"I hereby convene this tribunal," Master Alderton said. "To assess the injuries inflicted upon Student Halorax Strongforge by Student Frostilicus Shatterblade on the first day of Fallwinter in the courtyard not 400 meters from Greatwinter Hall. Master Ellana, can you please summarize the alleged matter at hand?"

Alderton sat alongside four other professors around an elevated semi-circular table. The Master's Court was a private convention that included only Frostilicus and the five senior Masters.

Frost was seated in a plain wooden chair facing the masters at the center of the semi-circle. Surrounded.

"Indeed," Ellana said. She wore her usual white cloak along with a somber look on her face. "After being summoned from Greatwinter Hall during the welcoming feast by a group of panicked students, I arrived to find the fallen, unconscious body of Student Halorax Strongforge, surrounded by shocked onlookers. A frost spear was impaled through his right shoulder, severing both his nervous system and brachial artery."

"What was the cause of this attack?" Master Elkriss, the mathematics professor, said. He had a wiry build and unkempt hair.

"A fight," Master Ellana said. "Had broken out in the courtyard between Halorax and Frostilicus, the foreigner."

"Fights are prohibited at Everwinter," Elkriss said, eying Frostilicus. His tone was adroit, and his words crisp. "I should remind you, young man, that your status as a royal invitee does not privilege you to break the rules of Everwinter. We are all equals here."

"Yes, I am aware," Frostilicus said. "Master Thomas has explained that to me."

"Indeed I have," Master Thomas said. He was seated at the end of the row of professors, on the opposite end from Elkriss' seat.

"Even the fact that you saved the king's life," Master Elkriss said. "Does not entitle you here at the university. In fact, some would say you wrongfully intervened with fate." As he spoke, he crinkled his brows and steepled his hands.

Frost tilted his head. "What are you implying, Sir?" It sounded like Elkriss was mad at him for saving the king's life.

"Enough, enough," Master Alderton said. "Elkriss, please keep your comments focused on the matter at hand. Ellana, can you please summarize the testimony of witness statements?"

Witness statements? Frost had no idea that they were gathering witness statements.

"Yes, of course," Master Ellana said. "Several students provided statements detailing the events. They state that a playful brawl was initiated by Student Halorax Strongforge. Student Frostilicus Shatterblade was punched lightly in the face by frost formed gauntlets. He responded with a brutal attack against—"

Frost's jaw dropped. It was still very sore. "Punched lightly? That nearly broke my jaw."

Alderton held up an open palm. "Silence."

What was he supposed to say? It was a patently false statement.

"Ahem," Master Ellana said. "As I was saying. Student Frostilicus Shatterblade responded with a brutal attack, catching Student Halorax unawares. At that point, the fight escalated—

"I turned to walk away," Frostilicus said, throwing up his hands.

"He said silence," Master Elkriss hissed. "Alderton, if you cannot maintain order, please allow me to chair this hearing." Elkriss hunched his back and stiffed his upper lip.

"That shall not be necessary," Alderton said. "We have procedures for this sort of thing, Frostilicus. I realize you are not familiar with our system, but contempt of court is punishable with fines, hard labor, or even lashings depending on severity. Please maintain your silence, and I will tell you when you may speak. Otherwise, I can dole out punishments now."

Frost fidgeted in his seat. It wasn't worth it to argue. Hopefully, he would have a chance to defend himself. "That will not be necessary."

"Very well," Master Alderton said. "Ell, you may proceed."

Ellana paused, eyeing Frostilicus. "Very well. Again, as I was saying, the fight escalated. Frostilicus pulled a frost spear into form from rainwater nearby. He then thrust it toward Student Halorax's heart."

Master Ellana paused for effect. "Student Halorax Strongforge only lives because he dodged the attack the last moment. It hit his shoulder rather than his heart. The arm has since been amputated."

Frostilicus balled his hands into fists and clenched his jaw. What a gross mischaracterization of the fight? Who gave that testimony? How in the Five could they prosecute him for something that so misrepresented what happened?

"And how is Halorax doing?" another professor said. Frost didn't recognize her. By now, he knew Alderton, Elkriss, Ellana and Thomas. But he'd never even seen the fifth.

"He is in and out of consciousness, Mildrich," Ellana said. "The anesthetics are helping, but the shock of losing an appendage can often take months to recover from."

"Sorry to hear," Master Mildrich said. She was short and stout and wore round spectacles. "I hope he will be fine in the end."

"He will have to give up Foundry," Elkriss said. "That's for sure. You cannot forge with one arm."

Frost wanted to jump up in protest, but he wasn't sure if that would be allowed after the dressing down he'd just received. It was possible to forge with one arm. Perhaps not as efficiently, but it was possible. And use of frost magic would not be affected at all. Hal might not be able fight properly but, well, that was prohibited anyway.

"That may not be a fact," Master Thomas said. "In any case, Master Rime of the Foundry is not a member of this tribunal."

"Good point, Thomas," Master Alderton said. "And thank you, Ellana, for summarizing the testimony. May we have the names of the students who gave it?"

"Yes, of course," Ellana said. "There were only three students who witnessed the entirety of the fight. The brothers Glomulus and Grubbery Gallbladder's statements were fairly short and not very well written if I am honest. Master Thomas, you have much work to do with those two." She eyed Master Thomas while shaking her head.

"And the third?" Master Alderton said.

"Yes, the most damning came the third witness."

"And who would that be?" Alderton asked.

"Prismatia Opticus."

Frost nearly fell out of his seat.