Baron looked up sharply, "Wait. What do you mean?"

Paige looked at him, "When I was being held by his Father in Lord Beyon's courtroom Merrick told us that Drew ran away and fathered Ralph in hopes that Merrick would take Ralph instead of Drew to use necromancy on him to prolong his life by transferring his soul into Ralph's body."

Baron sat forward in his chair. "He did? I never received any such report about that. Can anyone collaborate your testimony?"

Paige nodded, "Lord Beyon, Lady Juniper, the Master at Arms, the temple Mistress, Ralph and all of the court that was there that day. Unfortunately Walter wasn't in the room at that time."

Baron looked to the great Mother and she nodded. "I should have known. Merrick was always a sleaze ball but I didn't know he was a necromancer. I wonder if the Council withheld that report from my packet."

Paige looked at him, "Don't you have all the reports from Lancaster?"

Baron shrugged, "I thought I had until you told me what Merrick said. I've been all through all the reports I had access too. And while it is clear his Father was up to no good, neither his actions nor what Andrew wanted Ralph for change Andrew's claim as Ralph's Father. But it could make a difference to the Council. It shows he had no real concern over the lad's life. Not to mention his running off, but he's explained that as he went on an adventure."

Raynold cleared his throat, "There isn't a lot of truth in his answers to these questions."

Baron looked over, "I know. I didn't even need the great Mother to see those."

Raynold pointed. "Particularly, this claim, that Merrick sent a messenger to tell our Lord he'd withdrawal the bounty on our Lady if he'd surrender Ralph. What they fail to tell you was the messenger was an Amatan."

Baron looked up at Lord Walter. "Is that true?"

Walter nodded.

"And you killed the Amatan and survived?" Baron was shocked.

Walter nodded. "It took a lot out of me, but that is one abomination that won't trouble this world again."

"That's an understatement. He slept over eighteen hours before waking up long enough to eat and then fell back to sleep again for more than ten hours. It took two healing potions from Allie and I had to play my restorative song six times to heal his body as well." Paige told them.

Walter rung the small bell and a few moments later Linda stepped in, "Did you want more juice my Lord?"

Walter shook his head, "Would you please send someone to get my son for me Linda."

Linda smiled, "Of course my Lord."

Paige looked up, "I don't want to worry Ralph."

Walter squeezed her shoulder, "Ralph is of an age that he needs to be made aware of what is going on. He has a right to voice what he himself would like. Besides, I'd rather we told him now then for some careless slip of the tongue reveal what is going on without his knowledge."

Paige shook her head, "He's too young to make that kind of decision."

Walter smiled, "Not decision, he has the right to tell us what he would like. We are still responsible for making any decision."

The great Mother smiled, "That is very wise my Lord. But what if he wants to meet his Father?"

Walter shrugged, "He should have that opportunity if he wants to. But I have no doubt in my son's choice. He accepted my claim upon him as my son. But I would insist that he meet this man."

Baron looked up finally. "Not that I ever doubted it but your reputation is well deserved by fighting and surviving an Amatan my Lord."

Walter smiled.

Paige grinned. "Then you'd be really impressed he won against a second Amatan a week or so later."

Baron looked at her sharply and then back to Lord Walter. "You encountered two Amatans and lived to tell the story?"

Walter shrugged. "The second one was much easier. She who was Lady Bethany hadn't been one long enough to really know how to use her abilities."

Baron stared at him hard. "Lady Bethany became an Amatan? When I get back to the Council I am going to have sharp words with them. They should have included all of this in the files they gave me for this."

A few moments later they heard feet running in the hallway and then Ralph ran into the great hall. "You wanted me Dad?"

Walter nodded as he held out his hand.

Ralph walked over and Walter put his hand on his shoulder, "This is the great Mother of Hera and Adjudicator Baron. They are here to conduct a discussion between your Mother and I with Drew."

Ralph looked back up at his Dad and over to his Mom, "Drew? What does he want?"

