Chapter Nine: The Death of Jornum (11 entries)
9.1
Tholdurin stood up and bowed profusely to the judges, ensuring his behavior would not make matters worse. Then he noticed a dwarf by the name of Steingi, shaking his head at Tholdurin, clearly not taking kindly to the behavior of the miner.
Tholdurin took this as a grave insult to him and to the loyalty toward his master. In an instant he felt a wave of rage rise up in him. And before anyone had any idea what was happening Tholdurin made a fist with one hand and looked Steingi straight in the eye saying: "What are you looking at?!!!".
The chamber was amazed by master Tholdurin's short temper. The very instant Tholdurin had spoken these words in rage he had already regretted them, slapping his forehead moments later and uttering a low: "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean that... ", when he realized he had just lost his temper in front of three judges.
Silence followed... Tholdurin could not believe what he had just done and hoped he hadn't made their case against Goldthumb any worse.
(By Kandral)
9.2
"Enough!", shouted judge Hammerfall, as she raised her hand and the guards let their hammers fall once more.
To everyone's surprise judge Hammerfall nodded at the Sabâj guards, indicated they should restrain master Tholdurin.
"Master Tholdurin, due to your tendency of rage here presented, and your clearly volatile nature I hereby instruct the sabâj contingency to bring you to the holding cells of Thorin's Halls this very moment. You are to return to this chamber at the end of this court session when verdict shall be made on your actions.", spoke Judge Hammerfall in low demanding tone.
Tholdurin bowed his head as two sabâj lead him out of the chamber.
"This court is no market square! Nor Runulf's Tavern! Anyone making this mistake again shall join master Tholdurin at once! I pray that is clear to all in this chamber.", she spoke as she nodded convinced to all sitting down. Hammerfall had once again made clear she was not one to be laughed with.
"Now, as for your testimony master Hilfar", she continued, "... you have made quite a few accusations... do you have proof of these statements? These thefts, threats, murder attempts and riots you speak of, where is your proof of these events? Also what do you mean with "Master Skaril who was forced to act against his will"... I wish to hear more of this matter. I pray for master Hilfar you answer these questions at once. And then I shall hear the account of this master Skaril.", she paused a moment before taking a breath and continuing, "and I wish also to hear the account of master Thalamath, seeing he was present when master Tholdurin attacked master Goldthumb".
She signaled the leader of the sabâj for a moment, who approached the judges table. "I wish to have master Goldthumb here - and if he desires his representative Thinpen - , brought before us at once. He must have the chance to defend himself against the accusations made. If he refuses you can inform him that I will confer with the two other judges and will not hesitate to sentence him quite harshly by default.", she spoke at master Khlosi nodded, "Though he has the right to leave the chamber and accept sentence, I personally revoke this right.", she continued determined. "Revoke this right honorable judge?", spoke master Khlosi. "Indeed", answered Hammerfall, "and if he wishes to know on which grounds, he'll have to return at once.". "Very well", spoke master Khlosi, who departed to fetch Goldthumb.
She gave Hilfar a look indicating he should answer at once.
(By Fryjpora)
9.3
He looked with a heavy heart as Tholdurin got dragged out of the room. Hilfar stood up once more and slowly made his way before Brina. He gave a polite cough "What proof I have is only what my fellow dwarrows can remember, for most of us shared the hardships that were thrown at us. Yes in that matter we have witnesses aplenty".
Hilfar straigthened his beard and thought a moment, he reached in his pocket and got small shard of golden Beryl out of his pocket and placed it before the judges. "This, honorable judges, is a golden beryl found within our part of the mines in Othrikar. Master Tholdurin found it actually, please take a look."
