Chapter III: The Trial
"You should have let me keep my blade." Sella growled.
"They would have cut you down if you had tried to keep it." Neriss said.
"You fear death, Famulous," Sella said, her hate visible in her eyes. Thick as a hive city's wall, she is, Neriss thought.
They had been placed in a small grey room, barely ten paces wide. There was no furniture or window. It reminded Neriss of the solitary thinking stalls she had at her convent, designed to encourage deep reverence for the God-Emperor of Mankind.
"The Emperor in his infinite wisdom sent us to this world so that we may teach them. I cannot do that if I am dead." she said. Sella grunted and continued pacing inside the tiny room they had been shut in.
"I do not fear death, Famulous," Sella said suddenly.
"I do not doubt it, sister." Neriss replied.
"But I doubt you, Famulous," Sella said. "I doubt your heart. And the moment I see that you are wavering, I shall free your head from your body."
"Charming, sister," Neriss replied. She heard the sound of footsteps and sat up straight. Sella stopped pacing. The oak door swung open and Luthor stepped inside.
"Well, you have certainly lit a fire under Lord Grimm's arse." the man at arms said.
"We did not mean to cause trouble, good ser." Neriss said. Sella groaned. Even if she couldn't understand the people's language as well as Neriss could, she could tell from the tone that Neriss was being docile.
"I am not a knight, my lady. There is no need to call me ser," Luthor said. "Also, you must admit that for someone who says they didn't want to cause trouble, your circumstances are quite worrisome."
"What is the man saying?" Sella asked.
"He is saying that his lord has been delayed." Neriss replied, not wanting to give Sella an excuse to start fighting. Sella grunted and continued pacing.
"I see what you mean," Neriss said. "Two women in armour, appearing out of the blue, and killing raiders with ease. It would be troublesome."
"Lady Grimm wants both of you to be hanged because she is convinced you are Dornish spies." Luthor added.
"Charming." Neriss said. "Why are you here?"
"I am here to keep watch over you." Luthor replied.
"You could have simply stood guard outside the door except you chose to enter and tell us your lord's ill humours. So I ask once again, Ser Luthor," Neriss said. "Why are you here?"
Luthor had the good sense to look ashamed. He gave a bashful smile from under his beard and shuffled his feet for a moment before replying.
"I enjoy seeing Lord Grimm uneasy." he replied.
"And why is that?" Neriss asked.
"My lady, my name is Luthor Flowers." he said. There was a pause as Neriss looked at him expectantly.
"I am sorry but I don't understand how that is important." she said.
"No, my lady, it is I who must apologise. You are not Westerosi, you wouldn't know." Luthor Flowers said. "I am Lord Gunther's half-brother, the late lord Uther's bastard-born son. Though I am his half-brother, I am denied the right to inherit Grimston. Thus I avenge myself through japes and sup on Lord Grimm's unease."
"And how does that help us, Ser Luthor?" Neriss queried.
"I would prefer if you weren't to end up hanging from a rope, my lady. So I suggest that you be docile and get in the good graces of Lord Grimm." Luthor said.
"I thought our presence was unwelcome to him?" Neriss said.
"It is but he is no fool. He knows your exploits, and he has seen how the smallfolk gaze upon you. If he will be forced to hang you, he will, but he would rather keep you alive, if for no other reason than to spite Lady Grimm." Luthor said with a chuckle.
"The Lord and Lady are at odds?" Neriss asked.
"Aye and there is no mending of sails in this boat. My half-brother married the wench for she is Lord Oakheart's youngest grand-niece and too troublesome. She brought with her a sizable dowry, enough to mend all of Castle Grimston and to buy three warboats to patrol the island." Luthor confided.
"I see," Neriss said slowly. "So you meant to say that Lord Grimm shall refrain from hanging us because it is what his wife would want."
"That is correct, my lady."
"What is he saying?" Sella asked.
"He is saying that the lady of the castle brought a significant dowry." Neriss replies in Low Gothic.
"Why would he tell you that?" Sella frowned.
"I am trying to assess the politics of this island, sister." Neriss replied. Sella made a disgusted sound and resumed pacing.
"Is she alright?" Luthor asked.
