Chapter Ten: The investigation (11 entries)
10.1
The elf Elreinion sitting in the back of the room, waiting for nothing it seemed, sighed at the very mention that the case could go on for days. When Thinpen had put a claim against Hilfar, the elf shook his head, knowing this dwarvish theater could go on for days.
(By Kandral)
10.2
As soon as Thinpen had finished, Duinn arose, "I object, honoured judges!" he exclaimed, "Thinpen's speculative statement is an exaggeration and is an appeal to hypocricy!" Duinn's spoke true and audible to all, "It is a fools attempt to show that criticism applies equally to the person making it, yet no testimony!". Duinn kept standing, looking at the judges to hear their verdict of his objection.
(By Duinn)
10.3
Judge Brina Hammerfall spoke softly to one of the scribes in charge of the official court records. The old dwarf sitting by the pulpit put the quill down and began sifting through the pile of paper. When Brina found what she needed, she read it swiftly, then gave the paper back to the scribe. Clearing her voice she turned her attention to the audience:
“I´d like to question one Augir Hammerfist, is he here?”
Augir rose from his seat “Aye!”
“According to the records you were responsible for Jornum while he stayed at Thorin's hall?”
“Responsible?” Augir replied as he walked past the benches filled to the brim with curious dwarves. It seemed to him there was an even bigger crowd here now, at this late hour.
“I do not wish to repeat myself, master Augir. Was Jornum in your care while he stayed at Thorin's Hall!?”
Augir looked strangely at the Judge, again repeating her words “Care!?”
Now angry, Brina resorted to shouting as if Augir was deaf “Yes, was he in your care!!?”
“Your judgeness, wasn’t Jornum a dwarf in his prime, with a thick beard? He was well beyond the age when dwarrow lads leaves the care of his parents. So no he was not in my or anyone elses care!”
Brina had little patient for semantics. With her voiced still angry and raised she continued “But you guarded him, as master Thinpen stated. And you did so by master Hilfar's request!"
“Your judgeness, I would not trust a word that comes out of master Thinpen.”
Brina sighed deeply and leaned back in her seat “Leave that for me to decide. Please answer my questions as clearly as possible.”
"Not long after my Uncle's disappearance in Othrikar, I received a letter from master Hilfar on the matter. I of course rode to Othrikar and I offered to watch over Jornum, as a favour to Hilfar for being so kind to my uncle. This was not a request made by master Hilfar."
“Noted” said Brina. “But what happened in Thorin's Hall?”
“As I said I watched over him, that’s all. He was not under guard nor in a cage. Now one would think dwarves would be safe in the near surroundings of Thorin's Hall, but apparently not. As my uncle Skaril mentioned, there is no way of determine who killed Jornum. You yourself read the copy of the inquiry.”
“Very well, you may be seated!”
Augir bowed before the judge and walked back to his seat next to Skaril and Hilfar.
(By Augir)
10.4
Augir took his seat again passing Thinpen and Goldthumb who gave him an angry look.
"Thank you master Augir, now as for you master Duinn", judge Hammerfall continued, "I believe I have made myself clear that I will not tolerate objections of any kind in this court, unless the testimony has been requested by myself or the other judges.", she paused looking Duinn in the eye.
"You should have faith in this court that our beards have not grown yesterday master Drakenbane. Meaning that we do not blindly accept any accusation or claim merely because a party exclaims them with determination, regardless if that party is mister Goldthumb or yourself.", an angry eyebrow was lifted as she continued in an even fiercer tone, "you would do well master Drakenbane NOT to claim an objection while you have not been called upon or have been given the word... furthermore you object the speculative nature of master Thinpen's statement, while the vast majority of the testimonies offered so far have been speculative to say the least. Once more, this is NOT my first court case master Drakenbane. One more uncalled objection of that sort and I will have to conclude that you do not put any trust in the capacity of my fellow judges and myself. Master Thinpen may, when given the word, claim all he wants, it us up to us to determine if we will grant him such claims."
"And frankly master Drakenbane, "she continued, "I find, for a great leader such as yourself... your apparent lack of trust in this court's abilities startling. You may sit down and remain seated, any further uncalled word from yourself and we will be required to place you with your employee Tholdurin. As you are aware of, all claims will be judged by the end of this case... either dismissed or acknowledged and sentence ruled... yet all must trust in the capacity of this court to get to the bottom of the truth, without turning this court into a market place! Is that clear master Drakenbane!?"