Hilfar thought a moment "This discovery did not go unnoticed, as a bag full of these beryls were stolen from us right before we could store them in the vault. The thief punched Tholdurin in the face, knocked him out cold and the Beryls were gone. We had our suspicions ofcourse, so we planned to capture the little culprit. We set up a trap and the thief was caught performing the act. It was a GMC miner... But Goldthumb the old crook was one step ahead of us. He barred the only entrance we had, and left us all to starve! My father, our scout Skaril, Tholdurin and hunter Fryjpora all shared this cruel fate. It was by the skill of our hunter that we survived, feeding on cave claw legs. And not forget Tholdurin and my father who dug us a way out of there.. This was the first attempt of murder.".
He glanced at Skaril and took a deep breath "Regarding the account of my friend Skaril, well ... I rather let him talk about his ... eh ...". Hilfar coughed and switched the subject.
Hilfar stared at the ground for a moment "Ah yes.. Then there were attempts to raid our food stores. You see, the DFTC takes good care of his own workforce. This caused jealousy among the underfed GMC miners and I believe master Thalamath remembers a few encounters where we had to push back the riotting GMC scum... eh I mean miners. Yes miners they are."
"The second attempt of murder, the office fire! Not long after Tholdurin 'incidently' knocked out Master Goldthumb I returned to Othrikar. One of the last office meetings we were discussing the incident. I believe... eh.. yes Tholdurin, Thalamath and eh Throngur were all there, yes indeed. That very evening smoke started to fill the room and we found that the door was jammed! Fire started to spread and the air was growing thin, we would have choked in there!"
Hilfar balds his fist, raising it in the air, his voice started to increase in volume echoing through the room. "If we had not taken up a large statue we would have been burned alive! Before you ask, what proof have I!? Nothing and everything. Of course we didnt see the old geezer out there setting fire to our office!! He is cunning! Meanwhile all my friends are being dragged out of court or banned to elf dwellings!! While that foul beard sits on his gold lode! And no doubt that snake of a Thinpen will bend every word that I have uttered here in this hall. But Mahal knows I speak the truth!!
Hilfar trembled as the anger vanished as quickly as it came "F-forgive my outburst, I.. think I better have a sit.. if you allow it..".
(By Hilfar)
9.4
Steingi eyed Tholdurin as he had his outburst at him and just looked back at the judges. He did not care too much as Tholdurin had apologized straight after it. He was more interested to see if Goldthumb would come back or not.
Orhn himself did not like that Tholdurin had shouted and shown no respect against an elder Dwarf, worse yet his own grandfather. But he kept writing down things on his papers, keeping to himself and keeping an eye on his grandfather as well.
(By Dhordur)
9.5
Judge Hammerfall looked at Hilfar long without making a sound. The tension in the room was building to a height, none daring to break the silence, when she at length spoke: "Let me make a few things clear first master Hilfar.", she started, "every dwarrow that makes their account in this chamber may use the name of Mahal to claim truth, that does not make it truth. My fellow judges and I have been given authority by the King to find the truth and remove any layers of deceit, prejudice, misinformation or trickery by any means at our disposal.", she paused as many wondered where the judge was going with her statement.
"I care not for your name calling, regardless of what master Goldthumb has done to you, your kin or your employees. Outside this chamber you may use whatever foul words you deem suitable, inside this chamber you will give EVERYONE the respect you would give the judges in this chamber, or I will have you removed and your accounts stricken from the records! Is that clear?!", she spoke in a commanding voice at which Hilfar nodded once more apologetically.
"Very well. Let us pray such language will not be uttered by anyone in this room again". At that the chamber doors were opened and master Goldthumb and his servant Thinpen returned. "Ah, excellent", the judge exclaimed, "have yourself a seat master Goldthumb... ". Before judge Hammerfall could finish her sentence Thinpen raised his hand. "Yes master Thinpen?", one of the judges asked.
