Soth remained standing in front of the high justice, his shoulders squared and his chest thrust proudly forward.
He would concede nothing to his accusers.
"Lord Loren Soth of Dargaard Keep," said Lord Caladen. "You have been called to the Hall of High Justice to answer questions in an official inquiry into the death, and circumstances surrounding the death, of your wife, Lady Korinne Soth and her newborn child."
A collective gasp swept through the hall as the rumors were finally laid to rest and the reason for Soth's summons was made known to all.
Soth felt his face grow hot as his blood began to roil in anger within him. It was only an inquiry, but he could still be found guilty as a result of the information that came to light. And even if he was cleared of any wrongdoing, his good name would be tarnished for all time by the mere accusation. When this was over, he vowed, those responsible would be made to pay.
A heavy, heavy price.
"A great tragedy," said Soth, his voice even and noncommittal.
"One that has wounded me deeply." He paused. "I had wanted nothing more than to forget the catastrophe, and had begun the journey down that path." He paused again. "But of course, in the interest of justice I will answer any questions you may have. Then this matter will be put to rest in my mind, heart and soul."
Lord Caladen nodded.
The sound of voices rose in volume until the high justice leaned over to the recording secretary and asked for silence.
"Silence!" cried the recording secretary.
Once again, the hall grew quiet.
"Lord Soth," began Lord Caladen. "There seem to be those who believe that Lady Korinne did not die while in the process of birthing her child."
"People are entitled to their opinions, however vile," said Soth.
"They say that instead of dying naturally during the birth, she was murdered by a blade after the fact."
There was another collective gasp. This time it was peppered with whispers of, "No."
"An opinion entirely without merit."
Lord Caladen brought his hands up in front of his chest and brought them together as if in prayer. "Perhaps," he said. "Perhaps not."
Soth was silent.
"Most interesting of all is that those who believe Korinne and the child to have been murdered have also made known their beliefs about who it was that wielded the deadly broadsword."
"And who might that be?"
Lord Caladen drew in a breath. "You, Lord Soth."
The doors of The Drookit Duck burst open and a young man ran into the tavern, frantic and out of breath.
"You're liable to bust a button running like that," laughed Caradoc.
"Are you the knights who arrived with Lord Soth?" asked the young man when he was able to speak the words.
Caradoc put down his tankard. "We are. What of it?"
"Lord Caladen has just accused your lord of murder in the death of Lady
Korinne and the child."
"What?"
"Lies!"
"A joke, surely?" cried the other knights, incredulous at the news.
All except for Caradoc.
Upon hearing the inevitable news, he simply lifted his tankard and took another sip of ale.
"I did no such thing!" shouted Soth, his voice strong and unwavering. "I loved my wife dearly and would never have done anything to hurt her." He glanced around the hall. "What gypsy would make such a wild and unfounded accusation? Who dares make such an outrageously damaging claim?"
"Lady Korinne's former lady-in-waiting for one," answered Lord Caladen.
Soth laughed contemptuously while shaking his head.
"Would you take the word of a simple maid over a Knight of the Rose, a man sworn to live his life by the strict code of the Oath and the
Measure?"
"No," replied Lord Caladen. "Young Mirrel's words were not enough to convince me to begin these proceedings.
There were others."
The high justice gestured to a knight standing guard at the back of the hall. The knight left the hall and a moment later he returned, leading an elderly elf-woman through the crowd toward the high justice.
Soth recognized the old woman and felt a brush of relief. He had saved the woman's life and rescued her party from a band of ogres. Surely, she would be moved to speak well of him.
"What is your name?" asked the recording secretary.
"Olsla," said the old woman. "Olsla Stirling."
"And would you please tell me what you know about Lord Soth and his relationship with his former wife Lady Korinne?"
The elf-woman looked at Soth, her eyes narrowing slightly. A clear sign of derision.
Soth realized that the woman was likely upset that he had stolen Isolde out from under her nose. He wasn't aware that she had come looking for
Isolde, but that is what he guessed must have happened.
"Many months ago," the elderly woman began. "I journeyed to Dargaard
Keep to reunite Isolde Denissa with her fellow elf-maids."
"Why had she been taken there?" asked Lord Caladen.
"She had been whisked to the keep by Lord Soth in order to receive attention from the healer of Dargaard Keep."
"So Lord Soth saved her life?"
"I cannot say. He might have. Then again, she might have lived even without his help. What I can say for certain is that when I tried to bring Isolde back home to Silvanesti, she refused to rejoin our party."
"Why was that?" "She told me she had decided to remain in the keep. She said that Lord Soth needed her there."
Lord Caladen nodded. "Why was that?"
"Apparently, he found comfort with her"-the elf woman's voice cracked slightly-"because his wife could not bear him a child."
The hall suddenly became very noisy.
"Ridiculous!" bellowed Soth. "If I am to be charged with such a serious crime, I expect such charges to be backed up by more credible witnesses than a former laundress and a senile old elf-woman." He turned to face the crowd.
"It is their word against the word of a Knight of Solamnia, a knight of the highest order possible." "Hear, hear!" shouted several in the hall who were obviously pro-Soth.
"Agreed," said Lord Caladen, who waited for the noise to die down before continuing. "Agreed. Would you then accept the word of Istvan the healer, the only man who was present when Lady Korinne gave birth to the child?"
Soth was at first surprised by the mention of the healer's name as he was unaware that Istvan had made the trip to Palanthas. But knowing that
Istvan would soon be speaking on his behalf allowed him to breathe a heavy sigh of relief. Istvan was loyal to him alone, had been loyal to the Soth family for decades. He would surely corroborate Soth's claim of innocence.
"Absolutely, Lord Caladen. The word of Istvan should be the final word on this matter so it may be settled without doubt, once and for all."
"Agreed," Lord Caladen said. "Bring in the healer."
Again Lord Caladen gestured to the knight standing guard at the rear of the hall. Moments later, the hunched figure of Istvan was led through the crowd of people.
Soth nodded toward Istvan as he passed, but the healer did not return the gesture as his frightened eyes were focussed on the high justice.
"What is your name?" asked Lord Caladen.
"Istvan," he said. "Istvan, the healer."
"Do you go by any other names?"
"No."
"You are the healer of Dargaard Keep?"
"Yes?"
"Did you treat the elf-maid Isolde Denissa when she was brought to the keep?"
"Yes."
"And what did you make of her injuries?" "Well," said Istvan, hesitating. "Well, she was quite severely injured and, I might add, if
Lord Soth hadn't brought her to me when he had, she might not be alive today."
Soth cracked a slight smile. Istvan was part of Soth's inner circle. If the high justice thought he could persuade Istvan to speak afoul of him, the man was grossly mistaken.