As soon as Ashlynn said the words 'trial by combat' the entire gathering went still. Only noblemen and the Templars possessed the right to trial by combat and the trial of either for any crime was so rare that choosing trial by combat was virtually unheard of. Yet neither the Church nor the king had ever suggested stripping people of this right in the hundreds of years since the Kingdom of Gall was first established.
"This is madness," Sir Broll said once the moment of shock passed. "Men, apprehend her for impersonating a noblewoman, slandering a knight and the murder of Sir Kaefin. She will hang for her crimes by dawn!"
"Consider carefully, goodmen," Ashlynn said, never taking her eyes from Sir Broll's sweating face. "If Sir Broll is right, you'll suffer no consequences and reap great rewards for following his orders."
