Chapter 27: The Trial
Nimbrethil woke early the day of the trial, unable to keep from feeling that something was going to go wrong. Yes, Sand said they had more than enough evidence. Yes, everyone believed she would be found innocent by Lord Nasher and she'd have no worries afterwards. However, she felt that smacked of overconfidence. Daeghun had always warned her that being overconfident was the quickest way to find yourself trapped in a situation difficult to get out of. She would be on her guard against any possible tricks or schemes that the Luskans might try. After all, they slaughtered their own people to get at her, and they sent assassins during the vigil to kill her. This told her that they were determined, one way or another, to get her, dead or alive. A not guilty verdict wouldn't automatically put her in the clear as far as Luskan was concerned. A smart adversary always had a backup plan and Torio may be a bitch from the hells, but she wasn't stupid.
Getting up she went to the closet to look at the dress she had bought for the trial. She would never let anyone know it, but she had actually liked the look and feel of the dress on her. She still wished she hadn't given in, but a deal was a deal and she couldn't back out now. Unfortunately, her boots wouldn't look right with it, so she would have to wear her flats. She had only worn them when working around the house and she had packed them on impulse when she left West Harbor. She couldn't hide a weapon in them like she could her boots but they were more suitable with the dress. Maybe she'd be able to rig some kind of strapping under the sleeves or in the bodice of the dress to hide a dagger. The others would say she was being paranoid again, but she had learned to be cautious when entering an unknown situation.
A knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts. "Nim, are you awake?" her uncle's voice came to her through the door. Going over to the door and unlocking it, she stepped back to let Duncan in. "I was wondering if you wanted some breakfast?" he asked as he entered.
"I'm not really hungry," Nimbrethil told him. "Are any of the others up yet?"
"Everyone is awake and in the common room eating," Duncan told her as he watched her pace back and forth. He wished he could say something that would ease her worries but he couldn't think of anything at the moment. "We'll all be in the courtroom to support you," he told her. "You won't be facing this alone." He saw her smile a little before the worried look settled back in place. "Are you sure you don't want something to eat? The trial's not till noon and could take a while," he asked again.
"I suppose you're right, but I don't want to go to the common room," Nimbrethil answered.
"No problem, I'll make up a tray and bring it here," Duncan grinned and then hurried off.
She watched him go and then went and stood at the window looking out. She didn't really want to talk to anyone this morning, for they would just repeat the same things they had for the last couple of days, none of which made her feel any better. A little while later she heard footsteps approaching and looking around saw Shandra carrying a tray piled high with food.
"Gods, does Duncan think I'll eat all of that?" she stared in consternation.
Laughing Shandra shook her head, "No, my breakfast is on here too." She placed the tray on the bed and then sat down. "I thought you might want some company while you eat." She picked up a knife and began buttering some toast.
Nimbrethil sat down on the bed opposite of her and picked up the tea pot and poured each of them a cup. Sipping it, she saw that Duncan had made her favorite porridge and placed her favorite jam on the tray for her toast. She wondered at this because she had known him for so short a time. She doubted even Daeghun knew what her favorite things were. She slowly began eating while watching Shandra digging into some sausage and eggs. "You know that sausage is not exactly the best thing you can eat in the morning," she commented, not quite able to hide her distaste. "It's also fattening if you eat too much of it."
"Maybe, but it does taste delicious," Shandra grinned as she forked another piece. "Besides, I never have to worry about my weight." She smiled again as the girl just shook her head and poured a second cup of tea. "Sand was telling me that you would have to wait in a room just outside the court until the trial begins, but there's no place to change there. You'll have to put the dress on here and I have a long hooded cloak you can wear over it if you want to use it."
"I was wondering about that," Nimbrethil replied. "I wasn't looking forward to walking through the city in the dress and thought about just bringing it."
"Duncan and Casavir will be escorting us to the castle," Shandra told her and saw her look up in surprise. "They felt that after what happened at the Solace Glade that the Luskans might make another attempt on your life."
"Maybe I should wear my armor then?" Nimbrethil asked hopefully.
