Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Read online

  “Did any of the dead appear to be part of the accused’s group?”

  “No, sir. The four behind the group, the ones that had been dispatched with blades, had crossbows. The crossbows had all been fired. They also had swords on their hips, but none of them had been drawn. Those bodies were two houses back from where I found the accused when I arrived. The two who died from the knives were two houses ahead of the accused, and the remaining two had made it to within melee distance of them.”

  “Interesting. I have before me a bill from a healer. Why is that?”

  “The accused were injured. One was unconscious. As it was unknown at the time if they were the attackers or the victims, I deemed it wise to have them seen. My men reported that the healer had to treat three of them. The Moonbound was uninjured. Her blades have been examined and are thought to be the weapons that dispatched the men with the crossbows, sir.”

  “What of the other three?”

  “The male had numerous small wounds and had depleted his energy. He is a Shaper it seems, sir. My men overheard that he had exhausted his energy trying to Shape his weapon to defend himself.”

  “You are a Shaper?” Jasper asked Sean.

  “I am, sir.”

  “What is your name, and what do you Shape?”

  “Sean MacDougal. I’m registered as a Shaper of metal and wood, sir.”

  Jasper sat back in his chair, looking pensive, “Are you new to the city?”

  “I am, sir.”

  “Are you the new Shaper who’s been making the hair clips that have everyone so excited?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Jasper’s eyes went to Ida. “Was your companion there the person who went before Magistrate Amerut a tenday ago?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Which means you were the one who spoke for her?”

  “I spoke on behalf of my apprentice, sir.”

  Jasper’s lips twitched. “You are strangely docile compared to what I’ve heard of you.”

  Sean paused, marshalling his thoughts before he spoke, “I would attribute that to the difference between yourself and your fellow magistrate, sir.”

  “I see,” Jasper said, clearly fighting to not smile. “What did the healer say of the other two’s wounds?”

  “The one in the chair, sir, almost had her spine severed from the bolt she took in the back. Another bolt was lodged in her hip. It was removed, but the healer did say she will need to be healed more fully or she will never have full use of her leg again. The last of the accused had a ghastly neck wound... frankly, sir, I’m surprised she survived. The healer said she lost a lot of blood, and the wound was bleeding when I got to the scene.”

  “What I’ve heard sounds like they were attacked from behind, Sergeant.”

  “If it wasn’t for eight men dead while these four were only injured, I would have readily come to the same conclusion, sir.”

  “Moonbound, step forward,” Jasper said.

  Myna took the spot Carmady vacated. “Yes, sir?”

  “You dispatched the four men with crossbows?”

  “I did, sir.”

  “How did you manage that without being injured, and why did they not defend themselves?”

  “I caught scent of them as we passed the alley, sir. I didn’t realize they meant to attack us until I heard the scrape of metal from ahead of us.”

  “You ambushed them, then?”

  “I used a Talent of mine to be unseen as they emerged from the alley, sir. The attackers had loaded crossbows and shot before I could stop them. They didn’t get the chance to take a second shot. If I had ambushed them, sir, neither of my friends would have been injured.”

  “They didn’t shoot you?”

  “They didn’t see me until they were already firing, sir.”

  “Who dispatched the other four?”

  “I was the one who threw the knives, sir,” Ryann said.

  “How many did you throw?”

  “Just the two before the bolt hit me in the neck, sir.”

  Jasper’s eyebrows went up, “Just the two, and both were killing shots. Did you kill the other two, as well?”

  “No, sir, I killed them,” Sean replied.

  “How did you crush the chest of the one in?”

  “Hammer, sir.”

  “You carry a sword, though, not a hammer.”

  “I Shaped it, sir.”

  “You stabbed one, changed your weapon to a hammer, and killed the other?”

  “No, sir. I crushed the one’s chest in, then made my sword thinner and stabbed the other.”

  “That would explain why you were exhausted when you were brought in,” Jasper nodded. “Gertihs, you are a well-respected metal Shaper. Would doing what the accused said exhaust you?”

  “I have never tried to Shape a weapon into an entirely different one, sir. With that said though, I’m certain I would be exhausted if I tried to do it.”

  “Sergeant,” Jasper called, motioning Carmady back to the front, “your conclusion?”

  “The first two guards on the scene were sure that the accused attacked these two separate groups from ambush, sir.”

  “Excuse me, sir,” Joseph said. “The accused were at the Oaken Glen with us.”

  Jasper frowned at Joseph, “I will remind you that interrupting the court could lead to contempt charges. Now, who was the last to see the accused at the Oaken Glen?”

