Day Watch

It was clear from the expressions on the faces of the four accused that they were not anticipating leniency.

"The punishment for a crime as grave as attacking employees of the Inquisition and stealing a highly dangerous artifact from the vault is unconditional-dematerialization," the vampire declared. He paused and then added something that made the Fi

Gesar stood up to speak for the Light Ones. He spread his hands in a broad gesture. "The Night Watch of Moscow has no… personal charges to bring against the accused. In addition, we believe that the leadership of the sect of the Regin Brothers was provoked into committing its crime by a certain… a certain unidentified Dark magician."

"That has not been proved," said Witezslav.

"Only the identity of the provocateur has not been established," Gesar said with a smile. "The fact of his existence is in no doubt."

Witezslav nodded and turned to face his six colleagues. For a few moments the Inquisitors shared their thoughts with each other without speaking. Then Witezslav looked back to the four motionless Fi

The large young black man sighed heavily and the Chinese and the Fi

"The second possible punishment is that from this day until the end of your lives you will be forbidden to use magic. You will have the right to live ordinary human lives, without using magical means to prolong or improve the quality of those lives."

The Fi

"The second… the second!" Yukha Mustajoki said in a choking voice. The others nodded.

"Does anyone present have any objections?" Witezslav asked.

Gesar got to his feet again. "As a small gesture of goodwill… we consider it possible to permit the accused to use magic… minor magic… with inanimate objects." It seemed as if Gesar had to struggle to pronounce every word, that he was forcing himself to show mercy. "Say, to find some… small item… that's been lost… a key or a coin… To drive the flies out of a room… according to the regulations, flies are regarded as inanimate, are they not? To clean the carburetor in a car…"

The vampire's face expressed faint surprise.

He doesn't understand, Edgar thought.

"The Inquisition has no objections…" the vampire said eventually. "Apply the seals to the accused!"

Two Inquisitors raised their right hands, and fine threads of glimmering energy streamed through the air toward the accused. The seals were applied permanently, leaving the condemned prisoners capable of only the very weakest forms of magic. Probably the Inquisitors really hadn't understood that Gesar's unexpected kindness had only made the punishment worse. It was one thing to be completely deprived of all magic and gradually come to terms with life as a human being. It was quite different to feel every day that you were a helpless cripple who had to manage with a pale shadow of your former abilities.

But then, the Fi

Edgar shook his head. He actually felt quite glad that the Dark Brothers had been saved. But what a price to pay… He would probably have preferred a quick death.

"The next matter for this hearing to consider has not been a

Zabulon smiled in triumph.

"And also the leader of the Day Watch of Moscow, known under the name of Zabulon."

Edgar was delighted by Zabulon's slightly perplexed expression. But just how genuine was it?

"The Inquisition's first question is for the Great Magician Gesar." Witezslav was speaking politely now, but very firmly. "Gesar, have you carried out interventions in the Book of Destiny of the Great Enchantress Svetlana Nazarova, here present, with the intention of compelling the said Great Enchantress to become the mother of a Light Messiah?"

The hall fell silent.

"Rephrase your question, Witezslav," Gesar said in a soft voice. "Or I shall take offense."

The vampire bared his teeth in a smile. "Answer the substance of the point, Great Magician Gesar."

"Very well," said Gesar with a nod. "I was not expecting these accusations, but… I will explain for the Tribunal."

You were expecting them, thought Edgar. You were expecting everything, you cu