Mindelan, don't do this!" Joren and those around them heard Lord Wyldon make one last attempt to stop her. Kel's blush of embarrassment brought a color to her face that Joren silently thought was rather becoming on her. He immediately silently chastised himself for the thought as it was neither the time nor the place.
"Your majesties, may I speak?" Kel asked.
Raoul had slid up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder before whispering in her ear again.
"Squire Keladry?" King Jonathan questioned with raised eyebrows.
"Privately, sire, if possible?" Kel requested, bowing the proper amount.
The Queen nodded, and the king looked at Turomot's clerk, the Lord Magistrate having already vanished.
"Sire, my office is empty, if you will excuse the clutter," the clerk offered quickly. The man went to one of the doors that led off the chamber and opened it with a low bow.
Raoul asked another question softly, which Kel nodded her agreement before turning to Lalasa, "Lalasa? It concerns you."
Lalasa immediately paled, "My lady, I couldn't. That company's too grand for the likes of me."
"I'll stay with her. Keep her safe until you return," Joren offered, Kel nodded her agreement before going into the room with Lord Raoul and the monarchs. Once the door closed behind Raoul and the others, Joren offered to escort Lalasa back to her shop to ensure her safety. Lalasa agreed, realizing that there was potential of Vinson trying some other convoluted plot of revenge given that she was now no longer Kel's maid legally, though Lalasa still considered herself as such.