The courtroom was restless. The magistrate's gavel cracked against wood, but the noise barely dented the restless murmurs of nobles, merchants, and couriers gathered for the Mendez inheritance battle.
At the front, Tristan sat stiffly, his hands clenched on the bench. To his right was his appointed Advocate, Master Elric Vann, a man of careful posture and precise diction, chosen for his knowledge of succession law. To his left sat Shannon, recognized by the court as Guardian of the Heir, calm but alert, his presence as sharp as any weapon. Behind them, Tara and Therese flanked their kin protectively.
Across the aisle, Troy leaned on his cane, smugness radiating like a foul stench through the chamber.
"Lord Magistrate," Troy's Advocate began, bowing low. "We submit our evidence. A ledger, recently uncovered from the late Lord Theodore Mendez's archives."