She turned to her fellow judge Skegrym, and asked if he had further questions on the matter, or people to question. She made it clear in a whisper she was ready for the day to end and very much looked forward to the last testimony of the day, that of Thalamath.
(By Fryjpora)
10.5
Skegrym leaned over to hear Brina Hammerfall's questions and shook his head.
"I'm dismayed at the lack of solid evidence before us. This case appears to be fought on so many fronts that I'm surprised even you can see a clear path to the end!"
Brina raised a slightly offended eyebrow and Skegrym did a hasty turnabout. "But of course one of your legal experience and undeniable strength of character - to say nothing of that fabled eye for detail and bear trap grasp of events - would always -"
Brina gave an exasperated snort. "Oh be quiet, for Mahal's sake! My boots are clean enough without you licking them. Now pray finish your assessment so we can all breathe the clean mountain air again!"
Skegrym frowned, then unexpectedly laughed. Dealing with Brina was like juggling a hot coal. He cleared his throat and went on. "The only Dwarf I would still like information on is that extra guard Stormhand, but no news has reached us yet. I'd just like to rule out any Dourhand connection."
He glanced meaningfully over at Thinpen then, and whispered low so that only she could hear: "Abkâtul ins rukhs ra subuk ins rukhskund." (Honest as an orc and slow as a warg)
(By Glorieskh)
10.6
Hilfar grumbled along as he watched the ongoing trial. He leaned in towards Skaril and mumbled "What evidence are they actually looking for? How many eye-witnesses do we need to bring in here? I tell you, that Goldthumb sits back in his office the next moon". Hilfar gazed past Skaril towards Thinpen "If they go free, more dwarrows will die..".
(By Hilfar)
10.7
Brina nodded at Skegrym and whispered: "I expected them to be even more aggressive and sly to be honest, I still expect them to attack more fiercely, or maybe that is his plan all along. You know what they say: Sulûkh ma haggunul tatrazîn ai-muzmnatizd. ((Dragons don't often rise up on their tail. (One who means to do evil will do their best to not stand out from the group.))
"Now, master Thalamath, step forward please and make your case."
(By Fryjpora)
10.8
Thalamath nodded, getting to his feet and walking purposefully to the front of the room. He paused, nodded respectfully to the judges, before speaking.
"Esteemed judges, members of Durins Folk and Goldthumb Mining Company. I am Thalamath, a guard of Othrikar. And I think that this is all a load of nonsense!
When we first arrived in Othrikar, it became clear that Goldthumb mistreats his miners. Their eagerness to get at our food stocks was alarming. On one or two occasions, myself and others had to physically hold them back from our stock room! Goldthumb's miners are scared of him! I spoke to one miner. Asked him about leaving GMC to come to DFTC. He was too afraid, because he was scared about what Goldthumb would have done to his family. Does this sound like a caring, respectable business dwarrow to you?
Now, on the subject of this ridiculous incident. You asked Tholdurin if he could remember what exactly it was Goldthumb said. He could not. And I'll be utterly honest. Neither can I! Had I expected such an incident to be blown out of proportion this much, perhaps I would have. Dwarves brawl in Runulf's tavern the whole time. Two drunks may have a fist fight. But the next morning, all is forgiven! Neither are prosecuted for it. I think Goldthumb's only reason for bringing this case to court is to get DFTC out of Othrikar. And I'll be damned if I'll let that happen.
Goldthumb certainly tried to get Tholdurin to join his company. Tholdurin, against my advice, proceeded to punch Goldthumb in the face. One punch! Here we are, hearing tales of him being on his deathbed! Any dwarrow worthy of the name is capable of withstanding more than one punch. The venerable Master Muninn could take ten times the battering Goldthumb did, and still stay standing!
Thus, it is my opinion that such a lengthy court case over a trivial punch is frankly ridiculous! All this over a single punch! No, there must be a deeper reason. And that reason I have stated, to get DFTC out of Othrikar. There is substantial evidence that that dwarf is not Ebenizer Goldthumb. I implore the court to consider this carefully.
On to the matter of the office being burnt down. I was not inside the office when it happened. I was in the hills to the north, dealing with a few dourhand scouts. I saw smoke, and hurried back. I saw the office ablaze, and Master Hilfar nowhere to be found. I was about to plunge into the burning building when a fellow guard told me they'd been seen heading out of Othrikar to the south. I went to them, and they told me, Hilfar, and two others, that they'd been trapped in the burning building.
Who, in Othrikar, has the motivation to do such a thing, but Ebenizer Goldthumb?! I accuse him of conspiring to kill fellow longbeards!
