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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 2772407" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 507The hearing was held within the private chapel in the Temple of Helm.  It was low-key, and the only individuals in the chamber, with the exception of a few witnesses called to testify, were dwarves.  The pews had been temporarily replaced by two tables covered with white linen cloths.  Arun Goldenshield sat at one, clad in a simple gray robe belted at the waist with a length of cord.  At the other, Umbar Ironhammer sat as both Adjudicant and Prosecutor, his heavy iron symbol of Moradin laid out on the table in front of him. Beorna sat to Arun’s left, clad in a long white robe that prominently bore the sigil of Helm across its chest.  She was serving as Arun’s Advocate, but as the hearing progressed, her expression grew more tempestuous, as her ability to hold her anger in check steadily eroded. But even that was better than Hodge, who’d been ejected before the end of the hearing’s first hour. There were not many witnesses called.  Arun had refused to allow Beorna to issue sendings to their friends, who could offer testimony on the paladin’s behalf.  “There are greater matters at stake,” he’d told her. “Greater than your honor?” she’d replied, trying to sting him.  But he’d only turned and returned to the hearing room.  His face had been a stone mask during the entire proceedings, but when Umbar opened by reading the charges against him from the parchment scroll he’d originally delivered upon his arrival, something flashed in his eyes.  They’d had two days to prepare a defense, but Arun had spent most of that time helping the Watch seal the new entrance to Jzadirune, and in draining and refilling the cistern.   Beorna had lost her temper, suggesting that Arun was not taking the dwarven cleric’s mission seriously, but both knew that the charge was not true.  Hodge had suggested a more direct course of action, suggesting that they could use the cleric’s bloated head to close the pipe leading down into the abandoned gnome fortress.  They’d found a few more items infected with the Vanishing upon the medusa’s body.  There was no more insights as to why the creature had been so consumed with infecting herself and her people with the strange illness, and spreading it to others.  Having gained some insight into madness through the whole ordeal with Adimarchus and the Cagewrights, Arun realized that no logic or reason would apply in this case, so he let it go as just another threat that had required the blade to purge. “At some point, we should conduct a thorough search of the tunnels under the city,” Arun had suggested, in his quarters the night before the hearing.  “If Cauldron is going to be safe in the long term, then we must be certain that other threats are not brewing beneath us.”“You might want to apply as much concern to your own affairs as to the citizens of Cauldron,” Beorna had retorted.  “I cannot believe you are allowing yourself to be subjected to this travesty of justice.”“It is part of the code which I have sworn to uphold.”“The code of the same order that threw you out on your ass?  Where were they when fiends were overrunning Cauldron?  Where were they when the portal from Carceri was opening?  Where were they when we battled Adimarchus?  You do not need to prove yourself to anyone, Arun!  You have sacrificed…”He’d interrupted her by clasping her hand tightly in both of his, and holding it close against his heart.  “I know you do not understand, Beorna, but I must ask that you defer to me in this case.  I will need you by my side tomorrow… but for tonight, let us not pass our time in argument.”And now, as Beorna scowled openly, Umbar Ironhammer looked up and fixed the accused with a stern gaze. “Arun Goldenshield,” he began, “In the past few days, I have been witness to your courage and determination in service of the people of this human town.  It is clear from those witnesses that this tribunal has heard that the people of Cauldron have adopted you gladly, and that you have found a new home here.”  The cleric’s eyes shifted momentarily toward Beorna, who met his look with a stare that could have cut glass.  But the priest turned his attention back to Arun.  “It is also true from the accounts submitted in your defense, that you have held true to the ideals of the faith of our people, and continued to struggle against evil, darkness, and corruption in our shared world.”“But one of the bulwarks of our people is the Law.  We the golden dwarves live in a realm where the tides of shadow dwell constantly beyond our fortifications, waiting only for the slightest relaxation in our vigilance.  Our enemies would deny us land, provender, and life alike.  This, I know, you understand, perhaps more than most.”“You have not denied the fundamental charge against you, that you acted with deliberation against the terms of your exile.  Perhaps it was not your intent to breed a heretical cult of the All-Father in this place, but ultimately it was your actions and choices that allowed this course of events to develop.”Beorna opened her mouth to speak, but Arun grabbed her arm with his hand, forestalling her.  With a look of disgust on her face, she subsided.   “Therefore, Arun Goldenshield, this tribunal finds you guilty as charged.  Your punishment will be merely to obey the strictures placed against you by the full body of the High Order of Moradin.  You shall forever eschew the wearing of the sigil of Moradin, or any other accountrements of that faith.  You will not claim to be a paladin of the All-Father, nor shall you proselytize in advocation of the faith.  In light of your defiance of the initial judgment of the High Order, it is required that you submit to a Mark of Justice.”</blockquote>

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