"I wish to object to our demanded presence here", exclaimed Thinpen. "We have the right to choose to leave the chamber if we wish so and accept verdict", continued Thinpen in a sharp voice directed at Hammerfall as he assisted his master to a seat. "That is correct, yet that right is void if you elect one to observe the proceedings in your name", judge Hammerfall replied, baffling most of the dwarves. "You see master Thinpen", she continued, "not long after you left I noticed a dwarf noting all the testimonies on parchment. The Sabâj have on my request informed me this dwarf is one called Rudur",at which the dwarf that was noting quickly hid his ledger," an administrative clerk employed by the GMC... therefore, it is in my right to assume this clerk is making notes on your behalf, observing the proceedings and testimonies to be used by your assistant in defense at a later time. I am not one for games master Goldthumb, so I will stop the one you were planning right this moment. Sabâj, take the ledger from master Rudur and remove this dwarf from our chamber at once!". Thinpen raised to object, but before he could say anything the dwarf was thrown out the chamber and the ledger handed to the judge. Hammerfall inspected the ledger and said: "as I thought, minute details of the testimonies.", she gave the ledger to the sabâj and said in an undertone, "have it removed and stored at once."
"You see master Goldthumb,", she went on, " you will not be taking advantage of your disappearing act. You have chosen to leave, yet have broken our proceedings by allowing one to act on your behalf when you had already left. You will sit and observe the remainder of the case. And answer when spoken to. Furthermore, I will not allow any defense of any kind unless I ask for it. I hope I make myself clear." Thinpen and Goldthumb nodded, though it seemed Thinpen wanted to make a statement still.
"I will give you a moment to speak your mind master Thinpen, a brief one at that, but not this instance. First I wish to question master Hilfar further", she spoke determined.
"Now, master Hilfar, you claim all these things... and I have no reason to doubt you, yet you lack clear proof it seems that these wrong doings were indeed the work of master Goldthumb or his employees. I ask you again, can you bring before this court actual physical proof of the involvement of master Goldthumb, or bring before us a testimony of someone who does hold such proof?", judge Hammerfall said as she looked Hilfar in the eyes. "Lastly, this master Skaril...", she continued," have him come before this chamber when master Hilfar has answered my questions... I wish to hear his account in full."
(By Fryjpora)
9.6
Thinpen mumbled something to Goldthumb, eyeing Hilfar in the process. Eagerly, yet disgruntled, awaiting his turn to speak.
(By Midarin)
9.7
Regardless of his size, Hilfar seemed rather small as Brina pointed out that he reached the borders of her patience. He mumbled humbly "Understood, it will not happenn again, yes, you have my word".
Hilfar turned around and saw Goldthumb and Thinpen return into the court hall. A jet of hatred twinkled in his eyes, yet his knees weakened when his eyes crossed that of Thinpen. Hilfar knew Thinpens tongue was sharper than his. When the old man found his chair again, Hilfar took a deep breath and faced the judges once more "Proof, I had a lot of proof. But not anymore, there were so many 'convenient incidents' that I am almost barehanded.. Regarding the incident of the mine, I had a record full about it. It has turned to dust during the office fire. Nevertheless, Master Skaril will tell his account.".
"Regarding the theft, we had a.. " Hilfar paused for a moment hesitating.. " a GMC miner willing to testify against his employer. But he was recently found dead near Thorin's Hall... " There were a few gasps around the silent hall.
"Regarding the riots and the office fire, I would like to ask the Othrikar guard Thalamath to tell his account" Hilfar gave Thalamath an assuring nod.
Hilfar pulled up his belt, but his belly pushed it back to the original position. He looked at judge Hammerfall unable to hide some concern.
(By Hilfar)
9.8
Skaril sat silent during Hilfar's testimony. He jumped up from his seat as the harsh Judge Hammerfall summoned him to testify. He fired off an angry look at Goldhumb as he walked up to the judges. Dressed in his finest robe and with his long beard in impeccable order, he stood there for a moment looking out over the assembled dwarves. Hilfar noted that the troubled dwarf he met at Lin Giliath was gone. The old dwarf stood proudly and determined before the court, speaking without malice in his voice.
“My Lords, Judges, honourable dwarrows and others...” By others he of course meant Goldthumb and Thinpen.
“My account is not an easy one to tell as it also involves a great deal of personal shame. Yet I believe its for the best that the events of Othrikar are made public.
