Trial - 6

Arthur squinted his eyes and said in a low voice, "Curiosity, is it?"

Gawter nodded, taking the tea cup, which was prepared specially for him.

Arthur took a sip of his own tea, contemplating Gawter's words carefully. He knew there was more to this visit than mere curiosity.

"Lord Mersius," Judge Blackthorn began, her tone respectful but firm, "while we value your input, I must express my reservations about this course of action. The precedent we're setting here could have far-reaching consequences for magical law."

Mersius regarded her with those penetrating eyes that seemed to see far more than what was on the surface. "Respected Judges," he replied, his voice a low rumble, "sometimes, to preserve the greater structure of law and order, we must be willing to bend the rules. This case, I assure you, is far more significant than it appears on the surface."

His very formal tone was unsettling to Amelia, but she didn't show it on her face.

*