The next day Gideon, along with his friends, went to the court of Giliga to report the assault. They approached the front desk being attended by a cat. He was fumbling with his small eyeglasses as he looked over the court records. He paid no attention to the four creatures in from of him, and if Samson hadn’t tapped on the desk, they would have been standing there all day.
“Oh, hello there!” replied the cat, started from the knock. “How may I help you?”
Gideon quickly summed up the events.
“You said he had ears that were flared at the ends?” asked the cat
“Yes, at the top in three," replied Gideon.
“I have heard that just last night the Crossland Guard caught a street- grub that fits that description," the cat said flipping through the court records. "I’ll let the judge know of your situation. You can sit in on the proceedings--courtroom five on the left.”
Inside the courtroom, the four sat down in the front row. A hyena, wearing a brown cloak and read sash to signify his appointed duty, brought the room to attention with an involuntary giggle, as the judge entered the courtroom. An old Indian elephant came in languidly with a gorgeous drapery over his back. His tusk were capped in gold to honor his title, and after getting himself positioned behind his desk, he told the court to take their seats
♦
“Let us begin," stated the judge, "Bring in the first accused.”
The black hare came in chained by the arms. He gave the two guards, escorting him, a
hard time, and he didn’t stop until he was cuffed upside the head for his efforts.
“Is that him?," Tiber said to Gideon. "You let a kid beat you up?”
“He fought dirty,” Gideon said in his defense.
The elephant looked down on the Gabriel with little regard for his age.
“Gabriel of Alur, age fourteen, I have some interesting news about you," replied the judge, "Its seems that you should have been in the care of a Mr. Wilford. Does that surprise you?”
“Just as much as how fat you are!” shouted Gabriel.
A hush came over the courtroom. One of the guards popped Gabriel on the head again.
“The- the impudence!" said the elephant nearly coming to faint. "Is the victim of the crime here?”
“Yes,” Gideon said, coming forward.
Gabriel gave Gideon a dirty look and spat at his feet. This time both guards cuffed him upside the head. The judge addressed Gideon.
“Is this the young hare who you encounter yesterday, and in your weakness, beat you up?”
“Hey, I’m not weak. I put up a good fight until he got dirty.” said Gideon.
“ The court's time is very precious a simple answer will suffice. Did he or did he not beat you down?”
“Well-- yes,” exclaimed Gideon reluctantly.
“You may take your seat," said the judge, “Now,” he said returning his glare back at Gabriel, “young hare you have disrespected this court and are found guilt under the law.
Have you nothing to say in your defense?”
Gabriel stuck out his tongue.
“Your abysmal behavior will carry a heavy price," the elephant said taking his gavel with his trunk. "Tomorrow at noon, you will receive a public flogging of fifty lashes!”
The elephant took his trunk and struck the table with his gavel. The young hare left the courtroom kicking and screaming. There was a sense of pity over Gideon's face as Gabriel was taken from the courtroom.
“It was a hard sentence, but justice is served,” replied Samson.
“Satisfied, Gideon?” said Tiber.
“Actually I’m not," said Gideon.
Gideon ran up to the judge’s table.
“Are you sure that a flogging is appropriate?" asked Gideon, "I’ve seen a bear nearly crippled once by only thirty lashes.”
“Don’t have sympathy for him," said the judge, "Examples must be made especially for the likes of him. The nerve of calling me fat-- I should have hanged him. Anyway, I have two other cases. So if you please- ”
“The punishment doesn’t fit the crime," said Gideon interrupting, "Beating a rabbit to death is not a fair ruling.”
“A criminal is a mystery, as much a mystery as why creatures like you walk on two legs while creatures like me walk on all fours. He is scum and deserves what’s coming to him.
I respect your kind heart, but this is my courtroom.”
Gideon left the table, but he still couldn't get over the ruling. Outside the four made their
way back to Holfstead, but Gideon murmured about the court’s decision.
“Gideon, if it makes you feel better try talking to the judge after the court closes," said Deborah.
“When?”
“At five," she said, “but remember we leave tomorrow for Shavron.”
“I know, I won’t be long. I’ll see you before dinner.”
Gideon stayed by the courtroom as his friends left. Five o’clock came quickly, and when the elephant came out after a hard days work, Gideon wasted no time in accentuating his point.”
“Hey, I want a different ruling," Gideon said.
“Uh, not you again. Why are you pestering me?”
“You know why. We both know a flogging will kill him.”
The elephant, continuing his causal stroll, paying Gideon no mind; and if he could would have wipe the thought of him from his mind.
“Look, elephant, I’m talking to you!"
The judge swung his huge head towards Gideon. His body nearly knocked down a few bystanders.
“First of all my name is Baz,” the elephant said, pointing his trunk at Gideon’s face,
“Secondly, I should have you arrested for badgering me.”
“Give me two minutes to explain.”
“No.”
Baz wrapped his trunk around Gideon’s ears, lifted him up, and placed him to the side.
The hare ran back in front of him.
“Come on, there has to be another way," replied Gideon.
The elephant thought for a moment and let out a long sigh.
“There is another way-- banishment.”
“Sounds kind of harsh.”
“Look,” Baz said angrily, “Those are the choices. I have said enough!”
“Can I at least tell Gabriel of the changing circumstances?”
“The courthouse has a jail in the basement," Baz said giving the hare direction with his trunk, "You have to go to the back to get in. The jailer will show you the young hare and he may have some of your belongings."
Gideon turned to walk away, but Baz had one more thing to say to him.
“How long will you be in the Crosslands?”
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Then tomorrow will be a good day,” Baz said, rolling his eyes.