Rebels of Vulvar (Vulvarian Saga Book 2), стр. 40

“Yes, Anax.”

“Why?”

“He is Tobias Hart, as he says,” Emer said. “I have met his mother, Laena, Anax of Thiva. He is a great warrior. Tobias Hart rescued seven captive Thivan warriors and me from Cooke’s stockade in this city. He has fought beside me against the rebels. He has slain dozens of rebels, and Tobias Hart single-handedly slew Cooke on the road to Thiva.”

“More lies!” the impertinent council member shouted. “This is a waste of our time!”

The Anax lifted her hand for silence.

“Perhaps you lie to protect this slave, Emer,” the Anax said. “You lied to the guards at the gate, telling them he was your slave. Is that not true?”

“I was indeed untruthful with the guards at the gate,” Emer said defensively. “I misrepresented the circumstances. I wished to help Tobias Hart enter the city to get provisions for a journey he intends to undertake.”

“What journey?” the Anax said.

Emer glanced at me. “He wishes to return to the Goddess Queens at Mount Voln,” she said.

The council members murmured excitedly among themselves. “Blasphemy!” shouted the presumptuous council member. “No mortal can look upon the Goddess Queens and live! Lies and blasphemy!”

“Quiet!” the Anax commanded. “Or, I will clear this chamber.” Looking at me, she said, “What do you have to say, slave?”

“We have broken no laws of Nisa,” I said. “Release Emer, warrior of Nisa, and release me, Tobias Hart.”

“I advise you to confess to the charges made by my agent,” the Anax said. “If you do, I may show you mercy. If you persist in lying before this council and me, it will not go well with you or your friend Emer.”

“Is there justice in Nisa, Anax?” I asked. “It would be a simple matter for you to send an aide to the Anax of Thiva. She and many others in that city can verify that I am Tobias Hart and a free man. Or is your desire to condemn me based on the lies of your spy?”

“I warn you, slave,” the Anax said. “Do not be insolent. You are trying my patience.”

Sola, Anax of Nisa, drummed her fingers on the arms of the throne. Then she suddenly pointed her finger at Emer.

“No matter how I rule concerning the male, you have violated the warrior’s code, Emer,” she said. “You attempted to smuggle him into the city, and you lied. I will prescribe punishment for you.”

“I forced her,” I said.

“What?” the Anax said.

“I forced Emer to smuggle me into the city,” I said.

“Officer, was this warrior armed when she appeared at our gates?” the Anax said.

“Yes, my Anax,” the officer said. “And the slave was not armed.”

“Then, how exactly did you coerce her to do your bidding, slave?” the Anax said.

“The officer is mistaken,” I said. “I was armed and am still armed.”

The officer laughed. “He lies, my Anax,” the officer said.

“I have an assassin’s dagger inside my tunic,” I said. “I had it at the gate. I threatened Emer’s life if she refused to help get me into the city. She had no choice. We rode side by side to the gate. I could have stabbed her repeatedly before she could have drawn her rakir. I only gave her weapons before we approached the gate so as not to arouse the suspicions of the guards.”

The Anax stared at me, open-mouthed. “Officer, check him for a weapon.”

The officer was no longer laughing, and her face had paled. She pulled me to my feet and hastily checked inside my tunic. There she found the assassin’s dagger I’d taken off the body of a dead rebel. It was the only weapon I hadn’t left at Haela’s farm. The officer appeared ready to faint as she regarded the wicked-looking blade.

“Warriors, arrest that officer,” the Anax cried. “She allowed a prisoner to bring a weapon into this chamber.”

Two warriors swiftly approached the astonished officer and escorted her from the hall. I smiled to myself, thinking perhaps the officer who had whipped me might herself soon feel the lash on her back.

“You think you’re very clever, slave,” the Anax said coldly. To the astonishment of all, she descended the broad steps from the throne. Shaking with fury, she stood before me. She bent down and picked up the whip dropped by the officer. Then, beside herself with rage, holding the whip in both hands, she lashed me madly. Again and again, she struck me. My senses reeled. My body felt as if it were aflame. Somehow, through it all, I stayed on my feet. When the Anax had exhausted herself, she threw the whip at my feet and mounted the dais. She sat down on the throne and arranged her golden robes.

“Warriors!” she said. “Take these two prisoners to the dungeon. I will render my verdict later at my leisure.”

Four stern warriors marched forward. Two grabbed my arms. The others seized Emer. They marched us from the hall.