‘But surely there’s no one here who could be considered a security risk. Why can’t-’

‘Overruled!’

The judge underlined his decision with a rap of the gavel. ‘The records are secret for sound reasons. The accused will pursue another line of questioning or withdraw.’

‘The people who compiled these reports,’ Kinsel said. ‘Couldn’t they attend court to-’

Laffon was on his feet. ‘I object, Your Honour. The accused is asking the same question differently expressed.’

‘I agree with you, Commissioner. Your objection is upheld. The accused must confine his questions to areas other than those covered by matters of state security.’

‘If I had an advocate,’ Kinsel complained, ‘perhaps the right questions would be asked.’

‘That is not germane. Be seated.’

The guards dumped Kinsel back in his chair.

‘Call your next witness, Commissioner.’

‘Thank you, sir. I call Devlor Bastorran, General-in-Chief of the paladin clans. Tell me, General, from your knowledge of the state’s anti-terrorist efforts, can you corroborate what your unc-what High Chief Bastorran has said about the accused?’

‘I can.’

‘You know Kinsel Rukanis to be a man the security services have taken an interest in for some considerable time, and whom you suspect to have been involved in insurgency?’

‘I do.’

‘Can you add anything to the portrait, so to speak?’

‘Yes. Rukanis’ name has been mentioned on several occasions by people under interrogation. These were felons and enemies of the state who were subsequently found to be culpable in matters of terrorism.’

‘In what context did these criminals refer to the accused?’

‘As a co-conspirator, a comrade-in-arms. Someone as deeply involved in deeds of civil insubordination as they were. But also as a man whom it was hard to gather evidence against. There were even hints that he might be protected by people in positions of influence.’

‘That’s an interesting line of inquiry, General. But one for another occasion, I think. So, to sum up, you’re saying that your assessment of the accused accords with that given by Chief Bastorran?’

‘I am saying that. The man’s a menace to decent folk going about their lawful business.’

‘Thank you, General.’

The judge glared down at Kinsel. ‘Questions?’ he snapped.

‘These people you claim named me under interrogation. Can you produce any of them in court?’

‘Regrettably, no,’ Devlor Bastorran responded, his face a picture of contriteness. ‘You have to understand that they were hardened revolutionaries and outlaws. Some were sentenced to long prison terms in various of the colonies. Several had the death sentence passed on them. Quite justifiably in my opinion. And one or two of the others, sadly, resisted questioning to the extent of deliberately forfeiting their lives.’

‘If their…

interrogation

was anything like mine, I’m not surprised.’

The judge’s gavel pounded his bench again. ‘The accused will refrain from making frivolous and irrelevant comments.’

‘If you can’t bring any of these people here, General,’ Kinsel said, ‘at least name them.’

‘Can’t be done, I’m afraid. That could compromise ongoing investigations. It’s a matter of-’

‘State security, yes. But perhaps you

could

tell the court who the persons of influence were who supposedly protected me?’

‘Objection!’ Laffon stated. ‘It must be obvious even to the accused that such sensitive information couldn’t possibly be exposed to public gaze.’

‘Where are the public?’ Kinsel argued. ‘I see none here.’

‘We’ll have no facetious remarks,’ the judge barked. ‘You’re right, Commissioner. Questions on this subject will not be pursued.’ He eyed Kinsel. ‘Do you have anything else to ask? Anything sensible, that is?’

‘I…’

‘I thought not. Do you have any further witnesses, Commissioner?’

‘Just one, Your Honour. He’s waiting outside.’

‘Well, bring him in, bring him in.’

‘Call Aido Brendall.’

The name meant nothing to Kinsel. But as the clerk directed the man to the witness stand, he recognised him. He was probably in his thirties. His build was average, his clothes unremarkable and his features nondescript. Except for one thing. He had a black leather protuberance in place of a nose. It seemed to be padded, and was held fast by narrow ties that ran round to the back of his head.

‘You are Aido Brendall, a corporal with the harbour watch patrol?’ Laffon asked.

‘I am, sir.’ It came as no surprise to anyone that his voice had a distinctly muffled quality.

‘I’ll not beat about the bush, Corporal. It’s evident to all present that you’ve suffered an injury. Tell me, did this come about whilst carrying out your duties on behalf of the citizens of Valdarr?’

‘It did, sir. I was disfigured in the line of duty.’

‘And was it not the case that several of your colleagues actually lost their lives in the same incident?’

‘They did, sir. Two of ’em, and a grievous loss to the watch patrol they were, sir.’

‘I believe a member of the paladin clans was also murdered that night.’

‘Yes, sir. Died heroically, he did.’

‘Please tell the court, in your own words, how this tragedy occurred.’

‘There’s not a lot to tell, sir. It was last summer, and my unit was patrolling the central docks when we got word of an illegal entrant getting off one of the ships. A woman, it was, along with a couple of children. Quite young they were, those

kids. Anyway, we spotted her and gave chase. We had a paladin assigned to our unit that night and he came along too. We caught up with the illegal, and she’d been joined by a man.’

‘Can you identify that man?’

‘Yes, sir. It was him.’ He pointed at Kinsel.

‘You’re sure?’

‘I’m not likely to forget, sir, seeing as what happened next.’

‘Do carry on.’

‘Well, we confronted him and the woman with the kids, and the next thing we know

another

woman turned up. I reckon she knew ’em. Was one of ’em, if you ask me. Because when we ordered her to stand aside, she attacked us.’

‘And as a result of that unprovoked attack, your two comrades and the gallant paladin officer gave their lives, and you were left badly wounded?’

‘Yes, sir. Scarred for life, sir.’

‘What part did the accused play in the assault?’

‘He egged her on, sir. No doubt about that.’

‘You saw him as the one behind the attack? The driving force, so to speak?’

‘I don’t reckon the one who did all the damage would have tangled with us otherwise, sir.’

‘To sum up: the accused, whom you have just identified, was deeply involved in an altercation that saw the deaths of three brave defenders of the peace and the severe injury of another, namely yourself?’

‘That’s just how it was, sir.’

‘I think the testimony of this witness, a man who puts himself at risk every day in order to preserve the peace and safeguard the good citizens of Valdarr, gives the lie to the accused’s protestations of innocence. Thank you, Corporal.’

‘Your witness,’ the judge rumbled, nodding at Kinsel.

‘You’ve told the court that you confronted five people that night. Two women, two small children and a man.’

‘You should know; you were the man.’

‘I want to establish something. Your group consisted of three harbour watchmen and a paladin, all of you trained fighters. In the case of the paladin, a highly experienced swordsman, I imagine. Is that right?’

‘That’s right.’

‘When the fighting began, did either of the children join in and attack you?’

‘That’s ridiculous. Of course they didn’t.’

‘Did both of the women attack you?’

‘Just the one.’

‘And what about the man? Did he take part in this brawl?’

‘You know you didn’t.’

‘So the fact is that four very experienced law enforcers faced one woman, who killed three and dealt you a serious injury?’