the crimes charged, namely murder and attempted robbery."
The tribunals looked to one another, eyebrows rose and fell. Commander Vodt nodded slowly.
"Objection overruled. We will allow the statement as it stands."
"But, my lords—"
"But us no buts, Advocate. Carry on, Prosecutor."
"The people's prosecutor has no further questions for the witness."
Relkin sighed. Digal Turrent had done his level best to sink them. They were to be branded as untrustworthy types, ready to slink off at the slightest chance for illicit activities.
Advocate Sweeb advanced to the chair.
"Dragon Leader Turrent, for the record we must ask, how long have you commanded the 109th Marneri Dragon Squadron?"
For the first time, Turrent looked less than completely confident.
"Three months now, although I had a couple of months before that when I was here at Dalhousie but had not yet been assigned to a squadron. I studied the 109th at that time. I knew them well before I ever took command."
"Then you must have noted that Dragoneer Relkin and the dragon Bazil of Quosh have an exceptional record of battle honors."
Turrent shrugged. "Well, they have been in some campaigns."
"Now, Dragon Leader, surely that is an understatement. The dragoneer has five combat stars and three campaign ribbons."
"As to the particular numbers, I could not say."
"And yet you said you had studied the 109th very carefully before you took command."
Turrent shifted uneasily. "I must have forgotten."
"I will refresh your memory, then. They served in the winter campaign against the Teetol. They fought their way across the Gan to Tummuz Orgmeen. They fought in Ourdh last summer and earned more honors there."
Turrent looked as if he had a stomach pain.
"Rather a lot of honors for someone who is barely seventeen, wouldn't you agree?"
Turrent set his mouth in a grim line.
"Suppose so."
"In addition, the dragoneer has one other decoration, the Legion Star, awarded for courage and devotion to duty beyond any requirement. Awarded, I might add, very seldom indeed."
"Yes, Advocate," murmured Turrent.
"So, whereas you have commented quite unfavorably on the characters of both dragoneer Relkin and the battledragon Bazil of Quosh, you admit that they have obviously served the legion very well."
Turrent nodded unwillingly. "Well, I suppose you could draw such an inference."
Sweeb swung back to the tribunes.
"The defense asks the court to note that record of distinguished service and to set it against the charges of insubordination that have been made here by Dragon Leader Turrent."
Vodt nodded. "It will be noted."
The bell on the gate tower rang for the hour. Commander Vodt slammed his hammer to end the hearing for the day. Relkin rose and filed out with Advocate Sweeb at his side, murmuring encouragement.
"General Wegan speaks tomorrow. He will validate your claim."
"If dragons can't testify, then it's my word against the crew of the
Calice
. I'm doomed."
"Dragon testimony will be difficult to present. Dragons are beloved on the battlefield but are not respected in our courts and tribunals. It is a difficult area for many people, they are deeply ambivalent about our great reptilian friends."
"It's all right if we die for them, you mean, but we ain't good enough to have the same rights." Sweeb smiled slightly at the youth's total identification with the dragons.
"Now, Master Relkin, I feel that you are perhaps a little jaundiced in your opinions right now. It's understandable, but…"
"But me no buts, Advocate," murmured Relkin.
Relkin knew the way things were, which was one reason he'd been so anxious about the entire venture, from the moment he'd heard the news at the dockside in Dalhousie.
"What did you say?" said Advocate Sweeb sharply, sensing impertinence. Sweeb felt the difference between them very keenly. His soft plump pinkness against the dragonboy's lean, muscled tan for example.
"Look, Advocate, there's folk here that want to hang me over this, and all I
The tribunals looked to one another, eyebrows rose and fell. Commander Vodt nodded slowly.
"Objection overruled. We will allow the statement as it stands."
"But, my lords—"
"But us no buts, Advocate. Carry on, Prosecutor."
"The people's prosecutor has no further questions for the witness."
Relkin sighed. Digal Turrent had done his level best to sink them. They were to be branded as untrustworthy types, ready to slink off at the slightest chance for illicit activities.
Advocate Sweeb advanced to the chair.
"Dragon Leader Turrent, for the record we must ask, how long have you commanded the 109th Marneri Dragon Squadron?"
For the first time, Turrent looked less than completely confident.
"Three months now, although I had a couple of months before that when I was here at Dalhousie but had not yet been assigned to a squadron. I studied the 109th at that time. I knew them well before I ever took command."
"Then you must have noted that Dragoneer Relkin and the dragon Bazil of Quosh have an exceptional record of battle honors."
Turrent shrugged. "Well, they have been in some campaigns."
"Now, Dragon Leader, surely that is an understatement. The dragoneer has five combat stars and three campaign ribbons."
"As to the particular numbers, I could not say."
"And yet you said you had studied the 109th very carefully before you took command."
Turrent shifted uneasily. "I must have forgotten."
"I will refresh your memory, then. They served in the winter campaign against the Teetol. They fought their way across the Gan to Tummuz Orgmeen. They fought in Ourdh last summer and earned more honors there."
Turrent looked as if he had a stomach pain.
"Rather a lot of honors for someone who is barely seventeen, wouldn't you agree?"
Turrent set his mouth in a grim line.
"Suppose so."
"In addition, the dragoneer has one other decoration, the Legion Star, awarded for courage and devotion to duty beyond any requirement. Awarded, I might add, very seldom indeed."
"Yes, Advocate," murmured Turrent.
"So, whereas you have commented quite unfavorably on the characters of both dragoneer Relkin and the battledragon Bazil of Quosh, you admit that they have obviously served the legion very well."
Turrent nodded unwillingly. "Well, I suppose you could draw such an inference."
Sweeb swung back to the tribunes.
"The defense asks the court to note that record of distinguished service and to set it against the charges of insubordination that have been made here by Dragon Leader Turrent."
Vodt nodded. "It will be noted."
The bell on the gate tower rang for the hour. Commander Vodt slammed his hammer to end the hearing for the day. Relkin rose and filed out with Advocate Sweeb at his side, murmuring encouragement.
"General Wegan speaks tomorrow. He will validate your claim."
"If dragons can't testify, then it's my word against the crew of the
Calice
. I'm doomed."
"Dragon testimony will be difficult to present. Dragons are beloved on the battlefield but are not respected in our courts and tribunals. It is a difficult area for many people, they are deeply ambivalent about our great reptilian friends."
"It's all right if we die for them, you mean, but we ain't good enough to have the same rights." Sweeb smiled slightly at the youth's total identification with the dragons.
"Now, Master Relkin, I feel that you are perhaps a little jaundiced in your opinions right now. It's understandable, but…"
"But me no buts, Advocate," murmured Relkin.
Relkin knew the way things were, which was one reason he'd been so anxious about the entire venture, from the moment he'd heard the news at the dockside in Dalhousie.
"What did you say?" said Advocate Sweeb sharply, sensing impertinence. Sweeb felt the difference between them very keenly. His soft plump pinkness against the dragonboy's lean, muscled tan for example.
"Look, Advocate, there's folk here that want to hang me over this, and all I
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