"My sister is a woman of action and politics bore her." Neriss replied.
"Your sister?" Luthor said incredulously. Neriss suppressed a smile. Sella was easily the tallest person on the island, standing at an incredible 195 centimetres. Compared to her, Neriss was barely 166. Luthor mistook Sella for being her blood sister and Neriss decided not to correct his misconception. Sometimes, secrets needed to be kept even if there was no reason.
The door opened and two men at arms stepped in the room. Luthor stepped aside and gave Neriss a knowing look.
"Lord Grimm is in his chambers. We are to escort you to him." the man said.
"Let us go meet the lord of this petty island, sister." Neriss said.
"If I suspect that there is some trickery involved, I am killing him there and then." Sella threatened. Neriss merely nodded and then followed the men at arms with Sella and Luthor behind him.
The soldiers led them down the corridors, up a meagre flight of stairs, and stopped in front of an oaken set of double doors. The men at arms pushed them open and Luthor ushered them inside. Neriss and Sella stepped into the room and the doors closed behind them.
The Lord Gunther Grimm was sitting at a grey stone table, dressed in a simple coat and breeches. Next to him sat a much younger woman in a gaudy dress. She must be Gunther's wife, Neriss thought. The Lady Grimm was frowning at the two of them. At the far end of the table sat an old man in dull red robes with a chain of metal around his neck. Arthur Grimm sat at the corner of a room, next to a narrow window out of which he looked from time to time.
Gunther Grimm looked younger than his bastard brother Luthor while his wife looked scarcely older than Arthur. Neriss suppressed a smile. She had handled far more tangled family trees than this.
"Please sit," Lord Grimm said, indicating towards the two empty chairs. The two sisters of battle wordlessly sat down. The Lady Grimm made a face and fanned herself as if Neriss and Sella stank. Sella was sullen while Neriss looked expectantly at the man. "As you can see, you have placed me in a difficult position. I am the Lord of Greyshield Isle and I am the first line of defence of the Reach against any threats. So would you tell me then, are you a threat or not?"
"I am Neriss and this is my companion, Sella. We are travellers of a land far away and were shipwrecked here." Neriss said.
"Which land?" Lord Grimm asked. "Lys? Tyrosh? Braavos? You may think I am a simple minded fool, my good woman, but I know my part of the world enough. Come now, out with it."
"You are wasting your time, my lord. They are clearly Dornish spies. We must hang them." the Lady Grimm said.
"My lord, if I may," the old man with red robes and neck chain said. Lord Grimm nodded and the old man smiled. "Greetings, my ladies. I am Maester Albas. I am quite sure that your arrival meant no harm but it would ease my lord's heart if you could clarify whence you came from?"
Neriss wanted to laugh. This was their pathetic attempt to cow her? The belligerent nobleman and his reasonable counselor? Even common soldiers of the Imperial Guard knew this trick. She was going to enjoy this as much as she could.
"Everything we have said is true, Maester Albas. We are from a land faraway named Ophelia and our ship's captain wanted to sail around the world. We ran out of supplies and mutiny broke out. The captain threatened to sink the boat with his own hands. The mutineers did not pay heed and so the captain stayed true to his words." Neriss lied, spinning a fascinating tale for the fools to swallow.
Then she had to retell it several times because her grasp of their language still wasn't good enough. But when she finally conveyed the entire story to her, the Maester and the Lord regarded her with pity. Neriss was a little disappointed. She had hoped for more resistance. But as she had figured out, women on this planet were unequal to men. They believed her probably because they did not think a woman would tell such a lie.
"I never knew the world was round." Lord Grimm said. Neriss raised her eyebrows. This was what he found strange?
"It is true, my lord. The maesters of Oldtown have long suspected that the world is round. They say that Brandon the Shipwright and Corlys Velaryon both attempted to sail around the world." Maester Albas assured him.
There was a knock on the door.
"That must be Septon Barth. Enter!" Lord Grimm said. The door opened and a bald, fat man with a beard waddled. His brown habit seemed to be made of rough wool. He is a priest, Neriss noted.
"Melord, melady, the Seven preserve you! When I heard that the Dornish spies had been captured, I ran as fast as I could to the castle. Surely you would allow them a trial before you hang them?" the fat man said.