"You need every advantage you can get," Shandra told her sternly. "The average citizen doesn't know anything about you and many people judge others by their appearance. Popular opinion holds sway in matters like this and you want to make the right first impression. So you'll wear the dress and you'll be escorted by the three of us. No arguments."
Sighing, Nimbrethil nodded and finished her toast and tea. When the plates were empty, Shandra picked up the tray and told her that she would be back to help her with the dress. Going to her pack she started rummaging through it to see if she had something with which to make a holder for a dagger, but found nothing useful. Oh well, she would just have to hope that she wouldn't have need for a weapon. Still she was uncomfortable, for it would be the first time in decades that she had walked about without a weapon of some sort on her person. Even though she would be fully clothed, she would still feel naked without one.
"Well you look like you just lost you're best friend," Bishop's drawling voice came from the window.
Whirling around, she saw him leaning on the sill. "What are you doing out there?" she asked coolly.
"I almost didn't believe you were going to wear a dress for this," Bishop smirked, his tone making it clear he thought her a fool. "However, since it's true, I got you something to spice it up a little." He held out a small thin package to her.
Taking it she looked at him suspiciously as she opened it. Inside was a dagger in a wrist holder and she looked up at him in surprise. "How did you know I wanted something like this?"
"Because it's what I would want if I was in your shoes," Bishop smiled grimly. "I know how you think elf." He stepped back from the window. "You may not need it but it's best to be prepared, right?" he asked her and then turned and walked away whistling.
Staring after him she couldn't help but wonder what had motivated him to do this for her. He didn't owe her anything and she didn't think he would care enough to do something like this, but apparently she was wrong. Smiling she hurried to wash up so that she could get the dress on and hide the dagger in the sleeve before Shandra saw it. She had a feeling the woman wouldn't approve. At least now she would have something to defend herself with if it became necessary.
*******
The murmurs of the crowd in the courtroom were getting louder by the minute as the time for the trial to start came and went. Sand idly shuffled through his papers as Shandra looked on. How typical of Lord Nasher to keep them all waiting like this he thought. For the nobility it was fashionable to be late, but in a situation like this it was just downright rude. Hearing a door open he looked up to see Nevalle, Nasher, and Judge Oleff enter and head to the dais at the front of the room, opposite the great doors. Hiding his relief that things were finally getting underway, Sand turned to look at Torio and saw that she was looking at him with a kind of smug superiority. Let the little harpy have her brief moment of delusion, he thought. He would soon wipe that smug look from her face. While they had been staring at each other, the introductions had been completed and he heard Nasher intone, "Bring in the accused."
Turning to look at the doors as they opened, he at first thought there was some mistake and the wrong person was being brought forward. When he saw it was indeed Nimbrethil wearing a dress his mouth fell open and he couldn't stop a hiss of admiration. Who knew the girl cleaned up so well? He saw Torio gaping in surprise as well and heard the crowd murmuring in astonishment. Seeing an amused smirk on Shandra's face he leaned over to whisper, "How in the Nine Hells did you get her into a dress?" Shandra merely looked at him and shrugged and he turned back to see the girl taking her place to his right.
Nimbrethil had been very self-conscious when the doors opened, but when she saw the look of surprise on Torio's face and the admiration in Sand's, she felt her shoulders straighten. What made it even better was the looks on the faces of the men she knew sitting in the balcony opposite her. Both Bishop and Casavir were staring in a most flattering way and she felt a slight blush come to her cheeks. Shandra had been right, wearing the dress did make a big difference. Even Nevalle and Nasher were looking pleasantly surprised. It was a big confidence boost and when Torio finally got around to questioning her, she was able to completely discomfit the woman with her knowledge of Luskan-Neverwinter history. She even had the crowd worked up against the ambassador by the time Torio acknowledged defeat and stopped questioning her. Then Sand began to present their witnesses and with each one Torio was looking more and more desperate.
