Voran sat down again. “But the defense of the border’s a grave matter. Gwerbret Ridvar, your sworn servitor has stolen the monies, and it falls to you to make restitution if Oth cannot.”Ridvar did shut his mouth at that. Automatically he turned toward Oth as if to ask his advice, remembered the circumstances, and flushed red, his eyes darting this way and that.“A hundred silver pieces is a large sum,” Voran went on, “but I trust that you can repay it with due speed. After all, you just received some money from Tieryn Cadryc.”“I don’t see why I should—” Ridvar began, then caught himself. “As the justiciar rules, then. What about Oth?”“By rights I should order one of his hands cut off, as he himself just stated,” Voran said.“Your Highness?” Salamander got to his feet. “Will you forgive me if I ask for mercy for this man? Do you remember the matter of the various Alshandra worshipers in the dun, and how Oth moved His Grace to mercy then?”"I do at that.”
