Derek hesitated. The other knights appeared uncomfortable. The elves were members of the Council of Whites-tone, but then were not allowed a vote. Because of the discovery of the dragon orb, the elves would be attending the upcoming Council, and it would never do to have word get back to them that the knights considered them enemies.
"Perhaps 'enemy is too strong a word, my lord:' Derek recovered smoothly. "If I am at fault, it is simply that I am being forced to go by what is written in the Measure. At the time I speak of, the elves-though not our enemies in point of fact-were doing everything in their power to prevent us from bringing the dragon orb to Sancrist. Since this was my mission-and the elves opposed it-I therefore am forced to define them as 'enemies'-according to the Measure."
Slick bastard, Gunthar thought grudgingly.
With a bow to apologize for speaking out of turn, Derek sat down again. Many of the older knights nodded in approval.
"It also says in the Measure;' Sturm said slowly, "that we are not to take life needlessly, that we fight only in defense-either our own or the defense of others. The elves did not threaten our lives. At no time were we in actual physical danger."
"They were shooting arrows at you, man!" Lord Alfred struck the table with his gloved hand.
"True, my lord;' Sturm replied, "but all know the elves are expert marksmen. If they had wanted to kill us, they would not have been hitting trees!"
"What do you believe would have happened if you had attacked the elves?" Gunthar questioned.
"The results would have been tragic in my view, my lord;"
,
Sturm said, his voice soft and low. "Far the first time in generations, elves and humans would be killing each other. I think the Dragon Highlords would have laughed:'
Several of the young knights applauded.
Lord Alfred glared at them, angry at this serious breach o? the Measure's rules of conduct. "Lard Gunthar, may I remind: you that Lord Derek Crownguard is not on trial here. He has proven his valor time and again upon the field of battle. I think we may safely take his word for what is an enemy action anti , what isn't. Sturm Brightblade, do you say that the charges
made against you by Lord Derek Crownguard are false?"
"My lord," Sturm ~began, licking his lips which were cracked; and dry, "I do nor. say the knight has lied. I saga however. that: he has misrepresented me:'
"To what purpose?" Lord Michael asked.
Sturm hesitated. "I would prefer not to answer that, my lord;" he said so quietly that many knights in the (back row could not hear and called for Gunthar to repeat the question. He did so and received the same reply-this time louder.
''On what grounds do you refuse to answer that question, Brightblade?" Lord Gunthar asked sternly.
'Because-according to the Measure-it impinges on the honor of the Knighthood;' Sturm replied.
Lord Gunthar's face was grave. "That is a serious charge. Making it, you realize you have no one to stand with you in evidence?'
"I do, my lord;" Sturm answered, "and that is why I prefer not to respond."
"If I command you to speak?"
"That, of course, would be different:'
"Then speak, Sturm Brightblade. This is an unusual situation, and I do not see haw we can make a fair judgment without hearing everything. Why do you believe Lord Derek Crownguard misrepresents you?"
Sturm's face flushed. Clasping and unclasping has hands, he raised his eyes and looked directly at the three knights who sat in judgment on him. His case was lost, he knew that. He would never be a knight, never attain whale had been dearer to him than life itself. To have lost it through fault of his own would have been bitter enough, but to lose it lake this was a festering wound. And so he spoke the words that he knew would make Derek his hitter enemy for the rest of his days.
"I believe Lord Derek Crownguard misrepresents me in an effort to Further his own ambition, my lord:"
Tumult broke out. Derek was on his Feet. His friends restrained him forcibly, or he would have attacked Sturm in the Council Hall. Gunthar hanged the sword hilt for artier and eventually the assembly quieted down, but :not before Derek had challenged Sturm to test his honor in the field..
Gunthar stared at the knight coldly.
"You know, Lord Derek, that in this-a declared time of war-the contests of honour are forbidden: Come to order or I'll have you expelled from this assembly."
Breathing heavily, his face splotched with red, Derek relapsed back into his seat.
Gunthar gave the Assembly a few more moments to settle down, then resumed. "Have you anything more to say in your defense, Sturm Brightblade?"
"No, my lord;' Sturm said.
"Then you may withdraw while this matter is considered:'
Sturm rose and bowed to the lords. Turning, he bowed to the Assembly. Then he left the room, escorted by two knights who led him to an antechamber. Here, the two knights, not unkindly, left Sturm to himself. They stood near the closed door, talking softly of matters unrelated to the trial.
Sturm sat on a bench at the far end of the chamber. He appeared composed and calm, but it was all an act. He was determined not to let these knights see the tumult in his soul. It was hopeless, he knew. Gunthar's grieved expression told him that much. But what would the judgment be? Exile, being stripped of lands and wealth? Sturm smiled bitterly. He had nothing they could take from him. He had lived outside of Solarnnia so long, exile would) be meaningless. Death? He would almost welcome that. Anything was better than this hopeless existence, this dull throbbing pain.
Hours passed. The murmur of three voices rose .and fell from within the corridors .around the hall, sometimes angrily. Most of the other knights had gone out, since only the three as Heads of the Council could pass judgment. The other knights were split into differing factions.
The young knights spoke openly of Sturm's noble bearing, his acts of courage, which even Derek could not suppress. Stu rm was right in not fighting the elves. The knights of Solamnia needed all the friends they could get these days. Why attack ‹ needlessly, and so forth. The older Knights had only one
answer-the Measure. Derek had given Sturm an order. I-9e y had refused to obey. The Measure said this was inexcusable.
Arguments raged most of the afternoon. `
Then, near evening, a small silver bell rang.
"B rightblade;" said one of the knights.
Sturm raised )his head. "Is it time?" The knight nodded.
Sturm bowed hi=_ head for a moment asking Paladine for courage. Then the rose to his feet. He and )his guards waited for the other knights to reenter and be seated. He knew that they were learning the verdict as soon as they entered.
Finally, the two knights detailed as escort opened the door and motioned for Sturm to enter. He walked into the Hall, the knights following behind. Sturm's gaze went at once to the table before Lord Gunthar.
The sword of his father-a sword that legend said was passed down from Berthel Brightblade himself; a sword that would break only if its master brake-lay an the table. Sturm's eyes went to the sword. His head dropped to hide the burning :ears in his eyes.
Wreathed around the blade was the ancient symbol of guilt-black roses.
"Bring the man, Sturm Brightblade, forward," called Lord Gunthar.
The man, Sturm Brightblade, not the knight! thought Sturm in despair. Then he remembered Derek. His head came up swiftly, proudly, as he blinked away his tears. Just as he would have hidden his pain from his enemy an the field of battle, so he was determined to hide it now from Derek. Throwing back his head defiantly; his eyes an Lord Gunthar and an no one else, the disgraced squire walked for-ward to stand before the three officers of the Order to await his fate.
"Sturm Brightblade, we have found you guilty. We are prepared to render judgment. Are you prepared to receive it?"