"I am not hanging them, Septon Barth," Lord Grimm said with a frown. "They're not even Westerosi."
"Ah so they say," Septon Barth said with a merry smile. "Yet pray tell, melord, have you seen their ship?"
"It was sunk by their captain." Maester Albas said.
"So they claim but have you seen the wrecked ship? You have only taken their word. How do you know they are not lying?"
Neriss frowned. The priest had a hold of both the lord and the maester. Religion was important on this world. But right now, it was hindering her progress. She would need to sideline the religious figures somehow.
"Since I am a suspect, good septon," Neriss said, swallowing her pride to address a pagan priest by his rank. "Please tell me how I must prove my innocence."
"It is a bit difficult, my lady," Maester Albas said.
"Nonsense, Albas," Septon Barth thundered, his voice making Arthur and Maester Albas jump slightly. "They must simply prove their innocence in a trial."
"Septon, they are my guests." Lord Grimm said.
"Melord, I do sympathise but Lord Oakheart was quite clear in his instructions. My hands are tied in this matter." Septon Barth said, looking quite merry for a man with tied hands.
"Please just tell me how I may mend my situation." Neriss asked, keeping calm despite her annoyance.
"The gods will judge you through a Trial by Combat." Septon Barth said. "You may choose anyone to be your champion and they will do battle against mine. If your champion dies or chooses to forfeit, that will prove your guilt."
"This is hardly fair, Septon. Who will be her champion?" Maester Albas asked.
"I heard you maesters call yourselves Knights of the Mind, Albas." Septon Barth said. "Perhaps you would like to volunteer?" Albas went silent and looked down. "No? Good. Melady, if you choose to forfeit, I am willing to spare your life and let you join my sept as an acolyte. It would be my great pleasure to teach you the ways of the Seven."
"No, I want them hanged!" Lady Grimm said.
"Mercy, melady, mercy. The Seven teach us mercy so we must be merciful." Septon Barth said.
"There will be no need." Neriss said and stood up. She regarded Septon Barth haughtily. "And do I get to dictate my terms if I am proven innocent?"
"Melady, I doubt you could." Septon Barth said with a laugh.
"Humor me, Septon. If I am proven innocent, that would mean you accused an innocent woman with no proof and had the temerity to invoke your gods, correct?" Neriss said. Every word seemed to pain Lord Grimm. He wishes to be honourable but is bound by finance, Neriss thought disdainfully. Men like him were cowards but they had their uses. Barth looked furious but before he could say anything, Maester Albas spoke.
"I hereby declare myself as a witness to the trial and recognize the terms set forth."
"Albas, you have no right!" Barth yelled. Something in Neriss had unnerved him. Perhaps he expected to cow her into submission. Perhaps he realised that a Trial by Combat wasn't a sure victory.
"I am a Knight of the Mind, Septon." Maester Albas said. "I have every right."
"She doesn't have a Champion. She must forfeit." Septon Barth said.
"No, I shall represent myself." Neriss said.
"You? You will champion yourself?" Barth said with a laugh. "Seven bless me, I was worried for a moment."
"My lady Neriss, I beg you to reconsider." Lord Grimm said. "I am sure there will be someone willing to champion your trial. A woman should not be in a Trial such as this."
"Now now, melord, your guest has declared that she wishes to champion herself so I shall entertain her fancy." Barth said. "Isn't that right, Maester Albas?"
"I must protest, Lady Neriss," Maester Albas said. "I am sure there will be someone willing to fight for you. You must have faith."
"Believe me, Maester Albas, I have faith in the Master of Mankind. He will guide my blade true." Neriss said.
"Excellent. The trial shall commence immediately. Lord Grimm, kindly tell your men to make the appropriate preparations in the courtyard. We should let the smallfolk see this as well." Septon Barth said. He turned and left.
"I suppose you'll want our guests to be escorted, my lord." Luthor said.
"Yes." Lord Grimm said. "Seven forgive me, take them away."
"You could have asked your companion to champion you instead." Luthor said as he marched Neriss and Sella out of the room and through the castle's corridors.
"This is something I have to do myself." Neriss said.
