As a result, they were coming to the end of their sessions and the last case was between two men who were in dispute over the ownership of a ewe and its lamb, which had been grazing among a general herd. The two respondents bore the marks of violence and were arguing their cases simultaneously and vociferously. It looked as if their fight would resume but their King would have none of it. He stood and demanded silence.
“If this behaviour is repeated, I’ll have you both flogged! Then I’ll confiscate the animals and neither of you will have them!” The two men separated and stood facing the throne, still simmering but quiet at last. “Now, you - “ he jabbed a finger at the older of the two “- tell me why these sheep are yours. Do so without baseless accusation, and some kind of proof would be helpful to your case.” The farmer took a deep breath and related his claim that he had bought the sheep at market the previous year - “the Lughnasa Fair, my Lord” and it was notable for a lopsided mark on its face. One side was pure brown, the other had a mask of white. No-one else had wanted it because it looked so odd and thought it may be cursed: “I had no fear of that, my Lord, those are tales for children and women. Oh, er, begging your pardon, my Lady, I meant no disrespect.” He was waved to continue. “I examined the beast. It was sound, so I bought it, exchanged it for an older she-goat and a bushel of oats.” He had grazed it on common land as soon as the weather eased and it had got mixed up with the other’s herd. That one had then claimed right of ownership on the grounds that it wasn’t being looked after, “but it was my animal my Lord, grazing on common land. Everyone’s flocks get mixed up from time to time but we don’t go round claiming ownership. This man could have bid for it at the fair, but he thought it was cursed so he didn’t. Then when he found it was in lamb, he wanted it. Offered me two old wethers for it, but I turned him down and then he just helped himself -” he was getting worked up again and Owain held his hand up for silence.
“You have told your story. Now, you -” he indicated the younger. “- what have you got to say?”
The rebuttal was that the sheep had been left out for three nights in poor weather and may have lost its lamb if left much longer. He had looked after it and fed it from his own store, and treated it in every way as if it was his own. Then his neighbour had demanded its return after a week and called him a thief to the whole town. Again Owain held his hand up for silence before the witness could get too worked up. He had a quick whispered conversation with his brother, and with Gruach - which was very unusual. Women were normally left out of these deliberations. But she was a Pict, and had been raised to play her full part in whatever kingdom she found herself.
Owain addressed the pair again and asked the first why he had failed to take care of his animal, to which the response was that everybody grazed their herds together, and they all looked out for each other’s animals if they strayed away from their own. This was true but brought the accusation that the real reason was that the claimant was lazy. I watched the man’s reaction and could see that this accusation struck home. It appeared that the royal party were also aware of the plaintiff’s reputation, for they didn’t allow him to answer again. They had a further few words together and then Owain stood to pronounce judgment.
“We find in favour of this man,” he indicated the older, “that the sheep and its offspring are his. Ownership is not in doubt, and the basic facts are not disputed.” The owner smiled and moved to depart but Owain called him back. “One moment, I’ve not finished yet. For attempting to deprive this man of his lawful possession, I order you -” he indicated the younger man “- to pay him compensation of two bushels of oats.” The older man looked smug, the younger looked distressed but there was more to come. “I must, however, take into account the fact that this man looked after your beast at a crucial period - lambing time - and may well have saved its life. He has rendered you a service, and for that you shall pay him a just wage of -” he paused and looked again at his two companions, and noticed me as he did so. There was a twinkle in his eye. I made the slightest of bows. I had a feeling that this young King wouldn’t be able to resist a bit of showmanship; something to get the tongues wagging in the marketplace. “- a just wage of two bushels of oats. Now you may go.” The older looked aggrieved for a moment and as if he was about to speak, but thought better of it. He bowed respectfully and left. The other took longer to work the judgment out but realisation dawned of a sudden and he, too, bowed and left the court before the King decided to change his mind.
That concluded the formal court proceedings and the other spectators were dismissed. They had seen justice done, none could argue, done fairly but without the High Druid, which was unusual. I heard snatches of muttered conversation as various groups gathered round the hall, to the effect that a disgruntled complainant could appeal the King’s verdict as the Kingdom’s Druid wasn’t there - but the consensus was that such an appeal wouldn’t get very far. Owain had been scrupulously fair and there had, after all, been a Druid on hand to ensure that all that was done did not conflict with the Law.
The Druid in question, however, excused himself from the King’s presence and left abruptly, and with a face like thunder. I smiled at Owain.
He waved me over to the high table, which had been set up on the dais again. The luncheon was light and informal, I had my usual bread and water. The four of us gathered at one end, where we could speak intimately. Gawain seemed to be a little distant but the King and Queen were back on good terms.
“Well, what did you think of my court, Magister?”
“A model of efficiency and fairness, my Lord. You’re a veritable Solomon.” Owain laughed.
“I try, and of course it’s easier for me to emulate him than it would be for you, don’t you think?”
“Why is that, my Lord?”
“Because we have in common that I’m not a Christian, and neither was Solomon. I would have no more compunction about cutting babies in half than he did. You and your fellow Christians worry too much about morality, and the sanctity of life, and all the other stuff you preach about. I - and Solomon - just administer justice. You don’t have to be a Christian to be fair.” Owain and his wife chuckled, although Gawain didn’t join in. “And it’s efficient. We got through fifteen cases this morning, I think. A new record, isn’t it Gawain?”
“Aye.” The prince nodded, but he seemed out of sorts. Owain looked quizzically at his brother for a moment before continuing.
“Amazing, though. Whenever we’ve had Druid Gwynfor in attendance before we’ve gone on for ages. He’s as windy as a horse after a bucket of bran. With today’s batch he would have gone on for a week or so if we hadn’t kept him under control. Don’t you think so, Gawain?”
“I expect so,” he replied but hardly stopped eating in order to do so, and he didn’t look at his company. Owain was exasperated.
“Gawain, what’s wrong with you? You’re like a man who’s just found out his best horse has gone lame. What’s upset you?” Gruach too looked concerned.