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GRIFFIN'S PEAK
Not even a minute into the Arbiter's proclamation, Elliot knew that this was his opportunity.
"Hear me, citizens of Griffin's Peak! For I would speak on the final adjudication of this matter which has gripped your hearts so dearly, so passionately, in these many past days!" called the Arbiter from atop the platform. The man had a way with words, a natural charisma to handle a crowd, even one as divided as that assembled in the vast Square of Griffin's Peak.
The murmuring of the crowd hushed. Atop the wide platform with the Arbiter was plump form of Urgen Goldsmith, Commander of Fort Perseverance, and a troop of Obanese soldiers. Also atop the platform, a young woman whose name was Patricia Brightheart. Her hands were bound at the wrist behind her back, her mouth was gagged, and a bailiff stood at vigilantly at her side.
The Arbiter began again, his indulgent smile charming. Sickeningly so to Elliot. He could tell that the Arbiter loved his authority, how he could wield it like a hammer and how he took pleasure in the striking.
"Nine months ago, Patricia Brightheart made a promise. And not, my friends, just any promise! A promise which carried not only great weight, but great legal responsibility. A promise, my friends, made not only to Urgen Goldsmith, but a promise to the very law of our beloved land of Dalriada! Just are the laws of Oban, for just is our King from which they come! Would you not agree, friends, would you not agree?"
Cries and cheers of assent. But there were some, Elliot noticed, who did this only in a perfunctory manner. Some of the citizens of Griffin's Peak did not cheer at all.
Good.
The Arbiter continued: "Patricia Brightheart, as it is known, agreed to bear for Commander Goldsmith a son, for it is a terrible tragedy that his wife has proven to be barren. A most noble sacrifice! For to be a legitimate heir to the Goldsmith name, such was it reasonably demanded for Patricia to be a virgin on the night of conception! The red blossom speaks true, as you have all doubtless heard the saying go."
Elliot could feel the tension in the crowd. Friends who had argued with friends, neighbors who had fought with neighbors—a town with a fracture split right down the middle on this case.
The Arbiter, with a grand flourish, continued: "And yet! Though Patricia upheld her promise and lay with Commander Goldsmith, though the 'red blossom' was seen, her virginity was a lie! The deceit which grew in her belly for nine months, which she in her guile wished to pass off as Commander Goldsmith's own son, went undiscovered until the child was born, whereupon slim chance bore out the truth! That Patricia Brightheart had slept with another man before she had done so with Commander Goldsmith, used trickery to conceal the absence of her virginity, and planned to present this bastard child to our esteemed Commander and then to abscond with the scoundrel she claims to love! This, of course, with the considerable payment in gold for her 'services' in tow!"
And here it would come. The moment that would truly tear Griffin's Peak apart.
The moment that would plant the seeds for its liberation.
The Arbiter whipped an accusing finger around to point at the bound woman upon the platform. He reached his crescendo. "Patricia Brightheart, you have been found GUILTY! For your trespasses upon the laws of Oban, you are hereby sentenced to HANG FROM THE NECK UNTIL DEAD!"
Patricia screamed into her gag and tears flowed from her eyes. The crowd erupted into mixed cheers and lamenting. Hands and fists were thrust into the air at the same time as jeers and cries of protest were flung at the Arbiter, the Commander, and the soldiers.
Elliot's expression pulled into a deep scowl. Many times before he had seen injustices carried out, and many times before he had been able to do nothing.
Not here. Not this time.
He stalked away from the tumultuous crowd. Out of the Square and the raucous clamor at the verdict within. His brow was set hard with determination.
Three days. Three days time until the sentence was carried out on Patricia Brightheart.
All Elliot needed was a few good men and women to not only save her, but to save all of Griffin's Peak from the iron fist of Oban.