I was hired by master Hilfar and the DFTC as a scout. After a month or so, I had come by some roasted bear meat and a nice jug of ale. I was enjoying my meal at a secluded spot in the sun when Goldthumb approached me. After a few insults on his part he finally revealed he desired of me to reveal some information regarding the operation of the DFTC mine. He offered to pay me but I of course refused. I may have likened his appearance to a boar's arse...then told him to leave me be. Weeks later as I came in from another of my scouting rounds, Goldthumb approached me again. He asked me how my family was. “
Skaril made an involuntary pause and Judge Hammerfall urged him to continue.
“It would be a shame if something happened to your nephew” Skaril pointed out to the Court that these were Goldthumb's exact words.
“I of course laughed and told him my nephew Augir could defend himself. But then he mentioned Augir's wife Hanfrere, and their little daughter Zhidili. I remember clearly how my heart jumped at the mentioning of the little one. Zhidili was not more than 6 months old at the time, and a closely guarded secret only known by close friends to the family. He also made it clear that he had people at Thorin's hall who could get to them, at the market or elsewhere.”
Skaril paused again and looked at Hilfar, with tears wetting his beard. “I am ashamed to admit fear gripped me. My family is the most precious thing I have, especially after all the trouble I went through making sure Augir got married. He is the last of a long line of dwarves, going back to Gormi Stoneshaper who escaped Khazad dûm accompanying King Thrain I and...”
Judge Hammerfall interrupted Skaril's account with a comment that family trees are irrelevant.
“I apologize, I merely was trying to emphasize why Goldthumb's words had such an impact on me. Yet it is no excuse. I reluctantly agreed to give information to Goldthumb regarding what I knew of the DFTC mining operation. He was particularly interested in the directions of our mining tunnels.”
The audience gasped and started chattering among themselves. Skaril starred furiously at Goldthumb who was whispering something to Thinpen. The hammer dropped but few seemed to take notice “Silence!” shouted Judge Hammerfall with a booming voice, surprising everyone in volume. The soaring chatter died instantly.
“Do you have any evidence to claim that you speak the truth. Any documents perhaps..”
“Esteemed and honourable Judge, only an idiot would put such an arrangement on paper!”
Avoiding the angry looks from the judges he continued “Mahal knows I am speaking the truth. I didn't even lie about it when Hilfar confronted me. But if you doubt my honour I have one thing to strengthen my testimony."
Master Hilfar mentioned a plan to capture the beryl thief in our mine. If master Hilfar and Thalamath wont mind I´d like to tell the court about this former GMC employee.”
“By all means, continue!” said Judge Skegrym
“The thief was called Jornum and turned out to be a decent dwarf, once we got past the initial resentment. The fact that he was trapped inside the mine along with the rest of us made him realize what a cruel master he was serving. He swore to master Hilfar to aid our cause and testify on our behalf against Goldthumb. Once we narrowly made our escape from the mine, Hilfar decided to smuggle him out in one of our caravans bound to Thorin's hall. My nephew Augir then promised to watch over him. Yet despite his best efforts he was killed.
Master Hilfar possess a copy of the inquiry made into Jornum's death. I wont go into details but he was killed well inside the main gate leading from the Vale of Thrain into the area surrounding Thorin's hall. The inquiry concluded that a dwarf killed Jornum. There is of course no evidence that one of Goldthumb's employees murdered him to prevent him from appearing in this court. Yet I like to state that there was in fact a real threat to Jornum, and to my family as well. Mahal knows there is no excuse for my betrayal of Master Hilfar's trust, and thus breaching my contract. That is something I will have to live with.”
Brina Hammerfall sighed deeply as yet another testimony was void of any solid evidence “I thank you for your testimony and please remain seated during the remainder of the hearing. We may need to ask you questions later. I would now like to see that scroll master Skaril mentioned. If you would be kind to bring it before me, master Hilfar.”