And on the subject of the dourhands. Before we arrived in Othrikar, attacks had been low. It was just GMC. As soon as we turn up, attacks become more frequent. What reason could there be, but Goldthumb being in league with them, trying to disrupt our mining operations? If this is not the case, how can their attacks be explained to have started almost immediately after we arrived?
Thus, Goldthumb is a traitor to his kin. Collaboration with dourhands is something that should be held strongly against him. If not for the skill and bravery of the guards of Othrikar, we may have been forced out of the outpost. But I'd not be surprised if Goldthumb remained unscathed!
That is all, esteemed judges. I have said my part. I do not believe Tholdurin should go unpunished. It wasn't a drunken brawl, and as it was taken to court, he must receive a sentence. But the sentence for a single punch is not a harsh one. The sentence for impersonation, attempted murder, and conspiring with the dourhands...well, I'd imagine that'd be a severe punishment indeed."
Thalamath finished, his voice resounding around the room. He looked at Goldthumb, a steely expression on his face, and lingered to answer any questions the judges may pose.
(By Thalamath)
10.9
"I thank you for that testimony master Thalamath", judge Hammerfall spoke in a calm fashion.
"I have noted you accused master Goldthumb, among other claims, of conspiring with Dourhands... ", she paused as she noted it on a piece of parchment before her," this is a claim non of the other members of Durin's Folk have made so far.. and frankly it is rather a heavy claim to say the least... one subject to our harshest legal punishments. I'm hesitant to ask, but apart from your belief that Dourhand activity has increased since the DFTC arrived in Othrikar, do you have any proof of this at all?"
Thinpen raises his hand, as everyone expected. "You'll have a moment to answer concerning this new charge master Thinpen, but first I wish to hear master Thalamath again".
She looked at Thalamath hoping someone would finally be able to hand some concrete undeniable proof.
(By Fryjpora)
10.10
Thalamath scratched his chin. Proof...something lingered on the edge of his mind. There had been something. Of course!
"You ask for proof, of them conspiring. I believe we have the means to acquire that proof.
On the day of the incident, Daingorf and I felled a dourhand. He has with him a box. When opened, the box contained longbeard gold, but also something else, which I cannot remember. Tholdurin was who opened the box for us. He may remember. Could he be asked about this? If I may, I shall send for the box to be brought here immediately, as I believe it is currently in our stockroom.
Additionally, a suggestion. If Master Goldthumb was in league with the dourhands, there would be a record of this, I reckon. A signed letter, or something. May I recommend the GMC office at Othrikar be searched? If nothing be found, and this box proves to be insignificant, I shall drop the accusation of conspiring with dourhands.
Also, I suggest you make sure Goldthumb is not allowed to send any word to Othrikar, or Thinpen, or our scholarly friend at the back there. So nothing can be found.
Who knows, perhaps searching his office may produce evidence relevant to the other aspects of this case, Judge Hammerfell?
The decision remains entirely yours. This is a request."
(By Thalamath)
10.11
"Agreed!", judge Hammerfall spoke in a loud voice, "I wish to hear master Tholdurin in the morning on this matter of this box.... and furthermore, I agree to a search of the property of Goldthumb,", she exclaimed to everyone's surprise.
"I shall allow such an investigation, as there are justifiable grounds for such an investigation. Furthermore, we will have the results of this search in the morning."
Everyone look baffled as none understood how that would be possible seeing the trip to Othrikar would take a few days and back as the raven flew.
"Seeing that the seals on master Duinn's investigations demands were proper, and the case presented was urgent, these properties should have been investigated directly. Hence before this court gathered I have allowed the Sâbaj to proceed with their investigation, without master Goldthumb or his assistance present or aware. I delibrately did not inform anyone of this, not even master Duinn, seeing that I wished not to alarm anyone, nor allow anyone to take precautions for the search of these properties. This may shock you perhaps master Thinpen and Goldthumb, however... this chamber is well aware that investigations can be easily manipulated, hence this rather unusual precaution of my own. I expect the report from the Sabâj to arrive in the morning, detailing what has been found in your bank, your office, your mines and your storage rooms." Goldthumb turned white as Thinpen started to panic seemingly. "Do not be alarmed my honoured dwarrow Goldthumb, if you indeed have nothing to hide, it will be a mere formality", continued judge Hammerfall.
"I shall now call this first day of court to a close", she spoke raising her hand, "we will gather again here at the second daylight hour. The Sabâj will accompany the main accused to their private chambers", at which the hammers fell.
( By Fryjpora)