When the case was finally given over to Nasher for a verdict, everyone went completely still and quiet. When Nasher announced her not guilty, the whole room erupted into cheers and Sand and Shandra were smiling at her, looking relieved and happy. However, Nimbrethil never took her eyes off of Torio so when the challenge came, she was not surprised. "I claim my rite to Trial by Combat!" the ambassador shouted and the whole room went quiet for a minute before boos and protests began to echo around the room . Shandra looked stunned, Sand was looking irritated, and Lord Nasher appeared to be furious at Torio. But in the end, despite all the boos, catcalls and protests, Nasher was forced to acknowledge Torio's rights. Nevalle then asked the Ambassador who her champion would be. Nim quietly snickered as Torio played to the court in an attempt to get someone to support her and got no response. Before she could revel too much in Torio's failure, a harsh, growling voice spoke up.
"I will," a huge man said as he entered the courtroom and looked around disdainfully. "I have listened to these lies and will answer them with my blade in Luskan's name."
"Gods, who is that giant Sand?" Shandra was looking in horror at the man who had spoken and then she saw Nimbrethil's face and knew the answer.
"Well, well, Lorne Starling," Nimbrethil sneered. "What a pleasant surprise seeing you here," she sneered, her voice indicating the opposite. Her green eyes were narrowed with hate and her whole body was rigid.
"You won't find any trees to hide in this time elf," Lorne sneered back, a look of intense hate on his face as well. "I'm going to make you regret leaving your precious woods."
"Really? Do tell," Nimbrethil snickered. "I've learned a few things since you left Lorne, but obviously you are as dumb as Daeghun always said if you think you can scare me with words." She saw Lorne's face turn red at the insult. "He always said you'd end up worse then you're father and he was right."
"Don't talk about my father!" Lorne yelled at her, his hands clenching in rage. The crowd began to murmur and Sand and Torio were looking at the two nervously and urging them to be silent.
"He may have been a mean, quarrelsome drunk, but he would never have murdered innocent people just for fun!" Nimbrethil shouted back furiously. "You're mother would be so proud," she sneered.
"I'll kill you for that you elven bitch!" Lorne roared as he lunged for her.
Nimbrethil leapt backwards and slipped the dagger into her hand, but before Lorne could reach her, the royal guards had stepped in and stopped him. She felt hands holding her arms and realized that Shandra and Sand had flanked her, keeping her from doing anything stupid. Torio was yelling at Lorne to get a hold of himself, while shouts of outrage and screams of fright echoed around the courtroom. Lord Nasher was on his feet yelling for order and glaring at both of them.
"The only fighting will be on the Tourney Grounds," Lord Nasher's voice was finally heard as the courtroom quieted down. "Ambassador, take your champion and leave before he does anything else to incur my wrath." He waited until the two had been escorted out by the guards before turning to Nimbrethil. "I expected better behavior from a squire of Neverwinter," he told her sternly.
"Then I suggest Lord Nasher that you keep filthy dogs out of the courtroom next time," Nimbrethil retorted, causing gasps and snickers to be heard from the crowd.
"Sand it would be wise if you educated your client in the proper etiquette of the court," Lord Nasher said furiously, glaring at the wizard. "I will not tolerate such rude behavior, is that clear?"
Sand glared at Nimbrethil before bowing nervously, "Of course Lord Nasher, it was an oversight on my part, one which shall be corrected quickly."
Glaring first at Lord Nasher and then at Sand, Nimbrethil turned and marched out of the courtroom without waiting for permission. She didn't care if what she did was not the way squires were supposed to behave, she hadn't wanted to be one in the first place. She would kill Lorne tomorrow and then she would be released from her service as squire. After Lord Nasher's reaction today, she was positive he wouldn't want anything more to do with her and she would be free to leave.
Sand and Shandra hurried after Nimbrethil and finally managed to catch up with her at the main doors to the castle. Seeing the angry look on her face, neither one said anything and simply walked with her in silence for a while. Shandra was disturbed by the level of hate she had seen in their eyes as Lorne and Nim yelled at each other. She had an awful feeling that tomorrow's battle was going to be a brutul one and she wasn't looking forward to witnessing it.