"I would be willing to champion you." Luthor said. "I know who Septon Barth is going to choose."
"That's very kind of you, but my decision has been made." Neriss said.
"Well, I hope you won't regret it." Luthor said as they reached the end of the corridor. He opened the doors and they stepped into the courtyard. A crude, wooden platform stood at the centre. Commoners surrounded it, shouting and cheering with wild abandon. Some people were hawking wares, not letting such an opportunity for business pass them by. Some of them were staring at the castle. Children, some completely naked, ran about the courtyard. Neriss noticed one of Luthor's man-at-arms wrinkle his nose at the sight. As soon as the crowd saw Neriss and Sella, they started jeering. Some of the men made kissing faces and obscene gestures.
"I may not understand the language of these barbarians, sister," Sella drawled. "But I think you are quite popular."
"Very astute, sister." Neriss said. "I thought you implied the smallfolk looked favorably upon me?"
"The smallfolk can be fickle," Luthor said with a shrug. "And Greyshield hasn't seen a public trial for some years."
"How unfortunate. Give me a weapon then, Ser Luthor." Luthor handed her his own sword. Neriss unsheathed and tested its balance. It was made for a large man but she could adjust. Neriss strode forward and the crowd gave way.
"I am to duel this priest's thug to prove my innocence. The Emperor shall protect me but if I fall," Neriss said.
"I will begin slaughtering everyone until I follow you into the Emperor's light." Sella said. "Try not to do that, sister. I have decided to follow your absurd ways of diplomacy. It would be very rude of you to die."
Neriss climbed onto the platform as her opponent entered. He was a man as large as Luthor but beardless. He wore no helm or hat, his bare face curiously emotionless.
"Good people of Greyshield! We witness today, the Trial of this Dornish spy!" Septon Barth said. He stood at a black, wooden pulpit, and was dressed in finery. Neriss had to give the man credit; he knew the effect of theatre and made full use of it.
"Kill her! Kill her!" The crowd bayed. It was enough to make a lesser woman quail. Neriss had her faith in the Emperor and a sword. It would suffice.
"If she forfeits now, she will be spared!" Septon Barth yelled above the crowd. "Begin!"
Neriss barely had time to bring up her sword as her opponent swung his weapon at her. Metal met metal in a hideous clang and Neriss was forced to step back. Her amour should have compensated. It was probably damaged. Neriss gave thanks to the Emperor that at least the armour was somewhat functional.
She couldn't block the second swing. Her opponent's sword hit her chest. Her armour saved her but the attack had been too close for comfort. Time seemed to flow slower. She felt as if she was moving through tar. Her opponent's weapon was larger than a hivespire while her own was barely a needle. She should have told Sella to champion her instead.
The third swing was blocked and the sword almost knocked out of her hands. The crowd's noise was gone. There was nothing except her and her opponent. In a way, it was calming. She forced herself to remember all the mandatory sword training she learned at her schola. One did not become a Famulous without first becoming a Sister of Battle. Though she hadn't fired a bolter or swing a chainblade, the memory of all the exercises, drills, practices, were all in her.
The fourth swing was blocked as well. But this time, she had a better grasp. The fifth swing, blocked. The opponent's sword no longer looked massive, her sword no longer a needle. The sixth swing batted aside. And then Neriss swung.
The crowd roared hard enough that Neriss noticed. Or perhaps she was no longer focusing exclusively on fighting. The noise was enough to distract her and she ended up blocking once more. She was already getting tired. She couldn't afford to drag the fight out any further.
When her opponent swung, she didn't block. She ducked under the blade and kicked. Her opponent stumbled and fell. Neriss stood up. The man looked up and tried to stand. Neriss swung.
A huge gasp went through the crowd as Neriss cut the man's neck. It wasn't enough so Neriss pulled her sword out and swung once again to separate the head from the body. She picked up the head and held it aloft.
"Ave Imperator!" She screamed at the crowd, at Septon Barth, at Luthor, at Lord and Lady Grimm, at Sella, at Greyshield Island, at the entire planet. Then the fatigue of the last two days caught up to her and she collapsed. Someone caught her before she fell.
"Not bad for a Famulous." were the last words she heard as darkness overtook her.