To be chosen for jury service in the prominent town of Hastley indicated reaching trustworthy and acceptable social state. For fairness your name was drawn forth from an ornate box, thus reducing repetition. Payments made in lieu of lost earning time, and the meals provided ensuring not much sacrifice was involved. There was the right to respectfully question any official of the court at certain interludes, just for clarification, of course. A socially valuable right nonetheless.

The group of ten seated in the court were all experienced at the role, which was of relief to the judge and his two officials as direction was not needed. This was something of an important case, an alleged unprovoked drunken assault on a noble’s official by an inhabitant of an outlying village. Had the victim been about their duties at the village then the case would have been straightforward but this had taken place in a tavern, always places of volatility. The general opinion amongst the comfortably off in the town was that villagers were becoming  troublesome and thus blame must lay with the person charged. Yet, the official consensus was there must be a trial so there could be no dispute over the punishment.

The local Prosecutor had been called away on urgent personal business and it had been source of much discussion that someone of the Prince’s own Office of Judiciary was sent to take his place. The outlying villages’ inhabitants had been disruptive for too long and this representative’s deployment was obviously a most astute move of the Prince’s. Someone who was here to impart princely justice. Well, that would send another signal to the bothersome rurales to keep in line.

The fellow and his two escorts on arrival were polite enough albeit it in a slightly detached way, but as everyone said, folk on Princely business of importance could not afford affability. When the proceedings opened he deported himself with all the serious professionalism expected of those in this rank. It was noted, for instance he had been the first in the court, seated reading his notes, occasionally looking up as jurors came in and took their oaths, nodding respectfully to the Appointee for The Defence, studying the audience including the few rurals allowed in and naturally standing as the judge entered. He was all business, and the jurors waited with some anticipation. Surbule the absentee Prosecutor was unexciting  in his speech and mode of questioning, often a verdict was brought swiftly to free themselves from the tedium he had brought to the proceedings, even in murder cases.

The accused was as expected nervous, also untidy and in the usual the ragged rural clothing. It was noted he already looked bitterly chastened. Whereas the assaulted official who dressed as befitted a court maintained an air of quiet dignity and diffidence.     

The jurors could not help but feel an air of anticipation, to see how this Prosecutor  performed. They noted how he patiently waited, quietly observing all the preliminaries; of the accused’s details, those of the charge and the request of how he pleaded, which was a stammering ‘Not Guilty’. The Prosecutor arose, surveyed the entire personnel assembled and began. The jurors were not to be disappointed.

He spoke in measured, authoritative, economical tones, a word seeming to hold as much value and weight as ten. He established beyond measure that the accused had been somewhat drunk, thus colliding and knocking to the floor the official. He made it clear there was no demonstrable display of apology. With condemnable efficiency he had the man admit there was a certain animosity held within the surrounding villages to both town and noble, all previous incidents dealt within this court.  Thus the act was one of violence through local disagreement and unjustified. What the jurors observed as noteworthy was at no time did The Prosecutor assail the accused’s personal character, not even raising his voice to harangue the man. It was all very civilised and dignified.  None of the rurals could complain.

He was very solicitous of the official. Simply asked for his account of the events. Asked if he knew the accused personally. Had the official any direct dealings with any member of the man’s family? No the official did not. Had he at any time felt the animosity displayed by the villagers might have been a threat to his safety? The man replied, it might have been so. The Prosecutor thanked him.

Then in a brief summary said the evidence showed the accused under the influence of drink had demonstrated incaution towards authority which had led to a forceful physical act. He addressed the jury as a group. He said they should consider these facts, and the background to the local issues. He asked them to use their local judgement wisely. For had not an altercation taken place? Where might that lead if left unattended to?

They thought it a masterful display of understatement.    

Against this the young, inexperienced, local Appointee for the Defence stumbled through the same procedure as his opposite and more commanding number. All the while glancing nervously about. He managed to establish the same facts. He mused briefly that it might have been an accident, while staring to his opposite number not the jury or the judge, in an almost appealing manner, as if for help. The jury noticed the Prosecutor had quite the air of sorrow for the young fellow, such was the weakness of his attempt to dilute the facts of the case. Everyone on the jury knew him, he was a nice lad of good family…..But….

The jury thought the whole matter was being done with the utmost efficacy and brevity. The proceedings had started at morningtide and had been completed in time for luncheon. They partook of this first, because naturally you could not reach a verdict on an empty stomach, there might be an error of justice. Thus at the commencement of afternoontide they were comfortable and ready to discuss the matter at hand. The presence of one of the Prince’s own Prosecutors lent to the assemblage a feeling of sobriety and duty, no time to reflect on the comfort of the meal. Even at the risk of slight indigestion they had to emulate the Prosecutor, swift, efficient. There was a discussion of the facts as presented by the Prosecutor, to this was applied the local knowledge. There was debate as to whether the accused was guilty of Intentional Assault or Negligence By Malice Aforethought. They thought it only right to dwell on this matter, being men of experience they were fully cognisant of the legal implications, the former being the more serious act as it displayed a certain volatility which might erupt at any time. And those rurals needed to be taught a lesson.