Paige reached out and took his hand. "Apparently he took over his Father's throne as King of Krammer and is now petitioning the Council of Los Angeles to try and negotiate with us to surrender you to him."

Ralph had stepped up to her and then shook his head, "No. I want nothing to do with him."

Walter smiled, "Ralph, as our son it is our decision and we are not surrendering you. But you have never known him and I think it is important that you at least meet him."

Ralph shook his head, "You are my Father. You and you alone," Ralph threw his arms around Walter's waist and Walter smiled as he hugged him.

"And you are my son as I have already sworn to the wise Lady. But I do want you to at least meet him. And I am sure at some point in the discussion Baron might insist." Walter ruffled his hair.

Baron smiled, "Master Ralph it is a pleasure to meet you." Baron extended his hand.

Ralph reached out and shook his hand. "Thank you Adjudicator. It is nice to meet you. What's an Adjudicator?"

Baron grinned, "That is a heck of a grip you got there and that is a fine question Master Ralph. Basically it is my job to interview and question all parties in a dispute. Then based on all the information apply it to the laws governing the treaties between Los Angeles and those parties they are made with. In this case, I have to question your parents and King Andrew. Your parents and King Andrew are free to question each other as well. I will rely upon my intuition and the guidance of the great Mother here along with any tangible proof I can acquire in determining the truth so I can recommend to the Council in Los Angeles an appropriate action."

"Well there is another option. I could simply challenge Drew or his champion to a duel. And after I clean the blood off my hammer the matter would be resolved." Walter told him.

Baron grinned and then he laughed, "I would welcome that event but I seriously doubt the coward would agree. He definitely won't accept your challenge himself."

Baron reached down and picked up his briefcase. "As a matter of fact, I have something in here for Ralph." He flipped the locks and opened the case and pulled out a small gift wrapped box. He closed the case and sat it down. He held the box out, "This is from the City-State of Los Angeles, happy 10th birthday Master Ralph."

Ralph looked to his parents and they both nodded. Ralph reached out and took the box and looked back to his parents. "May I open it now even though it isn't my birthday yet?"

Walter and Paige both smiled and nodded.

Ralph quickly tore it open and opened the box and found a brand new wristwatch. "Wow, I've never had a watch before. Thank you."

Baron smiled. "You'll find it was made by the master time smiths of Switzerland."

Ralph turned to his parents and showed them the watch.

They both smiled. "You'll need to take care with it. This isn't an everyday watch." Paige told him. She pulled it out and buckled it to Ralph's wrist. "But I don't see why you can't wear it for today. Just be careful with it."

Ralph nodded.

Baron looked at him, "But your Father is correct. You will need to meet King Andrew. But I want you to rest assured, your parents here and I will be present at any such meeting."

Ralph looked at him. "I won't have to shake his hand or hug him will I?"

Baron smiled and shook his head. "Beyond meeting him you won't have to do anything else. Your parents and I will protect you."

The great Mother smiled, "As will the Clerics of Hera Master Ralph."

Ralph smiled with gratitude.

The next morning Ralph left his room and went down to Raynold's office. He didn't see Elizabeth so he walked up to his door and knocked. "Enter," Raynold said from the other side.

Ralph opened the door and stepped inside and closed the door.

Raynold looked up and smiled, "Master Ralph. What and unexpected surprise. What brings you to my office?"

Ralph looked at him, "Yesterday my Dad said something about challenging Drew. What was he talking about?"

Raynold smiled. "It isn't used very often anymore. But there is an old precedent whereby a disagreement between two parties can be settled through a duel of some sort. Usually either party can issue the challenge. And either party can select a champion to represent them or they participate in the duel themselves. Sometimes the fight results in the death of one or both people. Usually it was used when there is no clear proof of who is telling the truth."

Ralph nodded, "So if Dad was to challenge Drew then Drew would most likely choose a champion to face my Dad?"

Raynold nodded. "Of a certainty, would you want to face your Dad in combat?"

Ralph smiled and shook his head.

Raynold laughed, "Smart lad. But there is no way Drew would agree to even letting a champion fight in his place. He'd rely on the auspices of Los Angeles to get what he wants. In this case he wants you."

