Nothing. Ardo wanted me to say I could prove nothing. And he was probably right. Giles’ sworn statement put Shelia Long in hot water, but she simply turned around and claimed Giles had given Wilcox the drinks whose contents she was wholly ignorant of. As far as the law went, Giles not stabbing me was not proof that he had also not poisoned my predecessor. I know other magistrates had convicted people on shakier grounds. Some would even throw both Giles and Shelia to the gallows for attempt of murder. My own false conviction made me more cautious about irrevocable punishment.
I didn’t even know the job that well. Poor Freedman had to keep fetching me law books as mundane cases came up. Luckily these were largely cut and dried – disturbance of the peace, brawling, public lewdity, the sorts of things drunken sailors got up to. Common misdemeanors amount to charging the guilty a fine and letting them go. Law regarding theft was harsher. I wanted to be certain before I ordered the loss of a hand or an eye. I also didn’t want to let thieves run wild. Worst of all, I was doing it sober. But I had to be as sure as I could be.
The office that I still thought of as belonging to Wilcox had two desks facing each other and walls stacked with books and records. From the way books had accumulated on the second desk and chair, I suspect Freedman was the only one accustomed to using the space. At least he knew the job well enough. Slumping out of the court, I headed for the temple precinct. Church Court Judge didn’t pay much, but it included housing. Housing that consisted of a small house crammed in a row of identically tiny houses that formed a single building. I guess they called it terrace housing. It had been built for the various priests and functionaries all at the same time. So, none of them looked different from any of the others. So, I first assumed the blond young man who beat me to my door was merely mistaken. His neat hair was parted in the middle and arched over bright blue eyes.
“I’m afraid that’s my house,” I said.
“Good, I was worried I had the wrong place.”
“Midon?” I asked. I was so accustomed to seeing him in his work attire, I didn’t recognize his face. “What brings you out of the basement?”
“I hadn’t seen you in a while. Figured I’d make a social call.”
“I suppose that’s as good a reason as any,” I said.
Midon looked past me. “Oh, dear.”
“What?” I turned around to see Ardo strolling in our direction, sjambok tucked under his arm. “Captain?” I said.
“Jasper Browne,” Ardo said, “the new Guv’na wants to see ya.”
“He hasn’t been installed yet.”
“But do you want that to be ‘is first impression of ya?”
I frowned. “Midon, I’m afraid I’m going to be occupied for a bit.”
I followed Ardo back through the Abbot’s Gate and to the Garrison House. I recognized the route to the guard captain’s office. Amidst the waning light, a single figure waited. His brocaded waistcoat was inappropriate for the weather, and the white tunic underneath was showing splotches of sweat. His pale hair was short and neat, and his familiar, square face was clean shaven.
“Wilcox?!”
“I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Hamilton Wilcox.”
“I knew of you, but I didn’t realize you and Thornton were twins.”
“And I’ve heard of you from a number of reports you wrote. As the incoming governor, I was granted access to all of the information the crown had regarding the state of the colony. I found it interesting reading.”
“I presented the information I had,” I said.
“Did you really accuse seven of his comrades in arms as conspirators in his murder.”
“The evidence pointed that way.”
“It seemed like wild conjecture to me,” Hamilton said.
Dread knotted in the pit of my stomach as a question raised in my mind. What were the odds that twin brothers served together during their soldiering years? Pretty good.
“It was the information I had.”
“That is a shame, because most of your work since my brother’s passing has been much more respectable. The colony of Jinwick has sprouted up so fast that the organs of law and order have not properly developed. I intend to instill that missing order.”
“You have set quite the task for yourself,” I said.
“To do that, I need a reliable magistrate.”
“Reliable how?”
“The people need to see him as someone who applies the law reasonably. That they can rely on the proper authorities. For the most part, you fit the bill. There are just a few questionable things.”
“About me, or about my work?”
“Well, you’re a convicted thief.”
“Wrongly so,” I said. “I found the real thief.”