(By Augir)
9.9
Gently Hilfar placed the statement before the judge, as requested.
(By Hilfar)
9.10
Judge Hammerfall inspected the document carefully and said: "this seems to be rather vague at best. The guard master made a report of the body it seems, identifying him and stating it was very likely - judging by the inflicted injuries, angle of attack and weapons used - this dwarf who he identified as Jornum, was killed by another dwarrow. Yet more it seems not to say.", the judge said rather disappointed as she looked carefully at the document. "Hardly a conclusive case on who was the attacker I'm afraid", she continued.
Thinpen was eagerly holding his hand in the air, as a schoolboy seeking the attention of the teacher. Hammerfall sighed briefly and said: "Yes master Thinpen, you will have your brief moment now to express your views", clearly stressing the word "brief".
"And after that I wish to hear the account of master Thalamath in full.... Also", she spoke turning to the sabâj, "are there any tidings of the possible relatives of this master Stormhand I had requested?". The master of the sabâj shook his head, "sadly no", he said, "at least not at this point in time honorable judge... but we keep on looking. Our fastest ravens have left for all dwarf halls, we expect news by the morrow or by the end of the day after at the latest."
"Very well.", judge Hammerfall went on, "once we've heard master Thinpen and master Thalamath I suggest we call this first day of court to an end. Let it be understood that none of those that have been called for this session are to leave Thorin's Halls. The primary parties will each be escorted by sabâj, ensuring the continuing of this hearing at the second day hour tomorrow and ensuring the safety of all involved".
Many in the chamber looked up with relief the long day would finally come to an end, as they had noticed, through a thin crevice of stone in the top of the chamber, the sun had begun to set moments earlier. The chamber had held session from the second morning hour, everyone including the judges felt exhausted. It was unusual for dwarf hearings to stretch over several days, yet no one present doubted this case would not be over soon.
(By Fryjpora)
9.11
"There is no need for concern judge Hammerfall", spoke Thinpen in a calm voice, "for I shall be brief indeed". Thinpen stepped forward in his usual strolling fashion, leading everyone to believe it might not be such a brief statement after all.
"Firstly, my deepest apologies to this chamber for leading anyone to believe we had any plans to return to this chamber. Master Rudur here was merely keeping notes on his own account, not as an employee of the GMC.", Thinpen said, yet everyone could hear a slightly wavering tone, as if he for once was convinced he was lying and could no longer hide it. "But we obviously accept the ruling of this court, as mentioned before", he coughed, attempting to make it seem the tremble in his voice was a mere irritation of some sort.
"Secondly, what we have heard so far has been nothing but speculation, hear-say and down right slander", spoke Thinpen determined once more. "You see honored judges", he continued, "all these dreadful events, these attacks, this arson... who says they were not the work of a disgruntled DFTC employee? I have no proof to claim it, yet I have no proof to deny it either. Just as master Hilfar has no actual proof either way. And as for master Jornum", he paused looking at Hilfar with a grin he could barely control, "we have an account here of our guard master that he went missing, that is all. Never were we informed of the death of our employee. And now employees of the DFTC claim that he was in their care, to ensure he could testify against his master Goldthumb. Who says it was not the other way around? Who says master Jornum had not found details of the evil plans of the DFTC and threatened to reveal their schemes once and for all? Who says they did not kill Jornum themselves, ensuring he would never speak again!?!
The noise in the courtroom rose again, yet a quick hammer-fall from Hammerfall put an end to the chatter.
"At the very least, seeing that the DFTC had clearly admitted they kept Jornum in their guard - in their own convenient wording - THEY are responsible for his demise, whether they caused his death directly are were responsible for it indirectly. I believe our laws are clear on that honored judges, hence, we wish to add this claim to the list of claims. Master Hilfar should be scourged, as his companions Tholdurin and Duinn for crimes detailed earlier. For master Hilfar should be held responsible for this act of murder!"
Thinpen sat back down while the entire room was in an uproar once more.
(By Midarin)
