The Verdict (ch10)

Chapter 10 MacNamara/Donnely

 Lord O’Flattery’s steward summoned Michan to meet with him at the manorial court the next morning. The village doctor had reported Eamon’s death to the steward and explained the circumstances of the fight between the two men which resulted in his accidental demise. This suited the steward for he also knew of Michan and his excellent reputation.

The whole situation seemed like a simple case of accidental death until two villagers brought forth a complaint against Michan. Eamon’s mother was not satisfied with the justification of his death and raised a hue and cry upon Michan. She wasn’t seeking any monetary damages, she only wanted him fined for his offense. The second villager was the public house owner, the father of Eilis, and the grandfather of the baby Eamon had fathered with Eilis. He also raised a hue and cry upon Michan for Eamon had made an agreement to support Eilis and his illegitimate child and would no longer be able to do so. Eilis’s father was seeking monetary damages to compensate for this loss since Michan was ultimately the reason Eamon was dead. 

Of course this news frightened Michan for he didn’t have much money, and didn’t own his home or land, Lord O’Flattery owned all of it. He didn’t see how he could pay any sort of fine. 

The manorial court would meet at the manor and the villagers were expected to attend to decide if penalties should be imposed. Ryanne would be called as Michan’s pledge which she was happy to do even though Eamon’s mother would be there, and the humiliation that would go along with the public admission of Eamon’s illegitimate child. The entire village would hear all of the details and she was sure talk of it would go on for a long time. She was only glad that Ciaren was too young to hear of it. 

The day of the meeting most of the villagers made their way to the manor. Lord O’Flattery wasn’t available so his steward handled the affair entirely. Of course Cole O’Flattery was there, always interested in the drama of his father’s villages.

Michan arrived early with Almaith and while pacing and wringing his hands nervously he noticed Ryanne  in the back of the room. They hadn’t seen each other in days and the brightness of her smile eased his anxiousness. She immediately made her way to him amongst the curious glares of the seated villagers. Some were looks of pity, and the others were knowing glances. It seemed as though the villagers were split in their opinion of what had happened. Many felt sure that Eamon was killed accidentally, but that Ryanne and Michan may have been caught in an adulterous affair. However, the majority knew Eamon and his philanderings ways and was convinced that Michan was a man of strong moral values.

Ryanne ignored the low chatter and proudly sat with Michan and Almaith, grabbing Almaith’s hand for support. Almaith was worried about her father. She had never seen him so anxious. He hadn’t been the same since the incident and she was eager to get this over with so she could have her father back and they could get on with their lives. From her seat she could see Patrick straining his neck from the back of the room, trying to get her attention. She met his glance and they exchanged a comforting smile. 

“So who are you smiling at Miss?” An unfamiliar voice whispered into Almaith’s ear. With a startled reaction she turned to the young man and instantly recognized him as Coleman O’Flattery, Lord O’Flattery’s eldest son. With her eyes cast downward she replied uneasily. 

“No one sir, I am sorry.” With a smile he turned toward Patrick’s direction and challenged the pretty girl he was lucky enough to be seated next to.

“Oh come now. There is someone back there peaking your interest Miss. We will just have to wait for him to pop his head up again.” He answered playfully, enjoying teasing this obviously nervous girl. 

“I assure you sir, there is no one back there that I am interested in!” She answered in a low whisper still not meeting his glance. 

“Well I suppose that it is a good for me then.” Cole replied as he sat up straighter, adjusting his tunic in an over exaggerating manor. With this statement Almaith looked up suddenly with a look of surprise and awe at the boldness of his words. 

“I beg your pardon.” She replied uncomfortably as she automatically looked back in Patrick’s direction, who was also taking notice of the conversation between Alamith and Lord O’Flattery’s son. This encounter puzzled both he and Almaith. 

Certain that he wasn’t aware of who she was, Almaith tried to clear up the misunderstanding. “Sir, I am only here to support my father today.” 

“See there, I most definitely saw you look back again.” He replied laughing, ignoring her statement of who she was. “Must be a great secret then if you can’t even tell a stranger.”  He noticed the redness of her cheeks and her obvious indignation and was enjoying the rise he was getting out of this young peasant girl. He was enjoying her so much that she was beginning peak HIS interest. 

To Almaith’s relief the steward began the proceedings and their conversation came to an end. The event didn’t last very long. The doctor spoke on Michan’s behalf as did Ryanne who at this point had nothing more to lose. A few of Michan’s employers stood up as well and from the expression on the steward’s face, everyone could tell that even he believed in Michan. However, after hearing the complaints from Eamon’s mother and the public house owner, the villagers did agree that Michan would have to pay a substantial amount while claiming that even though the death was accidental payment to the pub owner’s daughter was deserved. Upon hearing the determined amount, Michan’s despairing state of mind returned. His reflexes caused him to drop his head into his hands because he knew full well that he could not pay the fine, in fact he would not have nearly enough. 

As the villagers dispersed Ryanne tried to comfort him by offering the money he needed which she had planned to do all along. He immediately declined even though he was grateful for the offer, but he knew that after all that had happened he would never let her pay his debts. 

“Okay Mr. Donnely. You are free to leave.” The steward announced noticing a look of confusion from Michan. “You’ll be happy to know that Imar Jobes has paid your debt in full.” 

Imar was a wealthy merchant who Michan worked for regularly. He was the man who insisted Almaith learned to read long ago and paid for the service. Michan was speechless. He looked around to find Imar  and saw him walking towards him with an outstretched hand. 

“How can I thank you enough sir? You don’t know how grateful I am. I will pay you back, you can be sure of that.” Michan said as he shook his hand vigorously. 

“Don’t worry Michan. Just work some extra hours for me, that it all I want. You are a good man, I wouldn’t want something like this to change who you are.” He turned to Ryanne and began to speak. “Ryanne, thank you for being his pledge today. That was very courageous, especially considering the circumstances.” 

“I am only sorry he was brought into my problems.” She replied sadly. 

“Well it was still a good thing. I must leave now, have a good day both of you.” He said as he turned to leave. Michan could only stare at Ryanne in awe. He wanted to hug her but thought that it was neither the time nor the place. 

“You deserved that Michan. I am sure if he hadn’t done that someone else would have.” 

 “I do not deserve such a gracious gift. That was by far the nicest thing anyone has done for me.” He said as he shook his head, looking down at the ground. 

“Well, I know first hand why he helped you.” She said smiling as they turned to walk out the door.

Coming from outside, Patrick almost ran into them as he was looking for Almaith. “Have you seen your daughter sir?” He asked Michan as he peered through the door, scanning the room. “I believe she is still inside Patrick.” He answered just as the three of them saw Almaith standing with Coleman O’Flattery, laughing shyly as Patrick looked on with concern. 

As he spoke his thoughts out loud, he asked quietly in a confused tone, “Why in the world is she talking to Lord O’Flattery’s son?” 

Michan answered with a furrowed brow, “I would like to know the answer to that as well.”