Chapter Four: Duinn vs. Thinpen
4.1
“”Let me being with the first response of to the legitimacy of the investigation! I ask the judges to look at the letter of mine sent to Ebenizer, which I clearly stated this;
“The authority that the contingency carries are of grants from the King Under The Mountain and Lord Dwalin at Thorin's Halls, and quite rightly so, they have the right to search everything at Othrikar, since it is not a private ownership of any company operating there. “
I present to the court the grants made by Lord Dwalin, as steward in the West for The King Under The Mountain. Yes the Sabaj are under my authority, however, in such an investigation, precedence is given to the outlined description of the investigation and its goals, where at the same time authority over the Sabaj is with Dwalin until the investigation is completed. This is normal protocol, so as objectivity is preserved.””
Duinn waves the parchment of the grant to those assembled before giving it to the judges, then staring Thinpin down he turned towards the judges, seemingly without hesitation.
““Yet the gravity of this situation has extended the usage of the Sabaj further, I therefore present this to the court as explanation”” Duinn added, then took another parchment showing it to all before giving it to the judges. “”A letter, which the Sabaj carry, which grants the Sabaj to safeguard Othrikar under the Dwalin, and this Law-court”. The assembled Sabaj nodded as Duinn turned again towards them ere speaking again.
“Does it seem that Ebenizer and his advisor Thinpin have forgotten something along the way? As I afore have explained the legitimacy to them! No! They contend it, as evident in our correspondence!”
Duinn paused for a moment standing straight he put both his thumbs into his belt as to rest his arms, then continued looking at Ebenizer and Thinpin before his gazed nodded towards the judges.
“As for the arson, which I said would be wild speculation seems to have become a topic! It seems quite evident that Ebenizer has probable cause to harm and or even expel DFTC from Othrikar by any means and in this instance an attempt to destroy the DFTC leadership”.
Duinn lifted his hand pointing to the loft then pointing at the GMC dwarves.
“None of these dwarves gave any knowledge of the evident or blatantly refused to answer anything, under orders from Ebenizer himself! Why is that? Unless one has something to hide or wishes to remain hidden? For, those trapped in the fire escaped to see many of these assembled gave no testimony to who barred the door.””
Turning towards the judges, “”It is speculation, but it is nonetheless, also a deduction of the events and behaviour of Ebenizer and GMC””
Pausing for a moment so as everyone could process the information; Duinn returned to his position and rested his arms, nodding to Durinur and Daeron amongst the assembly.
“”As for the Book! It comes from the Library of Lin Gilliath, brought their by the survivors of the attack on Othrikar! Furthermore…. “” Duinn points to Daeron, yet still facing the judges “”…by account of the long lived elves of Lin Gilliath, and master Dearon here too, Othrikar was abandoned! But soon after used again!”” Duinn paused again, Daeron stepping forth bowed to the judges and nodding without a word as agreeing to Duinn’s statement.
“”Alas, our dwarven records hold no description of this, since it lay in the library of Lin Gilliath! Forgotten! And the relations between our folk and the elves deteriorated thereafter, improving only with the establishment of the Council of The North! So, apart from a lapse in shipment and records held at the Mountain, the GMC seemingly continued and the elves thought the dwarves had returned and never opened the book. We should note that there is still not reasonable or proven rebuttal to this evidence I bring!””
Duinn faces Thinpin with his last remark, seemingly challenging him, “”The book came to light again six moons ago, when Daeron studied its content. He since has compiled a history of these lands, and contacted us in Othrikar with this discrepancy and to his surprise, found that a long dead dwarves still presided here!””
Duinn again to the judges, “”It would also be to his best interest, in carrying out unlawful activity to seem lawful, to be pay tribute to the King and continue trade, for then our records would have stated that Othrikar truly was abandoned! Also, remaining a supposed loyal subject by paying taxes does not justified the past wrongs, or that it was done under false precedence!””