  “That would be me,” Fredrick said. “He was gathering his apprentice as I left with my own. I heard the whistles before I got home, but didn’t think they were connected to my associate until this morning, when his wife sent their Messenger Fairy to me.”

  “That would make it hard for them to ambush anyone,” Jasper said after a moment. “Who is the accused’s wife?”

  “I am, sir,” Fiona said.

  “Come forward,” Jasper told her. His eyes narrowed briefly, “I see you are Life Bonded.”

  “To my husband, sir.”

  “Where were you last night?”

  “Home, sir. I felt the strain in the Bond connecting us, and I grew worried. By the time I left my house, they had already taken him and the others to the healer. I spoke with a guard near the attack site, then returned home to get things ready so that I could be here for my husband and wife.”

  “I can confirm she appeared at the scene and spoke with one of my men,” Carmady said. “She was here waiting by the time I returned to fill out my report, sir.”

  “Were you not worried for them?” Jasper asked.

  “I was worried, sir, but I know better than to interfere with the guards. I arranged for the others to know so they could be here, then I came to be close by if I was needed.”

  “I see. Your husband is married to you and another? Who is the other wife?”

  “I am, sir,” Myna said softly.

  Ryann fidgeted, but did not speak up.

  “Hmm, so you defended your husband and friends?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Sergeant, finish your conclusion for me,” Jasper said.

  “After a detailed examination of the scene, the testimony of my men with the accused, and what Shaper Gertihs has stated, I can only reach one conclusion, sir: the accused were ambushed by eight men and defended themselves.”

  “Have you found anything indicating who these eight men were?”

  Carmady hesitated before sighing, “Sir, three of them were previous guardsmen, another three were off duty guardsmen, and the last two are known in these halls for battery arrests.”

  Jasper sat up straight, “What was that?”

  “The attackers were guards, ex-guards, and men who had faced charges of battery, but not been convicted,” Carmady replied.

  “I want this looked into, Sergeant,” Jasper growled as he stood up from behind his desk. “I will not have those who should protect citizens work to harm them.”

  “Yes, sir!” Carmady saluted.

  “Sean MacDougal, you and your group are hereby exonerate
d of all charges. Your items will be returned to you, and…” Jasper broke off for a moment. “And, I apologize on behalf of the city for what transpired. I hereby order all healing fees paid for by the court. Take your apprentice and your other wounded to a healer. I shall have a letter sent to cover the costs.”

  Sean unclenched his hands, which had curled into tight fists when he heard who their attackers were. “Sir, I do not hold the city at fault. Every bushel will have a few rotten apples. I would only ask to be informed when those responsible for this attack are brought in for justice.”

  “I will make sure this case is brought before me,” Jasper replied. “You shall be informed.”

  “Thank you, sir, for being honest and honorable,” Sean said, bowing his head to the magistrate. “I will take my friends to the same healer to make the accounting easier.”

  “Case dismissed,” Jasper said. “Sergeant, make sure their property is returned to them before they leave. I will have the letter for the healer brought to the front in a few minutes.”

  A muted cheer went through the group at the magistrate’s words. Carmady went to the magistrate’s desk to return their things to them, while the smiths and Shapers moved forward to congratulate their friends on being exonerated.

  Chapter Four

  Their gear was returned and the entire group was escorted out of the room so the magistrate could see another case. Once they were in the lobby, the Sergeant started to excuse himself.

  “Sergeant, you have my thanks,” Sean told him. “I do not envy you the task the magistrate set you. Might I have your name?”

  “Eugene Carmady,” the Sergeant replied. “If you will excuse me, I must finish my paperwork before my shift ends. Your letter from the magistrate should be delivered to the front desk in a few minutes.”

  “Thank you again,” Sean said when the Sergeant turned to leave.

  With the guard gone and the lobby mostly empty now that the magistrates were seeing other people, the group found themselves with room to talk. Sam was fussing over Ida, and Ryann was talking with Fiona and Myna off to the side, leaving everyone else focused on Sean.

  “Considering what has happened, we should talk in a less public place,” Fredrick said. “I’m inviting all of you to my home for dinner tonight.”

  “Us or our families?” Joseph asked.

  Fredrick paused before nodding, “Families, though we’ll have to separate to discuss business after the meal.”

  “That is humbling,” Knox said. “Never thought I’d be invited to a Shaper’s home for dinner. Having dinner at your house was shocking enough, Sean.”

  “It’s been some time since you’ve had me over,” Eva said. “I’ll be there with my apprentice.” Similar sentiments came from everyone else present.

  “I’ll do my best to make it,” Sean said, throwing a damper on the moment. “I have a lot of things I need to get done today and I haven’t really slept.”

