Tribe of the Snow Tiger (Legends of Windemere Book 10) by Charles E. Yallowitz

execution. Would I not die in the trial like the old laws say? Is the public execution in case I win?”
    Sheriff Kalten strides over to the red-headed warrior and punches him across the face. “You were given two choices! Do not say anything that fails to answer the questions that I ask. How do you want this to end, traitor?”
    “I see you are still as lovely and vicious as ever, Udelia,” the champion states, accepting the next strike to his face. He fights the temptation to hit back, even though he sees that the woman still keeps part of her right side open when she swings. “I will go peacefully, but I do not understand what you are talking about. Cyrus told me that Stonehelm has changed since I ran away. Please tell me what events lie ahead of me, so that I may not cause you any unnecessary trouble.”
    “You are accepting your fate?”
    “Yes, Udelia, but I would prefer to do it without ignorance.”
    “Should I answer the prisoner, King Edric?”
    As if stirring from a gentle nap, the ruler shudders and approaches Timoran. He waves the sheriff to the side so that he can take in the sight of his former student, who has become an infamous traitor. There is a look of disappointment and shame in the older man’s eyes, but there is not a single tear that is ready to be shed. Edric sighs heavily and takes the manacles from his companion, the heavy iron clamping around the prisoner’s wrists with echoing clangs. Unable to look at the champion any longer, the tired King turns toward his people and walks toward the citadel. The crowd slowly disperses, leaving only a handful of curious citizens to watch the end of the unexpected encounter.
    “Follow me or be dragged to your cell,” Udelia says, grabbing the chain between the manacles. The tall woman stops when she sees the other champions are standing in her path, all three of them unwilling to leave. “This is not your business. Get out of my way or I’ll have you exiled from Stonehelm. That Near God business is not going to scare me, so stop with the lightning on your fingers. You would hit your friend anyway. Now move!”
    “We will once you tell us what’s going to happen to Timoran,” Luke states, stepping closer to the intimidating woman. He bounces a little on his toes in preparation for a fight, but prays that he does not have to battle the sheriff. “Our business here requires that he be with us, so we can’t move on until he’s free. These supposed crimes may be internal for you, but they affect our path as well. Just give us some information and we’ll step out of your way. What kind of trial does Timoran have to go through? Is it combat or a test?”
    “It is a court trial in front of the judge and a panel of peers,” the blonde barbarian answers, which earns a confused look from the champions. She glances over her shoulder when Timoran raises his hands to scratch his head in thought. “You will not remember these rules, Wrath, because King Edric put them into place after you ran away. The days of trial by deadly combat are over. Now you are tested in a court and punished if found guilty. The system has actually reduced Stonehelm’s violent incidents to almost zero since it’s much easier to win a fight than a trial. Nobody wants to take the chance of losing a battle of words, so only the foolish risk their necks.”
    Dariana eases Luke back and bows her head to Udelia, who smiles at the curious outsider’s manners. “I apologize for us getting in your way. Thank you for answering our questions. Can we be allowed to visit our friend? He never mentioned this part of his past to us and we would like him to give us an explanation in his own words. Cyrus may stand guard to make sure we don’t try anything underhanded.”
    “Give me a few hours to lock him in,” the sheriff requests before snapping her fingers at Cyrus. He yawns and gradually stands at attention, smirking at the impatience on the woman’s face. “I guess you’re my deputy