My point was valid. Anthony looked at the jailor. He asked "What of the other boy then? Has he accused Len of being the seducer!?" The jailor shrugged his shoulders. It was clear that this was not something he was concerned about. "He's rotting in the dungeon. I cut him up earlier this morning. He won't confess to seducing Len either." I crossed my arms. "I believe that they have both had more than enough now. Neither of them have had the chance to plead their innocence to a court yet. Whether before the court of Count Swifthunt or in front of a magistrate. "You would have your homosexual bastard paraded in front of the court? People will shame you!" Anthony said. If it was a simple matter, I would leave it to the process. "Our only alternative is to let him be tortured forever. That is unacceptable. He is my son. I love him more than my reputation." I said. "Very well then, I will put it on the schedule for the court to consider." he replied with a sigh. He then looked at the jailor. "No more beating them until I tell you to go again." he ordered. The jailor only nodded his head. It was an order.
Not delaying this at all, Anthony got it on their schedule for the next time court would be held. That was still in a week. I thanked him, but he frowned at me. "Do not thank me. I am not doing more for you. Len is going to lose the case and be punished more." he said. "What's the punishment for a boy kissing another boy?" I asked him. The answer was "Public lashes and a day in the stocks." I could take that. He was already being whipped as part of the torture. After a week, court was convened. After a few petty grievances, it was time to hear the case. A member of court brought the case forward. He hated the hybrids. He even hated Ottie's children in Huntston. He was really pleased to lay it on thick when talking about how heinous the criminal infraction was. Jeffery looked at Len. "What say you to these charges?" he asked. Len was in his ruined clothes. He had the bruises all over his body. "I'm so sorry, Lord Swifthunt! I didn't know that it was bad! Honestly! You know I'm not a bad boy!" The count's eyes then slid to me. "It seems your parents failed you. He should have told you."
Obviously, he said that as a dig at me. Len shook his head. "No! Mother and Father didn't fail. They are really strong and smart!" he cried out. "I don't know about that. All decent people know that men should be with women. If it was not told to you when you were younger, they failed you." Len hung his head low. The man on the throne steepled his hands together as he looked harshly at Len. "Despite what I should believe, I do agree that you are not a bad boy. I have never had a single complaint about your behavior from the day you were born until now." Len looked up at him and smiled. His tail began to wag. Narrowing his eyes, the lord scoffed. He said "Still, it is a very bad crime to commit. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. I judge you and your partner guilty will you be punished. Not only will you be whipped publicly and left in the stocks for a full day to serve as an example, I am stripping you of your rank of squire. No homosexual deserves to be a knight." Len's tail curled between his legs. "But I want to be a knight! I've trained so hard!" he protested. "The verdict is final Len."
