Rowan mussed up Troy’s hair in revenge.
After a quick breakfast, they walked the short block to the Magic Council’s compound. The weather outside felt more like summer than spring, but he was much farther south, so the warmer temperature made sense. It was a touch too warm, however, and Rowan was already overheating in his clothes. He was relieved it was a short walk. The compound housed a school, dormitory, headquarters, and a courtroom. He had never been inside, of course, since he’d had no need before now. But Milo knew it well, having studied here, and navigated about with ease.
As they walked through the main gate, he pointed ahead and slightly to the right. “Troy, remind me as we’re leaving, we need to step into the registrar’s office and notify them I’ll be teaching the twins. They like to keep track of students and masters for future records.”
“Ah, yes. Let’s absolutely do that since we’re here.”
Might as well. It would be far easier.
Milo led them to the left, however, almost immediately past the gates. It was the first building, and it looked impressive. Four stories tall, it had large stone columns and a massive porch. If it was meant to intimidate, it did the job. Even Rowan wasn’t at ease when walking through the main doors.
Milo didn’t seem to register anything as odd. He went up to the first clerk’s desk and notified her that they were there and which case they were there for. Rowan expected to cool his heels in the waiting area for a while, but she pointed them to the courtroom across the hallway with instructions to sit and wait, since their case would start in about ten minutes.
Well, he wasn’t complaining if they could get out of Goldguard sooner.
Assuming the trial didn’t last all day.
The clerk was correct, though, and ten minutes later the judges entered. The bailiff stood behind one of the podiums to the left of the massive judges’ bench and touched a crystal embedded in the wood before speaking. “All rise. Judges Philo Necket, Ava Billinghurst, and Clara Dalley presiding.”
Rowan was used to trials, in a sense, because they also had people who broke the law in Gravegarde. But he wasn’t the judge in those cases, Raina was. His duty was to hold the criminal until trial and serve as a witness if need be. He’d never seen multiple judges for a trial before.
Leaning against Milo’s side, he whispered, “Is this normal? Three judges?”
“For an Advocate’s trial, yes,” Milo whispered back. “It’s extremely rare for an Advocate to do something stupid enough to land them in prison, but when they do, it normally sets a precedent in law. Three judges confer with each other to make the ruling. Andrew’s also from a well-known socialite family inGoldguard—though not quite a noble—so having three judges adds an extra layer of making sure the trial runs without prejudice.”
Troy leaned in from Milo’s other side, expression gleeful. “So you’re saying dipshit is going to be inlotsof trouble.”
Milo’s answering smile was both smug and evil.
Well, now. Rowan still wanted to feed Latimer to the Drachifel, but him getting a stiff prison sentence and being shamed among his peers had appeal, too. The idea of the bastard sitting in a jail, regretting every decision he’d made with Milo… Oh, that strongly appealed.
The bailiff touched the crystal again before speaking. “All may be seated. This trial is Council versus Latimer.”
Rowan would have no idea who was who if not for the placards in front of each judge. It was the woman sitting in the center, also in the blue and silver formal mage robes, who spoke. “Counselor Larkin, do you represent Advocate Andrew Latimer?”
Counselor Larkin was the only one in the room not in the formal blue mage robes, instead in one of pure black. Because he was an attorney? The man didn’t sound enthused about this designation but nodded. “I do, Your Honor.”
Judge Billinghurst apparently had to say this for the record because she turned to the neighboring desk and asked, “Counselor Porter, do you represent the Magic Judicial Department?”
“I do, Your Honor.”
“I will hear first from the defense.”
Andrew’s lawyer stood. “My client insists on telling his story himself.” His tone indicated this was stupid but he wasn’t in charge of this circus. “I call Andrew Latimer to the stand.”
Latimer got up, walked the short distance to the podium facing the judges’ bench, and activated the control so they could easilyhear him. The room was cavernous in size, well able to hold a hundred people, with very tall ceilings, so sound likely did carry weirdly in here. He’d cleaned up since Rowan had last seen him. He’d shaved, styled his hair, and such but he was in a plain white tunic and pants. Not even allowed mage robes, eh? Interesting.
“Your Honors,” Latimer began, voice shaking. “I realize I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’m not excusing myself. My actions were those of a desperate man. I needed Milo back. I couldn’t get through to him how I truly needed him. That I was sorry for how I treated him and I’d be a much better man to him, but I just needed him to work with me once more. To be with me once more. I couldn’t…I couldn’t accept it when he said no. I took it too far. I regret that very much.”
Rowan had no doubt he regretted it very much, but he was equally surprised the man was admitting it all. In a court of law, no less! Why would he… Ah. That was probably it. By “admitting” to all of his sins and acting repentant, he hoped to lessen his sentence, no doubt.
It might work?
Well, Rowan didn’t believe him, but someone who hadn’t lived through everything might believe him.
Latimer didn’t seem to know what else to say. His lawyer sighed, standing once more. “My client wishes to plead guilty but requests mercy in the sentencing.”
“We will keep that in mind,” Judge Dalley stated neutrally. “If that is all you wish to say, Latimer, then you may retake your seat.”