  “We will be there,” Fiona said, coming up behind Sean. “We’ll make sure he is there. This needs to be discussed.”

  “I’ll go with you to see the healer,” Sam said, wheeling Ida over toward them. “I want to make sure that everything is handled properly.”

  “It seems my wife has spoken,” Sean said. “We will be there. Sam, you are more than welcome to come with us to the healer and then home.”

  “Ven,” Fiona said, “let Andrea know we will be back after we see the healer. Ask if she can have something warm for us, please.”

  Ven had appeared when called, nodding at her message. “Of course. Sir, it’s good to see you free.” Not waiting for a reply, Ven shot away in a flash of silver.

  “Tonight then,” Fredrick said. “I need to get back to work. We all have tasks to complete.”

  The rest of the smiths and Shapers agreed that there was work to do, and said goodbyes one more time, leaving them in the lobby.

  “Let’s get that letter and go,” Sean told them. “I’ll carry Ida on the way to the healer. I doubt they’ll let us take the chair.”

  “Husband,” Fiona reminded him gently, “you are injured, too. I can get a carriage to take us.”

  “Fine,” Sean said as he reached the front desk. “We are expecting a letter to the healer from Magistrate Jasper.”

  “It just arrived,” the clerk said, handing him a piece of paper. “Sign here, please.”

  Sean signed off the release form before putting the letter into his pouch. “Thank you. Are there carriages nearby?”

  “There is a stand a few buildings down, sir.”

  “Venn,” Fiona called out, “go arrange to have one pick us up out front, please.”

  “Right away,” Venn said, the silver blur signaling their departure.

  “Both of them were here?” Sean asked.

  “I knew they would be of use here and Andrea and Chastity wouldn’t need them as much as I did,” Fiona replied.

  “Okay,” Sean sighed.

  “Sir, the chair needs to stay here,” the clerk said as they turned to leave.

  “I’ll carry her to the carriage,” Sam said, easily scooping Ida up.

  “Mom?” Ida complained.

  “Let her,” Sean said. “She needs to know you’re okay.”

  Ida sighed, but nodded, “As you wish.”

  ~*~*~

  They exited the carriage when it pulled up at the healer’s home. Sean handed the driver the fare with a smile. “Thank you for the smooth ride.”

  “My pleasure,” the driver replied. “I hope the healer can help the miss.”

  Sam carried Ida in, following Sean, with the others trailing after them. Sean noticed that the front room had been cleaned of the blood they left on the floor hours before. A young woman sat behind a desk near one door, but no one else was present in the room.

  “May I help you?” the woman asked as they entered.

  “We were seen by the healer late last night,” Sean explained, walking over to the desk. “I have a letter from Magistrate Jasper to cover the costs for us to be seen again.” Holding the letter out to her, he glanced back to make sure everyone was inside.

  She took the letter and read it, then got to her feet. “One moment, please.” A minute later, she came back, “Please, follow me. We’ll be putting each of you into different rooms.”

  “Fiona, go with Ryann, please. Sam, I figure you want to be with Ida still,” Sean directed them.

  “Of course, husband,” Fiona nodded.

  “Please,” Sam replied.

  “We are ready,” Sean said, moving to follow the woman.

  Sean lay down on the bench in the room he was directed to. Exhaling deeply, he felt a bit of the anxiety he had had since the guards arrested them fade. Denmur, I know this was your doing… I’ll find a way to gut you for it.

  ~*~*~

  “Asleep? Not surprising, considering.”

  The voice jerked Sean awake. “Huh?”

  “You’re the last one,” the healer said as she closed the door behind her. “The others have been seen already.”

  “Ida’s hip?” Sean asked as he sat up.

  “I’d recommend she take it easy for a day or two, but she should be fine. It looked worse than it was; the bolt didn’t do as much damage as I initially thought.”

  Sean panicked for a moment when the healer reached for him. He had been asleep, so his body had likely healed all the small wounds he had. Feeling his own body, he found the wounds still there and exhaled slightly as the old woman touched his shoulder.

  “Nothing major,” the healer sighed happily. “There, you’re fine now,” she said a minute later. “Use as little energy as you can over the next day. You need to recover.”

  Sean smiled, “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

  “I thought you were all criminals last night,” the healer sniffed. “It seems you were the victims after all.”

  Sean nodded and put his hand into his pouch, Shaping a hair clip from some copper coins and holding it out to the
healer. “My thanks for taking care of my apprentice and Life Bonded.”

  The healer took the clip slowly, “You’re the Shaper who makes these?”

  “Yes. You made sure we survived our wounds last night, and I value that more than the city will, so this clip is my way of making sure the debt is repaid.”