Duinn turned towards Thinpin and Ebenizer gazing sternly and near questioning them, “”Passed down from father to son? That is highly unlikely when the true Ebenizer passed to the Halls of Waiting 200 winters ago with no son, so the charter they say they posses has come into their possession by some other means””
Duinn paused again, chatter soon spurred amongst the assembly, and Judge Hammerfall raised her hand issuing silence. “”Honoured judges!.... ““ Duinn exclaimed, “”Let it be known that this claim of innocence in the brawl holds no weight, though it was Tholdurin who committed the crime of hitting someone! This I do not deny, but Ebenizer’s innocence I contend, for he outright insulted and near goaded Tholdurin, as he tried to buy his honour and loyalty, as some mercenary. What dwarf would not be angered, I ask, at such dishonor?”” Duinn turns to the crowd seemingly as if asking them, many nodded while looking at him then gazed sternly at Thinpin and Ebenizer.
“”Yet it is of no concern! Tholdurin has been appropriately punished according to our customs and is to pay this dwarrow, aka Ebenizer compensation in coin. First, they claimed compensation of extraneous rights and grants, and now they claim punishment by Scourging”” Questioning Thinpin indirectly Duinn. “”What will they ask next?””
“”50 silver coins and unpaid work in the coal mines at Thorin’s Halls, this is a heavy punishment even for the most richest of miner and crafter. High sum and lowly work without pay. Not to mention that master Tholdurin an established miner is degraded from mining precious material to not at all! And that he is expelled from the DFTC until he again can reapply when the sentence is served!””
Holding hands in pleading Duinn gestures to all, as asking if the sentence was not reasonable.
“”Thinpin’s parable is not accurate, for, it would mean that the Baker is degaraded to the role of apprentice, or expelled! I do however, confer to the judges to deem this punishement adequate or not”
Duinn bowed and returned to his seat. ““I rest for now!””
(By Duinn)
4.2
"Aye, rest for now master Drakenbane", spoke judge Hammerfall, "especially considering you have not been asked for a counter-argument and this point in time... ", focusing on Duinn with her steel blue eyes. Thinpen and Goldthumb believed they might have scored a point with that, but that illusion quickly faded.
"And master Thinpen", she continued as her voice boomed through the chamber,"... you point your finger at anyone in this chamber again and I'll have your arms tied to your body!". Thinpen turned white slowly.
"We are understood then.... .", Brina spoke determined as she looked though her papers. "Considering master Duinn has already offered his counter argument at this stage I will allow master Thinpen the same privilege. After which the judges would like to see your witnesses", she looked at Duinn and Goldthumb one by one and continued, "considering the amount of claims and charges in this case, I believe it to be only proper to lift the two witness limit exceptionally. Yet, if I feel your witnesses do not add value to these hearings I have no problem removing this privilege. I make myself clear I hope?", everyone could see her focus was mainly on Thinpen who when he spotted her gaze could only offer a sheepish grin. "Very well, proceed..."
(By Fryjpora)
4.3
Thinpen stood up from his chair clearly not in the least impressed by Duinn's counterargument. At the most leisurely pace he took a sip of the mug of water that stood on the table his master was sitting at, then looked at Duinn, apparently hiding a grin, as he slowly set the mug back down. Then turned to the judges and spoke: " my deepest of apologies to the chamber Lady Hammerfall, I was not aware my habitual expressions were causing you or the other judges any annoyance... I will see to no longer point unless the chamber here explicitly asks me to do so. Now, as for the counterargument", he continued as he paused, sighed and then again continued this speech, "... I'm sorry for the sighing, honestly.... but the arguments provided by master Drakenbane are laughable at best.", clearly trying to hold back a muffled laugh.
"Master Drakenbane here persists in his counterargument that the Sabaj - and I quote - have the right to search everything at Othrikar, since it is not a private ownership of any company operating there." A long silence followed. ABSURD!!, Thinpen shouted as he raised a paper in his hand - his arm streched to the heaven. "I have here the documents given by the King of the Longbeards at the end of the War of Dwarves and Orcs that gives FULL OWNERSHIP - mind YOU, not a lease, NOT a rent nor temporary ownership - of the mentioned mines to the ancestors of master Goldthumb". Thinpen paused and launched an evil grin in the direction of Duinn. "Normal protocol, as master Duinn claims, is not applicable here at all. These are not your run-of-the-mill Thorin's Halls mines. These are private mines. And no seal from Lord Dwalin will change that. As such neither Lord Duinn, Dwalin or any Sabâj has the right to plant any of their toes on this property without the consent of my master, much less perform a so called INVESTIGATION".