"Thank you Raynold," Ralph told him as he turned to leave.

"Anytime Ralph," Raynold smiled.

Ralph ran out of the Keep and ran out of the Keep wall where he met up with Sir Frederick and a Cleric of Hera. Selase leaped off the roof of the Keep and flew out over the wall and flew circles around Ralph until he reached the school and ran inside. Sir Fredrick and the Cleric of Hera after looking inside assumed positions outside the school door. Selase landed on the school house roof and settled down.

Ralph walked quickly up to Florence. "Good morning Mistress Florence."

Florence looked up and smiled, "Good morning Master Ralph. Did you not want to play with the other children this morning before class?"

Ralph shook his head. "Do we have any books that talk about an old practice of people challenging others to prove who is telling the truth?"

Florence frowned. "I'm not sure Ralph. It isn't very common anymore. Is there something specific you want to know?"

Ralph nodded. "Is there an age limit on it?"

Florence shook her head. "It can be invoked by anyone, though typically anyone who is under the age of ten has to select a champion to represent them."

Ralph frowned, "But do they have to pick a champion?"

Florence thought about it for a moment. "No."

"Is there a way to make the other party accept the challenge themselves instead of picking a champion?" Ralph looked back at the door.

Florence shook her head, "Typically if the person thinks they would lose they would choose a champion they believe would win the fight. I suppose if they think they would win they would accept the challenge themselves. Or if they were goaded by shame in front of others, pride is a big factor in a lot of contests." Florence frowned, "You aren't thinking about challenging one of the other kids are you?"

Ralph smiled and laughed as he shook his head. "I heard someone talking about it yesterday and I was just curious about it."

As Ralph returned to the Keep that evening he walked over to the forge and found Happy had already shut it down for the day. He stepped inside and looked around but no one was about. He stepped over to the cabinet he'd seen Happy open so his Dad could replace his Mom's sword. He searched the side and found a lever and he smacked it and the cabinet came free from the wall and Ralph pulled and it swiveled around exposing a wealth of magical weapons.

He looked inside and saw a hammer and he smiled as he reached in and just before he took hold of it a memory came back to him. He remembered his dad explaining one of the tenants of Paladins. Taking something that belonged to another without due process was wrong. Ralph sighed as he pushed the cabinet back over and felt it lock back in place.

He left the blacksmith shop and crossed the courtyard towards the Keep. The Cleric who served his Dad in his private temple walked out of the Keep as Ralph stepped up to enter. "Good evening Master Ralph."

Ralph looked up and nodded, "Good evening Mistress."

She reached out and stopped him. "You look trouble child. Is there anything I can do to ease it?"

Ralph shrugged.

She smiled, "Let's go up to my office and talk."

Ralph nodded and followed along with her. She held the door open and Ralph stepped inside. She pointed at a chair, "Take a seat." Ralph sat down and she stepped over and sat down. "Now Ralph, talk to me. What is causing you such grief?"

Ralph looked at her. "Have you heard about the Adjudicator and the great Mother of Hera and why they are here?"

The Mistress nodded. "I spoke with your Father and Mother earlier today regarding the matter. The wise Lady herself is furious at King Andrew's actions."

"My Dad wants to challenge him and beat him into submission to leave us alone. But everyone agrees Drew is too cowardly to accept. I want to challenge Drew myself but I don't have a hammer. And even if he'd loan me his, Dad's is still too heavy for me to really weld in fight that important. I almost took one of the ones Happy has made but I remembered my Dad's instructions and didn't." Ralph looked up at her with a bit of shame to his face.

The Mistress smiled, "We are all tested from time to time and throughout life Ralph. A Paladin is tested more so than anyone else, for with them rests the greatest power of their deity. So too rests the greatest burden. You have passed a test. Be not troubled."

Greetings! Hoping this finds you all well!

Scorpling - Sorry about that, I never mean to cause any cardiac distress! hehe

To the Adventure! -Tim