Chapter 30

As expected, the disciplinary hearing became a long, drawn-out affair. With over a hundred students giving testimony, it took almost two full days before the verdict was reached. The vast majority of the testimonies explained how Lenard had bullied and threatened various students to get their compliance in the victimization of Thomas. While most of the student's stories were not corroborated, the sheer number of students that came forward lent validity to the statements.

The second group of students called consisted of students who had been "punished" for the sin of contacting Thomas. Every member of this group reported that they were "counseled" by Lenard prior to the bullying they were being subjected to being lifted. Unlike most of the previous group, most of these incidents were witnessed by several students. While Lenard's face clearly showed he was unhappy that there had been witnesses, it had been necessary to ensure that the end of the torment had been ordered and that the message was passed on.

The most damming testimonies came from the students involved in the elemental fight. Not only did the members of Thomas' party give their evidence about Lenard's attack, so did the members of Lenard's own party. This had the additional effect of starting poaching charges against Lenard from the city of Black River.

Nonetheless, by noon of the second day of the hearing, a very large amount of testimony had been levied against Lenard. Mr. Ericson, who had been assigned as Lenard's defense counsel, had tried valiantly to discredit the various testimonies. Unfortunately, his efforts were all but useless against the sheer number of witnesses. For his part, Lenard did try to provide witnesses and evidence to counter the charges while he was in the healer's ward. However, everyone he sent Mr. Ericson to speak with ended up affirming the charges against Lenard. Lenard also attempted to paint Thomas as the stereotyped Shaman from the Shaman Wars. Wisely, Mr. Ericson refused to present that argument to the panel.

As the proceedings were coming to a close, the Headmaster stood. "Before the panel begins its final deliberations, there is one question that needs to be answered. As neither the prosecution or defense have brought the matter up, I am invoking my right of direct questioning. Mr. Silvercrest, please stand." After Lenard and Mr. Ericson had stood, the Headmaster continued, "During this hearing we have heard much about your actions during your time here, but the last thing I must know is Why? Why have you so persecuted Mr. Walker with so much zeal?"

Lenard looked back at the Headmaster defiantly. "I am the heir of Starshine Keep. As such, I am under no obligation to explain myself to a commoner like you. It's clear I'm being railroaded here. So, get it over with and let me get on with my life."

At this, Baron Silvercrest shot to his feet. "As Headmaster of this school, as well as president of this hearing, he does have a right to demand that answer. And even if he did not, I demand your answer. Not as your father, but as the Baron you've sworn allegiance to when you were made heir. Now answer your Baron. Why have you acted like this toward a fellow student?"

Lenard looked at his furious father. Meekly, he answered, "On the day of the entrance examinations, I was trying to start an acquaintance with several female students. But they all turned away and dismissed me. Later I heard those same students gossiping about some guy who they had apparently had an accidental interaction with. They were gushing about how cool and polite he was, and directly contrasted me with him. "Much nicer than that arrogant noble who harassed us earlier," was their summation. It didn't take long to see that they were talking about that smith's son. It was, and still is intolerable, to be thought of as lesser than some commoner. Yet, no matter what I did, he never retaliated, or even got angry. It was like I didn't exist. Then he was elevated to a rare hybrid class. I thought that I could use that to ruin him and force him out of the school. But instead, I needed to spend so much effort to force the students to go along with me that I started failing some of my classes. I know several students logged complaints against me, but nothing ever came from it. That's why. Without trying that Shaman gathered everything I ever wanted. Even you father. You've always told me to earn my inheritance, but the Shaman? He gets a free ride to the top of your forces. It's totally unfair." As he had progressed, the meekness had left his tone to be replaced by rising anger.

Into the quiet that followed Lenard's final outburst, the Headmaster spoke, "Your statement has been noted. The panel will now begin its deliberations. This hearing is in recess until they are complete." With that, everyone left the classroom.

Outside, Thomas went to the blacksmithing club's forge. Quickly heating an ingot of steel, he had just began stretching it out into a bar when Alex found him. She could tell by the force of his blows that Thomas was upset about something. Walking up behind him, she put her arms around his bare torso. Thomas stopped mid-swing, but did not turn his head toward her. "Is there something you need, Alex?" he asked.

"I need you to tell me what's bothering you," replied Alex.

Thomas resumed shaping the steel on his anvil. "Lenard admitted why he has such a dislike for me. It's the most simplistic, immature, self-centered, egotistical reason I've ever heard. Apparently, there were some girls gossiping about the two of us, and he didn't come out the winner. And that was 'Intolerable' to that whiny noble. All that trouble, an entire term's full, because he couldn't control his ego. Now his future is going to be drastically altered, probably for the worse, and I betting he'll be blaming me for it. I'll probably need to be watching my back for the rest of my life now, because Lenard's already tried to kill me once." Thomas' hammering of the ingot had become so forceful that it had bent into a 'U'.

"I understand," Alex said as she held him tighter. "But you can't beat yourself up over his choices. You never did anything to deserve his hate, and worrying about him will only give him too much power over you. Let it go, let him live with his choices and trust him to make the best of his own life. You live yours."

Thomas put his hammer down and leaned back against Alex. "You're right. Its just so stupid. All this trouble over something so… trivial. Its frustrating."

Eventually, Thomas was summoned back to the hearing. Upon entering, he was shocked to see the changes the recess had wrought on Baron Silvercrest. He looked to have aged several years in just an hour. The Baron nodded to Thomas when he returned to the room, but did not engage in conversation.

Once Lenard was escorted into the room by Mr. Ericson, The Headmaster stood up from his place at the center of the panel of teachers.

"Lenard Silvercrest, this panel has found you guilty of all charges. You are hereby expelled from the Green Key School. You will be escorted to gather your belongings, and will leave the grounds by sundown. And you are forever banned from returning." The Headmaster banged the butt of his dagger against the table.

"If I may, Headmaster, I would like you and this hearing to witness this," Baron Silvercrest turned toward his son, "Lenard, I, as Baron of Starshine Keep, officially denounce you and strip you of your right to inherit my title, estate, and lands. You are cast out from the Silvercrest line, and its noble lineage. Furthermore, you are banished from the lands of the Starshine Keep, until my judgment is revoked by the sitting Baron. My last words to the one who was my son are, 'May the gods grant you success in your new life'." With that, the Baron turned and left the classroom.

An hour later, the entire student body and school staff were assembled along the main path leading from the commons to the main gate. Lenard was escorted down the path by both Mr. Ericson and Druid Moonstone. He was carrying all his possessions, and was not looking around at the gathered witnesses to his shame. At the main gate, the Headmaster handed him a small pouch of coins. "This is the remains of the tuition your family paid for this year. The Baron refused to accept it, so I'm giving it to you. Good luck."

As Lenard exited the school grounds the main gate was closed with a disheartening boom.