Wilcox picked up a piece of paper from Ardo’s desk. A ribbon and wax seal hung from the bottom edge. It was written in neat, official script.
“They’re not going to reopen that case. I do have a writ of commutation here reducing your sentence from maiming to ten years exile in Jinwick.”
He lifted a sheaf of papers from the same spot.
“I also have this report showing questionable judgment regarding your first official investigation.”
Wilcox made an exaggerated show of looking between the two.
“So, what do you plan to do with them?” I asked, throat dry.
“I plan to burn one of these documents today. I’ll let you choose which one we keep.”
Hamilton held up both where I could see the front. My eyes went between Freedman’s neat script and the Royal Scrivener’s hand. I knew exactly what was implied in the deal.
“Destroying a Royal Writ would be Petty Treason,” I said, taking the writ from Wilcox’s grip. He held my report on Thornton’s murder towards Ardo, who provided a candle flame to start the corner alight. The pages curled and blackened as it spread up the text, erasing the official account.
“When an acting official is formally appointed, it is traditional to backdate the appointment to when he took on the role. I see no reason not to do the same in this case,” Wilcox said.
“There are two things I need to address.”
“What are those?”
“First, Ardo has been charging me to guard prisoners pending trial. It seems inappropriate.”
Wilcox cast a glance at the Captain.
“If he wants me to take men off their regular duties…” Ardo began.
“It seems to me standing watch over prisoners are regular duties for the city guard,” Wilcox said. “If there are insufficient men in the guard, we can address that.”
“We are short,” Ardo said.
“What was the other thing?”
“I need some constables. Ardo’s men are soldiers. They are good for when force is required, but I need some men whose focus is on investigating after the fact. That is not the forte of the city guard.”
“You’ll have to hire them out of your funds. I haven’t seen what the court finances look like.”
“I understand,” I said.
“I do hope you attend the official transfer of office,” Wilcox said. “Can’t show disunity at a time like this.”
“I don’t think I got invited,” I said.
“I’m sure you just were.”
“I’ll have to see if I have anything to wear,” I said flatly.
Wilcox gave a nod, and I took my leave. I was surprised to see Midon waiting outside the Garrison House.
“What’s the official-looking paper?” Midon asked.
I handed him the writ.
“You’re down from forever to ten years. Why so glum?”
“I’m also getting stuck with the Magistrate job indefinitely.”
“Well, hopefully, our interactions will remain social rather than official.”
“People turn up dead all the time,” I said.
It is time to ask for brutal honesty – Who like or disliked the format used for this serial? The shorter, single-scene chapters, etc.
Also, what went wrong in the story itself in terms of composition, character and delivery?
Where did I make mistakes (other than typing. I know I can’t type.)
I thought the shorter, single-scene chapters worked well. I particularly enjoyed the characterization. It’s been many years since I read mysteries regularly, so I can’t really speak to how well the clues to the solution were set out – whether they revealed too much or too little.
I also agree the format worked, good lengths. Serial release is harder for me, but that’s my own problem.
I like that you left the ending open. You can revisit, if you like.
I liked the format, with the exception of two weeks between chapters. That’s a bit much, in my opinion. I would be happy if each chapter had been longer.
At no point did I think, “This is wrong.” I like fantasy, so if there is a minor error of some kind I can justify the mistake by reasoning that it is a different world, different rules. I liked the characters, so this was right for me as a reader. It’s reading for the fun of it. Low fantasy is just fine, but I also like the strange or macabre so you could have gotten weird and I would have been just fine with that as well.
So thanks for the story.
I am noy in charge of scheduling.
I had actually tried to ask that this not share a time slot with The Unwatchrd, but I’m not sure if thate reached the relevant party
“I don’t know how I can be expected to work under these conditions.”
I think Jasper just needs hope.
He became a drunk out of despair at his circumstances.
I have begun a sequel, but my writing speed is unpredictable.
Beyond the Edge of the Map took a week, Prince of the North Tower took five years.
