DereKin's trial was held six rounds after our arrival. KaRaya and I were required to attend, to answer a few questions about our involvement in the case - I, more than KaRaya, as I had my intervention to explain. Once again, DereKin's defense rested on the ancient right and customs, and once more failed, since the ancient rights and customs he cited did not, in fact, exist. He was exiled to serve as a laborer in a community on the far side of Daeri for three thousand rounds - roughly a decade.
KaRaya and I were on the Orchard Terrace clearing our heads in the fresh mountain air after the trial when Py joined us.
'Ah, my friends, it is good that I find you both here,' he said. 'I must tell you that the elders have decided to send Magistrate Din to Cairn March to complete our circuit. They have also decided to reassign me to other duties, so I fear your services as my lieutenants are no longer needed. The new magistrate will want his own, though you are both more than welcome to stay in Cloud Home to begin to follow the way as novice adepts, if you so choose.'
'Why that's so unfair!' exclaimed KaRaya. 'Why you only did your duty - and no one, no old Magistrate, could've done it any better!'
'Are you being punished for employing us?' I asked.
He shook his head. 'I am not being punished. 'Oh, my style did not suit some of the elders, but they can find no fault in my judgments. No, I am not being punished. The elders have decided that my talents in the Way point in other directions and I shall require further training, to develop them.'
It sounded like punishment to me, but I said, 'And what directions do they think your talents point to?'
'They have not said, directly. But my mentor has hinted I may be trained as an advocate. As you know, the Order is dedicated to the peoples of the Saraime. When people are oppressed and exploited, they can call on the Order of Laeza to intercede for them. Sometimes this involves reaching out to the exploiters, sometimes it means taking the people's case to the Principality's officials. Sometimes, however, when dealing with the greed of powerful people or criminals, more direct action is needed to stop their exploitation and bring their actions into accordance the Way.' He paused and smiled. 'My mentor knows me too well. He has taught me the words of justice and how to apply them. Next, I hope that I might take what I have learned, use what little wisdom I may have acquired, to fight, if necessary, for justice on behalf of the people deprived of it. That, at least is my hope.'
'That sounds like fun!' exclaimed KaRaya. 'Will you need lieutenants?'
He laughed. 'I would like nothing better than to have you at my side. But I must tell you that it may be many hundreds of rounds before I would need my own lieutenants - if indeed, I am right in my guess. Even after my training, I will be an advocate's lieutenant for many rounds as I learn the ways of bringing the powerful and greedy back to the Way. You can, of course, stay on here, and study with me. Or perhaps the new magistrate might choose to employ you in your old roles, but I can make no promises? Or you are free to go on your way, to continue your quest.'
KaRaya looked at me. I didn't know what to say, so she said it, 'I think, brother Py, we shall be on our way. Though we are travelers of the Way, the truth is that we served you and then the Order. And I think your sages will let out a silent sigh of relief when they hear that.'
He smiled, 'Some will. Others will be disappointed. Having two ex-pirates in our ranks would give Cloud Home bragging rights.' He then gave us each a hearty hug, 'Thank you both for your friendship and help. You have helped to make my career as Magistrate one that will be talked about for many, many rounds.'