Carnal Rites by Ines Johnson (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

Emet filled the silence. "What is your occupation?"

"I've studied the scientific arts, specifically physics, biology, and mathematics."

"Would you consider yourself an expert?"

"I am. I am the assistant to—" Liam coughed and began again. "I have assisted the works of Lady Angyla and her daughter Lady Merlyn, a well-known scientific family."

"Well-known because you defiled Lady Merlyn with the help of that scoundrel," Lady Myra called, venom in her voice. But then she looked around at the eyes upon her and her shoulders hunched once more into broken sobs.

The Justice banged her gavel for order.

"I was promised to Lady Merlyn at the age of twelve," Liam answered. "Jaspir worked the lands when he was a child," Liam continued. "I know him from the great work he did in Lady Regyn's gardens. I've seen him perform his duties with my own eyes and know the man to be right-handed."

Emet frowned. His expression asked what that had to do with anything. Instead voices his confusion, he said, "Go on."

"Lady Myra's injury is on the left side of her face. In a fight, assailants favor their dominant hand."

Emet blinked. He turned and looked for himself. Every eye went to Lady Myra's face. "You're right."

Lady Myra's lawyer stood. "Objection, your honor. The fiend could have struck from either side."

"That's true," Liam replied. "However, the strike is at an angle."

"And that means?" Emet prompted.

"The definition of a strike is the angle between a horizontal line on a plane and true north."

Liam demonstrated with his hands, holding one up and another flat, making the shape of an L. Jaspir noted that Liam got the same look in his eyes as Merlyn when she was about to explain a theory. It was the same adorable faraway look. Only Jaspir needed Liam here and now, making more sense.

"Lady Myra has already mentioned that she was fleeing Jaspir when he allegedly struck her," Liam continued.

"Correct," Emet said.

"A strike using a hand at a distance would require the arm to stretch outwards." Liam straightened his arm toward Emet. Emet in turn leaned in to Liam's outstretched hand. "Note the angle of the impact." The ridge of Liam's palm lined up with Emet's cheek.

"A strike from close quarters," Liam motioned Emet closer, "would require the arm to bend." Liam bent his arm and now the ridge of his hand ran parallel to Emet's ear. "Note how the angle has changed. If you look at Lady Myra's injury it is at an angle, indicating that the strike came from close quarters. Or," Liam aligned his own left hand to his own face. The ridge of his own hand ran parallel to his own ear. "Or the wound was self-inflicted."

A loud gasp sounded throughout the courtroom.

"It all happened so fast," cried Lady Myra. "I could've been mistaken. He pulled me to him as I tried to flee and that's when he struck."

The crowed settled down and all heads turned to Liam, awaiting his explanation of this new information.

"Well, that's easy enough to prove," he said. "I can see by the horrible striations on your face, my lady, that the assailant’s nails dug into your skin."

"Yes," she nodded vigorously. "Yes, they did. He's scarred me for life."

"Not likely, my lady. The scars will heal with an aloe ointment," Liam said. "The skin from the attack will still be under the assailants fingernails, though. The cells remain even after you wash. We can simply check under each of their nails for a definitive answer."

Emet didn't even turn around to ask Jaspir. "Your honor, my client is willing to submit to this test."

Jaspir stood, hands outstretched.

Lady Myra shrank back. "How dare you accuse me of such things and put me on trial."

The Justice narrowed her eyes. "Lady Myra you will submit to the test and if I find that you have falsely accused another living soul and wasted the court's time, I will bring the full brunt of the law down upon you."

All of the women surrounding Lady Myra shrank back. Lady Myra looked ready to flee.

The Justice banged her gavel. "Lady Myra, you are under arrest for false testimony. You, sir," she indicated Jaspir, "are free to go with the apologies of the court."

Jaspir's legs gave out. Instead of fleeing, he crashed down into the chair. He was immediately surrounded by his brothers, embracing him, clapping him on the back. Jaspir couldn't feel much joy. He'd gained his life back, but what was left of it?

Jaspir only allowed himself one moment of sadness before he straightened his back and stood. He'd simply have to start over. He could find work, honest work. There was a flower shop owner who'd taken a liking to him after Jaspir's advice saved a rare plant of his. It would take a flower shop worker much longer to raise the funds to purchase land, but so be it. Jaspir no longer had the stomach for the sex trade.

He looked around once more at his brothers, thankful for their undying support. Then he looked over at the new addition standing at the periphery of their group.

Jaspir held his hand out to Liam. Liam took it. Liam's hand was warm in Jaspir's. "I owe you my life," Jaspir said.

Liam swallowed. Instead of pulling away, he squeezed Jaspir's hand harder. "No," Liam shook his head. "If it weren't for me you would never have been put in this situation. Not today's situation, nor the situation all those years ago. It was my fault you were sent away as a child. My testimony today only repays the second debt. I still intend to make amends for the first one."

"What do you mean?" Jaspir asked.

"Come with me," Liam said.

20

"The world is overpopulated with males."

All eyes were on Merlyn as she spoke before the chamber of the Sisterhood. Twelve women sat equidistance around a horseshoe table. Merlyn stood in the center.

"Overpopulation is the Goddess' design," one of the Sisters rebutted.

Merlyn couldn't tell which one. Though they were of different ages, hues, and hair color,