“The appeal has been heard,” said Ildefonse. “We shall now vote. Those who endorse Rhialto’s conduct and find him blameless, raise their hands.”
Not a hand could be seen.
“Those convinced of Rhialto’s guilt?”
All hands were raised.
Ildefonse cleared his throat. “It now becomes my duty to assess the penalty. I must say that Rhialto’s absence makes our sad task somewhat easier. Are there any suggestions?”
Byzant said: “I feel that each of us, in the order that we sit at the table, starting with myself, shall be numerated. We will then go to Falu and there, in order of number, select among Rhialto’s goods until no one wishes to make a further choice.”
Ao of the Opals concurred. “The idea is essentially sound. But the numeration must be made by lot, with a monitor against all spells of temporal stasis.”
The system suggested by Ao was eventually put into effect, and all repaired to Falu. Frole the major-domo stepped forward and in an authoritative voice inquired what might be the business of so large a company. “You must know that Rhialto is absent! Come again when he can receive you with suitable ceremony.”
Ildefonse began a legalistic declamation but Gilgad, impatient with words, cast a spell of inanition upon Frole, and the magicians, entering Falu, set about enforcing the penalties which had been levied at the conclave.
The irascible Hurtiancz was especially anxious to find Rhialto’s IOUN stones, and sought everywhere, to no avail. A document indited in blue ink on blue paper and cased in a frame of blue gold hung on the wall; certain that he had discovered Rhialto’s secret hiding place, Hurtiancz impatiently tore the document from the wall and threw it aside, to reveal only the vacant wall, and it was Ildefonse himself who discovered the IOUN stones where they hung among the crystals of a chandelier.
The fine at last was levied in total degree, though not to the satisfaction of those who had been allotted high numbers, nor those who had been slow in pre-empting goods without reference to the numbers. Ildefonse used all his influence to dampen the claims and accusations, meanwhile defending his own retention of the IOUN stones, by reason of service and selfless rectitude.
At last the magicians went their ways, satisfied that justice had been done.
3
In due season Rhialto returned to Falu. His first intimation that all was not as it should be was the sight of Frole standing stiff before the doorway, frozen in a posture of admonition; then, entering the manse, Rhialto took wrathful note of the depredation.
Returning to the doorway, Rhialto dissolved the spell which had held Frole immobile through night and day, rain and shine.
Frole took a cup of tea and a slice of currant cake, after which he was able to report to Rhialto those circumstances which had come under his purview.
Rhialto grimly restored order to the premises, then made an inventory of his losses and damages. They reduced his powers to a low level.
For a period Rhialto paced back and forth beside Wilda Water. At last, with no better program suggesting itself, he donned a pair of old air-boots which had been left behind and made his way to Boumergarth.
Pryffwyd, Ildefonse’s chamberlain, met him at the door.
“Your wishes, sir?”
“You may inform Ildefonse that Rhialto is here to consult with him.”
“Sir, Lord Ildefonse is preoccupied with matters of importance and will be unable to receive visitors today or at any time in the near future.”
Rhialto brought forth a small red disk and, clasping it between his hands, began to chant a set of rhythmic syllables. In sudden concern Pryffwyd asked: “What are you doing?”
“Pryffwyd, your vision is dim; you do not recognize me for Rhialto. I am working to place your eyeballs at the end of foot-long stalks. You will soon be able to see in all directions at once.”
Pryffwyd’s voice instantly changed. “Ah! The noble Lord Rhialto! I now see you perfectly in every phase! This way, if you will! Lord Ildefonse is meditating in the herb-garden.”
Rhialto found Ildefonse dozing in the slanting red rays of the afternoon sunlight. Rhialto clapped his hands together. “Ildefonse, rouse from your torpor! Vile deeds have been done at Falu; I am anxious to hear your explanation.”
Ildefonse turned a glance of reproach upon Pryffwyd, who merely bowed and asked: “Will there be anything else, sir?”
Ildefonse sighed. “You may serve refreshments, of a light nature, as Rhialto’s business will not take us long and he will very shortly be leaving.”
“To the contrary!” said Rhialto. “I will be here for an indefinite period. Pryffwyd, serve the best your pantry affords!”
Ildefonse heaved himself up in his chair. “Rhialto, you are taking a high-handed line with my chamberlain and, since we have gone so far, with my refreshments as well!”
“No matter. Explain why you robbed me of my goods. My man Frole tells me that you marched in the forefront of the thieves.”
Ildefonse pounded the table with his fist. “Specious and egregious! Frole has misrepresented the facts!”
“How do you explain these remarkable events, which of course I intend to place before the Adjudicator2?”
Ildefonse blinked and blew out his cheeks. “That of course is at your option. Still, you should be aware that legality was observed in every bound and degree. You were charged with certain offenses, the evidence was closely examined and your guilt was ascertained only after diligent deliberation. Through the efforts of myself and Hache-Moncour, the penalty became a small and largely symbolic levy upon your goods.”
“‘Symbolic’?” cried Rhialto. “You picked me clean!”
Ildefonse pursed his lips. “I concede that at times I noticed a certain lack of restraint, at which I personally protested.”
Rhialto, leaning back in his chair, drew a deep sigh of dumbfounded wonder. He considered Ildefonse down the length of his aristocratic nose. In a gentle voice he asked: “The charges were brought by whom?”
Ildefonse frowned thoughtfully. “By many. Gilgad declared that you had beaten his pet simiode.”
“Aha. Continue.”
“Zilifant charged that your reckless deployment of plasms had destroyed his fine harquisade tree.”
“And further?”
“The complaints are too numerous to mention. Almost everyone — save myself and the loyal Hache-Moncour — preferred charges. Then, the conclave of your peers with near-unanimity adjudged you guilty on all counts.”
“And who robbed me of my IOUN stones?”
“As a matter of fact, I myself took them into protective custody.”
“This trial was conducted by exact legal process?”
Ildefonse took occasion to drink down a goblet of the wine which Pryffwyd had served. “Ah yes, your question! It pertained, I believe, to legality. In response, I will say that the trial, while somewhat informal, was conducted by appropriate and practical means.”
“In full accordance with the terms of the Monstrament?”
“Yes, of course. Is that not the proper way? Now then —”
“Why was I not notified and allowed an opportunity for rebuttal?”
“I believe that the subject might well have been discussed,” said Ildefonse. “As I recall, no one wished to disturb you on your holiday, especially since your guilt was generally conceded.”