Just before fold of afternoon they announced they had reached their verdict. Their spokesman declared in sombre tones they had found the accused guilty of Intentional Assault, but with an air of some leniency the recommendation was not imprisonment but a fine-deterrent. The judge announced he could see no reason to ask the jury to reconsider, and the matter was settled. The accused paled and slumped. His Appointee somewhat deflated but resigned to events thanked the judge and jury for their leniency and swiftly left his client to his fate.   

As was the custom, the jurors waited to be officially dismissed and thanked by the judge. He seemed delayed but the Prosecutor approached them, and they wondered was compliments he might impart. His two assistants, or escorts waited at the door

‘Thank you gentlemen,’ he began which put them at their ease ‘If you would not mind being seated, there are matters I would like to discuss,’

The reaction was divided, interest, anticipation of compliments. And some unease. They sat though. One juror could not but help look at the two by the door, previously they had been barely noticeable. The Prosecutor continued.

‘This was a most swift and easy case to manage. According to court records this is common in Hastley, three days maximum, this case was all over before the Fold,’

The unease spread, one juror had the unpleasant sensation of flitting empathy with the accused. The Prosecutor continued, referring to his notes.

‘No representations made by any of you for clarification of any of my statements. Particularly when I was leading the victim to reply as I would have wished. He was very pliant. Nor have I encountered a more submissive accused. Mind you, if I had been in his situation with such an Appointee for The Defence I might have given up too. The lad is of a local family is he not? One reliant on the goodwill of the society of the town for its custom, he for his career,’ The Prosecutor sniffed ‘Such as it is. The judge you might have noticed was passive to the point of somnambulism. The whole question of accidental, albeit ill-tempered collision was not even touched upon, even though I left opportunities,’ by now the jury was as one agitated, more than one looked to the door, one of the assistants now looked quite military in his stance. ‘And your time spent deliberating was indeed very, very swift,’

Some mouths worked, and excuses or defences were forming but the very slow judgemental shake of The Prosecutor’s head stilled the words. When he turned to the middle-aged, now frowning assistant, there was a positive huddling of the jury.

‘Captain,’ The Prosecutor said to the man, by way of deferential invitation and stood to one side. ‘Detrant of the Imperial LifeGuard,’ he added.

LifeGuard they all thought ?The fellow was in civilian clothes?  Unease turning to fear.

When he spoke it was in a soft, unhurried voice.

‘Thank you Prosecutor for you assistance, guidance and summary,’ and drawing up a chair he sat facing them, closely ‘Now as we know biased court proceedings are regrettably common occurrences, Justice cannot be everywhere, sadly. Some however warrant attention. Particularly in locations of sensitivity. As you know there is ill-feeling within the rural locality. This if given enough fuel would lead to instability and of course it is the duty of every citizen of the empire to preserve, Stability,’

Mouths were dry, hands in counterpoint clammy. Heresy, Whychery and Treachery were bad enough charges. But far worse was Detrimental to Imperial Stability and by The LifeGuard. Terror stilled their voices.

‘As local men of character and standing, it would be expected you would be holdened to this, and wary of any precipitate act which could inflame an already troubled situation between Town and Country,’ now he shook his head ‘And this trial’s proceedings could be seen as precipitate’ he shrugged ‘In addition to blatantly biased,’ he nodded to the Prosecutor ‘As this Official of the Prince has demonstrated,’

At this stage there might have been some outbursts of splutterings, save the jury had noticed the other man at the door, now stood with loaded crossbow, and a sword at his side. Never mind the ‘How’

‘You are fortunate the Prince’s Offices have been alert and observant to certain mischiefs and their authors, your Prince values his loyalty to the Empire. There is evidence of intention to use the bias of this court to ferment violence which parties would take advantage. The loss of the accused’s slender property through this fine being the possible match to the pyre,’

Three other men entered behind the one at the door, they were armed too, the ‘Captain’ continued in his calm voice.

‘You will be questioned gentlemen, at some length to ascertain the depth of your involvement, either by intent, incompetence or simple prejudice. Thank you Prosecutor,’

The Prosecutor left, quickly. His part in these proceedings was complete. It was not for him to ask any more. Just wait instructions.

In time he might well be prosecuting these men. Or the judge. Or anyone here.

Stability was the final jury. Stay on its side.