Delivered by the Defender (Kindred Tales)

“Not unless you want to join Selena in the holding cell and possibly in prison,” Valen said warningly. “By Ma’shorkan law, I can only defend one client at a time.”

“But he has to let us in! You have to let us in!” Jessica said to the clerk. “My best friend is in there and she’s about to be sent to prison!”

The clerk shrugged lazily.

“Many people in the High Court are sent to prison daily. It’s the penalty for breaking the law.”

“But Selena didn’t break any laws!” Jessica protested. “She was framed! I saw it with my own eyes and we have evidence to prove it—please, you have to let us in!”

“The lady is correct in saying that my client—who is in the High Court holding cell—is innocent,” Valen told the clerk. “She asked for me by name and sent a messenger to me last night so that I could come and defend her. My name must be on the list.”

The clerk shrugged again.

“I’ve checked twice and I haven’t seen you, Defender Valen. What can I do?”

“Listen…” Tolern spoke in Valen’s ear. “Moll told us last night that the palace guards had instructed the Court guards not to let Selena send a message to you. Do you think they also struck your name from the list, just in case, to be certain to keep you out?”

“That’s possible.” Valen glanced at the large, round chronometer which was housed in the center of the High Court’s front edifice. It was carved with symbols in the ancient Ma’shorkan language that meant “Justice,” “Punishment” and “Retribution.”

But it wasn’t the ancient symbols that concerned him—it was the fact that the time the chronometer displayed was full noon. Court was already coming into session and if he didn’t get in quickly, Selena would be sent to the transport for Hammerdown Prison—along with the male who wanted to harm her.

What in the Goddess’s name was he going to do?

68

“Tusker Framdon…Geelor Jezbone…Chichi Nono,” the bored-sounding guard called, reading the names of the prisoners who were to appear at noon court off a lighted clipboard in one hand, while he gripped the buzzing pain prod in the other. “All of you whose names I called, come to the front of the cells,” he added, putting away the list.

Selena’s heart sank to her toes. He hadn’t called her name!

“Please,” she said hesitantly, coming forward to the clear wall of the cell and looking at the guard pleadingly. “I should be on that list—Selena Bates. Please, could you check for my name again?”

The guard glanced at the lighted clipboard and shook his head.

“Sorry—no Selena Bates on here. Weird name,” he added, shaking his head.

Selena felt a bubble of hysterical laughter rise in her throat.

“My name is weird?” she demanded. “Weirder than Geelor Jezbone and Chichi Nono?”

The guard just shot her an irritated look.

“Stand back, please. You’ll get out in a minute. As soon as I get these defendants to noon court, I’ll be back to take the lot of you to the transport for Hammerdown.”

There was a general round of groans at this announcement, but Selena couldn’t help seeing that Big Horn didn’t look upset at all. He was still eyeing her hungrily and when he caught her eye, he grinned and licked his lips.

Like a man expecting to enjoy a delicious dinner, Selena thought dismally. And I’m the dinner! Her stomach fisted into a knot and she thought she might puke from the awful anxiety.

Oh God, what was she going to do?

69

“I quite understand that his Majesty’s time is valuable, Major Domo,” Tolern said, speaking patiently to the holo image of the balding Major Domo, hovering above his communications device. “But please let him know that this concerns a favorite of his—Selena Bates of Earth. She was the star attraction at his gala just yesterday and his Majesty expressed such admiration that he even suggested he wished she could be his fourth Empress.”

“We all know what happens to anyone wishing to become the fourth Empress,” the Major Domo said dryly. “And you are well aware of what a short attention span his Majesty has, Ambassador.”

“Nevertheless, I am asking you to at least try to get him to speak with me,” Tolern said firmly. “It is of the utmost importance and I am invoking my Diplomatic Privilege.”

The Major Domo sucked in his breath.

“Then it must be serious indeed. I have never known you to invoke your privilege before, Ambassador Tolern.”

“Never has my need been so great—an innocent life is on the line,” Tolern said seriously. “Please, Major Domo—I must speak to the Emperor at once.”

“Well…since you are invoking privilege, I will try.” The Major Domo shrugged. “Wait just a moment—his Majesty is in the Receiving Hall with his Empresses.”

The holo image appeared to be walking, though it was difficult to tell, since he could only be seen from the shoulders up. Valen waited tensely and beside him, Jessica was shifting nervously from foot to foot. The Court Clerk looked on with apparent interest. Probably, he had never seen the Emperor himself invoked in order to grant someone the privilege of entering the High Court, Valen thought. He just hoped it worked. The High Court Chronometer now read five past noon and time was ticking rapidly away…