The trial of the decade! Begrenecht was at last in the hands of the law. Lord Divrin opted to bring the case personally, certain of the outcome if proper preparation was made, but discovered certainty is a symptom of inexperience.
"Did you or did you not cut down thirty-six people on the day in question? Answer the question."
". . ."
"It's a simple question. Yes or no. That's all that's required."
". . ."
"Your Honor!" Lord Divrin gave up in disgust. "Why are we going through this farce? Let's just snap Cursed Sword Begrenecht in half and get on with your day."
"I'm surprised at you, My Lord. You know our laws insist all intelligent magical items must have a chance to defend themselves."
"It doesn't talk! We aren't even sure it's intelligent!"
"My grandson doesn't talk either. I hope you do not propose to claim he is unintelligent. I saw him drop the triangle block in the triangle space myself just yesterday."
"In that case, Your Honor. Let's see if the defendant can drop the triangle block in the triangle space." Legal observers long remembered Lord Divrin's successful prosecution as a model of subverting the spirit and purpose of the law to augment one's own reputation at the expense of the public good.
Finis
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