The purpose of having both the judges and the judged sit on the same type of chairs was to ensure that decisions were made fairly and equally.
A slightly somber yet curiosity-filled atmosphere dominated the square. Silence lingered for a while until it was broken by Fahg, the village head. Before becoming a headman, Fahg had been a woodcutter. He was a broad-shouldered, bald man with an upward-curving mustache. His stern appearance and honesty made him an ideal figure for governance.
Fahg: "Where were you before the darkness arrived, and what did you do after it came?"
Duis, maintaining his usual cold expression—the one he reserved for everyone except his mother and Neim—began to speak:
Duis: "We were at the well. In fact, we stayed there for quite a long time."
At that moment, Neim cut Duis off and started speaking:
Neim: "Yes, we both stayed at the well for a long time. Before that, I went to Duis's house and found out he had gone to the well to fetch water. On my way, I spoke with Old Selm, then ran into Uncle Baf and Old Zehp. The reason we stayed so long at the well was…"
This time, it was Hol who interrupted. Hol was the assistant to Fahg, the village head. He was of a rather thin build and barely in his early twenties. He had an arrogant demeanor, but he carried out every task assigned by Fahg with great diligence. He had medium-length black hair and a light beard. He was used to treating little mistakes as grave offenses and, contrary to what was being discussed, found a strange satisfaction in belittling others.
Hol crossed his arms and, looking at Duis, spoke:
Hol: "Duis, why did you wait at the well until the darkness arrived?"
Duis: "The well was nearly dry, and since I had four tins, filling them was like torture."
Hol smirked maliciously and continued:
Hol: "Four tins? Are you sure? There were three tins left near the administration house, and there were none in your home."
Duis had understood Hol's intent, yet his expression didn't change in the slightest.
Duis: "Yes, I'm sure. I had four tins. We left them behind because we couldn't run when the darkness arrived."
Hol looked at Duis with disgust, frustrated that he wasn't getting the reaction he wanted. Duis, on the other hand, maintained his composure and continued to stare at Hol.
After this exchange, Fahg took a deep breath and thought "If he's good at lying, I won't catch him in anything. But this brat only talks to two people. I haven't seen him speaking with anyone else. He doesn't seem to seek attention. I'll assume he's telling the truth." Then, he raised his voice:
Fahg: "Is what Neim said true? What do Old Selm, Uncle Baf, and Old Zehp say?"
Uncle Baf stepped forward, raising his cane in anger and shouting:
Baf: "Again! He took my apples without permission again. This is the second time. Punish this rascal already!"
Fahg shot Neim an irritated look. At that moment, Old Selm spoke up:
Selm: "Yes, he came. We had a little chat, he kissed my hand, and then he left."
To Fahg, Old Selm was the strangest person in the village. She only spoke when necessary. Fahg could never quite understand how Neim managed to have a full conversation with her.
Finally, Old Zehp came forward. She stubbornly refused to use a cane, yet she could barely stand.
Zehp: "Yes, he always helps me. Thanks this kid."
Fahg, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and index finger, began to think: These brats don't seem to be planning anything. Since they're just kids, they either got lost in conversation or dozed off. In that case…
Fahg: "Neim, consider this a warning. Next time, you'll get a beating. As for your offenses—
Being outside when the darkness arrived: three.
Leaving your belongings on the ground: one.
That's four in total.
You will not be allowed indoors four arrivals of the darkness. Whether the well is dry or not will determine final count, but as it stands, you won't be allowed inside for four darkness arrivals. If well is don't dry and you don't explain why you were there, it will increase to ten, and you'll be interrogated at the administration house—with a beating. Also, you will sleep outside for four darkness arrivals."
Hol, pointing at Duis, demanded harshly:
Hol: "Hey, is he also going to sleep outside for four darkness arrivals?"
Fahg: "How is Duis any different from Neim?"
Hol suddenly raised his voice in response:
Hol: "But his father—"
Fahg cut Hol off and roared with fury:
Fahg: "Look at the chair you're sitting in, and then listen to what you're saying! You said it yourself—'his father'—which means not Duis!"
Fahg's outburst made everyone in the square flinch. Hol, seething, stood up from his chair and started pacing.
Fahg: "Someone go to the well immediately. Check if it's dried up or not. Report back to me at once."
Hol, despite his anger, pointed at three burly men and shouted:
Hol: "Fine, Fahg! You, you, and you—come with me!"
Fahg turned to Neim and Duis and spoke in a firm tone:
Fahg: "Do you understand? If there's enough water in the well, we'll beat the truth out of you about why you were there. If not, you will sleep outside for four arrivals of the darkness. On the fifth, you may enter."
Neim and Duis, at the same time, replied:
"Understood, Fahg."