Chairs had been placed in front of Morgase, and Whitecloaks filled half of them. Galad stood beside her makeshift throne of judgment. His every lock of hair was in place, his uniform without blemish, his cloak falling behind him. Faile glanced to the side and caught Berelain staring at Galad and blushing, looking almost hungry. She had not given up on her attempts to persuade Perrin to let her go make peace with the Whitecloaks.
"Galad Damodred," Perrin called, dismounting before the pavilion. Faile dismounted and walked beside him. "I want you to promise me something before this begins."
"And what would that be?" the young commander called from the open-sided tent.
"Vow not to let this turn to battle," Perrin said.
"I could promise that," Galad said. "But, of course, you'd have to promise me that you're not going to run if the judgment falls against you."
Perrin fell silent. Then he rested his hand upon his hammer.
"Not willing to promise it, I see," Galad said. "I give you this chance because my mother has persuaded me that you should be allowed to speak in your defense. But I would sooner die than allow a man who has murdered Children to walk away unchallenged. If you do not wish this to turn to battle, Perrin Aybara, then present your defense well. Either that, or accept punishment."
Faile glanced at her husband; he was frowning. He looked as if he wanted to speak the requested promise. She laid a hand on his arm.
"I should do it," he said quietly. "How can any man be above the law, Faile? I killed those men in Andor when Morgase was Queen. I should abide by her judgment."
"And your duty to the people of your army?" she asked. "Your duty to Rand, and to the Last Battle?" And to me?
Perrin hesitated, then nodded. "You're right." Then, louder, he continued, "Let's be on with this."
Perrin strode into the pavilion, joined immediately by Neald, Dannil and Grady. Their presence made Perrin feel like a coward; the way the four stood made it obvious that they had no intention of letting Perrin be taken.
What was a trial, if Perrin would not abide by its determination? Nothing more than a sham.
The Whitecloaks watched tensely, their officers standing in the shade of the pavilion, their army at parade rest. They looked as if they had no intention of standing down during the proceedings. Perrin's own forces larger, but less orderly responded by standing at the ready opposite the Whitecloaks.
Perrin nodded, and Rowan Hurn moved off to make certain Galad had released the captives. Perrin walked to the front of the pavilion, stopping just before Morgase's elevated seat. Faile stayed by his side. There were chairs for him here, and he sat. Several steps to his left was Morgase's stand. To his right, the people sat to watch the trial. His back was toward his army.
Faile smelling wary sat next to him. Others filed in. Berelain and Alliandre sat with their guards near him; the Aes Sedai and Wise Ones stood at the back, refusing seats. The last few seats were taken by a few of the Two Rivers men and some of the senior former refugees.
The Whitecloak officers sat down opposite them, facing Faile and Perrin. Bornhald and Byar at the front. There were about thirty chairs, likely taken from Perrin's supplies that the Whitecloaks had appropriated.
"Perrin," Morgase said from her seat. "Are you certain you want to go through with this?"
"I am," he said.
"Very well," she said, her face impassive, though she smelled hesitant. "I formally begin this trial. The accused is Perrin Aybara, known as Perrin Goldeneyes." She hesitated. "Lord of the Two Rivers," she added. "Galad, you will present the charges."
"There are three," Galad said, standing. "The first two are the unlawful
murder of Child Lathin and the unlawful murder of Child Yamwick. Ay-bara is also accused of being a Darkfriend and of bringing Trollocs into the Two Rivers."
There were angry murmurs from the Two Rivers men at that last charge. Those Trollocs had killed Perrin's own family.
Galad continued, "The last charge cannot be substantiated yet, as my men were forced out of the Two Rivers before they could gather proof. As to the first two charges, Aybara has already admitted his guilt."
"Is this so, Lord Aybara?" Morgase asked.
"I killed those men, sure enough," Perrin said. "But it wasn't murder."
"Then this is what the court will determine," Morgase said formally. "And this is the dispute."
Morgase seemed a completely different person from Maighdin. Was this how people expected Perrin to act when they came to him for judgment? He had to admit, she did lend the proceedings a measure of needed formality. After all, the trial was happening in a tent on a field with the judge's chair elevated by what appeared to be a small stack of boxes with a rug thrown over them.
"Galad," Morgase said. "Your men may tell their side of the story."
Galad nodded to Byar. He stood, and another Whitecloak a young man with a completely bald head stepped forward to join him. Bornhald remained seated.