I enjoyed the story and the format.
I rather enjoyed this one, UCS. Because of my ‘bad-w-serials’ issue, I won’t mention plot or otherwise. A bigger BUT, though, is I enjoyed the writing style. Engaging, p̵a̵g̵e̵-̵t̵u̵r̵n̵i̵n̵g̵ scrollable. Fun revealing characters’ nature.
Mentioned before, I read ‘UCS’ logic’ into our Magistrate, which is rather entertaining, in a positive way.
That’s going to sting…
Every Jets fan wants to lynch team ownership.
I thought that guy’s name sounded familiar.
Superbowl thoughts: I give zero shits about the game, but I can enjoy it. I’m very glad I missed Green Day change “American Idiot” lyrics to be more anti-American than the anti-Bush album in ’03 was. (I’d be surprised if they didn’t, but whaddya know?) I’ll likely watch Bad Bunny out of curiosity, same with ads, as background bullshit. (I’ll quickly figure out I don’t want Trix and find something fun for this kid.)
I do like the cultural value of the SB. Ex-pats would wake early or stay up late to get together and find ways to watch. Those were fun mini-events.
For my enjoyment, I hope it’s a defensive game. Honestly, my biggest ‘goal’ is for it to be a good game, interesting in the 4th period. I suppose they could each score 40+ and it’d be just as exciting, but that’s not true. (Meh.)
What did they do with the lyrics?
Good question. I didn’t watch. The original is already outwardly anti-American, but ‘they’ are big on promoting the Current Lefty Thing.
The line about “faggot America” might’ve needed to be changed. I’m sure to “queer” in some positive manner. (Loses a syllable, tho…)
Came out in ’03 and was back when nascent Wokedom at my high school meant the kids being rabidly anti-Bush. I was against our involvement in Iraq, so it was when we kinda agreed! (They didn’t know *why* it was bad, just that Bu$Hitler was doin’ it.
Lead singer swings that way so he gets to say it.
I caught the sign reading “Green Day”, rolled my eyes, and flipped back to Bob’s Burgers.
I have the game on the background while glibbing and doing some programmer stuff but I’m not really paying any attention to it.
I noted they are really pushing the half-time “entertainment”. A bit baffled at the rah-rah AMERICA 250 stuff during the pre-game combined with the presence of multiple anti-American musical acts.
?!
I’m at an arcade for the boys birthday treat and it’s on in the background. Saw Green day when I was headed to the bathroom.
The NFL trying to appease everyone and pleasing no one?
I think you are right GT. I’m guessing the commissioner and/or ownership think this is needed to grow their audience. My guess is it will be as effective as what happened with Disney/Marvel.
This game is gonna be a grinder.
So it’s gay?
Rob Halford nods knowingly.
https://youtu.be/srue2GlPWIo?si=oI4QMix3vzjtAWUm
The Eagles played last year.
Are they the team with the cheer dude?
Not a hoagie?
Ugh I couldn’t remember if the Philadelphia name was “grinder”. I forgot about “hoagie”.
I love when they pan across all the fabulously wealthy luminaries who can afford the tix.
I would bet none of those “luminaries” paid a dime. They were all compted.
For sure
I’m sorry. What is this “superbowl” you keep referring to? /Kansas Citian
Back in the mists of time, The Mahomes made an annual pilgrimage to it.
From what I gather, it’s a large mixing bowl used as a tourist trap.
What they do with the trapped tourists is sinister.
I broke the habit of watching the SB due to work (weekend nights). I have a normal schedule now, but after the NFL political bandwagoning in 2020-2021, the kelce/ swift PR, and poor product why bother learning how to stream it. I rally don’t care about the NFL outside of checking the scores on Monday
It’s an Institution™️.
Back in roommate days we watched it every year, with drink and/or drugs, and most of us didn’t watch any other games all year.
Now it’s just background noise and it’s not like any team I give a shit about makes it in. But I still usually turn it on if only because inertia.