‘The accused may speak in his defence,’ the judge directed.
Kinsel turned weary eyes upon the judge. ‘Is there any point?’
‘The people must be satisfied that the due process of law has been observed. I won’t have it said that a defendant in my court was not allowed to put his case.’
‘My lord, I’m sure that’s what the people say already. The difference between me and all here is that I regard my fellow citizens as possessing the intelligence to decide between true
justice and a sham. And I believe, passionately, that genuine justice is the birthright of every man and woman, whatever their walk of life, and however their hopes and aspirations are seen by their rulers. I didn’t expect a fair trial. I wasn’t disappointed in that.’
‘A pretty speech, and one not designed to wring sympathy from this court. The scribe will strike that portion of the proceedings from the record, and say only that the accused turned down the opportunity to speak on his own behalf.’
The scribe gave him a small bow and scored through what he had written.
‘I see no need to retire and contemplate the evidence presented here,’ the judge declared. ‘The facts seem clear cut to me. However, as no direct evidence has been presented that portrays you as an actual participant in violence, I am minded to be lenient.’
A tiny spark of hope was ignited in Kinsel’s breast.
‘Nevertheless, the charges
are
grave, and a law lord must always be aware that the punishments he hands down should act as a deterrent to others. Kinsel Rukanis, I find you guilty as charged. By virtue of the powers invested in me by the constitution of Gath Tampoor and its protectorates, I sentence you to be delivered into the custody of the naval branch of the correctional system. You will serve an indefinite term of hard labour as part of a galley crew. And may the gods show you mercy for the wrongs you have committed.’
It was a false hope. Being condemned to work as a galley slave was as final as a direct death sentence. The only difference was that working the galleys meant a death more lingering, more prolonged than one by the rope or block.
‘It is the wish of this court that the sentence be carried out without delay. Take the prisoner away.’
All Kinsel could think of as they manhandled him from
the dock was Tanalvah and the children. And of the child she carried, that he would never see.
As he was led past the Bastorrans and Laffon, he saw that they were in good spirits.
21
‘We’re all taking a hell of a risk,’ Caldason whispered.
‘It’s for Tan,’ Serrah told him. ‘This is probably going to be the last glimpse she’ll have of him. How could we begrudge her that?’
The street was lined with people. Not packed six deep as they would be for an eminent visiting dignitary or a festival day, but a substantial turnout nevertheless, especially during an hour when most should be working. Enough of a crowd for those who didn’t want to attract attention to hide themselves in.
Reeth and Serrah, hooded and soberly dressed, stood on the kerbside. Tanalvah and Kutch were situated nearby. Around them, mingling in the press, were a score or so Resistance members who had volunteered to act as bodyguards if the need arose.
‘Shouldn’t be long now,’ Serrah reckoned. ‘But I still can’t see why we couldn’t have planned some kind of ambush.’
‘Look around. Not only are there a
lot
of uniforms about, you can bet there are as many plainclothes agents on duty. And the way these people work, they’ll have somebody in
the wagon with Kinsel ready to cut his throat at the first sign of trouble.’
‘The bastards would do it too, wouldn’t they? I feel so
helpless
, Reeth.’
‘That must be the least Tanalvah’s going through. Maybe you should go to her.’
‘Yes, I was just thinking that. I’ll swap with Kutch.’
He nodded and she slipped away.
Once Serrah had sidled up to Tanalvah, she said, ‘Kutch, why don’t you go and stand with Reeth now?’
‘I’m all right here, Serrah.’
‘Kutch.’
‘Oh. Right. See you later, Tanalvah.’
She gave him a soft smile and he wriggled into the crowd.
‘Silly question, Tan, but how are you?’ Serrah asked in an undertone.
‘It’s funny, but I’ve kind of gone beyond rage and despair and all the rest of it. I just feel numb.’
‘You’re still in shock. So perhaps being here isn’t the greatest idea in the world.’
‘No, I want to be here. I need to be. You understand that, don’t you? You wouldn’t make me leave?’
‘Of
course
not. It’s why we’re all here with you.’
‘You know, I’m really proud of Kinsel.’
‘Naturally you are. I know that.’
‘I meant especially proud of him because he didn’t crack under…torture.’ There was a tiny catch in her voice when she came out with the word.
‘We don’t know that he was tortured, Tan.’
‘Please, Serrah; I’m not naive. It’s good of you to try to protect me, but I know what these people are capable of. I had enough experience of their sort when I was a whore back in Rintarah.’
‘Sorry.’
‘But the important thing is that Kinsel didn’t give any names. Nobody suffered because of him.’
‘He’s a very courageous man.’
‘Yes. But not everybody believed that, did they? They said he’d break down and put lots of people in danger.’
‘Not everyone thought he would.’
‘Perhaps. But some were so convinced they even had the idea that he should be killed to shut him up.’
‘Oh, you know about that, do you?’ Serrah didn’t think to ask how she knew.
‘Yes, and I think I know who made the suggestion. I was terribly hurt when I heard about it. But I don’t blame him.’
‘That’s very forgiving of you.’
‘It’s like Kinsel always said; you have to think about the greatest good for the greatest number. He said it so often I started to think our little family weren’t part of that greater number. He had a tendency to see things in terms of what was right for the world before he thought of himself. And maybe before he thought of his own.’
‘Tan…’
‘No. It’s the way he is, and one of the reasons I love him.’
‘I’m sure…I
know
he loved you and the children more than anything.’
‘Yes, he did. And I take comfort from that. But, you know, I have a feeling that everything’s going to be all right.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes, honestly. I believe we’ll all be able to look back on this as though it was a bad dream, and that we’ll be together again.’
‘You’re taking strength from your faith, is that it?’
‘Some. But that’s not the reason I feel this way.’
‘Tan, don’t expect some kind of miracle. Life’s not like the stories the wordsmiths tell.’
‘It should be. I think people deserve a happy ending.’
‘If anybody does, it’s you.’
‘And I’ll do anything I have to, to make that happen.’
Serrah was growing concerned. ‘What is it you think you can do?’
‘There are ways, Serrah. There’s always a path if you have the courage to walk it. That’s part of the philosophy attached to my lady Iparrater.’
‘Ah. I see.’ But somehow Serrah didn’t think Tanalvah had been entirely referring to religion.
Not far away, Reeth and Kutch were sending surreptitious glances in the direction of the women.
‘Do you think Tan’s going to be all right, Reeth?’
‘Hard to say. She’s suffered a terrible blow. Then again, after all she’s been through, she has strength.’
‘And the kids. Serrah says that having to care for Teg and Lirrin should help keep Tan on an even keel.’
‘I expect she’s right.’
‘People tend to sacrifice a lot for their children, don’t they?’
‘Yes. Everything, sometimes.’
‘I don’t remember a lot about my mother,’ Kutch confessed. ‘But I’m grateful to her.’
‘She sold you.’
‘Well, yes. Only I reckon what she was really doing when she let Master Domex take me was giving me the best future she could. Like when my brother went into the army. I don’t know whether he really wanted to be a soldier. I think he just wanted to take the pressure off my mum, give her one less mouth to feed.’