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intervene, the judge had leveled his gaze on Pellen.
    â€œCobber Pellen,” the judge said. “Where are your witnesses to this so-called attack?” The judge raised an eyebrow. “Because frankly, right now the man you say tried to harm you is acting more like the one who’s been beaten rather than the one doing the beating.”
    Pellen looked frantically around the courtroom, but the people he had been counting on to back up his story had fled.
:He probably didn’t pay them enough,:
Dallen observed cynically. Mags was inclined to agree. He wasn’t sure what Cobber Pellen’s scheme was, but he rather doubted that matters were as Pellen had stated.
    â€œI had witnesses!” Pellen blurted.
    â€œWho don’t seem to be in my courtroom,” the judge pointed out. “But this wouldn’t be the first time you’ve been in my courtroom, now, would it, Cobber Pellen?” The judge leanedover his desk and fixed Pellen with a stare. “This time, however, I’ve got a way to get to the bottom of things.” He raised his voice. “Herald Mags!”
    Mags got up and marched to the front of the courtroom, and bowed his head slightly. “Yer Honor?” he said.
    â€œThis
gentleman
claims this other fellow attacked him. This young lady claims he’s a liar. And the alleged attacker looks to be in no condition to be questioned. Can you clear things up?”
    Mags chuckled and cracked his knuckles. “I’d be happy to, yer Honor.” He nodded to the bailiff. “Master Creed, would ye care to escort th’ gennelmun t’the witness box?”
    Cobber Pellen went red, then white. “That ain’t how it’s s’posed t’go!” he protested.
    The judge sat back in his chair, and Mags got the distinct impression that he was very much amused indeed. “In fact, Cobber, once a Herald takes over the proceedings, they go however the Herald wishes them to go. I suggest you get into the witness box. I wouldn’t want the bailiff to have to exert himself.”
    Pellen was quick to take the hint, and got into the witness box, grumbling under his breath. The judge let him stew for a moment, then waved a hand at Mags. “Herald Mags, if you would be so kind as to set the Truth Spell on Cobber Pellen, I would be much obliged.”
    Mags bowed a little, and did as he had been requested. Setting the Truth Spell in a courtroom, where things were under control and there were plenty of armed helpers around was nowhere near as fraught with hazard as was setting it in an uncontrolled situation. It didn’t take him long at all before there was a bright blue glow about Pellen, visible to everyone in the courtroom. Except Pellen. And every time he lied, that glow would vanish.
    â€œAll right, Cobber,” said the judge. “Let’s hear your story.”
    That was when something Mags had never seen before in his life happened. “It’s like this, yer Honor,” Pellen said . . . and the glow vanished.
    Mags was so startled he quickly double-checked himself—but the spell was still in effect. It was just that
every word coming out of the man’s mouth was a lie.
This was astonishing. When faced with the prospect of being under the Truth Spell, most people at least
tried
to weasel their way around the truth. Not Cobber Pellen. Mags could scarcely believe such audacity, and from the look of things, the bailiff, the Watch and the Guards present were all equally flummoxed.
    The judge, however, did not turn a hair. In fact, he managed to keep his face completely expressionless. “That will do, Cobber,” he said, and the bailiff took that as his cue to escort Pellen back to the benches. The judge turned his attention to the young woman, who had only gotten more furious with every word Cobber spoke. “Now, young lady, who would you be?”
    â€œLinden Pardorry, yer Honor,” she got out from