"So unless you destroy these property documents and revoke my masters right on this property, you have ZERO rights to come on my masters ownerships and lands. We all know that your so called investigation has nothing to do with getting to the bottom of things!", Thinpen looked at the audience absolutely convinced of his words.
"What if you kind people here all of the sudden were attacked? Imagine a strong, dangerous and savage dwarf beating you to an inch of your life. You are cared for by healers who by Mahal's grace are able to save your life. You naturally expect your attacker to be imprisoned, punished even. Yet, days and weeks go by and still your attacker is free to do whatever he wishes, drinking at the tavern even if he wishes so... . And to your astonishment, YOU who are the victim in all this, all of the sudden receive a letter stating that YOU need to allow strangers on your land, in your property, for an investigation. Why? By Mahal why? Isn't it clear who attacked who? Why by Durin's beard is an investigation needed? Do you see what is happening here good people? Do you see how much power Durin's Folk has? They seem to have the right to torment honest people, claim their property, harass them and even beat them to an inch of their lives. Of course my master protests to that! Wouldn't you?!? This investigation is NOT what it seems my good people, it is an excuse... and excuse bring them one step closer to what they want... The Mines of Othrikar! I would not be surprised if this was all planned from the start, as soon as Tholdurin hit my master the sabâj were likely underway already! Do not let yourself be fooled by master Duinn's fair speech, behind his lips lie words of deceit. He claims my master has instructed his workers not to speak to these so called investigators. Well, he is wrong there again, how little he knows about my master it seems. My master in fact informed the miners of the situation as it was, asking them to defend their homes, their livelihoods from the wolves that are the DFTC! These people have prospered under the leadership of my master and were glad to defend him and his honor, of course they would not talk to these intruders, why would they. But it is not because of an order of my master, it was because of their loyalty to their valued leader."
Thinpen walked slowly up to the desk of the judges.
"As for the claims of arson, master Duinn himself states these are words of air, no weight they have whatsoever. So please, let us not waste the time of these judges shall we and remove this charge completely. There is no proof at all of these wild claims, we know it, they know it... we all know it. I might as well accuse Lord Duinn of killing a battalion of woodland elves, I have no proof of the matter as well... while we are fantasizing, why not?, Thinpen chuckled but then noticed the stern face of two of the judges, "seriously though, this is a court case not a fish market... if you have no proof of your claims you need hold your tongue master Duinn."
"And then there is this magical book of the elves, "Thinpen ridiculed by flapping imaginary wings, "it might as well have stories about thumb-high trolls in them... and for all we know it might. I, nor my master have ever seen this book. Do we merely accept this word of this ELF, who we have never seen or heard of, without examining him, questioning him, or studying this book in closer detail. I for one demand questioning... as I believe he is a hired hand of Duinn to fortify his claim of this forged book, a device to at long last claim the mines of Othrikar and destroy my master.", Thinpen looked as if he had been waiting for this very moment since the start of the case, "... what say you honored judges, let us proceed with questioning. For I tell you this.... this Daeron did not find this book... apparently a dwarfmaiden named Fryjpora, employed by the DFTC no less - a matter Duinn has CONVENIENTLY forgotten it seems - who received it from an elf named Elreinion, who in turn received him by his master Gildor Inglorion at the elf settlement in the North Downs. So this Daeron is the imposter here, as he has no business in this matter at all. I call for the elves Elreinion and Gildor Inglorion to come before us... let them tell us how they got hold of this book! I am so convinced of the blood line of my master, I fear their accounts not!"
Thinpen sat back down, the tension in the room could be cut with a knife.
(By Midarin)
4.4
Duinn looked as if in deep thought, and judging by is brow he was angered by Thinpin's outlashes. The assembly murmurred in whispers and gazes to and fro; Duinn raised his hand in gesture to Lady Hammerfall, and awaited her response if she would allow it.
(By Duinn)
4.5
Hilfar sat uncomfortable on his chair. His eyes kept darting around the room from Duinn to Thinpen to the judges. Hilfar thought that Duinn has a strong convincing plea and appearance, yet Thinpen had a quick and sharp tongue evading the accusations as if it was his daily chore. This is going to be a long sit. Hilfar practiced his lines in his head, should the opportunity arise for him to speak.
(By Hilfar)
