"We will take the younger prisoner first," announced the King; whereupon the Public Prosecutor proceeded to read, all in one breath, the indictment against the Urchin, to the effect that he did on or about the 20th day of September then last past in despite of the peace of the realm and the safety of the lieges with a stone or some other missile or thing throw at and break the wing of or otherwise hit, cut, hurt, maim, destroy and do wrong to one of the said lieges, to wit, a shore lark, and so forth. When he had finished, instead of evidence being taken, the King merely glanced into the beryl throne.
"True in fact," he said. "Any defence?"
The creature on the bookstack began at once.
"Please Majesty duty client submit series points. First point no intention."
But Fiona did not wait to hear what it had to say. Forcing her way into the ring, she said:
"Please, your Majesty, it was my fault. I told him he couldn't."
The King turned to look at her.
"So this is the young lady," he said. "Very good of you to come, you know. We rarely receive visitors now. We shall try to make you welcome when the trial is over." He turned again to the bookstack, and said: "I will hear the defence."
"It was my fault, your Majesty," said Fiona again.
With grave patience the King started to explain to her.