Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia

38: Mistrial and Error

The Tribunal sat in their seats while Jim was in the air, in his cage. Toby, Claire, Blinky, and Aaarrrgghh stood in front of the cage. "Shall we begin?" Usurna asked. "The Trollhunter is on trial for choosing to go into the Darklands, allowing the release of Gunmar the Black. James Lake Jr. has been admitted responsibility for his actions. What say you of the charges?"

"We'll fight the charge!" Blinky said.

"Once convicted, the Trollhunter will be sentenced to exile in the Deep," Usurna said.

"What's the Deep?" Toby asked.

"A place of unknown madness," Blinky told him. "No one exactly knows what resides at the bottom of the Deep, because no troll has ever returned from it."

"What do I do?" Jim asked.

"Shall we begin?" Usurna asked.

"One moment, if you please," Blinky said. He turned to Jim. "You cannot fight these allegations."

"I have to," he said. "Merlin visited me in a sort of dream. And he wanted me to fight."

"Visited in a sort of dream? I believe you!"

"Really?"

"I believe you've finally cracked."

"So much for having you represent me."

"Unfortunately, Trollhunter," Vendel said. "Troll Law states that the accused may only be represented by his own tribe."

"But these children don't know the slightest about Troll Law," Blinky said.

"Be that as it may," Usurna said. "The rules are quite clear on this matter. Only a human may speak for the accused."

"Give us a minute to talk it over," Jim said.

"Very well."

His friends all turned to him. "We can do this," Jim said. "Claire."

"I don't know anything about the law," she said. "Let alone the Troll Law."

"It's not as hard as it looks," Toby said. "All you have to do is walk around like you own the place and throw around fancy words like subpoena! Hearsay! Redirect! Res ipsa loquitur! Nolo contendere!"

"Fancy," Aaarrrgghh said.

"How did that metal mouth of yours just manage to garble out all of those exquisite words?" Blinky asked.

"I've watched every episode of Mistrial and Error with my nana. Also, Mistrial and Error: New Orleans, Mistrial and Error: Jury Duty, oh, and Mistrial and Error: Try, Try Again."

"Your time is up," Usurna said. "Have you made a decision on who will represent you?"

"We have Toby Domzalski," Jim said.

"Wait what?" Toby said. "Me?"

"I can't believe I'm agreeing," Claire said, pushing Toby forward.

"Very well," Usurna said. "The Tribunal will permit a short recess to allow Mr. Domzaksli to prepare his case."

"And by short, you mean a month, right?" Toby asked.

"You can do this, Tobes," Jim said.

"As your council," Toby said. "I advise you this is a terrible idea!"

"But not our worst, right?"

"No," Aaarrrgghh said. "It's worst."

***

Blinky handed Toby a stack of books. "You'll need this book, also this one. And, yes, especially that one."

"The idea of me representing Jim is getting less and less appealing," Toby said.